“Sing a Song” by Earth, Wind & Fire

No band could musically convey sheer joy like Earth, Wind & Fire. Their exuberant R&B/pop hit “Sing a Song” is a prime example. The track is overflowing with good vibes and positive energy. It sounds like a carefree outing to the park or beach on a beautiful summer day. The song is about the therapeutic power of music and how it can lift people’s spirits when they’re feeling down. It boasts a stellar arrangement with bright horn lines, energetic guitar riffs and groovin’ bass. And Maurice White and Philip Bailey elevate the track with their vibrant vocals. The track also has a sunny, infectious chorus. This is definitely the cut to bump when you’re having a bad day, but it’s also great to listen to when you’re already in good spirits.

“Sing a Song” was written by White and EWF guitarist Al McKay. It was a studio track from Earth, Wind & Fire’s triple-platinum double-live album Gratitude, which was released on November 11, 1975. The song spent two weeks atop Billboard's R&B singles chart and peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop chart. The gorgeous ballad “Can’t Hide Love,” another studio cut from the album, had an impressive showing on the Billboard’s R&B singles chart, peaking at #11. 

Gratitude was released on Columbia Records, and it was produced by Maurice White, Charles Stepney and Joe Wissert (live shows). The full band lineup for the album was Verdine White (bass, vocals, percussion), Larry Dunn (piano, organ, Moog synthesizer), Fred White (drums, percussion), Johnny Graham (guitar), Andrew Woolfolk (saxophone, percussion), Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion), Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, drums, timbales, producer), Don Myrick (saxophone), Al McKay (guitar, percussion), Louis Satterfield (trombone), Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion) and Michael Harris (trumpet).

“Sing a Song” was included on the following film soundtracks: Something’s Gotta Give, Think Like a Man, Radio Arrow, The Color of Friendship and the video game For All Mankind Time Capsule. Also, it was sampled on the song “Hey Goldmember,” which Beyoncé sang in the 2002 spy action comedy Austin Powers in Goldmember.

"Sing a Song" at Amazon

Related blog entry: Earth, Wind & Fire's Shining Star: Funk That Inspires

“Hang Loose” by Mandrill

In 1973, Brooklyn groove outfit Mandrill scored their third hit with the eruptive funk jam “Hang Loose.” The dynamic track showcases the band's formidable musicianship. Fudgie Kae ignites the groove with a killer bass line, and the badass horn section serves up some potent brass funk. The kinetic percussion work and tight rhythm guitar riffs significantly enhance the song's groove quotient. Things shift from urgent hard-hitting funk to smoldering Latin jazz-rock on the instrumental bridge, which features a superb solo from guitarist Omar Mesa. Not to be outdone, Claude “Coffee” Cave lets loose with a scorching organ solo when the band returns to the main groove. 

The song touches on the daily struggle for survival in America, especially for those who live in distressed urban areas, and how this constant struggle places people at odds with one another, which begets violence and other crimes among those in the community.  “Hang Loose” calls for unity and peace and for people to respect one another.

“Hang Loose,” written by Cave, was a single from Mandrill’s third album Composite Truth (1973), released on Polydor Records. The song peaked at #25 on Billboard’s R&B single chart and #83 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The album also contains the band’s biggest hit “Fencewalk” (#19 R&B chart, #52 pop chart). The collection was produced by Alfred V. Brown and Mandrill.

The full band lineup for Composite Truth was Frederick “Fudgie Kae” Solomon (bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, vocals); Neftali Santiago (drums, vocals); Omar Mesa (lead guitar, percussion, vocals); Claude “Coffee” Cave (keyboards, vibraphone, percussion, vocals); Dr. Ricardo Wilson, aka “Doc Ric” (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, percussion, vocals), Carlos Wilson (trombone, flute, alto saxophone, guitar, timbales, drums, percussion, vocals); Louis “Sweet Lou” Wilson (trumpet, congas, percussion, vocals).

"Hang Loose" at Amazon

Related blog entry: "Fencewalk" by Mandrill