It’s Valentine’s Day: The air smells like roller rink pizza, the lights are dim save for the projection of pink and red hearts on the wooden floorboards, and pairs of lovers roller-skate endlessly round and round, hand in hand. This is the vibe that Julian Booker is curating this Saturday on The Get Down from 6 to 9 p.m., where he will be presenting an eclectic mix of jazz funk and psychedelic disco, tied together by one theme: love.
The Look Of Love, Afro-Harping, Dorothy Ashby
Hailed by Philly-area jazz critic Tom Moon as “one of the most unjustly under-loved jazz greats of the 1950s,” harpist Dorothy Ashby revolutionized the instrument with her incredibly skillful and versatile playing. This weekend’s broadcast will feature her take on the Burt Bacharach composition “The Look of Love.” The track’s entrancing combination of driving percussion and the blended sounds of flute and harp is sure to start your wheels spinning.
Let’s Stay Together, Root Down, Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith’s funky take on this Al Green classic offers the gift of unrelenting groove. Originally born in Norristown, Smith got his start in the Philly jazz scene as a pianist, permanently making the move to organ in 1954. On this track, his bluesy, wailing organ emulates Green’s yearning vocals, making it difficult to keep from singing (or skating) along.
Love Makes It Better, A Secret Place, Grover Washington Jr.
Nothing screams love more than the soulful saxophone of Grover Washington, Jr. This Saturday’s broadcast will feature “Love Makes it Better,” from Washington’s album A Secret Place. The tune was originally composed by Harvey Mason, Jr., the current CEO of the Recording Academy. Washington’s wailing solo over a funky backbeat makes this track perfect for sailing down the roller rink alongside your beloved.
Never Gonna Give You Up (Won’t Let You Be), Posh, Patrice Rushen
One of Patrice Rushen’s most prominent hits, this track was originally released in 1980 but reached #2 on the U.S. Dance charts in 1981. If you give it a listen, it’s not hard to tell why. The handclaps and shakers mesh with a percussive bass performance by Freddie Washington to form an intoxicating groove. Topping it all off are Rushen’s energetic vocals and longing lyrics, which may tempt you to grab your partner and get down.
Love Ain’t Nothing But a Business Going On, Junior Parker
Aside from its iconic cover art, this Junior Parker album notably includes covers of three Beatles songs: ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, ‘Lady Madonna’ and ‘Taxman’. This weekend’s broadcast, however, will feature the album's title song, a groovy and heavy-hitting blues track. Parker’s sweet and smooth vocals serve as a reminder of his place in the Blues Hall of Fame.
These tracks are only a fraction of what Booker has lined up for this special Valentine's Day broadcast of The Get Down, so lace up your skates, grab your partner and tune in to groove!