Common feat. Bilal: Play Your Cards Right
From Smokin’ Aces soundtrack (Lakeshore, 2007)
Joe Bataan: Under the Street Lamp
Available on Under the Streetlamps: The Joe Bataan Anthology 1967 – 1972 (Fania/Emusica, 2008)
Joe Bataan was just here in Los Angeles the last week or so (and I feel stupid for not posting up links to his performances) and we caught up twice during that time, including one meeting where he broke down the entire history behind “Rap-O, Clap-O“. Fascinating stuff and I’ll have to try to write that up sometime.
Anyways, the other time we met, he was asking me if I knew anything about this Common song that sampled one of his songs. Joe had gotten a check for the clearance but hadn’t heard the actual use of the song yet. Not having really followed the sampling game that closely of late, I couldn’t think of anything off the top so we sat down and googled it and sure enough, it was Common’s “Play Your Cards Right” from last year’s Smokin’ Aces soundtrack. And once you hear it, it’s plain as day that producer Kareem Riggins had looped up Joe’s great “Under the Street Lamp” (from his Singin’ Some Soul album originally). (Joe got a kick out of hearing his song sampled).
He was also gracious enough to sign a copy of his anthology that I did the liner notes for and I’m going to give this away to one lucky (and informed) reader.
DETAILS AFTER THE JUMP
To be eligible, send an email to soulsides AT gmail.com with the subject line “Joe Bataan giveaway.” You need to answer the following:
- 1) What Latin producer of Alegre fame did Joe Bataan record with prior to signing with Fania?
2) How many original albums (not including compilations or reissued content) did Joe record for Fania (this is a trick question of sorts so think it through carefully)?
3) Some of Joe’s most successful songs have been covers: “Gypsy Woman, “Shaft,” “The Bottle.” Name the original artists behind these other Joe Bataan songs:
a. “It’s a Good Feeling (Riot)”
b. “I’m No Stranger”
c. “Make Me Smile”
4) What Ismael Miranda boogaloo mash-up/cover of “Tighten Up” does Joe Bataan make a cameo on? Name the song and album.
5) What pseudonym did Joe take on when he recorded for Bobby Marin’s Dynamite label?
6) Two different songs that Joe recorded earlier in his career ended up re-released on later albums in their intact (i.e. non-rerecorded) form. One was “Ordinary Guy” – the same version appears on both Riot and Singin’ Some Soul. What is the other song and which two albums did it appear on?
7) What classic from Joe’s repertoire appears on his Salsoul album, but with a different name?
8) What’s different about the 7″ version of “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” compared to the LP version from Afrofilipino (be specific)?
9) What old school rap duo was supposed to appear on “Rap-O, Clap-O” instead of Joe rapping himself?
10) What martial art are Joe’s children all masters of?
I’ll select a winner at random from those with the most correct answers. Deadline: next Monday.
I also have a second (unsigned) copy of the anthology to give away, randomly, to those who buy Deep Covers 2 in the next week. (Physical CD orders only, digital downloads don’t apply, sorry).
chatter