Author: zachary.hoskins@gmail.com
-
Jheri Curl June: DāM-FunK’s “Searchin’ 4 Funk’s Future”
If J.C.M. Mark I took as its template Prince’s run of early-’80s albums, then Mark II–at least as interpreted by DāM-FunK–sounds more like a high-generation Prince bootleg.
-
Jheri Curl June: Cindy’s “Must Be Lucky 〜愛の国へ〜”
In previous years, we’ve talked about how late-era Jheri Curl Music morphed into New Jack Swing, but Cindy’s 1990 song “Must Be Lucky 愛の国へ〜 (Ai no Kuni e)” is a great example of the other route, veering into ’90s dance music.
-
Jheri Curl June: The Mac Band’s “Roses Are Red”
Like other LaFace productions of its vintage, “Roses Are Red” captured a transitional moment, with the hard-hitting drums (played by L.A. himself) heralding the coming of New Jack Swing. But just watch the video above, which looks like a group of uncles getting a few wine coolers deep and spontaneously trying to recreate Prince’s video…
-
Jheri Curl June: Full Force’s “Old Flames Never Die”
I actually love Full Force. I mean, they are an ’80s R&B group with Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure character bodies who all dress like “Macho Man” Randy Savage and have Jheri curls. What is there NOT to love?
-
Jheri Curl June: Sylvester’s “Mutual Attraction”
Look, if Sylvester of all people wanted to take a break from the dance floor, who are we to tell him no?
-
Jheri Curl June: Oran “Juice” Jones’ “The Rain”
If you read yesterday’s post, then you’re already familiar with what Carl Carlton would do if another man touched his mama jama. Well, “The Rain” is basically a list of what Oran “Juice” Jones would do if his mama jama touched another man.
-
Jheri Curl June: Carl Carlton’s “Private Property”
It’s a musical sequel equal parts heartwarming (Carl’s found love!) and offputting; one hopes there’s a third song in the trilogy where he finally realizes that bad mama jamas’ bodies belong to themselves.
-
Jheri Curl June: Evan Rogers’ “Don’t Jump to Conclusions”
If we’ve learned anything from our writeup on L.A. Reid back in 2016, it’s that if there is a successful songwriter and producer from the last 30 or so years, they probably had a Jheri Curl album of their own in the mid-’80s.
-
Jheri Curl June: Lucky Rosenbloom’s “Keep Your Faith in God”
Lucky Rosenbloom’s “Keep Your Faith in God” is, unequivocally, Jheri Curl Gospel–J.C. for J.C., if you will.
-
Jheri Curl June: Alicia Myers’ “Appreciation”
I have a theory that most, if not all, of the best music can be traced back to the Midwest. This is especially true of funk and R&B. In fact, if we put a dot on the map every time we inducted an artist into Jheri Curl June, the biggest clusters of dots would be…