NOW WHAT WE GONE DO, IS GO WAY BACK...

In no particular order, here is my list for the must-have LPs of all time. If you have these, you are at least 32, actually wore Chuck Taylors and remember when kids could play outside without a trouble in the world "until the street lights came on."

The 25 Essential Old-Head Albums List

1. Tenderlover by Babyface
In my mind, this is the ultimate party album. Dance, grind, cool down, cuddle—it’s got it all. Added to that, almost every cut was a (certified) hit; even inspired me to write a screenplay. Babyface’s sophomore solo project after leaving the Deele, there is everything on here. Sir Face even had the nerve to put new meaning and new life into the phrase, “Whip Appeal,” particularly as it pertains to a woman’s affect on a man. And the lyrics of the other cuts like “Sunshine,” have in the dictionary under the definition “smooth (“…maybe we should settle down and raise a family, a girl for you and maybe a boy for me”).” Was Babyface laying rap or what? I even had to let my teen-age son know that the words to “My Kind of Girl” might come in handy some day.

2. Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
No Grammys for this one, but it is a party pleaser for shore. “Chameleon,” recognizable almost within the first four notes, is the longest R & B, jazz hit to date. And while the creepy album cover (the Herb-ster at the piano with a weird mask that looked like a radio over his face) gave me a nightmare or two, it was still one of the most played LPs in our house.

3. Rapture by Anita Baker
Although her sophomore project, there was no real pressure for Ms. Baker on this one. First, she belonged to the group Chapter 8. One hit, the group folded and Anita went solo, with Songstress. A few cuts from the album did well especially “Angel”; the momentum died and Anita couldn’t get a hit even if she was Reggie Jackson in October. Legend has it that no one would sign her; record execs advised, “go back to your day job.” She returned to being a secretary...for a little while. Somehow, she got back in the studio. When “Sweet Love” hit the airwaves, it was a breath of fresh air; I remember hearing it on WBLS in NYC...in stereo. Within a few short months, I’m sure Anita crossed her arms, jerked her neck, sucked her teeth and said, “Damn a day job.”

4. Funky Divas by EnVogue
What a title…what a project! It is what makes it so hard to believe that this group is gone and never coming back. Listening to Terry, Cindy, Maxine and Dawn get ready backstage (singing the "bumblebee warm-up," no less) and the in-studio girl chat at the beginning of “Give It Up, Turn It Loose,” is priceless. But the hook for me was their rendition of the Beatles “Yesterday.” When Donnie Simpson described this particular cut during an interview with the group on Video Soul (back in the day, baby), I had no money. By the end of the week, I had scrapped together enough funds to purchase the cassette; still have it and cannot bear to part with it.

5. Promise by Sade
Dance, marathon lovemaking, or kicking back with a bottle of wine–Sade proves versatile. Whatever your mood, whatever you want... she has your back.

6. Who? by Tony, Toni, Tone!
What? When? Where? In the late 80's, these Oaktown cats were laying down the sounds on an ultimate party album...west coast style. With churchy rhythms and preachy lyrics to match (“something’s gonna get you little Walter,” “money, have my own, drugs, don’t indulge, sex, have the right person...”), the message in the music will live on forever. The love songs on this project, while not well-received, would serve as preludes to ballads on future TTT albums.

7. Purple Rain Soundtrack by Prince & The Revolution
The autobiographical film about the purple genius was hot and this soundtrack even hotter. From the title track to “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Take Me With U,” “Darlin’ Nikki,” “When Doves Cry” and “I Would Die 4 U,” his royal badness gave it all he had and then some.

8. Life, Love and Pain by Club Nouveau
Initially, this album’s single “Jealousy” gave the off the “one-hit-wonder” vibe. Then “Lean On Me,” a remake of Bill Withers’ 1972 classic dropped. This certified jam required a double-take at this project, produced by Denny Foster and Thomas McElroy (the Denny and Tommy who would mold and present EnVogue four years later). The bad thing, though, is that "LOM" was played to death; I was absolutely sick of it a year later when my fellow recruits in basic training adopted this song as our unofficial theme. Other cuts got some play (“Situation #9,” “Why You Treat Me So Bad”). Still, the group would have just more hit—“Frances,” off their next album and then disappear.

9. Take 6 by Take 6
Even Aretha never made “Mary Don’t You Weep,” sound like this. These a cappella brothers put the get-down back in Gospel. Sadly, with member changes and too much commercialism, they could never capture the same spirit that they did on their debut. A few hits on a couple of soundtracks and collaborative pieces is the best we have heard from them to date.

10. The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Volume 1 by Earth, Wind & Fire
It is hard to pick just one album by “the Elements.” They are all so dang good. But, but…this one has all of the hits on it, plus “Reasons.” ‘Nuff said.

11. Simple Pleasures by Bobby McFerrin
From the moment I heard and saw the video for “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” I pegged Sir McFerrin as another cheese-eating Negro who had “crossed over” with this pacifying, subservient song. Yet at the time of Mr. McFerrin’s popularity, circa when he did the theme for The Cosby Show, I was dating a brother who was a bit more open-minded. My beloved challenged me to listen to the entire album. Sha-zam! Still can’t stand “DWBH,” but the rest of the cuts, mainly remakes, are pure works of art. I play SP on long road trips and pray that I do not get a ticket as I get caught up.

12. Stevie Wonder’s Original Musiqarium I by Stevie Wonder
The title is Stevie-ism for “this is my ‘Best of, Part 1.'”

13. The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Slick Rick
Though very little of this album can be played on the air, “Hey Young World,” and “Children’s Story” are favorites among young and old heads. The latter, I might add, written back in’88, has lyrics which bear an eerily close resemblance to Atlanta courthouse shooter Brian Nicholas’ actions some 16 years later (Slick Rick...a prophet?).

14. Hot, Cool and Viscous by Salt ‘n Pepa
They are truly the First Ladies of Rap. Yeah, Ladies Love James…but Salt 'n Pepa made rap super-dooper sexy. And they did it with tight spandex, fly hair-dos, modest make-up, some major gyrating-slash-booty-shaking, catchy rhymes and skill. Stress on the latter because unlike some other lady rappers, they would not have gotten far without it.

15. The Real Chukee-boo by Loose Ends
Tell me something...why is it so cold on the airwaves nowadays? No Loose Ends! This group burned up the charts so bad they just had to go away. Intimately poetic, preachy, passionate and oh so powerful lyrics over electronic earthy beats made you feel that they were talking to you and group of close friends (“there’s no gratitude...even the birds in the sky, must touch the ground. And what goes up must surely come down.”)

16. Introducing the Hard Line According to Terence Trent D'Arby by Terence Trent D’Arby
This album makes the list for two reasons. First, I truly love it. Second, I got dogged by folks about listing Mr. D’Arby as a one hit wonder. Well, this album was indeed his only hit LP to date…so? Nevertheless, he laid it down on "If You Let Me Stay," “Dance Little Sister,” “Who’s Lovin’ You (remake of the Jackson 5 classic),” “Wishing Well,” and of course, "Sign Your Name." He tossed around his unmistakable soul pitch, totally in sync with his braids and fly dance moves. Alas, however, Mr. D’arby’s alleged trash talking about Prince and arrogant tendencies may have jinxed him.

17. Graceland by Paul Simon
Despite the over-the-top video with Chevy Chase, and teaming up with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon’s heart of gold shines through on this piece of work. He is both transparent and artistic. It is difficult to enjoy without almost catching the Holy Ghost.

18. Back on the Block by Quincy Jones
Have to be brutally honest, not a huge fan of Sir Q because he never actually sings on his albums. Still, one absolutely, positively has to give him props because he produces magic with almost everyone he works with. This project had some of ‘erbody on it. More importantly, it was, I believe, Mr. Jones’ first foray into hip-hop. Added to that, it introduced Tevin Campbell plus gave us the “unofficial” theme for African-American weddings (“Septembro”). And there are plenty of kids 16 and under who have “Secret Garden” to thank for their existence.

19. Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack by the Bee Gees and Various Artists
The Bee Gees lyrics, John Travolta’s moves, the time (mid-70's), the place (Brooklyn)...forget about it!

20. The Wiz Soundtrack by Various Artists
Though the movie was a box office flop, the music is classic and has never been duplicated, sampled or anything of the like (...yet; keep your fingers crossed that some snot-nosed “rapper” does not come along and ruin a good thing). Michael Jackson sings “You Can’t Win” as if he really has the Man’s foot on his neck (hey, maybe that man was Joe Jackson). Then of course, there is Nipsey Russell’s ambiguous, “Slide Some Oil To Me,” and the mostly instrumental theme at the Emerald City medley (“You’ve Got To Be Seen In Green, You’ve Got To Be Seen In Red, Gold”). Yes, Diana Ross was way too old to play Dorothy, but she rocks on “Can’t You Feel A Brand New Day/Everyone Rejoice (written by Luthor Vandross)" and “Ease On Down The Road.”

21. Don’t Be Cruel by Bobby Brown
Another sophomore project that knocked everyone out of their socks. Produced by Teddy Riley and Babyface Edmonds, Bobby came strong with the club crowd pleasers (title track, "My Prerogative," "Ev’ry Little Step") and the ballads ("Roni," "Rock Wit Cha'"). He even created the “Bobby Brown” push-up; for those who don’t know, try to catch the video…

22. Family Reunion by The O’Jays
Before LA Reid & Babyface, Denny & Terry, or Jimmy and (the other) Terry, there were producers Gamble & Huff. Though they are now both deceased, they live on via songs they created for the O’Jays. This project has a little something for everybody. Family song (“Reunion”), get ready for the party (“Livin’ For the Weekend”), party (“I Love Music”) and “you sure are looking fine…(“Stairway To Heaven”).” As Bernie Mac says on his show, “Let’s move on.”

23. Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson
No doubt in anybody’s mind that Morris Day kicking Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam out of The Time was the best thing that happened to the dynamic duo. How else would they have been able to “be there” to “Control” Ms. Jackson and then for this follow-up smash? But besides the funky dance cuts (title track, “Escapade,” “All Right”) and love songs that are borderline stalker themes (“Miss You Much,” “Love Will Never Do” and “Come Back To Me”), Ms. Jackson expressed true concern for the youth. Although not a hit, “Livin’ In A World (They Did Not Make),” spoke directly to the tragedy lower-income and children of color had been witnessing long before mainstream media deemed it newsworthy: shootings. At the time of this album’s release, Janet was partnered with then Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell encouraging literacy among young people. My firm believe is that if she would have earnestly continued this campaign, no one would have given a damn about her exposing herself on national television; hell, it probably would not have even happened.

24. On The Radio (Greatest Hits Volume 1 & 2) by Donna Summer
Toot-toot, hey, beep-beep! Say what? Donna does the damn thing and more. "Love To Love You Baby," "Dim All The Lights," "I Feel Love"…Keisha Coles, Lil’ Kim, Mariah and them need to take notes on how to get a man in the mood.

25. Claudine Soundtrack by Gladys Knight and the Pips (produced by Curtis Mayfield)
Here is another album with cuts to fit any mood. Feeling blue? “To Be Invisible.” Got a man who is loving you right and you just cannot get enough of his ass? “On and On.” Feeling bound by the ‘man’? “Mr. Welfare.” Think your man is cheating? “Hold On.” Or, how about if you are just happy for no dang reason? “Make Yours A Happy Home,” and “Claudine’s Theme.”

Honorable Mention
Faith by George Michael
“...sex is natural, sex is fun. Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” This is what my impressionable teen-age mind heard blaring through radios and saw on television screens back in ‘88 thanks to Mr. Severely-Perverted-though-we-didn’t-know-how-bad-at-the-time Michael. Still, hits from this one makes it a must have.

Too Hot To Handle by Heatwave
The lyrics to the modern day slow jams ain’t squat compared to this group’s words of adornment. Even New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain,” cannot truly compete with “Always And Forever.”

Guy by Guy
Jam...oh, jam. And jam for us, Teddy did. That is all we wanted to do. Have block parties, go to clubs, sit on the steps outside the house, plug in our walkmans, turn on our MTV and JAM. If hip-hop were a religion, these guys would be the founders, ushers, deacon board and ministers of music.

C’est Chic by Chic
There are quite a few songs that say, “disco,” or “club scene in the late ‘70s.” Some may actually put you in the time and place. “Le Freak” suits you up in the clothes and styles your hair from the second you hear, “Awww, freak out!”

Colonel Abrams by Colonel Abrams
Folks outside of NYC may not know this cat. He is a classic one-hit-wonder...but with style and house-ism finesse. Born in Detroit, but raised in New York City, the Colonel (reportedly his name from birth), had ‘em jumping on the dance floor with “Trapped.” While the rest of the project did not make it to the charts, many a block party DJ rocked “Not Gonna Let,” and a few other cuts to nastify their scratches.

Still Bill by Bill Withers
The voice, the lyrics, the simple yet solid beats. Young heads must take note and give respect to the message in the music that has classic cut-to-the-chase, get-to-the-point lines such as, “who is he and what is he to you?

Heresay by Alexander O’Neal
If you look up the term “southern-style funk” in the dictionary of R & B, there is a picture of Alexander O’Neal. Mississippi-born and probably cornbread fed, “Fake,” “Sunshine,” and “Never Knew Love Like This,” proved that talent is not just restricted to L.A., Georgia, New York, Detroit or Chi-town.

Candy Girl by New Edition
This album only scratches the surface of what these cats could do. Their debut, this album is innocent, hopeful and still a good listen.

Affair by Cherelle
Produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, sister girl threw down on this album for no damn reason.

Paid In Full by Eric B. & Rakim
Block party, club, block party, backyard barbecues, block party, gym jams, block party. Consider the style of these cats to be first cousins to EPMD and Public Enemy, but the lyrics are strictly about being cool.

Pronounced Jah-Nay by Zhane
No comments...just a question. Where in the ham sandwich are these two sisters?