Mandaris"Skid Row (Downtown)" by Michelle Weeks, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Ellen Greene & Rick Moranis
If today were a genre, what would it be? Pick a matching song.
I'm just being cheeky this morning.
Crucial Track for September 21, 2025
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
What’s a remix or cover you like more than the original?
This is one of those songs that you see in a compilations of Songs you didn't know were covers
. This one is special to me because it was the first time that I knew of it happening. Before I knew about Motown or any of the music I was popular in the 90s that was associated with Puff Daddy.
Lillie doesn’t get out of the bed for less than two (2) treats.
Crucial Track for September 20, 2025
"N.T. (feat. Busta Rhymes)" by Q-Tip
What’s a hidden gem or underrated song you love?
Q-Tip had a great album and I really enjoy the piano on this track. I've got a playlist I'm creating on songs that I haven't heard in a while and this one is going on it.
I also really enjoy Busta Rhymes crashing out
on the track.
Crucial Track for September 19, 2025
"This Is the Song That Never Ends" by ABC Kids
What’s a song that grew on you over time?
It's a very catchy song. It's got energy and lyrics that are easy to pick up.
It will outlive us all.
Crucial Track for September 18, 2025
"Controversy" by Prince
What’s your favorite deep cut from an album?
I'm not good at identifying deep cuts
, but the first song that comes to mind is Prince's Controversy. I first heard it on a compilation of B-Sides from Prince. You could argue that Prince's B-sides are better than some other artist A-sides... and that's not a diss in any since of the word.
Not feeling well. Just sat at home binging Foundation season three.
Crucial Track for September 17, 2025
"My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas
Share a song you feel was ahead of its time.
I'm only considering this ahead of its time because I heard it on the album before it was on all the top 40 radio stations. I remember putting it in my cd player and then calling my wife - then girlfriend- on the portable phone about this new song.
She didn't like it at first, as she heard the line:
She's got me spending! Spending all his money on me And all his time on me
Still, the hook and beat are now very recognizable for people my age.
My daughter was asking about her family history so I told her that her grandfather was trying to get his liquor license with Bobo and Willie but things fell through and his passion just kind of dried up like some kind of fruit in the sun.
Crucial Track for September 16, 2025
"Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)" by Elton John & Dua Lipa
What’s the last song you discovered and loved instantly?
I wouldn't use the word love
, but I wanted to hear this song immediately after listening to it. Since then it has been in a semi regular rotation of playlists.