The Soul Sides Sidebar

This is Ep. #1 of an informal mailbag series of mini-episodes prepped for Soul Sides and Heat Rocks fans. In this one, Oliver Wang tackles a pair of questions: 1) what were some of my favorite artists from when I was in college and 2) What's an example of an artist/album from a genre that Heat Rocks typically does *not* into? Thanks to Eric Peterson for the questions!

The Sidebar returns to fill the social distancing void. I'm joined by Michael Barnes of the Melting Pot blog to talk about a special version of Sly and the Family Stone's 1974 LP, "Small Talk" that Michael came upon years ago. Much record nerdery ensues.

We look at one of the darkest soul songs ever recorded, "Dead," arranged and co-written by Moses Dillard and produced by Fort Worth TX's Major Bill Smith who could commission over a dozen different versions of the song on his various imprints. David Haffner of the record store, Friends of Sound, joins to share details about the song's curious history.

In this episode, we revisit the 2005 song (and 2015 single), "1 Thing," originally recorded by Amerie but remixed by Siik.

A new personal podcast series from Oliver Wang of Soul Sides/Heat Rocks, Single Servings tells the stories behind single songs. For this launch episode, we dig into "Someone to Treat Me," the 1969 R&B single by New York girl ground The De Vons. Featured on here: De Vons lead singer, Jimmie Boone Amos!

A return to hip-hop but with a Cali focus. Featuring songs by: Droop Capone, 7A3, MC Red, The Poetess and more.

Firme rola alert! It's the slow jam/sweet soul episode of the Record Wheel with music from the likes of: Lee Williams and the Cymbals, The Exceptionals, The Cruisers, Little Joe and the Latinaires, the Natural Four and more.

We head to the discotheque with a selection of tracks from the '70s through early '80s including songs by Charanga 76, Manzel, Wild Sugar and B&G Rhythm. Platform shoes not required.

After being gone for a few weeks, the Record Wheel returns with an XL sized episode includes songs brought home from New Orleans and a random assortment of other goodies. Artists include the Electric Prunes, Lonnie Russ, the Vibrations, the Southern University Stage Band, Demon Fuzz, Pratt & Moody, Ruly Garcia and the late, great Clyde Stubblefield.

O-Dub's off to NOLA this week so here's a quick pick-six of Crescent City songs.

Mathew Ramirez Warren, the filmmaker behind "We Like It Like That: The Story of Latin Boogaloo," joins up with Oliver Wang to talk about the film, the legacy of boogaloo, plus they share 10 boogaloo jams for this week's annotated playlist.

In honor of the Groove Merchant's recent pop-up at RappCats in L.A., a playlist built around several songs from that sale and a couple of other GM gems collected over the years.

The people have spoken and they wanted hip-hop so this episode whips together a 10 song annotated playlist of (mostly) randomly chosen tunes including from Nikki D, Blackalicious, Marco Polo, Diamond D, J-Zone, O.G. Style and more. Recorded and assembled by Oliver Wang from Soul-Sides.com.

A casual, 10 song annotated playlist including songs from the Ohio Players, Ethics, Relatives, Pharcyde and more.

A conversation with Scott Saul, author of the new biography, "Becoming Richard Pryor."

The Sidebar returns with an episode devoted to the music of Bill Withers.

A "best of" Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on RadioSombra.org on 10-3-14. A 60 minute show dedicated to Donny Hathaway, on the week of his birthday.

A "best of" Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on RadioSombra.org on 5-16-14. A 100+ minute show dedicated to the start of the summer (and thus, the start of summer jams.

A "best of" Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on RadioSombra.org on 2-21-14. A 66 minute show dedicated to De La Soul's 3 Ft. High and Rising.

A "best of" Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on RadioSombra.org on 4-18-13. A 90 minute interview with Cut Chemist.

A "best of" Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on RadioSombra.org on 11-15-13. See http://radiosombra.org/shades-of-soul-ep1-6-first-dance/ for a tracklisting.

A Shades of Soul episode, originally broadcast on 10-6-13, dedicated to soul-jazz classics

An interview with filmmaker Morgan Neville about his new documentary, "20 Feet From Stardom."

An impromptu 75 minute "radio" set that originally streamed over ustream.tv.

A look back at Soul Sides' favorite re-discovered songs of 2012.

Recorded live at the Crawford Family Forum. Featuring RJ Smith, James Gadson and Oliver Wang. http://www.scpr.org/events/2012/08/14/james-browns-legacy/

Interview with Detroit drummer and producer Karriem Riggins.

Interview with professor and music writer Daphne Brooks.

Interview with soul singer Lee Fields.

An interview with designer Brent Rollins

Interview with Pat Thomas, author of "Listen Whitey: The Sounds of Black Power"

An interview with Bill Adler: journalist, Def Jam publicist, curator, and all-around hip-hop guru.

An interview with artist/graphic designer David Byrd about his 45 logo potster.

An interview with Michael Piggott of Masstropicas

An interview with DJ Chris Read, one of the minds behind the just-concluded Classic Material parties and mix-CDs.

An interview with Chicago soul/funk legend Syl Johnson.

An interview with R&B artist Mike James Kirkland on his life and career.

The second part of our interview with producer/rapper Thes One, from People Under the Stairs

Aaron Cohen runs down some gospel favorites.

Aaron Cohen, author of the new book about Aretha's best-selling gospel album, "Amazing Grace."

An interview with producer/bandleader/DJ Will Holland aka Quantic.

A conversation with "The Big Payback" author Dan Charnas about the late Sylvia Robinson.

Interview with Alec Palao, reissue producer, discussing the Music City catalog.

Interview with rapper/producer Thes One of L.A.'s People Under the Stairs

A summer songs interview with Sasha Frere-Jones, music critic for The New Yorker and culture editor at The Daily.

An interview with Dan Charnas, author of "The Big Payback."

Photographer Brian Cross aka B+, author of "It's Not About a Salary," the upcoming "Ghost Notes," and co-founder of Mochilla.

Interview with Andrew Nosnitsky aka Noz of Cocaineblunts.com

Interview with Chuck WIld aka Captain Planet: producer, remixer, DJ with Bastard Jazz, Mixtape Riot and the Beatards.