Earth Wind & Fire - The Columbia Masters (2012) - Review

Maurice White passed away this week at the age of 74 from complications of Parkinson's disease which he had been diagnosed with as far back as the early nineties. As the band leader, producer, songwriter and lead singer of the band Earth Wind and Fire, he created a vision for a band whose uplifting songs entertained millions around the world across the generations, encompassing funk, soul, jazz, rock, pop, disco, African and Brazilian music. For casual listeners or people who aren't familiar with their work, let me walk you through the Columbia Masters, a box set released in 2012 that showcases their catalog from 1973 to 1990.

Maurice had the idea for a new band while he was still in Chicago during the late 60's. And after a stint playing drums with the Ramsey Lewis trio, he convinced his brother Verdine to move out to LA with him. Naming the group after his astrological signs, they got signed to Warner Bros Records and released three albums in 1971, including the soundtrack to Sweet Sweetback's Badasssss Song. But the band splintered and Maurice had to reassemble a new lineup, which eventually would include mainstay Philip Bailey. Their first album with the new lineup, Last Days and Time was released in 1972 and features a sparse version of the group with only Ronnie Laws playing all of the woodwinds and brass. It also included rare EWF covers of Pete Seeger's Where Have All The Flowers Gone and Bread's Make It With You. The two standout tracks for me were originals, Power and Mom.

In 1973 Head To The Sky gave EWF their first burst of success on the soul charts with Evil and Keep Your Head to the Sky. Their Brazilian influence was heard most clearly on the album-ender, Zanzibar written by Brazilian singer, Edu Lobo. They were now being identified as a strong soulful rhythmic group the band, so with 1974's Open Your Eyes they added a deeper horn section and had great success on the pop charts with the funky Mighty Mighty and the ballad, Devotion. This is the album where Maurice started taking over more of the production duties working with mentor Charles Stepney. Mighty Mighty, their first Top 40 hit, really showcased what Philip Bailey could do. Listen to him hit those ridiculous high notes towards the end of that song. Another one of the standout tracks on the album is Kalimba Story, with Maurice explaining in song how he fell in love with the thumb piano as it opened up a new world for him. The Kalimba would be featured on almost every EWF album thereafter.

With the band standing on the edge of superstardom Maurice decided to take on a new project where the band would be the star of a movie featuring Harvey Keitel called That's The Way Of The World in 1975. Although it was a soundtrack it was also one of their crowning achievements and it features the absolute monster, Shining Star, which ended up as their only number one on the pop charts. Thank God I live in a world where people could all decide for at least one week that this was the best song in the land. I don't think there is a better intro in pop music than the first 15 seconds of Shining Star. (Too bad Elaine couldn't dance to it.) And would there be a Lenny Kravitz without the title track's easy groove permeating the airwaves back then?

Maurice had now created an almost a perfect blend of pop and funk, a formula they would use for the next 10 year reign on the charts. With a big crossover success, Maurice wondered what to do next and how better do you showcase a band at the height of their powers than with a live album? Gratitude, which featured three sides live and one side studio, released in late 1975 kept their number one album streak going while also giving listeners a glimpse of what the band was like on stage. One of the best moves Maurice ever made was hiring Philip Bailey to be in the band. If you need further proof listen to his version of reasons on this album he absolutely kills it. Their version of Ramsey Lewis' Sun Goddess also is one of my all time favorites. Between Don Myrick's sax solo and Larry Dunn's chilled out Fender Rhodes, I could listen to this forever. Also listen to the crowd response as the band switches from Keep Your Head To The Sky into Devotion. It still gives me chills.

One of Maurice's strengths is that he could create music with positive messages and optimistic outlooks for the mainstream without coming off corny or trite. Gratitude's studio side has great examples, such as Sunshine and one of my favorite singles of theirs, Sing A Song. It is so damn good it makes me cry with joy especially when they get to the chorus and double up with Moog bass. The studio portion also contained one of their best known ballads, Can't Hide Love, which I'm sure created lots of babies in 1976. It's also one of their most covered songs of all time.

During the recording sessions of Spirit in 1976, Charles Stepney passed away and Maurice fully took over the production reigns. The Phenix horns as the section was now called, took over on big hits, Getaway and Saturday Nite. EWF was now in control of both the pop and soul charts and making lots of headway on the disco charts as well. 1977's All N All tightened up the group's sound as well as expnaded it with a string section. Nine guys totally grooving effortlessly as one complete unit on their next two hits, Serpentine Fire and Fantasy, one of my absolute favorites. The album also includes one of my favorite jazz fusion nuggets, Runnin', which earned the band 2 Grammys. Each album took their sound to the next level and Maurice did this It also contains two of my favorite ballads of theirs, Be Ever Wonderful and I'll Write A Song For You. All N All - an absolute triumph.

In the Mid 70s, Columbia Records gave the busy Maurice the opportunity to produce other artists on the label. He chose The Emotions and gave their flagging a career a boost with the 1976, Flowers, which produced hits out of the title track and I Don't Want To Lose Your Love. But it wasn't until 1977's Rejoice, that Maurice wrote and produced the biggest hit of his career, Best Of My Love, which spent a month on top of the Pop and Soul charts. This often imitated, never duplicated track (See Mariah's Carey's Emotions - oh I get it, good one) was a great gift from Maurice and one his proudest accomplishments. 1978 was the only year in the decade that didn't EWF did not release an album of original material. But they made up for it that Christmas with their first greatest hits collection, The Best Of Earth Wind & Fire, Vol. 1. How many lucky boys and girls got that one from Santa, featuring their megahit, September and Got To Get You Into My Life from Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack, both Top 10 hits on the pop charts and #1 hits on the soul charts? I like to think that Paul McCartney heard Maurice's version of the Beatles song and beamed at his vision fully realized of mixing pop music with horns.

Their 9th studio album, I Am, released in 1979, was probably their most solid and best produced records of the decade. As a band that had most of its success with up-tempo records, they also knew how to make a slow song simmer and burn. After The Love Is Gone was biggest EWF hit that Maurice didn't write, but it garnered the band another Grammy, reaching #2 pop, unable to unseat the steamrolling My Sharona by the Knack. (As an aside, does anybody remember After... getting played by Venus Flytrap on the episode of WKRP In Cincinnati where Johnny stands up Bailey for a date? And come to think of it, wasn't Tim Reid's Venus, just a riff on Maurice's look?) The band was so polished at this point they could also dip their toe into the Disco world and produce classy singles such as Boogie Wonderland, featuring Maurice's best pals, The Emotions and Can't Let Go.

The under appreciated double LP, Faces is an interesting album in the EWF catalog as it was the first one to not generate any pop hits, since 1973's Head To The Sky. But that doesn't mean it's not solid album. Songs like the swinging You, politically energized Let Me Talk and the proto-disco And Love Goes On are great tunes. The problem was that it didn't have that one giant hit to push it over the top. Maurice made sure that didn't happen with 1981's Raise. Beginning with a vocoder riff and breaking out with slices of bright horn stabs, Let's Groove, was not only of the biggest hits on the pop and soul charts, it was one of their biggest all over the world. The mid-tempo swing ballad, Wanna Be With You was a catchy follow-up but songs like Lady Sun really kept the party going.

1983 saw two new releases from EWF - Powerlight, which features their last pop hit, the Top 20, Fall In Love With Me and summer BBQ anthem, Side By Side and Electric Universe, which saw Maurice stripped down to a more New-Wave minded sound with tracks like Magnetic and Spirit of A New World.

EWF went on hiatus for a few years while Philip Bailey carved out a pretty good solo career straddling the secular as well as contemporary Christian music worlds. Maurice released his one and only solo album in 1985 which generated 2 soul hits, I Need You and his cover of Ben E. King's Stand By Me. By 1987, EWF was back with Touch The World, but the band was almost unrecognizable with the most of the instruments programmed or synthesized. They still had two big hits on the soul side, Thinking Of You, which had nighttime vibe that I've always loved and the political anthem System Of Survival which hit #1. By the time 1990's Heritage came out, EWF seemed to be chasing trends rather than setting them, releasing 'duets' with The Boys and MC Hammer, although they could still put out string material like the title track.

After this album, Maurice had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but he kept it private for a number of years. With a long respectable career, Maurice could have called it quits, but instead he marched on and kept working. And although he stopped touring with band, he still continued to write, produce and sing right up until 2014's Holiday. The 1993 album, Millienium, produced possibly one of Maurice's last best tracks, Sunday Morning, a sequel of sorts to their 1976 hit, Saturday Nite.

Maurice worked with many artists over the years such as Deneice Williams, Weather Report, Barbra Streisand, Atlantic Starr, Neil Diamond, James Ingram, Urban Knights and others. But it will always be his work with Earth, Wind & Fire that will continue to resonate for he was the heart and soul of that group. EWF has been so influential to the generations of artists in hip hop, soul, dance and pop, it's now party of a fabric that can't be separated. The band may continue his vision without him, but Maurice White was and will always be ever wonderful, their shining star.

The UnCola 2-2-16 Playlist

A Trip to 1981

Alan Parsons Project-Games People Play
Diesel-Sausalito Summernight
Delbert McClinton-Giving It Up For Your Love
Donnie Iris-Ah!Leah!
Styx-Too Much Time On My Hands
Moody Blues-The Voice
Bee Gees-He's A Liar
Climax Blues Band-I Love You
Steely Dan-Time Out Of Mind
Marty Balin-Hearts
Jefferson Starship-Find Your Way Back
Greg Kihn Band-The Breakup Song (They Don't Write Em)
The Commodores-Lady (You Bring Me Up)
Luther Vandross-Never Too Much
Carl Carlton-She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)
Rex Smith & Rachel Sweet-Everlasting Love
The Go-Gos-Our Lips Are Sealed
Stevie Wonder-I Ain't Gonna Stand For It
Rosanne Cash-Seven Year Ache
Stars On-Stars On 45
Joey Scarbury-Theme From Greatest American Hero
Cliff Richard-A Little In Love
David Bowie-Fashion
Genesis-No Reply At All
Hall & Oates-Private Eyes
Alan Parsons Project-Time

The UnCola 1-26-16 Playlist

Grand Theft-Pushing & Pulling
Katrina & the Waves-Going Down To Liverpool
Paul Young-Half A Step Away
Utopia-Love With A Thinker
Dakota-Tonight Could Last Forever
China Crisis-Joy And the Spark
Del Amitri-Driving With The Breaks On
Annette Peacock-Too Much In The Skies
Orly-This Time
Black-Wonderful Life
Level 42-Running In The Family
Bernie Taupin-Citizen Jane
George Harrison-This Is Love
Carole King-Only Love Is Real
Ed Motta-The Runaways
PS-Saturday Night
David Bowie-Dollar Days
A-ha-I've Been Losing You
Peter Brown-The Singer's Become A Dancer
Rob Galbraith-I'd Hate To Be A Black Man
Stonebolt-You Don't Care
The Pursuit Of Happiness-Cigarette Dangles
Lou Courtney-Somebody New Is Lovin' On You
Morrissey Mullen-All I Want To Do
Rick Manwiller-I've Got To Go

The UnCola 1-19-16 Playlist

Frobeck-Music (Can You Feel My Soul)
Deodato-Just This One Night
Fotomaker-All There In Her Eyes
June & the Exit Wounds-Highway Noise
Young Gun Silver Fox-Distance Between Us
Glenn Frey-Strange Weather
Clarence Reid-Living Together Is Keeping Us Apart
Cold Blood-Your Good Thing
Eagles-Ol 55
David Bowie-Criminal World
Loretta-So Alive
Joan Armatrading-Shapes And Sizes
Tower Of Power-You're Still A Young Man
Brooklyn Dreams-I Won't Let Go
Bing Ji Ling-A Little Love
Starbuck-City Of The Future
Go For It-You've Got The Choice
Jacob Hudden-Dark Cloud
Edgar Winter's White Trash-Parallel Love
Eagles-After The Thrill Is Gone
Sun-60-Out Of My Head
Dynamo Bliss-No Sense In It
Adam Ant-Vive Le Rock
Chris Rainbow-Solid State Brain
New Jersey Kings-Stoned On Denmark Street
Glenn Frey-Soul Searchin'

The UnCola 1-12-16 Playlist

A Tribute to David Bowie

David Bowie-Dancing In Outer Space
Tin Machine-Under the God
Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs-All the Young Dudes
Tears For Fears-Ashes To Ashes
Frida-Liv Pa Mars?
Duran Duran-Fame
Adrian Belew-Pretty Pink Rose
Nirvana-The Man Who Sold The World
The Dandy Warhols-I Am A Scientist
Tina Turner-1984
David Bowie-I Can't Give Everything Away
Dana Gillespie-Andy Warhol
Moog Cookbook-Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie-Never Let Me Down
The Associates-Boys Keep Swinging
Icehouse-Loving The Alien
Seu Jorge-Rebel Rebel
the Everyothers-John I'm Only Dancing
Iggy Pop-China Girl
Sunshiners-Modern Love
Boy George-Funtime
Grace Jones-Nightclubbing
Flight Of the Conchords-Bowie
Oasis-Heroes
The Braids-Young Americans
David Bowie-Someone Up There Likes Me

The UnCola 1-5-16 Playlist

The Kane Gang-Looking For Gold
Jango-Why Didn't I Think Of That
Allman & Woman-Move Me
Eli Paperboy Reed-Shock To the System
Ned Doheny-Never Too Far To Fall
Brian & Brenda Russell-Word Called Love
Joe Fagin-Midnight Cruisin'
Curiosity Killed the Cat-Do Your Believin'
Des'Ree-Living In The City
Ben Folds-Yes Man
Swing Out Sister-Heart For Hire
Severin Brown-Stay
XTC-Spiral
The Clocks-She Looks A Lot Like You
Natalie Cole-Sophisticated Lady (She's A Different Lady)
Bill Cantos-Cool Drink Of Water
Incarnations-There Must Be Love
Lani Hall-Sailing Without A Sail
Elvis Costello & the Attractions-The Only Flame In Town
Cotton Mather-Marathon Man
World Party-Vanity Fair
Robbie Nevil-Just A Little Closer
Chicago-Manipulation
George Fischoff-Georgia Porcupine
Johnny Marr-Easy Money
Pop Will Eat Itself-Def Con One
Mac McAnally-Loser Gumbo

The UnCola 12-29-15 Playlist

The UnCola's Favorites of 2015

 Prince-Baltimore
Camera Soul-Around the World
Squeeze-Nirvana
The Nines-Never Take You For Granted
The Bird & The Bee-Will You Dance
Paul Weller-Going My Way
Alternative Champs-Afterparty
Q-Bic-Can't Stop Bleeding
Young Gun Silver Fox-Saturday
Toto-Chinatown
Cool Uncle feat. Jessie Ware-Break Away
Boz Scaggs-I'm So Proud
Joe Jackson-So You Say
BC Camplight-You Should've Gone To School
Blur-I Broadcast
Tame Impala-The Moment
Powder Blue Tux-Mayfair
Brian Wilson-Saturday Night
Todd Rundgren-Flesh & Blood
China Crisis-Down Here On Earth
AM & Shawn Lee-Afterglow
Simply Red-Daydreaming
William Sikstrom-Tell Me
Guster-Kid Dreams
Benny Sings feat. Mayer Hawthorne-Show Box Money
Geyster-Dear Julie
Louis Lake-Let's Have Some Boogie
Escort-My Life
Tuxedo-Number One

The UnCola 12-22-15 Playlist

Sufjan Stevens-Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time
Andreas Aleman-Santa's Looking For A Bad Girl
Sharon Jones & the Dapkings-Big Bulbs
Saturday Night Live-Sump'n Claus
The Emotions-What Do the Lonely Do At Christmas
Long Ryders-Christmas In New Zealand
Spinal Tap-Christmas With the Devil
The Ravenettes-The Christmas Song
Tracey Thorn-Tinsel And Lights
Wall Of Voodoo-Shouldn't Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas
Meco-What Do You Give A Wookie For Christmas?
Weather Girls-Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas)
Bill Cosby-Merry Christmas Mama
Akim & Teddy Vann-Santa Claus Is A Black Man
August Darnell-Christmas On Riverside Drive
Rufus Wainwright-Spotlight On Christmas
Fountains of Wayne-I Want An Alien For Christmas
Was (Not Was)-Christmas Time In Motor City
Payolas-Christmas Is Coming
Gilbert O'Sullivan-Christmas Song
Pledge Drive-Christmas Rhapsody
Graham Parker & Nona Hendryx-Soul Christmas
Dreams So Real-Red Lights (Merry Christmas)
Kip Adotta-I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus
Klark Kent-Yo Ho Ho
Mono Puff-Careless Santa
Pac-Man-The Magic Of Christmas
Willis & Vigorish-Merry Christmas In the NFL
Natalie Merchant-Children Go Where I Send Thee
Low-Just Like Christmas
Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band-Xmas At K-Mart
Bill Withers-The Gift Of Giving

The UnCola 12-15-15 Playlist

Cool Uncle feat. Mayer Hawthorne-Game Over
Average White Band-You're My Number One
Angelo-Changing Man
Newtone-All Stupidities
Space Capone-P.F.O.
Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy-Kiss Me '83
Four Seasons-Down The Hall
Mildred-Hearts And Flowers
Tahiti 80-Big Day
XTC-Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
Michael Sherwood & Christian Nesmith-Underlined
Love Craft-Ain't Gettin' None
Spandau Ballet-Lifeline
Nik Kershaw-Violet To Blue
David Gates-Took The Last Train
Zervas & Pepper-Abstract Heart
Fem 2 Fem-Obsession
Natalie Cole-Stand By
Los Amigos Invisibles-Sexy
Pnau Vs. Elton John-Sad
Dean Friedman-I Depend On You
Hank Marvin & John Farrar-You Never Can Tell
Finn-Only Talking Sense
Alan Evans Trio-Life Is Harder To Live
China-Days & Nights
America-Political Poachers
Jay Graydon-Holdin' On To Love
Escort-Dancer

The UnCola 12-8-15 Playlist

Jeff Lynne's ELO-When the Night Comes
The Arrows-Heart of The City
Uproar-Drifting Away (I've Been Drifting Away)
Wax-Let's Have Some Lunch Some Time
Lewis Taylor-Keep Right On (Pop Version)
The Cure-How Beautiful You Are
Rita Jean Bodine-Knickerbocker Holiday
The Beautiful South-You Just Can't Smile It Away
Sven Larsson-This Is Not the Right Time
Ambergris-Play On Player
The Bible-Crystal Palace
Candyflip-Strawberry Fields Forever
Nilsson-Old Forgotten Soldier
John Lennon-Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
Gunhill Road-Back When My Hair Was Short
The Pierces-Love You More
Taxxi-I'm Leaving
Chris Ducey-Duce Of Hearts
Benny Sings-Straight Lines
Duran Duran-Violence Of Summer (Love's Taking Over)
Badfinger-Love Is Gonna Come At Last
Dickie Goodman-Election 84
George & G-You Know
China Crisis-Autumn In the Neighborhood
Fandango-Headliner
Prism-Flyin'
Scissor Sisters-Mary
Queen-The Show Must Go On

The UnCola 12-1-15 Playlist

The UnCola Goes Long Jamiroquai-Space Cowboy
Chromeo-Somethingood
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes-Get Your Body On the Job
Ramatam-The Land/ Rainy Sunday Evening
Lenny Kravitz-I Built This Garden For Us
Donald Fagen-Morph The Cat
Seal-Killer
Giraffe-All Fall Down
Black Ivory-You & I
The Blue Nile-The Downtown Lights
Linda Tillery-Womanly Way
Geyster-Heal
George Michael-Cowboys & Angels
XTC-Jason & the Argonauts
Daryl Hall-Babs & Babs
Love & Rockets-Ball Of Confusion
Crack The Sky-Rangers At Midnight

The UnCola 11-24-15 Playlist

Bing Ji Ling w/ Diane Birch-See Me Through
UK Players-Girl
Young Gun Silver Fox-Emilia
Sanford Townsend Band-Eye Of My Storm (Oh Woman)
Camelle Hinds-Closer To The Source
Prefab Sprout-Green Isaac
Pages-Clearly Kim
Dos Palos-I've Been Around
Pebbles-Backyard
Ayers Rock-City Night Life
Hue & Cry-Labour of Love
Curiosity Killed The Cat-Down To Earth
Mental As Anything-Live It Up
Crowded House-World Where You Live
Rockets-Oh Well
Kurt Baker-Monday Night
J Geils Band-Take It Back
Re-Flex-Hurt
Ivy-The Best Thing
The Foreign Exchange-Body
Boatz-Sun Come Down
Heath Bros-Dreamin'
Lucas Arruda-Who's That Lady
Seals & Crofts-One More Time
Ole Borud-All Because Of You
16 Tambourines-If I Should Stay
Young Gun Silver Fox-Long Way Back

The UnCola 11-17-15 Playlist

Cool Uncle feat. Deneice Williams-Breaking Up
The McCrarys-You
The Pale Fountains-Palm Of My Hand
Des'Ree-Feel So High
Kim Beacon-Minute By Minute
The Roulettes-Come On
Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil-Elastic Man
June & The Exit Wounds-How Much I Really Loved You
Kevin Tihista's Red Terror-Oh
A Taste of California-My Lady
Dire Straits-Lady Writer
England Dan & John Ford Coley-What Can I Do With This Broken Heart
Graham Parker-Local Girls
Danny Pearson-What's Your Sign Girl?
Sade-Never As Good As the First Time
Everything But the Girl-Get Back Together
Falqo-Sleepy Crusader
Tom Scott-Greed
Judie Tzuke-The Choices You've Made
Dionne Farris-Reality
Robert Palmer-Where Can It Go
The Johnssons-What If
Claire Martin-Wailing Wall
Space Opera-Over And Over
Ian Hunter-When The Daylight Comes
The Go-Betweens-Was There Anything I Could Do?
Brand New Heavies-Keep Together

The UnCola 11-3-15 Playlist

Escort-If You Say So
Jamiroquai-Love Foolosophy
Jody Watley-Once You Leave
Tata Vega-I Need You Now
Ben Folds Five-Jackson Cannery
Scritti Politti-The Word Girl (Flesh & Blood)
Simi Stone-Pyramid
Nightshift-All Night Through
Puzzle-Brand New World
N'Dea Davenport-Underneath A Red Moon
Lewis Taylor-Send Me An Angel
10cc-I'm Mandy Fly Me
The Mission-Wasteland
Eric Carmen-She Did It
Max Tundra-Which Song
Edwyn Collins-Running Away With Myself
Talc-Modern Sleepover
Beach Boys-That's Why God Made the Radio
Bobby Caldwell-Coming Down From Love
Mark Ronson featuring Kevin Parker-Daffodils
Sea Level-Living In A Dream
Walter Becker-Girlfriend
The Bird And the Bee-Los Angeles
Dwayne Ford-Lovin & Losin' You
Lenny Zakatek-Do It Right

Asheville FM's 1st On-Air Fund Drive

Music means the world to me. It's part of who I am. It's part of how I think and communicate. It's part of how I live. But there would be no music inside of me without the conduit of radio. Radio has been a big influence on me since I was little. I am writing to you today to speak about the nonprofit that I have volunteered with since 2009 and has kept the spirit of radio alive - Asheville FM.

This Saturday, October 31, Asheville FM launched their first on-air fund drive which ends on November 6th. I am asking you to help contribute to this wonderful volunteer-run, community-minded non-profit that I call my second home.

Asheville FM has been an online radio station since September 2009. The show I host and produce, The UnCola, debuted during the first week and has aired ever since. We have reached listeners around the world on 6 continents. Antarctica, you're next. In 2014, Asheville FM was granted a license by the FCC to broadcast on the FM airwaves and began the year long process of fundraising and construction of our tower on top of the Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. The UnCola made its FM debut this year on May 19th. It was so exciting to know up to 100,000 people who live, work and visit in Asheville, NC and Buncombe County could be listening.

Our goal is add to and reflect the rich stew of arts, culture and community involvement that is Asheville. We currently have over 60 original, locally-curated shows which range from jazz and comedy, pop and potery, rock and sports talk, world music and soul, blues and kid's shows, hip hop and health, politics and dance music, even old school country and anarchist journalism. We also feature live simulcasts of touring bands and community meetings. We also air an original news show on Mondays and Thursday which reports on local issues with spotlights on local non-profits and community causes.

You can be a part of this project by supporting community radio with me!

My show, The UnCola, airs each Tuesday at 8PM and we play forgotten pop from the last 40 years. We can boast of classic fans such as Graham Parker, Mark King of Level 42, GrahamGouldman of 10cc to newer artists such as Geyster, Norwegian Fords and StateCows. Because of our freedom to format our own content, I am able to play artists you will never hear anywhere else on radio. To date we have played 6906 songs by 2224 different artists.

This is your chance to be a part of the community that is 103.3 Asheville FM. We are looking to raise $8000 and you can donate as little as $5 or much as your generous heart has to offer. When you make your donation, please write The UnCola in the notes section or memo line.

Join us and be one of the first donors during our inaugural Fall Fund Drive!

·         Click the "Donate" button on AshevilleFM.org

·         Call us at (828) 259-3936

·         Stop by our studios between 8AM-8PM Monday through Friday for a tour, meet our awesome team and check out our dollar record bins!

·         Mail your donation to the studios: AshevilleFM, 864 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806.

·         Don't forget to let us know your favorite shows you listen to

The UnCola 10-27-15 Playlist

Japan-Halloween
Annie Lennox-Twisted
Starsailor-Give Up The Ghost
Bananarama-A Trick Of The Night
Five Man Electrical Band-Werewolf
Joe Jackson-See No Evil
Boomtown Rats-Up All Night
Rachel Sweet-Voo Doo
J.J. Cale-Cajun Moon
John Pinette-Halloween
Robbie Williams-Candy
Steve Winwood-Talking Back To the Night
Family Of the Year-Dead Poets
Billy Ocean-Red Light Spells Danger
Pet Shop Boys-We All Feel Better In the Dark
Simply Red-The Ghost of Love
Sylvia-Sweet Stuff
Depeche Mode-Sacred
Hooverphonic-Devil Kind Of Girl
Andy Gibb-After Dark
Echo & the Bunnymen-The Killing Moon
Blow Monkeys-Sweet Murder
Flight Of the Conchords-Demon Woman
Storybots-A Storybots Halloween
Squeeze-Cradle To the Grave
Ned Doheny-Ghostdancer
Midnight Oil-The Dead Heart
The Gaslight Anthem-Halloween
The Fleshtones-Shadowline
The Hollies-Lucy

The UnCola 10-13-15 Playlist

The Junior League-On/Off
Magazine-About The Weather
Guster-Airport Song
John Sebastian-Hideaway
Tahiti 80-Crush!
Times Two-3 Into 2 (Don't Go)
Newtone-Conspiracy Of Grooves
Karen Alexander-Brown Shoes
Diesel-Goin' Back To China
Joe Jackson-A Little Smile
Ian Thomas-Hold On
Mac Gayden & Skyboat-Someone Whispered
XTC-Green Man
Two Door Cinema Club-Something Good Can Happen
Paul Simon-Run That Body Down
Face To Face-10-9-8
LaBelle-Sunshine
Rumer w/Stephen Bishop-Separate Lives
Jonatha Brooke-Secret & Lies
Spoons-Romantic Traffic
The Nines-Just Another Party
Pylon-M-Train
Max Beesley's High Vibes-Mr. Jeckle
Sly & Robbie-Boops (Here To Go)
Suzi Quatro-Can't Trust Love
Daryl Hall-Eyes For You (Ain't No Doubt About It)
Automatic Man-Give It To Me
Bobbi Walker-World Full Of Strangers
L.A. Cowboys-Endless Summer

The UnCola 10-6-15 Playlist

Jazz Funk Fusion Classics, Vol.1

Johnny Hammond-Los Conquistadors Chocolates
George Duke-Sugar Loaf Mountain
Donald Byrd-Think Twice
Roy Ayers Ubiquity-Searching
Gene Harris-Theme For Relana
Wilton Felder-Inherit The Wind
Ronnie Laws-Young Child
Bob James-Take Me To the Mardi Gras
Brothers Johnson-Streetwave
Ramsey Lewis-Whisper Zone
Shakatak-Down On The Street
Stevie Wonder-Contusion
Arthur Adams-You Got The Floor
Earl Klugh-Twinkle
Earth, Wind & Fire-Runnin'
Bobbi Humphrey-Sunset Burgundy
Dizzy Gillespie & Lalo Schifrin-Unicorn
Pieces Of A Dream-Fo-Fi-Fo
Aquarian Dream-You're A Star
Paulinho DaCosta-Deja Vu
Alphonse Mouzon-Snowbound
Tom Browne-Brighter Tomorrow

The UnCola 9-29-15 Playlist

Sven Van Sveden-Love Forever
Gus Gus-Ladyshave
The Lover Speaks-Every Lover's Sign
Shawn Phillips-Do You Wonder?
Benny Sings-Rebuilding The Omega Man
Toy Matinee-Turn It On Salvador
Rubicon-I Want To Love You
Bananarama-Rough Justice
Lina-I Am
Moxy Fruvous-Green Eggs And Ham
Monkey House-Checkpoint Charlie
Waters-If There's A Way
Joe Bruce & 2nd Avenue-Powerful Girl
White Town-Your Girl
E.G. Daily-Say It, Say It
Allen Stone-Fake Future
Joey Negro And The Sunburst Band-The Secret Life Of Us
Stirling Silver-Sunshine (When I Got You)
Louis Lake-S.A.V.E L.O.V.E.
Nicky Holland-Ladykiller
Cee Farrow-Should I Love You
Azymuth-Dear Limmertz
Alternative Champs-Everyone Has Jazz Hands
Crobsy Stills & Nash-Dark Star
B.E. Taylor-Karen

The UnCola 9-22-15 Playlist

Prince-1000 X's & O's
Eric Gadd-There's No One Like You
Jackie Lomax-Peace Of Mind
Ronan Keating-Love Is A Rollercoaster
Avenue Talk-Cry For Mercy
Boys Brigade-Melody
Pickettywitch-That Same Old Feeling
Stone Temple Pilots-Sour Girl
Allah-Las-Nothing To Hide
Chase-Night
Alphabeat-Fascination
Muscle Shoals Horns-More Than Ever Now
Loud Sugar-Instant Karma Coffee House
Prefab Sprout-Wild Horses
Turley Richards-When I Lose My Way
Barry Gibb-Shine Shine
Space-Avenging Angels
Thierry Condor-Lazy Nina
Cetu Javu-Situations
Andy Kim-Baby I Love You
Saun & Starr-Look Closer (Can't You See the Signs)
Eddie Kendricks-Diamond Girl
Ned Doheny-Think Like A Lover
Get Wet-Turn On Your Lights
The New Marketts-Song From M*A*S*H
Josh Rouse-Come Back (Light Therapy)
Voice Of the Beehive-Monsters & Angels
Starz-Sing It, Shout It

The UnCola 9-8-15 Playlist

Forgotten Pop from the 80s, Vol. 4

Alison Moyet-Love Resurrection
Red Rider-White Hot
Way Of The West-Don't Say That's Just For White Boys
Carmel-More More More
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes-Trash It Up
Ranking Roger-So Excited
Feargal Sharkey-A Good Heart
Chubby Checker-Harder Than Diamond
REM-Can't Get There From Here
Eric Troyer-Mirage
Go West-Chinese Whispers
APB-When I Feel This Way
Altered Images-Don't Talk To Me About Love
La Bionda-Night Flight
Peter Brown-Zie Zie Won't Dance
The Truth-Weapons Of Love
Deneice Williams-I Can't Wait
Karla Bonoff-Somebody's Eyes
Jermaine Jackson feat. Michael Jackson-Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming
Silverado-Ready for Love
Nancy Nash-Surrender
Mike & the Mechanics-Nobody's Perfect
Choice-I've Got My Mind On Ruby
Love & Money-Strange Kind Of Love
Off Broadway-Are You Alone
James Anderson-Is She?
Grayson Hugh-Bring It All Back
Tom Kimmel-That's Freedom

The UnCola 9-1-15 Playlist

Ben Folds-Phone In A Pool
City Boy-I've Been Spun
The Quick-Young Men Drive Fast
Coal Kitchen-Keep On Pushin'
Sloan-The Lines You Amend
Junior Senior-Can I Get Get Get
Jon Cleary-Love On One Condition
Scritti Politti-Sugar & Spice
Mayer Hawthorne-The Stars Are Ours
Jaye P. Morgan-Can't Hide Love
Funky Kings-Slow Dancing
China Crisis-Everyone You Know
The Cardiacs-Manhoo
Gerry Rafferty-Get It Right Next Time
The Smiths-The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
State Cows-Stella By the Barlight
Terry Callier-We Are Not Alone
Tarney Spencer Band-No Time To Lose
Darian-Do You Have Any Regrets?
Owsley-Oh No The Radio
The Real Thing-Raining Through My Sunshine
Roachford-Find Me Another Love
Orgone-Don't Say Stop
Crazy Joe & The Variable Speed Band-Eugene
Steve Alaimo-Amerikan Music
Apples-Theo

The UnCola 8-25-15 Playlist

Michael Nesmith-Cruisin'
Bonnie Raitt-Slow Ride
The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco-Clean Break
Eric Clapton-Behind The Mask
Squeeze-Happy Days
Hollywood Freeway-I've Been Moved
Jamiroquai-Too Young To Die
Some Like It Odd-Change Pt 1
Morgan Cryar-Life In The Blood
XTC-Poor Skeleton Steps Out
Blur-Charmless Man
Nasty Pop-Track You Down
Paul Hart-Peppermint Park
Talc-Garden Of Dance
John Hunter-Tragedy
A Train-I Don't Want To Lose You
James Taylor Quartet-Stepping Into My Life
AM & Shawn Lee-Persuasion
Alan Parsons Project-Breakdown
Exile-Heart And Soul
Morten Woods-How About Kissing
The Bird And the Bee-Recreational Love
Evie Sands-Love In the Afternoon
Peter Cupples-Sweet Summer Nights
Incognito-Nights Over Egypt
Squash-OC Honey
Bamboos featuring Alice Russell-Step It Up

The UnCola 8-18-15 Playlist

2 Hit Wonders

Dwight Twilley-I'm On Fire
Dwight Twilley-Girls
Looking Glass-Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)
Looking Glass-Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne
Elvis Costello & the Attractions-Every Day I Write The Book
Elvis Costello-Veronica
Teena Marie-I Need Your Lovin'
Teena Marie-Lovergirl
George Baker Selection-Little Green Bag
George Baker Selection-Paloma Blanca
Jesus Jones-Right Here, Right Now
Jesus Jones-Real Real Real
Was (Not Was)-Spy In the House Of Love
Was (Not Was)-Walk The Dinosaur
Maxine Nightengale-Right Back Where We Started From
Maxine Nightengale-Lead Me On
General Public-Tenderness
General Public-I'll Take You There
Level 42-Something About You
Level 42-Lessons In Love
Murray Head-Superstar
Murray Head-One Night In Bangkok
Nu Shooz-I Can't Wait
Nu Shooz-Point Of No Return
Andrea True Connection-More More More
Andrea True Connection-NY You Got Me Dancing
Men Without Hats-The Safety Dance
Men Without Hats-Pop Goes The World
Blue Swede-Hooked On A Feeling
Blue Swede-Never My Love

The UnCola 8-11-15 Playlist

Craig Ruhnke-Summer Girl
Wondermints-Ride
Hal-Softly Spoken
Louis & Clark-Walking Down Your Street
Kirsty MacColl-You Still Believe In Me
Camelle Hinds-Sunday Doesn't Feel The Same Without You
Bendeth Band-I Was There
Augustwolf-Railroadman
Swing Out Sister-Better Make It Better
Michael Sherwood & Christian Nesmith-Amanda B
Hog Heaven-Pennsylvania
Rumer-Pizza & Pinball
Gino Vannelli-People I Belong To
Louis Philippe With Dean Brodrick-I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Jack Johnson-Upside Down
Total Coelo-Milk From the Coconut
Prefab Sprout-The King Of Rock & Roll
Charlie-No Stranger In Paradise
Sun Rai-Til The Lights Come On
Brian Claflin-Cesspool Of Sin
Fowler Brothers-Horny Toads & Foolish Quail
Bobby Arvon-Until Now
J. D. Drews-Don't Want Nobody
Holy Modal Rounders-Boobs A Lot
Prince-I Feel For You
Chromeo-Old 45s
The A's-A Woman's Got the Power

The UnCola 8-4-15 Playlist

Nik Kershaw-Radio Musicola
Sugarloaf-Stars In Our Eyes
Ben Folds Five-Where's Summer B?
Deon Estus-Love Me Over
Simply Red-Shine On
Hall & Oates-Time's Up (Alone Tonight)
Living In A Box-Unique
Steely Dan-Pixeleen
Duran Duran-Serious
Rob Mehl-House On the Rock
B.C. Camplight-You Should’ve Gone To School
The Cowsills-Some Good Years
The Police-When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around
Pezband-Baby It's Cold Outside
Don Henley-Sunset Grill
Cliff Richard-Never Say Die (Give A Little Bit More)
Bruce Foster-Platinum Heroes
Seaside Stars-Summer's On My Way
Tuxedo-Watch the Dance
Steve Arrington-Way Out
Al Hudson & the Soul Partners-Spread Love
Brand New Heavies-Stay This Way
Geggy Tah-Whoever You Are
Michael Omartian-Fat City
Sheree-Woman's Work
Clout-Substitute

The UnCola 7-21-15 Playlist

Forgotten Pop from Australia

Big Pig-Breakaway
Dragon-O Zambezi
Yothu Yindi-Treaty
Sia-Clap Your Hands
Pat Wilson-Bop Girl
Hoodoo Gurus-Like Wow-Wipeout!
Tame Impala-Disciples
Skyhooks-Living In the 70s
Icecream Hands-Yellow & Blue
Even-Temperamental Flower
John Farnham-You're the Voice
Daryl Braithwaite-Higher Than Hope
Helen Reddy-The Happy Girls
Olivia Newton-John-Landslide
INXS-Original Sin
Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons-Hit & Run
Kylie Minogue-Did It Again
Linda George-Mama's Little Girl
Lowrider-Friend
Air Supply-Feel the Breeze
Bee Gees-Still Waters (Run Deep)
Peter Allen-Everything Old Is New Again
John Farrar-Can't Hold Back
Sherbet-Howzat
Boom Crash Opera-Onion Skin
Rick Springfield-Take A Hand
The Church-Reptile
Duck-Maybe I'm Amazed

The UnCola 7-14-15 Playlist

The Bird And the Bee-Will You Dance?
Jody Watley-Still A Thrill
Don Nix-Olena
Dodgy-In A Room
Donald Fagen-Miss Marlene
Segarini-Gotta Have Pop
Jellyfish-The Ghost At Number One
Big Supreme-Don't Walk
N*E*R*D-Jump
Ryan & Kleinfeld-Heartbeat
Duke Jupiter-You Make It Look Easy
Shed Seven-Disco Down
Ten Wheel Drive feat. Genya Ravan-Shootin' the Breeze
Allen Stone-Freedom
Greg Kihn Band-Lucky
The Motels-Total Control
The Cardigans-Erase-Rewind
ABBA-Lay All Your Love On Me
R&J Stone-Keep On Holding Me
Chas Jankel-Just A Thought
Bette Midler-Daytime Hustler
Q-Bic-Good Thing
Chilliwack-Whatcha Gonna Do
The Bird And the Bee-Jenny
Black Grape-Kelly's Heroes
Roy Ayers-We Live In Brooklyn Baby
Ephraim Lewis-Drowning In Your Eyes

The UnCola 7-7-15 Playlist

David Austin-Turn To Gold
Sons Of Champlin-Lookout
Jeff Lynne-Now You're Gone
The Shore-Hard Road
Hue & Cry-I Refuse
Chris Squire-Hold Out Your Hand
Howard Jones-The Balance of Love (Give And Take)
Powder Blue Tux-Mayfair
Pet Shop Boys-How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
Attitudes-Sweet Summer Music
Mac MacAnally-Minimum Love
Re-Flex-Couldn't Stand A Day
The President-Hot-Blooded Lady
The Entertainers-Hot On A Thang
David Bowie-Shake It
Yvonne Elliman-Love Pains
Dennis Coffey feat Mayer Hawthorne-All Your Goodies Are Gone
Level 42-Hot Water
Chic-My Love's for Real
Richard Page-Southern Wind
Beefcake-Don't You Know
Sad Cafe-Everyday Hurts
Sade-Maureen
Peter Brown-Crank It Up (Funk Town)
Gerard McMahon-Count On Me
Zero 7-Throw It All Away
Favorite Angel-Only Women Bleed

The UnCola 6-30-15 Playlist

The UnCola's 250th Show 
(all bands named after cities, countries and places)

Berlin-The Metro
Missouri-The Travel Through Time
Frankie Goes To Hollywood-Two Tribes
Phoenix-If I Ever Feel Better
Atlanta Rhythm Section-Dog Days
America-Slow Down
Fountains Of Wayne-Denise
Brooklyn Bridge-Caroline
Chicago-Something's Coming, I Know
Paris-Money Love
China Crisis-The Highest High
Texas-Say What You Want
Champaign-Lighten Up
Detroit feat. Mitch Ryder-Is It You (Or Is It Me)
Dakota-Over And Over
Ohio Players-Ecstasy
L.A. Boppers-Is This The Best (Bop-Doo-Wah)
Japan-The Art Of Parties
Jamaica-Same Smile
Ozark Mountain Daredevils-You Know Like I Know
Orleans-Reach
New England-Living In the 80s
Osaka Monaurail-Andrias Japonicus
Off Broadway USA-Stay In Time
Linus Of Hollywood-Heavenly
Toronto-Your Daddy Don't Know
Nantucket-Quite Like You
Dirty Vegas-Candles
China-Never Gonna Let You Go
Manhattan Transfer-Foreign Affair