With his vintage soul ensemble playing a special pre-Thanksgiving show at Fifth Third Ballpark’s Pepsi Stadium Club, Diego Morales offers up his thanks to an eclectic roster of influential songs and R&B classics.
The Local Spins Guest Playlist: Diego Morales
To say Diego Morales has had a colorful, inspirational and eventful past would be a vast understatement.
Diego Morales
The dynamic Holland singer of Cuban descent has fronted bands such as The Soul Syndicate, Soulz of Rhythm and The Machines after growing up amid a rough, gang-permeated part of Chicago before moving with his family to West Michigan, graduating from Holland High School and getting involved in a host of community outreach programs.
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He also was raised on the songs of Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, not to mention the Stax and Muscle Shoals R&B of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Wilson Pickett.
So Morales’ roster of songs for the Local Spins Guest Playlist oozes soul … and some intriguing rock, including a track from Michigan’s own The Verve Pipe. Check it out here (and via a Spotify playlist below), then check out the seven-piece Soul Syndicate which plays Fifth Third Ballpark’s first-ever night-before-Thanksgiving party inside the Pepsi Stadium Club. The show tonight (Wednesday) kicks off with guitarist Everett Domeier at 6 p.m.; The Soul Syndicate takes the stage at 8 p.m. Admission is $5; get more details online on the event Facebook page.
And tune into Local Spins Live on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) when Morales, Mike Coon and Tom Tayler of The Soul Syndicate will chat about their music and we’ll debut a new original track or two from the band’s upcoming album. Now, onto the playlist…
1. “La Luna en Tu Mirada,” Los Zafiros (from 1999’s “Bossa Cubana) — Los Zafiros (The Sapphires) were the premier vocal/doo wop group of Cuba. Fans of American vocal groups such as The Platters, These cats brought beautiful harmonies over Caribbean rhythms and jazz guitar. Definitely in my top 5 all-time faves.
2. “Superfly,” Curtis Mayfield (from 1972’s “Superfly” motion picture soundtrack) — Curtis brings it heavily on this title track fusing creativity with real life grit and capturing the pulse of life in the ghetto. Story telling through song at its finest.
3. “Stand,” Sly and The Family Stone (from 1969’s “Stand!”) — Sly and the gang deliver a powerful anthem on their definitive fourth album. Truly a song that carries a message to all those who feel the need to speak against injustice or oppression. This one sends a chill up and down my spine every time! No, really, every time.
4. “Colorful,” The Verve Pipe (from 2001’s “Underneath) — East Lansing’s very own. Great tune … the song itself is very sonically colorful (pun intended). It has beautiful layers with a great chordal progression but what I really love is the way the lyrics have pretty much described me and a few of my relationships over the years. A track on the soundtrack of my life.
5. “There Is An End,” The Greenhornes with Holly Golightly (from 2002’s “Dual Mono”) — This band is just retro-magic all the way around. They have this great garage rock sound and this tune with Holly is haunting. Great vibe.
6. “Riot Girl,” Good Charlotte (from 2002’s “The Young and the Hopeless”) — Well, what can I say: I know this girl, don’t we all? A tune that is bound to wake even the most narcoleptic.
7. “King of Sorrow,” Sade (from 2000’s “Lovers Rock”) — Again in my Top 5 favorites of all time. My love affair with Sade gets renewed every time this track pops up. It really is a soup that warms the soul.
8. “Hung Up On My Baby,” Isaac Hayes (from 1974’s “Three Tough Guys”) — Great tune that just layers and layers as the song progresses. Ike knows how to build upon a solid groove. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra strings bring an element of excitement to the composition and just grabs at me. Was sampled by The Geto Boys on their hit My mind is playing tricks on me.
9. “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye (from 1971’s “What’s Going On) — Another song with another message. I guess one could say it’s a running theme with me. Marvin is at the helm, producing this exactly as he wanted it. The result is everlasting.
10. “Like You’ll Never See Me Again,” Alicia Keys (from 2007’s “As I Am”) — This song is the perfect storm. It hits you like a shot of Absinthe and makes you want to melt into the person you’re with. Simply beautiful.
DIEGO MORALES: THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
Click here to open the playlist in Spotify.
I’ve been pushing this kid (Diego) since he tried working for me at 18. I say tried cause he wasn’t the best worker but his personality, and his talent just blew me away. I use to take him up and down the west coast to all the karaoke bars when he was under 21 and once he sang all the girls in the bar would keep coming up asking him to sing a song that they liked. And yes I admit I used him as my wing man. I can’t wait to dance my ass off to this very hard working band tonight. I just wish he’d sit down and sing one acoustic Spanish Love Song. It would blow you away. No pressure here Diego, sorry.