Okay, Shawn, I've decided to write about Klymaxx's Meeting In The Ladies Room. It lets me write about that whole early 80s era of electro funk that overlapped with dance pop for a bunch of groups like Shalamar ("Dead Giveaway" "Dancing in the Sheets"), Cameo ("She's Strange", "Word Up"), Gap Band ("You Dropped a Bomb on Me"), Mary Jane Girls ("In My House" - one my favorites), and the Pointer Sisters hits from that Beverly Hills Cop era ("Neutron Dance").

It's interesting because it's the last era of black dance music before hip hop drum loops completely change the sound and rhythm and get absorbed into pop (mid to late 80s, with New Jack Swing). Prince's synthesizers are the abiding influence with lots of Chic guitar too.

Not Shawn, but I am bouncing, bouncing, bouncing in anticipation!

Okay, Shawn, I've decided to write about Klymaxx's Meeting In The Ladies Room. It lets me write about that whole early 80s era of electro funk that overlapped with dance pop

YES! If not because of the legitimation, but just because it's such an 80s expression. Considering how hip hop drowned out most black women for the late eighties, Meeting in the Ladies Room is almost a bit rap.

Thanks to David I will now be singing Word Up for the next week or so. I am also craving the sight of a tall fade.

It's the code word.

So, does a cover version of a song have to have been originally performed by the writer?

I have downloaded three versions of a song from the very first album I ever bought for myself, and all three were duds. I have moved on to the next album...

Thanks to David I will now be singing Word Up for the next week or so. I am also craving the sight of a tall fade.

Larry Blackmon is your man.

Kat P., if I trade in some of my vinyl for cheap CDs I think I'll make a compilation of that early 80s dance/funk/pop stuff. I'll make sure you get a copy. (You too, Shawn.)

Sue, not in my book. The original recorder of the song is who I would consider the original artist.

Sue, not in my book. The original recorder of the song is who I would consider the original artist.

...Back to the research salt mines then.

I've finished my mix: all twenty categories covered, total timing 79 minutes 42 seconds! Is anyone else cutting it closer to the bone than that?

I don't believe in guilty pleasures either, so I'm using my selection to, er, critique the category. I encourage others similarly to take advantage of every opporunity to (1) cheat, and (2) be pretentious!

I've finished my mix: all twenty categories covered, total timing 79 minutes 42 seconds! Is anyone else cutting it closer to the bone than that?

I'll check...

I know I had to shave the pause time down to burn it.