Jazz/Blues/RnB/Funk/Soul/Latin Under Neon: "Make Up Your Mind" by Aurra (1982)

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Time Rider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" (1982)

Movie: Time Rider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982)

Director: William Dear

Rating: 5.2/10 Stars ******

Wow, one of those not-so-good 80s sci-fi movies about a moto-cross rider who gets lost during a long-distance race and wanders onto a government test site and inadvertently is sent back in time to 1877 where he finds himself being pursued by cowboy outlaws and life in the wild west. Check it out if you don't know what else to watch, its at least entertaining, but don't expect much, the poster may be the coolest part of the movie :-)

A Brief Movie Review: 'The Thing'

Movie: The Thing (1982)

Director: John Carpenter

Rating: 3.4/5 Stars ***'

This is the 1982 John Carpenter version, and I just noticed they've remade it again for 2011. I haven't seen the old-old one or the new one, but this one was pretty good as far as 1980's slimy-alien-sci-fi flicks go. I have been getting into John Carpenter movies a bit lately so you may see a few more reviews coming up for them. There's always more coming.

#42 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: "That's Good" by Devo (1982)

So I have been on holiday for the last week or so, but I do have #42 of the Countdown here, and the song is That's Good by 80's synth-pop legends Devo. Devo is just one of those iconic 80's bands that really couldn't fit into any other era and rightfully so as they have an almost cultish following. Devo originated out of Akron, Ohio back in 1973 and consists of members Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh
Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, and Josh Freese. They were one of those bands that lead the 80's synth-pop-music-video era of MTV into a genre of its own, although I still find it hard to comprehend what has now happened to MTV (or VH1 for that matter), and how it truly does seem to have lost its way, I guess that is what happens when the big boy corporations come in and buy you out, you lose all of your authenticity and uniqueness and become another generic cable tv station....Although I do know that some people probably liked the change, change is a fact of life...Now back to Devo! That's Good appeared on the 1982 release album titled Oh, No! It's Devo. I would like to add that this is my personal Devo favorite of all time, and it makes for a great 80's dance hit that most DJ's don't seem that familiar with, so I hope to change that. Oh, No! It's Devo was their 5th studio release album and contains another of their songs I would highly recommend checking out titled Big Mess. Devo are still best known for their #14 Billboard Chart and music video hit Whip It, and if you don't know that song then I really can't help you, the outfits should be a dead give-away...seriously. One last bit of info on the Oh, No! It's Devo album is that it reached #42 on the US Pop Albums Chart that year. Now, the video below isn't of the highest quality in audio or video, however it comes from a 1982 Devo live performance of this song on Letterman, which is quite entertaining, so enjoy!

#63 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson

We are not worthy, we are not worthy...all hail the late-great King of Pop once again, I told you he would be making a few appearances on this countdown, naturally, and so #63 is.....Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. I definitely would have mentioned this before, but I must continue with the discussion on what is to be done about this empty throne??? Who will be the next?? Madonna is no doubt still the Queen of Pop, although I know that Lady Gaga fancies herself to be next in line, yet, she will have to produce a minimum of 4 or 5 more top 20 full studio length albums before she can even be considered I would say. Both MJ and Madonna were so insanely prolific that it will be hard for anyone to fill their royal shoes. I suppose that sports are like that too, the new masters just keep raising the bar higher and higher, but someone will come along eventually, no doubt about that. Back to the song, it comes off of MJ's 1982 release album "Thriller." Now, many of you may already know that Thriller still remains the best-selling album worldwide of all time, having sold around 110 million copies worldwide. In the United States Thriller is tied at #1 best-selling album of all time with the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) but that is just in the USA, globally (which really is what matters most) Thriller is still #1 bar-none. Stay tuned for more...

#81 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown!

Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #81 of the top 100 countdown, and starting to really get into it! And the song is...Under Pressure by artists David Bowie and Queen. Under Pressure was a collaboration between these two outstanding artists, and the first of its kind for David Bowie. The song was recorded in 1981, and was featured on Queen's 1982 album released titled Hot Space. Under Pressure reached #1 on the UK singles chart, and was ranked #31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Song's of the 80's. The song started out as a song by Queen called Feel Like, which transformed into Under Pressure  after a jam-session with David Bowie took place in Montreux, Switzerland, thus Freddie Mercury was considered the song's primary writer, but all contributed to the work. This song has always been one of my favorites, and many may be surprised its not further towards the top of my Top 100, but we will see why as time goes on. Enjoy #81!