The Commodores ~ Too Hot Ta Trot 1977 Funky Purrfection Version

173 Views
Published
Greg Womack, a respected DJ asked me to remix this one for a TGIF Soundtrack Remix project several years ago and I swear I was soooo on it...and then I found out he had passed away shortly after that. He never let on that he was seriously ill for a few years before that, I never knew as he was always on the move getting projects together for collaborations and collections of dance and disco music. His Womack Reworks were always excellent, and he included many of my remixes on his compilations. It broke me in as a dj remixer jobs. I will always remember his respect and my inclusion into his world. He really kept up, right unto the end. I found this unfinished project in my files last week and realized that I had been avoiding this one. On hearing it for the first time since 2015, that funky groove is what got me and then remembering Mr Womack's request of it. That bass line and guitar combo really kills this one... and with those horn charts and keys, somebody open a window! This is the funky side of the Commodores with Walter Orange handling lead vocals. The way Lionel Richie's voice cuts in brings this listener to higher heights! You may know that this song was done expressly for the movie "Thank God It's Friday" from theatrical release in 1978, so the group was stepping a bit out of bounds with "Too Hot To Trot". Think about the fact that Motown and Casablanca Records were both involved with the production of the movie so they each sent their best, The Commodores and Donna Summer, in addition to a raft of newcomers and established artists. Needless to say that I wish they had done a song or two together, but Donna did become a household name on the strength of the Oscar winning "Last Dance". "Too Hot To Trot" came about when the group was touring and told they one day to get something together have it recorded. The band rallied after screening the film and decided to center on a female character who liked to get high and boozed up. "Too Hot To Trot" was the way she was described by using an old saying. The band wrote and performed their tracks in three hours, they were so centered on getting back onto the road as soon as possible. Walter Orange, one of the writers has said that the title dates the song in a novelty way...I do not feel the same. It may be a simple song, but it sure as hell gets that booty moving with a few finger snaps goin'! Now that movie is one I go to often, Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and the then totally unknown Terri Nunn who went on to lead Berlin and sang on "Take My Breath Away". In any case, this tune peaked at #24 pop and #1 R&B.
Category
Funky