MY PLAYLIST – CHRIS AMOO (THE REAL THING)

If you haven’t heard of The Real Thing, are you even Scouse? Best known for their legendary hits ‘You To Me Are Everything’, ‘Can’t Get By Without You’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, Toxteth-raised The Real Thing remain Britain’s most successful black group of all-time.

Pioneers in soul, funk and dance music, the two original members – Chris Amoo and Dave Smith – are now celebrating over 45 years in the music industry. Still gigging across the world, the band’s success and longevity is unprecedented in British entertainment history.

We were lucky enough to hear from Chris Amoo the 10 most influential tracks of his career so far.

 1. The Temptations

It’s Growing

 2. The Temptations

Papa Was A Rolling Stone

“The first record I ever bought. ‘It’s Growing’ led me to the band that was going to change our whole way of looking at ourselves in future years, when we had formed our own group. I modeled myself on one of the lead singers, Dennis Edwards, and as a group we realised that a vocal band could have several lead singers instead of one singer and backing singers.”

 3. War

Slippin’ Into Darkness

 4. Earth, Wind and Fire

Shining Star

 5. The Isley Brothers

Fight The Power

“I was a huge fan of these three particular bands. I had begun to feel that you could be more than singers dancing around doing routines; the fully self-contained bands had arrived. It was a rude awakening when we worked in America with Miles Davis to be told we were a little old fashioned. I was influenced by the writing strengths and musical production of these bands, together with great vocals and songs.”

 6. Curtis Mayfield

We’re A Winner

 7. Marvin Gaye

What’s Going On

“Also influential was the mood set by Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, who were sending a message through their songs. These artists inspired us to send our own message, through our songs ‘Children of the Ghetto’, ‘Frontline’ and many more.”

 8. Marcus Miller

 So What

9. Miles Davis

Tutu

“Jazz has been my education and chillout music from a pretty early stage, mainly through the musicians we’ve played with over the years. Being a bass player, my influences have always had a bass flavour. These artists never drop in level and are an inspiration.”

10. Bill Withers

Lovely Day

“My favourite song of all time. Bill Withers. Lovely Day. He was a genius. A poet. This song makes me feel good.”

For more on The Real Thing, head here.

Written by Kate Hazeldine