She's A Bad Mama Jama: Carl Carlton, Patti LaBelle, and Rick James / Teena Marie

"SHE'S A BAD MAMA JAMA" CARL CARLTON

Back in the 80's, this was THE JAM!  Carl Carlton was a two hit wonder, Everlasting Love was popular but this song is his legacy.   Love the opening lyrics, "She's a bad mamma jamma, just as fine as she can be".   I remember hearing this song on the cassette player blasting out loud on the basketball courts growing up, great 80's jam!

"I KEEP FORGETTING"   PATTI LaBELLE
Go out and find a copy of Patti LaBelle's CD "Classic Moments" of cover tunes released in 2005.  She covers artists who you are not supposed to even attempt to remake:   Aretha, Michael Jackson, Elton John, and matches the "untouchable" originals.  Here Patti covers the Michael McDonald #1 hit, "I Keep Forgetting We're Not In Love Anymore" and adds a great female twist to the timeless pop gem.

"FIRE AND DESIRE"  RICK JAMES and TEENA MARIE

BET Television has a great show called Unsung which chronicles classic R&B or hip hop giants from the 80's and tells the story of how they got started, their success, and ultimately "what ever happened to"...   Teena Marie's was excellent.   She was described as a spitfire, a voice that rivaled Chaka, an artist who black audiences loved but never broke through to the white audience.   Barry Gordy loved her talent, as did ex-boyfriend, Rick James.   Here is their finest moment, the ultra-romantic and sexual, "Fire and Desire"!