Feel-Good Friday 10.02.17

Welcome to this week's feel-good Friday playlist! This week we’ve got reggae, soul, hip hop and some Indie gems.

Ugly Duckling – A Little Samba

This Brazilian-inspired track from LA rap crew Ugly Duckling will have you feeling great with its upbeat horns, funny lyrics and slick piano. Coming from the group’s 2001 album Road To Anywhere, this track is the perfect way to kick off your Friday.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings – Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In

Possibly winning the title of the longest track name to feature on the Feel-Good Friday series, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings don’t seem to be big fans of brevity. But don’t let their lengthy titles put you off, this track moves at a mile a minute and will have anyone smiling and dancing the second the first note kicks in.

The Wombats – Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)

This Scouse-indie duo have a knack for coming out with feel-good bangers. Often

twinned with angsty lyrics about love, it makes for a great pairing as this

synthy, upbeat track will have you feeling great in no time.

Toots and the Maytals – 54-56 Was My Number

This group can be credited as being the original reggae crew as they actually invented the word Reggae! The group released a song in 1968 called Do The Reggay which was the first ever song to use the word. As the song was exported around the world, the name stuck and the genre has been called reggae ever since.

Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue

A feel-good classic with a dark past. Despite being a happy sounding song, the single is actually about the 1981 Brixton Riots. The song's title is in reference to the area known as Electric Avenue in London, which was at the forefront of the Brixton riots. Eddy succeeds in making a happy track with a political message.