E05: Motown to Salsoul pt.1 – Music in the Age of Fordism

Hear the full episode here:

In this week's episode Tim and Jeremy begin the first of a three part series-within-a-series connecting the dots between Motown and Salsoul. We start with Fordism, Antonio Gramsci's term for both the industrial practices of Henry Ford and the wider post-war settlement in which they occurred.

Tim and Jeremy discuss how the experience of Ford's production lines inspired Berry Gordy to create Motown Records, the groups and solo acts birthed by the label, and the emergent cultural norms they both expressed and reacted to. We also hear about the changing patterns of employment for musicians in the post-war era, the bohemia of Jazz and the Beats, and the imminent, embodied and sexual power of Funk.

Produced and edited by Matt Huxley.

Tune in, Turn on, Get Down!

Tracklist:

Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm - Rocket 88
The Miracles - I Got a Job
Martha and the Vendellas - Third Finger, Left Hand
Lennie Tristano - These Foolish Things
Bob Dylan - Times They Are A Changing
The Shangri-Las - I Can Never Go Home Anymore
James Brown - Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine