What tunes are capturing attention as we begin the first full week of the new year? How about some inspirational tunes to keep us uplifted and focused? You can hear some of the tunes on the Old School Inspirationals mix 

1. Isley Brothers - So You Wanna Stay Down (T-Neck, 1976)
Off the unheralded Harvest for the World, Ronald Isley gets straight to business here.

2. DJ Spinna - Show Us How You Shine (Papa, 2006)
Quite possibly my favorite cut from the stellar Intergalactic Soul album.

3. Graingers - Shine Your Light (BC, 1981)
They never had another hit, but this jam leaves quite an impression.

4. Cameo - Be Yourself (Chocolate City, 1982)

5.Flowriders - Darkness Into Light (4Lux, 2004)

6. Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out (Motown, 1980)
The perfect personal reinvention anthem, which can come in handy on a Monday. 

7.James Brown - Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved (Polydor, 1971)
Of course, the Godfather had enough message tracks to compile his own list.  We'll go with the hard-driving "Raw" sample from the original JBs years.  

8. Baker Brothers featuring Vanessa Freeman - Aware of Reality (Peddler, 2006)

9. Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame - Nobody Can Be You (Atlantic, 1982)
Arrington's first single was the preview of the unique brand of positive funk he'd develop after he left Slave.

10. Kool and the Gang - Higher Plane (De-Lite, 1974)

11.Kings of Tomorrow - Another Day (Defected, 2004)

12. Gap Band - Open Up Your Mind Wide (Mercury, 1979)
The brothers Wilson are an unlikely source for message anthems, but this early single is evidence of their style before they became more blatantly P-Funk influenced.