George Hobson Let It Be Real

George Hobson Let It Be Real Sound City

Jose James Quartet The Dreamer

In the last post, I mentioned how much I liked The Dreamer by Jose James. He currently leads a quartet with Nori Ochiai - piano; Alexi David - bass and Steve Lyman - drums.

Jose is a vocalist, lyricist, and composer who has been leading jazz ensembles for the past twelve years. Inspired by the vocalists Billie Holiday and Bobby McFerrin, the jazz writing of Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling, and by the composer/saxophonist John Coltrane.

Jose James's mentors have included the composer/multi-instrumentalist Douglas Ewart and the composer/pianist Carei Thomas of the AACM of Chicago; Black Arts Movement poet and writer Louis Alemayehu; and the composer/saxophonist Donald Washington (former mentor to saxophonist James Carter). His current mentors include the legendary Chicago jazz and blues pianist Junior Mance and the Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Janet Lawson.

Jose James recording credits include EMI Records International "Universidad Navidena" (2006), Brownswood Recordings "Brownswood Bubblers" (2006), and his forthcoming release "The Dreamer" on Brownswood Recordings (2007). He currently lives and works in New York City.

You can hear more of his music on his My Space

Gilles Peterson

I always thought Gilles had cool taste - dropped over to his My Space this PM and heard a wonderful piece of music by Jose James called the "The Dreamer".

You can also download podcasts from his website - just listening to a great set of jazz from the Black Jazz label. Here's the track listing:

1 - doug carn - welcome
2 - the awakening - spring thing
3 - walter bishop jr - waltz for zweetie
4 - doug carn - search for the new land
5 - walter bishop jr - n'dugu's prayer
6 - henry franklin - blue lights
7 - doug carn - power and glory
8 - roland haynes - second wave
9 - kellee paterson - magic wand of love
10- gene russell - me and mrs jones
11- calvin keys - aunt lovey
12- rudolph johnson - the highest pleasure
13- the awakening - mode for dd
14- doug carn - higher ground
15- cleveland eaton - all your lover, all day, all night

http://www.blackjazz.com/

Nicole Willis & Soul Investigators

Mention of Nicole and the Soul Investigators in the last post reminded me that I hadn't mentioned that they have a My Space site. Drop in and listen to their last CD if you haven't already got a copy. One of the most played CDs last year at In Dangerous Rhythm!

Soul Ascension Festival Berlin 2007

Just got full details through of Soul Ascension Festival in Berlin May 16th - 19th:

"Nothing but good soulful vibes at this cool & live happening with bbq and proper good music" Jazzman Gerald

You can blow your mind at home, or you can go see the POETS OF RHYTHM! - I was convinced I was right, when I printed this to the hand-copied black and white flyer I made for their first show at LOVELITE. We made friends immediately. Shortly before we discovered that we share the same preferences when it comes to music they got introduced to me and my associate Jochen by German DJ veteran SOUL RABBI. This good fellow knew what we are up to and we soon came to the idea of making a Raw Soul or Rare Funk Festival. With these guys' help we initiated the 1st International Rare Funk Festival in 2006 - that only happened to take place around the christian Ascension Day - without the help of any sponsoring partner. So now we are hefting it to the next level. Beatneck

THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS

Calypso King & THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS were the first band to issue a full-length album on SOUL FIRE, and like many of the groups in Soul Fire's founder Lehman's orbit, their origins were unlikely: a Meters/J.B.'s/MG's-styled instrumental funk band from Helsinki, Finland. Forming in 1998, the group issued a couple of 45s before hooking up with Lehman; after a debut single on Soul Fire in 2000, "Compin' and Smokin'," they recorded their debut full-length, SOUL STRIKE! which was released in 2001. The Soul Investigators subsequently recorded for their own TIMMION label with a newly added horn section and together with chanteuse NICOLE WILLIS they recorded their critically acclaimed "KEEP REACHIN' UP" album in 2005.

WHITEFIELD BROTHERS

Since 1990 the WHITEFIELD BROTHERS and their main project the POETS OF RHYTHM are occurring as one of the most important influences in contemporary Raw Soul and Funk. Instigated by Munich-based Raregroove DJ FLORIAN KELLER they create a unique style that takes the sheer power of the genuine Funk and Soul era from 1967 to 1972 flavoured with a sophisticated knowledge about worldwide music history and driven by a truly inspired creativity.

AFROBEAT ACADEMY

When you talk about the AFROBEAT ACADEMY, you have to drop the name Oghene Kologbo. Born in Nigeria he faced a terrible youth being a child soldier before he joined FELA KUTI and AFRICA 70 at the age of 14. Since then the anarchic genius "Prof. Dr. Mad Guitar" has devastated stages like a dervish of African Soul. The 13 man AFROBEAT ACADEMY band features a host of heavy international musicians that send Kologbo's original afrobeat messages into the next afro-dimension.

SPEAK LOW

As a main part of the vivid Spanish Raw Soul scene this organ driven 6 piece combo is one of today's most ambitious groove suppliers. Trained in styles similar to the Soul Jazz grooves of the late 60s, Speak Low are now on tour with their own sound and compositions – definitely shouldn't miss these guys bringin' some southern heat to this year's Soul Ascension festival.

THE MALCOUNS

Here come the protagonists of psychedelic afro-funk! With their stunning 45 contributions to New York's SOUL FIRE catalogue and a bunch of releases on their own WATOU label, these musicians from Mighty Munich demonstrate their unique ability to combine the essences of funk and afro-beat, flavouring the whole thing with their very own psychedelic approach.

HIP HOT KIDDIES

To be correct you should call them NEO-HIP-HOT-KIDDIES COMMUNITY as they appear on the 1st RABBI RECORDS' piece of vinyl. Laying down only raw and airily primitive partygrooves they embody the teenage cavemen of Soul. *** "The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing" JAMES BROWN

DJ SOUL RABBI

MAN AND HIS MISSION: As the perfect incarnation of Agent Double-O-Soul, the infamous DJ SOUL RABBI enlightens dance floors all over Europe with his straightforward mix of rare funky sevens and crowd-shaking soul classics. The man doesn't intent to follow the trendy "deep funk" cliché – instead he's fortifying his license to kill by spinning real soul music without the boundaries of rareness or a "high priced singles only" attitude.

DJ FLORIAN KELLER

The Initiator of the Munich Raw Funk Scene who talked the POETS Of RHYTHM into doing what they are doing! Musical-wise, in Keller's sets you can expect erything between the roots of Funk and Drum & Bass, between 60's Afro-Cuban Jazz and Boogie, between Organic Hip Hop, intelligent Funk Beats and what you might call NuJazz and Breaks. - or just a plain, nose-bleedin' Garage Funk Set. Everything but a run-down of the common. Open minded but still extremely danceable are the cornerstones, not recognition and cliches. Since 1991 INTO SOMETHIN' clubnight. From 1994 Into Somethin' radioshow [from january on @ samurai.fm]. Since 1993 FUNK SQUAD w. Jan Weissenfeldt [Poets Of Rhythm] located @ Atomic Cafe, Munich/Germany.

DJ MIGUEL ANGEL

Since 1996 ENLACE FUNK is the only black music magazine in Spanish language. MIGUEL A. SUTIL is its creator. He has also edited several compilations of Funk, Jazz and Spanish grooves for Enlace Funk and VAMPI SOUL as well . As a resident DJ in several Clubs of Madrid he presents the radio show Mundo Jumbo. His style is a mix of funk, soul and jazz with a latin flavour.

DJ GEORGE MAHOOD

George is the founder and editor of the UK's infamous BIG DADDY MAGAZINE, and has also edited the GRAND SLAM mag. Currently running Concourse Records, he also collects the music of many genres and plays funk & soul 45s at renowned soul nights such as Soul Sides [Helsinki] or Struttin' [Amsterdam] to name a few.

DJ KANADAKAOS

As one of the longest-in-business DJ veterans of Hungary his excellent collection is graced with unheard hungarian groove truffles. Expect the unexpected.

*** SOUL ASCENSION - Level II @ LOVELITE Simplonstr. 38/40 Friedrichshain 10245 Berlin Germany

George Blackwell

George Blackwell Can't Lose My Head Smoke


In future, just thought I'd occasionally drop some pics and sound files onto the blog!!!

Ground Lift On Line Magazine

I have mentioned Ground Lift before I thought I'd post a reminder after getting a recent update.

Checkout interviews and features on a variety of artists and subjects related to soul, rare groove, jazz, hip hop etc. Try the ones on O. T. Sykes, Jazzman Records, Chico Hamilton and Wendell Harrison for starters.

Phillip Mitchell On Tonight's Right Track Soul Radio Show

Phillip Mitchell Togetherness Weekender 2002

Phillip Mitchell will soon be in the UK for the Prestatyn Weekender.

As a prelude to Phillip's visit, Harry Grundy has mailed me to say that Phillip will be featured on tonight's Right Track Soul Radio Show on WFM 97.2 between 8pm - 11 pm.

The first hour will feature the Prince Phillip Mitchell song book which will include songs written for Bobby Womack, Mel and Tim, Millie Jackson and Ben E King, etc.

At around 9.15 pm Harry will be talking live to Prince Phillip Mitchell himself.

Tune into the show:

http://www.wfmradio.org/shows/Hassoulman.htm

Soul Of Liverpool

I started my Soul Of Liverpool blog back in 2005 but I have let is slip for one reason and another. I have decided to re-activate the blog as we get closer to Liverpool City of Culture 2008. I have kicked off with a post celebrating the life of Vincent Ismail, a former member of the Liverpool soul group The Harlems, who died on 13/2/07.

Main Ingredient Just Don't Want To Be Lonely

The masters from 1974 - RIP Tony Sylvester. Many of these Soul Train clips are being taken down from You Tube - so be quick!

Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours

Rev Cleatus Soul Saviour Stew


Rev Cleatus Cheeba's Couch


Reverand Cleatus and the Soul Saviours Aka Fantastics were formed from the former Soul Destroyers and the Longo All Stars. They are the UK's answer to the Dap Kings or the Dynamics and hark back to my hero Brian Auger's bands dominated by his Hammond organ playing.

The group consists of Greg Boraman - organ and piano; Raydn Hunter - bass; Pete Collison - guitar; James Rule - drums and Mark Norton - horns. They list their influences as The Meters, Jimmy Smith, James Brown, Brian Auger as well as those other glorious contemporary stalwarts of hip grinding funky jazz & soul ... The New Mastersounds, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Poets of Rhythm...

What we have are funky guitar over serious bass and drum grooves with a screaming Hammond Organ over the top!

They are about to release their first album and I have included 2 clips. If you want to hear more drop over to their site or their My Space.

Watch out because they might be dropping into a city near you soon!

Stax Studios Dateline 4th April 1968

Moments after assassination of Martin Luther King 4/4/68

Shirley Walton Send Peace And Harmony Home


Last night, I caught an excellent documentary entitled The Soul Of Stax on the UK Satellite station Artsworld. The documentary was a French production made in 1993 and directed by Brian Priestley. This was an insightful study with interviews with many people involved in the success of Stax including founders Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton plus many of the artists and musicians involved. There was also some terrific archive footage which is different to other Stax documentaries and makes the documentary all the more worthwhile. One interesting aspect was comparing Memphis in 1993 with now especially with the resurrection of the Stax building and the development of the Stax Museum Of American Soul.

One poignant moment in the film was when Al Bell told of the moment when he heard that Martin Luther King had been shot in Memphis. Al Bell was producing Shirley Walton at the Stax Studio on McLemore Avenue in Memphis when the door burst opened and someone said that Dr King had been shot dead. They had been working on "Send Peace And Harmony Home", a song Al Bell, Eddie Floyd and Booker T. Jones had written for Dr. King. Al Bell had the opportunity to tell Dr. King that they were working on the song when Dr. King first arrived in Memphis and it was to become a testament to the Dr. King's work.

Before the sad news, Shirley Walton had been struggling with the song "Send Peace And Harmony Home". With the news of Dr. King's death in her mind, Bell said Shirley went back into the studio and captured the song straight off. It was to be her last recording session and she left to become a model. This was after she had come to Stax with plenty of promise after Al Bell had heard Shirley singing in Los Angeles. She also had spent 2 years working with the Joe Tex Revue before moving onto singing the club circuit.

Her 2 45's are:

Enterprise 001 : I Was Born To Love You / I'm So Glad You're Back
Enterprise 004 : Send Peace And Harmony Home / The One You Can't Have All By Yourself

Weird Gear In NY

Got the following blurb through:

Weird Gear: Beyond Your Listening Pleasure.
Wednesday February 28 10pm til late, free.
Tonic Bar, 107 Norfolk St (btw Delancey & Rivington).

"February's Weird Gear will be taking off in the main room of Tonic, around 10pm - right after the performance by jazz guitarist, Doug Wamble. Rest assured, DJs Nick Cope, DJ Honky, Pomonkey, Marty Key & Mr Finewine will be spinning that old crystal globe of obscure, misfit vinyl: Hairy Hungarian, Paranoid Polish, Dark French, Big Swedish, Odd Welsh, Eccentric English, Crazy Turks etc.

And not just any old twaddle either. New Yorkers: Keep an eye out at stores like Other Music & Academy for free and coveted Weird Gear CDs lying about in the flyer racks – the current CD is styled like a Turkish record label, you have been warned."

More details here:

http://myspace.com/hfands
now up and running in brooklyn

http://weirdgearnyc.com
new mixes up

http://www.myspace.com/weirdgearforever
tracks on weekly rotation

Anthony Hamilton Sista Big Bones

I don't know why I haven't bothered too much with him before but someone sent me the link - so catchy!!!!

Andre Williams On MySpace

I just thought I'd let you know that Andre Williams is on My Space - drop by and say hello.

Here are some of my favourite tracks by the man:

Andre Williams Jivin' Around


Andre Williams You Got It I Want It


Andre Williams Sweet Little Pussy Cat

A Song For Mardi Gras 2007

Chuck Carbo Can I Be Your Mainsqueeze


I have been very busy this week with work and overlooked Mardis Gras having intended on doing a special for the occasion!

Checkout Mr Fine Wine and Home Of The Groove who have both run specials to coincide with the event.

Here's Mr Fine Wine's Playlist for the show:

Mac Rebennack The Point AFO
Irma Thomas What Are You Trying to Do Imperial
John Williams & the Tick Tocks A Little Tighter Sansu
Ernie K-Doe I'm the Boss Minit
Curley Moore They Gonna Do What They Wanna Do Teem
K.C. Russell How Tired I Am Uptown
AFO Combo All for One Twist AFO
Smokey Johnson Whip It (Pt. 1) NOLA
Tommy Ridgley My Ordinary Girl Ric
Huey Smith & the Clowns Quiet As It's Kept Constellation
Chris Kenner She Can Dance Instant
Lee Bates Bad, Bad Understanding Instant
James Rivers Bad Bad Whiskey (Pt. 2) Eight Ball
Benny Spellman You Got to Get It Minit
Betty Harris 12 Red Roses Sansu
Earl King Poor Sam Hot Line
Al Fayard Doin' Sumpin' (Pt. 1) Alon
Raymond Lewis I Got to Get It Bonatemp
Walter Washington & the Soul Powers Pony Express (Pt. 1) Scram
Jackie Avery I Got Love Tail-Gate
Chris Kenner Mini-Skirts and Soul Instant
Lee Dorsey Vista, Vista Amy
Tony Owens Wishing, Waiting, Hoping Soulin'
Jessie Hill Can't Get Enough Minit
Red Tyler Olde Wine At Last

Dexter Gordon 1964

Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie Hot House 1951

This clip includes Charlie and Dizzy getting Downbeat awards before performing "Hot House".

Jazz On A Saturday PM

Dizzy Gillespie Alligator



Roland Kirk Sack Full Of Soul



Mark Murphy Just Like A Woman

Jazzman Records Radio Shows

"Jazzman" Gerald

Checkout Jazzman Records radio shows on their website.

You can currently hear selections from:

Jazzman Gerald/Mr Fine Wine/Cherrystones/Hugo Mendez/Yusuke Ogawa/Dom Thomas & Andy Vostel/Skeg/Ian Wright/Fryer/Sermand/Jason Esfandiary/Jonny Trunk/Chas Chandler/Cut Chemist/Ed Griffiths & Frederick Lavik/Dean Rudland/Malachi Trout/Keb Darge and Nick Cope plus others.

Philip Groia They All Sang On The Corner

I came across this book while searching Amazon. Groia's book looks at New York's R&B groups and is well worth picking up because it contains interviews with artists and a fine collection of photos.

The book opens on Halloween 1954 explaining the roots of R&B and the birth of groups such as The Ravens, Orioles, Five Keys and The Moonglows. The book moves on to the influence of gospel music on the development of the harmony groups such as Dominoes etc. Groia also looks at feamle groups of the period which have ben overlooked in the past such the Opals, Heartbeats etc. One of the most interesting chapters is on the groups that emanated from 115th Street in Harlem such as the Wanderers, Charts etc

If you want to read more about 50's R&B groups then I highly recommend Nikki Gustafson and Jim Dunn's Harmony Train which is a fascinating resource. Nikki and Jim also have 2 pages of book reviews providing information on 50's R&B.

Art Pepper Film Trailer

While trawling You Tube, I fell on trailer for a film on the life of Art Pepper.

The clip from a feature work in progress is based on the book Straight Life, the Story of Art Pepper. The footage of Art in performance is from Don McGlynn's documentary called Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor.

I read Art's Straight Life back in the 80's at virtually one sitting - it is that engrossing. Art created beautiful music while living a hard life!

Lee Morgan I Remember Clifford

Lee Morgan plays a song dedicated to Clifford Brown. Lee plays with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers including Benny Golson, Bobby Timmons, Jymie Merritt in 1958.

The Dynamites with Charles Walker & Ernie Vincent

A dream come true to catch Nashville's own deep funk machines the Dynamites with Charles Walker on You Tube.

This clip includes a very special appearence by Ernie Vincent of Ernie and the Top Notes fame.

Thelonius Monk Blue Monk

Thelonious Monk performing his composition 'Blue Monk' in 1958.

I've read in a few places that Monk was upset that Count Basie was sitting there and looking at him. He supposedly said something along the lines of "How would he like it if i stared at him when he played?" The other 'watchers' are Jimmy Rushing, Coleman Hawkins and the station announcer.

Dap Kings Casella Walk

Dap Kings in action from a show in Nashville, TN featuring Binky Griptite.

Charles Walker & The Dynamites

I have been waiting for sometime to feature Charles in action and then 2 clips become available on You Tube. Here he is at the Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN last year.

Angel City Soul Club

Nitty Gritty

Checkout My Space

Restless! 2/3/07

Mighty Hannibal with Immediate 10/3/07

Asbury Park 45 Sessions

Kings Country Soul Club

There's That Beat 3

Just to let you know that Issue #3 of There's That Beat will be out on 6th March. I must say that I cannot wait to get my copy after the high standard of the first 2 editions!

In this edition:

• Jack Ashford's Detroit's Pied Piper Production Team. In indepth look at the people and the catalogue.
• Jimmy 'The Wiz' Wisner - A Philly Legend and his contribution to Rare Soul.
• Motown's Early issues that became known as 'The Pinks' and all the variants.
• Pittsburgh - The SteelTown Soul sides. Highlights of the Pittsburgh record labels and artists.
• Plus much more.

Get a copy direct from: http://www.theresthatbeat.com

Big thumbs up to Dave Moore and the rest of the gang - keep them coming!!!!

Bob & Gene Record Release/Listening Party

Daptone Records along with New York soul historian, David Griffiths, has released the future soul classic Bob & Gene "If This World Were Mine...". Available for the first time ever, February 20th, 2007

Pre-order your copy now from Daptone

Record Release/Listening PartyPoster and sampler giveaways, drink specials and BUFFALO WINGS!DJ's will include:
Dave Griffiths (newyorksoulrecordings.com/Bumpshop)
Neal Sugarman
Gabriel Roth Young Chris (The Time Was Right)
Jared (Big City Records/Bumpshop)
& The Honeydripper (Daptone Records)

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007@ SAVALAS 285 Bedford Ave. (between Grand & S1st)Brooklyn, NY 11211 9pm FREE

Bob & Gene in action back in the day

Checkout the guy's full story in the latest Wax Poetics 21

Four Nights Of Fine Wine

One of my favourite DJs Matt Weingarden aka Mr Fine Wine dropped me a line about some of his upcoming gigs.

You can find him out and about as follows:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20:
Mr Fine Wine joins DJs Soulcracker and Inbetween for a specialMardi Gras edition of their Fixin' Breaks tag-team extravaganza. I'll bespinning 100 percent New Orleans 45s, from K-Doe to Eddie Bo to Bo Dollisto Irma Thomas to "Mickey Mouse Boarding House" to Professor Longhair toBetty Harris to...you get the picture. At the PUSSYCAT LOUNGE, 96Greenwich Street (at Rector), 8 till late, $5, 21 and over. Oh, there's a band, too! A "punk-Latin" band, Barra Libre. Deets here:

http://adaptablerecords.com/mardigras07/

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21:
The long-running midweek soul 45 listening partyat Botanica, 47 East Houston St. (between Mulberry and Mott, downstairs),10 till close, free, 21 and over w/ID!! Since 1996!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22: Please help me kick off a new Park Slope DANCEparty, the KINGS COUNTY SOUL CLUB! Me 'n' DJ Cool Hands Luke spin soul,funk, R&B, and garage rarities from 8 p.m. on, and it's free. Spread theword! At the Royale, 506 Fifth Ave. (between 12th and 13th Sts.;718-840-0089), Brooklyn.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23: Tune in to "Downtown Soulville," the radio show I'vebeen doing on (mostly) Friday nights since 1994! 7 to 8 p.m., WFMU, 91.1FM or http://www.wfmu.org/ for a live audio stream. Archived shows going back YEARS at www.wfmu.org/playlists/sv!

UPCOMING DATES to BURN INTO YOUR BRAIN:
Bumpshop @APT, Manhattan: March 10
Horse River Social @Royal Oak, Williamsburg: March 16
London, Jazz Cafe: March 30, March 31, April 1
Edinburgh, Motherfunk: April 3
St. Petersburg, Russia: April 6, April 7...details to come!!

Great to see him back over in the UK and don't miss his show - one of best on the Net!!!!

Sir Mack Rice

With Mack in Memphis 2003

Sir Mack Rice Cadillac Assembly Line Live Version

I was recently reminded that the only person who is still alive name checked in Arthur Conley's "Sweet Soul Music" is Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame. The others mentioned Lou Rawls, Dave Prater, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and James Brown have all gone to soul heaven. The only person linked by the lyrics of the song who is still alive and kicking is Mack Rice. Mack Rice wrote "Mustang Sally" mentioned in Conley's famous song.

This weekend, Mack Rice is making a rare Chicago appearance in a tribute to Albert King at the Cadillac Palace. He will be backed by the Platinum Band, a Chicago-based group that played behind the late Tyrone Davis and now performs with Otis Clay. Big Time Sarah opens the show, followed by guest spots from Lurrie Bell, Melvin Taylor and Carl Weathersby.Mack Rice has his own website which is well worth visiting for his photo gallery. You can also pick up a copy of his latest CD "Get That Money"with his new monicker "The Old Gangster Of Hip Hop Blues". He's revamped his old songs such as "Dark Skin Woman", "Cadillac Assembly Line", "Respect Yourself", "Cheaper To Keep Her"etc which is better than some observers have stated!

You can hear sound bites on his site so make up your own mind up. However, I do agree that the standout track on the CD is the re-working of one of his old tracks "Right Now" called "Right Now, America" which demonstrates he can still do it!!!

The track I featured above is a live version of "Cadillac Assembly Man" from the Eleventh Anniversary Collection of Blue Suit Records, the label Mack recorded the original version of "Right Now" for back in the early 90's.

Luther Ingram

I had news this week that Luther Ingram had been in intensive care in hospital. Luther has been ill with kidney problems for many years. Heikki Suosalo has updated me that Luther is now out of intensive care but is still being monitored in hospital.

Let's keep Luther in our thoughts.

Johnny Brantley Productions Update

Regular readers of the blog will know that I have periodically posted my research on Johnny Brantley productions. This week, I received more information and music to fit some further pieces together around Johnny's productions and also pose further questions!

Lonnie Youngblood & Jimi Hendrix

Niko Bauer of Early Hendrix fame has sent me a copy of the infamous album "Two Great Experiences Together" Maple 6004. Niko has been a great help in throwing light on a whole area of Johnny Brantley's work of which I was unaware.

I will be looking at the Maple album in more detail in the near future though you can read a fascinating interview with Lonnie Youngblood on the issue of these tracks issued on Maple by Frank Moriarty.

Jimi Hendrix Fakes

Niko also sent me a CD-R of tracks which are fakes produced by Johnny to cash in on his involvement with Jimi Hendrix and which used tracks originally recorded by Hermon Hitson, Lee Moses and the Ohio Players amongst others. You can read more detail about these fakes on Early Hendrix but I will also be putting my own thoughts together in a future post. Don't forget also that Hermon Hitson talks about these on his website.

Nate Adams

One intriguing figure who worked with Johnny Brantley was Nate Adams. Nate like other singers who worked with Johnny such as Hermon Hitson, Gloria Barnes etc covered tracks recorded by other artists associated with Johnny.

According to Niko's Early Hendrix site, Nate Adams recorded the following masters for Atlantic in New Jersey on October 20th 1967:

13341 Yes You Did
13342 I’m Gonna Be Good
13343 Why Is It Taking So Long
13344 A Fool For You
13345 Sophisticated Alabama Soup Bone

I'm Gonna Be Good/Why Is It Taking So Long were issued on Atlantic 2466.

Hermon Hitson released "Yes You Did" on Minit and the only version of the song attributed to Nate I can find is an instrumental on an acetate which I turned up in my archives.

Nate Adams Yes You Did


George Scott released a version of "What Is It Taking So Long" on his Maple album and Hermon Hitson also recorded the song which is contained on the Soul Tay Us CD "Too Much For The Human Heart".

I assume "A Fool For You" is another version of the George Scott side on his Maple album.

Marion Farmer recorded his own version of “Sophisticated Alabama Soup Bone” on Tower 417. There is also a version of this song on the Ohio Players's First Impressions album which consists of tracks recorded by Brantley during the group's time at Compass.

Another track attributed to Nate, and not included in the above Atlantic masters, is his version of the "Love Slipped Thru My Fingers". This song was produced by Johnny Brantley and released by Sam Williams on Tower. Hermon Hitson also covered the song and it remained unisued until the Soul Tay Us CD. A further version has in the past been attibuted to the Ohio Players and released in various formats but actually it is Gloria Barnes with the Players. Nate's version is highly acclaimed on the Northern Soul scene having been played by DJ Richard Searling at the Wigan Casino back in the late 70's. I have managed to get an MP3 via Soul Source to share.

Nate Adams Love Slipped Thru' My Fingers


I have read that John Anderson, the famous UK record dealer and Grapevine label owner was ofered at least 10 different versions of the song when he was dealing with Brantley back in the 70's. Anderson did issue Sam Williams's version on Grapevine to satisfy demand from Northern Soul fans.

Concluding comments.......

In the near future, I will deal fully with the Ohio Players, Sam Williams and George Scott.

The Lee Moses CD of his Maple and Musicor tracks is still hopefully going to come out!!!

I'd love to know whether Tuff City have other Johnny Brantley masters in their possession given that they had access to unissued material for the Hermon Hitson CD.

I am still hoping that the son of one of Johnny's business partners will get back to me and through some light on his dealings.

Photos Of Detroit Artists

Nathaniel Mayer 2002

Checkout some wonderful photos of Detroit artists by Michael Limbert including Nathaniel Mayer, Sir Mack Rice, Cody Black and Jay Johnson.

Ernestine Rundless 1914-2007

Earlier this month, we lost Ernestine Rundless, the former leader of the celebrated gospel group The Meditations.

Today in Detroit, her family including her adopted daughter Laura Lee, her friends and former members of the Meditations including Della Reese, gathered to celebrate Ernestine's long life at the New Liberty Baptist Church.

If you go over to Sixties Detroit, you can see an obituary for Ernestine and photos of the celebration posted by my friend Sis Wendal.

I am currently gathering material for a celebration of Ernestine's contribution to gospel music which will be published on my Laura Lee blog.

If you want to hear and see the power of Ernestine's voice then drop in here!

Ernestine Rundless RIP.

Otis Redding Official Site

Checkout the new official Otis Redding site which has announced events to commemorate the singer's life.

December 2007 will mark 40 years since the legendary singer’s passing. The Redding Estate has partnered with the State of Georgia, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, The Soulsville Foundation, which manages The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, corporate and entertainment entities, and fans world-wide to present a series of events commemorating Redding’s life and the enduring influence of his music most of which he wrote and produced at the Stax Studios in Memphis.

On Sept. 14, the musical tribute An Evening of Respect… The Legacy Continues will be held in the late singer’s hometown of Macon, Georgia and will feature sons Dexter and Otis Redding III, performing with a host of celebrity guests, and backed by a 50-piece orchestra. The gala event will be held at the fabulous Grand Opera House in Macon’s historic downtown. Plans are to present the concert in other major cities such as Memphis, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

The event is a fundraiser for The “Big O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation established this year by Mrs. Zelma Redding. The mission of the “Big O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation is to empower and enlighten youth to remain confident and motivated through programs related to music and the arts. “The Foundation is significant of a dream Otis had to encourage young people to stay in school”, she stated. “He had already developed programs to be held at our ranch where he invited people from all aspects of the music industry to lecture on the importance of education and learning. He would tell me, “If it takes music to get the attention of these young people, then let’s educate them through music.” Mrs. Redding has teamed with volunteers from her community and from the corporate and entertainment communities to develop summer camps and programs that will begin in the summer of 2008.

In addition to the concert, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, which inducted Redding in 1981, will curate an exclusive photography exhibition documenting the Redding’s life and career. The exhibit will open at the Macon museum on Sept.13, 2007, and will travel to other museums throughout the United States later in the year.

More details and other special events will be announced in coming weeks.

Andy Smith Presents The Document Live Session

2nd MARCH @ CARGO The DOCUMENT live session presents: VA Let's BOOGALOO vol.4 Launch Party! DJ ANDY SMITH celebrates the release of his compilation Let's BOOGALOO vol.4 on Record Kicks with fab BABY CHARLES live!

North Lancashire Soul Festival

Soul Resurrection Vol 1

Jim Lancaster dropped me a line this week to tell me that Soul Resurrection Vol 1 would soon be shipped. This CD is the first of hopefully several documenting Finley Duncan's Playground Studio productions.

You can read all about the project at the Playground.

Here is the publicity blurb including how to get the CD:

"NOW COMPLETED AND SENT TO PRESS!!! "SOUL RESURRECTION" VOL. #1 Some rare cuts from BIG JOHN HAMILTON, DORIS ALLEN, REUBEN HOWELL, LEROY LLOYD, LEN WADE and JIMMIE NELSON. Some of the tracks we are using have never been released and are some FUNKY SOUL Music. Included in "Soul Resurrection" are a couple of cuts by Len Wade, which we found at the last moment when assembling the master. These cuts are from 1966 and include "Everybody's Clown" with the Memphis Horns and an alternative cut of "Love Comes and Goes".

To purchase your copy and be on the first shipping list send $20.00 to Playground Recording Studio, 101 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, Fl. 32580 USA we will pick up the shipping in the US. Customers abroad must include $5.00 for shipping. We also accept PayPal payments. Our account is bassace123@aol.com. Please include return shipping address."

For a full track listing checkout the website.

Wax Poetics 21

One of the best issues yet from one of the world's leading music magazines. There is the usual high standard of art work and layout plus previously unseen photos which add up to an excellent read and feast for the eyes!

In Issue 21, there are features on James Brown celebrating his life including an article by his friend Alan Leeds with some terrific photos plus other aricles on the The Pazant Brothers, Charles Stepney, Marshall Chess, Gene Barge and Minnie Ripperton.

You get copies in the UK from Jazzman Records.

September Jones EP

A cracking new EP from Gilles Petard's Body & Soul sees the release of the A& B sides of September Jones's Kapp 45 plus 2 unissued sides. What we have is Jack Ashford produced magic from his legendary 60's Detroit based Pied Piper set-up featuring some of the Funk Brothers moonlighting from Motown.

A cool release which you can get from Johnny Manship in the UK.

Soulside

Keeping The Faith: Photos of UK Rare Soul Scene