Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Stax Tour and New Websites

The Soulville people have let me know about a couple of stax related things:

The Stax Music Academy's, Summer Soul Tour is coming to your town. If you live in the area, please catch them at one of these great shows:

June 27, 2007 12:30pm
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH

June 29, 2007 7:00pm
Afro-American Music Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

July 2, 2007 11:00am & 6:00pm
Sunoco Welcome America Festival, Philadelphia, PA

July 4, 2007 6:00pm
The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

For more information about any of these shows, please contact the Stax Music Academy at 901-946-2535, ext. 345. See you at the show!

We've recently launched a couple of new websites. Check 'em out. Bookmark 'em. Come back and hang out whenever you want.


www.StaxMusicAcademy.org - the official website of the Stax Music Academy, a non-profit urban learning center adjancent to the Stax Museum. This year, the Academy's after-school programs and annual summer camp will impact the lives of nearly 350 at-risk Memphis youth through music and performance.

www.StaxMuseum50.com - your one-stop shop to keep up with all the great new exhibits, events, and special programs that the Stax Museum has going on in celebration of soul music's 50th anniversary.Get down to 926 East McLemore Avenue in Soulsville, USA and see what's groovin'.

Thanks for your support.

Emerald City Soul Club July 14th

I 've had a bulletin from the guys at Emerald City Soul Club:

Hey California people -I will be in SF to DJ northern soul at the Elbo Room, and will be there from Friday the 6th until Sunday the 8th ... so we gotta hang.

Here is some tentative info as to my plans ...

Friday -Arrive in the am and do some diggin for records at Rookys. afternoon & evening will be hanging with Mike Callahan and a few other old Hawaii friends ... (other hawaii friends, if you are reading this get in touch). no specific locale, so suggest somethin.Saturday -Chill during the day ... maybe some more diggin or something. who knows. i wanna eat fish somewhere ... again, suggest.

Saturday night:
SOUL PARTY at the Elbo Rooma night of "stompin uptempo soulful rarities" with resident DJ Lucky and guests Dr. Scott (Hip City Soul Club) and yours truly!! Elbo Room is at 647 Valencia St. on the corner of Valencia and Sycamore.Event starts at 10pm and is $5.

Please come on out and dance! oh and if anyone has an afterparty in mind, let me know.

Sunday -KUSF Rock'n'Swap Record Fair hell yes!

George Bragg RIP


I cannot recall where I saw it first mentioned but I checked the Skull Snaps MySpace to discover that George Bragg the group's original drummer had died.

This is what they said:

It's with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the funkiest drummer of all time, George Bragg. One of the original three Skull Snaps, along with Samm Culley and Ervan Waters, Bragg's contributions to music will not be forgotten as he still remains the most sampled drummer of all time.

He was laid to rest on June 18th and I wonder how many of the people who have sampled his music know what's happened?

George Bragg RIP

Hook & Boogie Friday 13th July

I've received a reminder for the above from Mr Finewine:

Hook & Boogie Productions presents an

R&B/SOUL DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA
FRIDAY, JULY 13
featuring

YOUNG JESSIE
THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL
THE DANSETTES

The vintage R&B event of the summer! Red-hot Los Angeles-based singer YOUNGJESSIE-a onetime member of the Flairs and the Coasters and a solo star onsuch smoking 1950s and early-'60s singles as the original "Mary Lou," "HitGit and Split," "Shuffle in the Gravel," and "I Smell a Rat," makes hisfirst New York City appearance in nearly 50 years on Friday, July 13.He'll be backed by local stalwarts THE DANSETTES, those three lovelyharmonizing ladies with rock-solid gentlemen right behind them on Hammond,guitar, drums, and bass (think Booker T. and the MGs-meet-the Vandellas).Young Jessie will be doing strictly the songs you know and love from his records!

Hammondbeat Records artists the Dansettes will play a set of their ownkiller material as well. And as if that weren't enough for one band,they'll also heroically support Atlanta/Los Angeles/New York City legend

THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL! Fresh off blistering appearances in Austin and his hometown of Atlanta (where the City Council presented him with acertificate proclaiming "Mighty Hannibal Day"!), the genius behind hitslike "Jerkin' the Dog," "Hymn No. 5," and "The Truth Shall Make You Free"is thrilled to be sharing a stage with his old L.A. running mate YoungJessie and promises that it will be a night for the ages. Don't miss thisrare opportunity to hear his new single "Hymn No. 9/11"!

After the live acts, the action will continue till 4 a.m. with a DJ danceparty featuring the great W. LEE of New York's long-running soulfulshindig the Empire State Soul Club, DAVE THE SPAZZ of WFMU's "Music toSpazz By," and the Hook & Boogie team of EL GUAPO and MR. FINE WINE(WFMU's "Downtown Soulville").

Cheap, delicious barbecue all night, too!

The Hook
18 Commerce Street
Red Hook, Brooklyn
718-797-3007
thehookmusic.com
Friday, July 13
Doors open at 9
$20 advance (ticketweb.com)$24 at door

MORE INFO: myspace.com/hookandboogie

DIRECTIONS: Go to thehookmusic.com for details....It's a 10-minute walkfrom the Carroll Street F stop; it's about an $8 car ride from Park Slopeor $10 to $12 from lower Manhattan; the B61 bus (which stops inWilliamsburg and downtown Brooklyn) will drop you one block away; there'slots and lots of free parking all around the club.

Soul Sides Vol 2 Release Party 28/6/07

Oliver Wang's Soul Sides is one of the daddy's of soul and funk blogs. He recently mentioned my Freddie Scott tribute on his blog and lots of people have dropped over to hear the tribute.

Oliver has released several CDs and his latest Soul Sides Vol 2 The Covers is out now.

The release party is as follows:

Thursday, June 28 - Casanova Lounge - San Francisco
The Official Bay Area SSV2 Release Party
DJ O-Dub w/ DJs Vinnie Esparza and B.Cause
10pm - 2 am
527 Valencia by 16th
Free!

Thanks Oliver!!!

Fela Ransome Kuti

Fela Ransome Kuti Expensive Shit Editions Makossa


I was visting another blog and was reminded of this 45 - thought you might dig it!!!

Orgone on Tour

Ubiquity Records have mailed me to let me know of a tour by Orgone.

This is Ubiquity's publicity blurb:

Orgone first appeared on Ubiquity with their cover of “Funky Nassau” on Rewind Volume 4 and are now signed to deliver their first full-length album.

Their excellent vinyl releases on the UK-based Nuff Rope label have been faves with DJs worldwide, including NYC’s Danny Krivit who liked “Funky Nassau” so much he offered up one of his legendary re-edits.

The band’s reputation is backed-up by an impressive resume including landing a spot in an Adidas campaign. They’ve been backing band to The Pharcyde, Plantlife (including an Australian tour with James Brown and BBC performance for Jools Holland), Tone Loc, and New Orleans funk legend Eddie Bo at the Hurricane Katrina benefit.

Members of Orgone also feature in the make-up of Ubiquity acts Connie Price and Breakestra and perform regularly at the Root Down in LA.

Catch them with Little Brother, Free with RVSP @
www.scion.com/livemetro

ORGONE/LITTLE BROTHER TOUR DATES:

Jun 26 2007@ Cats Cradle w/ Little Brother Carrboro, North Carolina

Jun 27 2007@ The Loft w/ Little Brother Atlanta, Georgia

Jun 28 2007 (Not A Scion Show, Tickets $15)The Parish @ House Of Blues w/ Little Brother New Orleans, Louisiana

Jun 29 2007@ Warehouse Live w/ Little Brother Houston, Texas

Jun 30 2007@ The Parrish w/ Little Brother Austin, Texas

FULL TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:
www.scion.com/livemetro/
www.ubiquityrecords.com
www.myspace.com/ubiquityrecords

Don't forget to check out their new 45 Duck & Cover/No More Gravy on Ubiquity


Bill Moss RIP

My friend Sis from Detroit mailed me last night with the sad news that the legendary gospel singer Bill Moss had died. He was a member of Detroit's Moss/Clark gospel music family and his sister Mattie Moss Clark founded the Clark Sisters.

Bill Moss is perhaps best known for founding the gospel group Bill Moss and the Celestials. A songwriter, Moss also started a record company, Bilesse, that recorded his group as well as other Moss Clark family members and Detroit artists.

Bill Moss played a crucial role in the development of gospel music and anyone who loves gospel music should seek out his music.

If you want to see Bill in action then YouTube has 2 videos you can watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLkwRu8Z3Z8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a4BscnQyMM&mode=related&search=

Bill - thanks for the music..........

Young Birds Fly Premiere July 21st

As regular readers know, I have followed the making of Young Birds Fly movie for nearly a year now and Leonardo has sent me another bulletin - which is probably the most exciting.Young Birds Fly will be premiered as follows:

As I've said before just wish I could be there to wish Leonardo and the gang every success!

Elizabeth Blanchard as C-Bird, The Girl About Town

Monday, June 25, 2007

David Sea on Soul Discovery 30/6/07

Just had the above poster through from Mick for what is bound to be a top show!!! Don't miss it!!!

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Podcasts & Mixes

I seem to be listening more and more to podcasts and mixes than ever before.

Over the last couple of months, I have shared many links to mixes and radio shows on the net and below are some I haven't mentioned but are well worth subscribing to or downloading.

One blog which has been priceless for supplying links to podcasts and mixes is One Take Tapes and should be your first port of call in the search for quality mixes.

Try these out for size:

Waxing Deep Rund Funk

Right Direction

Paris DJs

I'll be back soon with more links and some more mixes of my own.

Boomerang Canal Tavern Thorne

Looks like a top night at a venue which was famous for breaking crossover and modern sides back in the 90's.

United Sound Of Soul 30/6/07


Federal Soul Every Week

Check Solid Soul website for more details

Fair Play Paris

Paris continues to be the soul capital of Europe!!

Without Boundaries Summer Ball 7/7/07

Mark Randle dropped me a message about above - cheers!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Swamp Dogg Discography

It is always pleasing to see good research getting published on the Net. David Chance's Discography on the Dogg is one such project which has to be applauded.

Richard "Kush" Griffith 1948-2007

I found out this week that the legendary Kush had died last Sunday. Kush was the legendary trumpeter and arranger for James Brown, Parliament/Funkadelic, and his own P-Funk spin off group, the Horny Horns, and work at Motown as the house band, "Bottom and Company". He was also an integral part of Bootsy's Rubber Band, the J.B.'s, and band leader for P-Funk spinoffs like The Brides of Funkenstein.


You can read a full bio on the man and listen to some of his music over a his MySpace and website
Kush (far left) with Fred Wesley

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Living Blues 190

Hiya Bluesers, Check out our latest issue of Living Blues at your news stand or subscribe today at our website: http://www.livingblues.com/

Issue 190 Contents
Cover photo: Luther Allison, Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1970.
Credit: Stanley Livingston

Blues In Black And White: The Landmark Ann Arbor Blues Festivals—The Photography of Stanley Livingston.
Introduction by Michael Erlewine
In 1969 Stanley Livingston, a talented young photographer and blues fan, had the opportunity of a lifetime. The now-legendary Ann Arbor Blues Festival was happening in his hometown. With unlimited access, Livingston took over 9,000 photographs at the 1969 and 1970 festivals. The lineup was a dream list of blues who’s who from prewar legends like Son House and Roosevelt Sykes to contemporary giants like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker. These never-before-seen photographs are an un-mined gem of blues history.
Big James Montgomery by Tim Holek
Big James Montgomery, two-time winner of the LB critic’s choice award, fronts one of the hottest Chicago blues bands—and does so with a trombone as his lead instrument. Montgomery cut his teeth playing in the bands of Little Milton, Albert King, and others and today blends a refreshing mix of blues, funk, and soul into a unique sound.
Wallace Coleman by Larry Nager
Cleveland-based harp player Wallace Coleman honed his skills watching Sonny Boy Williamson (II). Later he landed a decade-long gig as a sideman with Robert Lockwood Jr. On his own now, Coleman has released four CDs and is touring heavily.
The Lee Boys by Scott Bock
The Lee Boys are carrying on the sounds of the Florida-based branch of sacred steel music. Rooted in the sounds of Reverend Glenn Lee, Henry Nelson, and the Campbell Brothers, the Lee Boys are mixing the secular influences of soul, R&B, and rap with their gospel roots, bringing a fresh take on sacred steel music.
Big Maybelle’s Roots by David Freeland

Maybelle Louise Smith, “Big Maybelle,” was one of the most popular vocalists in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her hit Candy still sounds scorching today. But Maybelle’s life was a complex and often dark journey.
Record Reviews
New CDs by Koko Taylor, Carey and Lurrie Bell, Denise LaSalle and Big T and Wesley Jefferson.Reissues from Gatemouth Brown, SPV Records, and the Numero Group.

New Gilles Peterson Podcast

I've had a bulletin from Gilles telling me of his new Podcast. The Podcast features some tracks from his forthcoming 2nd Digs America CD for Ubiquity.

Charles Walker & Dynamites In Memphis 29/6/07

Check out Soul Of Memphis for details.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Westside Soul Club 29/6/07

See their MySpace for more details

Rozetta Johnson New 45 on Shotgun


Rozetta Johnson You Better Keep What You Got Clip

Paul Mooney has sent me a soundclip of his next release on the Shotgun label from Rozetta Johnson.
An excellent follow up to his David Sea 45. We are treated to another lost moment in Southern Soul history from down in Birmingham, Alabama.
I'll keep you posted when on the release date.

Young Birds Fly Update


Regular readers of IDR will know that I have regularly updated readers of the blog on the progress of the film Young Birds Fly since I was first in touch with the film's director Leonardo Flores.
For the benefit of new readers to IDR, Young Bird Fly is in the words of the Leonardo a film that
"Traces the wonder, discovery and disappointment of the contempory Los Angeles Mod/Skin/Northern Soul movement through the eyes of a quiet teenage girl named Jill."
The latest bulletin on the film from Leonardo came through last night:
I receive about 5 emails a day concerning the DVD release and Screenings of YBF. I have been focusing my attention over the last month on the Whittier, CA screening of YBF on July 21st. I want to screen to you all as much as you want to watch it but all the other areas that I have wanted to screen it have fell through. The only exception is if YBF gets picked up for festivals.
YBF is not on DVD yet, but after this Summer I will focus all my energy on the DVD release of Young Birds Fly as it seems that will be the best way to get it out to you, all over the world. I hope to have it on DVD by end of the year for you to purchase.
Thank you everone for your interest in Young Birds Fly and making it what it is.
Keep The Faith,
Leonardo Flores

Tracey Mathewson As Jill: The Venus Ace

Fortune Records - Any Stories?

There is a MySpace for the legendary Fortune Records and the people behind the pages are looking for any stories - so if anyone out there has any then please let them know.
I'd love to see a CD box set documenting the history of the label.
Don't forget that former Fortune Records legends Nathaniel Mayer and Andre Williams are still out there doing the business!

Soulidarity 23/6/07

Hip City dropped me a bulletin to let me know about the above - go over to their MySpace for more details.

Charles Walker & Dynamites CD Release Party Nashville 22/6/07


The Dynamites have dropped me a bulletin on their CD Release Party in Nashville this Friday:

Hey all o' y'all Southeasterners, the biggest Dyna-party of the decade happens THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 22 AT MERCY LOUNGE IN NASHVILLE.

The new album, KABOOM! is out, and we're going to throw down and celebrate!

Come on and check out all of the beautifunky sounds and the feel-good summertime soul stomp extraordinaire!!

We'd love to see all of y'all there! And the more of you that come to the show, the more outlandish, mind-blowing super soulness that comes out of Mr. Charles Walker!Please forward this bulletin on to all of your friends and something extra funky (good) will happen to you...Friday night...at the Mercy Lounge...in Nashville.

COME ON WITH IT!!!!The Dynamites

I will review the the new CD as soon as I get a copy.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Monday, June 18, 2007

Elvin Spencer Interview

Over the last 2 years, Bob Abrahamian has been doing a sterling job interviewing Chicago based artists on his "Sitting in the Park" show.

The show is a weekly soul one that broadcasts every Sunday night from 7:30-9:00PM on WHPK 88.5FM Chicago. On the show, you'll hear Chicago soul and group soul, mainly from the 60s through the early 70s. You'll also hear interviews with soul groups. This webpage will contain archives of every interview, so you can listen to members of these groups tell their stories in their own words.
Click the following link to get to the list of interviews:

You can email me, Bob Abrahamian, the DJ of the show at:
The latest show included Elvin Spencer. Go check it out!!!

Ponderosa Stomp In Brooklyn July 14/15

Dr Ike has mailed me over night a poster of the show - be there!!!

Ronnie McNeir New CD

Ronnie has sent me a bulletin to tell me that his latest CD is out this week:

What do Smokey Robinson, Teena Marie, The Four Tops, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, Kim Weston, L.J. Reynolds, Kirk Whalum, Rena Scott, Rene & Angela, Carrie Lucas, and Theo Peoples have in common? Well, Ronnie McNeir has produced, recorded with, written for, and/or played keyboards behind this all-star soul list. Despite his impressive resume, Ronnie McNeir is virtually unknown… in the United States. Across the Atlantic, he enjoys a high level of acclaim and his records go for thousands of dollars on the elite UK soul scene. As a vocalist, keyboardist, producer and songwriter in his own right, he has consistently had a hand in creating superb soul music since his debut on an obscure Detroit soul label many years ago.
His mellow tenor voice epitomizes smooth. His grooves, though always funky, define smooth. His songs are intensely personal , alternating between the sensual style of Marvin Gaye to the pointed social commentary of Curtis Mayfield. Like yet another great soul man, Stevie Wonder, he is a pioneer in using synth instrumentation to create funky and soulful grooves.
McNeir has been heard alongside Teena Marie on the classic 80s soul ballad, “We’ve Got To Stop Meeting Like This” from Marie’s “Starchild” album. He also lent backing vocals to Smokey Robinson’s “Love Breeze” LP. Currently, he sings tenor with the Four Tops, a position he has held for the past years, hand-selected by best friend, songwriting partner and original Four Top, Obie Benson.

Today, McNeir returns to the scene with his tenth album, Ronnie Mac & Company. With 14 smooth soul tracks, the album is a must-have for those who crave a contemporary spin on classic grown folks’ music.

Ronnie Mac & Company is the singer’s invitation to get to know Ronnie McNeir. Ronnie Mac has seen and done it all and he shares his rich life experience in tracks such as Ain’t It Good To Know You’ve Got A Friend and his honest commentary on the state of the world, It’s A Shame People Have To Live This Way.

Just when you thought the brother was getting too deep, he serves up steppers’ grooves like Summertime Medley II and In The Mood to take your mind off such troubles. He invites listeners into his own confessional chamber with the painfully beautiful “Personal Testimony” which features Theo Peoples, his fellow Four Top and friend. The album portrays Ronnie in all his human complexity, sinner and saint; profound and playful all at once.

An updated version of McNeir’s Down In The Neighborhood will be a welcome surprise to fans of his last album, of the same name. Neighborhood portrays a gritty tale of life in the inner city with stark detail. From the troubles of the world to the troubles of love to the joys of summertime, Ronnie Mac & Company portrays a complex man: profound, playful, sensual and painfully aware of shortcomings – of himself and the world around him. A bonus track is his spoken word personal tribute to his best friend, original Four Top Renaldo “Obie” Benson.
Some of soul music’s most talented artists know who Ronnie McNeir is. So should you. Get to know Ronnie Mac by downloading "RONNIE MAC" & Company;Ronnie McNeir's NEW SOLO CD set for release on June 18th.

Who is Ronnie McNeir? Your new favorite soul artist!
Ronnie McNeir has always been one of favourite artists and I will always treasure seeing him perform in a small club in Manchester called Parkers back in the early 90's - priceless!!!!

Drop over to his Ronnie's MySpace to hear some clips of the new CD

The Big Throw Back Bloomfeld-Lawrenceville 28/6/07

Check their MySpace for further details

Bobby Eli News

I had a bulletin through from Bobby Eli on MySpace to giving me an update on his latest productions:

George Clinton is recording a new CD with Bobby Eli producing,which promises to be somewhat of a departure for the funkmaster.The Three Philly Tenors are putting finishing touches on their forthcoming September release,produced by Bobby Eli. Hall and Oates are scheduled to guest on this CD also contributing a new song composed by them for this CD.
Check out Bobby's MySpace for further news

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Marva Josie

Marva Josie He Does It Better Thimble LP This Is Marva Josie

Marva Josie has had a presence on the web for awhile but I understand that she will be enhancing her site in the near future - so keep in touch.