Paul Mooney's Best Of 2007

Next year, I intend on inviting some of my old friends to contribute to the blog. To kick things off I have asked Paul Mooney to contribute his reflections on his soul highlights of 2007.

I have known Paul for many years from his time as a writer for the UK Black Echoes newspaper and as someone I bought many deep soul sides off back in the 80's. Paul had his first label Ardent back in the 80's/90's on which he released some fine music by G.C. Cameron, Sam Dees and others. He worked for many years at Grapevine Records which issued a whole batch of high quality soul music. He now runs Millbrand Music which has it's own labels Selecta and Shotgun as well as a publishing arm.

Over to Paul:

For me the musical highlights of 2007 were essential new albums by BETTYE LAVETTE, MAVIS STAPLES, LAMAR THOMAS and SHARON JONES.

I've also enjoyed new music by Butch Williams, Ann Nesby, Simone De, George Soule, Sharon McMahan, Kashious, Al Lindsay, Patrick Harris, Bobby Hutton, Marcelle & The Truth, Oak III, Lee Fields, Big Joe Louis and the WaCo Ramblers.

My tip for crossover success in 2008 is ELI 'PAPERBOY' REED & THE TRUE LOVES. I hope the long-awaited debut album includes my favourites "Am I Just Fooling Myself", "It's Easier" and "Take My Love With You".

Eli Reed

2007 was another great year for reissues and it's always an added bonus when previously unheard material is found in the vaults. My favourite vintage discoveries were "Walking The City Streets" by GEORGE JACKSON on Kent and "You Better Keep What You Got" by ROZETTA JOHNSON on Shotgun and Soulscape.

Grapevine/Soul Junction came to an end after seven years but I've been busy running Millbrand Music and our Selecta and Shotgun labels. I've also continued to work with Garry Cape and enjoyed helping him to establish Soulscape Records which already has a strong catalogue of albums including BILL BRANDON, TONY BORDERS, ROZETTA JOHNSONand others.

Next year Soulscape will dig deeper into the Malaco, Quinvy / South Camp and Minaret catalogues so there's a lot more to look forward to - including albums by MARY GRESHAM and DORIS ALLEN.I am particularly proud of the Soulscape album 'Personal Woman' by ROZETTA JOHNSON. I'm biased of course but it really was my favourite classic soul album of 2007.

It's a privilege to work in the music industry and I'm thankful that 2007 was another busy and successful year. We signed many new publishing deals at Millbrand Music, including Jim Lancaster's historic Southern Americana / Chu-Fin catalogues, the Notes of Gold / House of Orange catalogues, Hayboogie Music and classic songs by the late Kim Tolliver.
We also issued some wonderful singles on Selecta / Shotgun by SHEBA POTTS-WRIGHT, BOBBY HUTTON, SIMONE DE, DAVID SEA and ROZETTA JOHNSON. The response was very encouraging and I'm looking forward to 2008 which will start off with the amazing "Fool Of The Year" by SAM DEES.

Simone De

At Millbrand we became more involved in media licensing this year and I was delighted to place ten classic soul songs in a new movie called 'Clubbed' which will be released in 2008. Our featured songs are by SAM DEES, LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY, DOROTHY NORWOOD, BOBBY HUTTON, TONY COOK, CAROL ANDERSON, DAVID BATISTE & THE GLADIATORS, LORRAINE JOHNSON and BOB RELF who passed away in November after a long illness. I'll miss him as a friend and a valued client.

I was also pleased to place the soulful ballad "Testimony of A Fool" by BOBBY PURIFY in the 'Clubbed' soundtrack on behalf of writers Dan Penn, Carson Whitsett (deceased) and Bucky Lindsey who are represented by Lisa Best.

Best wishes to everyone and thanks for all your support and encouragement,

Paul Mooney

www.millbrand.com

Thanks to Paul for his contribution. I will be inviting Paul back in the New Year to host a guest mix of his favourite deep soul sides.

Al "Coffee" McDaniel

Yet another CD I first heard on Soul Discovery is this gem from Al "Coffee" McDaniel.

I found out the following about Al from his MySpace:

Al Coffee McDaniel is a national recording artist, and has released several CDs under his private label, CPA Records. Highly recognized as a premier male vocalist, and a seasoned guitarist, he is an arranger, composer, producer, and a captivating entertainer. No matter where "Coffee" performs, he captures the attention of his audience and fills them with music. While preserving the spirit of the original artists, "Coffee" revives their songs in a personal way, polishing them, enhancing them, customizing them with his own added touches, making each song more beautiful than it's original version. His performances consists of pop, blues, jazz, R & B, standards, mixed in with some of his own music.

McDaniel has become the singing sensation of Clearwater Beach, Florida, performing at the Cabana Grill & Bar (Sand Key) . He has developed a loyal following of locals who enjoy that fine, strong baritone voice, and the visitors love him, too. He has also appeared on several television and radio gospel music programs across the nation in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casinos; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; and across the state of Florida. He has also performed with some of the great artists in the music industry to include, Billy Paul, Gene Chandler, the comedian "Sinbad", Joe Simon, Denise Lasalle, and others. While serving in the United States Air Force, he also performed abroad in Europe, South East Asia, and The Pacific Islands.

His CD "Blues In My Shoes" was released earlier this year. This is what he has to say about the CD:

Al "Coffee" McDaniel may be a new voice to the Blues, but he is not new to the world of music. He has been performing professionally since he was five years old. This fourteen track CD, possibly autobiographical, in music and song, tells the story of a man who finds himself married to a woman who is controlling, abusive and unfaithful. He asserts his autonomy from this relationship, meets and falls for another woman who ultimately helps his career, as she helps him attain fame and notoriety. Al Coffee has successfully accompanied himself on this awesome CD with two of the most recognizable names in the music industry, legendary producer/songwriter/drummer, Narada Michael Walden, and blues great, guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter, Lucky Peterson. Check out the album on CD Baby . While you are there take a listen to his 2 previous albums:

Ian Wright On Good Taste Radio Show

Just got this show sent through to me:

Good Taste Radio Show 059

Good Taste wish you a great 2008 full of wonderful music! We wanted to celebrate it in a remarkable way by spreading the best music to introduce you to the next year. So we asked Mr. Ian Wright to select his best finds of the year. He don't need any introduction, The Praying Mantis, the worlds rarest funk 45s! Enjoy it!

Papito:

Phillips Bros - Who stole my cookie - Now
L.G. & Incredible Soul Seekers - Craw finger soul - Stepping Stone
Larry "T-Bird" Gordon - Contact off funk - Hi
Nikk - Hard times - House of Roton

Ian Wright:

Bubba Suggs - Everything That Looks Good - Suggs
Leroy Clofer - Mr Big Man - Rosemont
Black Soul Express - Party Time - B.S.E.
Johnny K - I'm afraid of the dark - Drive
Buddy Cantrell - you ain't no good - Tuska
Wilma Smith - Where There´s A Will There´s A Way - Grand View
Doty Roy - You Got My Boy - Pic 1
Wilma Smith - They Make Me Think Of You - Grand View
Johnny K - I got bills to pay - Drive
Wilbur Jordan - Smiling Styling - King
Galaxy - Dance Wit Me - Marjon
Freak - Life Goes On - Blue Candle

Papito:

Sage - I'm alive - Head
Chain Reaction - Search for tomorrow - Blue Wave
Powerhouse - You turn me on - Daystar
Walter "Butterball" Davis - Girl stop begging - La Cade
Sly, Slick & Wicked - Sho'nuff - People

Weldon A. McDougal 111 New Track

Weldon A. McDougal 111 New track snippet

Weldon has dropped me a line over here on IDR wishing me the best for the New Year.

He also sent me a snippet of a new project he is working on himself. He is also working on new material with Shirley Slaughter to follow up her excellent CD from earlier this year.

You can also catch the above track on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=aidl8tIJST8

IDR wishes Weldon and Shirley a successful New Year!!!

The Falcons

I had a nice message through from Fredrick Gibson with the above photo of the Falcons.

Thank you, for keeping my father's music alive… He's James Gibson, 1st Tenor (second from left). Carlis "Sonny" Monroe, Lead (far left), Johnny Alvin, 2nd Tenor (seconf from right), and Alton "Bart" Hollowell (3rd Tenor, Baritone)...

Thanks Fredrick for dropping by!

Father's Children Sky's The Limit

Yet another contender for album of the year is the excellent Father's Children Sky's The Limit CD on FC Music. Once again, I was turned onto this group by Mick O'Donnell on Soul Discovery.

You can listen to tracks on CD Baby.

Here's the run down on the group:

During the late 70’s and early 80’s, a local group from Washington D.C. emerged that caught the area by storm. The group was called Fathers Children, and had a very distinct sound that was compared to the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire and other self-contained acts of the time. Their sound was coined “the crisscross rhythms of righteousness” because the music was syncopated and funky. The group’s musical philosophy was quite diverse. Their repertoire covered genres from R&B, Pop and Jazz, to Funk and Light Rock. Known for strong vocals and tight harmonies, the group was celebrated for putting their unique stamp on any piece of music they did back then and they still do today! Fathers Children performed with artists like Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Teddy Pendergrass, Stephanie Mills, Frankie Beverly and Maze and many others. The group released an album on Mercury Records in 1980 titled Fathers Children.

The group has reformed after a long hiatus of working with other musicians in the metropolitan Washington area. Audience response from a few reunion gigs about two years ago convinced them to make their return as Fathers Children permanent. The group members are Tony Contee (guitar and vocals), Art Mosely (Keyboards), Charles Robinson (drums), Qaadir Sumler (lead vocals and keyboards), Greg Ross (Bass and vocals), and Ted Carpenter (lead vocals and percussion).

The group has been performing locally for the past 2 years and is pleased to announce the arrival of their new CD titled “The Sky’s The Limit.” You will no doubt agree that the music on the CD is quite diverse, with songs ranging from Funk with a little Hip Hop sprinkled in, to R&B ballads, to smooth jazz-like melodies.

Clifford Thompson

One of my favourite tracks of the year has been Clifford Thompson's Back Don’t Hold Back taken from his CD on Goldwax Your Love Keeps Turning Me Around. I know little about Clifford except what is on the CD Baby blurb:

Clifford Thompson was born in Carrabelle, Florida and moved to Columbus, GA to be near Fort Benning Army post while his father served in the military. At a very early age his love for music started to bloom while listening to his older brothers sing due wop in the back yard.

Cliff started a sing group with his childhood friends, calling themselves the "Lovelets, singing at family gatherings and local talent shows. While attending Carver High School, Cliff joined the "Carver Lads' where his smooth tenor voice developed.

In 1975 the group Asia Addicts" was formed and became a popular singing group in and around Columbus GA. They performed at the local nite spots and met popular singers such as the late Johnny Taylor, The Staple Singers and Archie Bell and the Drills. Listening to their style of music Cliff decided that this was his dream. The rest is history.

Go and have a listen to snippets of the album on CD Baby.

Mark Wood Jr

I came across Mark Wood Jr's MySpace and found out that the lead singer with Lakeside had issued an album last year which I had missed.

You can hear tracks off the album on CD Baby.

Here's what Mark has to say about himself:

Original & current lead vocalist/founding member of Lakeside.

Mark Adam Wood, jr. has been around the entertainment industry for over 30 years. he started singing at age 3 in church choirs. his career started in the land of funk music, dayton, ohio in 1969.

Mark Wood began as lead vocalist in a singing group called the nomads. next the nomads, mark, and stephen shockley decided to form a self-contained band, the nomads & the young underground which later became the Lakeside Express and evolved into the lengendary funk band known all over the world as Lakeside.

Lakeside received standing ovations in such venues as radio city, music hall, madison square garden, the rose bowl, greek theatre, the chicago theatre, philly dell east, mza, japan, and national at the art theatre in nigeria.his 1st recording experience occurred in chicago when he was introduced to curtis mayfield through eddie thomas, as a kid. later in california, mark met a great producer named frank wilson from motown who released their ballad on abc records.

Shortly thereafter, mark met his mentor, a man named dick griffy from solar records who published their 1st songs. in result of this friendship were recorded 5 gold cds 1 platinum cd and multiple tv shows including sinbad's hbo summer jam 2, bet live, soul train, ab-d clark, mtv and vh1. his recordings were also played in motion pictures such as south central, eddie with whoopi goldberg, and sinbad's movie the first kid where the president's son learns to dance to mark wood's most successful recording, the classic "fantastic voyage."

Mark Wood also recorded a live cd before 15,000 people and toured as special guest star of the budweiser super fest, 3 consecutive years. his numerous tours also include the solar galaxy of stars, africa, europe, a live remote from rotterdam to all of holland, u.s. military tour in germany, from berlin to stuttgart and japan from sapporo to tokyo.

In 2005, mrkystar productions and stargate productions lifelong friend (william shelby, songwriter of "and the beat goes on", "second time around", "it's a love thang" and many more) teamed up to produce mark's first solo cd, "the adventures of mrkystar." william shelby collaborated with mark on most of the songs on the cd. in this project mark describes an extension of his alter ego, a nomadic interplanetary time traveler whose message of love and funky adventures bring earth and the cosmos together to save the milky way beyond. this alter ego with an interplanetary flare becomes the social & soulful voice for the multi global movement.

Sister Betty Jean Newsome

Please read an excellent feature on Sister Betty Jean Newsome in the Village Voice. Sister Betty Jean Newsome was a backing singer in James Brown's band in the 60's - a fascinating read!

Criteria Studios Miami

Here's a very interesting article in the Miami Herald on the Criteria Studios in Miami

Soul Discovery Top 30 2007

I have just posted Mick's guest's Top 10s for 2007 and now Mick has sent me yesterday's playlist featuring his Top 30 for 2007.

Top 30 Choices on Soul Discovery For 2007

30. Tad Robinson “Ain’t That Loving You” (Severn)

29. Sir Charles Jones “Just Cant Let Go” (Mardi Gras)

28. The Embers “The Last Time I’m Saying Goodbye” (Bluewater)

27. O’Flava PSI “No High When She’s Gone” (Music Vision)

26. Vick Allen “The Same Thing” (Waldoxy)

25. David Sea “Let’s Just Get Together” (Shotgun) 7'

24. Floyd Taylor “You Still Got It” (Malaco)

23. Bigg Joe “Running Back To Me” (Baby Boy)

22. Oxyxi Feat Terrence Forsythe “Spell Bound” (N2)

21. Bar-Kays Feat Shirley Brown “We Can’t Stay Together” (Rightnow)

20. Ronnie McNeir “What Goes Around Comes Back Around” (Jupiter Island)

19. Butch Williams “Keep On Lovin’ Me The Way You Do” (Star Gazer)

18. Euge Groove Feat Jeffrey Osborne “Baby If You Only Knew” (Narada Jazz)

17. J. Blackfoot Feat Sir Charles Jones “I’m Just A Fool For You” (Rightnow)

16. Vee Allen “Let’s Pretend To Be Lovers” (Leland)

15. Bobby Hutton “Twenty Years Later” (Selecta) 7'

14. Clifford Thompson “Back Don’t Hold Back” (Goldwax)

13. Lola “Wash Your Hands” (Wilbe)

12. Parker “This World’s Gone Mad” (Moe Soul)

11. Bonves “Smooth” (Bathubmusic)

10. Ann Nesby “I Apologise” (Shanachie)

9. Patrick Harris “Missin’ Your Love” (Lyn-Rome)

8. John Martin “There’s No I In We” (Nitram)

7. Father’s Children “If I” (FC Music)

6. Kashious “Bad Luck” (Gordon)

5. Howard Hewett “Can You Feel Me” (Machine Production)

4. Ruby Baker “Motions Of Love” (Nivel)

3. Rene Jones “Show Me The Way” (Midoice)

2. Hermon Histon “The Heart” (Sweetrose)

1. Oak III “I Can’t Say No” (New Rhyme)

Don't forget you can listen again by visiting the 209 website

Soul Discovery Top 10's for 2007

This year, one of my listening delights has been Mick O'Donnell's Soul Discovery.

The blurb on Radio 209's website sums it up perfectly for me:

Mick's enthusiasm for the music, the mixture of music styles played, the telephone interviews with the artists and the guests in the studio who are mainly collectors/DJs gives the show a great feel and personality.

Mick asked several of his regular guests to contribrute their top 10's for 2007 which are listed below:

Brian Goucher (Soul Essence)

Theryl “Love makes the world go round”
Parker’s “This worlds gone mad”, .
Choklate “ Incredible”
Kameela “ Nothing Else” Kashious “ All over again”
Big Joe “Just walk away”
Tad Robinson “Aint that loving you”
David Sea “Hook up to the heart”,
Ann Nesby “This could be love”
Oak III “All about staying together”.

Steve Dolan (http://www.stevessoulsounds.co.uk/)

Bigg Joe "Running Back To Me"

Kashious "To Make A Difference"

Floyd Taylor "Sweet Love"

Mr. Sam "I'm Coming Home"

Lil Falley "I Wanna Make Love 2 U"

Lola "Don't Go Away"

Oak III "Yes I Do"

Onyx 1 Ft Terrence Forsythe "You Never Fail To Amaze Me"

Vick Allen "Good Love"

Special "Girlfriend To Girlfriend"

Mike Ward

Lori Jenaire “Fruition” The Whole Album

G.Cole “Something Special”

Terry Cumming “Right Time” Live

KJ “Hey You”

Micehelle Taylor “One Look”

Laura “What Kinda Love”

Devon “Keep it Real”

Neysa “Touch Me”

June Rochelle “This Christmas”

Mark Houghton (New Chapter)

Al McDaniel -They Don`t Know/Very Special Lady (CPA)

Trudy Lynn - You`re The Only One (Sawdust Alley)

Embers - The Last Time I`m Saying Goodbye (Bluewater)

Duhart/Katz - Get My Swerve On (Cribnote)

Lee Fields - My World/Love Comes and Goes (Truth and Soul)

Power - Once Upon A Time (in love with you/ Get Your Love (Power)

Sharon McMahan -When Will Love Come To Me (So.Calitown)

Simone De - Since I Lost You Baby/Show Me (Premiere/Selecta)

Darryl Askew - We Can Make It (DAS)

Kashious - Starting All Over Again/Bad Luck (Gordon)

Patrick Harris- Missin` Your Love (Lyn-Rome)

Theryl "Houseman" DeCloet - Love Makes The World Go Round (Theryl "Houseman" DeCloet)

Chris Jasper - Invincible (Gold City)

LJ Reynolds -So Good (Born again)

Al Hughes - Turned Around (Kat)

Joint Heir - Your Love Is Amazing (Joint Heir)

Lola (featuring William Bell) - Shake Hands (Wilbe)

Clifford Thompson - Baby Don`t Hold Back (Goldwax)

Eric Cross -Oh Baby (Eric Cross)

Earl Gaines-Let Me Live My Life (Blue- FYE)

Mark Merry

This Worlds Gone Mad - Parker - This Worlds Gone Mad - Moe Soul

The Last Time I,m Saying Goodbye - The Embers - Show Must Go On - Bluewater Records

All About Staying Together - Oak III - Sweet & Nasty - Oak III

Missing Your Love - Patrick Harris - Long Time Coming - Lyn Rome

Baby If You Only Knew - Euge Groove Featuring Jeffrey Osbourne - Born To Groove - Narada

Love Comes & Goes - Lee Fields - Truth & Soul

Surprise Surprise - Sterling Harrison - South Of The Snooty Fox - Hacktone

Woman / I Forgot Too Remember - Floyd Taylor - You Still Got It - Malaco

Take Everything In - Angie Stone - The Art Of Love & War - Stax

Can You Feel Me - Howard Hewett - If Only - Machine Production

Eddie Hubbard (www.myspace.com/banburysoulclub)

George Jackson “Walking the city streets” (Kent CD 2007)

Cavaliers “Living in the land of heartaches” (Kent CD)

Angie Stone “Here we go again” (Stax CD)

Anne Nesby - Step Chaka Khan “Angel”

Debi Dixon “In love always”

Larry Hamilton “You can have it your way”

Bobby Warren “The time has come for us to be free”

Trudy Lynn “You're the only one”

Lesli Valentine “Love on a two way street” (Tears full of Soul CD)

Mike Charlton http://www.soulessence.co.uk/

Michael Rainey “Wrapped Too Tight (If He Ain't)” (Rainey CD 2006)

Butch Williams “Keep On Lovin' Me (The Way You Do)” (Williams CD 2007)

Parker 'This World's Gone Mad' (Moesoul CD 2007)

The Fantastic Four “Loving You Is Hurting Me” (Motown) 'Cellarful Of Motown Vol. 3 CD 2007

Jimmie Delphs “Do You Know What I Mean” (S.S..I ‘45’ 1977)

Rozetta Johnson “You Better Keep What You Got (Shotgun ‘45’ 2007)

David Lenyard & The Music “It’s Never To Late” (Flying Eagles ‘45’ 1975)

George Jackson “Walking the city streets” (Kent CD 2007)

Mark IV “Signs of a dying love” (OBT 12’ 1977)

Lee Fields “At the end of the day” (Promo 2007 )

Fish http://www.firstexperiencerecords.com/

Wahoo - Don't Take It Personal (Fine) 12"

April Hill - The Search (Soulbrother) cd album

Raw Artistic Soul feat Jon Gibbons - In Their Eyes (Gogo) cd album

Jafrosax - Grow (Konami) cd album

Darlene McCoy - Unity (EMI Gospel) cd album

Floyd Taylor - Sweet Love (Malaco) cd album

Terry Hunter feat Terisa Griffin - Wonderful (Soul Heaven) 12" Remix

Angie Stone feat James Ingram - My People (Stax) cd album

Phil Perry - The World Is A Ghetto (Shanachie) cd album

Robert Owens & Dj Spen - A Greater Love (MN2S) 12"

Colin Brown

Jackie Moore - Tired Of Hiding - Kayvette

Ted Taylor - Something Strange Going On In My House - Ronn Records.

Julius Williams and Indeya - Together As One - So.Co. Records.

Prime Time - I Owe It To Myself - Total Experience.

Ronnie Dyson - The More You Do It.. - Columbia.

Gwen McCrae - Lead Me On - Columbia.

We The People - Right Now - Lion Records.

Betty Wright - If Ever I Do Wrong - Alston Records.

Jimmy Johnson - Don`t Answer The Door - Magnum Records.

Ike and Tina Turner - Hurt Is All You Gave Me - Modern Records.

Steve Plumb http://www.soulmusic.co.uk/

Mary Gresham – I’ll never let you walk alone – Soundscape CD

Young Devines – Ain’t that sharp – Note

Detroit Emeralds – Long live the king – Westbound LP

Wali Ali – (Oh) I need your lovin’ – Jobete LP

Jerry Butler – The best love I ever had – Phil Int 45

French Coffey – Nothing from nothing – Pick a Hit

Teeah Louise – You happened to me – Coastal

Jesse Butler – Let my love bring out the woman in you – Southbound LP

Insights – I need your loneliness – Palmetto

Tapestry – It’s not the world that’s messed up – Capitol

Mick Gynn

Yolanda Rabun “I want to love u (Saxony)

Euge Groove Featuring Jeffrey Osbourne “Baby If You Only Knew”(Narada)

Tamara Stovall “After love is gone” (Positive)

Leni Holmes “Treat your woman right” (Backstreet)

Butch Williams “Keep on lovin me the way you do” (Star Gazer)

Toast “It’s just an illusion” (Charm City)

Central “Power system-Master plan” (A Jan A)

Jimmie “Okera Hightower” “Love & Live” (BCN)

The Upperhand Band “Get it together” (Spy)

Star Fire & Atkins All Star “Oh Baby” (AAS)

Some fine music there both new and old.

Please note that I have not included Paul Mooney's contribution because I will be featuring his in more detail later today.

Captain Hammond

I had a message from Pete Collison telling me of a new project he is involved with called Captain Hammond:

Captain Hammond is the brainchild of Mother Earth's Hammond hero Bryn Barklam. More than a group, Captain Hammond is an audio-visual concept featuring the Hammond Organ Power Trio's rocking instrumental Hammond sounds accompanied by the cosmic comic book exploits of half man - half organ, and all hero, Captain Hammond!

Inspired by months of sweaty jamming in the infamous London basement blues joint "Frank's Bar" with long-time cohort Greg Boraman, Bryn began to blend his favourite musical elements into a grooving, Hammond flavoured musical stew. After the addition of Greg's Reverend Cleatus band mate Pete Collison on guitar, the trio began creating some serious sounds - heavy, blistering, organic rock; gospel; 60's rhythm and blues; a hint of down-home funk and a cosmos worth of soul!

Maceo Parker Roots & Grooves

Picked up this blurb from Mike Wilpizeski, Heads Up International on Maceo's next CD:

Acclaimed soul/funk saxophonist and former James Brown session man and stage foil Maceo Parker steps into the spotlight for his 2-disc Heads Up debut, Roots & Grooves, an album that features a rock-solid rhythm section and no less than fourteen horn players behind and alongside this brilliant and innovative sax legend (Release Date:February 12th, 2008).

Disc 1 is a tribute to Ray Charles, with well-known classics like “Hallelujah, I Love Her So,” “Busted,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “What’d I Say?” Disc 2 consists almost entirely of original Parker material, loaded with the same punchy, high energy stuff that cemented his and Brown’s collective reputation as the co-architects of the original soul sound more than four decades ago.

Parker calls Roots & Grooves “a dream come true” in more ways than one. The album not only serves as his opportunity to pay tribute to an revered mentor, but also illustrates how those early influences laid the groundwork for the funk sound and sensibility that Parker himself helped spawn. “As soon as I started hearing rumors that perhaps I could do some kind of big band project, my brain raced right to the Ray Charles stuff that I knew, because I’ve always wanted to do that. And to hear those funk tunes blown up to big band proportions is really something else!”

MO-PHILLY with Jimmy Levine and Raymond Earl

Mick O'Donnell tipped me to a new project involving Jimmy Levine called Mo-Philly. Here's the press release:

The Mo-Philly Group is an entertainment group thataims to delve into all aspects of the industry.Founded by music veterans Jimmy Levine and Raymond Earl who have a star-studded pedigree in the music/entertainment industry. Sharing CEO duties, Levine will handle the managerial responsibilities and Earl will oversee the creative endeavors.

"Hit Records Not At Any Cost" could serve as the new start up's motto, as the two principals endeavor to create contemporary music in a grand tradition that's reflective of their decades of experience and craftsmanship. Their timing couldn't be better, as the public, in response to the brashness and crassness of recent times, seems to be collectively saying to 'tone it down' and give us some integrity.

The company's first project is singer Shantel whose completed debut album is "Arise Time To Shine",which is scheduled for release during the first quarter of 2008. Also on the release docket is: Instant Funk, part of Gamble & Huff's MFSB best known for their millionseller "I Got My Mind Made Up", the funk is on again! Their first funk fest of the new millennium will be dropped in the 2nd quarter of 2008. The name Switch conjures up sweet memories of their certified gold slow jam, "There'll Never Be" as well as "I Call Your Name". Much more of the same can be heard on their new album which is slated for a 2nd quarter 2008 release. Negotiations are also on going with El Debarge to join MO-PHILLY in time for a 2nd quarter release of new style of music. The 3rd quarter will offer the debut release of West Palm Beach FL group Mistaken Identity whose sound is in the mode of The O'Jays. Also negotiations are underway to bring Chaka Khan and Phil Perry into the fold.

Songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Levine, whose resume lists classic Motown sessions andsongs in the label's Jobete Music catalog, currently has a CD on Thump/Universal, "Share My Love”, which went to#1 for 16 weeks on the R&B charts in Europe,#1 on the Sweet Rhythms chart and became popularin Asia. The CD lists such luminaries as Ray ParkerJr., Wah Wah Watson, Phil Perry, Michael White, Howard Hewett, Everette Harp, Maysa Leak, Lori Perry, Kenda Hathaway, Donald Hayes Niki Harris and Phillip Ingram. Highly regarded magazine, Blues and Soul awarded the “Share My Love” with a Best Album award. The response to the album has been so overwhelmingly positive that a new CD, "Surprise Surprise” Keeping It Real! is being completed and continues Jimmy’s winning formula of combining old school and new school for a uniquely satisfying listening experience.
Starting out playing piano in church at age 4, the SanFrancisco native picked up the saxophone in his teens and began playing in various Bay Area bands. Jimmy's high-level professional music career began after auditioning for Marvin Gaye when the legend made a concert stop at the Oakland Coliseum. After he began performing in Mr. Gaye's band (playing behind him upto the time of his untimely death), he was signed as a staff songwriter to Jobete and worked with Rick James,Teena Marie and other Motown artists. Relocating to Chicago, Jimmy collaborated with producer Carl Davis (The Dells, Gene Chandler), arranger Rich Tufo and Jesse Boyce for Gold Coast Records, an offshoot of Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records (Spunk's "Tighten It Up", TTF, Linda Clifford, Ava Cherry), songwriter Lowrell Simon on "I Want You" for Barry White, the group Omni, Jerry Butler and projects for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records.

You can read an interview with Jimmy Levine on Soul Treasures.

Donald Lee Richardson I've Learned My Lesson Soulville

Donald Lee Richardson I've Learned My Lesson Soulville

A few Orwell's ago, I heard the above 45 and it blew me away. I had known the other side You've Got Me In The Palm Of Your Hands for years as a perennial Northern Soul favourite but had forgotten/missed the other side!

The 45 turned up in my Xmas stocking - how did that happen???

By coincidence, my friend John Clement tracked down the album below which contains the both sides of the 45 and plenty more Soulville gems as well as having some great notes and vintage photos. You can track a copy down on Ebay.

Cast

I had a message through from Brian Auger:

Hello everyone,

Please check out this great new power trio my son Karma has put together with his friends Julian and Nicklas.

www.myspace.com/coryellaugersampletrio

If you dig the music, add them to your friends.

Happy new year and all the best in 2008!!

Brian

Cast are Julian Coryell, Guitar Karma Auger, Drums Nicklas Sample, Bass

Sounds good to me!!!!

Mambo Beat Club

I had a bulletin through from Cheap Thrills A Go Go

hey everyone...thanks again to everyone who was there last thursday-that was INSANE!Mike Howard (see all his great photography at http://mikehoward.smugmug.com/)

took some pics at zuzu that night-I posted them here.

also...January 24th is the cd release party of Mambo Beat Club volume 1...I posted some previews of a few of the songs-you can hear them at:

cheapthrillsagogo.blogspot.com

gotta run...xoxo.-beat train

Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show 29/12/07

Last night's show was a cracker with Craig reviewing the last year:

On yesterday's show:-A retrospective of the best of 2007 featuringSession tracks from The Bamboos, The Apples, The Haggis Horns, The Grits, and James Taylor QuartetAs well as music from James Brown, Flow Dynamics, The Bamboos, Frank Wilson, The Sweet Vandals, Lamont Dozier, Manteca, Smoove, Sharon Jones, Tommy Hunt, Mario Biondi, Aretha Franklin, The Carstairs, Bahama Soul Club, Archie Bell & The Drells, The Black Seeds, Lee McDonald, The New Mastersounds, Tuomo and much more.

If you missed it you can listen again on the web at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/funk_soul/

Craig - Keep up the good work mate!!!!!!

Friday Street in 2008

Monday 31st December:Friday Street's NYE Mod Party
THE BEAT CLUB. 375 Sauchiehall St Glasgow G2
10pm till 4am
Paul will be joined on the decks by Neil Henderson (Hideaway Club, Manchester), Holly and Sarah (Eyes Wide Open) plus David Stone (The Hit! Club)
Tickets £6 available from Tickets Scotland (0141 204 5151) or pay on the door.

Sunday Soul Selection 30/12/07

Just picked up the tracklisting and where to download the latest show.

Great listening this AM and now available here:

http://SRSSS30Dec07fullshow.notlong.com

Hats off to Shaun!!!

The Best Of The *Sunday Soul Selection* 2007: (Pt.1)

Leon Bryant – Never (delite) CD
Garland Green – Come Thro Me (Kent) 45
George McCrae – Take It All Off (UA) 45
Lamont Dozier – Can’t Get Off Until The Feeling Stops (WB) 45
William DeVaughn – Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand (Roxbury) 45
Aretha Franklin – April Fools (Atlantic) 45
Willie Johnson - It's Me (Savannah International) 45
Originals – Ladies (We Need You) (Fantasy) LP track
Soul Children - Midnight Sunshine (Epic) 45
Freda Payne – I Hear Rumours (ABC) LP track
Dynamic Superiors – Leave It Alone (Motown) LP track
William Bell & Mavis Staples - Leave The Girl Alone (Stax) LP track
Soul Brothers, Inc. – I Saw Forever My Love (Commonwealth United) 45
Sensations Wild – Love Somebody, Love Someone (Ram) 45
Billy Stewart – Crazy 'Bout You Baby (Chess) 45
The O’Jays – Now He’s Home (Trip) LP track
Betty Wright – Life (Alston) 45
Fantastic Four – Let This Moment Last Forever (20th Century) LP track
Kashious – The Way I Am (Gordon) CD
Freddie Scott - I Guess God Wants It This Way (Vanguard) 45
Al Wilson – Be Concerned (Playboy) 45
Brothers By Choice - Oh, Darlin’ (ALA) 45
Trudy Lynn – You’re The Only One (Sawdust Alley) CD
Lou Ragland – Understand Each Other (SMH) 45
The Impressions – You Can’t Be Wrong (All The Time) (Curtom) LP track
Mary Mundy – You Put A Hurting On Me (Sunday Soul Selection CD)
Philadelphia Story – If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now (Wand) 45

And here's a message from Shaun:

I had a stab today of trying to pick some of the most popular triple S spins from 2007 ... hopefully i did manage to pick a few of your fav's ...

Best wishes to u all for 2008 ...

& once again, thanks for all your support during 2007 ...

Very best wishes, Shaun.

Soul Music Collector

Sweet Mixture House Of Fun And Love Bazar

Check out some interesting scans on this site:

http://www.soulmusiccollector.com/index.html

Ruby Andrews & Gloria Lynne

I was checking out Swamp Dogg's site and thought I'd remind people of this excellent CD collection on the ladies.

Ruby Andrews shows off her southern soul vocal expertise under the guidance of Swamp Dogg. These tracks only prove that she is not only the genius rhythm and blues vocalist who gave the world seven Billboard chart hits, between 1968 and 1971, that included Casanova,The Love I Need, You Made A Believer Out Of Me, Everybody Saw You and You Ole Boo Boo You. Her performances here clearly qualifies her with other southern soul divas such as Denise Lasalle, Shirley Brown, Betty Lavette and Betty Wright.

Gloria Lynne, who has always been ranked in the same league with great jazz divas, such as Nancy Wilson, Dakota Staton, Sarah Vaughn and Peggy Lee,etc., journeyed to Capricorn studio in Macon, Georgia with Wally Roker and Frank Clark at the suggestion of Swamp Dogg. Once there, they utilized the genius southern-boogie rhythm section that made hits for Swamp Dogg, Doris Duke, Irma Thomas, Arthur Conley, Wet Willie, Cowboy, Livingston Taylor, Martin Mull, Oscar Toney, Jr., etc. This was Gloria’s first venture in to southern funk. Nevertheless, it came off great and garnered critical acclaim. Gloria maintained her vocal sophistication while applying an equal dose of funky r’n’b. Swamp Dogg

TRACKS

RUBY ANDREWS
1. I Want To Rock With You Baby
2. Since I Met You
3. Que Pasa
4. To The Other Woman (I’m The Other Woman)
5. Kiss This
6. Lovey Dovey w/ Swamp Dogg
7. Throw Some More Dirt On Me(The Shacking Song)
8. Loving You #449. I Got What I Want At Home
10. As In Always

Gloria Lynne
11. Whatever It was You Just Did
12. How Did You Make Me Love You
13. Can You Take What I’m Gonna Do
14. If You Don’t Get It Yourself
15. I Just Gotta Tell Somebody
16. Love’s Finally Found Me
17. What Else Can I Do
18. Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong
19. Don’t Tell Me How To Love You
20. I’m So In Love
21. I’ll Take You All The Way There

Ike Turner Tribute On Intoxica

Check out Intoxica's tribute to Ike :-

*IKE TURNER TRIBUTE SET*

BILLY GALES- SAD AS A MAN CAN BE
ICKY RENRUT- JACKRABBIT
BILLY GALES- I'M TORE UP
ICKY RENRUT- THE ROOSTER
JACKIE BRENSTON- GONNA WAIT FOR MY CHANCE
IKE TURNER & KINGS OF RHYTHM- DOUBLE MINT
CLAYTON LOVE- SHE MADE MY BLOOD RUN COLD
IKE & TINA TURNER- MOJO QUEEN
THE SLY FOX- HOO-DOO SAY
THE SLY FOX- MY FOUR WOMEN
THE SLY FOX- I'M TIRED OF BEGGIN'
IKE & TINA TURNER- TINA
ROOBILLY GAYLES- DO RIGHT BABY
IKE & TINA TURNER- THIS MAN'S CRAZY

The Fantastics

I've had the message below about a change of name for Rev Cleatus and the Soul Saviours:

Just to let you know that from the 1st of January, Rev Cleatus and The Soul Saviours will be changing their name to The Fantastics! - the name on our MySpace profile will be changing over on the same day.In the meantime I've made some adjustments to the Rev Cleatus profile - the URL is now

http://www.myspace.com/thefantasticsfunk

- there's also a free download on there too for xmas!

And, our email address is now -thefantastics@hotmail.co.uk

Nice!

All the best

Pete

6th Oslo Soul Experience Mix

Listen here: http://oslosoul.com/radio/ose_radio06.mp3

6th. OSE WEBRADIOSHOW RECORDED AT THE SOUL SHACK

Gøran:-

Four Real. Inc. – The Man (Master plan)-

Willie and Anthony – Selfish lover-

Lee Moses – She's a bad girl-

Josephine Taylor – Ain't gonna cry no more

Tommy:-

Harvey Averne Band – People-

Ralph "Soul" Jackson – Set me free-

Henry Brooks – Greatest debt to my mother-

Rising Sun – Good loving

Gøran:-

Harris & Orr – Here I go-

Erroll Gaye – Love and effection-

Marcia Hines – You gotta to let go-

GQ – Make my dreams a reality

Tommy:-

The Experts – My love is real-

W. J. Charles – Feelin' kind a lonesome-

Little Joe Hinton – Let's start a romance-

Charles Sheffield – It's your voodoo working

Gøran:-

Lee "Shot" Williams – You're welcome to the club-

Untouchable Machine Shop – Machine shop part I-

Ricky Allen – Cut you lose-

Prophet Soul – Do you hear me

Tommy:-

T. S. U. Toronadoes – Song for a princess-

Brown Sugar – Grazin' in the grass-

Franky & the Spindles – War-

Frankie Freeman – This old shack

Gøran:-

Family Underground – Nowhere to run-

Hudson People – Trip to your mind-

Clark Terry & Chico O'Farrill – Spanish Rice-

Nathaniel Mayer – From now on

Tommy:-

Robert Parker – I caught you in a lie-

Archie Bell – When you left-

Jerry Washington – Don't waste my time-

Rhonda Davis – Can you remember

Gøran:-

The Summits – I'll never say no-

Warm Excursion – Funk-I-Tus-

Prince James – Pumpkin place-

Hank Carbo –Bad Luck

Tommy:-

Ray Jones – Beat the knees-

Rev. Carlton Coleman – Share it-

Steelers – Can't take this pain-

Barbara Mason – You better stop it

The Soul Explosion Love Is The Answer Tramp

I've received a message from Tobias over at Tramp Records about a new release on the label:

Title: Love is the answer / Barn yard pimp

Fmt: 7” Single (45rpm)

Release Date: December 10th, 2007

In the late 60s/early 70s many American soldiers were stationed all over germany. Among those where musicians who played in several army bands like the “East of Underground” which recorded a now sought after album after they had won the special services entertainment showband contest held in Frankfurt in 1971. Nobody knows which other bands participated in this contest, maybe also The Soul Explosion which were stationed in Augsburg, Upper Bavaria. Around the same time, a man named Charles Held opened a club in Augsburg town called “Tarantel”. Furthermore he was running a record label of the same name on which he released a handful of 7” singles from different, local bands, mainly not funky at all though. The Soul Explosion’s release remains the only one in the field of american soul & funk music. The band recorded a fantabulous double-sider, one deep-funk side with a soulful ballad on the flip which makes both hardcore funk and soul collectors happy. Unfortunately there is no more information available about the band, only that they even performed live at the “Tarantel” club.

As on our last release we decided to make collectors happy again, that’s why we pressed two different issues. The regular issue reads ‘Tramp’ as the label, the strictly limited promo copies (300 pressed) comes with the original ‘Tarantel’ label artwork.

Thanks for looking, Tobias @ Tramp Records

New Parkdale Funk Mix

Here's a new mix to enjoy on Parkdale Funk:

Joe Zawinul – The Soul Of A Village (Vortex)
Kay Robinson – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow (King)
Little Dion – Yes We Can-Can (Capitol)
Big Barney – The Whole Thang (Grandville)
The Bar-Kays – Humpin (Volt)
Willie Tell & The Overtures – Soul Ranger (Chess)
The Dee Felice Trio – There Was A Time (King)
Lowell Fulsom – Tramp (Kent)
Freddie Watson And The Restorators – The Unlucky Seven (Eloys)
The 5 Spiritual Tones – Dad Situation (Sound Town)
Jarvis Jackson – The London Fog (Sims)
Ray Charles – I Don’t Need No Doctor (ABC)
Mel Torme – Comin’ Home Baby (London Atlantic)
Friend Chicken – Funky D.J. (Stone)
Lonnie Smith – Move Your Hand (Blue Note)
Bob And Earl – Harlem Shuffle (Marc)
Mary Holmes – Soul Brother (Nassau)
Thomas East & Fabulous Playboys – I Get A Groove (Toddlin’ Town)
Pretty Purdie – Funky Donkey (Date)
Lena Horne – Rockey Raccoon (Skye)
Don Julian & The Larks – Shorty The Pimp (Jerk)
Alex Williams & The Mustangs – The Thrill Ain’t Gone (Jewel)
Joe Frazier – Gonna Spend My Life (Capital)
Freddie Scott’s Orchestra – Hangin’ Out (Marlin)
The Emotions – Blind Ally (Volt)

Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC)

Don't think I've mentioned this site before?

Established in 1991, the Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC) is a repository of materials covering a range of African American musical idioms and cultural expressions from the post-World War II era. Our collections highlight popular, religious, and classical music, with genres ranging from blues and gospel to R&B and contemporary hip hop. The AAAMC also houses extensive materials related to the documentation of black radio.

The AAAMC supports the research of scholars, students, and the general public worldwide by providing access to holdings which include oral histories, photographs, musical and print manuscripts, audio and video recordings, educational broadcast programs, and the personal papers of individuals and organizations concerned with black music. We also invite exploration of our collections and related topics through a variety of public events, print and online publications, and pedagogical resources.

Enjoy your visit!

Onyx 1 featuring Terrence Forsythe

This afternoon's posts are influenced by Mick O'Donnell's selections for his Top 30 of 2007. One track he played was from the Onyx 1 CD featuring Terrence Forsythe.

Here's the blurb from the groups's website:

In 2003 Ubquity Records in association with Luv N'Haight Records released a compilation entitled Bay Area Funk, covering the fertile music period 1967-1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Artist such as Sugar Pie Desanto, Eugene Blacknell & The New Breed, Marvin Holmes & The Uptights, Johnny Talbot & De Thangs and Onyx were represented. The liner notes describe the vocal group, Onyx, as "a tight harmony group, similar in sound and message to the Temptations". Indeed, two of the original members of Onyx (Wendell and A.J. Basey) founded the Natural Four with John January and Alfred 'Pumpkin' Bowden. A Third original member of Onyx, Malvin Scott sang with the pre-Zodiac Maurice Williams group, The Kids, with a national hit "Are You My Girlfriend". The maiden voyage of Onyx was launched with the creation of their own record label Nia showcasing the release of the single "Break it Loose". Despite the success of their initial effort, Onyx decided not to pursue "the business" full time and the group disbanded.

When the founding members learned "Break it Loose" was having success in Europe thirty years later and was slated for inclusion in the Bay Area Funk compilation, the Basey brothers and Malvin realized that their dream was still very much alive. They recruited Terry Forsythe, a versatile performer whose resume reveals not only a solid work ethic, but also is indicative of the major players he has worked with; Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, and Richard Street formerly of the Temptations. Mr. Forsythe's four octave vocal range ignites the product you are about to listen to; ONYX1featuring TERRENCE FORSYTHE, RIGHT NOW.

Please take a listen to their music!

Don't forget you can listen to Mick's show again from tomorrow via the Radio 209 website.

Butch Williams

Mick O'Donnell has just played the devastating track Keep On Loving Me Do The Way You Do from the album Introducing Butch Williams.

You can pick up the album from CD Baby:

Butch Williams as he is called "Mr.B." by his peers has background as a lead singer for several bands and vocal groups since the late 1970,s. Louisville known acts like: The Enterprise vocal Group, The HeartBreakers, The VanGuards, Bennett Higgins & Crisis and Area Code 502 Band.

In the early 1990,s he established Raw Productions and creeted and produced his own weekly television music show called" StarGazer" which aired for three seasons for 10 years.

Marva Holiday's MySpace

I have discovered many things from MySpace this year. One of those discoveries was that the singer and songwriter Marva Holiday is pursuing a laudable project.

Marva says:

I continue to interview old school artists, both known and unknown, in an effort to help document R&B/do-wop/gospel/jazz history. Since I grew up in Southern California, it's easiest to start with artists from that area. -- Northern Soul fans will probably be more familiar with these artists than the general public. However, anyone who likes to know more about artists who came of age "back in the day" will enjoy reading these interviews.

Interviews in my blog:

Tony Lytle, former trombonist, with The Seven Souls.

Weldon Allen, former lead singer of The Magnificents.

I look forward to her project developing.

Al Williams 111 Heart Song

Now I am listening to Mick O'Donnell's Soul Discovery which reminded me about the above album which I heard first on his show.

You can pick it up from CD Baby:

“Heart Song” is the latest offering from sax and flute man, Al Williams III. Produced by one of the most talented all around musicians in the business, John Stoddart, the CD contains eleven tracks of groovin’, soulful sax and flute propelled by the finest rhythm section players in the business. Spyro Gyra’s Scott Ambush (bass) and Tom Shuman (keys) appear on the Ambush penned “Skyline Drive”. Drummer/Producer Eric Valentine makes a strong appearance on several tracks along with bassists Alex Al, David Dyson and Chris Kent. Gorgeous, soulful vocals are delivered by jazz festival headliner Ron Gutierrez and producer John Stoddart. Enjoy great performances by trumpeter Aaron Broadus, guitarist Michael Ripoll and a host of others. Add to that a final mix by Dave Rideau, and “Heart Song” by Al Williams III is one killer CD.

Kashious

This morning, I am listening to Shaun Robbins's Sunday Soul Selection. He's just played a track off Kashious's CD which reminded me that I had intended on posting about this excellent CD.

Kashious is a singer, songwriter, musician who plays drums, keyboard, guitar and bass. Here is his bios from his website:

Kashious was raised in a musical family. His mother, brother and sister, all gifted vocalists, shared their love of music both in the home and at church. However, it was mentors such as B.B. King, Ernie Isley, Marvin Gaye and Aaron Neville that influenced his style. Kashious would listen to their music over and over while strumming the guitar until he played the chords perfectly. He did the same when learning the drums, the bass and the keyboard; however, his voice is truly a natural born gift.

Singer, songwriter and musician, Kashious has a voice that can bring the unprepared listener to his or her knees; it is that powerful, that extraordinary and very rare. This is a voice that has the potential to reach legendary heights. Although he can be compared to greats like Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye, the quality and beauty of his voice belong to him. His lyrics reflect passion and struggle. In his first R & B single, “Lov’z Eternal,” he speaks with compassion and pain, of enduring that “dark place” more than necessary. His vocal harmonies only add to its impact. Other songs under production such as “Bad Luck” and “The Way I Am” range in genres blending funk, jazz, and soul. Kashious moved to San Diego in 2005 from Colorado where he spent over 15 years of his life. With the encouragement of his family, he began to pursue his life’s dream.

In October of 2006, Kashious found producer, Rusty Gordon, who believed that this was a talent that had to be heard. Under Gordon’s direction Kashious’s dynamic vocal range and songwriting abilities continue to be heightened, marking the beginning of a successful artist/producer relationship.

If you go to his website then you be able to hear why his CD is one of the best around.

Willie Tee in Issue 6 There's That Beat

Willie Tee Take Your Time Capitol LP I'm Only A Man
Thanks to everyone for the feedback on my recent retrospective in There's That Beat on Willie Tee who we lost this year.

You can still get copies from There's That Beat - big shout to Dave Moore and Jason Thornton

Storm Can't Nobody Love Me Like You Do Rosette

Storm Can't Nobody Love Me Like You Do Rosette

One of the original dancefloor favourites when the Modern Soul scene developed back in the UK in the early 80's playing obscure new releases.

Soul Harmony Singles doesn't list this 45 but details 2 groups with the same name - one on Sunflower with 3 45s and another group Pi Kappa. I am not sure whether the group is related to these 2 groups.

Dutch Rare Groove

Finishing our travels this morning in Holland:

Forget all your visions of windmills and wooden shoes, and get set for the sound of Funky Funky Holland! This package is a long-overdue look at the budding Dutch groove scene of the 60s and 70s -- a place where jazz players were letting their hair down, rockers were jamming on the drums, and surprising appearances by American and African artists were having a strong impact on the overall sounds coming out of the Netherlands. The tunes here are surprisingly funky -- not fake funk or kitsch funk, but really great little tunes with a heavy heavy bottom and lots of strong instrumentation served up in a variety of different ways throughout the set. CD 1 features a whopping 23 tracks from vintage years -- most of which were totally fresh to our ears -- with titles that include "Funky But Clean" by Vitesse, "Houseparty" by Houseband, "Relax (Before Doin Sex)" by Oscar Harris & The Twinkle Stars, "Soul Party" by The Free, "Dynamite" by Fred Van Zegveld, "Snoopy" by The Playboys, "Let's Go Randstand" by Rogier Van Otterloo, "Passage To Prerov" by Jack Van Poll Tree-oh, "Hunky Dory" by Rob Franken Organization, "Funky Limbo" by Dutch Rhythm Steel & Show Band, "High Winds" by Reality, "De Glazen Stand" by Hans Van Hemert, and "It's An Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Any Good" by Swingin Soul Machine. CD 2 is totally cool too -- with remixes of older tunes from the first disc, but often done in a fairly straight way that retains all the classic funky touches, and even adds in a few more bits of instrumentation! Booklet is nice also -- with notes on every track, and even images of old records used on the set! Dusty Groove

Ethiopian Soul & Groove

Continuing out travels around the world - next stop Ethiopia:

Amazing music from the golden years of Ethiopian Music -- a set of tracks that will take you beyond the music of Mulatu, into a wealth of other talents from the scene at the same time! The sound here is incredible -- a mix of heavy funk, spacey jazz, and other exotic touches all coming together -- a unique sort of sound that's beyond referent, and which is easily some of the freshest music on the planet back in the 70s! The vinyl-only collection pulls tracks from different volumes of the Ethiopiques CD titles -- and offers up a strong focus on the funkiest and grooviest numbers from that legendary series. Tracks include "Muziqawi Silt" by Wallias Band, "Hasabe" by Ayalew Mesfin, "Antchin Yagegnulet" by Tamrat Ferendji, "Amlak Abet Abet" by Asselfetch Ashine & Getenesh Kebret, "Temeles" by Alemayehu Eshete & Hirut Bequele, and "Aynotchesh Yerefu" by Samuel Belay. Dusty Groove

Polish Funk

Over the last year, we featured music from a number of places and now we are in Poland:

A heady second helping of funky grooves from Poland -- an unlikely source, to be sure, but one that's filled with a huge amount of great tracks just waiting to be discovered by a global audience! This volume may well be even better than the first -- as it features a wealth of tunes that have a really unique approach -- not just attempts to copy American styles of funk, but some really original ways of approaching a groove! All tracks are from the Polskie Nagrania catalog, but a good number of them are on un-reissued albums that are so rare we've never seen them in the original -- including some great fusion, funky rock, and vocal titles alongside the more expected jazz. Limited edtion LP pressing features 10 titles that include "Further I Go" by Halina Frackowiak, "Atma" by Niebiesko Czarni, "Live By Yourself" by Zdzislawa Sosnicka, "Something Familiar" by Kryszstof Sadowski, "Back To The Old Colorful Days" by Wojciech Skowronski, "Princess" by Andrzej Zaucha, "You Will Want Me" by Czeslaw Niemen I Enigmatic, "Apha Centauri" by Grupa Organowa Krzysztofa Sadowskiego, and "I Shall Cover Your Eyes" by Maciej Kossowski. (Limited gatefold pressing!) Dusty Groove

Maxine Brown @ Out On The Floor 22/3/08

Soul Revolution 31/12/07

Smart Arezzo Mod Society 31/12/07

George Smallwood & DC Soul

George Smallwood Touching Is My Thing Smallwood
Back into the archives, and this time we come out with the mellow sounds of George Smallwood from DC.

I have dug out the above side to once again highlight the sterling work of Kevin Coombe on his DC Soul website and the photos of George Smallwood and the discography below are courtesy of Kevin.

George Smallwood discography all released on his label Smallwoood:

GFS 301 George Franklin Smallwood – Touching is My Thing / Overheard

6027 George Franklin Smallwood – Mr. Sunshine / Mr. Sunshine (pt.2)

GS 02 George Franklin Smallwood – Lady Disco / The best Love of my Life

GFS 811 George Franklin Smallwood & Marshmellow Band – Just Four You (LP)

811 George Franklin Smallwood & Marshmellow Band – Hey Jude / Rollercoaster

4881 George Franklin Smallwood & Marshmellow Band – Hey Mama / I Love My Father

U-24619M George Franklin Smallwood & Marshmellow Band – You know I Love You / You Know I Love You (Instrumental)

Please drop over to Kevin's site because it is jammed packed with discographies, photos and miscellaneous information and is essential reading for anyone interested in DC Soul.

Johnnie Hoyle What About Me Ray Bo

Johnnie Hoyle What About Me Ray Bo

Back into the archives again for a mid tempo gem!

The Phantom aka Sonny Craver Come Back To Me Karisma

The Phantom Come Back To Me Karisma

Yet another delve into the archives brings out this gem from The Phantom which was a pseudonym for Sonny Craver who I have featured on the blog before. The above 45 was supposed to have come out on Stanson under his own name but I have never seen a copy.

Sonny Craver is originally from Columbus, Ohio where he started singing at 17. He began his career with the Stomp Gordon Band and also played with the Earl Hood Orchestra, the Raleigh Randolph Band and with "Rahsaan" Roland Kirk in the Sonny Craver Five. Craver left Columbus in 1954 and joined the King Kolax Band in Chicago but travelled backwards and forwards over the years. Sonny later became one of the voices of the popular Mills Brothers style group called the Harmonaires. Sonny owned the club Regal and managed the Carolyn Club in Columbus in an area called "Bronzeville". He also founded the Stanson Recording Company at 517 East Long Street with Eddie Colston and Stan Freidberg.

After traveling for many years Sonny decided to settle in Chicago where Count Basie first heard him sing and later invited him to take the vocal spot once held by Joe Williams and O.C. Smith. While on tour with Basie, Craver decided to settle in New York where he studied at the Actors Workshop.

While at the Montery Jazz Festival, Craver decided to stay in California and has made it his home. After Craver relocated to California in the 1960’s, he reactivated the label, releasing sides by himself, Apple & Three Oranges, King Solomon, and Paul Humphrey among others.

Sonny's theatre and singing experiences are numerous. He has appeared in "Norman Is That You", "All God's Chillun", "Ransom", "The Tender Trap", "Guys & Dolls" and "Member of the Wedding" just to name a few. He sang in the movie "White Men Can't Jump with the Venice Beach Boys including Bill Henderson and Jon Hendricks singing acappella gospel during the film's opening credits. He has done numerous commercials including the McDonalds commercial where he makes love to a hamburger. Sonny has been a member of KSLG Playhouse Theatre Players for many years as a singer and actor. One of his most memorable roles was playing Louis Armstrong and Rochester with Chuck Niles as Jack Benny.

I know of these sides by Sonny:

Stanson 501 Baby I Can Change My Mind/ I'm Lost

Stanson 510 I Wanna Thank You/Oh Huh, Oh Yeah

Karisma Come Back To Me/Oh Huh, Oh Yeah

Musette 102 Sonny Craver I'm No Fool / Come Back

Teri-De 007 I Wanna Thank You/I'm No Fool

Dalya 1895 Outside Of Memphis/Still Waters

Celestial 253 Love Exchange/Who(Made You For Me?)

Celestial 253 12" Love Exchange/It Must Be Love as Sonny & Mel

I have heard a Christmas 45 by him on Stanson but I couldn't find the details in my archives!

He is still active and his most recent CD is "Please Send Me Someone To Love" is on Stanson with the Pat Longo Band. Pat and Sonny have been working festivals for more the 18 years, but this is their first recording together. This CD is said to be reminiscent of the early Bassie/Williams recordings. He has also recorded a live album for Stanson called "Live At the Bakery" issued on his Stanson imprint.

You can find more background information on his recordings here:

Musette label

Stanson

The Blendels Did You Mean? Dontee

The Blendels Did You Mean? Dontee

A few people have asked for more sounds on the blog - so I intend posting more audio and mixes in 2008! Here is a fave from my archives.

I don't know any details about the group except the following 45s listed in Soul Harmony Singles:

Captown 4029 Night After Night/The Love That I Needed 68
Cotillion 44020 above as Blendells
Dontee 100 You Need Me/Did You Mean? 5/69
Dontee 104 Beware/Inst. 69 as Blendelles
Jotee 601 La La The Magic Song/The New Dance

Eric Mercury Lonely Girl

Eric Mercury Lonely Girl

Eric Mercury was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He was in the Pharaohs before forming his own group Eric Mercury and The Soul Searchers.

In 1968, he moved to Chicago and recorded Lonely Girl for the SAC label which was part of James Vanleer's Sedgrick/Cedric group This is a mind blowing 45 which powers along and is held in high regard by Northern Soul collectors. The version I have posted is off the International Recording Company acetate which belongs to a friend of mine. One of the fascinating aspects of Lonely Girl is that it is a Jobete song from the pens of Willie Stevenson and Joe Hunter.

There is a great thread on Soulful Detroit about how these Jobete songs were farmed out to artists when "discarded" by Motown. However, Motown did go as far as cutting at least one version by Brenda Holloway called "Lonely Boy" which is good but lacks the power and raw intensity of the SAC 45.In 1969, he went solo with an album for Avco Embassy called Electric Black Man which demonstrated the depth of his writing talents which manifested itself in the next few years with albums for Enterprise and Mercury.

He recorded 2 subtle and emotive albums for Enterprise. The first was Funky Sounds Nurtured In The Fertile Soil Of Memphis etc which saw him hooking up with Steve Cropper who produced the album at his TMI Studios in Memphis. Besides his own songs, Mercury used the talents of Mack Rice, Eddie Floyd, William Smith and Steve Cropper. He recorded a second album for Enterprise called Love Is Taking Over in Muscle Shoals which featured mainly songs written by Mack Rice and Bettye Crutcher. In 1975, he recorded an album for Mercury which consisted of 10 songs written by him and William Smith. The album was a complex one produced by Trevor Lawrence in LA using top session players and by then he had developed a very distinctive style of singing which made his voice instantly recognisable. In 1978, he released the Pam Sawyer and Leon Ware song Take Me Girl I'm Ready for Columbia but I prefer the other side Love Is On Our Side. A few years lapsed before he returned in 1980 to Mercury with his Gimme A Call Sometime album. Again, he wrote all the songs with William Smith and used a host of top session players.

In the '80s, he began working as a producer in both the USA and Canada.

Pop A Groove Mix

Pop A Groove Mix

Pop A Groove Mix

Here is a new mix of 45s which were popular at UK venues such as the Ritz Manchester and the Blackpool Mecca circa 1976/77.

Tracklisting

1. Pop A Groove Dance Your Ass Off SFO

2. Spaceark Do What You Can Do Color World

3. Steve Marshall Maintain Reynolds

4. Colors Let It Move Ball

5. James Bynum Time Passes By Philly City

6. Gino Washington You Got Me In A Whirlpool ATAC

7. Natural Order Jealousy Sounds Of Washington

8. Jose Hernandez Is That The Way You Planned It Honey

9. Santiago Feeling Good BBR

10. Luv Crazy Changes PGH Funk

11. Willie J & Co. Boogie With Me Baby Ki Ki

12. Got Cha Don't Stop The Music Friends & Co.

Plenty of fond memories from 30 years ago!

China Club Podomatic

A new podcast to me - China Club - a really variety of cuts - worth checking out and includes the above series.

Ben Cauley Interview

You can find an excellent article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on the anniversary of the death of Otis Redding and members of the Bar-Kays. The article is based on an interview with Ben Cauley, the only survivor from the planes crash which killed Otis and the other band members.

Jack Ashford with The Funk Brothers in Europe 2008

My friend Angelo Earl has informed me that he is touring with Jack Ashford again in the New Year as follows:

10 Jan 2008 20:00 @ fabrik, hamburg germany
11 Jan 2008 20:00 @ Alte Oper frankfurt germany
14 Jan 2008 20:00 @ New Morning Club Paris France
15 Jan 2008 20:00 @ paradiso amsterdam, netherlands
16 Jan 2008 20:00 @ birdland vienna austria
17 Jan 2008 20:00 @ birdland vienna austria
20 Jan 2008 20:00 @ The Sage Gateshead England
21 Jan 2008 20:00 @ ronnie scotts london england
22 Jan 2008 20:00 @ ronnie scotts london england
23 Jan 2008 20:00 @ roniie scotts london england

Here's the line-up:

LARRY JOHNSON (voc) (apparemment un ex Bar Kays)

GREGORY WRIGHT (md, kb) (Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole...)

JOHN SHIPLEY (kb) (quelques disques solo smooth jazz)

BELLE JOHNSON (voc)

VALENCIA ROBINSON (voc) (un album solo)

ROBERT McDONALD (b) (Carla Olson)

CRISPIN TAYLOR (batteur de Galliano et pour les Jbs, Carleen Anderson...)

MIKE FEINGOLD (g)

ANGELO EARL (g) (Al Green, Shirley Brown et les Bar Kays !)

ARMELO SCAFFIDI-ARGENTINA (tp)

CALVIN BENNETT (sax)

I caught Jack last year and he puts on a terrific show of Motown classics. Larry Johnson is a superb soulful singer who has such versatality to handle a range of songs and was the star of the show for me.

Mike Terry Feature On Soul Source

Rob Moss with Mike Terry in Detroit

Please drop over to Soul Source to read a cracking feature on the legendary producer and sax player Mike Terry by my old mate Rob Moss.

The Get Down 6 in Milwaukee 31/12/07

12 hours of elitist funk, soul an RnB with live set from ex Neapolitans The Chain

Finewine
El Pointman
Brent G
Andy N
Nesh M

@Darling Hall 601 S. 6th St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 12.31 07 - 10.00pm to 10.00am

Classics In Soul In Rotterdam In 2008

More details at Classics In Soul.

Three Legends Birthday Celebration

All 4 original Climates (David Glenn, Raymond Edwards, Robert "Chilli" Chisem, James "Nig" Rosser)

On 23rd December, Chisem Enterprises hosted a birthday party for three legends in Memphis. This Intimate Evening with Chilli and Friends was a celebration to honour the first lady of Stax, Carla Thomas, and legend Robert "Chilli" Chisem a former Sun Records recording artist, and Gene Mason.

Carla celebrated 65 years of life and Chilli celebrated 60 years of life and 40 years of music with the Climates. The intimate celebration for the legends included their friends in the entertainment industry including he Temprees, Preston Shannon, all the original Climates that recorded with Sun and Elvis Presley, Roosevelt Jamison, Tuna from the original Lyrics, The Madlads, The Astors, The Hi-Rhythm Band, The Masqueraders, Larry Dodson and James Alexander of the Barkays, The Soul Children, Toni Green, Bev Johnson Steve Ladd (WDIA), and Karl Roberts (V101.1) of Clear Channel Radio, Roger Friedman of Fox News NY, Todd Culberhouse (former Rolling Stones and Michael and Janet Jackson Manager and his personal manager), Terreigh Barnett and Signature, and many many more.

Chilli's wife Veronica contacted me after the event and said:

The party was truly wonderful and memoriable. Chilli was the only one that did not know of the event. He was very surprised. There was barely standing room. There were over four hundred people attended. All of the original, most past and present Climates were there. We built a wall of history with photos. Tuna from the Lyrics was even in attendance. The Mayor and the music community gave them awards, and the governor also declared that day for the Climates. It was great.

David Glenn, Gary Hudson, Raymond Edwards, Chilli, James Rosser, James King, Derek Smith

David Glenn, Gary Hudson, Raymond Edwards, Chilli, James Rosser, James King, Derek Smith & in the front is Melvino Smith (newest member)

Thanks to Veronica Chisem for all the above photos

Soulful Greetings To Everyone!

Just like to take time to say thanks for everyone who has dropped by the blog over the last year.

Soulful greetings for Christmas 2007!!!!

Hermon Hitson & Johnsons Mobile Bay Tonite!!!

I am a bit late with this shout for the guys!!! BBJ let me know this:

Hermon Hitson and the Johnsons return to the fabulous American Legion Post 199 on scenic Mobile Bay, Friday, December 21 at 8pm. "Our style of electric blues complements very well Hermon's hot, raw, in-your face style of R&B," says Big Blue Johnson. "We hope we cause enough rukus for the police to come." Opening for Hermon and the Johnsons will be Tommy "White Bread" Nichols, a local favorite of the 'tortured songwriter' genre. Spicy cajun cuisine, cold barley pops and raw southern soul will be served up to those of legal age.

Have a good night guys!!!!

The Orwell 28/12/07

Don't forget next Orwell:

Friday Dec 28th: THE ORWELL XMAS SPECIAL ... !

Wigan Pier Residents:

Steve Plumb
Steve Connor
Baz Maleady
Flanny

Guests: ... Solar Radio's Sunday Soul Selection...

Shaun Robbins
Bob 'the Crate' Smith

The Fabulous Peps Live In UK 26/1/08

Check here for more details and recent video of the Fabulous Peps in Detroit:

James Brown Tribute 22/12/07

Music @ Boogaclub in December

Link Quartet @ Madly Pub 26/12/07

La Beat Funk Jam Band

Another recent discovery on MySpace is La Beat Funk Jam Band out of Madrid who consist of:

Lucas Vázquez: Guitar and Vox
Rafa Alberola: Bass
Leyre Peletier: Drums
Jon Sande: Hammond organ
Guests: Amaro Gomez-Pablos: Percussion Marcos Crespo (RazaGuaya): Trombone cery:voces

Check out their MySpace

L J Echols

I don't know much about this guy but I do like his sound.

Drop over to his MySpace and have a listen to track off his latest CD Well Runs Dry on Baby Boy

Sucia Every Wednesday NYC

Tighten Up Festival 22/12/07

Shirley Slaughter New Photos

Shirley with Freda Payne

My friend John Carrier has posted some new photos of Shirley Slaughter on his MySpace following his recent visit to Philly.

Drop over to John's MySpace for updates on Shirley and Shirley herself also has a MySpace so please become one her friends!

Rhythm Machine

More rare soul!!!

One of the heaviest funk records ever to come out of Indy in the 70s -- a super-dope batch of ensemble grooving with plenty of odd twists and turns! At one level, the group work in a familiar Earth Wind & Fire-styled vibe -- mixing heavy bass, funky rhythms, and lots of great horns -- but at another level, the sound is a bit freer, and often hipper -- coming across with jazzier influences on many tracks, and an overall style that's got some really righteous undercurrents! A number of tracks here are laidback and spacey -- almost cosmic in approach, but a bit more love-oriented in subject matter -- served up with some cool watery production that makes the guitar and keyboards really sound great, and some nice use of soprano sax to give the best tunes a nicely sharp edge! Titles include "You Got Action You Got Me", "Lil's Place", "Put A Smile On Time", "Thought My Love Was Free", "Can't Do Without You", Dusty Groove

Rhythmic Freedom Presents No 90

The guys let me know about their ever consistent show:

Hello there, I've totally forgotten to announce that our ON AIR SHOW has been updated. Well I mixed my records, 45, 12 and lp with any kinda dance beat! Hope you enjoy TheMix as always!!

Harvey Mason / What's Going On / Arista
Wax / Do You Believe In Magic / RCA
Grey & Hanks / Never Let You Down / RCA
Brown Sugar / Somebody Stronger / Brown Sugar
Archie Bell & The Drells / Old People / Phila Int'l
Swiss Movement / Try Something / Casablanca
Vivilore Jordan / All Work And No Play / Task
Funky 4 + 1 / That's The Joint (Instr) / Sugar Hill
Johnny Hammond / Sifting Gears / Milestone
Mercellus Pitmann / A Mix / Unirhythm
Patrick Boothe / Dance All Night / Streetwave
Ecstasy, Passion & Pain / Dance The Night Away / Roulette
Realistics / How Can I Forget You / Brunswick
Leleatta Holloway / Love Sensation / Gold Mind
Diana Ross / Love Hangover / Motown
James D. Hall / I Wanna Get Into You / J.D.H.
Tyrone Thomas / You're Hardly Gone / Polydor
Sho-Nuff / Yakki Yakki / Jamila
Duane Parham / I Want You To Myself (Instr) / Saxville
Creations / Kinky Girl (Instr) / Dre Mar
Volcov / Fridays / Neroli
ARC Gospel Choir / Sing, Stomp & Shout / Slow. To Speak
Mark De Clive-Lowe / Mesmerized / Honest
Jon'sFlight / Flying High / Fly 4
Bell Brothers / Give It Up / Bell-O-Soul
T.S.U. Toronadoes / Song For A Princess / Ovide
Chaumonts / When You Love Someone / Bay Sound
Rhythmic Freedom
Death Match japan soul radio
Them@Rhythmic Freedom on Myspace

Floyd Lawson & Hearts Of Stone Coming Out

It is great to see obscure albums still getting issued - here's another.

A rare second album from Floyd Lawson & The Hearts Of Stone -- recorded half a decade after the group's more famous album on Motown -- and with a very different, very funky sound! The grooves here show a lot more influence of the mid 70s soul scene -- and although the harmonies still get a fair bit of focus, the rhythms do too -- and a number of the cuts here have a tight funky sound that's quite different than the group's sweeter soul from before. The instrumentation is quite strong overall -- played in an ensemble mode with echoes of New York and Miami funk, particularly the more upbeat mode of the latter half of the 70s. A number of cuts here are covers, and titles include great versions of "K Gee", "Theme From Swat", "Oil In The Ground", "That's The Way I Like It", "Rated X", "Only Takes A Minute", and "Sunshine". Dusty Groove

Reggae Hits The Town 22/12/07

Club 321 in Santa Monica 31/1/08

Fred Wesley's House Party

Still some dates to catch them!!!

Funkalicious Tribute to James Brown 4/1/08

Sterling Williams

I have been extending my friends over on MySpace in recent weeks. One new friend is a guy who I admire - the ever consistent Sterling Williams.

From: STERLING WILLIAMS My singing career began in a small upscale church in Bryan Texas in the college station Texas A&M area. I sang in the choir as first tenor at E. A. Kemp High School. After high school I relocated to Los Angeles, CA. There, for the first time I sang on stage at the Redd Foxx Club. I traveled from Los Angeles to Memphis Tennessee, where I met three well known arrangers such as Paul Richmond, Gene Miller, better known as “Bowlegs” and John Richburg. With them I did my first recordings “Believe In Me”, Look What Love Can Do” and “You’re Too Busy Talking”. I moved to Detroit, Michigan, singing at the Feltz Lounge as an opening act for the late, great Joe Tex. I didn’t stay in Detroit long, left there and moved to Chicago, Illinois. In Chicago, I sang with the Hebrew Spiritual singers for more than two years. After I left the group, I decided to sing the blues, which meant I would be working in the Chitlin Circuit throughout the Chicago area. I performed in nightclubs such as Teresa Lounge, Pepper Blues, In the Loop, Queen Bee’s Lounge and the Ghetto Club. During that time I performed with artists such as the late King Earnest, Junior Wells and Lefty Diz. Well things didn’t really happen for me in Chicago as far as my singing career was concerned. So again I packed up and moved to Los Angeles in June 1980. I decided to so something I had never done before and that was to write my mind and record it. That’s why my first CD “One Day At A Time was released in 1995. It was an independent effort and a lot of work was put into writing, recording, pressing and distributing this CD. Since the release of the “One Day At A Time” CD, I sang at the Holiday Inn in LA, Appeared at the Laurel, Ms. Blues Festival, Mississippi/Alabama Blues Festival, Foster Farm Blues Festival and at the City Fest in Tuscaloosa, Al., Phoenix, AZ, VFW Post, Mirage Nightclub in LA. I performed with artist such as Wilson Meadows, Mel Waiters, the late Ronnie Love Joy, Reggie P. Billy Soul Bonds, the late Jackie Neal, Dorothy Moore, Nellie Travis, Shirley Brown and many other Southern Soul artists. My second CD “My Baby’s Love” was released in 2002 on BGR Record label and that one special song “My Secret Love stayed in the charts for months, I performed “My Secret Love” along with other songs at Slaughter day in Greenville, Ms., and again in Decatur and Pickens, Ms at the Medgar Evers/BB King Mississippi Homecoming. In August of 2006, Sterling Williams signed with Ecko Records and a third CD was released “A Brand New Man”. This new release is still climbing the charts and can be purchased in most record stores. Listen for such tunes as “You Better Know Your Hole From Mine, Dirty Woman and You Got A Booger Bear Under There.

Go over and check him out!

Deep City 2

The guys over at Numero Uno keep turning out the gear - here's another blast from Miami following on from the first delve into the Deep City vaulta last year.

An essential chapter of Miami soul -- even if most of the work is appearing here for the first time ever! The set is a magnificent companion to Numero's Deep City collection of pre-TK Miami soul -- but it's put together in such a way that it's almost a beautiful introduction to the south Florida sound on its own -- served up in a batch of rare, unreleased tracks! The music is every bit as wonderful as you'd expect -- Miami soul recorded at a time before cliches had started to hit that scene -- and when the best artists down south were strongly resonating ideas from Memphis and Muscle Shoals with other elements borrowed from northern groups both funky and mellow. But even above the 20 great tracks on the CD, the package is amazing too -- filled with notes on each group, a special appendix on Miami soul, a rare indie label discography, and a wealth of great images and photos -- all layered lovingly into a full-color, 32 page booklet! Numero have really outdone themselves with this one -- and the collection is way more than a part 2 to their previous package -- more of a brilliant set of soul tunes on its own, complete with a booklet that's as beautiful as the music. Titles include "One Little Piece" by The Rollers, "Don't Be Surprised" by Lynn Williams, "No Way Out" by Clarence Reid, "What's In The Lovin" by Helene Smith, "Mr Lucky" by Betty Wright, "There Goes My Baby" by James Knight & The Butlers, "Do What You're Doin" by The Rising Sun, "Do Your Stuff" by Perk Badger, "Masterpiece" by Deep City Band, "Nasty Dog (part 2)" by The Nasty Dog Catchers, "Thank You Baby" by Betty Wright, "Your Love Won't Let Me Leave You" by Snoopy Dean, "The Pot Can't Talk About The Kettle" by Helene Smith, "Show Me What You Got" by Frank Williams & The Rocketeers, "Don't Be A Fool" by Clarence Reid, and "Knockin At The Wrong Door" by The Rollers. Dusty Groove

Soulside in 2008

Sam Cooke Gala Cruise 2008

Vel Omarr has let me know about this cruise!

Impressions @ Northampton Soul Weekender 2008

TSU Tornadoes Story

Great feature on TSU Tornadoes on Houston Press.com

Move On Up Mixes

Some nices mixes to be had on Move On Up's MySpace

Snake Davis & The Suspicions Sheffield 2/2/08

Always a great night out with Snake Davis!!!!

Dusties The Soul & R&B Music Show On KSER

Congratulations to Jeff over on Dusties The Soul & R&B Music Show on his 2oth anniversary!!!!

Join me tomorrow beginning at 5:00 PM (PST) on 90.7 FM KSER in Everett WA as I celebrate the 20th anniversary of my first show. In the first hour, I'll be featuring some of my favorite 60's and 70's Soul songs, original versions of songs such as Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Patches and Mustang Sally and part one of my musical tribute to Ike Turner.During the second hour, I'll feature more of my favorite soul songs, part two of my musical tribute to Ike Turner and songs with a strong and powerful message.For the third and final hour, I'll be going back to my original radio roots and feature an hour's worth of 60's Garage Rock and other wonderful gems from that era.To listen online go to the following address http://kser.org/onlinestream/index.html and choose either the Ogg stream or MP3 software stream.

Hope to hear from you on the show tomorrow.

Jeff

Live Raw Soul with Budos Band @ 4th & Kingsley 21/12/07

Rhythm Stone Allnighter in Athens 21/12/07

Oscar Toney Jr Contempo Sessions

Sticking with great Southern Soul singing - next up Oscar Toney Jr and a worthy reissue on Shout of his early 70's recordings in London.

Sublime southern soul work from Oscar Toney Jr -- from an obscure later chapter in his career! Toney's probably best known for his late 60s sides for the Bell label in the US -- but this album is a rarity recorded in London during the early 70s -- a date that has Toney sounding even more heartbreaking and mature than before, with some surprisingly great backings that really retain an American feel for his music! There's a nice sense of warmth throughout -- thanks to relatively full backings -- but Oscar's vocals have all the down-home qualities we love from his Bell years, and perhaps even have a greater sense of longing and yearning, given the distance between his home and the studios for the set. Titles include a great cover of "Is It Because I'm Black", plus "For Your Precious Love", "My Girl", "Everything I Own", "Everybody's Needed", and "The Thrill Is Gone". CD features 3 bonus tracks too -- "Kentucky Bluebird (45 version)", "Everything I Own (45 version)", and the funky "Chicken Heads", recorded with backings from Ultrafunk. Dusty Groove

Betty & Charles and Eddie Houston Soul Chant

My old friend Garry Cape continues to knock out quality sides on his Soulscape label. The latest is a collection featuring sides by Betty & Charles and Eddie Houston.

Brilliant southern soul from the Malaco scene -- slices of work from both the late 60s and late 70s, some of which is previously unissued! The set begins with some great work by the duo of Betty Johnson and Charles Warren -- singing together in a mode that has echoes of some of the other southern soul duos of the time, but which also seems to sparkle a bit more -- almost a Marvin/Tammi influence which sneaks in nicely on some tracks. Tracks include both Capitol and Crazy Horse singles, plus unreleased tracks -- including "Loving & Kind", "It's All Over", "That's Why I Call You Mine", "Can't Find Love", and "Something For Everyone". CD then moves into some solo work by each singer -- including "No Good Man", "Sunshine Man", and the funky "Soul Girl" by Betty Johnson -- and "I'm Praying" and "Soul Chant" by Charles Warren. The CD then moves into 8 more numbers from Eddie Houston -- rare Capitol singles and a few more unreleased tracks, all done with a nicely gritty southern soul groove. Eddie's sides are all from 1968 and 1969 -- and feature some great early examples of the Malaco sound in action. Tracks include "I Can't Go Wrong", "Simon Says", "That's How Much I Love You", and "Walk Through This World Without Me". Dusty Groove

Bobby Kimble aka Neal Kimble

One of the things I love about collecting 45s is that you never know when something new is going to crop up. You think you know an artist's repetoire and then someone turns something else up. That's precisely what Sir Shambling has done with a 45 by Bobby Kimble aka Neal Kimble on Convoy.

Convoy has turned out to be a great label for me with sides by Neal Kimble, Jimmy Robins, Johnny Morisette and Tony Matthews - all killers!!

Check out a soundclip over Bobby Kimble over on Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven

Hip Drop 22/12/07

Mike Painter Trio Live @ Cuore 18/12/07

I do like the cool mod-soul sounds of Mike Painter:

Composer and Hammond player from Milan, Mike Painter began his career in the early eighties as member of the mod-beat band "Four By Art". The band were prime movers of the neosixties scene for a long time, boasting the self-produced single "My mind in four sight" and two albums for the Electric Eye label produced by Claudio Sorge (at the time Sorge was an editorial staff member of "Rockerilla" music magazine. He is now Editor of "Rumore") Following this success, Mike then formed mod-soul group "The Investigators" releasing a record for Vox Pop, one of the most highly-regarded Italian labels of that time.

By now heavily influenced by the acid jazz scene, he continued to tour extensively with a series of changing line-ups inspired by Booker T. & the MG's, Jimmy Mc Griff, Corduroy and the James Taylor Quartet. Then it was time for a leap into a wider market with the pop-soul ensemble "Il Santo" where he teamed up with Alex Loggia (ex Statuto), pressing an EP for the Lilium label (distributed by Sony Music). Mike and Alex continued to collaborate as "Mr. Tokyo And Beat Goes On", a ska-rocksteady flavoured offshoot of Il Santo. Mr Tokyo went on to release the album "Summer Sessions" on the Audioglobe label. Finally, after many years spent in different bands here it is - his first solo project: "MIKE PAINTER AND THE FAMILY SHAKERS". Teaming up with former Casino Royale player Roberto "Gato" Barbieri (tenor sax and horns arrangements) and Alex Loggia (guitar), Mike brings us a rich blend of sublime Hammond leads and cool modern jazz sounds. www.mikepainter.net

Mixes In From St Petersburg

DJ Chak has posted some mixes in:

PART-1 Ian Wright (Uk) @ 10th Anniversary, St.Petersburg, Russia, 25.11.2006 (special radio broadcast 106,3 FM)

http://www.divshare.com/download/3010105-7de

PART-2 Marius (Norway) @ radiorecord 106,3 FM, St.Petersburg,Russia, 7.12.2007

http://www.divshare.com/download/3010527-399

PART-3 Jamie C (Uk) @ radiorecord 106,3 FM, St.Petersburg,Russia, 7.12.2007

http://www.divshare.com/download/3012379-2e4

Darondo In Concert in San Francisco 19/12/07

Darondo is one of our heroes over here on IDR! Just got the great news below:

Darondo @ Rickshaw Stop
155 Fell Street San Francisco, CA 94102
19/12/07
8.00pm start

Darondo has his first show in decades at the Rickshaw Stop on December 19. A mystery to most, Darondo records are high on the wants-lists of many collectors. He is spoken about in hushed-tones by other Bay Area musicians. He opened-up for James Brown and lived a colorful lifestyle hanging with folks like the notorious Fillmore Slim. Releasing three singles in the early 1970s (as Darondo, Darondo Pulliam, or the miss-spelled Dorando) he mixed low-rider soul with blues and r'n'b. Opening up for Darondo will be Nino Moschella, Wallpaper, plus DJ's TBA.

Roni The Sexy Lady Of Southern Soul

Roni Mr Right Snippet from CD Come Back Kind Of Love

I mentioned in a post on The Millen Sisters that I was drawing up my Top 20 for the year and another side which will be going in is this one from Roni.

This is Roni's bio from her MySpace

Born January 25th and raised in Mendenhall, MS Rhonda is not a mere amateur to the music scene. She began her singing at the age of 5 in her home church choir well into adulthood. Rhonda first came on the music scene as a background singer for Nathaniel Kimble then went on to background for Sir Charles Jones "The King of Southern Soul," the legendary Bobby Rush, and the amazing "Jazzy Jeff Floyd."

During this time she opened for a number of different artists on a number of shows from the year of 1995 when she first won a talent show in Vicksburg, MS until presently.

Some of you may remember Rhonda from the song "Fool On My Hands," that she says she just wanted to see what it would do over the air waves and it did, it is was hot then and still is now, the song is included on her new album.

Roni with James Smith, Jerry L & Bill Coday in Memphis

Rhonda acquired many relationships throughout her career with many artists sealing the deal for her to get any professional help needed to advance in her career.

She prides herself with the accomplishments she has made despite some downfalls along the way that she soon overcame when she was introduced to the owner of the record label "Allison Records," in Nashville , TN and this is when she says her career was really born and that it was her time to shine.

Rhonda says now she has someone that believes in her, took her love of singing and music seriously, and knows that she is a rising star in this industry, the famous chittlin' circuit.

Debuting her long awaited album entitled "Call Me." Also on the full album she says she wrote (Can't Stop A Good Thang') from experiences of all the obstacles that she faced in getting to where she is now, she shows extraordinary strength in showing everyone that when you got it, nothing or no one can stop a good thang'.

Rhonda introduces you, the fans to her heart and her dreams as well as her thoughts. She is not afraid to show her many qualities that have left the men mesmerized with her voice and beauty. As for the ladies Rhonda has songs that speak for us all with her true and meaningful writing skills.

With an array of musical talent, beauty, and respectful yet challenging persona Rhonda is more than qualified to carry the title "Sexy Lady of Southern Soul"!

Bobby Womack On B-Sides

Bobby Womack Find Me Somebody Atlantic


Bobby Womack Nothing You Can Do Souffle


I thought I'd give my fellow blogger and e-friend Red Kelly a shout for his excellent work over on B-Sides.

One of his latest posts is an in-depth look at Bobby Womack. I also decided to post a couple of Bobby's songs to get you in the mood!

The Millen Sisters

I recently picked up on The Millen Sisters by chance on MySpace. I was knocked out by their track "She's Not Bad" enough to put it into my Top 20 for the year.

All I know about the sisters comes from their MySpace:

The Millen Sisters, singers, songwriters, actors, models, entrepreneurs & activists are natives of New Jersey, now reside in Los Angeles, began singing as toddlers in the church. These soul sisters are a reflection of The Three Degrees, The Supreme's, The Emotions, The Staple Singers, The Sweet Inspiratins, The Jones Girls, Sam & Dave & The Pointer Sisters. They are inspired by Motown, Philly Soul & The Memphis Sound as well as Southern gospel such as The Meditation Singers, Mahaila Jackson & The Canton Spirituals.

Please pay them a visit!

Soul Music At Christmas

I've had a message through from John Ridley over at Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven to tell about a festive article:

As a general rule I don't think that there's anything worse in black music than the Christmas song.

But fortunately for us all my friend Karl Tsigdinos has waded through lakes of mawkish sentimentality and dug deep into piles of slushy ill advised versions of "standards" to bring 20 great seasonal tracks to light in his new article on Soulful Christmas.

It can be found here

http://www.sirshambling.com/articles/soulful_christmas.html

with soundclips and illustrations of course.

So all it remains for me to do is to thank Karl for his herculean efforts, and to add my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to my website this year, whether by writing something, sending info or just enjoying the music, and wish you all the very best for the festive season and a peaceful and prosperous 2008.

John.

Love Is All Around in LA 22/12/07

Roy Ayers Ubiquity Live @ The Venue 22/12/07

Bob Relf Tribute

Bob Relf Courtesy of Paul Mooney

Bob Relf Tribute

Earlier this week, I received the sad news that Bob Relf had died.

My old friend Paul Mooney of Millbrand Copyright Management Limited knew and represented Bob and has kindly allowed me to use a biography from the Millibrand website which is posted below as part of this tribute.

I have also posted 5 tracks of his music which have given me great pleasure over the years to celebrate Bob's life.

BOB RELF (1937 - 2007)

Bob Relf passed away on Wednesday, November 21st, at the home he shared with his mother in Bakersfield, California. He was aged 70.Bob had been ill for several years and had received loving care from his mother Idabelle Craft who is 89 years of age. Her remarkable strength comes from her strong faith.

ROBERT NELSON RELF was born in Los Angeles on January 10th, 1937. He is best known for his hits with Earl Nelson as Bob & Earl (most notably "Harlem Shuffle" which was covered by many including The Rolling Stones) but he was also a gifted writer and a staff producer for Randy Wood's Mirwood label, headed by A&R chief Fred Smith. In their attempts to emulate the Motown sound, they unwittingly created their own Mirwood sound which was enhanced by the dramatic arrangements of James Carmichael.

Relf's solo career wasn't very successful but he was highly regarded by soul fans who treasure his recordings - particularly "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" which is one of the most popular 'northern soul' soul hits of all time.

He used the pseudonym 'Bobby Garrett' for two Mirwood singles in 1966. The catchy "I Can't Get Away" became a 'northern soul' favourite in the UK and was used to advertise Kentucky Fried Chicken on national TV. Also popular with 'northern soul' fans is "My Little Girl" which was the flip side of the neglected ballad "Big Brother"."Blowing My Mind To Pieces" was recorded in 1968 at Ray Charles' RPM studios in Los Angeles. Relf wrote the song (without credit) which was issued on Trans-American on the flip side of "Girl You're My Kind Of Wonderful". "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" became so popular that it was reissued - and bootlegged - in 1973 to satisfy the huge demand.

A 'new' version of the song was recorded in 1975 by an unknown impostor masquerading as 'Bob Relf'. The man behind the bizarre scam was Simon Soussan, an infamous bootlegger turned producer. The original version is available on dozens of compilations and has been featured on videos, DVDs and TV broadcasts.

In the early '70s Relf worked with Barry White who was then on the verge of major stardom. As youngsters they had sung in groups together and White had played piano on "Harlem Shuffle" back in 1963. Relf wrote and produced for White and for several of his acts including Love Unlimited, Gloria Scott and White Heat. One of Relf's finest songs, the haunting ballad "Bring Back My Yesterday", was recorded by Barry White in 1973 on his ground-breaking album I've Got So Much To Give.

Millbrand acquired publishing and master rights to "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" in 2004 and took actions to recover income from previous unauthorised uses. Just before Relf passed away, Millbrand MD Paul Mooney confirmed that "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" is scheduled for its first legal reissue to tie in with a new movie which features the song.

Dave Hamilton

Dave Hamilton Soul Suite BGP CD Detroit City Grooves

The magic of Detroit music has filled my soul for over 40 years and I never tire of listening to sounds from that city. In the past, I have recommened the Sixties Detroit website as a place find out more about Detroit soul music. I am pleased to say that the site continues to grow as David Miekle and friends document the history of Detroit soul. One of the recent articles is on Dave Hamilton who was a legendary artist, writer and producer. Please drop over to Sixties Detroit and find out more about the man.

Don't forget that Kent/Ace have issued several volumes of his music which are well worth exploring:

Detroit City Grooves

Detroit Dancers Volume 1

Detroit Dancers Volume 2

Detroit Dancers Volume 3

Detroit Funk

Cratedigger Street Tax Mix

I thought I'd give a shout to a fellow blogger who has recently shown me support - Cratedigger!

Here's latest mix:

Street Tax- a Cratedigger compilation

01 The Impressions (Baby) Turn On To Me Curtom
02 Luther Ingram I Can’t Stop Koko
03 Isley Brothers Pop That Thang T Neck
04 Fantastic Johnny C Hitch It To The Horse Phil LA
05 Willie Henderson Funky Chicken Pt 1
06 Fabulous Counts Get Down People Moira
07 Lou Courtney What Do You Want Me To Do Epic
08 Lee Dorsey Workin’ In The Coal Mine Amy
09 Ike & Tina Turner I Want To Take You Higher Liberty (LP Cut)
10 Willie Hutch Brother’s Gonna Work It Out Motown
11 Ray Charles Booty Butt Tangerine
12 James Brown Soul Power Pt 1 King
13 Bobby Blue Bland Bobby’s Blues Duke
14 Dobie Gray The In Crowd Charger

Galactic Fractures Mix

This is the most recent mix from Galactic Fractures with a heavy leaning towards daptone which is no bad thing!!!!:

Sharon Jones - 100 Days 100 Nights (Daptone)
Budos Band - Chicago Falcon (Daptone)
Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking (Dunham (daptone))
March Wind - Do The Sweetback (Stax)
The Rock - We Got To Love One Another (Scorpio)
Donna Rhodes - Wheres Your Love Been? (Hi)
The Sequins - I’ve Got To Overcome (Gold Star)
Sharon Jones - Be Easy (Daptone)
Sharon Jones - Bump and Touch Pt 1 (Desco)
Mamie P Galore - You Got The Power (Thomas)
Donald Wilson - Lean On Me (Columbia)
Maryann Farra - I Feel Fine (funky) (Rare Bird)
The Olympics - Please Please Please (WB)
Wiley Terry - Follow The Leader Pt 1 (USA)
The Dixie Cups - Iko Iko (Red Bird)
Pam Grier - Long Time Woman (WB)
Sharon Jones - How Do I Let A Good Man Down (Daptone)
Naomi Davis - Wind Your Clock (Desco White Label)
Sharon Jones - Tell Me (Daptone)
Binky Griptite - Mellomatic Pt 1 (Daptone)
Amy Winehouse - You Know I’m No Good (Acoustic Version)
The Daktaris - Give It Up Turn It Loose (Desco)
Gloria Taylor - Loving You And Being Loved By You (Silver Fox)
Sharon Jones - I Got The Feelin (Desco)

Dee Grant RIP

I picked up the sad news this week from Soul Source that Dee Grant formerly of the Spellbinders died:

Dee Grant founding member of the Spellbinders died suddenly Tuesday this week. Dee sang with the group right from the start, recorded that wonderful album under the direction of Van McCoy, he toured with the group both in the US and abroad.

In 2006, The Spellbinders met for a re-union of the group in New Jersey with Dee flying in from the southern states.

Shout Records have only recently released the above album on the Spellbinders.

The one and only album by this sweet east coast harmony group -- a killer little set that has a warmly soaring feel! Van McCoy's the maestro behind the whole set -- handling both the arrangements and musical backings -- and he gives the group's male/female blend of voices a really great sort of groove! The style's something of a link between Ruby & The Romantics and Friends Of Distinction -- but the harmonies are possibly even better than both of those acts -- much more in the best spirit of the indie harmony soul scene of the time, with a heartbreaking quality that must have sounded great coming out of the speaker of an AM radio on a hot summer night! Titles include "We're Acting Like Lovers", "For You", "One Of A Kind", "Stone In Love", "Chain Reaction", "Long Lost Love", and "Baby I Miss You". CD also features 4 more bonus tracks -- "Danny Boy", "I Believe", "Since I Don't Have You", and "Help Me Get Myself Back Together Again". Dusty Groove

Mingering Mike

Today, I had reason to drop over to the Mingering Mike site and realised that I hadn't mentioned his work before:

Between 1968 and 1977 Mingering Mike recorded over fifty albums, managed thirty-five of his own record labels, and produced, directed and starred in nine of his own motion pictures. In 1972 alone he released fifteen LPs and over twenty singles, and his traveling revue played for sold out crowds the world over.How is it that such a prolific musician has gone under the radar for the more than thirty years? The answer is that all took place in Mike's imagination, and in the vast collection of fake cardboard records and acapella home recordings that he made for himself as a teenager in Washington, D.C. in the late 1960s.

In 2003 two record diggers (Dori Hadar and Frank Beylotte) stumbled into the world of Mingering Mike at a flea market. There they discovered a collection of albums that were made solely of cardboard, each intricately crafted with gatefold interiors, extensive liner notes, and grooves drawn onto the "vinyl." The crates contained albums not only by Mingering Mike, but also other unheard of artists such as Joseph War, the Big "D," and Rambling Ralph, on labels such as Fake Records, Inc., Decision, Sex, and Mother Goose. There were even soundtracks to imaginary kung fu films and a benefit album for sickle cell anemia.Hadar posted pictures of the albums on Soulstrut and Mike instantly became a cult hero. He tracked Mike down and eventually Mike revealed his story of how as a lonesome teenager he dreamt of being a soul singer, songwriter and producer. And how he lived out his dream by creating an amazing imaginary career for himself.

Go and have a look and listen to Mike's work!

Columbus Music History

I came across this site this AM.

Here's the site blurb:

A privately operated non-profit site dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing the musical treasures of the Columbus (Ohio) Area. Over the years, the Columbus area has produced an astounding array of top-shelf musical talent in every style from jazz to reggae to doo-wop to soul to big band to country-western to hip-hop. This site presents an ever-growing archive of stories, artifacts, news and links that recognize the immense contributions Columbus area musicians have made to the culture of this community.

Born In The Bronx

The early days of hip hop -- captured in it's bedrock Bronx glory -- a beautiful visual history edited by Johan Kugelberg with contributions from photographer Joe Conzo, pivotal force Afrika Bambaataa, hip hop historian Jeff Chang and others! Born In The Bronx is really all about the visual detail, and it's bursting with great photos, of the events, the audience, performers, and the amazing urban landscape of the time -- plus event flyers and loads of fresh eye candy. Includes tons of incredible photographer of Bronx native Joe Conzo, a forward by Bambaataa, a historical timeline by Jeff Chang, and the wonderful party fliars from back in the day by Buddy Esquire. Oversized, coffee table style hardcover, 208 pages, and filled with incredible images! Try Dusty Groove for a copy.

Dennis Coffey On Youtube

Dennis Coffey plays his biggest funk hit, live at the Circle Bar in New Orleans during Jazz Fest 2007. Drum breaks and all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ku-OJsc3k

Soul & Gospel Article On Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven

John Ridley has updated his site this week as follows:

Last December my friends Karl Tsigdinos and John Glassburner wrote an initial article on soul and gospel music for my website. This was extremely well received and very popular. So I'm delighted to be able to let you know that these very knowledgeable guys have written a second article on the interrelationship between these two wonderful musical forms.

You can find it here:-

http://www.sirshambling.com/articles/gospel_soul_2.html

There are 20 first class soundclips plus informative text and rareillustrations to accompany them.I'm very grateful to the authors for this excellent new piece of workwhich I'm sure you will enjoy and appreciate.

Best wishes,

John

Soul Resurrection In Mojo Magazine

This month's Mojo magazine is worth picking for soul fans for a couple of reasons:

Free CD: STAX TRACKS 15 slices of vintage soul, blues and R&B starring Otis Redding, Booker T, Isaac Hayes, Albert King and Carla Thomas and more.

SOUL RESURRECTION! Triumph of the Dap-Kings. Plus, Dark End Of The Street: the real stories behind the saddest songs of soul.

Wax Poetics Now Out!

This one's titled "The Hip Hop Issue" -- but as usual, Wax Poetics has a lot more to offer than just what's on the cover -- a wealth of great features that are essential reading for any classic crate digger! Hip Hop articles include bits on Devin The Dude, 9th Wonder, Percee P, Just Blaze, Ralph McDaniels, Alchemist, and Funkenklein -- but the issue also has great stories on Little Beaver, Whole Darn Family, and Barrington Levy -- as well as tributes to great ones who passed in 2007, including Bobby Byrd, Willie Tee, Joe Zawinul, and Eddie Fisher. As always, the whole thing's beautifully presented -- in full color, book-bound, and almost 140 pages in all!

Get copies from Jazzman Records or Dusty Groove etc

Wardell Quezergue New Orleans R&B Revue Christmas Gig

Sunday December 9th from 2pm-4pm at The Cabildo, New Orleans

The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation, Renew Our Music and The Louisiana State Musuem, present the Wardell Quezergue Rhythm and Blues Christmas Show at the Cabildo.

Located along Jackson Square, to the left of St. Louis Cathedral.

Admission is free.

www.PonderosaStomp.com

7th Ponderosa Stomp 2008

This week news came through about the 7th Annual Ponderosa:

Seventh Annual Ponderosa Stomp

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Blues, Garage, Soul, Funk, Rockabilly, Swamp Pop and New Orleans R&B

April 29th and 30th, 2008

At the House of Blues and the Parish, New Orleans, From 5 P.M. till 2 A.M., Admission $45

Back in New Orleans on Three Stages for Two Big Nights

Ponderosa Stomp #7, 2008 Lineup

Ronnie Spector, Roky Erickson, Mary Weiss, Question Mark and The Mysterians, The Collins Kids, The Green Fuz, Syl Johnson, The Hi Rhythm Section, William Bell, The Bo Keys, Bobby Parker, The Mighty Hannibal, Nathaniel Mayer, Eddie Bo, Zigaboo Modeliste, Lazy Lester, Barbara Lynn, Tammy Lynn, Al Johnson, Lil Buck Sinegal and The Top Cats Featuring Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Warren Storm, Hayden Thompson, Sonny Burgess, Joe Clay, Jay Chevalier, Deke Dickerson and The Eccofonics, Little Freddie King, Henry Gray, Louisiana Red, James Blood Ulmer, Wardell Quezergue and His Rhythm and Blues Revue, Roscoe Robinson, Ralph "Soul" Jackson, Herman Hitson, Wiley and The Checkmates, and Rockie Charles.

Ponderosa Stomp Music Conference

April 29th, and 30th 2008, 12pm -5pm.

Oral histories and moderated panel discussions at the historic Cabildo in New Orleans French Quarter. Sponsored by the Louisiana State Museum and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Music Writers and Experts: Peter Guralnick, Holly George Warren, Andria Lisle, Jim O'Neal, Michael Hurtt, John Broven, George Paulus. Musicians: Barbara Lynn, Tammy Lynn, Harold Batiste, Lazy lester, Roy Head, Dale Hawkins, Zigaboo Mdeliste, Earl Palmer, Bob French, John Boudreaux, Hayden Thompson, and Sonny Burgess. Music Industry: Joe Bihari- owner of RPM, Modern and Flair record lables and Bob Sullivan - original engineer of the Louisiana Hayride from 1949-1959.

Tickets

Tickets for the Seventh Annual Ponderosa Stomp are $45 and are general admission. Re-entry is allowed. Tickets will be available through TicketMaster and at the House of Blues ticket office in New Orleans. Date to be announced.

www.PonderosaStomp.com

Dr Bob Jones "The Surgery" On Samurai.FM

Picked up a message from the man to tell me:

Welcome along to 'The Surgery' an inspirational musical journey from the good Dr Bob Jones who has been at the cutting edge of all things Soulful from the 60's right through to the present day. Dr Bob has been spinning eclectic Black Music to the masses for over 40 years and his award winning 'Surgery' radio show has captivated audiences across the globe for nearly 25 years.

Lost Soul Of Philadelphia International Records

Staying with Philly and following on from the last post - here's a great compilation to celebrate the more obscure side of the Philly International empire.

Philly International, way past the hits -- presented here on a special collection of key rarities from the legendary label! If you think you've heard Philly before, get ready to think again -- because the tracks here are all non-iconic gems from the deeper reaches of the label -- deeper soul, hipper club, and heavier funk than you might expect from the sweeter chart singles the imprint scored back in the 70s! The package is a masterpiece -- way better than we might have expected, and featuring some key tracks that even we'd never heard before -- more than enough to have you digging funky 45s for Philly International. Tracks include "Ghetto Woman (parts 1 & 2)" by Ruth McFadden, "Everybody Needs Good Lovin (parts 1 & 2)" by Bunny Sigler, "Days Go By" by Bobby Bennett, "It's So Wonderful" by Johnny Williams, "Makin Up Time (parts 1 & 2)" by Frankie & The Spindles, "Hard Workin Man" by Pat & The Blenders, "Theme From Five Fingers Of Death" by Bunny Sigler, "Good & Plenty" by Carolyn Crawford, "Yellow Sunshine" by Yellow Sunshine, "Darling Come Back Home" by Love Committee, and "Grasshopper" by The Soul Devalents. (Vinyl-only compilation -- pressed on super-heavy vinyl, with a great gatefold cover!) Dusty Groove

Raider Of The Lost Ark

Picked up on a new website for me - Raider Of The Lost Ark.

Here's the blog's blurb:

Este es el blog de Solsoul, dedicado, entre otras cosas, al Sonido de Philadelphia. Por favor, ser respetuosos y apoyar a la causa dejando comentarios y/o haciendo aportaciones. Recordad que el material colgado al blog es solo y exclusivamente para uso personal.

My Spanish is not good but you can find some tasty sides featured with a Philly bias including soundclips.

Please drop by and support!

Hammond Eggs 30 on Casbah Podcast

HAMMOND EGGS 30


The bluesier side of jazzfeaturing: King Curtis, Jimmy McGriff, Leslie Overdrive, Grant Green, Wild Bill Davis, Low Fidelity Jet Set Orchestra, Medeski, Martin & Wood and many more!!!

Listen and download the show here:


http://casbah.podomatic.com/


and don't forget to download the latest CASBAH show:

Intoxica Podcast

I have just added a new podcast to my ITunes in the shape of Intoxica. This is how Howie Pyro the man behind Intoxica describes the show:

DEMENTED WEEKLY RADIO SHOW FEATURING 60'S GARAGE, SURF, PSYCH, RETARDED LOUNGE LOSERS, CRAZY ASIAN A GO GO, 60'S PUNK FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, ROCKABILLY, MONSTER MUSIC, PSYCHO SOUL, FREAKY FUNK, SOUNDTRACKS, NOT SO PSYCHEDELIC SONGS ABOUT LSD, VOODOO R&B, OLD RADIO/MOVIE/TV CLIPS...MUCHO BIZARRO WORLD NONSENSE & LOTSA SONGS

Howie's shows usually have themes and a recent show featured go-go which has been featured up here on IDR. Here's the tracklisting to the show:

REVELS- INTOXICA
PORTRAITS- WE'RE GONNA PARTY
WEE WILLIE & PALS- WE'RE GONNA DANCE
LIL' RAY & PREMIERES- SHAKE! SHOUT! SOUL!
BILL ROBINSON & QUAILS- THE COW
SUNNY & SUNLINERS- HIP HUGGIN MINI
SENATOR JONES- MINISKIRT DANCE
GATE WESLEY & BAND- (ZAP! POW!) DO THE BATMAN
CARTOONS- BIG BAD BATUSI
KINKS- COME ON NO
WOLIVERS- BEEKER STREET
EX-CELS- LIKE A DREAM
ROCKIN RAMRODS- DON'T FOOL WITH FU MANCHU
SINNERS- YOU DON'T LOVE ME
SONNY DAY & THE RARE BREED- TARZAN
BURT BLANCA & THE KING CREOLES- CAROLINE
BRIAN- CARA-LINTURTLES- BUZZ SAW
CAPT. BEEFHEART- DIDDY WAH DIDDY

FRANKIE LEE- I LOVE THE GO GO GIRLS
FENWAYS- A GO GO
GENE COOPER- GO GO INN
UNLUV'D- GA GA OVER GINZA GO GO GIRLS
MAGNIFICENT "7"- LA GO GO
BAROQUE BROS- BAROQUE AU GO GO
SHINDIGS- PUSSYCAT A GO GO
LEE ROGERS- GO-GO-GIRL
JACKIE PAINE- GO GO TRAIN
EDDIE "G" GILES & THE JIVE 5- EDDIE'S GO GO TRAIN
DON SNYDER- TIGER A-GO-GO
BUZZ & BUCKY- TIGER A-GO-GOVIBRATIONS- SOUL A GO GO
JOANNA NEEL- PAPA WAS A PREACHER BUT MAMA WAS A GO GO GIRL
ORCHESTER GERRY HAYES & DYNAMIC BRASS- GO GO GIRL FROM BLOW UP
CAPTAIN DARBY & BUCCANEERS- WHO DO THEY WATCH (THE GO GO'S W/NOTHING ON TOP)
YVONNE GOMEZ- MY MAN A GO GO

DIAL TONES- CHICAGO BIRD
FIVE BOYS- HANG ON SLOOPY/"LUOIE LUOIE"
J BROTHERS- YA RUNNING, BUT I'LL GETCHA
IMPERIALITES- HAVE LOVE WILL TRAVEL
PLAYBOYS- MOPE DE MOPEWELL...GET A GO GOing!!!

Mucho fun!!!!

Norton Records Holiday Spectacular 15/12/07

NORTON RECORDS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR SAT. DEC. 15 - SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN!Join us as Mason meets Dixon as the Reigning Sound (with very special guest Mary Weiss of the Shangri-Las) joins the A-Bones All-Star Revue featuring Roy Loney (original singer of the Flamin' Groovies), Handsome Dick Manitoba of the Dictators, soul legend the Mighty Hannibal, the Great Gaylord (the celebrated Sultan of Squat), the inflammable and chartbustin' Figures Of Light of It's Lame fame (first show in 35 years!) and introducing rock n' roll sensations Luis and the Wildfires making their East Coast debut plus the double barreled soul stylings of the Nouvellas (ex-Dansettes), four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree! This won't be no silent night, baby! Washable duds recommended! All the hep stars will be hawking their records, shirts and assorted sundries at the show so you may want to attempt one-stop lazyboy holiday shopping at the event!We have been told by the club that this show will sell out - GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Medium Rare in LA Every Tuesday

Check out Mr Soul Satisfaction MySpace

Smashed! Blocked! 7/12/07

Hammond Street 3

Just picked up the news on the latest one in Acid Jazz series. Contains tracks by:

The New Mastersounds "102%"
Stoned Soul Picnic "Ain't Gonna Tell No-One"
ENRI "The Performer"
Speak Low "If You'd Be Mine"
Lord Large "Stuck In A Wind Up (instrumental)"
Smoove "Hammond!"MiniVIP "The Block"
Andy Lewis "The Lazuli Affair"The Soldiers of Soul "Raw"
Men From S.P.E.C.T.R.E. "Black Tank"
The Pyes "Toss and Pot"
The Link Quartet "Glass Onion"
Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours "Hash Cakes"
The Past Present Organisation "Hammond Eggs"

Watch out for it!!!

CIS Reunion Manchester with Ronnie Walker THIS Friday 7th December

Thought I'd give it another shout!!!

Steve Cato will start the evening at 6pm across the road with the now famous Ducie Bridge warm up which is a good place for you travellers to meet and greet and listen to some soul music in an old style Manchester Pub until 10.30.

We kick off in the Main Hall (upstairs) at the CIS at 8pm with good quality oldies until 11pm when we will be proud to introduce on stage from Philadelphia Mr RONNIE WALKER who in January of this year wowed the crowd's at our Sunderland soul night and Wolverhampton All-nighter.
Along with Ronnie in the main hall we have from the '100 Club' Ady Croasdell and Keith Money, 'Lifeline's' Andy Dyson and Mick H, 'Stafford legends' Guy Hennigan and Dean Anderson, 'Scotland's' Kenny Burrell and The New Century Soul Manchester Residents Mark Bicknell, Steve Thomas, Karl Rhodes, Carl Willingham, Des Parker, Andy Whitmore and Kiddo.

Room Two 70' cross-over will open at 12am with Solar Radio's 'Sunday Soul Selection' crew with:

Shaun Robbins & Bob 'the Crate' Smith are the two presenters of 'Solar Radio's *Sunday Soul Selection* ... real 'strings & things' for a Sunday ... ! The Show has been such a success that Soul Brother Records have released in effect, The Best Of The Sunday Soul Selection on CD which is one of their all-time best sellers. Plus, you can now buy Sunday Soul Selection T-shirts in store ... ! Shaun & Bob have DJ'ed around the Country inc. The Orwell, The Birmingham Hilton Luxury Soul Weekender, The North West Soul Festival, amongst others ... Bob, from Brighton Town has been a Promoter, Collector, Record Dealer & DJ since the birth of the 70's Modern Soul scene down South ... Paul Thrower, also a regular guest on the Sunday Soul Selection, is one of *the* scene's personalities ... & the chances of bumping into Paul at the various Soul Weekenders, the length & breath of the Country, inc. abroad are very high ... ! Needless to say, Paul is never at home ... ! As a Punter since day numero Paul has built up a wonderful 70s Modern Soul collection & is one of the regular jocks @ the very popular Chi-Soul All-dayers on the South Coast. Shaun's the main presenter of the Radio Show which incs. regular quality guests, such as Ivor Jones, Steve Plumb, Togetherness Sean O'Connor, Brian Goucher, Eddie Hubbard ... etc. & has become one of Solar Radio's flagship shows ... ! Shaun, Paul and Bob will be joined by Mr Brett Franklin, who if my memory serves me right Brett missed only one All-nighter in the two years we where there.

Tickets are £10 (I know, that line up and Ronnie Walker, cheap as chips) will be available online at www.newcenturysoul.co.uk or you can take a chance and pay £12 on the night.
This really does promise to be a night to remember so we hope to see you there

Regards

Chris WatermanNew Century Soul
www.newcenturysoul.co.uk

Sharon Jones & Dap-Kings On Radio KCRW

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings bring their full band and funky-soul sound when they perform on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Dirtbombs Chains Of Love

Apparently, the Detroit indie band The Dirtbombs version of the soul classic Chains Of Love has been used in a new French Film of the famous book "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly".

This should be good news for Melvin Davis who wrote the song!!!!

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show

I really enjoy this show!! I love Craig's natural exuberance which just lifts the listening experience coupled with a wide range of music which appeals to me. The other big bonus is that the BBC is able to commission live performances from quality bands.

You can catch the show here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/funk_soul/

Last Saturday's show was the usual mix and here is the tracklisting to give you an idea of what Craig is dishing up:

Edwin Starr - "Stop Her On Sight (SOS)" (Motown)
The Diplomats Of Solid Sound - “I’m Blue” (White Label)
The Dap Kings - “Nervous Like Me” (Freestyle Records)
Jackie Wilson - “Because Of You” (Kent)
Wally Coco - "Message to Society" (Jazzman Records)
Skeewiff - "Tico Tico" (Jalapeno Records)
The Slackers - "Funk Week" (Rockers Revolt)
MFSB - “Family Affair” (Philadelphia International Records)
Main Ingredient - "Everybody Plays the Fool" (Kent)
The Controllers - “Pictures And Memories” (Juana)
Dottie Pearson - “Imagine Me” (Grapevine)
Rumba Caliente - “El Gato vs. Volcano” (Freestyle Records)
Mr Day - “Spooky” (Favorite Records)
Gene Dozier - “Give The Women What They Want” (Mercury)
Kokolo - “Each One Teach One” (Record Kicks)
Little Kids - “The Influence (Live At The Lounge)” (Littlekidsmusic)
Billie Davis - "I Want You To Be My Baby" (Decca)
Betty Willams - "He Took My Hand" (Kent)
Derek Martin - "Breakaway" (Stateside)
Tommy Tate - "It's A Bad Situation" (Kent)

Haggis Horns - BBC Session

Bernard Purdie - “Funky Donkey” (Columbia Records)
Aretha Franklin - “Are You Leaving Me” (Demo) (Atlantic)
Teddy Pendergrass - “Only You” (Philadelphia International Records)
Spanish Correspondent Oli Stewart Fabio Nobile - "Didn't You Know" (déjà vu Records)Floordroppa - “Tadfunk” (White Label)
Bunker Hill - “Hide And Go Seek” (Sony)
Derrick Harriott - “Brown Baby” (Soul Jazz Records)
Rev Cleatus - "Cheeba's Couch" (Soul Cookers)
Betty Lavette - "He Made A Woman Out of Me" (Kent)
Dan Keys - "Hochie Coo Chickie" (White Label)
Candi Staton - "Young Hearts Run Free"
Sandie Sheldon - "You're Gonna Make Me Love You" (Sony/BMG)
James Taylor Quartet - "Function At The Junction" (Dome Records)

Subway Soul Club 14/15 Dec 2007

Here's a tastier of the music they play:

Set lists for November 17 Subway Soul Club Category:
Music
Some of the records played at the November Subway Soul Club:

Records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

Elliott Shavers—Soul Village (Blaun)
Johnny & Jake—It's a Mess, I Tell Ya (Mod)
Beverly Jones—Heat Wave (Swan)
The Radars—Finger Licking Chicken (Yew)
Les Beethovens—Pour Mois Ca Va (Miracle, Canada)
Howlin' Wolf—Pop It To Me (Chess)
Brian Redmond and the Sound Box—Boogaloo Up Bord Du Lac (Regency, Canada)
Nicole Lord—C'est Le Go-Go (Plaza, Canada)
James Brown & His Famous Flames—Choo Choo (King)
Les Chanceliers—Oogum Boogum (Citation, Canada)
Gene Miller—Sho Is Good (Hi)
Kernard Gardner—Do the Skin (Dore)
The Zodiacs—This Feeling (Dee-Su)
The Precisions—Instant Heartbreak (Just Add Tears) (Drew)
The Dovells—Something About the Boy (Event)
Richard Anthony—Dans Tous Les Pays (Columbia/EMI, France)

Records played by DJ Ty Jesso:

Fred Hughes—Don't Let This Happen To Us (Brunswick)
Embraceables—Let My Baby Go (Sidra)
Just Brothers—Sliced Tomatoes (Music Merchant)
Liberty Belles—Shing A Ling (Shout)
Velvelettes—Lonely Lonely Girl Am I (VIP)
Artistics—Hope We Have (Brunswick)
Respect—Soul Entertainer (Blue Elephant)
Vontastics—Never Let My Love Run Cold (St Lawrence)
Ebony Keyes—If You Knew (Pye, Germany)
Leon Austin—Two-Sided Love (King)
Baby Jean—If You Wanna (Stacy)
Bobby Garrett—My Little Girl ( Mirwood)
Darrow Fletcher—My Young Misery (Groovy)
Earl Grant—Hide Nor Hair (Decca)
Tommy Good—Baby I Miss You (Gordy)
Jelly Beans—Boy You Don't Mean Me No Good (Eskee)
Jimmy McCracklin—Can't Raise Me (Imperial)
Joe Swift's Internationals—Boo-ga-loo Party (Onacrest)
Mike Painter—Go Up! (Sexy Groovy)
Sugarman Three—Turtlewalk (Desco)
Lou Lawton—Knick Knack Paddy Wack (Wand)
Peppermint Harris—Wait Until It Happens To You (Jewel)
Tommy Hunt—Work Song (Scepter)
Extra Kicks—Let the Good Times Roll (Sko-Field)
Howard Guyten—I Watched You Slowly Slip Away (Verve)

Records played by Ol Stark:

The Steven Karmen—Breakaway (United Artists)
Jimmy Frasier—Of Hopes and Dreams and Tombstones (Columbia)
The Fantasions—That' s Where the Action Is (Satellite)
Johnny Bartel and the Soul Masters—If This Isn't Love (Solid State)
The Royalettes—River of Tears ( Big T, UK)
The Seven Souls—I Still Love You (Epic, UK)
Percy Milem—Call on Me ($tateside, UK)
The Impossibles—I Wanna Know (Roulette)
Dee Dee Sharp—What Kind of Lady (Gamble)
Billy Mack—Son of a Lover (Miss Betty)
Ted Atking's Orchestra—Following You (Chappell Productions, France)...and the finisher…Les Parisiennes—Les Plaisirs de Paris (Philips, France)

find out more about Ol Stark here

http://www.myspace.com/djolstark

Soul Discovery

Mick has just sent me through the tracklisting for last Sunday's Soul Discovery.

Another great show which is now archived - next show up on 16/12/07.

Cambridge 105FM

http://www.209radio.co.uk/

soul@209radio.co.uk

Sunday 12.00-15.00

Archived show is currently available:

http://209radio.co.uk/shows/profile...w=souldiscovery

Play-List 2.12.07

Jeff Floyd “Changing times” (JF)

Will Easley “Don’t you like it”(Lisa Levin)

Will Downing “Fantasy (spending time with you)” (Peak)

Euge Groove feat: Jeffrey Osborne “Baby if only you knew” (Narada)

Parker “This world’s gone mad” (Moesoul)

Fathers Children “We got love” (FC)

Oak III “I can’t say no”(Oak)

Al Lindsey “Call Me” (Promo)

Earl Duke “Somebody’s getting it” (Mardi Gras)

Patrick Harris “Missin’ your love” (Lyn-Rome)

Stan Patterson “Smooth it out” (Outstanding)

Tina Diamond “Don’t play with my heart” (Avanti)

Ann Peebles “Nobody but you” (Blueeyes)

Doris Allen “Let’s walk down the street together” (SoulScape Promo)

Sweet Miss Coffy “If it’s love that you’re trying to fight” (Mardi Gras)

The Velons “String of my heart” (BJM)

The Rhythm Allstars feat: Geoff McBride “Christmas is” (Promo)

John Butler “I’m a winner” (Mylestone)

John Butler “Heaven” (Mylestone)

Bobby Wayne “This house is haunted” (Bonedog)

Jous “I confess” (Tukk)

Jous “Promised” (Tukk)

Fathers Children “If I” (FC)

Fathers Children “Key to my heart” (FC)

Doctors of love “My forever love” (Universal)

LA Keisha “Morning rain” (Mardi Gras)

Carl Sims “I’ll go crazy” (Ecko)

Mychal Marcel “Let’s spend a quiet night” (Mychenja)

Lonnie Youngblood “Girl I’m gonna miss you” (Castle)

Fletcher Walker III “Guess you’ll never understand” (Paramount)

L&L Parr “Don’t say bye bye” (L&L Parr)

Shirley Johnson “Trippin’ on you” (Diamond Gem)

Vee Allen “Let’s pretend to be lovers” (Leland)

Aubrey Mann “Need your loving tonight” (AIM)

Lee Fields “At the end of the day” (Promo)

The Liberation Band “Loving U” (Lanor)

The Embers “The last time I’m saying goodbye” (Bluewater)

Oak III “I just wanna be with you” (Promo)

Groove Collector

I recently came across Groove Collector.com while doing some research.

I highly recommend this site because it has audio, label scans and commentary covering a large range of soul sides.

I was very interested to see a feature on one of my heroes O.C. Tolbert which included mention of his Damn Sam & The Soul Congregation album which is now available on CD.

Please drop over to the site and have a look around!

Slop Holiday Party

Message from The Slop

Ho Ho Ho, Action Pat is coming down the chimney with a XXX-Mass party that'll flip your wig and singe your 'stache!!!! This Friday December 7th I'm proud to be throwing one helluva holiday hoot with two of the wildest bands around- The Hall Monitors and The Garnet Hearts.

I'm also proud to let it be known that I'll be letting go of a limited number of the SLOP cd's at this shin-dig so if you're itchin' to be one of the first cats or kittens get your mittens on one of these fine collections of RnB, Soul and Black Rockers then you better show up- cuz if you're one of the first 50 people through the door you take THE SLOP cd home for free! if you're number 51 sorry pal you don't get nuthin!Its only five bucks so be there!!!!-Action Pat

Parkdale Funk New Mix

Two mixes just in to brighten up this grey December day!!

December started out with a cold blast from Mother Nature. Toronto got hit with a massive snowstorm leaving everyone wishing that they were in Jamaica drinking Red Strip. I decided to put down my funk 45s make a happy weather mix of reggae and Latin 45s.

Visit parkdalefunk.com and check out two podcasts of fun sunny weather tunes to take your mind off the wintertime blues. Double your podcast pleasure with two hot mixes! The Latin soul 45 mix is a website exclusive so make sure to check it out! Hop onto my profile for a full playlist of the reggae mix and listen in.

Visit the Parkdale Funk website and add both mixes to your itunes.Upcoming Info:special holiday mix coming up soon! Keep checking back for a funky christmas 45 set!

Marvelettes @ Angel City Soul Club 21/12/07

Got a bulletin from the guys:

Angel City Soul Club & Hot Shot Sound System in Los Angeles Present:

THE MARVELETTES Live in person!!w/ special guest dj, our good friend and a person who has many records that he wants to give me for free because he is such a good friend ;)

MIKE VAGUE

For more details check out their MySpace

Eli "Paperboy" Reed & Truetones Updates

Picked up a couple of messages from Eli Reed about a gig and updates on his band:

Hey everybody,

This Thursday, December 6th we'll be at the Paradise Ballroom opening up for Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. This will be our first show with our new drummer Andy Bauer who is shaping up to be fantastic. See you there!

Thursday, December 6th
The Paradise Ballroom
967 Comm. Ave Allston
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves, 9:00 PM
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, 10:00 PM
$20
Doors @ 8
21+

I realize it's been a long time since I've given an update so I figured I'd let everybody know what's been going on for Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves and what our future plans are.

Earlier this fall we finished our album "Roll With You" and we just got the mastered copies back and they sound great! The band and I are so excited to be releasing an album of all original material; all songs were written by me with the exception of one which was True Loves guitarist Ryan Spraker's first foray into writing for the band.

The album will contain all 4 songs from both singles plus 7 more tunes including the title track. It's slated for release in March of '08 and we couldn't be more ready to have it come out. Our label is also planning to release a 2nd 45 RPM single and our plan is to include a b-side that will not be on the full-length so look out for that in January.

We've also added some new members to the team both musically and organizationally. We have a new tenor sax player in Paul Jones who so far has been a great asset to the already stellar horn section of Patriq Moody and Ben Jaffe and we've just brought a new drummer into the fold, Andy Bauer who will make his debut with us on December 6th at the Paradise in Boston.

We have a new management team, Upper 11 Management headed up by industry veteran Ric Aliberte and we're now working with Shore Fire Media for our press.

Starting early in the year we will most certainly be hitting the road so keep tuned to this page for more dates to be posted and there's no doubt that we will be back again at Austin's South by Southwest music festival in late March. For now though, check out the dates on the main myspace page, come see us if we're in your area and pick up the record when it comes out!--Eli & The True Loves

Check for updates at Eli's MySpace

Soul Sessions Dec 14th & 28th 2007

The New Mastersounds @ Motown Cafe 8/12/07

Johnny Zamot Fat Mama

Johnny Zamot Fat Mama Decca

I thought I'd drop a piece of boogaloo before I went to bed taken from the album The Latin Soul Of Johnny Zamot on Decca.

You can find out more about Johnny Zamot at Office Naps:

http://www.officenaps.com/2007/07/latin-funk.html


Don't forget you can also get his Boogaloo Frog album which is now on CD

You can pick this up from Dusty Groove:


A cooker of a boogaloo album from the legendary Johnny Zamot -- quite possibly even better than his classic sets recorded for Decca in the 60s! The sound here is totally great -- a non-stop Latin Soul party through and through -- filled with romping rhythms, jazzy instrumentation, and loads of soulful lyrics in English -- almost all of which have a playful, party-grooving feel! English vocals are by John Fernandez -- who sang on Hector Rivera's great At The Party record, a set that's very similar to this one -- and Spanish vocals are by Pete Bonet, who also sung with Ray Barretto. Titles include "Boogaloo Frog", "Hey Mama", "Are You Ready", "Miriam Baby", "Do You Really Want To Fly", "Cat Fish Bag", and "Catalina".

Johnny Hodges Monkey Shack Verve

Johnny Hodges Monkey Shack Verve

I fell on this cracker from alto sax man Johnny Hodges in my ITunes while searching for something else!

With Johnny are Joe Wilder (tp) probably Hank Jones (p) Wild Bill Davis (org) Kenny Burrell (g) probably Milt Hinton (b) Osie Johnson (d). Recorded in NYC, September 3, 1963.

Sir Shambling Update

I've had a message through from John Ridley to say that he has updated his Sir Shambling website:

Hello,

Just a quick note to say that I've added some new pages to my website.

They include Larry Clinton, Bobby Strickland, the outstanding Lee Mitchell, Eva Larse from New Orleans and, in response to several requests for more Detroit artists, the group Final Decisions.

There are the usual pictures and discographies which I hope you'll enjoy. The full list of artists on the site can be found at

http://www.sirshambling.com/general/artistlist.htm

Best wishes,

John

I was pleased to read the Lee Mitchell bio, based on an unpublished interview plus a photo of the man, especially after posting on here earlier this year hoping we may find some info.

Soul 4 Real Weekender Bilbao 1 & 2 February 2008

I received a message through from Alex Subinas of Soul Portrait:

SOUL 4 REAL WEEKENDER (BILBAO)

1st & 2nd February 2008

SOUL ESSENCE SPECIAL

DJ's:

Bob Cosby (UK)
Gavin Page (UK)
Steve Plumb (UK)
Alejandro Aguayo (VI)
Alex & Aitor (S4R, BIO)

SOUL 4 REAL is a weekender dedicated to the best SOUL music, no matter the recording date. The first issue of the event dates back to the year 2000, and from this date on the weekender summon the SOUL lovers, sometimes coming from abroad.

During two intense nights trough the speakers you can listen to rarities and easily acquirable new recordings, forgotten oldies and future collectibles ... from southern soul, Crossover and funk to disco-boogie, modern soul, rare groove or Jazz Funk. 4 decades of Black music condensed in one weekend that you shouldn't miss ...the date will take place at the "KIOSKO Del Arenal", located in Bilbao's city centre, a very special and lovely club.

We have always appreciated and rated the discovery of new music treasures, that's why the risk and surprise are more than welcome when DJing. Regardless of the rarity or the accessibility of the tunes, the most important thing is the QUALITY. We would like to give a public "Thank you" to all the DJ's involved during the 13 editions and also for those who have attended the venue We are very grateful for your support.

Upcoming Mr. Fine Wine DJ dates

I've had a message through from Mr Fine Wine to tell me of some upcoming gigs:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7: ANN ARBOR SOUL CLUB one-year anniversary bash at theBlind Pig, Ann Arbor, Michigan
(www.myspace.com/a2soulclub)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15: NORTON RECORDS blowout at Southpaw featuring THEMIGHTY HANNIBAL, THE REIGNING SOUND, and lots more!***

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21: HORSE RIVER SOCIAL at Royal Oak, Williamsburg,Brooklyn***

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31: something in MILWAUKEE with me, Andy Noble, BrentGoodsell, and Nesh!--------***PICK HIT!!!!

www.myspace.com/mrfinewine
http://finewine-spins.blogspot.com/

In Dangerous Rhythm MySpace

Just to let you know that I have recently re-vamped In Dangerous Rhythm on MySpace. Please drop by to see the changes including several slide shows.

Sucia Every Wednesday in NYC

Budos Band @Asbury Lanes 21/12/07

Popcorn

Club Popcorn Vrasene, Belgium

Jimmy Hughes My Loving Time Guyden

Readers may have seen the term Popcorn bandied around record sales lists or Ebay listings and wondered what it was all about.

Popcorn is a Belgian phenomenon and has nothing to do with Northern Sou has similarities to the US Beach Music scene. It is a very collectible genre with prices fetching the same heights as Northern Soul. It is especially collected by vinyl junkies in France, Italy, Japan, Holland, and Belgium of course.

The scene started at the Club Popcorn in Vrasene, near St. Niklaas (Antwerp) around 1974. You can find out more information here:

">Popcorn Scene

In the early years the DJ's played a selection of different styles of 50's and 60's music; Doo Wop, R&B, Tamla, Ska and Latin flavoured Jazz like Boogaloo or crazy instrumentals from the 60's like 'Quiet Village' by Martin Denny.

The styles may differ but there is one thing that unites and defines the sound and that is the mid-tempo speed and the ambiance created by the sequencing of the records played. The DJ slowed down the tempo to make it more easy to dance what is called 'soulswing' which is a mid-tempo swing or walking tempo.

Try these top Popcorn scene biggies for size:

Jimmy Hughes –My loving time (Guyten)

Sam Fletcher –I'd think it over (Tollie)

David Coleman –Drown my heart (Barrie)

Joe Torres –Get out of my way (World Pacific)

Prince Buster –Dance Cleopatra dance (Blue Beat)

The Temptations -I want a love I can see (Gordy)

Mel Torme –Comin home baby (Atlantic)

Edwin Starr- S.O.S (stop her onsight) (Ric Tic)

Manny Corchado –Pow Wow (Decca)

Tittyshakers Part 2

Earlier this year, I mentioned in a post dedicated to Tittyshakers that Martin Lawrie of Soul Generation was constructing a site dedicated to Tittyshaker music. Martin contacted me this morning to let me know that the site is up and running.

Get over and indulge yourself in a feast of sleazy music!

As an extra bonus here is one of my favourite tittyshakers to get you in the mood:

J.C. Davis Monkey Chess