Jamel F Mitchell

I recently discovered that Jamel F Mitchell had a MySpace and we have become friends. Both of Jamel's parents were musicians - his father James Mitchell was a highly respected session man in Memphis and Jamel's uncle is Willie Mitchell.

I met Jamel in Italy a few years back and was impressed by his horn playing while he was in the backing band for an Ann Peebles tour.

Please drop over to his MySpace an listen to his own compositions.

Boomerang @ Canal Tavern Thorne 10/5/08

Floordroppa

I first heard Floordroppa on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show - check them out on their MySpace

F L O O R D R O P P A are a project fused to the state of flux drawn together from the very limits of the sprawling metropolis that is London, England.

The core of the band:

Tad: Actor & Musician... Bassist with a list of credits that reads like a 'who's who?' of Reggae, Ska, Soul & Funk including ska /pop heroes Crunch!, Madness, Dubwiser & Pama International to name but a few!

Kev: Modest to the point of insolvency. He is a much sought after guitarist who has weathered many of the storms of England's vibrant and sometimes chaotic music scene. Kev recently toured Europe, U.S. and Japan with Madness.

Pablo: Pablo gives FLOORDROPPA it's voice, soul, vibe & feel all it's own. Pablo has been featured on more records than you could shake a stick at including human Beat Box genius Killa Kela. Pablo runs a mean sound system... spinning musical discs from dub plates to luscious rare grooves.

Wayne: Powerhouse holding it down at the back hails from the Jazz scene with credits such as Andy Hamilton & The Blue Notes, Andy Gale, Soweto Kinch and Jamma.

The boys have been described as ‘Modern Brit Funk’...High praise indeed from the Soul Mafioso.FLOORDROPPA’s prerequisite is to get the floor moving and put a few grins back on faces. And that’s no bad thing..!But, hey! Don't take my word for it - Check 'em out...Modern Brit Funk style ..!

The Shaolin Temple Defenders @ Akwaba Châteauneuf de Gadagne 2/2/08

The Shaolin Temples Defenders consist of Laure Frejacques aka Yim Wing(Trumpet), Grat Martinez aka Boddidharma( Saxophones), Cedric Lacaze aka Phun Dao Dak(Organ), Pierre Petit aka Ng Mui(Guitar), Jeremy Ortal aka Mieu Hien(Bass), Mickey Fourcade aka Michel (Drums), Emmanuel Guerin aka The Lion Of Bordeaux( Vocals) aka Sir Right on ( Son live)

Check out their MySpace for more and listen to their sounds:

As the ardent keeper of an authentic Soul music legacy, Shaolin Temple Defenders brings a brand new breed to the French musical scene. True to the sounds and arrangements of 60's & 70's soul/funk bands such as, the JB's, the Meters or Stax's staff artists( Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor...) ,these 7 musicians, who play their own compositions, offer an explosive show to their audience. Their dynamic live act reminds of the overexciting atmosphere of legendary american vintage clubs. After setting fire to their audience on many stages, they keep on keeping on and it's impossible to remain indifferent to their appeal. To defend the temple of Soul, their weapons are as follow: vintage outfits, lamp amplifiers, a Hammond organ, tight horns, an unbeatable rhythm section and a roaring lion.

After the release of their 1st album, « Chapter one: enter the temple »( Nocturne/ Soul Beats Records) in March 2006, they hit the road for a series of about 50 concerts: Garorock, Printemps de Bourges, Reggae Sun Ska Festival, Euskal Herria, ZicZac Estival, Musicalarue in Luxey , Bars en Trans in Rennes…They also shared stages with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Maceo Parker, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Groove Collective... They have also been working with legendary Funky Diva, Miss Martha High, former vocalist of the James Brown Show. and now propose a tight and funky show with her as lead vocalist.

Movin' On Barcelona 16/2/08

Village Soul 9/2/08

Uptight Club Glasgow 7/3/08

The Lava Lounge 16/2/08

The Bongolian @ The Soul Cellar Southampton 9/2/08

Syl Johnson @ The Hideout Chicago 2/2/08

Mike Painter Trio @ Buzz With The Fuzz 2/2/08

00.Soul @ Safari Sam's 15/2/08

00.Soul are a band and came across on MySpace. Thie current line-up is:Steve Armstrong - Bass; Nic Chaffee - Trumpet; Jack Fulks - Flute & Saxophone; Troy Howell - Percusion & Drums; R. Scott - Keyboards; Don Skinner - Guitar; Mike Vasquez - Percussion, Drums, & Vocals and Scott Weaver - Loops & Sounds.

This is their blurb:

With every sold out show and thousands of fans, the word "understatement" is completely appropriate when describing the effect 00Soul has on the indie-music scene. They are a standout in a sea of Pop, Rock and Alternative Acts. With a notorious reputation for the seedy side of life, it's no wonder the Long Beach music scene has embraced this band and made their shows something special for those lucky enough to catch them performing live.

00.Soul get their funk out with a hypnotically solid beat, tasty bass to back it up and a "whole lotta" horn work. Tracks list "Squad Car" aren't short on it's cinematic value. This song plays like a movie, complete with sound effects, campy 70's dialogue and more grunts and groans than Shaft. Their rich blend of jazz, rock and Afro-Cuban rhythms will make a permanent dent in what you use to call "Funk".

Soul Syndicate Clifton NJ 23/2/08

Pressure Time Venezia Italy

Small Town Bullies

It is Saturday night and time for the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show - just heard another new band who have got in touch with him - The Small Town Bullies.

Find out more about the band and hear some of their unissued tracks on their MySpace.

The Bongolian

A band I fell upon while trawling through MySpace. The Bongolian are Nasser Bouzida - Bongos Congas Organ and Vocals. Trevor Harding - Bass. Bradley Burgess - Guitar. Bruce Brand - Drums. Dan EleXtro.

Here's their blurb:

While still writing and performing with Big Boss Man, multi-instrumentalist Nasser Bouzida, (or just Nass to you and me), disappeared into the studio to create a brand new sound in the name of his new alter ego The Bongolian. As The Bongolian, Nasser takes us on a solo musical journey through heavy Funk and Latin Soul writing, performing and recording all the material himself in the process. And for a young man whoseprincipal interests are drums and percussion being The Bongolian makes a whole lotta sense. Drawing on all his past influences, Nass produced an inspired recording blending elements of Funk, Soul and Jazz withgrinding percussion and heavy Bongo rhythms. The new sound is epitomised by the funky rhythmic stomp of his debut single 'Bongohead', and the eponymous 'The Bongolian' album which was released early in 2003, to much critical acclaim. The Bongolian's debut gig was a headline slot at the prestigious Rennes Jazz Festival in France. This has been followed by more gigs in Europe and a series of UK gigs including a sell out hometown show at Londons Metro Club. In 2005,The Bongolian toured with Holly Golightly (as support and also playing in her band) in the UK, the USA and Germany, as well as recording with her on her forthcoming new album. blueprint: the bongo-funk evolution continues...

So, finally the wait is over! Mr Bouzida has now completed 'Blueprint' the next stage of his Bongo Funk evolution, due out March 06. This is Nass in his element, taking us on a musical journey of dirty bongo driven Funk and spaced-out Latin Soul all 100% Heavy Bongo Vibes. Written, arranged, performed and produced by entirely by Nass at his Ramshackle Studios on analogue 8 track, and mixed by Mike Pelanconi (Graham Coxon, Big Boss Man).Please note, this album contains NO SAMPLES, just a groove that sounds good!

The Strides @ Club 85 Hitchin 15/3/08

Soul Funktion NY 30/1/08

More details on their MySpace

Racubah! North Wales

More details on MySpace

Tighten Up @ Soul Cellar Southampton

For more details - check their MySpace

Cabbage Alley

I first heard this band on Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show when he played their pounding version of Eddie Harris's Freedom Soul Dance.

The band are; Morel - saxophones , vocals and occaisional percussion; John Ellis - organ , vocals , bass guitar (Freedom soul dance); Eryl Roberts - drums and percussion; Steve 'Billy' Buckley - Guitar, baritone and lapsteel guitars. Between them the members of Cabbage Alley have worked with - The Cinamatic Orchestra, Corrine Bailey Rae,Lilly Allen, Bob Mintzer, Fontella Bass, Hamish Stuart, Richard Hawley,Embrace, Chuck Berry,Vince Mendoza, Damon Albarn, Scott Hamilton, Kenny Wheeler to name a few.

They list their influences as: pies, chips n'gravy, tea, scrumpy, Fred Dibner, Jauque Tati , Shirley Crabtree, Eddie Harris, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Adge Cutler, Mikey Dread, cinnamon bagels, vintage British motorbikes, Hank Williams, Earl Bostic , lady esquire, massey fergi tractors particularly the massey 35 and its predecessor the little grey fergi, Ian Drury, Hunter S Thompson, Max Geldray, Harry Hawk, Peter Gurney etc etc.

The Strides

I must admit to liking a bit of garage especially when it has some Hammond thrown in which is what The Strides are all about! The Strides consist of Chris Cawdron: Hammond Organ; Si Hunt: Lead Guitar; Gray Smith: Bass Guitar; Mike Lobo: Drums and featuring:-Rob Taylor: Vocals and Vicky Stuart: Vocals.

Try out The Strides:

Forged from a fusion of the past and present and as finely tuned as Jackie Stewart's Lotus, The Strides now sport a fresh new look and raunchy new sound with the addition of ex- 80's Psych outfit "The Nerve's" Hammond Grindster.This is "Vanilla Fudge" meets "The Small Faces" who then all pop down the pub for a Watney's and chaser with the two Jimies (Hendrix and Smith!)Playing a groove fuelled set of retro tunes and tracks lifted straight outta the 60's, The Strides dare you to take a pinch of Psychedelia and travel with them to Blow up a Go-Go.....

Update Dec 2007:- The Strides newest addition Vicky Stuart, (Northampton's own Julie Driscoll!!) applies her strong vocal talents to bring you the sounds of the late sixties. Vicky has been mainly a solo acoustic artist and writer (Visit Vicky Stuart's Page) but is equally at home with full on backing tracks supplied by The Strides. Singing a selection of the hippest retro numbers from artists including Julie Driscoll, Sharon Tandy and Grace Slick, Vicky will be appearing with the Strides at selected gigs throughout the year.

Bobby Wayne Soul Station

I originally featured Bobby Wayne on my Dark End Of The Street blog when he released his last album Hit That Thing.

I am pleased to say that he is back with another killer album on Bonedog Records. The album is a mixture of original songs such as East End Avenue, Over and Over etc. The best is a gorgeous Southern soul styled slowie called Right About The Rain. He also covers a few interesting sides Tommy Tate's I'm Taking On Pain, Willie Kendricks's Change Your Ways and Major Harris's Call Me Tomorrow.

Here is the Bonedog press release:

SOUL STATION-The third release by BOBBY WAYNE on BONEDOG RECORDS!Bobby Wayne has been Pittsburgh’s premiere soul singer for the past 30 years. His musical training began in gradeschool, singing in the New Canaan Baptist Church along with future recording artist “Terry Collins”. It was 1963 when Bobby was asked to join four other young men who called themselves The Exceptions. The group included Rodney Mason, James Russell, Sherman McCrae and Floyd Beck. The Vietnam conflict claimed two members a year later and the Exceptions disbanded before they had a chance to record.

At this point Bobby was introduced to Vann Harris & The Village Vanguards, a dynamic six piece band. The lineup included George Green, Larry ‘Butch’ McGee, Eugene Smith, David ‘Sugar’ Cain and Jimmy Norman, featuring Bobby & These Gent’s. Working all of the larger clubs the troupe eventually joined forces with popular WZUM radio D.J’s, Al Gee & Bobby Bennett to produce shows at the Savoy Ballroom every Saturday night. The revue opened for and backed some of the top R&B acts of the time including; The 5 Stairsteps, The Vandykes, Billy Stewart, Erma Franklin, The O’Jays, Mary Wells & Gene Chandler.On fridays they usually performed in Cleveland at the House of Blues opening & backing Jackie Ross, Fontella Bass, Kim Weston & Rudy Ray Moore. Near the end of 1964 Bobby & the Band relocated to Montreal, spending the winter at Rockheads Paradise and the Silver Dollar. As the house band they shared the stage with noteables as The Dells, Darrell Banks and The Artistics.

Back in Pittsburgh the following summer, Bobby was asked to sit in with Darrell Banks at the Hurricane Grill. A friendship developed and Darrell had Bobby open for his show. These shows gave the young singer a valuable lesson in showmanship & lead vocal delivery as Bobby watched from the wings after his opening set.

Bobby & the Vanguards stayed busy on the circuit through 1967. The following year they landed back in Montreal for a year run at the Esquire Showbar. There they shared the bill with among others The Sweet Inspirations, Etta James and Carla Thomas. Eventually the Vanguards drifted apart and Bobby headed back home.In 1969 Bobby went to Los Angeles, hooking up with Rudy Ray Moore and Theodore Toney to record Heart Of A Poor Man & Make Me Yours. Arthur Wright did the arrangements with The Leon Haywood Band providing the backing track. The single was leased by Atlantic Records #2670 and released using Bobby’s given name, Wayne Boykin.Bobby fronted the band ‘On The Corner in 1976 and ‘Takin’ Names in 1977. 1978 & 1979 had Bobby singing with the ‘Rhythm Kings’. An album was recorded, but never released.

Bobby worked with the ‘Marcels’ off and on during the ‘80’s and 90’s.Bonedog Records released ‘Long Hard Road’ in 1999. The CD was received well in Japan & England & a single with the title track was released on the ‘Grapevine 2000’ label in the U.K..For his second Bonedog offering ‘Hit That Thing’. Bobby fronted ‘the Bobby Wayne Band’ a ‘Classic Soul’ Sound.We hope you enjoy Bobbie’s third release,Soul Station, on Bonedog Records.

Get over to CD Baby and give the album a listen!!!

José James The Dreamer

I enjoyed José James's session on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show - I am a sucker for anyone who has touches of Gil Scott-Heron or Terry Callier but he does have his own voice and sound which is so mellow! His new album The Dreamer is out now!

Drop by his MySpace for plenty more

"I thought singers like this didn't exist anymore, I was wrong, José James is here to remind us why we love music so much!"

- Gilles Peterson

"José James is continuing the legacy of the great jazz masters. With his extraordinary voice, timbered like an instrument, his ears that capture each Coltrane nuance, his lyricism - in his writings and in his passionate expression - the life of the music is being nourished by José James offerings. And when he sings, you can hear it smile."

- Janet Lawson

"Let us put away the dark days of 2006... and make some offerings to secure a more enlightened 2007. A good place to start is the forthcoming album by José James on Brownswood. The Brooklyn based jazz voice is set to follow in the steps of Jon Lucien... there's even a touch of Gil Scott Heron... we're definitely feelin' that version of Trane's 'Equinox'."

- Straight No Chaser

"A natural intimacy that very few people have."

- Andy Bey

"José James is the real deal! He has the voice, poise, charisma, and stage presence. All the ingredients... making him the most exciting singer I've heard in a long time!!"

- Junior Mance

Mary Gresham Soulscape Album

Garry Cape just let me know of his latest CD by Mary Gresham - Let's Walk Down The Street Together has already become a real fave of mine.

Garry - keep up the good work!

Fryer in Malmo

Fryer dropped his playlist from his Function gig in Malmo:

Soul Room (not in order some missing)

Soul - Burning Spear (Musicor)
Sonny Harris - The The Vibration (San-El)
Leroy Clofer - Mr. Big Man (Rosemont)
The Emotions - I Love You but I'll Leave You (Twin Stacks)
Big Ella - The Queen (Rush)
World Wonders - Funk Washing Machine (alarm)
Wee (Unreleased) Owl
Chris Columbus - Tighten Up "70"
Essex Iv - My Reaction To You
The Crampton Sisters - Baby Baby
Victoria Williams - Show Some Sign (Verve)
Rock Candy - Alone With No Love (Dontee)
Little Jimmy Edwards - Slappin Some Soul Upon Me (Key-Loc)
Pat Brown - The Good Got To Suffer For The Bad (Seven B)
Tolbert - I Got It (Rojac)
Dolly Gilmore - Sweet Sweet Baby (Dove)
Made In Japan Band - Mareefer (Cenco)
The Mighty Marvelows - Talkin' Bout Ya, Baby (abc)
The Blue Soul - Getting The Corners (Westwood)
Underground Resurection - Reality (Amg)
Claude "baby" Huey - Drifiting (MIOB)

Disco Room (again not in order some missing)

Wizdom - Im So In Love (Drive)
Sylvester - Down Down Down (Fantasty 12")
Sophisticated Ladies - This Aint Really Love (Reflection)
Dutch Robinson - Cant Get Along Without You (UA)
Emanuel Taylor (You Really Got A Hold On Me)
Tony Foxx - Love and Let be loved (blaster LP)
Lo End - Le Beat (New World)
Reuben Wilson - Got To Get Your Own (chess)

Next Night - Febuary 2nd - £4 Easter Sunday Special with Djs Dave Ripolles, Ian Wright, Jason Stirland, Fryer & Gino from 7pm till 3am

http://www.soulspectrum.co.uk/

All playlists from the night except Joppe's are here:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=235644907&blogID=348194942

Great night, thanks again Fryer and Craig!

Upcoming Function dates are:

February 9 with Markus Gora (Hamburg) and Kristoffer Ahl (S)
March 15 with Arthur Fenn + Fredrik (S)
April 19 with Butch and Micke Balkefors (S)

Love Sounds In Milwaukee 26/1/08

I've had a message from Any Noble from Lotusland Records:

Frank Straka and I are spinning the first ever one of these (hopefully this will be a monthly event).First 30 people get a free CD, professionally made w/ original artwork from my brother Davey. Come to the booth and ask for one, we don't want to give them out at the door.Check out the poster on our front page for details.

Thanks for looking!

Andy

Heavy Funk & Soul Lolita Bar Broome & Allen NY

The what: HF&S (Heavy Funk & Soul) The when: Friday Jan 25, 10.00pm The where: Lolita, 266 Broome St (Broome & Allen), New York, NY 10002 Every record we played last month is now worth 20,000 quid. Our low-key monthly spin pays the bills for HFS island, Bahamas. First 20 in the door get a free chin nod and a what's up from us.

http://myspace.com/hfands
http://weirdgearnyc.com

New mixes up:

http://www.myspace.com/weirdgearforever

Soul Full Part 2 Paris 26/1/08

DJ Dom-e (Sausage Records) welcomes you on the dancefloor on the Baron Samedi for a vinyl only selection of Deep Soul/Gritty Funk/Afro Voodoo/Latin Jazz and Heavy Psych. Look out for hip visuals. Just be there!

Teddy Rosso

HERE WE GO (friday, saturday, sunday):

25.01.2008 @ GRIBOEDOV CLUB ... RIGHT ON! with THE FABULOUS MR.C ... and ... very special guest: DJ TEDDY ROSSO (STAVANGER, NORWAY // NOMADEN, STING CLUBS) heavyweight blaxploitation soundtracks, uk library stuff, dancefloor jazz, deepfunk, soul, latin 45s visual: blaxploitation and kung-fu flicks ... nonstop 23:55 - 6:00 (грибоедов, воронежская 2а, метро лиговский пр.)

26.01.2008 @ BUBBLE BAR DJ CHAK & TEDDY ROSSO (STAVANGER-OSLO, NORWAY) .... heavyweight blaxploitation soundtracks, uk library stuff, dancefloor jazz, deepfunk, soul, latin 45s 23:55 - 6:00 (bubble bar, конюшенная площадь дом 2, правая арка)

SUNDAY 27.01.2008 @ RADIORECORD on air 106,3 FM (1:00 -3:00) w./ Chakster and Teddy Rosso (Norway) late nigh chillin'

DJ biography: Fredrik Lavik aka Teddy Rosso (Norway)

Stavanger native Fredrik Lavik, a rare groove junkie of the third order, collecting vinyl records and dj’ing in clubs around Norway for over a decade. He’s been spotted abroad numerous times on specialist radio shows and been known to move dancefloors in London, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Porto. When he’s not playing music he’s a freelance graphic designer and runs his little bedroom label Jazzaggression records.

Musicstyles: Rare groove: Funk & Latin Jazz, Funk & Soul 45, Swingin’ Soundtracks, old school bollywood and groovy exotica. It all started back in the day when he got aware of his mothers record collection, a goldmine of jazz from labels like black jazz, verve, cti. Since then Fredrik’s been spotted early mornings on flea markets, car boot sales and thrift stores looking for that extra old gritty groove that keeps him happy, whether it’s jazz, funk, soul, easy listening or whatever keep his head noddin’ or his girlfriend angry for bringing in more dust to the condo!

Teddy’s dj game started in Bergen in the late nineties when he was invited to promote, build and contribute to a new club concept called “The Chase” held at one of west Norway’s biggest clubs Agora. Funky music, retro furniture, kitsch inventory and blaxploitaiton/chase films on big screen was a huge success with the crowd and the concept lasted until the summer of 2001. In late 2002 Teddy moved to Oslo and became a household dj regular at a tiny club called Nomaden, located in a back alley suburbs of Grünerløkka. A funky flavored place that was quickly to become “the place” to be for the undeground of club goers wanting to hear different sounds. Nomaden up to this day, is regarded among dj’s as the best place to spin if you’re in Oslo.

In the summer of 2007, teddy’s love for surfing forced him to move back to his originated location on the west coast: Stavanger, home of cultural capital 2008. Here Teddy has been spotted downtown playing at one of Norways most respected clubs called Cafe Sting, bringing with him his club concept from Nomaden called jazzpalace which focuses on dancefloor jazz, soul and funk. “The party ain’t over yet!”

Apart from dj’ing Fredrik Lavik’s been involved in several highly acclaimed record releases. Teaming up with record connoisseur Lars Finborud of Plastic Strip records they dug up unreleased recording history from the Maryland keyboard genius Webster Lewis, blew dust off some old recordings from folk flutist Guttorm Guttorms and next out is a dvd disc with old jazz sessions taken from the NRK archives.

The story continues, check out www.jazzaggression.com for updated information on future releases ..

blaxploitation mix by Teddy Rosso:

http://www.plasticstrip.no/files/Teddy%20Rosso%20Blaxplotation%20Mix.mp3

Wir Sind Soul 26/1/08

26.01 Wir sind Soul Edelweiss

Marc Forrest (Hip City Soul Club)
Kristian Auth (Soul Inn)
Johnny Hitman (Soulkombinat)
Steinbild (Soulkombinat)
Dynamic Don (Soul Inn)
Steven Inch (Tour de Funk/Rejuvenation Records)
www.tourdefunk.de

Lefties Soul Connection Skimming The Skum

Lefties Soul Connection give a new meaning to raw funk & soul with their new album ‘Skimming the Skum’. In Europe, but also in countries like Japan and USA, they got a lot of attention because of their energetic, heavy raw music on record and on stage. With the release of ‘Skimming the Skum’ they definitely can be placed among the best funk bands of today and they get a lot of love by the international funk community. And because of their heavy beats and stompin’ grooves they also gained a lot of fans within the Hip-Hop (bboy) and Dance community.

The band consist of Hammond organ/percussion - Alviz Guitar/vocals/percussion - Onno Bass/percussion - Bram Drums - Vogel.

You can catch them next here:

1 Feb 2008

20:00

Amstelveen - P60

2 Feb 2008
20:00

Zwolle - Schouwburg Odeon (NL)

8 Feb 2008
20:00

Metropool, Hengelo (NL)

23 Mar 2008
20:00
Zieuwent - Paaspop

Corduroy Re-formed!

Last week, Craig Charles had Corduroy on his Funk & Soul show. They talked about re-forming the band and recording again. Craig will be broadcasting a live set from the new version of the band on his show this Saturday.

Corduroy were a four-piece acid jazz outfit based in London, formed around twins Ben Addison (drums/vocals) and Scott Addison (keyboards), who were previously in Sire Records act Boys Wonder (Scott had been guitarist with Boys Wonder, while Ben had been the lead vocalist). Joining the twins in the band were Richard Searle and guitarist Simon Nelson-Smith. Richard Searle had been bass player with Doctor and the Medics, who topped the UK pop charts in 1986 with a cover version of "Spirit in the Sky". Searle had joined the Addison twins in the final incarnation of Boys Wonder before the band gradually evolved into Corduroy in 1991, initially forming for a one-off New Year's Eve party.

The self-dubbed "fabric four" primarily recorded in a "groovy film soundtrack" style and many of their tracks were instrumentals. On the release of their first album Dad Man Cat, Paul Moody wrote in the New Musical Express: “Whereas the rest of the Acid Jazz roster fidget around in a world of skinny ribbed roll-necks comparing sideburn growth, Corduroy manage to swagger through the same po-faced domain with a couldn’t-care-less braggadocio... Corduroy have got their collective tongue stuck firmly in someone else’s cheek here and it feels staggeringly good.”

Releasing three eclectic albums on Eddie Piller's Acid Jazz Records, they received heavy radio airplay for their single "Something In My Eye" in 1993, but national chart success evaded them, although several singles from their 1993 album High Havoc charted in the UK Top Ten Independent Charts.

They remained a very popular live attraction, particularly on the college circuit. They also gained a healthy following in Japan, making the first of several trips to the country in 1993, and the following year they recorded a live album, Quattro - Live In Japan. After leaving Acid Jazz Records they signed to Big Cat Records, releasing two further albums: The New You! (April 1997) and the Goldie-produced Clik! (August 1999). But when they discovered that their record label, Big Cat, had been dropped by parent company V2, Corduroy decided to split up.

Agent 45's Recent Playlists

Brian Poust AKA Agent 45 has dropped me his playlists from a recent gig he did:

What a night. I was fortunate enough to pull double duty and spin 45s with my man T1 at the Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings show at Variety Playhouse last night. It seems like ages since they were in town and it was fun to see them on a large stage with a sold out house of 1000+ all digging their tunes.

Though it had snowed most of the day, the streets dried up nicely and the cold and snow didn't seem to keep anyone at home! Terry and I tag-teamed with he on one turntable and I on the other.

My half sounded a little bit like this:

Before the show until the Ivan Milev Band:

Freddie Scott - (You) Got What I Need (Shout)
Ralph Jackson - Don't Tear Yourself Down (Amy)
Betty Everett - Nothing I Wouldn't Do (ABC)
Lee Fields - Tyra's Song (A&T)Barbara Carr - Shake Your Head (Checker)
Soul Ambassadors - I've Got the Feeling (SS7)
Helena Hollins - Baby You're Right (Stonegood)
Jimmie Willis - Soul Power Pt. 1 (Orr)
James Crawford - If You Don't Work You Can't Eat (Mercury)
George Hughley - That's Why I Cry (Buddah)

Between the Iven Milev Band and the Dap-Kings:

Benny Poole - Pearl Baby Pearl (Solid Hit)
The Jades - Hotter Than Fire (Cherry Red)
Barbara Lynn - I'm A Good Wooman (Tribe)
Betty Harris - 12 Red Roses (Sansu)
Billy Butler - I'll Bet You (Brunswick)
Little Sonny - Latin Soul (Revilot)
Yvonne Fair - Just As Sure (Smash)

I nipped out before the encore to get over to Tim Lawrence's monthly Rhythm & Soul spectacular, our very own Rhythm & Booze. R&B is held right next door to the Variety at El Myr, so it was a quick stroll. Tim was already well into his first set of the night and I have to remark at how nice it is to leave a soul concert and walk into a small bar pumping great R&B - makes a man feel good. Here's what I wound up playing.

Set One (11:30)

Roosevelt Lee - Hey Little Girl (Fraternity)
Danny White - Miss Fine Miss Fine (Frisco)
Buddy Cantrell - You Ain't No Good (Tuska)
E. Rodney Jones - R&B Time (Tuff)
Betty Everett - Nothing I Wouldn't Do (ABC)
Johnnie Mae Matthews - Lonely You'll Be (Jam)
Laura Lee - To Win Your Heart (Ric Tic)
Butch Baker - The Fat Man (St. Lawrence)
Lavern Baker - Batman To the Rescue (Brunswick)
Johnny & Lily - Your Love Is Getting To Me Babe (UA)
Sharon Jones - What Condition My Condition Was In (Daptone)
Gwen Davis - My Man Don't Think I Know (SS7)
Johnny Williams - You've Got It (Kent)
Robert Ward - I Will Fear No Evil (Groove City)
Soul Partners - Spead (Bell)
Ike & Tina Turner - Finger Poppin (WB)
Gerri Granger - Breakdown (Big Top)
The 5 Royales - Within My Heart (King)
The Invictors - Put Her Down (TPE)
Nappy Brown - Coal Miner (Savoy)
Lester Young - Wobble Time (Chase)
Louis Jordan - Workin' Man (Tangerine)

Set Two (1:30)

Gary US Bonds - I Wanna Holler (Legrand)
The Knight Bros - Second Hand Lover (Checker)
Jesse Henderson - The Gator (Gold Dust)
James Brown & the Famous Flames - I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On (Federal)
Demon Brothers - Uh Huh (Quinvy)
Nathaniel Mayer - Leave Me Alone (Fortune)
Huey (Piano) Smith - Don't You Just Know It (Ace)
Ronnie & the Ramblers - Woman of Mine (R and R)
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I (Musette)
Little Johnny Taylor - Somewhere Down the Line (Galaxy)
Little Walter Hammond - Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide (Duo Disc)
Alan Knight - Chills (Tide)
ZZ Hill - One Way Love Affair (MH)
Ray Pettis - Don't Use Me (Exodus)
Major Lance - Do the Tighten Up (Dakar)
Eddie Bo - Every Dog Got His Day (Ric)
Lonnie Lester - You Can't Go (Nu-Tone)
Otis Redding & The Pinetoppers - Shout Bamalama (Confederate)
Junior Wells - Shake It Baby (Vanguard)

Some very tasty sounds there!!!!

Amie Jo Interviews

Damon Harris

See exclusive interviews performed by Amie Jo for her TV show.

She does in-depth interviews with for instance Damon Harris (Temptations), Candi Staton, Little Anthony, Bobby Rush, Earl Turner, Morris Day...

http://www.corner4success.com/i_television

Sitting In Park Radio Show In Honour of Martin Luther King Day

Bob Abrahamian who presents the excellent Sitting In The Park Radio Show has dropped me details of last show:

Hi. I just did an entire radio show of conscious, Black uplift records in honor of Martin Luther King day tomorrow.

You can listen using the following mp3 link.

Thanks for your continued interest.

http://www.sittinginthepark.com/1-20-2008.mp3

Impressions - We're a winner - ABC

Curtis Liggins Indications - What it is? - Kaycee-soul

Delon Washington - Getting mighty close - Lovelite

Fuller Brothers - Time's a wasting - Soul Clock

Notations - A new day - Twinight

Four Voices - We live in the ghetto - Voice

Knight Brothers - Ghetto Joe - Mercury

Harry Caldwell - A new world is just beginning - Carnival

Baby Dave Greenbee - We need love - Steel city

Lorenzo Carpenter and the Black Heritage - My Black sister - Vincent

Desires - Black girl - Starville

Triplett Twins - Black Sensuous Girl - Jay Pee

Donald Jenkins and the Delighters - Pretty Black Girl - Black Beauty

Original Breed - I'm somebody - Karol

Scott Brothers - Top of the mountain - Toddlin Town

Isley Brothers - Brother Brother Brother - T-Neck

CQC's - Wake up (you're sleeping a bit too late) - Funk Factory

Impressions - Keep on pushing - ABC

Van Dykes - No man is an island - Mala

Main Ingredient - Black seeds keep on growing - RCA

Billy Paul - Am I Black enough for you - Philadelphia International

Thoughts - Walk on brother - SSS

Curtis Mayfield - Move on up - Curtom

Regular readers of IDR will know that I have also put 3 mixes together with a political theme similar to Bob's show. If you are interested in hearing them then you can still download them here:

Download Topics Mix

Download IDR Political Mix

Download I Am Somebody Mix

Shirley Slaughter @ Club Damani Philadelphia 1/2/08

John Carrier has let me know of an upcoming performance by Shirley Slaughter:

She will be joined on stage with the amazing backing vocals of Tasha Mountfort and Dwight " Big D ", with musicians from Richard Tucker & The Universal Concept. Richard played rhythm guitar on Shirley`s debut CD " Philadelphia Soul" .

Richards band will also be supporting the loverly Shauna "K" the first Lady of
Fahrenheit Records for this showcase event.

Groovement Manchester 27/1/08

GROOVEMENT: 27 JAN feat FUNKAARH

Last week’s double header – DJ Andy Smith and Timber – blew the mucky roof off. Original RnB, raw funk and soul from the soul – did ya feel it mate? The shows’ll be up for download on myspace.com/groovemanc soon enough, together with Kelvin Brown’s from the week before. Now let’s take a breath…

More details on their MySpace.

Falling Off The Reel Volume 2

Truth & Soul have been in touch to let me know of the release of Falling Off The Reel Vol 2 on March 4th:

Truth & Soul presents the second volume of their singles collection entitled, Fallin Off The Reel. Truth & Soul have been consistently releasing limited edition 45 singles never exceeding 2000 copies pressed. For the first time, those who don't have a record player or simply missed out on these singles, will finally be able to hear these musical gems that have given Truth & Soul their impeccable reputation for quality music.

Fallin Off the Reel vol.2 has every Truth & Soul 45 single presented in chronological order from 2006 until now, including one unreleased bonus track. It features songs from El Michels Affair with Raekwon, Bronx River Parkway, Lee Fields, Quincy Bright, Black Velvet, Tyrone Ashley & Funky Music Machine, Timothy McNealy, & more. Also available will be a gatefold vinyl edition of VOL.1 & VOl.2 that includes four unreleased songs

Persuaders In Concert 28/3/08

Tony Riley, one of The Persuaders has been in touch to tell me about an upcoming concert by the group.

GOOD MORNING TO ALL MY FRIENDS PLEASE PASS THIS ON, YES THE BAD BOYS OUT OF NEW YORK ( THE REAL DEAL) PERSUADERS WILL BE AT THE ( FAMILY LIFE CENTER ) ON MARCH 28TH FOR AN EVENING OF CLASSIC SOUL R&B ALSO APPEARING WILL BE KYLE RIFKIN. THIS WILL BE AN OLD SCHOOL TYPE OF AFFAIR (B.Y.O.B.B) TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT WILL BE $25.00 IN ADVANCE (MORE AT THE DOOR) ALSO WE WILL BE VIDEO-TAPING THIS EVENT SO WEAR YOUR BEST.



FOR TICKET INFO PLEASE CALL (TONY) AT: (917) 501-7672. THE PERSUADERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TOO THANK ALL OF OUR FRIENDS FOR YOUR CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT, UNTIL THE 28TH WE WISH YOU PEACE FROM THE VALLEY OF LOVE, RICHARD,DAVID,TONY"MR.SHOWTIME" RILEY AND EVAN (YOUR REAL PERSUADERS)

Fantastics Guest Mix

The Fantastics have sent me e link to a guest mix they have produced:

Fantastics Guest Mix

Playlist:

O'Baby (I Believe I'm Losing You) - Billy Hawks
Soul Saviour Stew - Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours
Finally Found You Out - Brian Auger & The Trinity
Play It Back - Lonnie SmithJan Jan - Fabulous Counts
Funky Crawl - Detroit Sex Machines
No Way! - Boogaloo Joe Jones
Paper Cut - Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours
Dub Organiser - Augustus Pablo
Do It 'Til Your Satisfied - Skin, Flesh and Bones
Yes We Can (pt1) - Lee Dorsey
Blue Sunday - The Fantastics
Loose Here - KainBlack Gun - Charles Earland
Root Down (And Get It) - Jimmy Smith
Jungle Strut - Gene Ammons
The Doctor Is In (live) - The Fantastics
Free At Last - Rusty Bryant

Enjoy....The Fantastics!

Ready Steady Go in Leeds

Check out more details at their MySpace

Here's a playlist from late last year:

1. Syl Johnson / Sock it to me
2. Little Royal / Soul Train
3. Henry Brooks / Mini Skirt
4. Soul Drifters / Funky Soul Brother
5. Luther Ingram / If its all the same to you babe
6. Valentines / Breakaway
7. R Dean Taylor / Ghost in my house
8. Bobby Fuller Four / I fought the law
9. John Lee Hooker / Shake it baby
10. Joe Tex / I wanna be free

plus loads more northern classics, funky grooves and indie floorfillers

sock it to me x

Latimore US Tour

I've had a message from Henry Stone to remind me of the current US Tour by Latimore:

26 SAT - Miami, FL;
The Miami Blues Festival:
James L. Night Center, 400 SE Second Ave

27 SUN - Tampa, FL;
2nd Annual Tampa Blues Festival:
St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive

FEBRUARY

1 FRI - Biloxi, MS;
Biloxi Blues Festival:
Mississippi Coast Coliseum, 2350 Beach Boulevard

2 SAT - Houston, TX;
The H-Town Blues Festival:
Reliant Park Arena, One Reliant Park

8 FRI - Lafayette, LA;
The 2nd Annual Lafayette Blues Festival:
Cajun Dome, 444 Cajundome

9 SAT - Dallas, TX;
Dallas Blues Festival:
Dallas Convention Center, 650 S Griffin St

10 SUN - Shreveport, LA;
Shreveport Blues Festival:
Century Tel Center, 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive

15 FRI - Florence, SC;
Florence/Pee Dee Blues Festival:
Florence Civic Center, 3300 West Radio Drive

16 SAT - Atlanta, GA;
The 4th Annual Atlanta Blues Festival:
Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave

17 SUN - Raleigh, NC;
Raleigh Blues Festival:
RBC Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Road

22 FRI - Cleveland, OH;
Cleveland Blues Festival:
Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave

23 SAT - Chicago, IL;
The 6th Annual Chi-Town Blues Festival:
Arie Crown Theatre, 2301 Lake Shore Dr

24 SUN - Columbus, OH;
2nd Annual Columbus Blues Festival:
Veteran's Memorial Arena, 300 W. Broad St

29 FRI - Milwaukee, WI;
Milwaukee Blues Festival:
US Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Avenue

MARCH

1 SAT - Kansas City, MO;
Kansas City Blues Festival:
Hale Arena, 1701 American Royal Ct

2 SUN - St. Louis, MO;
The 3rd Annual St. Louis Blues Festival:
Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave

7 FRI - Pittsburgh, PA;
Peterson Event Center, 3719 Terrace Street

8 SAT - Detroit, MI;
Motor City Blues Festival:
Opera House, 1526 Broadway

9 SUN - Buffalo, NY;
HSBC Arena, One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza

14 FRI - Charlotte, NC;
The Charlotte Blues Festival:
Cricket Arena, 2700 E Independence Boulevard

15 SAT - Greensboro, NC;
The Greensboro Blues Festival:
Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 West Lee Street

16 SUN - Philadelphia, PA;
The Philly Blues Festival:
Liacouras Center, 1776 N Broad St

28 FRI - Washington, D.C. (Upper Marlboro, MD);
Capital Blues Festival:
Show Place Arena, 149000 Pennsylvania Ave

29 SAT - Columbia, SC;
2nd Annual Blues is Alright Tour:
Colonial Center, 801 Lincoln St.

30 SUN - Baltimore, MD;
The Baltimore Blues Festival:
First Mariner Arena, 201 W Baltimore St

MAY

10 SAT - Monroe, LA; Monroe Civic Center, 401 Lee Joyner Expressway

The World Soul Spectacular

I've had a message from Heavy Soul Brutha:

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas!

As I approach my one year anniversary next month I had an idea for a celebratory post/month I'm calling, "The World Soul Spectacular!"

Here's the deal. I would like all of my readers, if you are interested, to send me their ONE favourite Soul/Funk/Jazz song. I've shared my favourites and discoveries throughout the year with all of you and I'm quite interested in the music you are digging. It doesn't have to be your all-time favourite, but it could be. Perhaps it's just a tune you're really in to RIGHT NOW. If I get enough submissions the blog will be turned over to you, my readers, for the ENTIRE month. Because it's only from your support that this spot has grown over the past year.

Whatever you decide to share, make it a 160kbps mp3 and send it to me at:

SoulBrutha@gmail.com

I'd like you to include your name, just your first name is fine, where you are from, and the song. If you would like to include any other comment about the song or otherwise, please feel free to do so, but it's certainly not required. Of course, try and keep it within the overall theme of the blog. All submissions will be shared on here as long as they're not way out of context. Please take the time to consider sending me something and save me the embarrassment of not having any tunes to post. I really believe this will be quite special and am looking forward to your participation.

Thanks so much for all of your support this year!!

Peace and SOUL,

Dave...

Soulpower Mardi Gras Edition 2/2/08

Spokinn Movement@ The Maze Brooklyn 8/2/08

Chico mann @ Canal Room Tonite

Shorty Billups @ Village Hall Castor UK 16/2/08

Shorty Billups with The Dave Thomas Band
LIVE at Castor Village Hall,
Peterborough Road,
Castor, Peterborough PE5 7AX
Saturday 16th February 2008 - 8pm

Born in Boston, Mass; on Feb 1st 1941 and named Shorty by a ‘hell raising’ aunt with an odd sense of humour. His first instrument was the piano but when his brother, Eddie, took up the same instrument he switched to drums and the two of them played regularly in church together and later in various R&B bands. He started travelling and performing for American troops at the age of 15 with the USO. Three years later he joined up and served in the army for four years and upon returning home he completed another four years of college before beginning his musical career in earnest.

In the late 50’s he recorded his first record ‘Boss Chick’ a Little Richards style rocker for Fine Records, New York, with Shorty on piano and vocals together with an all star cast including King Curtis, Eric Gayle and Don Garner. This obviously did well enough for the two brothers to relocate to New York and put a group together. Work was plentiful and through to the late 70’s they recorded for a dozen different record labels who issued fifteen singles, many of which are well thought of by collectors. Some of these were issued under his brother’s name and until recently it was assumed that Shorty was Eddie. Why he switched back and forth between Shorty and Eddie is shrouded in mystery but perhaps he will enlighten us about this when he arrives in Castor.

Meanwhile, Shorty had become the drummer of choice for many visiting R&B artists with whom he regularly worked and toured including; Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Etta James, Bill Doggett, Freddie Scott, Wilson Pickett and King Curtis. Usually he would be featured as the opening act. In the 70’s Shorty recorded behind Oscar Tony Jnr, and then touring with him in a package together with Tommy Hunt and Ben E King throughout Europe including dates in the UK.

In the late 80’s, Shorty stopped playing and singing altogether. Then, after a three year break, he decided to go ‘back to his roots’ joining Arthur Carter and the Gospel Conveyors in Atlanta. Leaving them a few years later he worked with J T Hardly and the Mighty Genesis before starting to tour again on the Southern Chitlin’ Circuit. In 2001 he was back in Boston and released his ‘Alone with Shor’ty’ CD on the Solid Gold record label. This was a retrospective of his career that I picked up a couple of years ago. I played it to David Popple and we began to think of bringing him over for a Shakedown appearance. I then hunted down his latest CD ‘Shor’tys Got The Blues’, a fine set of blues and soul blues, that made us decide to contact Shor’ty. We found him keen to come over but initially we had a problem finding a band that could span the music of the late 50’s through to the present day.

Hearing Dave Thomas’ excellent work with Joe Jonas cleared up that problem and with both Shor’ty and Dave finding a mutually agreeable date we are assured of a great evening of soulful blues.

The Lions

Ubiquity Records have let me know about a new band on their label - The Lions.

The Lions is a unique Jamaican-inspired outfit, the result of an impromptu recording session by members of Breakestra, Connie Price and the Keystones, Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Orgone, Sound Directions, Plant Life, Poetics and Macy Gray (to name a few). Gathering at Orgone's Killion Studios, in Los Angeles during the Fall of 2006, they created grooves that went beyond the Reggae spectrum by combining new and traditional rhythms, and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds of Ethiopia, Colombia and Africa.

The Lions also added a healthy dose of American-style soul, jazz, and funk to create an album that’s both a nod to the funky exploits of reggae acts like Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Boris Gardner, and a mash of contemporary sound stylings.

The Lions are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los Angeles. There is a heavyweight positive-vibe to be found in the expansive, sometimes artificial, Hollywood-flavored land of Los Angeles. Many of the members of the Lions met through the LA staple rare groove outfit Breakestra and have played in many projects together over the past decade. It was through discussions about The Lions taking place between band conductor Todd Simon and Ubiquity that recent releases by Orgone and Connie Price came to be.

Reggae is a tough genre for a new ensemble act, like the Lions, to dive head-first into and pull off with unquestionable authenticity. This is perhaps especially true when, as with the Lions, the majority of the players are so entrenched in the funk scene. But the band did so by paying a huge amount of respect, and by tapping into a mass collective base of education and experience. “I had studied my fair share of Jamaican music by the time opened up for the Skatalites (on my 21st birthday!) Soon after, I became one of the hornsmen for the Soul Syndicate (aka Techniques All-Stars; creators of the “Bam-Bam”/”Stalag 17” riddim; and worked with Yabby You) backing up all of my favotites: Leroy Sibbles from the Heptones, Derrick Morgan, Cedric Brooks,” explains Simon. “Some members of the Lions and I have also backed up such legends as Alton Ellis and Barrington Levy. I have always been a fan of Jamaican-inspired music - from 2 Tone to the remix stylings of King Tubby and Lee Perry,” he adds. “None of us feel like we’re experts though,” says bandmate Dan Ubick. “Reggae constantly teaches me things and humbles us. You think you know something then you hear some track you've never heard and it just floors you. I've been listening to things like the Wailers for 20+ years now and I still hear new things in those songs. It's deep music.”

One of the first tracks to emerge from the Killion session was a Rock Steady arrangement of Lyn Collins' “Think” which features a fantastic vocal performance from Noelle Scaggs. “I had always dreamed about making the track with that twist, and the result ended up being special. I wanted to put together a project that was on the more soulful and funky side of reggae with big horns and in-the-pocket grooves,” says Simon. His enthusiasm for a new style Jamaican-inspired project was mirrored by his bandmates. “We all have enormous respect for Jamaican music, have been fans our entire lives plus we all just have a good time hanging out!” adds Ubick. The basic tracks were created in just three sessions total, and then horn and vocal overdubs were added later. Almost all the cuts we just created on the spot. “Drummer Blake Colie Might have a percussion idea, Dave Wilder would add a bass-line, then all of us would just fall in with parts,” explains Ubick. Only "Ethiosteppers" (previously written by Simon), "Sweet Soul Music" (written by Ubick) and "Tuesday Roots" (written by Orgone's original line-up of Dan Hastie, Sean O'Shea, Tim Glum and Sergio Rios) were previously conceived notions. Everything else was spontaneous and improvised, and this allowed for a multitude of edits, and a truly free-flowing album. After the Killion sessions, most vocals were recorded at Ubicks Lion's Den Studios, and horns completed the picture at Simons Nu Fi studio.

With tracks leaking out to friends an immediate sense of anticipation and excitement has grown about the band. So far this led to two high-profile gigs for the previously unheard of act. An opening for Antibalas in Los Angeles put the Lions in front of a packed-house at the Troubadour

(Check for the killer footage of band in action, including vocalist Shakespeare in his white tuxedo, at:

http://www.youtube.com/ubiquityrecords

A second gig at the Sunset Junction Festival in Silverlake saw the band play alongside Breakestra to a sun-soaked crowd that swelled into the tens of thousands.Bandleaders Simon and Ubick are catalysts and musicians integral to many of the projects coming out of LA, and Ubiquity. From Madlibs Sound Directions, and Yesterdays New Quintet, to Connie Price, Orgone, etc. Simon has become a virtual in-house arranger for Ubiquity and appears on the Ohmega Watts “Watts Happening” album as well as new/upcoming releases by Clutchy Hopkins and with Ubick on the as yet unreleased Greyboy album.

"Playing-wise we've all always been in different bands playing different styles, for the Lions though we really wanted to fine-tune the Jamaican feel as best a bunch of non-islanders could,” says Ubick. “As far as Reggae pedigree is concerned, we've studied under the some talented people. Blake Colie played with Leonard Dillon. Dan Hastie, Davey Chegwidden, Dave Wilder and myself backed up Barrington Levy with Rhythm Roots All Stars. We were also lucky to have Fish, the original drummer for Fishbone and a fantastic reggae drummer, on the Barrington gig with us, too".

Sweet Divines Video

The girls have sent me a message this AM:

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out (or tried to come out) to Magnetic Field on Friday night for what ended up being a sold out show. The turnout was overwhelming and humbling. We hope you had half as good a time as we did!

It broke our hearts that some folks couldn't get in.

Please come to our Union Hall on Feb 16th.

This time, don't take any chances! Go to TicketWeb for advance tickets before they are gone.

Here's a video of the first song, posted by a fan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI3bqi1fN9c

Thanks again, and we love y'all!

xoxo,The Sweet Divines
www.thesweetdivines.com
www.myspace.com/thesweetdivines

Eli Reed New Track Preview

Just had a message through from Eli:

Hey everyone,

Starting tonight you'll be able to preview a new song from our album, "Roll With You", on our myspace page! The song, "Stake Your Claim" is an Eli Reed original (along with everything else on the album) and will be up on the page for two weeks. Please check it out and feel free to leave your comments.

The full-length album will be out this spring! --Eli & The True Loves

This morning, the postman also dropped off an advance copy of Eli's new album! Full review soon!!!

Soul-tastic Rome 26/1/08

Raise Your Hand Allnighter 26/1/08

Atom Club in Feb & March 2008

The Oh-No's @ Satisfaction 2/2/08

King & Queens Allnighter 4-6 April Hamburg

Le Retour Du Boogie 25/1/08

Club Fais Do-Do LA 9/2/08

Ramp - European Tour

Heliocentrics @ Metro London 20/2/08

Heliocentrics
Wednesday, 20 February, 2008
Metro ClubDoors: 7:30 pm
19-23 Oxford Street
London, W1R 2DN

Tickets:
http://www.livenation.co.uk/event/getEvent/eventId/313855

The Buckwheat Zydeco Jackpot Tour with Lil Buck

Lil Buck has let me know the dates of his upcoming tour:

The Buckwheat Zydeco Jackpot! 2008 WINTER TOUR is about to start...

Please sign up to receive Buckgrams at:

http://www.buckwheatzydeco.com/bwzydecomail.htmldates

So far-DATES // CITY // STATE // V E N U E /// CONTACT

01/25/2008
Vienna VA
The Barns at Wolftrap
www.wolftrap.org

01/26/2008
RichmondVA
Capital Ale House
www.capitalalehouse.com

01/27/2008
Annapolis MD
Ram's Head
www.ramsheadtavern.com


01/31/2008
Reading PA
Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
www.geraldveasleysjazzbase.com

02/01/2008
Arden DE
Arden Gild Hall
www.ardenclub.com

02/02/2008

New Brunswick NJ
State Theatre
www.statetheatrenj.org

02/04/2008
Milwaukee WI
Potawatomi Bingo Casino
www.paysbig.com

02/05/2008
Grand Rapids MI
The Bob
www.thebob.com0

2/07/2008
Lafayette IN
Lafayette Brewing Co.
www.lafayettebrewingco.com

02/08/2008
Chicago IL
House of Blues
www.hob.com

02/09/2008
Cleveland OH
Grog Shop
www.grogshop.gs

02/11/2008
Ann Arbor MI
The Ark
www.theark.org

02/13/2008
Cambridge MA
Regattabar
www.regattabarjazz.com

02/14/2008
Newmarket NH
The Stone Church Music Club
www.thestonechurch.com

02/15/2008
Great Barrington MA
Club Helsinki
www.clubhelsinkiweb.com

02/16/2008
New York NY
B.B. King Blues Club
www.bbkingsblues.com

02/17/2008
Ridgefield CT
The Ridgefield Playhouse
www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

02/21/2008
Toronto ONT CAN
Horseshoe Tavern
www.horseshoetavern.com

02/22/2008
Williamsville NY
Club Infinity
www.clubinfinitylive.com

02/23/2008
Jamestown NY
Reg Lenna Civic Center
www.reglenna.com

Orgone Gigs

Orgone have let me know of some gigs - please see below:

"Sounding much like a cross between The Dap-Kings and Breakestra (with whom they share several members), L.A.’s Orgone keeps the hotness of the recent retro-soul revival coming; lead singer Fanny Franklin fits in very nicely between Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse. As befits the band’s name, Orgone’s sound is quite organic, rooted in soul, funk, boogaloo, and jazz, with a classic appeal that’s nevertheless contemporary...the entire album is one non-stop groove. If smooth, soulful funk with jazzy arrangements makes you sweat, you just found your new favorite band."- XLR8R

"By the time the listener gets to the nasty, distorted, finger-popping, ass waggling "Crabby Ali" -- where the deep brewed, second-line New Orleans old-school funk goes head to head with the gloss of L.A.'s Tower of Power styled horn charts -- it feels like the party's just getting started."- All Music

"Orgone recalls acts like Fela Kuti, Trouble Funk, and War, but with a heavy dose of disco, as on Killion's "Dialed Up," where the deep groove and diva vocals are so authentic, they could be samples."- The Onion / A.V. Club

"Their music is terrifically unfussy, big slabs of grizzled R&B, greasy as fatback and thick as a very particular kind of smoke. At their best, they recall the majesty of Sly & the Family Stone; opening track "Who Knows Who" is all bleary horns and broken-heart vocals, "It's What You Do" is a tight, itchy jam. There's still a riot goin' on, and Orgone is at the front of the crowd."- eMusic

"It’s easy to imagine The Killion Floor both igniting mass partying and stoking libidos for more intimate gatherings."- OC Weekly

"Orgone has provided all the elemental power to drive the funk/soul revival to new levels with The Killion Floor...Orgone will invigorate your groove spirit and get booty out of its little box and out on the dancefloor."- KEXP, 90.3FM (SEATTLE)

The Nouvellas @ Hullabaloo Brookyln 26/1/08

The Nouvellas have let me know they are in Brooklyn this weekend.

Norton Records Holiday Spectacular - 12/15/07 - Photo by Jay LaJoie

Home Cookin' Gigs

Home Cookin' dropped me the dates of their next gigs:

1 Feb 2008
22:30
La Rochelle

7 Mar 2008
22:30
La Rochelle

4 Apr 2008
22:30
La Rochelle

2 May 2008
22:30
La Rochelle

The Greasy Beats

A new band to me - they are:

JOEL BOWERS - tenor & baritone sax, bandleader MIX MASTER WOLF - vocals, emcee DAN BOISSY - alto saxSHAUNTE PALMER - trombone DANNY CHAIMSON - keys, vocals ROSS GRANT - guitar SERGIO RIOS - guitar ETHAN PHILLIPS - bass PETE McNEAL - drums CHUCK PRADA - percussion

Check out their MySpace for some sounds and here's their blurb:

THE GREASY BEATS are an all-star funky music machine that hails from Los Angeles and features some of the most respected and in-demand musicians in Southern California. Every individual in this funky gang of musicians has made their mark on the music scene. Members have performed or recorded with such notable bands/artists as: Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Sergio Mendez, Big Daddy Kane, Too $hort, De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch, Cake, Sublime, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Joss Stone, Money Mark, Cut Chemist, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Redman, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Jason Mraz, Ricky Lee Jones, Mike Doughty, Little Brother, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, The Breakestra, Quantic Soul Orchestra, DJ Z-TRIP, Jem, Marc Broussard, L.A. Carnival, Connie Price & The Keystones, Orgone, Melvin Sparks, Sam Rivers and Eddie Bo just to name a few.

The Greasy Beats have forged a rough and raw approach to the FUNK that is reminiscent of The JB's, Dyke & The Blazers, The Meters and the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. The GB's have firmly established their reputation as THE hardest working funk band in SoCal with extended residences at both the world famous Roxy Theatre in Hollywood and the Temple Bar in Santa Monica.

Please visit greasybeats.com for updates and more show info.

"They got the name of the group right on this one -- because the music here is greasy and gritty -- partly deep funk, and partly older soul-styled grooves! The group are a largeish combo with vamping guitar, burning organ, snapping drums, and a nice brace of horns on the top -- and they're joined here by Mixmaster Wolf of Breakestra -- who sings lead vocals on 3 of the EP's 5 tracks! The overall groove is rich and full -- almost with Memphis soul touches at times, but cut down with the leanness of the modern deep funk generation." - Dusty Groove

"FOR THE GREASY BEATS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTIN' DOWN, JAMES BROWN IS THE GROUND!"

Friday Street Glasgow in 2008

The Dynamics Live 21/1/08 @ Le Sirius

Ska & Reggae in Lincoln Heights 16/2/08

Ann Nesby On Video

Ann Nesby has mailed me to say:

HELLO!

MS.ANN RECENTLY APPEARED ON TBN'S PRAISE THE LORD WITH CHRISTIAN ARTIST CARMEN. IF YOU MISSED THE PERFORMANCE YOU CAN LOG ON TO :

http://tbn.org/index.php/2/37.html

PICK YOUR CHOICE OF MEDIA PLAYER AND START WATCHING. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS SPECIAL SEGMENT.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MISSED OUT MS.ANN APPEARED ON TOM JOYNER'S IN STUDIO JAM THIS PAST HOLIDAY SEASON AS SHE PERFORMED HER GRAMMY NOMINATED SINGLE "I APOLOGIZE" AND OTHER HITS YOU CAN VIEW THAT HERE BY LOGING ON TO :

Black America Web

THERE ARE ALOT OF THINGS IN '08 HAPPENING FOR MS.ANN SO LETS PRAY THAT SHE TAKES HOME THE GRAMMY AWARD! ****VINTAGE ANN NESBY PERFORMANCES WILL BE PLACED ON HER MYSPACE AS WELL.***PLEASE KEEP VOTING MS.ANN'S HIT SINGLE "I APOLOGIZE" IS CONTINUING TO BURN UP THE CHARTS KEEP CALLING YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS.

GOD BLESS,

THE ANN TEAM

Brenda Holloway March 1st 2008

Kokolo Canadian Tour

Just picked up a bulletin from Kokolo:

Greetings

Just a quick note to remind our Canadian friends KOKOLO will be bringing the live afrobeat, funk and latin vibes to Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto this week:

Thursday, January 24th - Quebec City @ Le Cercle
Friday, January 25th - Montreal @ Club Lambi
Saturday, January 26th - Toronto @ El Mocambo

See you there and make sure to bring your dancing shoes!**KOKOLO's latest Album "Love International" is out now on Freestyle Records on CD/Digital

For more info:

http://www.kokoloonline.com

http://www.myspace.com/kokoloafrobeat

DC Fontana @ The Yardbird 26/1/08

Check out DC Fontana at the Yardbird Jazz Club in Birmingham.

See their MySpace:

Turned-on music to quake your bones & pluck your heartstrings with rhythm & bruise from deep within their collective soul . . . . DC Fontana are a mighty musical massive on a mission.

A big-demand attraction in the UK & further afield, the DCs ride the cusp between the hip 21st century mod scene & the earthier scooterist movement, tumbling, twisting & turning as sonic groove gymnasts to produce a vibed-up sound that defies those who would pigeon hole them.

Make no mistake: this is magical music tailor-made to move you…and to make your feet move.

DC Fontana’s art & soul is an all-embracing, celebratory thing, not a myopic regurgitated slice of good-time retro music for a narrow audience of people only content to look back over their shoulders…

The DC Fontana band mixes their own essential original songs together with cool, deluxe soul, beat and mod-jazz grooves from yester-year to create a piping hot sonic stew.

It’s that precious collision of opposites that conjure up the magic…as they capture a sound that is young & old, modern & retro, light & dark, fierce & gentle & they paint an aural picture that is rich from all the spectrum of colour. It’s an expression that’s versatile, heart-felt & it’s a true testament of a band that’s in a state of constant evolution & revolution.

Through circumstance DC Fontana has had to consistently re-invent itself & is currently building success on top of, having evolved into a mini psychasouladelic orchestra!

Mixed Emotions Gold Of My Life German EMI

Mixed Emotions Gold Of My Life

It never ceases to amaze me what can turn up in the world of record collecting. The above picture sleeve is from a super rare German release of the classic Mixed Emotions cut originally on US Rock-Way.

The above 45 is currently up for auction on Johnny Manship's website.

Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show

Another boss show from the man last Saturday!!!

On last Saturday’s show:-Jack Ashford (The Funk Brothers) and Corduroy in conversation. Jose James in session.

As well as music from Maceo & The Macks, The Bahama Soul Club, Marlena Shaw, Speedometer, The Younghearts, Gil Scott Heron, Quantic Soul Orchestra & Spanky Wilson, Brian Auger, The Dynamics, Tom Browne, Linda Jones & The Whatnauts, Angela Johnson and Frank McComb, Cyril Neville, Johnny Guitar Watson, and much much moreIf you missed the show you can listen again at any time at:

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

On next week’s show (26th Jan) Corduroy in session

WESU's Struttin' Middletown 26/1/08

Check out Rumpus Room Sound System for more details.

Soul Sessions LA

Raise Your Hand Allnighter 26/1/08

Lou Pride Some Legends Are Hard To Find Movie

Maj-estic Film Productions, the company behind the above film, have mailed me to say they have a new website:

Maj-estic Film Productions

You can check out updates on the film and if you drop by my In Dangerous Rhythm MySpace blog you can the trailer to the film.

You can see other videos on MySpace blog from Bobby Hutton, Roni, Father's Children, Al MCDaniel, UFO and Hammond Heroes.

Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite by Rosa Moron

Dolemite just dropped by with a bulletin about an interview with Rosa Moron

Revive Da Live @ Crash Mansion 24/1/08

More details at DJ Spinna's MySpace.

Love&Happiness Sheffield with Sean Livesey 2/2/08

My mate Sean Livsey dropped me the above. Drop over to the We Love Soul Music MySpace for more details.

Sharon Jones Interview On Spinner.com

Check out a video of an interview with Sharon Jones on Spinner.com

Stan Mosley New CD Man Up

Stan Mosley Bitter With The Sweet Snippet CDS Entertainment CD Man Up

The above track is one of my favourite sides of the moment.

Soul singer extraordinaire Stan Mosley is a contender for the Soul-Blues throne vacated by Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis. Mosley is back with his best album yet entitled "Man Up", which promises to be the "Southern Soul" disc of 2008.

Mosley began singing in 1969 and joined the Sharpees in 1974. The band ended up backing the diva Shirley Brown and Stan sometimes sang backup. From there he began gigging around Chicago off and on for years but had yet to be signed let alone release a record. Due to his old school voice and dynamic live show his acclaim grew and, for two years running, he captured the Chicago Music Award (in 1982 and 1983) for Best Male R & B Vocalist.

By 1986 Mosley was temporarily fed up with the music business and joined a music ministry known as 'The Company' in Chicago. But he came back in 1992 and returned to East St. Louis and teamed up with Gus Thornton and wrote several songs. These were released as the collector's EP "Standing Tall". (Butler Records re-issued it on CD in 1995). During this time he was touring as the opening act for Cicero Blake and serving as Blake's driver and valet. In 1997, he found Malaco Records and dropped his first full LP, appropriately titled "Soul Singer".

Mosley and Malaco crafted two more strong albums that should've catapulted Stan to Soul Brother #1 in the Southern Soul/Soul Blues world. Mosley next headed to Mardi Gras Records for a one-off project before finding himself on the independent level in 2006, releasing the critically acclaimed "Steppin' Out" (which incorporated the EP "Standing Tall" with all new tracks).In early 2008 Stan is ready to "Man Up" and dominate the Southern Soul world with his catchiest set of tunes yet. Look out! (notes courtesy of Blues Critic Media www.BluesCritic.com)
Check out the albm at CD Baby or pop over to CDS Entertainment.

Foundation Presents Benji B & Greymatter @Yardbird Jazz Club Birmingham UK

Cully Jazz 4-12 April 2008

Medeski, Martin & Wood le 4 avril, Mighty Moe Rodgers le 5, une soirée Y a l'funk au lac avec Fred Wesley-Pee Wee Ellis et Rhonda Smith (ex Prince) le 10, une certaine Hollie Smith et la réunion des Last Poets le 12 !

More details at Cully Jazz.

Eddie Singleton RIP

Eddie Singleton with his wife Raymona

Little Bobby Parker I Won't Believe It Until I See It Shrine

J D Bryant I Won't Be Coming Back Shrine

I picked up the sad news this AM from Soul Souce that Eddie Singelton had died earlier this year in South Africa.

Ady Croasdell from Kent Records passed on the news:

Andy Rix just passed on this sad news from Harry Bass.

Eddie had been living in South Africa for several years. He was most famous on our scene for his magnificent Shrine record label that created some of the most exciting, and beautiful soul music of the 1960s. Shrine has become a byword for top quality rare soul and is now spoken of in awe and affection.

I had the honour of releasing the first Shrine recordings in the UK in the mid 80s with two LPs and two singles on the Horace's label. Andy Rix researched and recorded for posterity the story of the Washington DC label that featured Ray Pollard, Eddie Daye, The Cautions, The Cairos, Shirley Edwards, The Prophets and JD Bryant among its releases. This detailed history was documented in the booklets to the two volumes of Kent CDs "Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label". The quality and rarity of the Shrine records combined to make the label a Northern Soul collector's Holy Grail.

Eddie had been a successful writer, producer and artist in the late 50s and early 60s working with Barbara Lewis, The Matadors and Marie Knight. He later wrote for Motown contributing 'Don't Bring Back Memories' for the Four Tops and composed the great Northern Soul classic 'The La Rue' for Lada Edmund Jr.

He married Berry Gordy's ex-wife Raynoma in the early 60s and she was a cornerstone of his Shrine operation being a very musically talented lady. Harry Bass was Eddie's right-hand man throughout most of his musical endeavours and contributed songs and business skills to the label.

In later years he was re-married to Motown singer Barbara Randolph who pre-deceased him by about ten years. He was a warm talented man who was very happy that his commercially unsuccessful work at Shrine was eventually appreciated overseas.

You can still pick up the 2 Kent CDs of Shrine music which have some exceptional tracks. I have picked out the above 2 tracks as tribute to Eddie's work. He wrote the song for Little Bobby Parker and produced the JD Bryant track.

You can also read the full story of Shrine Records here:

The Shrine Records Story

Eddie Singleton RIP

Speedometer

I was listening to Craig Charles last night on BBC Radio 6 and he played a couple of tracks by Speedometer. I was surprised when I checked my blog that I had not featured the band before now.

Here's their MySpace blurb:

UK's premier funk band started out as a quartet gigging in small clubs in the Southeast of England in 1999, playing classic funk tunes by artists such as The Meters and The JB's. The band soon expanded, adding the now renowned horn section (The Rev Horns) and vocalists (The Speedettes) in 2001, which has enabled them to deliver the powerhouse deep funk sound they're known for today.

In 2000, the first single was released "Soul Safari" on Soul Fire Records and soon followed several other releases by other labels. Each of the limited run 45 singles sold out to a rapidly growing funk audience. Three years later the band joined forces with Blow it Hard Records to record the first Speedometer LP. THIS IS SPEEDOMETER (VOL.I) which blended their love of heavy deep funk with Soul and fused this with Latin grooves that gave the eagerly awaiting funk fans and DJ's one of the best new authentic funk albums since the 1970's.

2005 saw the follow up album "THIS IS SPEEDOMETER (VOL. 2)".This second volume proved the bands credentials in delivering unrivalled heavyweight funk grooves and super-soul vocals from soul diva Ria Currie and the Speedettes. The funky re-work of Beyonce’s “Work it out” has been one of the most successful new funk 45’s to date and in the top 10 of most funk/soul DJ’s around the globe. The album also led them to Japan for a fantastic sellout tour playing 8 shows in Nagoya & Osaka. Check out 'Speedometer live in Japan' video on You Tube. Just type Speedometer funk into the search box.

2006 saw Freestyle Records in the UK release “Diggin Deeper”. A compilation of all of Speedometer’s early 7" 45 releases in one place on CD for the very first time. It also saw them back in Big Noise Studios to start laying tracks for the next album "4 Flights Up" due out in early 2007 on Freestyle Records. Over the years, Speedometer has worked with many of the US funk legends including Sir Joe Quarterman, Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Sharon Jones, James Bell (The Highlighters), Lee Fields, Billy Wooten and most recently, gigging and cutting two tracks in the studio with Robert Moore. (To be released soon)All the artists were blown away by Speedometer's authenticity to the original soul-funk sound and the early indications from the band suggest that the heaviest funk is yet to come..............

Oti Redding @ Upper Cut Club UK

I picked this photo and blurb up this AM from Soul Source. I hadn't seen this before and thought I'd share:

Otis promoting one of the venues on the 1967 Stax/Volt tour - Billy Walker's Upper Cut club in East London.The tour took in the U.K./France and Scandinavia and brought most of those artists over here for the first time.Pretty much all the venues were on the theatre circuit - I guess this that this was the only performance in a club environment.

Anyone who was around at the time will remember Billy Walker as one of the iconic British boxers of the 1960's. A good looking guy - they called him the Blond Bomber. He was on the fringes of the Swinging 60's/Mod scene along with other sports stars like George Best and Bobby Moore. The pinnacle of his boxing career was fighting Henry Cooper for the British heavyweight title - but he was beaten on a TKO.

New Label Ever-Soul From Daptone

Daptone have announced a new label Ever-Soul with the first release as follows:

HANK "SOULMAN" MULLEN He Upset Your Dreams b/w Listen

Listen:SIDE A SIDE B

Daptone Records is proud to announce the launch of our new re-issue imprint, EVER-SOUL Records. As avid fans of Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Gospel, Latin, African, and all forms of Soulful Music, we are anxious to use this new arm of our company to extend some of our favorite rare and unreleased records to our customers. Our debut release, Hank Mullen’s ‘He Upset Your Dreams’ b/w ‘Listen’, is a record for which we have special affection . . .

The A side is an up-tempo groover concerning the saddest subject of all; not one, but two broken hearts. This is an effort from the Avengers on the Audel imprint out of Buffalo NY. The band formed in the mid-sixties and toured a dynamic show with three very different vocalists: Hank Mullen, Moe Jones and Carlena Weaver; they released two singles in the fall of 1970 on the homegrown/financed label. Through then manager, all around music hustler and Macon, Georgia native James Reese, the Avengers traveled to Capricorn Records Studio (Macon, GA) for a session in October of ’70. ‘He Upset Your Dreams’ & ‘Listen” were penned by two staff writers: Earl Simms & Alan Osborne for then Walden Artists and Productions, under the publishing Redwal Music. (Redwal was formed in 1965 by Otis Redding, Phil & Alan Walden. Earl Simms was first Otis Redding’s, later Arthur Conley’s road manager and wrote Conley’s 1968 hit, ‘Funky Street’.)

In the ‘70s the group toured the Midwest and the South as backing band for Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Betty Wright and Betty Swan. Carlena additionally has a 45 on William Nunn’s MODO imprint and spent time working and singing for the Ikettes. Sadly, soon after the records release, Hank Mullen, then in his mid-twenties, died tragically due to a heart attack.

Soulfhull @ The George Hull 6/3/08

Its Top Soul @ Spalding Services & Soul Club 14/3/08

Modernism @ Lord Conyers Arms Sheffield 26/1/08

Prestwich Northern Soul @ Longfield Suite 1/2/08

The Beat Boutique Soul Club Manchester 8/2/08

Opening night with Jazzman Gerald (jazzman records)
Friday 8th Feb @ Manchester Met Union (Not a Student night)
Doors open 10pm till 3 am!!
Cheap booze, great soundsytem, Dancefloor n a host of dj's..

ww.myspace.com/thebeatboutique_soulclub

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=20629942704&ref=mf

Montuno

Montuno are a Deep Funk outfit from Sheffield, delivering the tightest authentic Deep Funk & Soul of the old school, from Maceo to Aretha and back again. Whip-tight horns driven by a hard grooving rhythm section, topped by true Funk & Soul vocals. As featured in the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC6 Music.

Montuno are Sandra Hennessey (Vocals), Kent Roach (Tenor & Baritone Saxophone), Dave Hockham (Drums), Steve Greenwood (Guitar), Mark Lickley (Bass), Paul Brickles (Trumpet), Errol Francis (Percussion)

Montuno Collective (feat. DJ Dan J) continue their monthly residency at The Forum, bringing old school & new school funk, dancefloor jazz & nuyorican soul to the joint. Live horns, percussion & vocals alongside Sheffield's best Funk DJs.

Ciuste!

Howie Pyro's Soul Stomp

No sooner had Martin Laurie hit me with a sleazy bunch of sounds this AM than Howie Pyro sent me his latest podcast which is full of sleazy tittyshakers!!!! So here's the music to get on the floor to do you thing!!!

THIS SHOW IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MAILA NURMI:VAMPIRA

SOUL STOMP SPECIAL!

REVELS- INTOXICA
SHARDELLS- BLACK CRACK
GRAND PREES- JUNGLE FEVER
ANDRE WILLIAMS- SWEET LITTLE PUSSYCAT
TERRY & THE TOPICS- WHERE'S MY PUSSYCAT?
JAY JAY IMUS & FREDDY FORD- THE BOOGALA
JOCKO- A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
SIR WHITE & HIS SOUNDS- DOIN' THE SCRATCH
JULIAN COVEY- SWEET BACON
JAY JAY IMUS & FREDDY FORD- I'M A HOT RODDER
CHUCK EDWARDS- CHUCK ROAST
BOB & EARL- THE SISSY
ROCKY TURNER- SLOW JERKIN'
DREAMS BAND- CHARGE
HI-LITES- THE PONY PART 1
SKIP COLE- DO THE WHIP
PACKERS- SOUL TIME PART 1
PACKERS- SOUL TIME PART 2
J.C. DAVIS- THE SPLIB
MIKE ROGER & HIS MACHINE GUNS- DANCE THE SLOP WITH ME

QUARTER NOTES- THE INTERVIEW

MIGHTY CRAVERS- SOUL FOOD
REX GARVIN & THE MIGHTY CRAVERS- BELIEVE IT OR NOT
MATTHEW CHILDS- FUNKY ONIONS
EDDIE BO- HOOK & SLING PART 1
EDDIE BO- HOOK & SLING PART 2
FREDDY SCOTT- POW CITY
AL CATRAZ & THE BIRD MEN- DO THE BIG BIRD
WARREN LEE- UNDER DOG BACK STREET
HARRY BATCHELOR & THE MIGHTY CROWNS- SOUL SOUL FEELING
ANDRE WILLIAMS- THE STROKE
KING COLEMAN- THE BOO BOO SONG PART 1
EDDY G GILES- EDDY'S GO GO TRAIN
BLOCKBUSTERS- SOUL CARAVAN
MILTON HOWARD- THE FUNKY SHING-A-LING
GOLDEN TOADSTOOLS- SILLY SAVAGE
CHET POISON IVEY- POO POO MAN
EL POOKS- PSYCHEDELIC SOUL PART 1
EL POOKS- PSYCHEDELIC SOUL PART 2
SAXIE RUSSELL- PSYCHEDELIC SOUL PART 1
SAXIE RUSSELL- PSYCHEDELIC SOUL PART 2
FUGI- MARY DON'T TAKE ME ON NO BAD TRIP
DAVE MITCHELL & THE SCREAMERS- THE TRIP
KIM MELVIN- DOIN' THE POPCORN
COMBO KINGS- MISH MASH SOUL

SEE YOU NEXT TOOSDAY!

YOU CAN LISTEN TO EVERY ARCHIVED SHOW RIGHT ON MYMYSPACE PAGE (PLAYER NEAR THE TOP RIGHT) AND/OR SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE IN ITUNES!

HOWIE PYRO
LUXURIAMUSIC.COM
MYSPACE.COM/INTOXICARADIO

Havana Club 5/2/08

Funky In The Middle

The Beatrocket

Stones Throw DVD Out 12/2/08

Vipers Soul Club 26/1/08

Rare Rillen

I've had a bulletin form Sir Matthew Fox:

check out the show tomorrow - it will be funky & soulful...--- www.soulsender.de ---"rare rillen" the radio show by soulbrother matt fox. every 3rd sunday at 9pm (CET). your host is Sir Matthew Fox from cologne, germany. Tune in...don't miss it...cheers!

Brainwashed!

Cheap Thrills A Go-Go

Sharon Jones & Dap Kings @ Beacon Theatre 15/2/08

Lawrence Soul Club Tonite!

Mighty Sam McClain Video

My mate RayEllis from Juke Blues sent me the link to a video of Mighty Sam singing on a US TV show:

Mighty Sam McClain

Rick James Documentary

Read about an upcoming documentary on the life of Rick James:

Rick James Documentary

Soul On Earth Mixed by Kazahaya

Picked other another new mix to me called Soul On Earth Mixed by Kazahaya

Here's the tracklisting:

01.Bonus Song0
2.Kool & The Gang - Winter Sadness
03.Dee Dee Bridgewater - My Lonely Room
04.Vessie Simmons - Never Too Late
05.Mike James Kirkland - It’s Alright
06.Joe Sample - In All My Wildest Dreams
07.2Pac - Dear Mama0
8.2Pac - Ghetto Gospel
09.Hidden Beach - Stan
10.Jamal - Keep It Real
11.James Mason - Dreams
12.Lucifer - Don’t You
13.Deniece & Lee - Hey Baby
14.De’1 - True Homies
15.Miyazaki Masako - Fantasy
16.Silly - I Like It
17.Bobby Caldwell - My Flame
18.Ronnie Laws - Friends & Strangers
19.Perfect Touch - Merry Go Round
20.Ryusenkei - Hanabira
21.4hero - Morning Child
22.Dred Scott & Adriana Evans - Candy Man
23.Ed Kelly - Pippin’
24.Common - Be
25.Albert Jones - Mother Nature
26.Cosa Nostra - Jolie
27.Kazahaya - Pianest Love Song

Lola Give Her What She Wants

One of the best southern albums around a the moment is Lola Gulley's Give Her What She Wants on William Bell's Wilbe label.

Check out Lola's MySpace where you can listen to tracks and catch up with her:

Lola (just Lola) is a dynamic blues and R&B singer/keyboard player who has been igniting stages in the Atlanta area and is just beginning to break out as a national artist. Blessed with a deep soul voice, a funkified keyboard style and an intense, high energy stage presence, Lola combines traditional blues with hard-edged R&B to create her own brand of contemporary, tough music.
Lola was born in the back seat of an Olds 98 in New York and grew up as a "military brat" in Oceanside, CA before her parents moved to Mobile, AL. It was there that she began sitting in with her father's funk band, playing trumpet and drums before switching to keyboards. Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Jimmy Smith and Joe Sample were her key piano influences, along with her father's favorite, bluesman Amos Milburn. She worked her way through college playing in three different Mobile churches, absorbing a huge dose of gospel influence that you can hear every time she sings. Her other vocal inspirations include Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King and Stevie Wonder.

Finishing college, Lola won a berth as a keyboard player with the late soul great Johnnie Taylor, touring across the country and learning first hand how to work a crowd into a frenzy.
In 1996, after winning a nationwide talent contest on BET television contest, she was signed by Andre Harrell to a Motown recording contract, but the album remains unreleased since Harrell's departure from the company.

Since striking out on her own as a band leader, Lola has shared the stage with The Pointer Sisters, Bobby Womack, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Betty Wright and Chubby Checker. Now she's ready for the spotlight herself. With her firebrand stage presence, a heap of original songs, high powered keyboards, a tight band and, most of all, her deeply soulful, rich and powerful voice, Lola is a major new figure stepping on to the national and international blues scene.

Disco Patrick Presents The Bootleg Guide to Disco Acetates etc

An amazing reference for any fan of rare disco -- the first-ever book to look at the rare acetates, bootlegs, and medley vinyl from the 70s and 80s! The production level is amazing -- with full color images throughout, and a wealth of information on each title -- plus detailed additional features on the labels, mixers, and other folks involved with the phenomenon! There's even a section on rare club flyers -- one more way that the book gives a key glimpse into the underground scene of the time -- and even if you're not a top-level collector, there's plenty of information here for any fan of older disco! The book is expensive, but the quality is worth the price -- over 350 full-color pages, on very heavy paper.

Gene Anderson The Hi-Rhythm Sessions

Soul-Tay-Us have released a real scorcher out of the vaults of Hi Records. Let's hope we see more emerging!

Rare Memphis funk from Gene Anderson -- an already-obscure singer who recorded a handful of singles for Westbound and Hi Records -- represented here by a batch of previously unissued material! Backings here are by the Hi Rhythm section and The Memphis Horns, but the tracks themselves have a bit more of an edge than regular Hi material -- a lot more emphasis on funk at the bottom than soul on the top, with Gene's vocals nicely shouting, calling, and vamping along with the grooves on all tunes! A few cuts feature backing vocals from Chalmers & Rhodes, and the album features both instrumental and vocal versions of 5 different songs -- split into a side apiece for the record! Titles include "Funky Soul Music", "Freaky Touch", "I Want It", "It's You Baby", and "Joy". Dusty Groove

Gene Anderson is still active and I will be returning to the man in a later post.

Royal Groove

Another place which is on my ITunes downloads is Royal Groove.

Royal Groove started in 1997 as a regular radioshow at a local station in the Netherlands. With an unlimited enthusiasm, a couple of selfproduced breakbeats and a bunch a funk and soul records Gibbs & DeLuca made a weekly show that had at least one dedicated fan -the infamous dr Orion- tuning in every Tuesday night.

With the arrival of the internet Gibbs and DeLuca thought it was the opportunity to reach a much bigger audience, and so the idea of Royal Groove Webradio was born.
At the end of 1999 the release of the first edition of the Royal Groove website was a fact. Soon after the of the websiterelease the worldwide audience started growing, and the Royal Groove-crew started producing show after show. Beside the usual hour of funk and soul music -with a jazz-tip- the site offered interviews and record reviews. This all based on the philosophy that there is a truth to find at flea-markets and recordstores all over Europe.
Royal Groove also invited guests to make shows in the genre of funk and soul. The show by the legendary Ed the Man for example, called Cut-2-Chase, is still in the minds of many funk-fans.

In the beginning of 2003 the site went down and for along time there was not a single sign of life. People started to worry about Royal Groove and its founding fathers. Untill the autumn of 2003. The Return of the Groove was unexpected, but because of that probably even nicer.
Originally focusing on funk and soul music, Royal Groove has grown to encompass all types of black music, historical and contemporary, starting with funk and soul, and going from jazz to bossa nova, from hiphop to latin, afro-beat and everything in between. The idea behind Royal Groove however, will be the same: utilize mass media to spread funk, soul and jazz music.

Deep Soul @ Soul Express

The latest installment of Deep Soul written by Heikki Suosalo is now available here:

Deep Soul January 2008

You can find articles on:

Interviews:

The Dells: CD Always Together/The Great Chess Ballads
Oscar Toney Jr.: CD Loving You Too Long/The Contempo Sessions
Tommy Tate: CD I'm So Satisfied
Introducing Lola (CD Give Her What She Wants)
Betty Harris: CD Intuition

CD reviews:

Spellbinders: CD Chain Reaction
Ted Taylor, Reuben Bell, Eddie Giles: CD Sound City Soul Brothers
Betty & Charles, Eddie Houston: CD Soul Chant
Various Artists: CD Can’t Be Satisfied/The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story
Various Artists:CD Larry Banks’ Soul Family Album
Various Artists: CD Cellarful of Motown, vol. 3
Sharrie Williams: CD I’m Here to Stay
Latimore: CD Back ‘Atcha
Booker Brown: CD A New Beginning
Floyd Taylor: CD You Still Got It
Vick Allen: CD Baby Come Back Home
Carl Sims: CD Can’t Stop Me
O.T. Sykes: CD The Best of O.T. Sykes
Sweet Angel: Merry Christmas My Baby (single)
Sterling Harrison: CD South of the Snooty Fox

DVD reviews:

Various Artists: DVD Respect Yourself/The Stax Records Story
Otis Redding: DVD Dreams to Remember/The Legacy of Otis Redding
Various Artists: DVD Stax/Volt Revue – Live in Norway 1967

Book reviews:

Lyah Beth LeFlore w. Eddie Levert, Sr. & Gerald Levert: I Got Your Back
Motown from the Background - the Authorized Biography of The Andantes

Francis & DJ Format on Jazzman Records Radio

Jazzman Records Radio is a place I love to hang out.

As Gerald from Jazzman Records says:

We get all the main soul/jazz/funk collectors, DJs, beat-diggers and vinyl freaks from Europe, USA and Japan to show off their wax just for you. You're gonna hear jazz, Northern, electronica, latin, titty shakers, library, afro, modal, funky reggae, weird stuff, ska, soundtrack, ethnic and all flavours inbetween right here. All you need to do is click on the show you wanna hear, sit back and let your musical journey begin...

The 2 latest podcasts are from Francis and DJ Format:

Francis:
Cedric Im Brooks Blackness of Darkness Afro
Cyril Diaz Tabu Calypso jazz
Llans Thellwell Reggae with a Feeling Funky reggae
Soul Messengers Saviour in the East funky soul
The Fresh Beginnings Ali Baba group soul
Open Blues Family Kristen und Heiden group vocal jazz
Mulatu Fikratchen Ethio jazz
Girma Beyene Ene Negne by Manesh Ethio jazz
Mulatu Sha Gu Ethio jazz
Lightmen All Praises to Allah spiritual jazz
Shake Keane Fidel modal
Howard Hanger What Wonderous Love modal
Explorations Song for my Lady Indian jazz
Mulatu Emnete Ethio jazz
The Lovers of God The Elements group soul
Irma Thomas The Hurt's all Gone soul

DJ Format Track List:

le chat du cafe des artistes-jean pierre ferland (france)

death of a wasp-latvian radio orchestra (latvia)

when you tell it..-the zipps (holland)

heavy-rene gerard (canada)

peter gunn-made in sweden (err..sweden)

sledge hammer-mike north (australia)

love-les palmares (canada)

i've got a zebra-unfolding (usa)

zotobree-*unclear who artist actually is (guadeloupe)

chicken watch-flamingo (czech)?? unknown,poss from ussr??

every time the same-eva ulrychovi (czech)

tuzan pada-exodusi (yugoslavia)

i'm so afraid-bokaj retsiem (germany)

boy with toys-the national gallery (usa)

tema de los temparos-los temparos (mexico)

extraction-matadors (czech)

Don Adams Watts Happening

Yet another lost killer Euro album from Scottish-born singer Don Adams, but recorded in the Munich scene of the late 60s.

Despite that overseas origin, though, the record's a sock-solid soul effort all the way through -- steeped in modes borrowed from Memphis, but carried off with a slightly different feel, thanks to the presence of a fair bit of jazz musicians on the date! Adams' voice is tremendous -- a gritty, right on the money soul sound -- completely color blind, and beautifully suited to the funky backings in the set. And almost best of all, the songs are mostly original or obscure numbers -- not the sort of re-hashed hits that usually came out on Euro soul sides of the 60s -- but killer new tracks that are steeped in a great sense of sadness and loss. The original album only saw the light of day briefly -- as a project done by producer Hans Wewerka, licensed to Sunset for a very short time -- and this reissue brings in a few previously unissued tracks, one of which is an original instrumental by trumpeter Dusko Goykovich, who's also on the main album as well. Titles include "Where Are We Bound", "Yesterday Hero", "I Can't Stand Living Without Her", "Rest My Soul", "That Feeling Is Gone", "Don't Talk To Me", "Soap Bubbles", "Look Into A Mirror", "What Have You Done", and "Every Minute Every Hour".

Memphis Black Soul Club

I was turned onto this album while listening to Craig Charles's Funk & Soul Show on BBC Radio 6. Regular readers of IDR will know of my love of the Hammond Sound and this is a great lost Euro album.

Heavy Hammond funk -- but from the 60s German scene! Memphis Black was the pseudonym of Ingfried Hoffmann -- quite possibly the best organ player on the continent in the 60s -- an artist known well through his soundtrack and sound library sessions, as well as his killer contributions to the Klaus Doldinger combo! As you might guess from the title, this set's got a definite Memphis soul groove -- one that references the Stax sound of Booker T & The MGs, but which also takes off in a way that's got more of the mod and groovy touches of German and British albums from the time. The combo is spare, small, and tight -- really snapping with some great beats behind some of the best tracks on the set -- an aspect that's made the album a favorite with break collectors for years. Includes the mighty funk track "Why Don't You Play The Organ Man" -- plus the cuts "Sister Aretha", "Whole Lotta Woman", "Soul Man", "Hey Joe", "Chain Of Fools", "Soul Finger", and "Gimme Little Sign". Dusty Groove

Funk From The Truth @ Golden Lion Bristol 25/1/08

Boomerang @ Canal Tavern Thorne 10/5/08

Brutal Beach Party Toulon 2/2/08

02 Feb 2008, 21:00 plage de Bonnegrace promenade charles de gaulle, Six four les plages near TOULON, 83140Cost : Free

another wild gig on the beach for BRUTAL BEACH RECORD it’s there and it’s free come and dance

The Big Throwback 24/1/08

Funkside In San Francisco

Fine Like Wine @ Sophies Bayreuth 26/1/08

Vertigo @ Attic Club Manchester 25/1/08

A Taste Of Honey Salford 25/1/08

Tittyshakers Update

Martin Laurie has updated his excellent Tittyshakers website adding more tracks in his Juke Joint.

Get on over for some real sleaze!!!!

The Dynmaites & Charles Walker @ Ravari Room 25/1/08

Bert's Apple Crumble @ Susumi Derby 8/2/08

Soul Of Liverpool Blog Re-Launched

I have decided to re-launch my Soul Of Liverpool blog to coincide with Liverpool's Capital of Culture which is now under way.

The blog will follow a similar format to my In Dangerous Rhythm blog acting as a personal diary of art, life and music in Liverpool.

I intend on promoting and reviewing events, conducting interviews and particularily documenting the history of music in the city with a soulful slant! But I will also be talking about art, architecture, design, photography etc.

Please stay tuned!

The Stack Of Wax Mix

Ben Gibson just dropped me this mix.

You can pick it up here:

The Stack Of Wax Mix

Here's the tracklisting with scans:

The Nat Turner Rebellion - Laugh To Keep From Crying - Philly Soul
Herman Hitson - I Got That Will –Atco
Leon Austin - Turn Me Loose – King
Lee ‘Shot’ Williams - Get Some Order – Shama
Soul Toronadoes - Hot Pants Break Down – Magic City
The 4th Coming - The Dead Don’t Die Alive - Alpha Records

Ben reminded me that if youare in the London area then you might like to catch these gigs:

HOOK & SLING @ BROWN SUGAR

Saturday 12th january 2008
Saturday 9th february 2008
Saturday 8th march 2008

DJs Hoppin' john the popcorn king & mr double down
8pm till 3am
free entry
Brown sugar bar
146 High Holborn London wc1v 6pj

Fufu Funk Mixes

Vincent has rustled up some more delectable funk dishes over on Fufu Stew which are worth sampling because they have these ingredients:

01 Introspeak from Wattstax featuring The Bar Kays

02 I Like Funky Music-Freddie Henchi & The Soul Setters (Reprise)

03 Funky-ST-4 (Scepter)

04 Funky Thang-Soul Toronadoes (Burt)

05 Funky Mule-Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm (Pompeii)

06 Funky Rufe Top-The DAB Express (CHA RU WA)

07 Funky Me Pt. 2-Troubled Soul

08 Funky Robot Pt. 1-Dave Baby Cortez (All Platinum)

09 Funky Hot Pants-8th Avenue Express (Soul Patrol)

10 Funky Walk Pt. 2-Dyke & The Blazers (Original Sound)

11 Funky Super Fly Pt 1-Bobby Williams & Band (MTVH)

12 The Funky Moon-Smokey Johnson (Intrepid)

13 Original Funky Bell Bottoms Ironing Board Sam (Styletone)

Interspeak by George Clinton and The Undisputed Truth

14 Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On-Edwin Starr (Gordy)

15 Funky Cat James Knight & The Butlers (Cat)

16 Funky Feet-Johnny Robinson (Epic)

17 Funky Soul (pts 1 & 2) David Batiste & The Gladiators (Instant)

18 Funky To The Bone-Freddie Henchie & The Soul Setters (Reprise)

19 Funky Worm-The Ohio Players (Westbound)

20 Funky Man-Kool & The Gang (De Lite)

21 I Found The Funky Man-Wee Willie & The Winners (Shotgun)

22 Funky Way-Calvin Arnold (Virtue)

Interspeak by Bobby Byrd and James Brown

23 Funkey Key-The Dynamics (Black Gold)

24 Funky Doo-The Nite-Liters (RCA)

25 Funky L.A. Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists (Lizard)

26 Funky Woman-Parliament (Invictus)

27 Funky Thing Pt. 2-The Unemployed (Cotillion)

And if you want second helpings then try this one below on the same page!

Funky 16 Corners 2007 Review

Drop by Larry Grogan's 2007 Year In Review and pick up the mix which has the following tracks on:

Joe Tex – You’re Right
Ray Charles (Dial)
Edwin Starr – Headline News (Ric Tic)
Lorraine Ellison – Call me Anytime You Need Some Loving (Mercury)
Superlatives – I don’t Know How (To Say I Love You) Don’t Walk Away (Westbound)
JJ Barnes – Chains of Love (Groovesville)
Tom Jones – Keep On Running (Parrot)
Big Al Downing – Gimme Good Loving (House of the Fox)
Banana Splits – Doin’ the Banana Split (Kelloggs)
Earl King – Street Parade Pt1 (Kansu)
Marva Whitney – Things Got To Get Better (Get Together) (King)
Gene Waiters – Shake & Shingaling Pt1 (Fairmount)
AABB – Pick Up the Pieces One By One (Identify)
Betty Wright – Clean Up Woman (Alston)
Mongo Santamaria – Lady Marmalade (Vaya)
Little Richard – Nuki Suki (Reprise)

Funky In The Middle NY 19/1/08

Vibes & Stuff In LA

Pat Powdrill Article

I was sent a link to a very interesting article on the late Pat Powdrill who sang with the Ikettes. Brian Nevill wrote the article based on an interview with Pat in the 90's just before she died.

Here's the link:

http://www.spectropop.com/PatPowdrill/index.htm

Diggin'@ The Mountain Bar LA

Calibro 35

One more band for tonight which I first heard on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show - Calibro 35. I love early 70's Italian crime movies and this band explores the soundtracks which went with those films.

The band consist of Luca "Nano" Cavina - Bass, Enrico Gabrielli - Keyboards and horns, Massimo Martellotta - Guitar and Lapsteel guitar, Fabio Rondanini - Drums and Percussions and Tommaso Colliva - Sounds and Research.

Their MySpace sums their music:

There is just one kind of music Italians REALLY do better than anybody else: soundtracks.
Researches begun years ago, diggin dusty vinyl crates for obscure samples. The discovery of italian '60s and '70s soundtracks was a crucial point; from that moment on nothing sounded as good and interesting as electrifying tracks from exploitation movies.

By the summer of 2007 time was ready and Tommaso Colliva (Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Arto Lindsay) invited an incredible jam band formed by Massimo Martellotta (Stewart Copeland, Eugenio Finardi, Mauro Pagani) on guitars and lapsteels, Enrico Gabrielli (Afterhours, Mariposa, Morgan) on keyboards and horns, Fabio Rondanini (Pino Marino, Roberto Angelini, Collettivo Angelo Mai) on drums and Luca Nano Cavina (Transgender, Lindo Ferretti, Beatrice Antolini) on bass to record at omniaB studios in Milan.

Tracklist of the forthcoming cd includes well known themes as well as rare compositions: from classic Morricone’s “Indagine su Un Cittadino al di sopra di Ogni Sospetto” to Micalizzi’s “Italia a Mano Armata” and Cipriani’s “La polizia Sta a Guardare” (both used by Quentin Tarantino in his movies), from “Milano Kaliber 9” (Luis Bacalov) to the experimental “Giornata Nera per l’Ariete” (Morricone again). Armando Trovajoli’s lost masterpiece “La Mala Ordina” (original master burned during the ‘70s) has been re-recorded respecting original structure and sound while cinematic dancefloor hit “Gangster Story” will make you remember the Alfa Giulia car chases.

The Dan Keys Band

The Dan Keys Band are another band I heard for the first time on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show. The band consist of Crispin Taylor - Drums, Mark Vandergught - Guitar, Kerim Gunes - Bass and Dan Roberts - Keys.

The band formed Jan 2006 and has had a regular residency at St Johns Tavern (Archway, London) where they have been wowing audiences with their own interpretations of classic Funk / Rare Groove tunes in the true 'North London funk' style!

Dan, who put the band together, has been playing Rhodes and Hammond for 15 years. He has played in various local bands, jam sessions and at parties. Dan was also involved with the Flipside Jam at Iceni in the 90's, Superstition and Ashram Jams as well as performing regularly at Acid Jazz's Blue Note jam in Hoxton Square with members of JTQ, Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies. His session credits include performing with Clyde Stubblefield, Victor Davies, Danny Redd, Pauline Henry and Sarah Stockbridge.

Mark is a guitarist with an international reputation... He played regularly, with Dan, at the Iceni and Blue Note jam sessions. He is a member of PUSH and credits include Galliano, Seal, Urban Species, Carleen Anderson, JTQ, Lewis Taylor, The JBS and Rueben Wilson, Candi Staton, Marlene Shaw, Jane McDonald

Kez has been playing bass since as long as he can remember, not many can better him. Credits include The Dirty Feel, Clyde Stubblefield, Victor Davies and The Killer Meters.

Crispin is the drummer for PUSH. His credits include Galliano, Definition of Sound, Urban Species, Carleen Anderson, Seal, JTQ, Mather ( with Paul Weller) Leon Ware, Rueben Wilson, Charles Earland, Candi Staton, Marlene Shaw and most recently Billy Paul and The Funk Brothers.

Kokolo

Listening to the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show has turned me on to several groups which are new to me - Kokolo are one such group.

"Yeah, we've got our own thing", states matter-of-factly Ray Lugo, leader of New York City powerhouse KOKOLO. Based on the spiky and hyper-funky grooves found in the group's latest album, Love International, it would be difficult to argue with the man. Few groups in today's global Afro scene generate as much attention and excitement as they do debate and criticism as KOKOLO. "It's the result of going against conditioned expectations", expands Lugo. "People are used to expecting the familiar, but I'm just doing my thing in my time. This is music that comes from my heart, humble music for the whole world." KOKOLO's ever-growing international appeal (to date, the band has performed in over 20 countries) appears to lend weight to Lugo's words.

Go to their MySpace and find out more and listen to their music.

Asbury Park 45 Sessions 18/1/08

Fleamarket Funk Vol 21

DJ Prestige drops his first mix of 2008

Fleamarket Funk Vol 21

Tracklisting:

The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon/ Daptone
The Voices of East Harlem - Can You Feel It/ Just Sunshine
Gene Anderson - The Gigilo/ Sex Machine
Javier R. Rodriguez - Up The Hill/ Raw Wax
Shirley Bassey - Spinning Wheel/ UA
Edwin Starr - Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On/ Gordy
Marvin Holmes & the Uptights - Ooh Ooh the Dragon/ Uni
Billy LaMont - Sweet Thang/ 20th Century Fox
Crusaders - Papa Hooper’s Barrelhouse Groove/ MoWest
The Soul Clan - Soul Meeting/ Atlantic
Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band - Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys/ Roulette
Jerry Butler - Yes My Goodness Yes/ Mercury
Maxine Brown - One In A Million/ Wand

Natural Soul Brother: The Story Of The Original Black DJ's

Please drop over to Natural Soul Brother to just watch the video embedded into the site which is wonderful - needs a full film???

We Go Funk Interviews

The French website We Go Funk has some good interviews with artists etc on its website.

The latest is with French soul expert Gilles Petard

Young Birds Fly Update

As regular readers of IDR will know, I have been championing the movie Young Birds Fly directed by Leonardo Flores.

Leonardo has sent me an update on the movie:

The DVD release for Young Birds Fly is coming along great. Here is the update:

1) Last night I finished up the DVD cover. It has a Criterion Collection feel to it and it looks great.

2) I will be working on the Poster/Liner notes that will be included in the package through next week. I will have a three essays about the film. One will be from myself about the making of the film and two others will be written by some people that I highly regard their writing and opinions.

3) I will be getting my second crashed hardrive back next week. The main goal here is to change out the vintage 6t's songs with Modern Soul/Reggae/Mod songs ( hint hint ). It will change the feel of the film BUT I glad those original songs inspired me to make the film in the first place. I hope one day I can reinclude thoses songs but until then It will be a showcase for todays talent. I will also make some minor edits as well.

4) My goal is to have it out before Summer 2008 amd I see no problems ahead getting it out before that date. 5) It will be a Multi region DVD so it can be played in all DVD players around the world. Unfortunely It will not have subtitles in any language. When I start making my next film in 2009 I will have translations written out from the beginning. It will just set back the release too long to get the 4 or 5 languages included in this release.and finally if you haven't read the review written by writer Maxine Hayward you can check it out
here:

http://www.cinedelica.com/2007/12/review-young-bi.html

Thanks again & Keep The Faith!

Leonardo Flores

Leonardo has kindly let me see a copy of the movie and I will be writing up a review for IDR in the next week. I wish Leonardo every success with the movie because it is a delightful story.

Wardell Quezergue Interview

Yet another excellent interview in the New Orlean's Offbeat.com magazine - this time with Wardell Quezergue:

http://offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_2825.shtml

Cyril Neville Interview

Here's an excellent interview with Cyril Neville in the New Orleans magazine Offbeat.com:

http://offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_2822.shtml

Orwell Collective On Sunday Soul Selection

This last Sunday saw Sean O'Connor in the seat for shaun Robbins who was away at the Blackpool Weekender. Sean had guests Steve Plumb & Barry Maleady from the Orwell in the studio.

Here's their playlist:

Alfonso Surrett - Gimme your love - MCA LP
Delfonics - I told you so - Philly Groove 45
Tapestry - It's not the world that's messed up - Capitol 45
Front Page - I don't need I don't want - Budweiser 12"
Sir Prize - Never can find the words - Budweiser 12"
Teeah Louise - You happened to me - Coastal
Friday Saturday Sunday - There must be something - Dig 45
Ronnie McCain - This time I'm gone - Triode 45
Internationals - Beautiful philosophy - D'Ar 45
Willie & The Mighty Magnificents - Funky 8 Corners Part 2 - All Platinum LP
Brief Encounter - What about love - Capitol 45
Monica Higgins - It's the real thing - UA 45
New Way - Holding on - Prestige 45
French Coffey - Nothing from nothing - Pick A Hit 45
Casanova Two - We got to keep on - Early Bird 45
Determinations - Bing Bong - King 45
Lee Williams - It's everything about you I love - Carnival 45
Four Tops - Ask the lonely (Acapella)
Fabulous Playmates - Don't turn your back on love - Select 45
Jesse Butler - Let my love bring out the woman in you - South Bound LP
Heart Attack - Right now - CD single from 2006
Mary Gresham - I'll never let you walk alone - Soundscape CD (forthcoming)
Vessie Simmons - I can make it on my own - Simco 45
Eliminators - Loving explosion - BRC LP
Jerry Butler - The best love I ever had - Phil Int 45
Reason Why - Step inside my world - Polydor 45
Ronnie Dyson - Just a little love from me - Columbia 45
Detroit Emeralds - Long live the king - Westbound LP
Summits - I'll never say no - DC Int 45
Wali Ali - Oh I need your loving - Jobete LP

Later, Shaun summed up the show:

Presented with a real passion by Sean ... a wonderful selection by both Steve & Baz ... some big hitters, some underplayed gems, several real nuggets which we can all afford ... Four Tops ... stunning ... then again they are one of my all time fav' groups ... but that was SOUL with a capital S ... well done to u all ...

You can listen here:

http://SRSSS06Jan08fullshow.notlong.com

Vee Allen

One of my favourite sides of 2007 was Vee Allen's “Let’s Pretend To Be Lovers” from the CD Woman Enough on her own label Leland. Vee Allen has a long pedigree in music and you can find out more about the lady on her website.

Here's her story:

My son Al and I were collaborating on a blues song to honor my brother James “Son” Thomas, and the words “woman enough” found their into my lyrics and stuck there. It captured my sentiment exactly for this project: “woman enough” to do whatever I want to do. Whether what I want to do has any relevance for anyone else remains to be seen. But it sure feels good to me to put together this CD at this stage of my life.

I have always been a singer. Even as a little girl in Leland, Mississippi, I had to be reminded by my mother constantly to stop singing at the dinner table while we were eating. I couldn’t seem to help myself. And, I can’t seem to help myself now - I still want to sing.

I have recorded two albums before. One of them ,"All About Love"was released by MCA in 1983 shortly after my brother Al Perkins was murdered. It was never really promoted. An earlier album was to have been released on the Lion label in 1973 , but that deal fell apart although most of the songs were released as singles in 1972-73.

This collection of songs contains some originals and some covers of my previously recorded material. “Can I” was released in l973 on the Lion label and made it up the charts to number 106. It is referred to as a “One Hit Wonder”. I included it here since it was one of my earliest and best.

I wrote “Your Song” for my late husband, Mark Channing. He recorded the song, Mark Bresky (keyboards)arranged it, but we never released it. I decided to sing it with him as a duet. The other duet, “Time”, was written by my son, Nathaniel (Al) Allen, III. Al also does the rap in the song. I really like it. It is unique.

The Title song, “Woman Enough”, was co-written with my son Al who plays a funky blues guitar in a style that he learned from his uncle, James “Son” Thomas.

The other songs are all statements from a woman who is “woman enough” to sing them. Although some seem cold, they really are not. They are survivor songs, honest songs, that have a different twist to them.

Without the Lower 911 Band who back Dr. John, I would not have been able to do this project. I followed the band out to Seattle to get this project started. David Barard helped write two of the songs. We started this project over a year ago at the Elliott Bay Recording Company with Scott Ross as the engineer. Herman Ernest on the drums is a genius. John Fohl picked up and translated my emotions into perfect rhythms, and David Barard was solid, soulful, and funky on the bass as always. Jeremy Ryan, a local keyboard player, helped out beautifully.

I came back to Michigan with a basic track and rough vocals. Richard Becker at PAC Three Recording Studio in Detroit helped to put “Time” together and introduced me to Gary Shunk, who made a real difference on all the tracks he played on. Richard was a close friend of my brother, Al Perkins, and he was the engineer on the first “Can I” record. I ended up with Gene Fiero at Singlesound Studio in Brighton, Michigan where everything finally came together. Gene’s patience, his wonderful ear, and his outstanding technical skills gave me the missing pieces of support that I needed to tie everything together.David Barard and Cosssetta Taylor, my niece and daughter of Al Perkins, provided great background vocals. Gene brought in a drummer and a fantastic saxophone player, Mark Kieme, to complete my tracks. Mark’s sound is simply amazing.

Now, we’re good to go. I hope you like this collection. I am proud that I am finally able to say that I am “woman enough” to do whatever I want to do and MEAN IT!

Mr Fine Wine Celebrates 15 years On WFMU

Congratulations to Matt Weingarden aka Mr Fine Wine who celebrates 15 years of Downtown Soulville on WFMU!

His show is a must for soul and funk music fans and you can find it here:

Fridays, 7 to 8 p.m. u.s. eastern time

www.wfmu.org/playlists/sv

There are years of archives and playlists available.

January 4 Tracklisting:

Johnny K. Killens and the Dynamites, Frenchy the Tickler (Deep City)
Lil Murray & the Soul Exciters, Open the Door to Your Heart (Tammy)
Lee Andrews & the Hearts, Never the Less (Crimson)
Mighty Joe Young, Ain't Nobody Home (U.S.A.)
Bobby Parker, It's Too Late Darling (Sabu)
Original Housebreakers, Corn Bread (Original Housebreakers)
Gene Chandler, After the Laughter (Checker)
Roscoe Robinson, One Bo-Dillion Years (Sound Stage 7)
Billy "Sugar Billy" Garner, I Got Some (New Day)
Tyrone Davis (The Wonder Boy), I'm Running a Losing Race (Sack)
Darrow Fletcher, Dolly Baby (Uni)
John Robert Tyrone and His Electric Band, Soulade (Demos)
Moony Moon, I'm Walking on the Moon (Fayette)
Nellie Lutcher, Reaching for the Moon (Melic)
Nick Allen, Hard Way to Go (Walas)
The Daylighters, What About Me? (Smash)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Genuine John (Columbia)
The Chandlers, I Loved You, Girl (Bleu Rose)
Black Velvet, An Earthquake's Coming (If You Don't Straighten Up) (Black Top)
Moony Moon, What About Mars? (Fayette)
Maurice Rogers, Me, Myself & I (Freeport)
Tommy Dent, Miss Woman (Cobblestone)
Walter Hamilton, Kaiak (Pt. 1) (Hi-Q)

Tera Shirma Story

Sixties Detroit continues to document the history of Detroit soul music and the latest chapter is the Tera Shirma Story by Ralph Terrana. The site and the Tera Shirma Story are a must for any fan of 60's soul music.

Every Beat of My Heart: The Johnny Otis Story

Johnny Otis with Bo Diddley

Watch out for a movie about the life of Johnny Otis called Every Beat Of My Heart.

Here's the lowdown on the movie:

Born John Veliotis, the son of Greek immigrants, Johnny Otis grew up in the heart of Berkeley California's African-American community. By the mid-forties he had one of the top big bands on Central Avenue, L.A.'s jazz Mecca, and toured the country from the Fillmore to the Apollo to the Deep South. Often called the "Godfather of Rhythm & Blues," Otis not only had his own hit recordings ("Harlem Nocturne," "Willie and the Hand Jive"), but also had a legendary eye for talent. He discovered such greats as Etta James, Esther Phillips, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John and Big Mama Thornton, for whom he produced the original "Hound Dog." More than the story of a man and his music, Otis' six-decade odyssey through the world of African American music provides a unique window into aspects of race and culture that have defined and transformed contemporary America. Schmiechen's affectionate film charts the rich life, insights and unusual perspective of a man who, at 80, in addition to his continuing advancement and preservation of Black music and culture, is an expressive painter, organic farmer, cook, cartoonist, author, bird breeder and fisherman.

The film is 82 minutes long directed by Bruce Schmiechen and produced by Kevin White.

Craig Charles's All Singing, All Dancing, All New Year's Eve

I have been very busy over the last week and missed the above show. If like me you missed the show then don't worry you can listen again here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/allsinging/?focuswin

A very enjoyable 2 hours of Northern Soul presented by Craig in his inimitable style of fun and love for the music! The show includes interviews with Dean Parrish, Gloria Jones etc

Sir Shambling January Update

The ever consistent Mr Ridley has been in touch about an update to his website Deep Soul Heaven:

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

www.sirshambling.com

They include George Perkins and Jo Jo Coleman from Louisiana, Katie Love, the under appreciated Betty Bibbs and the obscure Roger & The Ridley Sisters.

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

John

Great to see John featuring a big fave of mine - George Perkins!

Friday Brown 32nd Love Affair Fontana

Friday Brown 32nd Love Affair Fontana

I came across this side while trawling through my archives and fell back in love with it.

You can find out all about the lady at the excellent website devoted to Manchester Beat Music:

Friday Brown

Leon Thomas Love Each Other Flying Dutchman

Leon Thomas Love Each Other Flying Dutchman

One of my favourite tracks by the man - heard it the last time I was down the Orwell and I have meant to post it up here since then!

The We Got Soul Mix

Ben Gibson dropped me a message to say that the above mix is available here:

Mr Double Down’s We Got Soul Mix

Here's the tracklisting:

The Temptations - I could Never Love Another ( After Loving You) - Gordy
Eddy Giles - Losin’ Boy - Murco
Otis Redding - Direct Me - Atco
Lou Courtney - I’m Mad About You - Pop-Scene
Dennis Landry - ‘M’m'M’m'Good - Soul Unlimited
Lee Fields Featuring The Expressions - Honey Dove - Truth And Soul
The Third Guitar - Sad Girl - Rojac
The Chi-Lites - What Do I Wish For - Brunswick

Thanks Ben!!!

Cecil Lyde I'll Make It On My Own Alwest

Cecil Lyde I'll Make It On My Own Alwest

This 45 was another massive record on the UK Modern soul scene back in the early 80's and has remained a dance floor favourite since then.

You can pick find the 45 on a CD compliation put out by Cecil Lyde on CD Baby.

Please drop by the excellent Soul Treasures site and read an interview with Cecil Lyde aka Cecil Holden.

Jerry Warren I Really Love You Latosia

Jerry Warren I Really Love You Latosia

One of the classics of the UK Modern Soul scene! I wish I could tell you something about Jerry Warren but I don't know a thing!!! Love him to get in touch!!

Madelaine Bell Beat The Clock

Madelaine Bell Beat The Clock UK Phillips

Always had a soft spot for the lady!!!

Check out Madelaine because she is still very active in music.

Sandra Phillips & Bette Williams

I have mentioned this great CD from Ace/Kent before - just reminded while listening to Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC Radio 6 after he played a Sandra Phillips track.

The first half of the CD features the rare Canyon album Too Many People In One Bed by Sandra Philips -- a heck of a great singer, and even though she only got a chance to cut this one album, it's more than enough to make her tops in our book! Jerry (Swamp Dogg) Williams produced, and the set's got a sweet southern style that puts it right up there with the best work of Ann Sexton, Tommie Young, or other obscure southern females from the same generation -- a great mix of heartbreaking soul and more righteous modes -- definitely enough to show that despite her deep feelings, Sandra's no pushover! Williams wrote most of the songs as well -- but they're quite different from his usual fare, quite sensitive stuff without any of the Swamp Dogg jokes or political moments you might expect. Titles include "After All I Am Your Wife", "Please Don't Send Him Back To Me", "Some Mother's Son", "My Man & Me", "Rescue Song", and "To The Other Woman (I'm The Other Woman)". The second half of the CD features some equally great work by Bette Williams -- another singer who worked with Swamp Dogg during the same time, but with a style that was almost funkier overall! Most of the Williams material here was issued on singles for the Gregar label, but the set also features some unissued tracks too, plus 2 numbers from the Swamp Dogg Presents label. Titles include "Got To Travel On", "He Took My Hand", "Now That I'm Gone", "If She's Your Wife", "Can't Win For Losing", "A Feeling", and "Another Man Took My Husband's Place". CD also features the bonus track "Robin Right On". Dusty Groove

Soul Sessions Jan 11th

Roni New Album Release Party Jan 18th

Great to see a new album from Roni.

We wish her the best of luck from IDR!

Reggae Hits Town@ DESI Nurnberg 19/1/08

Fantastics New 45!

Pete from the Fantastics has been in touch to say:

Hello nice people of the world.....Well - it's finally out with the old 'Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours' moniker - and straight 'in like Flint' with a brand new release under the bands new name - The Fantastics!

We have a new website and MySpace page

http://www.myspace.com/thefantasticsfunk and

http://www.reverend-cleatus.com/

Our super 'ruff tuff-jazz' version of James Brown's 'Give It Up and Turn It A Loose' is not only features on Freestyle Records new 'Modern Funk' CD compilation - but it's also just about to hit the shops as a nice analogue vinyl 45!

http://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/index.php?page=detail&product=fsr7040

Various Artists: Modern Funk sampler 1

Not only are we starting recording new tracks for our next album on Freestyle Records - We will be supporting The Sound Stylistics at Camden's Jazz Cafe on Saturday February 2nd 2008- so come down and check the new material..

Gary Davis & Chocolate Star

Way more than the EP you might expect from the title -- nearly 50 minutes of rare music from Gary Davis -- jazzy funk, old school hip hop, and lots more great grooves -- even grittier street soul than some of Davis' better-known work as Chocolate Star! The set's a self-produced effort that has Gary really digging through his older tapes to come up with gems -- messed-up tunes that are almost the club equivalent of some of the roughest funky 45s from a decade before -- and which show Davis really experimenting with a range of cool, creative new ideas! Imagine having some friend in the know visit the studios of some key underground producers in the east coast scene -- ripping off their best unreleased tracks to make a single CD -- and you'll get a good idea of the feel of this one. Gary's working here with artists who include Richard Groove Holmes, Sonjita Rosa, Flexx, and The Alpha Boyz -- and titles include "So Good", "Cruzin", "Ron", "Sticky Situation", "Skukill Express", and "One Life Time To Live". (CD comes in a handmade paper sleeve -- packaged by Gary Davis himself!) Dusty Groove

Rare work from Chocolate Star -- pulled from the vaults of Gary Davis, and a great companion to some of the other reissues of his work on the market! The tunes here are nicely rough-edged -- and feature rare funk, breaks, and more from Gary's work for the P&P labels -- but from what we can tell, most of these tunes are different from versions that were officially issued at the time. Many numbers are rare mixes or odd edits, and the CD runs for nearly 80 minutes in all -- a mad mix of grooves that never lets up at all -- much weirder and more experimental than other work of this nature on the reissue market! Titles include "What Can I Do (edit)", "I Feel Love (edit)", "Schoolyard Break", "Camden Intro", "Super Jake (dub)", "Gee Gee (Dopeman's mix)", "Professors On Mars", and "Roller Rink Funk". (CD comes in a handmade paper sleeve -- packaged by Gary Davis himself!) Dusty Groove

Beretta 70

Love Euro cop movies - so here's some music to go with them!!!

Another excellent exploration into the lost world of European film music from the folks at Crippled Dick! Like their other sets, this one features a huge amount of funky and groovy music that you'll never find on the original vinyl -- and unlike the other ones, this one's got a harder, heavier edge, due in great part to the "cop" origins of the music. There's lots of heavy grooves, fuzzy guitar, and cool wah wah "cop show theme" sort of sounds. The set's got music by Goblin, Adriano Fabi, Franco Micalizzi, Luis Bacalov, and others -- and the whole thing's got a super-sexy look, with great documentation on both the material and the original films! There's lots of reproductions of posters from the films, and a huge amount of notes in English with a very high level of writing. Crippled Dick's always put a lot of hard work into their compilations, and this one is no exception! Dusty Groove

Booker T Jones In Concert 31st January 1974

Courtesy of Jim Pegram.

I have mentioned the wonderful concerts on Wolfgang's Vault before and here is another one from Booker T. Jones from 1974:

Booker T Jones Winterland san Francisco 31/12/74

As the originators of the Memphis soul sound and the house band on many Stax/Volt hits, Booker T & the MGs became one of the most respected and imitated bands of the mid- 1960s. Booker T. Jones and the group forged a