In Dangerous Rhythm

2011-04-01T14:23:00.002+01:00

I set this blog up back in 2005 to share my love of soul, funk and jazz music.

Thanks to all the people who have dropped by over the years and left comments or got in touch with me.

I am no longer posting on this blog due to other projects.

However I will be leaving the archives in place. You can still browse all the posts featuring audio, Youtube clips, slide shows, interviews, tips on new releases, news features plus links to other blogs, websites, articles, books, magazines and videos.

Cheers

Colin

The Staples Ebony Magazine September 1965

2010-12-23T14:43:00.003Z

Another great article in Ebony is the above which contains some fantastic behind the scenes photos. Read more

Little Gary Ferguson Ebony Magazine May 1966

2010-12-23T14:25:00.002Z

One of the most interesting articles that I have come across so far on my trawl of Ebony magazines has been one on Little Gary Ferguson. The above photo shows Gary on The Beat show.

Last I read Gary and his family were living in Dallas in Oak Cliff.

Debra Youngblood: Queen Of The Go Go

2010-12-23T14:14:00.003Z

We have had features on IDR before about Go Go dancing. I came across an article about the craze in a copy of Ebony magazine dated April 1966 on Google Books. The article featured the "Queen of The Go Go" Debra Youngblood - the wife of Lonnie Youngblood. The above photograph shows her being crowned at the Tremount Lounge in New Jersey.

I thought the best record to go with the photo would be Rex Garvin's classic:

But then Lonnie also cut Go Go Shoes:

Lou Rawls Ebony Magazine November 1966

2010-12-23T13:57:00.004Z

Continuing with articles from Ebony magazine - the above photo shows Lou Rawls in Chicago's South Side in 1966. The article can be found in Ebony November 1966 in Google Books.

Ray Pollard In Ebony Magazine

2010-12-23T13:41:00.003Z

I've recently been trawling through copies of Ebony magazine which are now available on line through Google Books.

The above photograph is from an a July 1970 article entitled 'The Prize Winners' featuring a photograph of soul hero Ray Pollard who was then performing in a play called No Place To Be Somebody. Ray is wearing the dark suite.

The Congo Room & Mission Impossible Update

2010-12-23T11:03:00.003Z

Barbara Bain in Mission Impossible

Twistin' Kings Congo Pts 1 & 2 Motown

Recently, a Facebook friend posted the theme music to Mission Impossible on my wall. This prompted me to visit an old IDR post on the programme. The episode of the programme which I posted on has since been made available on Youtube. I have posted the clip below the original post:

Channel 5 US in the UK has been showing re-runs of the US TV series Mission Impossible from the first season.

One show was The Carriers. The synopsis is as follows:

Enemy agent Janos Passik is preparing to train 200 foreign agents to infiltrate the U.S. and engage in some form of bacteriological warfare. The team figures out that Passik has created a replica of a "typical American town" so as to train his agents to learn how to blend into American society. Rollin, Cinnamon, Barney, and bacteriologist Roger Lee replace the new group of recruits and must then find their way to the research lab. They soon realize that the American-trained agents will be infected with a highly contagious plague and then sent into American to kill millions. The group must not only destroy the plague samples but make sure that Passik and his superiors do not find out that the destruction was deliberate.

One of the things that interested me most in the show was the infiltration role given to Cinnamon played by Barbara Bain. She is seen practising to be a go-go dancer for her role in the Tiger A-Go-Go in Philadelphia. We see her learning to go-go dance in a club called the Congo Room in the phoney US town. She is seen wearing regulation go-go gear and could have stepped out of Hullabaloo! What intrigued me was the use of the name Congo Room. I suppose the choice would seem appropriate to makers of the series in that the Communist agent would be looking for obvious examples of degenerate of Western culture. What better than using the name of the famous Las Vegas club in the Sahara Hotel.

The name Congo is a fanciful allusion to a mythical Congo and has given its name to everything from chocolate bars to songs and clubs. Perhaps someone thought that it sounded exotic and harks back to "Congo Square"in New Orleans. In the 19th Century, the square was a gathering in New Orleans for both free and enslaved African-Americans to meet for marketing, music-making, and dancing.

The name Congo originally derives from the name for the ancient Kingdom of Kongo. The Kingdom of Kongo was an African kingdom located in west central Africa in what are now northern Angola, Cabinda, Republic Of The Congo and the western portion of the Democratic Republic Of The Congo. The name was also given to one of Africa's largest rivers.The Congo is also the name for a cylindrical Caribbean drum with double skins introduced to Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago as well as being the name of a cylindrical drum found in the Dominican Republic.

Congo River

The producers of Mission Impossible must have had the famous Las Vegas club based in the Sahara Hotel in mind when they made the series.The Sahara Hotel and Casino is located on the Las Vegas strip. The Moroccan-themed hotel has 1,720 rooms and a casino covering more than 85,000 square feet and sits on 55 acres including the empty adjoining land. The Sahara is the last remaining "Rat Pack" hotel, and is the northernmost resort on the east side of the Strip. The hotel was opened in 1952 by Milton Prell just outside of the City of Las Vegas, and was the sixth resort to open on the Strip. The resort was built by Del Webb. In late 1954, the hotel hired jazz musician Louis Prima to be their late night lounge act, one of the earliest ones on the strip. Along with his then wife Keely Smith and sax player and sax player Sam Butera, they created one of the hottest latenight attractions on the Strip.

In 1961, the hotel was purchased by Del Webb. In 1962, The hotel became known for featuring top performers over the years, including Tina Turner, the Beatles, Johnny Carson, and Ann-Margret. Fast forward to today, there is certainly no shortage of exceptional entertainment available at the Sahara Las Vegas Theatre, the Casbar Lounge and the Congo Room at the Sahara Vegas.

I decided to use the Twistin' Kings "Congo Pts 1 & 2" to go with the post. This is a real tittyshaker and features in Mr Fine Wine's top 10 of tittyshakers! I thought the sleazy little number went well with the club featured in Mission Impossible and you can just imagine girls geting on stage to do their thing to the music of the Twistin' Kings. I am no expert but I assume the drums which can be heard in the instrumental are "congo" drums.

Rocky Roberts Just Because Of You

2010-12-23T10:56:00.002Z

Great live version of Northern classic:

Boogaloo to Salsa Clips

2010-12-20T13:03:00.001Z

A collection of clips from interviews for a documentary I am working on about Latin music in New York from 1965-70, featuring Joe Bataan, Larry Harlow, Johnny Colon, Joey Pastrana, Richie Ray, Harvey Averne, Jimmy Sabater, Pucho Brown, Bobby Marin, Nicky Marrero, Kent Gomez and Jose Mangual Jr. Mathew Warren

Boogaloo to Salsa Clips from Mathew Warren on Vimeo.

Skyliners

2010-12-20T12:55:00.002Z

It is obvious that lead singer, Jimmy Beaumont, long ago achieved the hope that he once expressed for The Skyliners to be remembered as one of the best harmony groups of all time. The Skyliners created a new style of music by combining the streetwise harmonies of rhythm and blues groups like the The Moonglows and The Flamingos with the most sophisticated modern harmony style of The Four Freshman and The Hi Los. Just as important a factor in their longevity was the business partnership between lead vocalist Jimmy Beaumont and aptly named manager, Joe Rock, that kept the act commercially viable for over four decades. Except for Elvis manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and The Beatles Manager, Brian Epstein, there is perhaps no other manager whose name is more associated with a group.
Read full article

Harvey Averne Interview

2010-12-20T12:33:00.004Z

I spoke with Harvey Averne several times over the past summer, mostly by phone, where our conversations eventually turned from latin jazz and his own personal experiences as a performer to his experiences with superstar Eddie Palmieri, with particular focus on the “Unfinished Masterpiece” controversy, which we discussed at length. Naturally, it is Mr. Averne’s side of the story, raw and uncensored. He is now living in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he maintains a somewhat low profile, albeit not oblivious to the current trends in the latin scene. “Unfinished Masterpiece” notwithstanding, I decided that our readers needed to get more of an insight into Harvey the man, the musician, his label and his experiences within “latin” music circles. So here it is, with the hopes that you will not only enjoy his anecdotes, but that you will also become more informed. Read full interview by
href="http://www.latinjazznet.com/2009/06/26/features/harvey-averne-interview-1/">CHICO ALVAREZ PERAZA

Colin @ Leaf Liverpool 8/12/10 Playlist

2010-12-19T18:02:00.004Z

I was asked to DJ at Another Media's Christmas Party at the Leaf, Bold Street Liverpool.

Here is my playlist:

Kip Anderson You'll Lose A Good Thing UK President
Jimmy Holiday Yesterday Died Minit
Fugi I'd Rather Be A Blind Man Cadet
James Carr Life Turned Me That Way UK Kent/Goldwax EP
Barbara Perry You Ain't Woman Enough UK Kent/Goldwax EP
The Ovations Rockin' Chair UK Kent/Goldwax EP
George & Greer To Me It's Storming UK Kent/Goldwax EP
Roscoe Shelton What Is It Baby? Tee Jay
Sam Dees Fool Of The Year UK Shotgun
Sam Dees Train To Tampa UK Shotgun
Dee Edwards Why Can't There Be Love German Vogue
Eddie Floyd You Must Be Dreaming UK Shotgun
Eddie Floyd Missing You UK Shotgun
Della Reese It Was A Very Good Year UK HMV
Lou Johnson (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me UK London
Frank Polk Years Of Tears French Capitol EP
Frank Polk Trying To Keep Up With The Joneses French Capitol EP
Rodger Collins Foxy Girls In Oakland French America
Eddie Parker Love You Baby French Googa Mooga
Derek Martin Sly Girl French Atco
Don Covay You've Got Me On The Critical List Atlantic
Jimmy Robins Lonely Street Tangerine
Laura Lee To Win Your Heart Ric Tic
Bobby Bland Call On Me Duke
Terry Callier Look At Me Now Cadet
Dells Make Sure Cadet
Donald Lee Richardson You Got Me In The Palm Of Your Hand Soulsville
Johnny Sayles Anything For You Minit
Hoagy Lands Why Didn't You Let Me Know Spectrum
The Montclairs Hung Up On Your Love Paula
Arthur Alexander I Need You Baby Monument
Esther Phillips Just Say Goodbye Atlantic

I was intrigued at the venue and here is what I found:

65-67 Bold Street.
Built 1828 as a chapel. Rebuilt in about 1850, the upper floor became a place of entertainment, called the Queen’s Hall, Panorama Hall, Queen’s Operetta House and Bijou Opera House. This phase finished about the early 1890s when the upper floor became the Yamen Café. The art deco frontage was built in 1935 for W. Watson, motor car dealers. Note the repeated “W” motif. The upstairs room still looks rather like it did in the Yamen Café days.

Sir Ted Ford I Wanna Be Near You Shotgun 45

2010-12-10T15:29:00.002Z

Sir Ted Ford

Here's the latest release from Paul Mooney's Shotgun label. Only seems like yesterday when I bough this on Ardent back in the 70's when Paul first released it. In fact, it sounds better than ever - great to see it available again!

'I Wanna Be Near You' and 'Disco Music' by SIR TED FORD are released back-to-back on Shotgun SHOT 105 on Monday, December 6th.

Both tracks are in heavy demand after being overlooked by most people when originally released as individual singles in 1977 and 1979.

The tracks have been remastered at Suite Sixteen and sound better than ever.

All Shotgun singles are available from all good dealers and copies can also be ordered direct from Selrec.

Thanks for the huge support for our recent singles by Eddie Floyd (SHOT 104) and Sam Dees (SHOT 103). Watch out for news of SHOT 106 which is scheduled for January 2011.

Email info@selectarecords.com for more info.

Wheedle's Groove: Seattle Soul Scene 1970's

2010-11-23T11:17:00.004Z

Watch the full episode. See more Reel NW.

In 1972, a thriving Seattle soul music scene was on the verge of national recognition. In 1975, almost suddenly, the scene died and was quickly forgotten by the changing city. In 2001, after the chance discovery of a 45-record, a local DJ uncovers a rich past hidden in plain view.

Check out Wheedle's Groove site

Mr Fine Wine @ The Boiler Room 13/11/10

2010-10-31T14:57:00.000Z

Duane Yates - Passin On By - N-Joy

2010-10-21T21:48:00.004+01:00

Duane Yates sadly died earlier this year. You can read more about him at the Duane Yates Website

Nathan Lewis Beale Street U

2010-10-21T14:54:00.002+01:00

I first met Nathan Lewis who sang with the Ovations in Memphis several years ago.You can read about that meeting on my Dark End Of The Street blog. Nathan is pictured above on the right with Dan Greer on the left.

He has recently been in touch to tell me about a book he is writing:

I have a forthcoming book (about me) and would greatly appreciate your help in its promotion. I want to share some excerpts from it with you and others and request you to please repost and help me and my team spread the word. You can find me below at www.bealestreetu.blogspot.com - Colin when you visit will you leave a comment and name so we know you did come by. You might want to become a follower on there as well. Looking to see you there

Please drop by Nathan's blog to read his fascinating story.

Fabulous 3 + 1 - Bad Girl T&L

2010-10-21T13:30:00.003+01:00

I have just been tipped to the above track which you can hear below after Mathias dropped by my post on different versions of the song Bad Girl. The version of the song is new to me hence the snagged scan above. I don't think this is another version of the Fabulous Denos but a new version - any thoughts?

David Hudson The Royal Sessions

2010-10-19T15:43:00.002+01:00

I recall on my first visit to the Royal Studios in Memphis being mesmerised by tape boxes lying around the studio containing a host of unissued material. Amongst the boxes that I saw on that visit were ones containing the tracks released by Soul Junction. It is good to see companies such as Soul Junction, Soulscape, Ace/Kent and Numero Group continuing to dig into the vaults to unearth the music we love.

David Hudson
The Royal Sessions
Catalogue # SJLP5002

David Hudson has always been held in very high regard for the excellent southern soul releases which he recorded for the Alston and Waylo labels respectively.

It was during his time with Waylo that David was placed under the auspicious of producer Willie “Pops” Mitchell at his Royal Sound Studios In Memphis. Under Willie’s guidance, David recorded his excellent 1987 album “Nite And Day” of which 3 tracks would later gain a 45 release.

A further album project was planned but before it could be completed the Waylo label had decided to pull out of the Royal Sound Studios, thus leaving the project uncompleted.

A total of eight tracks (with a long and short version of one of the songs) had been laid down but were left to gather dust in the vaults. That is until now, so after over 20 years of anonymity you finally have before you David Hudson’s forgotten “Royal Sound Sessions”.

We have decided to release the album on the format that it was originally intended to have been released on at the time, good old fashioned vinyl. Enjoy!! Soul Junction

GEORGE JACKSON All Because Of Your Love Soulscape

2010-10-19T15:39:00.000+01:00

GEORGE JACKSON
All Because Of Your Love
SSCD 7024

George Jackson is best known as a songwriter with many hits and classics to his credit but he is also considered by fans and connoisseurs to be a legendary artist in his own right. This is the third collection of masters and demos he recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound during the 1970s and all but two of these vintage tracks are previously unreleased. Liner notes by John Ridley.

01 Sweet Surrender
02 My Heart Won't Let Me Forget
03 There's So Much More Where This Came From
04 Can't Break The Habit
05 Play Something Pretty
06 Back Track
07 I Get A Rockin' Good Feeling
08 Instant Replay
09 All Because Of Your Love
10 Can't Make It Without You
11 Can I Take You Home
12 Hey Miss Lady
13 You Gave The Best Performance Of Your Life
14 I Was Trying Not To Break Down
15 Old Time Rock And Roll
16 Your Love Is Working On Me
17 Let The Funk Flow
18 Disco Granny
19 Fast Young Lady
20 Funky Disco Music

BOBBY SHEEN Too Many To Fight Soulscape

2010-10-19T15:35:00.002+01:00

BOBBY SHEEN
Too Many To Fight
SSCD 7025

Bobby Sheen cut these vintage tracks at Fame, Widget and Broadway Sound in Muscle Shoals in the early 1970s when he was signed to Wishbone Productions, owned by Clayton Ivey and Terry Woodford. Lease deals resulted in the release of four singles but the intended album was 'shelved', leaving the other nine tracks unheard for almost forty years.

01 Too Many To Fight
02 I'm Not Strong Enough (To Love You Again)
03 You're Messing Up A Good Thing
04 If You're Ever Gonna Love Me
05 Trying To Get To You
06 Something New To Do
07 I'm Sorry
08 I May Not Be What You Want
09 Can't Keep My Mind On What I'm Doing
10 If I Ever Dreamed I Hurt You
11 It Ain't Easy Being Your Fool
12 She Hit Me From The Blind Side
13 Give It Up
14 Don't Make Me Do Wrong
15 Payback
16 Love Stealing
17 Come On And Love Me

Don't Let Me Lose This Dream

2010-10-15T22:24:00.003+01:00

The best and original version of the above song is by Aretha Franklin but here are 3 other cracking femme versions:

You can listen to Esther Phillps's live version here

Eddie Parker I Need A True Love

2010-10-09T09:28:00.000+01:00

Ride Your Mule Pt 2-Marvin Holmes & The Uptights

2010-10-09T09:26:00.000+01:00

Ray Barretto Soul Drummer

2010-10-08T23:02:00.000+01:00

Lonnie Youngblood Sweet Sweet Tootie

2010-10-08T22:53:00.002+01:00

P.P. Arnold Interview

2010-10-07T15:44:00.003+01:00

P.P. Arnold - or Pat she's known to friends, fans and peers alike - has had one of the most longstanding careers in music. She started out as an Ikette, moved to London, was produced by rock and pop royalty (Mick Jagger, Barry Gibb, Eric Clapton), was a key member of the U.S. expatriate community in the UK alongside Jimi Hendrix, Doris Troy and Madeline Bell, has experienced the ups, downs, ins and outs of life in music biz, has faced her share of personal and professional challenges, is the voice behind more than a few massive UK pop hits...oh and was the original recording artist of the now-classic "First Cut Is The Deepest"! Although she and Soul Music.com's David Nathan have known each other and been friends since the '60s, this is their first-ever full length interview, a fascinating read... Read interview

Take a listen to some of her music:

Absolutely love this next video:

Syl Johnson Unboxes Complete Mythology

2010-10-07T15:39:00.004+01:00

On October 19, 2010, The Numero Group will release Syl Johnson: Complete Mythology in a four CD + six LP box set (both formats, one package). Four years in the making, this is by far the most exhaustively researched and meticulously presented work from The Numero Group to date. Encompassing the first fifteen years of a career that spans half a century, Syl Johnson: Complete Mythology not only covers his obvious hits but shines a light into the dark corners of a true musical visionary.

Born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf in the 1950s, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. His break was to come recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in 1967. Johnson dominated the label as both a hit maker and producer, providing such hits as "Come On Sock It to Me", "Different Strokes" (one of the most heavily sampled songs in the history of recorded music--paid homage by Public Enemy, N.W.A., Kid Rock, Michael Jackson, J. Dilla and dozens more), "Is It Because I'm Black" (which reached Number 11 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1969), among many more.

Included on Complete Mythology are re-mastered versions of no less than twenty eight singles from the Twinight, Federal, Cha-Cha, Tmp-Ting, Special Agent, and Zachron labels, facsimiles of the Dresses Too Short and Is It Because I'm Black albums, ten previously unreleased tracks and detailed track by track notes from acclaimed music historian Bill Dahl. The fifty-two page booklet contains a thirty-five thousand word essay, scores of previously unpublished photos, a sampling index, and complete discography--all presented in a lavish hardbound box. For the uninitiated this is history, for those familiar this is respect for one the greatest musical artists of our time.

Visit Numero Group for more details

Pat Powdrill & Nick Risi

2010-10-07T15:03:00.014+01:00

I have posted some photos of Pat and Nick before on IDR. Paul Rice who kindly sent me the photos has now written the piece below on Pat and Nick:

Pat Powdrill’s mother and Nick Risi’s father worked for the same company in Los Angeles. They started talking about Pat and Nick’s interest in music and came to the conclusion that it would be beneficial for them to meet each other. At that time, Pat was under contract to Frank Sinatra’s Label, Reprise.

Pat Powdrill was born in Birmingham Alabama and moved to Los Angeles with her family. Pat was eight years old.

Nick Risi was born in Great Britain during the Second World War, who came from a family of musicians and enjoyed all kinds of music, his paternal grandmother and her two brothers migrated to Great Britain from Casino, Italy. They were Street entertainers in the winter and Ice Cream vendors in the summer.

Nick’s family migrated to the USA in 1957, at first living in Detroit and later moving to Los Angeles, where Nick became an independent record producer. He worked with various artists in Los Angeles during the 1960's.

Pat invited Nick to her recording session of “Breaking Point” b/w “Luckiest Girl in Town” which was Pat’s third and final single released by Reprise?

Pat was a young and talented singer, vibrant and full of enthusiasm. Pat was always interested in listening to other people’s music. Pat and Nick became friends and she occasionally attended rehearsals of other artists.

In December 1964 Pat attended Jane Canada’s rehearsal and later a practice session of ‘The Togas’ at Record City, owned by Nick’s friend Jim Thomas.

Pat was just 15 years of age at the time and too young to attend events and functions by herself. So on occasions, Nick escorted Pat. In February 1965 Nick produced Jane Canada with “Just Before the Night” b/w “Just Imagination” released on the Crusader Label.

Also in 1965, Nick Risi and Jim Thomas produced ‘The Togas’ first single “Baby I’m in the Mood for you” (written by Bob Dylan) b/w “Hurry to me” (words by Chris Morgan and music by Nick Risi) released on the Challenge Label, part of the 4 Star Music Group.

The original ‘Togas’ consisted of five musicians, Chris Morgan vocals, John Bauman drums, Brian and Doug Decker guitar’s, and Pete Parker keyboards. Nick stated that the Decker brothers and Pete Parker were good young musicians. Pete Parker played the keyboard and contributed to the backing vocals on Pat’s Downey singles.When Pat’s contract ended with Reprise Records, Pat agreed to record some masters for Nick and Jim. Two singles were released on the Downey Label in 1966 within a three month period. At the time in the USA, most DJ’s were reluctant to Play ‘DO IT’ on air, as it was too suggestive?

Barry White suggested one of his songs ‘Together Forever’ to Nick and Jim for Pat’s second single. Barry believed that it was the right song for her voice. Barry also had some releases on the Downey Label under the name of Lee Barry. A few years later, Barry White became a household name.

The Powerdrills, Pat’s backing group were session singers which included Pete Parker and Jim Thomas.

Also in 1966 Pat became an Ikette, backing Tina Turner and went on a World Tour. Pat and Nick met again in late 1968. Pat finished touring as an Ikette. A few months earlier Nick had an accident resulting in a traumatic amputation of his ring finger.

Pat asked Nick to manage her, but Nick was reluctant to do so and did not want to get involved with the artist management side of the business. Nick only agreed to take on this role temporarily until he could secure a record deal.

Nick and Bob Summers agreed to produce Pat for Sidewalk Productions. Nick and Bob had worked together with various other artists from 1965 to 1969.

Nick said that Bob Summers was a fantastic musician and music arranger. Bob also composed and supervised music for Film and Television. Bob’s brother-in-law was the famous Les Paul, who married Bob’s elder sister Colleen Summers, known on stage as Mary Ford. They sold millions of records in the 1950’s.

Pat had changed from a young vibrant enthusiastic teenager, to a Glamorous Young Woman. Pat needed some professional photographs to reflect this change. So Nick commissioned his friend, Hollywood Photographer Don Perry to do some portraits of Pat. Don Perry was not only an excellent photographer, he also supervised music for Television.

Nick negotiated a deal with Forward Records, Pat and Nick mutually agreed to end the management agreement.

In late 1969, Nick returned to the UK and in the 1970’s produced a few artists including Eddie Buchanan a regular entertainer on the Benny Hill Show.

'DO IT' produced by Nick Risi and Jim Thomas is very popular in the Northern Soul Scene and the original Downey 45 Vinyl in good condition can fetch up to £200.00 on EBay.

Here are some samples of Pat's recordings:

Thanks to Paul Rice for the article and special thanks to Nick Risi for the photographs from his archives.

You can read more about Pat Powdrill over on Spectropop

Sam Dees Fool Of The Year/Train to Tampa

2010-10-03T12:39:00.003+01:00

Wonderful stuff from Shotgun - out October 11th - more details here.

King Coleman RIP

2010-09-22T17:48:00.003+01:00

R&B pioneer 'King' Coleman dies in hospital aged 78
Rhythm and blues pioneer Carlton "King" Coleman has died at the age of 78.

The US singer died on Saturday from heart failure at a Miami hospital, his son said.

Coleman was best known for singing lead vocals on 1959 hit (Do The) Mashed Potatoes, recorded with James Brown's band.

He also released numerous solo singles including Mashed Potato Man and The Boo Boo Song.

Coleman also performed with many artists including BB King and Jackie Wilson.

Radio DJ His son Tony went on to become BB King's drummer.

"I can say that I'm proud to be his son," Tony Coleman said.

"I'm proud to be working with one of his colleagues. He was one of the originals. He was one of the roots, and I'm one of his fruits."

King Coleman was also a radio DJ, starting out in the 1950s on a US station in Tampa, Florida.

More recently, Coleman hosted a nightly radio show called Nothing But Love on WMBM, now a gospel station. BBC More information on Wikipedia

Full discography on Wang Dang Dula

Here's some more of his music:

Sugar Pie DeSanto in Holland 1995

2010-09-21T16:50:00.003+01:00

I have just been sent the link to the video below of Sugar Pie which was new to me. I missed her performance that year in Holland so it was good to see!

Bahamas Soul Club Bossa Nova Just Smells Funky

2010-09-21T15:22:00.003+01:00

1. King's Wig
2. Afro Shigida (feat Kojato)
3. Bossa Bop (feat Pat Appleton)
4. Serious Soul (feat John Turrell)
5. Experience In Jazz (feat Bella Wagner)
6. Junkie (feat Sitzka)
7. Tangossa (feat Pat Appleton)
8. Bossa Corcovado (feat A Secret)
9. Open Wide (feat Xantone Blacq)
10. True (BSC Remix) (feat Bajka - BSC remix)
11. But Rich Rhythms (Club Des Belugas Remix)
12. Nassau Jam (Smoove's Funky Jam-Remix)

Another enjoyable set from the band!

Check out My Space for details on the band

Sam Dees New Release on Shotgun Records

2010-09-21T15:09:00.001+01:00

SHOT 103 is scheduled for release on October 4th. These previously unissued tracks were recorded in the early 1970s in Birmingham, Alabama. 'Fool Of The Year' is already in heavy demand from advance exposure by club and radio DJs. 'Train To Tampa' was featured in the 2009 movie Clubbed courtesy of our publishing company Millbrand Music Ltd.

More details on Shotgun Records

Eddie Floyd New Release on Shotgun Records

2010-09-21T15:06:00.002+01:00

SHOT 104 is scheduled for October 11th. Both tracks were recorded in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1979 and are previously unissued. Musicians include Carson Whitsett, Ray Griffin and James Robertson with Jewel Bass and Valerie Kashimura on backing vocals. 'Missing You' also features Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love of The Memphis Horns.

More details on Shotgun Records

Fenton Robinson Live In Holland 1984

2010-09-20T20:18:00.003+01:00

Born in Greenwood, Mississippi, Robinson left his home at the age of 18 to move to Memphis, Tennessee, where he recorded his first single "Tennessee Woman" in 1957. He settled in Chicago in 1962. His signature song, "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" (1967) was covered by Boz Scaggs in 1969, but attributed to Scaggs himself, resulting in legal battles. The nationwide distribution of Robinson's own version of the song was aborted by a freak snow storm hitting Chicago. The song has since become a blues standard, according to 1997's Encyclopedia of Blues being "part of the repertoire of one out of every two blues artists.

Robinson re-recorded the song, which was originally recorded in 1967 for the Palos label, for the critically acclaimed album Somebody Loan Me a Dime in 1974, the first of three he would produce under the Alligator Records label. For the second, 1977's I Hear Some Blues Downstairs, Robinson was nominated for a Grammy Award Read more on Wikipedia

Here's a video of him performing in Holland in 1984:

Fenton Robinson Biography

Listen to more of Fenton Robinson's music over on Just The Blues blog

"Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong & the Diablos"

2010-09-20T17:31:00.002+01:00

The Wind Records, along with help from Norton Records, will soon be releasing a new vinyl LP called "Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong & the Diablos" - a full album of Nolan Strong & the Diablos covers. This record is a small attempt at keeping the memory of Detroit's finest R&B singer, Nolan Strong, alive. Nolan Strong & The Diablos were a pre-Motown sensation. The group's hit songs include "The Wind" and "Mind Over Matter." His influence is shown in the trademark falsetto of Smokey Robinson. While Nolan never reached the height of fame as the singers he influenced, he will forever be Detroit's finest.

Read more:

Track list:
SIDE A:
Mark Sultan - "The Wind"
Dirtbombs - "Daddy Rockin' Strong"
Cub Koda - "You're the Only Girl, Delores"
Outrageous Cherry - "Yeah Baby, It's Because of You"
Andre Williams & the A-Bones - "The Way You Dog Me Around"
Danny Kroha & the Del Torros - "Do You Remember What You Did"

SIDE B:
Reigning Sound - "Mind Over Matter"
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby - "I Want to be Your Happiness"
A-Bones - "Real True Love"
Hentchmen - "Mambo of Love"
Demon's Claw's - "Try Me One More Time"
Gentleman Jesse & His Men - "Harriett, It's You"
Lenny Kaye - "I Wanna Know"

Listen to some tracks on My Space

Sun Ra Mix on Les Mains Noires Blog

2010-09-20T17:17:00.002+01:00

Check out great Sun Ra mix over on Les Mains Noires Blog featuring:

°Lady With The Golden Stockings°
from "Nubians of Plutonia". Recorded between1958/59.Released in 1966.

°The Night Of the Purple Moon°
from "The Night Of The Purple Moon". Recorded in 1970 & 1964. Realeased in 1970

°Plutonian Nights°
from "Nubians of Plutonia". Recorded between1958/59.Released in 1966.

°Watusa°
from "Nubians of Plutonia". Recorded between1958/59.Released in 1966.

°Somewhere In Space°
from "Interstellar Low Ways". Recorded in 1960. 1st release called "Rocket #9" in 1960, 2nd release,as present,
with the new title and red cover by Claude Dangerfield in 1969.

°Between Two Worlds°
from "Angels and Demons at Play"
Recorded in 1960 (1st side +2 tracks), 1956 for the rest.
Released in 1965.

°Rocket #9°
from "The Shadows Cast by Tomorrow"
Recorded in 1967 or 68.
1st release issued in 1968. Re-edit on Jazzman 7" box-set in 2010.

°Watusa°
from "Space Is The Place OST"
Recorded in 1974. Released in 1974. Re-Issued in 2010.

°Somewhere In Space°
from "Out There A Minute"
Recorded in 19??. Released in 19??. Compiled in 1989.

Panama!: Latin, Calypso & Funk on the Isthmus 1965-1975

2010-09-20T17:08:00.002+01:00

One might guess that Panama’s strategic geographic location between continents, cultures, oceans and seas would contribute to a local music flowing with varied streams of influence. Proof of such a supposition can be found on this engaging collection. Focusing on the fecund 1960s and ’70s, Panama! reveals an effusion of hot and cool grooves that draw from various blends of indigenous styles and rhythms, Afro-Latin jazz, and funky American soul.

The collection begins in high style with strong descarga-style blowing by sax-man Jose “Chomba” Silva on Los Exagerados’s “Panama Esta Bueno Y Ma.” With a big-but-gentle Sonny Rollins tone, Silva lays down lines that dance with the rhythmic facility of Antillean Beguine. Rafael Labasta adds searing, stratospheric Cuban-style trumpet to the dialed-in montuno laid down by piano, upright bass and percussion. It’s Latin jazz with a few surprising – and very appealing – twists. (The Afro-Cuban/Puerto Rican/Salsa continuum was obviously beloved in Panama during those decades, and related approaches show up on many of the tracks collected here.)Read full article at Dusted Reviews

Buy CD at Sound Way Records

Cheers to Les Main Noires Blog for tip.

C.P. Love Interview

2010-09-20T11:06:00.003+01:00

Vocalist C.P. Love might well be best known for a song he didn’t record, rather than one he did. Love had been offered “Groove Me” by King Floyd but passed on the song, feeling Floyd deserved to record it and would do a better job with it. While he could have recorded a major hit, Love still managed to notch a couple of regional successes and assembled a compact, but enjoyable resume of soul and R&B recordings.

Born Carleton Pierre Love in 1945, he was raised on the West Bank of New Orleans. At the age of 12, Love taught himself to play guitar and formed a four-piece band. He later switched to bass when he joined Little Benny and the Creoles, a group that sometimes featured Walter Washington. Originally, Love didn’t sing, but when the vocalist couldn’t learn new material, he began fronting the band on bass and vocals. Eventually, Love dropped the bass and concentrated on singing. Read full interview at Ponderosa Stomp site

You can find a full discography and further information on C.P. Love's early recordings on Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven. You can also listen to his two best recordings - 'I Found All These Things' and 'So Glad You've Gone' on Deep Soul Heaven which don't appear to be on You Tube.

The Life and Times of H-Bomb Ferguson

2010-09-19T21:40:00.003+01:00

Born Robert Percell Ferguson in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the eleventh of twelve children. His father was a baptist preacher who paid for piano lessons for his son, on condition he learned sacred melodies. But Ferguson had other ideas. "After church was over, while the people was all standing outside talking, me and my friends would run back inside and I'd play the blues on the piano."

At the age of 19, he was on the road with Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers. They moved to New York, where Ferguson branched off on his own, getting a gig at the nightclub Baby Grand Club in Harlem, billed as "The Cobra Kid."

His 1951-1952 recording contract with Savoy Records produced some of his best recordings. Drummer, Jack "The Bear" Parker, who played on the Savoy dates, allegedly bestowed the singer with his explosive moniker. Other accounts credit Savoy record producer, Lee Magid, with coining H-Bomb's handle; either way, his dynamite vocals fulfilled the billing. However, it was not until 1955 that rock and roll became a sensation, when Bill Haley & His Comets' version of "Rock Around the Clock" became a hit.

Ferguson retired from touring in the early 1970s, but made a number of comebacks. Backed by the Medicine Men, he recorded his first album, Wiggin' Out, for Chicago's Earwig Records in 1993.

He died in 2006 at the Hospice of Cincinnati of complications from emphysema and cardiopulmonary disease.

His early work was featured in a compilation album H-Bomb Ferguson: Big City Blues, 1951-54. Wikipedia

Screamin´ Joe Neal

2010-09-19T21:00:00.006+01:00

Two legendary 45s, one on the Emerge label, one on Shippings. A mainstay at the Peppermint Club at Skinker and Delmar in St Louis, the biggest club around at the time, as well as the BQ Lounge and Jazz Alley. One local guitarist recalls "He got his name from crawling around the audience on his knees. He would creep up on a woman and scream at them. Scare the shit outta them." Screamin' Joe was hit by a truck and is largely paralyzed. Read My Space

More information on the Peppermint Club at Missouri Digital Heritage

Fred Hughes - Oo Wee Baby, I Love You

2010-08-30T11:54:00.001+01:00

RARE CLIP OF BETTYE DOING DO YOUR DUTY ON A SHOW IN CLEVELAND CIRCA 1969/70

2010-08-30T11:51:00.000+01:00

Wonderful to see stuff like the above still cropping up on You Tube!

BOOGALOO Manny Corchado Pow-Wow

2010-08-27T15:06:00.000+01:00

Manny Corchado, featuring Tito Jimenez, from the 1967 Decca album Aprovecha El Tiempo(Swing While You Can).

Great stuff!!!

Lloyd Miller on Iranian TV 1960's

2010-08-26T16:28:00.000+01:00

Gol-e Gandom original Oriental Jazz TV in 1965 & Iranian TV from Lloyd Miller's archives.

Lloyd Miller and the Heliocentrics -Charhargah

2010-08-26T16:21:00.001+01:00

As you know I am a big fan of Lloyd Miller.

Here is a wonderful track with the Heliocentrics who have also been featured on IDR in the past.

Following their award-winning collaboration with Ethio jazz Godfather Mulatu Astatke (Mojo magazine Top 50 of the year 2009, Sunday Times World Music Album of the year), pioneering UK collective The Heliocentrics resurfaces alongside another fascinating jazz enigma, ethno-musicologist, jazz maestro and multi-instrumentalist, Lloyd Miller.

Learning various instruments and immersing himself in New Orleans jazz through his father, a professional clarinet player, Lloyd Miller first trained himself in the styles of George Lewis and Jimmy Giuffre and cut his first Dixieland jazz 78 rpm record in 1950. During the late ‘50s, his father landed a job in Iran and Miller began to develop a lifelong interest in Persian and Eastern music forms, learning to play a vast array of traditional ethnic instruments from across Asia and the Middle East.

He toured Europe heavily, basing himself in Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Germany (where he played with Eddie Harris and Don Ellis) and, most famously, in Paris where he worked with oddball bandleader Jef Gilson, a phenomenon in French jazz during the early ‘60s. Miller returned to the Middle East during the ‘70s, landing his own TV show on NIRTV in Tehran under the name Kurosh Ali Khan. His show became a national fixture and ran for seven years.

Miller has since been a vocal ambassador for preserving the traditions of many forms of Eastern music. In recent years, his mid-‘60s album ‘Oriental Jazz’ has become a collector’s favourite and the UK’s Jazzman label have issued a compilation, ‘A Lifetime In Oriental Jazz’, covering work from across his career. The renewed interest in his music has spawned this new collaboration with The Heliocentrics, a freeform mix of Eastern arrangements, jazz and angular psychedelics and represents the Heliocentrics’ most accomplished work to date. Tracks include the reflective, yearning ‘Spirit Jazz’, a new version of Miller classic ‘Massom’ and the cinematic ‘Electricone’. Strut - and buy a copy there

Read more at Lloyd Miller & Heliocentrics

THE DAVE PIKE SET Spooky

2010-08-26T15:19:00.001+01:00

A throbber! Taken from the Got The Feeling set 1969.

Hank Jacobs East Side

2010-08-25T16:05:00.000+01:00

One of the most atmospheric instrumentals ever!

A Lovely Way to Die theme song by Jackie Wilson

2010-08-24T17:36:00.000+01:00

Intro Credits with Kenyon Hopkins/Jackie Wilson's 'A Lovely Way to Die'. Schuyler (Kirk Douglas) is a hard-boiled detective who turns in his badge when he believes the criminals are being handled with kid gloves and too much respect. From the Australian released DVD.

Dave Hamilton - Soul Suite

2010-08-24T16:35:00.001+01:00

Back after an age! Kicking off with one of the most played sides in my archives! Love it!!!

2010-04-12T21:22:00.001+01:00

Randy Brown Live in 1978

2009-12-04T09:53:00.003Z

I've just been tipped to this great piece of footage.

Check out my Dark End Of The Street blog for a feature on Randy Brown based on an interview with him back in 2004.

Garland Green Performing Jealous Kinda Fella Circa 1979

2009-12-01T10:07:00.000Z

Performing with Scott Brothers World circa 1979

Alvin Cash & Sidney Joe Qualls - Its Alright to Have a Good Time

2009-12-01T09:56:00.001Z

1979 in a South Chicago Suburb

Manhattans - The Picture Became Quite Clear

2009-11-21T15:20:00.000Z

Amazing music video for one of the last and greatest tracks ever recorded by the Manhattans with George "Smitty" Smith on lead. This is a high quality version with no missing footage.

For an index of soul / funk performances across the internet where you can discuss and submit more videos, check out The Changing Scene

The Relatives "Lets Rap" Gospel Funk 1974 TV Broadcast

2009-11-20T17:56:00.003Z

From the forthcoming Heavy Light Records release "Don't Let Me Fall." Performance by Dallas Gospel group, The Relatives, led by Rev. Gean West. Originally aired on Christmas Day 1974.

The Relatives Don't Let Them Fall

2009-11-20T17:31:00.005Z

Mick O'Donnell from Soul Discovery tipped me to the above. You can listen and buy the album from Heavy Light Records:

Call it Gospel Funk! In truth, the sound of The Relatives is so much more. Brought together by veteran Gospel singer Gean West in 1971, their sound bridges the gap between traditional Gospel, Soul and Psychedelia. Over a span of four years, The Relatives recorded three obscure 45’s and a session with legendary North Texas engineer Phil York. These powerful, genre-busting recordings stand up alongside the best Group Soul and Funk recordings of the 1970’s—and give praise to the Lord like you’ve never heard before! Heavy Light Records is proud to bring together all of The Relatives’ singles and five previously unreleased tracks for their first-ever full length release, “Don’t Let Me Fall.”

Featuring:

Deluxe limited edition silk screened packaging
Extensive liner notes with unpublished photos
5 previously unreleased tracks remastered from the original reels

On a simmering Sunday morning in a tiny brick church in West Dallas, the Reverend Gean West delivers an ambling sermon to a congregation of 15 people. His gravelly voice competes with the constant hum of the air conditioner as he holds court on Psalm 23, comparing the late Michael Jackson to the biblical King David. The finer points of the sermon are punctuated by notes from an electric keyboard played by a young nephew of the Reverend. In fact, most of the parishioners at God’s Anointed Community Church of God in Christ are related to West, who has eight children and “a whole slew of grandkids,” in one way or another.

Like the phenomenal funky gospel band West fronted for a decade beginning in 1970, The Relatives would be a fitting name for this congregation.

Born in Marlin, Texas on April 3, 1936, God and music have long been guiding – and occasionally competing – forces in the life of Gean West. As a child he would mimic preachers to entertain his parents and neighbors. “I would shout – ‘Hah!’ – because that’s what I thought preachers did,” West remembers. “I would say, ‘My mama’s good! Hah! My daddy’s got the devil!’ They would be laughing, giving me quarters, you know.” Read the full story.

Also read a post about Gean West on The Corner blog

Daptone Gold Double Album

2009-11-20T12:26:00.001Z

23 track compilation featuring rarities, classics and previously unreleased tracks from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The Budos Band, Binky Griptite, Lee Fields, Antibalas and more. Vinyl release is a double LP packaged in a deluxe gold foil gatefold jacket with extensive liner notes, and will include a poster, sticker and .mp3 download card.

Tracklisting:
Introduction by Binky Griptite
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “I�m Not Gonna Cry”
The Budos Band “Up From The South”
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens “What Have You Done”
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - “How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?”
Lee Fields “Could Have Been”
Antibalas featuring Mayra Vega "Che Che Cole Makossa"
The Budos Band “Budos Rising”
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “Got A Thing On My Mind”
Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band “The World”
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “Make It Good To Me”
Fields and Sugarman & Co. “Stand Up”
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens “What Is This”
Binky Griptite with the Sugarman Three “A Lover Like Me”
Menahan Street Band “Make the Road by Walking”
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “Tell Me”
Sugarman & Co. “Down To It”
The Dap-Kings “Nervous Like Me”
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “Giving Up”
The Budos Band “Ghostwalk”
The Gospel Queens feat. Cynthia Langston “I Need You To Hold My Hand”
Binky Griptite & the Mellomatics “The Stroll Pt. 2”
Sharon Jones & Lee Fields “Stranded In Your Love”

Get it here

Soulful Allsorts Show

2009-11-19T15:31:00.004Z

I thought I'd give a shout for an old soul mate Fraser Dunn's long running show called Soulful Allsorts which you can find on Sub City. Good stuff!!!

Battling Boredom Mix

2009-11-19T15:27:00.003Z

Picked up a nice mix which I thought I'd share:

Battling Boredom

Tracklisting
Oscar Brown Jr. - Humdrum Blues (Columbia)
Marion Black - Who Knows (Avco)
Elaine Delmar - Sneakin' Up On You (CBS)
Ernie Fields and Orchestra - Workin' Out (Rendezvous)
Etta and Harvey - Spoonful (Chess)
Jannie Williams - I've Been True (Golden Eagle)
Johnny Cool - The Love Bounce (Custom)
The Pyramids - Shakin' Fit (Vee Jay)
Turnarounds and the Stingers - Salt'n'Pepper (De Ville)
Lulu Reed and Freddy King - You Can't Hide (Federal)
Maurice and the Radiants - I Gotta Dance To Keep My Baby (Chess)
Freddie Scott - I'll Be Gone (Shout)
Myron and E - Cold Game (Timmion)
The "5" Royales - Take Me With You Baby (Home Of The Blues)
Patterson's People - Shake Hands With The Devil (Mercury)
Big Jay McNeely and Band - Psycho Serenade (Swingin')
Jeanette 'Baby' Washington - Move On (Neptune)
Stacy Lane - African Twist (Excello)
Benny Gordon - Give A Damn (Shadow)
Otis Goodwin - Mini Skirt (Walker-Reeder)
Sir Guy and the Rocking Cavaliers - Funky Virginia (D.P.G.)
Lou Courtney - Hot Butter 'N All (Hurdy-Gurdy)
Johnny Thompson - Mainsqueeze (New Miss)
Marvelle and the Blue Mats - A Dance Called The Motion (Dynamic Sound)
The Sister and Brothers - Jed Clampett (Uni)
The Opportunity Please Knock Chorus - I'll Be Back (Ramsel)

Little Ann

2009-11-19T15:00:00.002Z

Having posted a link to Timmion's new album of Little Ann sides - I thought I'd post some more Little Ann videos.

Sam & Dave Photos

2009-11-19T14:41:00.001Z

Here's a fascinating set of photos of the Dynamic Duo on Getty Images

Rare Stax Tracks on You Tube

2009-11-19T14:35:00.002Z

My old friend Patrick Montier has started posting some cracking rare Stax sides on You Tube - check out his channel.

Also drop by Patrick's fantastic Stax site which is the best site on the Net for all things Stax!

Barbara Lynn @ Kennedy Center - Video Webcast

2009-11-19T12:18:00.002Z

Great to see this video webcast made available from one of my all time favourite artists - Barbara Lynn!!

Barbara Lynn is a rhythm and blues singer and left-handed guitarist from Texas. In the 1950s, inspired by blues artists Guitar Slim and Jimmy Reed, and pop acts Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee, she created an all-female band, Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols. Her first single "You'll Lose a Good Thing" was a #1 R&B hit and a Top 10 pop hit in 1962, and was later a country hit for Freddy Fender. Soon Lynn was touring with such soul music greats as Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Ike and Tina Turner, and The Temptations. She appeared at the Apollo Theatre and twice on American Bandstand, and her song, "Oh Baby (We've Got a Good Thing Goin')” was recorded by The Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone's David Fricke has noted that Lynn continues to display “undiminished grace and poise, pouring a lifetime of blues and wisdom into her delivery." Kennedy Center

Also check out this video about her career which I recently came across on You Tube:

Willie West & The High Society Brothers The Devil Gives Me Everything

2009-11-19T12:04:00.006Z

In the last post, I featured the Timmion release by Little Ann - here is another which they put out earlier this year and which got lost in the back-log on IDR due to my other blogs etc!!:

This heavy new downtempo offering from Timmion features the unique voice of Willie West, who sings a haunting ballad from the darker side of the soul. From 1960's West has recorded for several labels including Frisco, Deesu and Seven B, making his career mostly in New Orleans.These days the singer resides in Minnesota, USA.

Full biography and discography are available from Dan Phillips' blog Home Of The Groove.

You can also drop over to Willie West's MySpace

Little Ann Deep Shadows

2009-11-19T11:38:00.004Z

I recall falling in love with Little Ann's haunting track Who Do you Think You Fooling as soon as I heard it played all those years ago. Sadly, Little Ann passed away several years ago but we are left with some beautiful music she recorded with Dave Hamilton in Detroit in the 60s and 70s. In recent time, Ace/Kent records have issued several of her tracks on their Dave Hamilton Collections. Now we have a great collection from Timmion featuring 9 tracks by her on a vinyl album:

Incs: Who Do you Think You Fooling, Deep Shadows, Possession, Sweep It Out In The Shed, What Should I do...and more!

An album, which was never heard at the time it was recorded. For over 30 years it was stored in the archive of record producer and musician Dave Hamilton, one of the unsung heroes of the Detroit soul scene. The box of reels was marked simply "The Possible Little Ann Album".

Little Ann's songs, most of which she wrote herself along with Dave and Darrell, are timeless masterpieces of soul music. That is why we here at Timmion Records thought that they belong together on an album like they were originally intended to be heard. Sometimes possibility takes time to be fulfilled.

Record of the week (44)! RadioHelsinki

Brilliant soul from the Detroit underground of the late 60s -- a full set of work by vocalist Little Ann, issued here for the first time ever! You might recognize Ann's name from her appearance on a few of the Ace/Kent Records issues of material by Detroit producer Dave Hamilton over the years -- and the work here all comes from those classic collaborations with Hamilton -- trapped on tape for many years, always contemplated as a possible Little Ann album -- but only issued in full by the funky folks at Timmion Records! The groove here is as offbeat as some of Dave's other great work -- not nearly as tight, or uptight, as Motown music -- and instead, done with a sly undercurrent of darkness on most numbers, even the mellower ones -- almost that earliest mix of Detroit styles that you get on pre-fame singles from Westbound Records artists. Ann's vocals are nice and lean, and slide right into the mix with ease -- heartfelt enough to grab us right away, yet without any obvious cliches as well. (Vinyl only -- and a hell of a treasure!) Dusty Groove America

Super rare Detroit soul released from the vaults of legendary producer Dave Hamilton. Get this - VINYL ONLY release AND limited edition! Take note that this album of rare classics and unreleased material will NOT appear on CD, never has done never will do! Amazing '60s soul from an album that will not disappoint, deffo recommended.
Jazzman Records

Take a listen to tracks on the Timmion website.

Vermettya Royster On The Half Shell

2009-11-19T11:13:00.003Z

I picked up the following message from an old mate John Lias to say about Vermettya Royster:

I must tip the group to this excellent new CD which I only heard about by chance. As many of you may know Vermettya used to be in the Sisters Love and this new CD largely features re-cuts of Sisters Love tracks.

However, it is amazingly good and sounds as if it was recorded in about 1974 whereas it would appear to be all brand new recordings. There is absolutely NO concession to anything else out there today and the drums in particular are beautifully unobtrusive. Hell, there is even a conga player on here.( And real strings and real horns).

I wholeheartedly agree with John - a great release from one of my favourite femme singers!

You can pick up copies from CD Baby

By the way - background vocalists include Pat Hodges and Jessica Smith from Hodges, James & Smith.

Here's the lady:

Last Flight Don't Give Your Love Street Soul New 45

2009-11-19T10:09:00.002Z

My mate Andy Davies has been in touch to tell about the latest release on his Street Soul label:

Our latest release is the Ultra Rare 70's soul tune by Last Flight "Don't Give Your Love" b/w the sought after Funk b side "Shady Lady" Released on October 23rd 2009.

Already getting spins on the Soul Scene from Richard Searling,Soul Sam,Bob Cosby,Gary Dennis,Steve Connor,Steve Plumb,Terry Jones & Andy Davies!!

Take a listen over on the Street Soul site.

A fine addition to his catalogue - don't forget to take a listen to the other releases on the label from Jerline & Friends and Patrick Henry.

Soul Of Liverpool You Tube Channel

2009-11-18T14:57:00.002Z

I have decided to start posting some sides to You Tube. You can find them on my Soul Of Liverpool You Tube Channel.

I will concentrate on posting sides which are currently not available on You Tube or sides mentioned on In Dangerous Rhythm before I started posting audio.

Please subscribe or just drop by and taken a listen.

Bobby McNutt RIP

2009-11-18T14:34:00.003Z

Last week, I received the sad news that Bobby McNutt had died on the 7th November.

One of his relatives as been in touch and has kindly written a few words about Bobby with some photos of Bobby back in the day:

Bobby was a well-renowned vocalist and entertainer from the Metro-East area having appeared on 'The St. Louis Hop', 'The American Band Stand', and at numerous Blues festivals in Missouri and Indiana. He sang with 'The Oliver Sain Revue', Eugene Neal, Benny Sharp and The Sharpies. Bobby also sang with Bobby McClure and Shirley Brown as well as Albert King and the 'Ike and Tina Turner Revue'.

My father in law was born September 4, 1942 in Portageville, Missouri. He lived and worked mainly in the St. Louis and Chicago area. Later in his life he moved to Memphis, where he died after prolonged illness on November 7, 2009.

He was buried in his hometown St. Louis, Illinois last weekend. Together with my wife's family I spent four days there. It was cool to notice how the eyes of every elderly local we run into, lit up when the name Bobby McNutt was mentioned. He really seemed to be somewhat of a local hero.

It is a shame that Bobby didn't record more sides. These are the ones I know:

Roulette 4678 I'm Gettin' Ready/That's My Desire
Yodi 002 Hold Tight/ Country Loving Country Style

Plus he recorded several tracks for Charles Wilson's Wilson label issued in the late 90s.

Bobby McNutt RIP

Little Sonny In Metrotimes

2009-11-14T22:17:00.002Z

Every picture tells a story," some dude sang ages ago. That's certainly the case with Little Sonny Willis, the "new king of the blues harmonica" and one of Detroit's most unsung musical legends, who's documented damn near every facet of his life with photographs while, by association, also documenting the Detroit blues music scene of the past four decades.

"Both my grandmother and my mother were pack rats," Willis says, sitting and reminiscing in the basement of his lovely Detroit home, all blue and white outside, including the all-terrain carpet leading up the walk to his front door. The basement could serve as a Michigan blues museum of sorts — although John Penney, music expert and director of Farmington Hills' American Music Research Foundation, says only Willis' immediate circle of family and friends have ever seen the archives. In fact, he claims the artist himself hasn't looked at most of this archival treasure since his wife died 12 years ago.Read full article on Little Sonny Willis

Ralph "Soul" Jackson in Chicago Tonight

2009-11-12T19:06:00.000Z

The Changing Scene

2009-11-06T17:57:00.002Z

Tyrone Davis - Turn Back The Hands
by DwightFrye

Bob from Sitting In The Park has been in touch to tell me about the following:

New Website Indexing Old Soul/funk Video Performance Clips On The Internet

My friend and I created a website that allows for the indexing of old soul and funk performance clips that are spread across different youtube, dailymotion, etc. accounts. The site is here:

http://www.changings...%20Performances

The idea is that there is a bunch of cool video content spread across the internet and I wanted to collect and accumulate it in one place and index it by artist, date, TV show, etc. So I created this forum on this site. Anyone can go to the page I linked above and view the already submitted content. If you click on the "filter" tab you can browse the existing content by artist, year, TV show, etc.

Additionally, if people want to participate and submit new content or comment and rate existing content, they can sign up on the main page at www.changingscene.com, join the channel I linked above, and then they can comment on existing videos on submit new videos by clicking the "submit" link in the upper right hand corner. This isn't a video hosting site, you just submit links to existing youtube, dailymotion, or other video hosting site videos. You can also subscribe to the channel and get an email on each new clip on the "dashboard" page.

The channel above is only intended for artist performances or real artist music videos, not recordings or fan-made videos. There is also a gospel performances channel at:

http://www.changings...%20Show%20Clips

There is also a sweet soul recordings channel at:

http://www.changings...%20Sweet%20Soul

Eventually I will let users create channels for anything they want but the site is in beta for now so they can't. But if someone wants me to create, for example, a northern soul dance clips channel, or anything else (doesn't really have to be music related even), and you think you can get people to participate, I can do that for you, pm me. Thanks.

Bob Kuban: My Side of The Bandstand

2009-11-03T16:38:00.002Z

I just got tipped to this book which had passed me by:

Whether you grew up in St. Louis, like I did, or just love the Golden Era of Rock & Roll, Bob Kuban: My Side of The Bandstand is a true account of the life and times of Bob Kuban, a St. Louis music legend and superstar.

Bob is best known for his 1966 #12 pop hit, "The Cheater", and is honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's permanent exhibit on one-hit wonders.

His fascinating autobiography, which I couldn't put down until I had read every single page, covers Bob's early years in North St. Louis and his inspiring drive and determination as he built a fabulously successful career in the music business, which continues to the present time.

Co-written with the talented Nancy Wegner, this book also lays bare the incredible challenges Bob faced in dealing with the local draft board which ultimately prevented him from taking his band on tour after "The Cheater" hit the airwaves, climbing the charts, and ultimately becoming an International sensation.

This work was even more meaningful for me because Bob Kuban was my music teacher for four years at Bishop Du Bourg High School. So many of the stories in the book provided me with instant time travel into the past.

I vividly remember Bob talking to our music class about the gig his band did with the recently deceased George Carlin. I also remember his personal anguish during the loss of his beloved father and the break-up of his band, which is interesting to read about in Bob's book.

From a historical perspective Bob Kuban was a true rock and roll innovator and master on the drums who never gave up on music or entertaining his audiences. My Side Of The Bandstand explains how Bob added the brass sound which became his signature. He also shares details about the untimely murder of his former lead singer, Walter Scott.

Luckily for all of us Bob Kuban fans, this book, written in a chatty and fun manner, documents those special rock and roll times that will never come around again. Even better news, Bob Kuban continues to perform live in St. Louis (and around the United States) winning the hearts and souls of new generations of rock and roll fans everywhere he performs.

I have not enjoyed a book as much as Bob Kuban: My Side of The Bandstand for a very long time. This book is a must buy and a true keeper. Amazon Review

Here's Bob Kuban's classic Northern record The Cheater:

Roscoe Robinson Interview

2009-11-03T16:30:00.001Z

Willie Rogers Interview

2009-11-03T16:29:00.001Z

Dave Withers – Soul Nation Mix

2009-11-03T15:30:00.002Z

Picked up a good mix from my old mate Dave Withers from 100 Limousines

Download here

Track List:

Village Choir “Along The Beach”
Harvey Averne Band ”Love Never Stays The Same”
Earles, Inc. “Let’s Try it Again”
Unity & The Down Beat “Love Dream”
Sharon McMahan “Get Out Of My Life”
Dee De Warwick “Where Is That Rainbow”
Kenny Wells “Isn’t That A Shame”
Prince Ellis “Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild”
Gino Washington & G.W. Band “We Gonna Make It”
Ray Jiminez “Leave Her Alone”
Skip Jackson “I’m On To You Girl”
Katie Briggs “Green Power”
Fiestas “Sometimes Storm”
Betty Lavette “You’ll Wake Up Wiser”
Ike Lovely “Fools Hall Of Fame”
Charen Cotton “A Little Bit Of Love”
Marva Whitney “Ball Of Fire”
Joe Garland “That’s His Girl”
Richie Corbin Trio “A Woman Was Made For A Man”
Theola Kilgore “I Can’t Stand It”
Gloria Lynne “Speaking Of Happiness”
Glen Adams “You Make Me Feel Like A Man”
Marva Whitney “This Girl’s In Love With You”
Judy McDonald “Thanks To You”

The Green Berets - "Just An Ugly Rumor" @ Southpaw

2009-11-03T14:53:00.002Z

You can listen to more of the concert over on the Dig Deeper MySpace

Wax Poetics 37

2009-11-03T14:47:00.001Z

J5 era Michael Jackson is on the cover -- and this issue of Wax Poetics has far deeper perspectives of Michael from the early years with his brothers and well beyond than any mainstream coverage we've scene! It includes a nice memoriam piece on Michael, an article that's Goin' Back To Indiana for the wayback coverage, plus pieces chronicling the Jacksons years at Motown, Michael's later stratospheric solo years, and the always great Re:Discovery column looks at deep and rare Jacksons related releases and knock offs. But it's not all Jackson family articles -- with pieces on Phenomenal Handclap Band, Mayer Hawthorne, Illa J, Shawn Lee, Lee Fields, Nicky Siano and much more!

Ghetto Brothers Power/I Saw A Tear

2009-11-03T14:41:00.002Z

It was the early sixties in New York City. Alfred Hitchcock had already Released Psycho, the first televised presidential debates were held and America was already suffering the shame of the Bay of Pigs. Racial intolerance was still plaguing america and countries abroad. The streets of NYC, in particular the Bronx was no different. New York was facing grave economic times, with budgets being cut left and right from vital social programs, education and infrastructure. Many New Yorkers didn't know where their next meal would come from, or how to keep a roof over thier heads. These conditions forced many of the areas youth to turn to the streets to find a sense of identity. They found this identity through associations with gangs.

Although many of the areas gangs were violent by nature, the Ghetto Brothers started out on that path, but later on it proved to not be the destiny of its founder, Benjamin Melendez aka Yellow Benjy. He had a dream that his organization could be a positive rather than a negative in the community, to help Blacks and Puerto Ricans live better. He and his brothers began to re-shape the moniker of the traditional gang member, into something more dignified, community leaders. For too long the youth of New York City were oppressed and subjected to the humiliation of stereotype, and the insallation of the feeling that there could be no success in their inconsequential futures.

Besides being a community organization, Benjy Melendez (president of the GBs) and his brother Victor (vice-president), started a band as a way to bring togetherness throughout the community. Their message is best described on the back cover of their first and only record, Power Fuerza, which was originally released in 1971 on Mary Lou, a independent NY record label that released mostly salsa from the Bronx. The message reads as follows:

"This album contains a message; a message to the world, from the Ghetto Brothers. The Ghetto Brothers, a community organization dedicated to bridging the ever-increasing gap that exists between society and minority groups, believe music to be the common language of the world. Through music, they are able to inform society of the plight of the 'little people' in their quest for recognition. Therefore, the music of the Ghetto Brothers serves as a way of communication. If the Ghetto Brothers' dream comes true, the world will learn that the 'little people' wish to be acknowledged; wish to be properly educated in order for them to pass on their knowledge to their children and proudly inform them about their heritage and culture, and be a functioning part of the growth of America. If the Ghetto Brothers' dream comes true, the 'little people' will be 'little people' no more, and make their own mark in this world. Listen to the Ghetto Brothers…….and take heed."

The music that was recorded for their one and only release is as special as it's intended purpose. The Ghetto Brothers, like most youths during the 60's, were forever changed by Beatle-mania, which still influences their music today. Their unique hybrid of The Beatles, Nu-Yorican Soul, James Brown, and groups like Santana and Grand Funk Railroad is something that remains as fresh today as it was in 1971. Their story and music is a testament to persaverance through struggle and refusing to succumb to the pressures applied to them and their community for so long. These are our American Hereos and they should be respected as such. Truth & Soul Records

Check out the Ghetto Brothers website

Lloyd Miller A Lifetime In Oriental Jazz

2009-11-03T14:35:00.004Z

An incredible anthology of some of the best ever material from 60s & 70s exotica jazz genius Lloyd Miller -- a Lifetime In Oriental Jazz from the well travelled American jazzman -- put together by unrivaled rare groove diggers at Jazzman! Lloyd Miller is a multi instrumentalist and an ethno-musicologist, but there's nothing dryly academic about his work -- creating fantastic Eastern tinged jazz and privately pressing the recordings in the 60s & 70s and well beyond -- working with stringed and percussion instruments from Asia and else where in combos that combined these sounds with hard grooving west coast jazz, melding the influences impeccably and with an audible passion. This compilation is as great of an overview of his work as we could hope for, including recordings made with Press Keys Quartet, Jef Gilson Septet, his own trio and more -- largely recorded in his time in Paris and Utah. CD version has 14 tracks, including a couple of excellent later recordings from the mid 00s: "Gole-E Gandom (Wheat Flowers)", "Gozel Guzler (Amber Eyes)", "Bizz-Aire", "Indo-European Improvisations", "Hue Wail", "Chant Inca", "Khamaj", "Impressions Of Bhairavi Raga", "Shur Thing" and more. Dusty Groove

Great to see this get a release. I highly recommend Lloyd Miller's work which I was originally turned onto by the Jazzman collection Spiritual Jazz. Dr Miller dropped by the blog last year and sent me all his material which was wonderful.

Flamingo Connection -- Great British Modern Jazz From The Legendary Ember Label

2009-11-03T14:32:00.002Z

The leading lights of the British jazz scene in the postwar years -- all packed nicely onto one overstuffed collection! The title refers to the famous Flamingo Club in London -- companion to the Ember Records label, a UK imprint that issued some of the best British jazz of the 50s and 60s! This sweet set picks through the best that Ember had to offer back in the day -- and the range of work is really wonderful. Most of the tracks are in a hardbop idiom, but some have more modern touches, while others are out and out jammers -- and there's even a few rare vocal numbers thrown into the mix for good measure. Titles include "Ilkley Moor Bah Tat" by The British Jazz Trio, "Basie Talks" by Ronnie Scott, "Yesterdays" by Don Rendell, "Early One Morning" by Tony Crombie, "Cheek To Cheek" by The Jazz Couriers, "Heard & Seen" by Tommy Whittle, "Eddification" by Eddie Thompson, "All Star Special" by The Flamingo All Stars, "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by Derek Smith, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by Ronnie Ross, "Brazilia" by Tony Crombie, "A Foggy Day" by Carmen McRae, "Limehouse Blues" by Annie Ross, and "The Cheaters" by Bill LeSage & Ronnie Ross. Also features work by sidemen that include Tubby Hayes, Phil Seamen, Jimmy Deuchar, Stan Tracey, and Harold McNair
Pick it up from Dusty Groove

Light On The Southside -- Photographs Of Chicago Southside Nightlife 1975 to 1977 (hardcover book with 2LP set)

2009-11-03T14:20:00.003Z

Between 1975-1977 Chicago's South Side night clubs were a little lighter. Not just because of a lanky white guy skulking about, but rather because of the camera and strobe light he carried. Michael Abramson hit Perv's House, Pepper's Hideout, The High Chaparral, The Patio Lounge, and The Showcase Lounge, not to capture the artists on stage, instead popping off a half dozen rolls every night on the crowd. Light: On The South Side gathers for the first time over 100 of these images, as Numero shines its own strobe on yet another dark corner of the past.

The 132-page hard back book features photos, an ephemera section, and an essay by Nick Hornby. Housed in a gorgeous slipcase with the 12X12 book is Pepper's Jukebox, a seventeen track compilation of the kind of funky Chicago blues heard from the stage and the Wurlitizer. The deluxe 2LP set is packaged in a sharp gatefold jacket with two inner sleeves crammed to the gills with label scans and stories. All in all, it's the classiest Numero record ever made, spotted easily from across the room with it's near 2" spine.

But just when you thought we couldn't make it any more mouthwatering, we went ahead and upped the ante. The first 1000 copies contain a limited edition bonus 45.

Full track listing here.

Keith Rylatt's Groovesville USA Book

2009-11-03T14:12:00.002Z

Researched and written by Keith Rylatt, Groovesville USA is the ultimate reference for Detroit Soul & R&B record collectors and enthusiasts.

With over 240-pages, this paperback is packed with a depth of information Motor City freaks can only dream about. As well as a history of the development of black music in Detroit there is an exhaustive A-Z of the city’s artists and musicians, and an equally detailed A-Z of the area’s myriad labels and record companies. The book is beautifully designed with rarely seen artists’ photographs, press advertisements, radio station flyers, newspaper clippings, and 45rpm labels. See and read sample pages here.

Groovesville USA is only available from their website – priced £27.50 exclusive of post and packing. It will not be available from bookstores or online book retailers. The book will be published in February 2010.

The Unsung Heroes of R&B and Soul Chapter Two

2009-11-03T12:06:00.000Z

Tony Drake talks with Mike Boone about his record Let's Play House, and the Diplomats aka The Skull Snaps.

Skull Snaps Unsung Heroes of Soul & R&b

2009-11-03T12:04:00.000Z

Great post on You Tube by Mike Boone.

Northern Soul Stories

2009-11-03T11:58:00.000Z

The new book on Northern Soul by Neil Rushton. Available from 29th November. For more information and how to order visit Soulvation

Carl Carlton Drop By My Place

2009-11-02T22:05:00.002Z

I don't think I have posted anything on Carl Carlton before and I certainly didn't mention the release of the CD below by Hip-O-Select back in May:

For a teenager from Detroit, lightning struck not once but thrice. Having recorded sides for the Lando label which garnered him some local attention, Carlton inked with Don Robey’s Houston-based Back Beat imprint. Carl burst on the scene starting in ’68 with a string of soul stormers including “Look At Mary Wonder (How I Got Over)” and “Competition Ain’t Nothin’” and “46 Drums – 1 Guitar,” before shifting to the smoother Great Lakes balladry that echoed Jackie Wilson, Tyrone Davis and The Chi-Lites.

Carl adapted easily to soul’s evolution, cutting a hallmark proto-disco pop-soul tune: “Everlasting Love.” A cover of Robert Knight’s ’67 hit, “Everlasting Love” gave Carl his highest charting record to date, despite being released in the midst of ABC Records’ purchase of Robey’s Duke/Peacock/Back Beat empire. After issuing some of the most soulful—and at times, smoky—disco records of the era, Carl and ABC parted ways, relocating to 20th Century Records where, under the guidance of Leon Haywood, scored the biggest hit of his career, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked).”

www.hip-oselect.com is proud to present, for the first time, Carl Carlton’s finest. Everlasting: The Best of Carl Carlton gathers 22 tracks—1968-1985—from the Back Beat, ABC, 20th Century and Casablanca labels. So come get it quick, ’coz this collection’s rated extra. Hip-O-Select

Sammy Kaplan Interviewed By Mike Boone

2009-11-02T21:54:00.001Z

The Chancellor of Soul, Mike Boone interviewed legendary Detroit producer, Sammy Kaplan on his 'Chattin' With The Chancellor' Show. This portion of the interview focuses on his recollection of his collaboration with legendary DJ/ performer, Jerry-O on his 1967 masterpiece dance classic on Bert Berns' Shout label, 'Karate Boogaloo'. World-reowned Motown musicians, The Funk Brothers', moonlighted after a session gig at Motown, to play on this magnificent track. The gorgeous voices of the Debornaires are featured as background vocalists. Sammy Kaplan and Jerry-O formed Boogaloo Records in
Detroit in 1966.

Chris Bartley RIP

2009-11-02T21:32:00.003Z

We have lost several more heroes during my break from IDR. One of those was Chris Bartley who recorded some wonderful sides in the late 60's.

You can read about the man and listen to more of his music over on Soul Source.

Here is my favourite by him which is supposedly a Musicor unissued cut?:

The Green Brothers Interview on Soul Express

2009-11-02T21:07:00.001Z

There are so many amazing and almost unbelievable turns and coincidences in the production of the Green Brothers’ recent CD called Soulsville that it’s almost like divine providence, and when those twists of fate are entwined with music that you thought nobody makes anymore you know you’re dealing with a precious gem.

The two Green brothers, Bobby and Al, have a fifty-year musical history to share. Robert L. Green (Bobby) was born on August in 1943 in Fort Pierce, Florida, and Aaron Alexander Green (Al) was born on January 16 in 1946 in the same city. Bobby: “Our father was a pastor in Orlando, Florida, and minister of The Church of the living God. His name was Rev. Willie Green Sr. My biological mother died, when my brother Al was one year and six months old. Her name was Maggie Wright Green. My stepmother, Catherine Green, who was an evangelist, raised us. My biological mother Maggie played guitar with a bottleneck and sang too in church. My stepmother, who God blessed us with, sang and preached in the church.”
Read the full interview by Heikki Suosalo on Soul Express

John Gary Williams reminisces on the early days of The Mad Lads

2009-11-02T21:01:00.002Z

Colton Thomas has posted part of a recent interview with John Gary Williams:

One of the coolest interviews I've ever done on my radio show "Soul Fm" was with John Gary Williams who was the lead singer of The Mad Lads. In this clip John tells me how the group started out and how they got a unique name like The Mad Lads. The songs used in this video are: "I Want Someone" and "Don't Have To Shop Around" thanks for watching...

If you enjoyed the above then you can check out my interview with John Gary over on Dark End Of The Street.

THE CRABS CORPORATION - Bring down the birds

2009-11-02T18:20:00.001Z

Maravilloso cover del tema de Herbie Hancock incluído en el soundtrack de la película BLOW UP(1966) de Michelangelo Antonioni. Lugar : Le Bar. Fecha : Jueves 29 de octubre de 2010.

Midnight Soulstice Presents Dancefloor Jazz

2009-11-02T18:08:00.001Z

Check out the show here

Tracklisting:

Gap Mangione - Boy With Toys
- Mel Torme - Right Now
- Lonnie Sattin - Caravan
- Mandigo and his Orchestra - Blackrite
- Luis Enriquez Bacalov - Carrefour
- Quincy Jones - Hikky Burr
- Francesco de Masi & A. Alessandroni - Tema di Londra M. 1
- Bruno Battisti d'Amario - Su Delicia
- Wayne Henderson - Behold the Day
- Rolf Ericson - Rotar Rotor
- Ricardo Marrero - My Friend
- Patsy Gallant - Te Caliente
- Webster Lewis - El Bobo
- Monika Lingers - Too fond of Samba
- The Revelations - Sweet Daniela
- Mario Bondi & The High Five Quintet - This is what you are
- Tania Maria - Fio Maravilha
- Quartette Tres Bien - Kilimanjaro
- Composer's Workshop Ensemble - Substructure
- Archie Whitewater - Cross Country
- Eartha Kitt - Love for Sale
- The Young-Holt Unlimited - Baby your light is out
- Ramsey Lewis - Bold and Black
- Kenny Smith Quintet - Ooga Boo-ga Loo
- First Gear - I feel the Earth Move
- Paolo Zavallone - Papillon Rouge
- Eddie Harris - Get on down
- Bill Doggett - Fingertips
- Osaka Monaurail - Ceora
- Walter Bishop Jr. - Coral Keys P. 1
- Jimmy McGriff - Step One
- Screaming Jay Hawkins - I put a spell on you
- Della Reese - It was a very good year (live)

STILL LIFE IN SOUL: Contemporary Music Photography by Jacob Blickenstaff” November 6, 2009 – April 30, 2010

2009-11-02T18:00:00.004Z

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music announces a new exhibition, “STILL LIFE IN SOUL,” opening November 6th, 2009. The exhibit explores the current life, activity, and resurgence in popularity of soul music through portrait, performance, and documentary photography made since 2005 by music photographer Jacob Blickenstaff.

More about "STILL LIFE IN SOUL":

Soul music was a nuanced, emotional, and energetic idiom that reached a worldwide audience at its height in the 1960s but then virtually disappeared by the end of the 1970s. After subsequent decades of disco, hip-hop, rap, and modern R&B – much of which covered and sampled original soul music classics from Stax Records and other labels – the roots of authentic soul are sprouting again with revived careers of veteran artists, dynamic new acts, successful concerts and festivals, reissue projects, soul-driven independent labels, and the Concord Music Group, which purchased Stax Records in 2004 and revived the label for the first time in 30 years in 2007 during the yearlong 50th anniversary of the label, re-mastering and reissuing numerous records, signing new artists to Stax, and hosting the Stax 50th Anniversary Concert that year in Memphis.

According to Blickenstaff, “This started out as a project about music history, but I quickly found a community of music lovers, labels, bands, festivals, and DJ’s that were all coming together to support and create great music with the older artists. This work focuses on the current lives of the artists but the story is really about everyone working together to make it happen. It’s an amazing, passion-driven phenomenon that soul music is growing again in the 21st century.”

Artists represented in the 40 photos in the exhibit include Bettye LaVette, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Barbara Lynn, Maxine Brown, Roscoe Robinson, Harvey Scales, Candi Staton, Sir Lattimore Brown, Otis Clay, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Skip Pitts, Ben Cauley, Mighty Hannibal, John Gary Williams (of the Mad Lads), and many others. The work chronicles performances at The Ponderosa Stomp, Lincoln Center, Dig Deeper, and the Brooklyn Soul Festival, as well as recording sessions at Daptone Studios. Performances were backed by contemporary soul bands the Bo-Keys, The Sweet Divines, and Eli Reed and the True Loves.

As the only soul music museum in the world, it’s an essential part of our mission to recognize these incredible artists and organizations that are dedicated to authentic soul music who are bringing a whole new generation of fans to the scene. It is also very much in keeping with the philosophy of our Stax Music Academy, where we carry the Stax Records legacy of playing real music into the future with a new generation.

Jacob Blickenstaff is a music photographer based in New York City. His work has been published internationally in magazines and newspapers including Rolling Stone, WIRE, Wax Poetics, No Depression, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Offbeat, Gambit Weekly, and Time Out New York. He has also been an official photographer for the Ponderosa Stomp since 2007. Additional music clients include Lincoln Center, NPR Music, Daptone Records, and Proper American Records. This is the first major exhibition of his photography.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held November 6th at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, during which students of the Stax Music Academy will perform for guests and former Stax Records artists.

For more information, images, or to schedule an interview with the photographer, please contact Tim Sampson at 901-942-2535 or email tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org.

To learn more about Jacob Blickenstaff and to see more of his photography, visit his website

Chancellor of Soul Interviews Tony Drake On Suddenly & It Hurts Me More

2009-11-02T12:17:00.001Z

Chancellor of Soul, Mike Boone interviews legendary Northern Soul artist, Tony Drake on two of his masterpiece recordings on Brunswick Records, 'Suddenly' written and produced by Eugene Record (lead singer of the world-reowned group, the Chi-Lites and Barbara Acklin of 'Love Makes A Woman' fame) and 'It Hurts Me More' composed by legendary songerwriter/ producer Van McCoy (known for his 1975 international hit, 'The Hustle').

Tony Drake signed with Brunswick Records in early 1970 and immediately began recording both singles in February of the same year. Legendary artist, Jackie Wilson was in the booth with Tony when he recorded both songs.

Bettye LaVette Homage to Jerry Wexler

2009-11-02T11:41:00.001Z

The incomparable Bettye Lavette performs "Drown In My Own Tears" after her heartfelt homage to Jerry Wexler at Jerry's memorial October 30, 2009 in NYC. With Spooner Oldham on piano, Bernard Purdie on drums, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Jimmy Johnson, Jon Tiven and Jen Leigh on guitar, Mike Finnegan on the organ, The Uptown Horns, and Ellis Hooks, background vocals.

Johnny Jones Tribute @ The Place Nashville 2/11/09

2009-11-02T11:18:00.003Z

I was sad to hear of Johnny Jones's death. Tonight, there is a tribute to the man in Nashville by some of his friends:

A team of blues, R&B and soul talents that includes famed Jimi Hendrix bassist Billy Cox, soul belter/Dynamites leader Charles "Wigg" Walker, blues great James "Nick" Nixon and a host of other impressive names will join in a tribute to Nashville blues mainstay Johnny Jones, planned for Mon., Nov. 2 at downtown venue the Place, which is headed up by Jones' longtime friend and fellow musician Jimmy Church.

Longtime Nashville guitar hero and Hendrix mentor Jones died earlier this month; Church talked then of his hope to arrange a tribute show in place of a traditional funeral.

"He didn't want a funeral," Church said. "He didn't believe in them. ... I'd like to have a celebration of his life at the Place with all of his friends and fellow musicians."

Other friends and fellow musicians scheduled to join in tribute to the musician, who was a figure on the Jefferson Street blues scene here in Nashville in the 1960s and continued playing through the last year of his life: Doc Blakey, Tina Brown, Clifford Curry, the Dynamic Five, Earl Gaines, Gorgeous George, Herbert Hunter, Rufus Hunter, Marion James, Les Kerr, John Richards, Tyrone Smith, the Valentines and White Chocolate.

The Jimmy Church band will serve as the house band for the event, and the stage will be open to any attendees who'd like to share their own remarks and/or music.

“A Tribute to the Legend – Johnny Jones” will kick off at 6 p.m., and admission is free; donations are welcome, and will go toward establishing a scholarship in Jones' name. The Place is located at 217 Second Ave. S.

Tennessean.com

Rita Graham Interview

2009-09-19T17:20:00.002+01:00

You can find an interview with the lady over on The Soul Guy website or drop by Rita's own website.