2Step Vinyl Soul

Lee Dorsey

2011-12-19T18:01:00.000Z

Yes We Can/Occapella - Polydor 2066 063 [1970]
Great social aware double sided two-stepper, although on UK issue only, the US issue has different 'B' side. The flip Occapella though did come out in 1971 on US Spring. Both songs written by the great Allan Tousaint, produced by Allan and Marshall E. Sehorn for the US Sansu label. It's probably why the album goes for about £90 now and the fact that the 2007 President Obama campaign used the version sung by the Pointer Sisters to help it move along.

Mini-skirt en route!

I brought this polydor copy new from Jimmy at the Diskery when it was housed in Hurst Street, Birmingham in 1970. Jimmy still works there today along the more recent staff member Liam. Using my lunch hour from studying at Matthew Boulton Technical Collage, my friends and myself would make the 20 minute walk either way and that left us 20 minutes to, find some new tunes, eat our lunch and perhaps photograph some pretty girls. Most of my collage pals never got past the Wrens Nest (local pub) though that was en route - those were the days! Some later lunch breaks we went to watch the Radio One Club Road show at the Top Rank in Digbeth, it was free to get in but the music was awful. Good though to hear a decent sound system in them days (BBC).

At this time I was already a fan of the New Orleans sound in the form of Willie Tee, Dixie Cups and Aaron Neville. It was on one of these trips I found the Earl Van Dyke album that I recently sold for £150, I remember Jim had about 10 copies on the shelf at the time! In those days the Diskery kept the singles in company order on the shelves and I can vividly remember rows of blue Stateside singles, black Chess singles and orange Tamla-Motown sleeves! I always wanted to look through them, but behind the counter was for old and trusted customers only! (I'm now a trusted customer but they have all gone now!!!!)

The modern day diskery

I already owned about six UK Bell singles by Lee Dorsey; My Old Car, Working In A Coalmine, Confusion, Get Out Of My Life Woman, Holly Cow and Ride Your Pony. His best sixties song though (in my opinion) eluded me for a long time, was Go-Go Girl although I had it on a reel-to-reel recording in 1967 from the radio. On the same tape I remember I had a song by Barbara 'Handoff' that later turned out to Barbara Randolph (I'd never heard the name before LOL)

One of about 6 European EP's

Lee Dorsey was born in Louisiana, Memphis in 1926 and died there 60 years later in 1986. An ex-boxer (nicknamed "Kid Chocolate") turned singer, Dorsey first recorded for Joe Banashak's Instant label. One song, "Lottie Mo", became a regional hit and led to a contract with Fury. The infectious "Ya Ya" (1961) was a number 1 US R&B and pop Top 10 single. A year later a version by Petula Clark, retitled "Ya Ya Twist", made the US Top 10 and reached the UK Top 20. Dorsey's next release "Do-Re-Mi" (regularly performed by Georgie Fame and Dusty Springfield) was also a hit, although this time reaching no higher than 27 in the Billboard pop chart, and subsequent releases on Fury Records were less successful. His career stalled temporarily when Fury collapsed, but Dorsey re-emerged in 1965 with the classic "Ride Your Pony" on the Amy label. Written by Allen Toussaint and produced by Marshall Sehorn, this combination created a series of impeccable singles that blended crisp arrangements with the singer's easy delivery.

Hard to find UK Sue LP

In 1966 he reached the peak of his success by gaining four Top 40 hits in the UK, including two Top 10 singles with "Working In The Coalmine", featuring a wonderful bass riff, and "Holy Cow", with a mix that enhances Dorsey's melancholic vocals. Both songs reached the US R&B and pop charts. The sweetly doom-laden "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" was another excellent song that deserved a better commercial fate. "Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky (From Now On)" became Dorsey's last substantial hit in 1969, although the title track to his "concept" album, "Yes We Can", did reach the US R&B Top 50. Dorsey continued to record for Polydor Records and ABC Records and remained a popular figure, so much so that he guested on the 1976 debut album by Southside Johnny And The Asbury Dukes and supported the Clash on their 1980 tour of North America. Sadly, he died of emphysema in December 1986 and deserves to be remembered for the outstanding examples of melodic soul he recorded. (bio: music.us)

Lee Dorsey USA Discography (excluding 2nd issues)

Valiant 1001 - Lottie Mo/Lover Of Love – 1958

Rex 1005 - Rock/Lonely Evening – 1959
Ace 640 - Rock/Lonely Evening – 1961
ABC-Paramount 10192 - Lottie Mo/Lover Of Love – 1961
Fury 1053 - Ya Ya/Give Me You – 1961
Fury 1056 - Do-Re-Mi/People Gonna Talk – 1961
Fury 1061 - Eenie Meenie Mini Mo/Behind The 8-Ball – 1962
Fury 1066 - You Are My Sunshine/Give Me Your Love – 1962
Fury 1074 - Hoodlum Joe / When I Met My Baby – 1963
Smash 1842 - Hello Good Looking/Someday – 1963
Constellation 115 - Organ Grinder's Swing – 1964
Constellation 135 - You're Breaking Me Up – 1964
Amy 927 - Ride Your Pony/The Kitty Cat Song – 1965
Amy 939 - Can You Hear Me/Work, Work, Work – 1965
Amy 945 - Get Out Of My Life, Woman/So Long – 1965
Amy 952 - Confusion/The Neighbors' Daughter – 1966
Amy 958 - Working In The Coal Mine/Mexico – 1966
Amy 965 - Holy Cow/Operation Heartache – 1966
Amy 974 - Gotta Find A Job/Rain, Rain, Rain, Go Away – 1967
Amy 987 - My Old Car/Why Wait Until Tomorrow – 1967
Amy 994 - Can't Get Away/Vista Vista – 1967
Amy 998 - Go-Go Girl/I Can Hear You Callin' – 1967
Sansu 474 - Love Lot's Of Lovin'/Take Care Of Our Love – 1967
Sansu 1012 - Hey Babe/Say It Again – 1967
Sansu 1017 - Soul Mining/Draining – 1967
Amy 11,010 - I Can't Get Away/Cynthia – 1968
Amy 11,020 - Wonder Woman/A Little Dab A Do Ya – 1968
Amy 11,031 - Four Corners (Part 1)/Four Corners (Part 2) – 1968
Amy 11,048 - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down/Little Ba-By – 1968
Amy 11,052 - What Now My Love/A Lover Was Born – 1969
Amy 11,055 - Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky.. – 1969
Amy 11,057 - Give It Up/Candy Man – 1969
Bell 908 - I Can Hear You Callin/What You Want – 1970
Polydor 14038 - Yes We Can (Part 1)/O Me O, My O – 1970
Spring 114 - Occapella/Tears, Tears And More Tears – 1971
Polydor 14055 - Sneaking Sally Through The Alley – 1971
Polydor 14106 - Freedom For The Stallion/If She Won't – 1971
Polydor 14147 - When Can I Come Home/Gator Tail – 1972
Polydor 14181 - On Your Way Down/Freedom For The Stallion – 1973
ABC 12326 - Night People/Can I Be The One – 1978
ABC 12361 - God Must Have Blessed America/Say It Again – 1978

Albums: (US And EU)
Ya Ya - Fury - 1961
The Best Of Lee Dorsey - Sue ILP 924 - 1965
The New Lee Dorsey - Stateside - 1966
Ride Your Pony/Get Out Of My Life - Amy Stateside - 1967
Yes I Can - Polydor 2489 006 - 1970
Night People - ABC - 1978
Can You Hear Me - (Germany) - 1982
All Ways Funky - Charly - 1982
Goh Be Funky - Charly - 1986
Am I That Easy To Forget - Charly - 1987
Do-Re-Mi - P-Vine (japan) 1987

Charles Mingus Film

2011-11-13T08:58:00.000Z

A film about the Jazz legend Charlie Mingus (who died in 1979) who was one of the early jazz artists to contribute to the black American freedom campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King amongst others by releasing music with a black awareness themes.

Mingus's first signing

This documentary on the life of Charles Mingus is directed by his grandson Kevin Ellington Mingus entitled "Mingus on Mingus" (formerly known as "A True Jazz Legend"). They are at the beginning of the production phase and conducting interviews of people that knew and played with Charles Mingus.
Now very happy to announce the launch recently their fund-raising campaign through Kickstarter platform.

Thay have a big challenge ahead of them and they would like to count on your help. A successful campaign means we can move forward with the project and capture moments that we might otherwise loose. The making of the documentary will be a long road but having the resources to begin our journey is all we can hope for.

We know it will not be possible without your help. We would like your support in reaching out to the jazz community by featuring information about our project in your blog and linking or embedding our small trailer for our fundraising campaign. Our goal is to reach $45,000 in 40 days!!Please watch the video and help by donating some cash!! - Mickey

O.V. Wright

2011-09-30T17:17:00.000+01:00

O.V. Wright -The Bottom Line - Hi HLP 6008 (1978)

The Bottom Line/I Don't Do Windows/That's The Way I Feel About Cha/ Your Good Thing Is About To End/Let's Straighten It Out/ I Don't Know Why/No easy Way To say Goodbye/A Little More Time/Since You Left These Arms Of Mine/A Long Road

Produced By: Willie Mitchell

Let's Straighten It Out

A fine stepper taken from his Hi album The Bottom Line, written by Benny Lattimore and recorded at the famous Royal Studios in Memphis. His voice sounds a tad weaker than in his Back Beat days and his also has a lisp in his voice. Maybe the drugs are taking affect or he might have lost some teeth, who knows. He recorded this album just after a spell in prison for drug offences - ooops. "Let's Straighten It Out" has also been sampled by rappers, the Wu Town Clan! as are many of his other sides.

Photo: Benny Joseph

I've always admired his work right from the first Goldwax single 'There Goes My Used To be" 'b' side in 1964. It goes without saying that about ten of this Back Beat sides are must-have Northern soul singles;" I Can't believe", "Poor Boy" and even as late as 1970 with 'Love The Way You Love' are all stunning tunes.

Back to today's album though the other stand out track here is the Bobby Womack song "That's 'The Way I Feel About Cha" given the OV treatment. The other tracks are of the very finest Southern soul. OV incidentally stands for Overton Vertis, he was born in Leno, Tennessee on 18th. October, 1939 he later started singing Gospel with the Harmony Echoes and Sunset Travelers who recorded for Don Robey's Peacock label in Texas. As well as being a singer he wrote songs and was a multi instrumentalist in his own right.

After his first hit with Goldwax label Don Robey reminded him he was with Peacock/Back Beat records because of his previous Gospel work, that's how he came/forced to be on Back Beat! ABC bought out Peacock in the early 70's and OV moved to Hi Records in 1975 having already recorded Nickel And A Nail/The Memphis Album with Willie Mitchell at Hi Records b/w 1971-1973 for Back Beat anyway. Collectables: His 60's LP's are all mega-rare I've never seen a copy of Memory Blues album it may not exsist? ABC re-issued some of them in early 70's. Uk Sue single & Ep £60+, Action single hard.

Harder to find O.V. Wright LP's on The Back Beat Label

Sadly he died at the young age of 41 after a heart attack in Mobile, Alabama, 9th. November 1980. A memorial site has been set up at: http://www.ovwright.org/

All his Back Beat sides including the Goldwax single were released in a 3 CD box set in Japan in 2008.

O.V. Wright Discography (Albums):

1965 If It's Only For Tonight (Back Beat) £75

1967 8 Men And 4 Women (Back Beat) £150 uk £350

1968 Memory Blues (Back Beat)

1968 Nucleus Of Soul (Back Beat) £75

1971 A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades (Back Beat) £200

1973 Memphis Unlimited (Back Beat)
1977 Into Something I Can't Shake Loose (Hi Records)
1977 The Wright Stuff (Hi Records)
1978 The Bottom Line (Hi Records)

1978 Pleading With My Love (Hi Records)

1979 0.V. Wright Live (Hi Records) Victor Japan
1979 We're Still Together (Hi Records)

Jesse James

2011-09-22T20:17:00.033+01:00

Jesse James - I've Been There Before - Gunsmoke GUN006 [1990}

This is was a single that I heard played on the Southport Weekender Radio in 1990. Thanks to friend, Carl Ingram who came back from there with about 20 hours of radio that he recorded on his Hi-Fi VHS video recorder from his chalet.

I wrote to the label Gunsmoke Records in Red Oak GA, and they kindly sent copies for use as radio competition prizes on PCRL radio UK. Later Jessie made me a Station ID jingle and sent more Gunsmoke releases which I promptly played. My first James single was one I obtained in a 1971 Blues & Soul magazine 'Soul Pack' They supplied about ten USA singles for couple of UK shillings - great way to build up your collection.

Rare Shirley Single from 1965

It was a bit of a bargain and Jesse's 'Believe in Me Baby' was enclosed, pity it wasn't his Shirley label track 'cus that's now worth £800+, still must not complain as the track enclosed was quite nice. The Shirley single " Are You Gonna Leave Me/Someone To Love Me" is by far the rarest and most popular Northern track in the style of early Impressions sound (I'm The One Who Loves You.) Incidentally his first Shirley single 'I Will go,' had Sly Stone on guitar making his first recording session!

JJ's 1986 UK visit

Looking back (1990) was the album that contained the 1975, If You Want A Love Affair that we played on my Basement Soul show. It took off and is now a £60 20th Century 45 track.
In March 2011 Jesse James came over to the UK and did a soul weekender at Prestatyn. Four previously unreleased sides came out on the Soul Junction label just before his tour (see discog section.) This was his first return I think since 1986 when he did the famous Voices from The Shadows magazine interview with Rod Dearlove.

1968 Self titled Album

Jesse James, affectionately known as J.J. to friends and close associates, has a unique soulful sound. Born in Louisiana, Jesse’s singing ability was recognizable at an early age when he began singing, clapping, and praising God along side his Mother in church.
While still a toddler, his family relocated to California. After literally singing his way through school he accepted his first professional singing engagement at The Makesmo, a popular Richmond Night Club. That is where Jesse’s singing style and flavor earned him constant bookings and respect as a professional recording artist, composer and entertainer.

Working with the late great Hosea Wilson, who was the National Promotion Director for 20th Century Records, Jesse enjoyed success with his first major release “Believe In Me Baby”. Jesse quickly became a hot ticket and made believers out of a lot of critics. The hit “I Can Do Bad by Myself” launched a new chapter in Jesse’s career.

Jesse James

In 1988, Jesse signed with Barbara Thomas; President of ATL based Gunsmoke Records and release four CDs. The first CD “I Can Do Bad By Myself,” sold over one million copies that included great hits such as ZZ Hill’s “Cheatin’ In the Next Room” as well as “I Can Do Bad By Myself Remix”. The versatility of his CD included a collection of past recordings which was a huge seller overseas. Jesse’s third album at Gunsmoke Records dealt with socio-economic issues with songs like “What Happened to the Dream,” “Something to Believe In” and “We’re Gonna Make It”.

The forth CD entitled “It Just Don’t Feel the Same” really showcases Jesse’s versatility with soulful gospel and R&B sounds. It’s no surprise that Jesse would pay tribute to his roots I the gospel song “The First Day of My Life”. For Blues lovers he features Millie Jackson on the remix of, “It Just Don’t Feel The Same” and “I’m Not Gonna Go Down”.

Jesse James is back blazing the trails with his latest CD release, “It Ain’t So Bad After All”. This CD is by far the best yet. Jesse continues to reinvent himself with his continuous drive and determination, proving that he does have staying power.

Bio from Jesse's own site: http://www.gunsmokejessejames.com/

Jessie James Discography:

Singles/12"
(+ Royal Aces) I Will Go/Cha Cha Minnie - Shirley 103 1960
Baby Please Come Home/I Got A Little Girl - Shirley 106
A Love Like The Wind/Baby Please Come Home - Shirley 109
A Sad Sad Situation/My Future - Shirley 110
I Wanna Full Time Love/I Gotta Little Girl - Shirley 112 1965
Are You Gonna Leave Me/Someone To Love Me - Shirley 119 1965
(+ Dynamic Four) I Call On You/Bring My Back Back - Hit 6119 1966
(+ Dynamic Four) Believe In Me Baby/Part 2 - Hit 6120 1966
Time After Time/Bring My Baby Back - Hit 6122 1966
Believe In Me Baby/Part 2 - 20th Century 45 6684 1967
Thank You Darling/Bring My Baby Back - 20th Cent 45 6700 1968
Green Power/If You're Lonely - 20th Century 45 6704 1968
Ain't Much Of A Home/Don't Fight It - Uni 55171 1969
Don't Nobody Want To Get Married/Pt 2 - Roulette 195066 (France) 1970
Don't Nobody Want To Get Married/Pt 2 - Zea 50 000 1971 * also UK Mojo 2092 016
At Last/I Know I'll Never Find Another - Zea 30 002 1971
I Need You Baby/Home At Last - Zea 50 003 1970
I Know I'll Never Find Another Like You/At Last - Zay 30 002 1971
I Need Your Love So Bad/I Know I'll Never Find Another - Zay 30 003 1971
No Matter Where You Go/You Ought To Be Here With Me - 20th Century TC2118 1974
If You Wan't A Love Affair/I Never Meant To Love Her - 20th Century TC2201 1975
The Same Thing Happens/Part 2 - Happy Fox HF 514 1977
I Got The Feeling/Let me Show You - Moonlite Hope 5701 1983
At last/I Can Feel Your Love Vibes - Midtown 008 1984
She's A Winner/Part 2 - Midtown 009 1984
I Can Do Bad By My Self /Dub/Inst - TTED TDE 3026 [12") 1987
I Can Do Bad By My Self/Inst - TTED TDE 7 3031 1987
I'm Gonna Be Rich And Famous/Don't Get Amnesia On me Baby - TTED 7 3031 1988
I'm Gonna Be Rich And Famous/Love The One Your With TTED TDE 3031 [12"] 1988
Love On The Side/Another Man's Woman - Gunsmoke 001 1989
I Can Do Bad By Myself(remix)/Inst - Gunsmoke 002 1989
It Ain't raining On Nobody's House But Mine/Ins Gunsmoke 005 1990
I've been There Before/Inst - Gunsmoke GUN 006 1990
I Feel Your Love Changing/It's Time For A Change - Soul Junction SJ 508 2011
I Gave You Love With An A Plus/Are You Gonna Leave - Soul Junction SJ 511 2011

Albums:
Jesse James - 20th Century Fox S 3197 1968
Same Thing Happens - (VA Soundrack) Black Fist - Happy Fox 1977
It Takes One To Know One - T.T.E.D 3026 1988
I Can Do Bad By Myself - Gunsmoke SMO 001 1990
Looking Back - Gunsmoke SMO 002 1990
Operator Please Put Me Through - Gunsmoke SMO 003 2005
I Just Don't Feel the Same - Gunsmoke SMO 2548 200?
It's Not So Bad After All - Gunsmoke SMO 627 2006
Versatility - Gunsmoke GMO 1218 2007
Get In Touch With Me - Gunsmoke 792058.2 2009

Discography kindly checked and added to by Dave Allen.
(There are quite a few other artistes with the same name, hopefully non have been included here. If you know to any missing songs please let me know.

Don Mancha Tribute

2011-07-27T16:45:00.023+01:00

Don Mancha Tribute (Died 9/6/2011) PCRL Radio program

Yet another unknown giant of soul music departs from us in 2011. During the late 80's and through the 90's the UK rare soul soul scene started playing more medium pace Detroit productions and the prices rocketed again. Stafford, the 100 Club and Bretby were championing these small label productions.

Don was Martha's secret admirer!

Don Mancha was one of those producers whose work got more recognition. Don came with Bill Randle to my 'Studio 37' in 1997 with a cassette of unreleased recordings that he had not signed with anybody. He asked if I could master them for a CD that he hoped to put out in the UK.

As you can imagine the sound quality was very poor because the master was on a cassette, but I did my best and it came out over here that same year. I was amazed at his funk tracks sounding much like George Clinton's work, most tunes he hadn't even a name for the artists as they were just shelved back in the day.

Don also recorded a 90 minute program for PCRL radio with Bill Randle that we featured on my Sunday Basement Soul show in serial form over three weeks. Today I've re masted it to digital and up-loaded it for all to hear. I had forgotten what a foundation brick he was for the soul music industry.

Billy Hambic opens interview

Most of his best recordings were re-launched by the rare Northern soul scene and now command high prices with more collectors than copies. So many small Detroit labels seemed to have not pressed many copies of the records they so finely made.

Take a listen/look at the track listing and you'll see what I mean! If time is short just just check Andrew Hamilton's bio below. I can't find a photograph of Don to include here so while Bill checks his cupboards at home. Newsflash - Now loaded the only photo we can find of Don - Thanks Bill

Tracks featured in interview:
Billy Hanbric - I Found True Love - Drum - 1965
Falcons & The Ohio Untouchables - I Found A Love - Lupine 1962
Wilson Pickett - For Better For Worse - Atlantic - 1964
Wilson Pickett - Baby Call On Me - Double L - 1963
Barrett Strong - Misery - Motown - 1961
Emaunual Lasky - Peace Loving man - Thelma - 1961
Martha Starr - I'm Lonely - Thelma
Billy Kennedy - A Groovy Generation - Thelma
Jack Montgomery - Dearly Beloved - Scepter
Jack Montgomery - Don't Turn Your Back On Me - Barracuda
Just Brothers - Carlena - Garrison
Honey Bees - Let's Get Back Together - Garrison
Bettye Lavette - I Feel Good All Over - Calla - 1965
Darrow Fletcher - What Good Am I - Jacklyn - 1967
Ike & Tina Turner - Nut Bush City Limits - UA -1973
Bettye Lavette - Living My Life On A Shoestring (un-issued)
Freddie Gorman - Take me Back - Ric Tic - 1965

Detroit-native Don Mancha wore many hats during his 40-year foray in the music biz: songwriter, producer, arranger, record label owner, road manager, and radio DJ. It all began in high school where he sang in various vocal groups including the Delrays with Barrett Strong. After Air Force duty, he returned to Detroit and got knee-deep into the city's burgeoning recording scene. Berry Gordy was penning hits for Jackie Wilson, the Miracles, and Marv Johnson. Gordy also had Tamla Records off and running; others followed suit, and labels like Fortune had been on the scene for years. His first big production was the Falcons' immortal "I Found a Love" with a 19-year-old Wilson Pickett belting out the lead vocal. When Pickett left to go solo, Mancha wrote and produced a number of his early sides including "If You Need Me" and "For Better or Worse," working with Robert Bateman and William "Sonny" Sanders.

He moved to California in 1962 and worked with Ike Turner but kept his ties in Detroit where he produced and wrote for Emmanuel Laskey and hit licks at Correctone and Thelma Records, collaborating with Ivy Hunter, Clay McMurray, Freddie Gorman, and others. A move to Chicago on South Cottage Grove proved fruitful as he began writing for locals like child prodigy Darrow Fletcher.

'Peace Loving Man' - Floor Filler!

Back in Detroit, he discovered Jack Montgomery (previously known as Marvin Tyrone Jones) and wrote and produced "Dearly Beloved" (also issued as "My Dear Beloved"), a song that did nothing upon its release on Scepter Records but is sought after now by soul music aficionados, and "Don't Turn Your Back on Me," for Montgomery, who was renamed after the motion picture star. The latter was Montgomery's debut and Mancha issued it on his fledgling Barracuda label. Mancha gave Marvin Jones his stage name and was also instrumental in Clyde Wilson becoming Steve Mancha. Don Davis was trying to come up with a new name for the singer but hit a bump at Steve; looking at Don Juan, Davis asked, "mind if I call him Steve Mancha, using your last name?" "Sure," said D. Mancha, "soulful as this guy sings he can use any name he wants."

Mega-rare double sided 45

Always on the move, Mancha took his writing, arranging, and producing skills to Memphis and New York. He worked with Chaka Khan and Sherrie Payne before she became a member of the Supremes. Mancha assisted Motown's ex-Artist and Repertoire Director William "Mickey" Stevenson on Richard Pryor's Adios Amigo flick and worked on a Disney exercise video starring Mickey Mouse.

He worked as Edwin Starr's road manager for awhile and collaborated with Starr on some songs with extraterrestrial titles: "Flying Saucers Over Georgia," "Earth Man," and "Late Great Planet Earth." He produced a television pilot MCed by Starr entitled Back Beat City in the '80s that was blown away by the emergence of MTV. Based in his hometown, Detroit, Mancha's working on two televisions shows, an album, and a movie. Which may seem like a lot, but it's mere child's play for "Straight Ahead and Straight Up" music hanger-on Don Mancha.

Doris Troy

2011-04-15T21:00:00.043+01:00

Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (1974)

Doris Troy - Stretchin' Out - People pleo 12 (1974)

Stretchin' out/All I Have Is Written In Your Eyes/Don't Let me Be Lonely Tonight/Jesus Is All The World To Me/Reconsider Our Love/In My Fathers House/Black Star/Way Back Home/Don't Tell Your Mama/Tell Me/Listen To The Music

Produced by: Dandy Livingstone/Doris Troy

I've had this album for some years and had missed this track because the space beteen tracks 2-3 is missing, So having listened to part of track 2 and not liked it I then skipped past it! The album is quite scarce due to it only coming out in the UK. It was Chris Anderton's sales list that drew my attention to it - thanks Chris! Chris was a regular guest on my Breakfast show. He now has his own called "Dab Of Soul" on http://www.thisisthecat.com/ on Mondays 9-11 pm.

I first Met Doris at the Opposite Lock jazz club here in Birmingham in the very early 1970's. She was a larger than life character who enjoyed her food as much as her music. We did an interview with her after her set in the club's restuarant for Radio Nold/BBC at the time. She told us how she had been the cleaning lady at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem during the mid 60's and not thinking much of the talent on Amature Nite she decided should could do better.

Doris Troy - 'Just One Look' by mickeynold

She did quite well and made a demo of Just One Look that she took to Atlantic records. They released her demo and it was an instant hit for her. The next time I saw the lady was when she appeared on a TV documentary about the Cleethorpes Northern Soul Weekender in the early 1990's. They filmed her in the dressing room and singing Just One Look. Doris sadly died from emphysema at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 67 in 2004.

I Have a video clip that I have now added also my interviews from the seventees may be put up if interest is shown. I'm getting to the point now where I think why bother (the Blogger text editor is less than useless as well!) - Mickey

1971 Doris Troy interview with Les Ross

1974 Doris Troy interview (Opposite Lock Club)

Doris Troy Discography (re-issues excluded):

Atlantic
2188 - Just One Look/Bossa Nova Blues (1963)
2206 - Tomorrow's Another Day/What'ya Gonna Do About It(1963)
2222 - One More Chance/Please Little Angel (1964)
2269 - Hurry/He Don't Belong To Me (1965)
Cameo 392 - I'll Do Anything (He Wants Me To Do)/Heartaches (1965)
Capitol 2043 - Face Up To The Truth/He's Qualified (1967)
Apple 1820 - Ain't That Cute/Vaya Con Dios (1970)
Apple 1824 - Get Back/Jacob's Ladder (1970)
Phillips 6003 343 Rock Of Ages/Steal Away To Jesus (1971?)
Mojo 2092 011 But I Loved Him/[I'll Do Anything 3rd re-issue!](1971?)
Mojo 2092 062 Baby I Love You/To My Fathers House (1973?)
People Peo112 - Stretchin' Out/Don't Tell Your Mama (1974)
Midland Int. Mb-10806 - Lyin' Eyes/Give God Glory (1976)
Midland Int. Mb-11082 - Can't Hold On / Another Look(1977)
Midsong 11083 - Can't Hold On/Another Look (1977)12"

LP's
ATLANTIC 8088 - JUST ONE LOOK (1964)
ATCO 33 159 - APOLLO SATURDAY NITE (VA Live)(1964)
APPLE 3371 - DORIS TROY (1970)
MOJO 2956 001 - THE RAINBOW TESTAMENT (Live)(1971)
PEOPLE PLEO12 - STRETCHIN' OUT (1974)

Ella Fitzgerald

2011-02-14T12:23:00.011Z

The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game (1973)

Ella Fitzgerald - Star Collection - Midi MID 34008 (1969/73)

Get Ready/The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game/Yellow Man/I'll Never Fall In Love Again/I Got To Get You Into My Life/I Wonder Why/Ooh Baby Baby/Savoy Truffle/Open Your Window/Knock On Wood

Produced by: Richard Perry

The Ella Fitzgerald Soul set was recorded by the renound soul producer Richard Perry at the Olympic Sound Studio's during the last week in May of 1969. The album came out as Get Ready (shown) and a single was released, a cover version of the Temptations song also as a 45 on Reprise records in that same year.

Four years later in 1973 a reissue of most of that material plus a bonus track the Hunter Gets Captured By The Game came out, presumably from that same session. This album came out in Canada as 'Ella' with an alternative cover. The Get ready track is a stunning arrangement that I brought as a new release! Other high lights on this album are Cliff Bennet's Got To Get You Into My Life and Smokey Robinson's Ooh Baby Baby.

Today's featured track the Hunter.. was originally done by the Marvelettes but sounds nothing like the Motown version. It has a lovely crossover arangement; blues guitar fills, flute bridge and superb stings touch by John Cameron & Michael Vickers. Ian Shaw (Brummie collector) tells me the unreleased Blinky version is getting a play somewhare! that version surfaced in 2002. I gave Ella a few radio plays in years gone by but as far as I know it has never had a run on the Northern scene - shame!

Steve Mancha Tribute 1945-2011

2011-02-03T01:09:00.012Z

Tribute (Full interview with music with Bill Randal)

Sadly 2011 has taken Clyde Wilson another great soul singer from us. Known by Northern soul fans as Steve Mancha. Clyde also sang lead with 100 Proof Aged In Soul and The 8th Day. Bill Randle recorded an interview with Clyde but sadly it was damaged by an airport security scanner on his trip back to the UK.

The tape lay on the shelf for a while, but because Bill thought it was too poor he made a special effort to record a decent tribute to him. We managed to put this recording together and include some of the better sound clips and it was then broadcast to the Birmingham area. Today it goes out as a tribute to his memory - we now share it with the world.

Steve Mancha 60's Discography:
The Jaywalkers

Two Friends
HPC

100 - Just Too Much To Hope For / Family Reunion - 1959

Laurence Faulkon & The Stars

MRC

1202 - I'll Marry You / I Dream - 1962

Laurence Faulkon & The Sounds

Mah's

000.7 - My Girl And My Friend / Why Should We Hide Our Love - 1962

Wheelsville

102 - Did My Baby Call / Whirlpool - 1965

Groovesville

1001 - You're Still In My Heart / She's So Good – 1965

1002 - I Don't Want To Lose You / Need To Be Needed – 1966

1004 - Friday Night / Monday Through Thursday - 1966

1005 - Don't Make Me A Storyteller / I Won't Love And Leave You – 1967

1007 - Just Keep On Loving Me / Sweet Baby Don't Ever Be Untrue – 1967

The Holidays

Golden World

36 - I'll Love You Forever / Makin' Up Time - 1966

Groove City

204 - A Love Like Yours / Hate Yourself In The Morning – 1969

206 - Easy Living / I've Lost You - 1969 (New Holidays)

Marvelettes (Gladys Horton 1945-2011)

2011-01-29T16:09:00.010Z

Gladys Horton interview April 1992

I sadly received the news today that Gladys Horton from Motown's Marvelettes died after a number of strokes on Wednesday 26th January 2010.

Bill Randle spoke to her in London for PCRL radio here in Birmingham in April of 1992 and together we made this 45 minute radio show that went out that year. She was quite annoyed at the treatment she received from Motown after her No.1 hit Please Mr Postman and some of her side of the story can be heard in this interview.

That same year she was trying to find a UK publisher for the book she had written about her life with Motown, she wanted to call it a Letter to the Postman and was to feature many letters to her co-artistes at the label that she had composed for them. Bill had recently visited the Motown museum in Detroit and she tells him what she thought about that as well!

This is the first time I have put this recording on the net. It has been restored today by myself from the Reel-Reel tape that we edited on 18 years ago and digitally improved. A book, shown above came out in 2004 with another name!..... was it the same book?

Lloyd Price

2011-01-17T19:44:00.011Z

Lloyd Price - What Did You Do With My Love - LPG 111 (1976)

Today's 2-Stepper is What Did you Do With My Love, it was the last of Lloyd Price's run of chart singles reaching only No. 99 on the R&B charts of 1976. The run had started in 1952 with his first No.1 with Lawdy Miss Clawdy (the name now belongs to his web site), but in the 50's alone he released 30 singles on various labels

Born in 1933 he spent most of his time in Memphis, he is known as Mr. Personality after his 2nd no.1 hit eight years later in 1959. He had been drafted in Korea during those years. In 1962 he formed the Double L label with Harold Logan who was later murdered in 1969.He had earlier worked with him and Bill Boskent at KRC records. Price then founded the Turntable label and opened a club in NY with the same name.

Price was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 & on his 77th birthday in 2010 he was also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. What Did You Do With My Love was found on his 1976 album 'Music....Music' that also contains a little Modern Soul gem You Brought It On Yourself, thanks to Dave Allen for putting me on to that one!

Price currently manages Icon Food Brands, which makes a line of primarily Southern-style foods, including Lawdy Miss Clawdy food products, ranging from canned greens to sweet potato cookies, and a line of Lloyd Price foods, such as Lloyd Price's Soulful 'n' Smooth Grits and Lloyd Price's Energy-2-Eat Bar (with the brand slogan "Good taste ... Great Personality"), plus Lawdy Miss Clawdy clothing and collectibles.

Lloyd Price Avenue in Kenner, Louisiana, was named for the singer and the city celebrates an annual Lloyd Price Day.

Step By Step

2010-12-13T17:21:00.025Z

Step By Step - I Always Wanted To Be In The Band - Brunswick BL 754211 (1976)

Cash Money, So Very Near You, I'm Glad, Don't Leave Me, We Won This Time, Cool Days Are Out Of Style, I Always Wanted To Be In The Band, People, I Am A Lonely Man, I Ain't Never Gonna Let You Go

I Always Wanted To Be In The Band

Spanish 45

The first time I heard this played I thought It was Johnny 'Guitar' Watson singing! but no.... I found the LP some years back at Adey Pearces shop I think it was in Gloucester Docks. It's very up-tempo and really not fitting into the 'so called' pocket of the Northern/Modern fraternity! Still I brought the album 'cus it was good. I later found that if I played; 'So Very Near You' at -4 b.p.m, Cool Days are Out Of Style at -4 and I Ain't Never Gonna Let You Go at the giant -6 that would fit the bill, albeit the vocals sounded more mature if you know what I mean and I got away with it (I think.)

Anyway we can play them at now the proper speed, as the album has 'taken of' because of it's 'up-beat' funky style. In some areas of the Northern scene they're experimenting with this style as I speak. A track that's popular now is the album title song, I Always Wanted To Be In The Band, it also came out in Spain on a 7' 45!!

The album was recorded in Chicago at Brunswick and produced by Willy Bridges & Benny Clark. Step By Step were straight from the Brewery State, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Because of the incentive pressed upon them by Mr. & Mrs. Gee and Mr. McDaniel they gave 100% of their talents while performing. The title song describes their ambition and willingness to battle any obstacles that they may come across in playing their music. Any degree of compliments to their singing and musical ability can only be an understatement. A photo of the young Johnny Gee is shown with Jackie Wilson, Brunswick's main money maker.

Groups 2nd single 1975

The 12 piece band consisted of Jerome Gee (vocals), Dewitt Gee (Bass), Ronald Purfoy (guitar), Raymond Jones (guitar), Chester Lebron (trum), Jeffrey McClendon (a-sax), Michael Brown (Drums), Deleayne Henderson (drums), Greg McDonald (bass + voc), Greg Emerson (bass + voc) and Johnny Gee (bass + voc.)

Little Johnny Gee had recorded some singles from the age of 12 and still has albums out now. The Step By Step reissue album came out in Japan on CD in 2004. Some reviews on Amazon say the sound is not very good on the CD. Values: The early single 'She's Gone' sold for $450 in 2005. LP goes for £100-£120 on eBay in 2010 & 2 copies for sale in France at time of press £145-£245. My vinyl copy I think will soon be just a memory!

Step By Step discography:

Lil' Johnny Gee - My Love/Salt N Pepper - Cuca (1972)

Step By Step - Time After Time/She's Gone - Cuga J5-5060 (1975)

Johnny Gee - Carpet Bag - BIl-Lou 1010 (19??)

Johnny Gee - Yes I'm Lovin' You Emit 303 (?)

I Always Wanted To Be In The Band - Brunswick BL 754211(1976)LP
I Always Wanted To Be In The Band - Brunswick(Jap reissue) 2004
I Always Wanted To Be In The Band/Cash Money - Safiro 45 (Spain '76?)
Johnny Gee - Born To Love CD (2008)

Bongi & Nelson - Do You Remember Malcolm

2010-11-30T18:27:00.020Z

Bongi & Nelson - Do You Remember Malcolm - Editions Styliphone SYL 532 (1971)

The first time I heard this song, was when I it was given it as a track, on the anniversary CD from Stafford Rangers FC soul night summer 2010. Produced my Myriam Makeba & George Butcher in 1971. To those who don't know its a tribute to Malcolm X, who incidentally was born on the same day as me and who's Mother had the same maiden name as me, (no not Nold) how spooky is that. It turns out that John Farrell from Worcester had contributed this track to the CD. It's got a perfect old type 60's Northern soul tempo! John helps run soul nites in Worcester, see bottom of this page for the one I visit.

France only picture single

John tells me he had discovered it as an MP3 on the net. But before I spoke to John I did a bit of research and have made the following assumptions. In 1995 a Civil Rights series of LP's got released in Germany (Black & Proud Vol.1 & 2). Bongi & Nelson is on Volume One as "Miriam & MBongi Makeba ". This release had been doing the rounds on the Internet as MP3 download.

It turns out that Miriam's Daughter (Bongi) wrote the song with pianist Nelson Lumumba Lee (Miriam's Grandson) and was also released by Miriam Makeba three years later as a French single in 1974. That version has less production and came from a live show that year in France (now it's also out again on a double live CD).

Confused already? Well I was especially when the first French single (shown) turned up in the post with the follow-up release "That's The Kind Of Love" as the 'b' side instead of "Do You Remember Malcolm", although clearly printed on sleeve/cover? My guess is the the label Editions Styliphone Conakay had cold feet at the 11th hour and pulled the release for fear of a African backlash during the Civil upheaval in South Africa at that time. Miriam (aka Myriam) has already fled the country for America in the early 1960's with many other singers/musicians for fear of arrest. Miriam then married (of all people) the Black Panther leader Stokelly Carmichael.

Anyway I think that the song only came out originally on an LP of Miriam Makeba's that also contained a couple of Bongi & Nelson Tracks, entitled 'Miriam Makeba & Bongo'. Chances are that all the singles were sabotaged with a wrong 'b' side. If this is not the case then my copy must be a very rare 'pulled' pressing that got missed by the pressing engineers in 1971 & further copies binned.

A similar thing happened about the same time in the UK, with a Tamla-Motown single with a wrong 'b' side that now fetches around £300 with Motown collectors. That's what UK collector Dave Allen tells me, who quietly keeps a stash of these in his achieve! So if your a Civil Rights collector please make me an offer for today's rarity please!

Bongi Makeba died in 1985 aged 35 and her Mother, who received many awards after Nelson Mandela release in 1990, died in 2008.

Janice Edwards - Time For Me

2010-08-27T11:21:00.024+01:00

Janice Edwards - Time For Me

Janice Edwards - Same - Respond International RES 70827 (1991)

Time For Me, Miss You, First Time First Love, Time For Love, Givers Gain Takers Lose, Once You've Held A Lover, Still In Love, Ever Give Us Away, Love Is A Risk, Hard Times

As far as I know this album was released on vinyl only with no cover in California in 1991. The label is green with silver print, that you have to hold at an angle to read, so it doesn't scan very well. I wrote to the company in 1992 but sadly got no response. Some Independence companies will give you great support as a DJ if you write to them, sending you free copies their product for competition prizes etc.

This album though was always a favorite of mine. Getting lots of plays on my radio show for nearly 10 years! The strongest track is the ballad Eyes Give Us Away. It's a mainly ballad album with the other nice song being Time For Love, I'm not sure why it wasn't a success, perhaps promotion who knows. The only single released from the album was Still In Love with Once You Hold A Lover on the flip side. Time For Love is a nice Stepper with an unusual intro/bridge that's quite catchy listen and see what you think.

So it appears that this was he debut LP and it looks like perhaps just a few hundred were pressed up to feel for market reaction. One of the tracks came out on a UK label About Time on a compilation album Soul'd Together Vol. 2. I remember talking to the owner and recommending it to him at the time along with a few other indie 12's from 1991

Janice has a lovely rawness to her voice sounding a little like Macy Gray. I found a her 'Live At Bourbon Street' quite hard to find, I think this was her last release in 2001. She was a late a member of George Clinton's Parlet funk group in 1979 on Invasion Of The Bootysnatchers under the name Janice Evans, the nice track on that lp is 'Don't Ever Stop.' Evans sings the second verse - Listen..

She performs live at the gay & lesbian bar Bourbon Street in San Diago on Thursdays! I can only find one copy of the debut album for sale today and that is about £75. Her recent unsigned recordings are on her MySpace site: www.myspace.com/janicemarieedwards

Janice Edwards Discography:
As a Group Member:
Parlet - Invasion Of The Bootysnatchers - Casablanca - (1979)

Solo:
Still In Love/Once You Find A Lover - Respond Int 827 (1991)
Janice Edwards - Janice Edwards (LP) Respond Int 70827 (1991)
Soul'd Together (Vol. 2) UK Various Artists LP (2002)
Janice Edwards Live at Bourbon Street (CD) (2001)

Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight

2010-08-11T21:44:00.016+01:00

Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight - Editions Makossa Int. EM2717 (1975)

This was a African guy with an attitude, strong beliefs and wild life style, but you just got to love him! I'm discovering new titles from him all the time. The day after I received his 'Fela in Concert' DVD in the post (from a show in Paris in 1981) I went in July this year (2010) to a Soul Weekender at the Ramada Hotel in Oldbury quite near to where I live in Birmingham.

The highlight of this two-day Modern Soul weekender where the 40 dj's gave time to raise cash for MacMillan Cancer Support for me was hearing 'Roforofo Fight' for the first time spun by the always wacky Gavin Page, he even had the cheek to drop 'the Snake' in amongst the purists in the same set. Mind you the World Cup had been serious competition earlier in the evening with a TV turned on near the dance floor!

I just remember though being knocked out by it, I've never heard a trumpet, tenor & baritone saxophone played in tight formation like this before, it was just amazing, the loudness on the dance floor drumming at your chest - wow.

The version that time was the LP mix that lasts for 16 minutes but Gavin just gave us a few bars from a 12" single. My mate Ian (bless him,) who was also quite impressed went over to ask the dj, to find out what it was and the rest is history. It seams that Roforofo Fight was an album only track on it's first release in Nigeria in 1972, from the album of the same title with a gatefold sleeve but later came out as a single in the US in 1975, even the sleeve is an explosion of colour. The 12" versions I think are all boot-leg releases as far as I can make out and from the 1990's & beyond.

Fela Kuti - Basic Facts:

Fela Kuti was born on October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, to parents who were political activists. His mother was a feminist and anti-colonialist, and his father was active in the Nigerian teachers' union. Fela Kuti died in 1997 of AIDS.

Fela Kuti's Early Musical Career:
In 1958, Fela Kuti moved to London, where he began studying music. He soon formed a group called Koola Lobitos, which was later renamed Nigeria 70. They played a kind of music which Fela named "Afrobeat", which was American jazz, pop and funk blended with West African highlife music.

Fela Kuti's Sound:
Fela Kuti was a gifted multi-instrumentalist, playing, among other things, saxophone, keyboards, trumpet, drums and guitar. He was also a talented singer and a highly energetic live performer. His lengthy songs (most were over 10 minutes long) were backed up by a consistent groove of drums and bass, a style which heavily influenced the genre of hip-hop.

Fela Kuti's Personal Life:
In 1961, Fela Kuti married Remilekun Taylor. They had three children, Femi, Yeni and Sola. Femi Kuti went on to become a well-known Afrobeat musician in his own right. Later in his life, Fela would become a strong believer in polygamy, and married dozens of women.

Fela Kuti's Political Activism:
Fela Kuti was a major activist for Pan-Africanism and anti-colonialism, and because of his socialist beliefs, had many run-ins with the authorities of several African countries. His struggles made him a veritable icon of the Black Power movement. Fela Kuti attempted to run for Nigerian President several times, but was never allowed to.

Fela Kuti's Death:
Fela Kuti died of complications from AIDS in 1997 in Lagos, Nigeria. His illness was, and is, kept very private by his family members, so no further verifiable information is known about his experience with that disease. [Bio facts from about.com/ Photo's: Top 7' single, DVD cover, Nigerian LP, Single sleeve.]

Fela Kuti discography:http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/EAFela.html

Flavor

2010-04-05T13:21:00.026+01:00

Flavor - Don't Freeze Up - Bunky US/Ju-par US/Motown UK EU (1976)

I got married in 1974 and for the next 10 years I missed a lot of good soul music that came out due to family commitments, etc, and even now in 2010 I'm still coming across nice little things that passed me by.

They are like new releases to me when I find them. I ask a friend; "do you know such a track like this one" and they say "Oh yeah" (and then yawn!!), but finding these things is a whole new experience for me and for the reader also, I hope!

This track is very easy to obtain and is classed as a Modern soul tune and came out all over. Firstly on Bunky in 1976 and a few months later in 1977 when Motown pressed it up the Ju-par label. This copy is a German pressing with a picture sleeve and a early blue 'M' logo that I found last week for just few dollars. The other nice track on the first Ju-Par album (shown) is One Way Ticket.

Flavor was Stanton Scott Sheppard (Stan), Chauncey Matthews, and Fred Brown Jr. Sheppard's the son of producer/writer/singer/record label owner Bill "Bunky" Sheppard. The groups first and only release as Flavor "Don't Freeze Up," written by Sheppard and Roderick Rancifer .

When it started making a little noise, Bunky cut a deal with Ju-par Records in Detroit, which was being distributed by Motown Records, to give it some clout. Ju-par reissued the dancer February 1977 and followed with an album entitled In Good Taste three months later. No other track from the album was ever issued. Then, for reasons unknown, the group changed their name to Livin' Proof. (A possible reason is that after albums by the Ju-par Orchestra, Sly, Slick & Wicked, and Flavor, Motown ended its association with Ju-par's owner and snatched the rights to the name Flavor along with the three albums it distributed.)

Still on Ju-par, but not distributed by Motown, the same lineup released a Vernon Bullock tune and production entitled "You and I" in December 1977. The self-titled Livin' Proof came out in 1978, shadowed by a final single "Move Your Body," composed by Bullock and Sheppard. But Ju-par ran into all kind of problems and dissolved, causing Livin' Proof to dissipate like Flavor before it.

None of their product really caught on, despite a print media blitz, and the end was inevitable. Sheppard hooked up with the Rice Twins (Steve and Sterling) to form Triple S in 1979 and two years later began his longest group association as a member of Skool Boyz who recorded for Destiny, Crossroads, and Columbia Records. - Andrew Hamilton

Flavor/Livin' Proof Discography:

Flavor

Don't Freeze Up Bunky (1976) Ju-Par/Motown (1977)

In Good Taste Ju-par LP (1977)

Livin' Proof

You And I (Part 1)/Part 2 Ju-Par 532 (1978)

Move Your Body/Disco Boogie Ju-Par 534 (1978)

Livin' Proof Ju-Par LP (1978)

Ron Banks (Dramatics) PCRL Tribute

2010-03-06T14:13:00.008Z

Listen to full 65 mins radio show from 1994. Please leave comments on interview. Interviewed in Detroit by Bill Randle for PCRL radio here in Birmingham, contains all the classics even "Inky Dinky!"

The Dramatics (formerly The Dynamics) were a American soul music vocal group, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1967. First record was on a local Detroit label Wingate, "Inky Dinky Wang Dang Do/Bingo", followed after Motown brought out the label by a hit release this time on another local label, Sport records, that is very popular with Northern Soul collectors. The group are best known however for their 1970s hit songs, "In the Rain" and "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" - both of which were #1 R&B and Top 10 Pop hits. Their first million selling disc "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in December 1971.

Their members at this time were Ron Banks (who died of a heart attack on March 4, 2010 at age 58), William "Wee Gee" Howard (who died of a heart attack on February 22, 2000 at age 49), Elbert Wilkins (who died of a heart attack on December 13, 1992 at age 45), Willie Ford, Larry Demps and keyboardist James Mack Brown (who died on November 28, 2008 at age 58). Shortly after the success of their first album, Howard and Wilkins left the group.

They were replaced by L.J. Reynolds and Leonard "Lenny" Mayes. Through the 1970s, the group appeared on Soul Train and continued to have hits, including the #1 R&B hit, "In the Rain", "Toast to the Fool", "Me and Mrs. Jones" (originally by Billy Paul), "I'm Going By The Stars In Your Eyes" and "Be My Girl." In the meantime, Howard and Wilkins formed a Dramatics splinter group, and came up with a minor R&B hit, "No Rebate on Love." To distinguish themselves from this group, the core group temporarily dubbed themselves 'Ron Banks and The Dramatics'. Howard eventually returned to the group for two albums, Somewhere in Time: A Dramatic Reunion and Positive State Of Mind, before departing again.
The Dramatics also were guests on the Snoop Doggy Dogg song, "Doggy Dogg World". The song appeared on Snoop's 1993 debut album, Doggystyle.

The group continues to tour and presently consists of Banks, Reynolds, Ford, Winzell Kelly and Michael Brock, who replaced Mayes (who died of lung cancer on November 8, 2004 at age 53).
The Dramatics were also mentioned in the novel The Algiers Motel Incident by John Hersey (ISBN 0-8018-5777-5). They were staying at the Algiers Motel, following a performance at Detroit's Fox Theatre, during an alleged murder by members of the Detroit Police Department, which was one of the incidents which sparked the Detroit Riots of 1967.
The Dramatics "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" appeared in the 2005 documentary Sunday Driver, as well as the movies, Wattstax and Darktown Strutters, and the 2007 Petey Greene biopic, Talk To Me.

Lead singer Ron Banks died at his Prest Street home in northwest Detroit on Thursday morning, March 4, 2010. Banks was born in on May 10, 1951, reportedly in the (then) all-white western suburb of Redford, Michigan. (citation needed - this is unlikely) It is believed that Banks died of a heart attack. wikipedia

Joe Hinton aka Jay Lewis

2009-09-11T12:00:00.027+01:00

Joe Hinton - Hanna's Love - Hotlanta HLDJ 306 (1974)

Jay Lewis aka Joe Hinton was the co-writer of over a 100 songs, the biggest success being 'Gotta Hold On To This Feeling' for Jr. Walker in 1970. Popular Soul Craft single for David Will, "Loneliness" was also one of his compositions. He also released one Motown single of his own, "Let's All Save The Children" and wrote with many of the house writers. He later composed one of my favorite steppers 'Hold On To Love' (see the blog) for Johnny Bristol's 1981 Hansa album. Taking the name Jay Lewis probably because Joe Hinton was already a star of Peacock's Texas Backbeat label with the hit "Funny", but he died in 1968 letting Lewis to resort back to his own name.

His earliest work according to BMI was two 1963 Capitol singles. The only photograph I can find of him was on a picture sleeve single to a Hotlanta/GRC 1973 issue of 'Take My Hand In Your Hand'. This single 'Hanna's Love' starts out as sounding like a Civil Rights song that has been watered down so as not to offend. His voice here sounds very much like Willie Hutch. Hinton co-wrote this with Marlin McNichols. It was recorded at the Sound Pit in Atlanta G.A. and engineered by Milan Bogdan. Hanna was a theme with the label they also recorded The Mighty Hanabal who had been with Loma. The Black Hannibal if you know your history drove his army and elephants over the French Alps to defeat the Romans Empire.

The Sound Pit studio was owned by Michael Thevis who was later convicted of crimes relating to his porn empire! Most of the Hotlanta recordings have been confiscated by the US government as they were allegedly funded by the porn business. For many years Jimmy Ginn & his son have been fighting a legal battle to gain rights to these songs after initially buying the tapes at an auction. Ace UK have put out three Hotlanta compilation CD's thus far having licenced them from G-M-G (Ginn Music Group).

13/4/10 Thanks to Greg Burgess for his email I've since found the popular Northern Arvee track by Little Joe Hinton is one and the same persons. Email: A few additional facts for you on Jay Lewis/Joe Hinton. His wife was the renown record producer, DJ & singer Zilla Mays (Hinton). She is the Zilla on the duet on ABC.

I'm speculating a tad but the vocal similarities are such that I think the Little Joe Hinton on Arvee from c 1960/62 is Jay Lewis. These was cut in LA I think where Roy 'Willie' Mays, Zilla's brother and well known trumpet player was working. Not quite confirmed though so maybe this post will help.

Jay Lewis/Joe Hinton Discography:

Little Joe Hinton (BMI 14151532)

Let's Start A Romance/Your Kind Of Love Arvee A 5029 (1962)

Jay Lewis (BMI 18000144)

Love Her/Had it not been for love Capitol 4957 (1963)
Tell Us What Went Wrong/Should I Come Back Capitol 5095

Zilla & Jay
Old Butter Milk Sky/Into each Life Some Rain Must Fall ABC 10558 (1964)

Betty & Jay
Love Is To Blame/Part 2 DRA 310 (1965)

Jay Lewis
Love Is Real/Darling Let Me Know DRA 313 (1966)
Oh/That's Enough Venture 618 (1968)

Joe Hinton (BMI 14151532)
Let's All Save The Children/You Are Blue Soul 35080 (1970)
Take My Hand In Your Hand/(Edited) Hotlanta HL 102 (1973)

Hanna's Love/Shouldn't I Be Give The Wright To Be Wrong Hotlanta HL 306 ('74)

Where Do We Go From Here!/We've Got Each Other Hotlanta HL 308 ('74)

Maurice Long

2009-09-08T13:50:00.018+01:00

Maurice Long - I Don't Love You Anymore

Maurice Long - Sanctified - Paramount PAS 6069 (1973)

One Stand Here; Change Is Gonna Come; No Man Is An Island; That Day; I'm Movin' On; A Lover's Question; I've Been Loving To Too Long; Waiting For You Baby; I Don't Love You Anymore; Oh, What A Feelin'; Count Your Blessings

Produced by Robert Mersey

Now this is an album that slipped into obscurity as soon a it came out in 1973. Brian Goucher first played me 'I Don't Love You Anymore' on my radio show in the mid-90's from his Cyclone single and told the listeners that there was also an album on Paramount with this track on it. Well the years went by and I never found a copy of the album.

I do prefer to buy tracks on albums rather than on a single. I've found that the sound quality is more often better on albums, especially 60's tracks. Singles didn't go stereo until the late 60's in the US and the early 70's in the UK. Anyway just recently I was looking on the Internet for a copy of this album and could not find one at a reasonable price and I mentioned it to my Friend Ian Shaw, "you can borrow mine" said Ian!!!

So that brings us to this point in time and the sharing of a nice quality cut from his pristine copy. You can also catch vintage video footage of Brian spinning this track at my other site: http://www.pcrlfm.co.uk/ and other guest DJ on the Basement Soul show over the 90's. The album was arranged and produced by Robert Mersey who had worked on; Aretha Franklin's Columbia tracks, My Fair Lady (in 1963), and later with Barbara Streisand.

The album is a mixture of R&B classics and some songs with gospel feel. 'I Don't Love You Anymore' is written by Warren Sams, as is, 'That Day' & 'Moving On', he went on to write for the group Water & Power on Fanasy in the mid-70's. The photography was provided by Frank Bez. I think the release may have been cancelled because I've only ever seen demo copies as seen here. Long went on to be a backing singer on Sylvester's 1981 album. If anybody knows more about Maurice Long please leave you comments below I'm sure people are interested in what happened to this truly great singer.

Maurice Long Discography:

I Don't Love You Anymore/A Lover's Question - Cyclone 75000 (1969)

A Change Is Gonna Come/No Man Is An Island - Cyclone 75008 (1969)

Sanctified - Paramount PAS 6069 (1973) Promo Album

Jackie Wilson

2009-08-31T14:07:00.016+01:00

Jackie Wilson - You Left The Fire Burning

Jackie Wilson - You Got Me Walking - Brunswick - BL 754172 (1970)

You Got Me Walking; What A Lovely Day; You Left The Fire Burning; My Way; Try It Again; Forever And A Day; The Girl Turned Me On; Hard To Get Thing Called Love; Love Is Funny That Way; The Fountain

Produced By Carl Davis

This track is half 2-Step & half Modern a hybrid of my favorite grooves! The guitar/piano interplay gives this track it's stand out groove. Then just add the usual Chicago brass and strings and Jackie's killer vocal style and you come up with another winner. This track was produced & written by Jack Daniels and Johnny Moore. Other stand out tracks on this set are; What A Lovely Day, Try It Again, Forever And A Day & Hard To Get Thing Called Love.

The album came out during a dry period of hits for Jackie that really continued until he suffered a stroke on stage at a Dick Clarke show in 1975. The fall to the floor banged his head and put him in a coma for over 8 years. While all the legal arguments ran about where the cash would come for his hospital fees, much needed help, was not given during the early stages of his coma and he never recovered.

He was the only artiste to refuse an interview with us when we approached him at the Lafayette Club in Wolverhampton. I did record the show however on reel to reel.

It's quite weird that his biggest UK hit came after his death, like artists I suppose, 'Reet Petite' was recorded in the late 50's and with the 'r&r' revival of the late 70's got re-issued and went to no.1 (although it did make no.6 in the UK in 1957!). I had a square picture disc of the single made into a clock for many years. Strange how it always filled the floor for me for years before it was re issued but rarely did after!

I was always a BIG Jackie fan. I couldn't understand why every one else wasn't? I played "Nothing But Blues Skies" and "You Showed Me How To Be Happy" at a Soul nite at the Birmingham Holiday Inn in 1973 to an empty dance floor, was this the end of my DJ'ing career? my two best tracks and no response - ooh well I guess now it was just a Birmingham thing!

Five Stairsteps and Cubie

2009-08-27T11:38:00.011+01:00

Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Stay Close To Me

Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Love's Happening - Curtom CRS 8002 (1968)

Stay Close To Me; Don't Change Your Love; Love's Happening; Little Young Lover; I'm The One Who Love's You; Little Boy Blue; Your Love Has Changed; I Made A Mistake; Baby, Make Me Feel So Good; New Dance Craze

Produced By Curtis Mayfield

This has got to be one of my 'all-time' favourites 'Stay Close To Me' it's Curtis Mayfield at his best. The bubbly bass lines are perfect mixed with that Chicago horn sound so prominent about this time. I think a fugal horn is in there with the section giving them a distinct sound. Right from the drum roll at the intro you know your in for something special. On the Uk 45 it was backed with 'Little Young Lover' that is equally as good and was one of my best 60's 45 buys. The only crimes here is that its only 1 min. 55s. long and was never played on the Northern scene!

Album sleeve Notes:

Into the Garden walked Eddie Thomas (he's the President of Curtom), Curtis Mayfield (he's the producer, and lead singer with the Impressions and V.P. of Curtom), Cecil Holmes (he's the Director of Sales and Promotion for Curtom and Buddah), and they said "Here's the First Family of Soul" and one year later they were nominated Best Rhythm and Blues Group of 1967 by the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers, and here is their third Big Hit album featuring their big hit singles "Don't Change Your Love", "Stay Close To Me" and "Loves Happening". You know the rest of the story, don't you? Sure do! They lived happily ever after.

Five Stairsteps and Cubie

2009-08-26T13:54:00.023+01:00

Five Stairsteps & Cubie (Feat: Dennis) - Find Me

Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Our Family Portrait - Buddah BDS 5008 (1968)

Somethings Missing; Bad News; A Million To One; I Remember You; The New Dance Craze; Tell Me Who; Windows Of The World; Find Me; You Make Be So Mad; Under The Spell of Your Love; The Look Of Love

Produced by Clarence Burke Snr.,

Family groups came out of the mid-60's and were all the rage. Americans love to see child stars on TV and in cinema. I think it all must have started with Shirley Temple. Most were rubbish some like Jackson 5 went on to be mega stars. Others were quite underground in the UK in the late 60's. One such band were The Five Stairsteps & Cubie.

The group even on their 1969 album included Mum & Dad in the mix - nice. Dad was a Chicago detective (shown). He kept the family on the straight and narrow and they were known in black circles as the first family of soul. Today's track though features Dennis Burke on main vocal. "Find Me" is the one that bold me over from this their 2nd album, that had a gate fold sleeve with 17 family photos. I purchased the album from Dan Reddington's shop opposite Moor Street Station here in Birmingham. He was bringing over container loads of US music and sold import singles three for a £1.00 in 1970, this was my sort of price! Still I did have to go and fix his TV from time to time. He still sells music today but web only.

The Stairsteps though consisted of five brothers and one sister; Alohe, Clarence, James, Dennis, Kenneth and at this time 2 1/2 year-old Cubie. The group started out being introduced to Curtis Mayfield's Windy C label by Fred Cash (of The Impressions) in 1966 with "Don't Waste Your Time"/"You Waited Too Long" (R&B 16/Pop 94) written by Curtis Mayfild. Most other songs on their first album were written by Clarence Snr., (Pops)! Oldest member at that time was Alohe at 17, Dad played bass and Mom working on the vocal harmonies. Mayfield had set up the Windy C label for them with Cameo/Parkway distribution and all but one of the eight releases on the label were Stairsteps.

Cameo/Parkway folded in 1967 and Buddah was launched from the ruins and signed the group. The third album was on the newly launched Curtom (Cur=Curtis & Tom=Eddie Thomas) with mostly Mayfield songs, some old and some new, but the group harmonies blended to his sound perfectly. In the spring of 1970, the group released their biggest hit, "O-o-h Child" (written by Stan Vincent), which hit number 14 R&B and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. This disc sold over one million copies, and received a gold disc awarded by the R.I.A.A.

Aloha left the group in 1971 and along with the 5 chart singles from the Windy C album this was their only success and the group folded after an album for George Harrison in 1976. He had be so impressed at them doing the Beatles song Dear Prudence and was introduced to them though Billy Preston. When the group folded Kenny Burke had a few releases and an album in the 1980's. Rising To The Top being his biggest track. He then did session guitar work for many big names also part of Invisible Man's Band (with Clarence & Dennis).

The Five Stairsteps & Cubie discography:

as The Five Stairsteps:
WINDY C WC (7)
601 Don't Waste Your Time/You Waited Too Long (1966)
602 World Of Fantasy/Playgirls Love (1966)
603 Come Back/You Don't Love Me (1966)
604 Danger She's A Stranger/Behind The Curtains (1967)
605 I Ain't Gonna Rest(Til I Get You)/You Can't See (1967)
607 Ooh Baby Baby/The Girl I Love (1967)
608 Change Of Pace/The Touch Of You (1967)
LP WC 6000 'The 5 Stairsteps' (1967)

as The Five Stairsteps & Cubie:
BUDDAH (BDA)
020 Tell me who/Somethings missing (1968)
026 A million to one/Tell me who (1968)
035 The Shadow of your love/Bad news (1969)
LP bds 5008 'Our Family Portrait' (1968)
LP bds 5017 'Classmates' (various artists*) (1969)
*(above includes 4 tracks from Portrait LP)

CURTOM (5)
1931 Don't Change Your Love / New Dance Craze (1968)
1933 Stay Close To Me / I Made A Mistake(1968)
1936 Baby Make Me Feel So Good / Little Young Lover (1969)
1944 Madame Mary / Little Boy Blue (1969)
1945 We Must Be In Love / Little Young Lover (1969)
LP CRS 8002 'Loves Happening' (1969)

(as Stairsteps:)
BUDDAH (BDA)
165 Who Do You Belong To/O-O-H Child (1970) Eric (1975)
188 Because I Love You/America Standing (1970)
213 Didn't It Look So Easy/Peace Is Gonna Come (1971)
222 Snow/Look Out (1971)
277 I Love You, Stop/I Feel A Song (In My Heart Again)(1972)
291 Hush Child/The Easy Way (1972)
320 Every Single Way/Two Week's Notice (1972)

LP bds 5061 'Stairsteps' (1970)
LP bds 5068 'Step by Step by Step' (1970)
LP bds 5079 'Stairsteps'' (1971)

DARK HORSE (owned by George Harrison)
ams 5505 From us to you/Time (1976)
ams 5507 Pasado/ (1976)
ams 10009 Tell Me Why/Salaam (1976)
LP sp 22?? Keni Burke 'self' (1977)
LP sp 22004 'the 2nd. Resurrection' (1976)

The Dells

2009-08-23T23:44:00.014+01:00

The Dells - I Touched A Dream - 20th. Century T 618 (1980)

So You Are Love; All About The Paper; Passionate Breezes; I Touched A Dream; Just A Little Love; Look At Us Now; Your Song

Produced by: Carl Davis/Eugene Record

The Dells - I Touched A Dream

Today I received the sad news that Johnny Carter of the Dells had died, Friday morning the 20th. August aged 75.

I remember the first single that I brought that featured his voice heavily and that was 'I Can Sing A Rainbow' back in 1969 and thinking these guys are really powerful what else have they done? As the years went by I discovered many songs that touched the soul.

The group has been together since 1952 and had no personnel change since 1960! They also sang the theme music in the film Five Heartbeats that was loosely based on their life story. Johnny joined The Dells as a replacement for Johnny Funches in 1960 having already been in the Flamingos.

The featured track today comes from their 28th. Anniversary year 1980 and is a Eugene Record song and production and is titled I Touched A Dream. I remember the first time time this song came at me out of the radio it was being spun by Lady Cherry a PCRL Birmingham radio deejay at the time and I remember ringing her up and asking her to marry me! (I was that imprest - in jest you know). The album also contains the Groovesville/Bobby Womack dancer'Your Song', that has sold for £157 when search fever hit the streets, settled now though now at about £50.

Johnny's voice is in this song like many others it seems always in the background as though to say yes THIS IS the Dells your listening too. Surviving members: Chuck Barkdale, Marvin Jones, Verne Allison, Michael McGill. The group up to this point was the longest lasting original group of all time, 57 years!

James Brown

2009-08-19T16:37:00.009+01:00

James Brown - Hot - Polydor Super 2391 214 (1975)

Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved); So Long, (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons; The Future Shock Of The World; Woman; Most Of All; Goodnight My Love; Please, Please, Please

Produced by James Brown

James Brown - So Long ('75 remake)

This is just a great unknown Northern mid-pacer, and with the passing of the 'Godfather of Soul' it is quite sad to hear him say the words 'So Long'.

The original "So Long" started its life being cut at local radio station and being put out at on NRC in Greenville. Recorded on 17th December 1962 and again released on King in 1964 and on a UK Ember EP in early 1965. It did not enter the R&B charts or Pop charts and I'm not surprised because it was poor.

In 1975 James decided to put out the 'Hot' LP with mainly remakes of old songs. This had worked earlier with 'Bewildered' that he had cut again in 1969 to great effect. Sadly though it went 'tits-up' this time again. The album contained new versions of Please, Please, Please and Try Me, both of which he chats before the intro to explain why he's doing this!

Calling himself the Minister of New New Super Heavy Funk the album hardly contains funk that you would have previously credited him for. All very strange!

The song was written by Morgan, Harris & Melsher. Terry Melsher was the son of Doris Day and had wrote songs for the Beach Boys and The Byrds. The new version is arranged by Dave Matthews and produced by James Brown. Anyway thanks to my good friends Steve Williams and Heinrich Buttler in Germany the song will now live again - enjoy

Barbara Acklin

2009-05-08T13:56:00.017+01:00

Barbara Acklin - Mr Sunshine (Where Is My Shadow)

Barbara Acklin - Seven Days Of Night - MCA MUPS 410 (1970)

A Raggedy Ride, Go With Love, Seven Days Of Night, Just Ain't No Love, Where Would I Go, Am I The Same Girl, Until You Return, This Girl's In Love With You, Here Is My Heart, Mr. Sunshine (Where Is My Shadow), Love Had Come To Stay

Produced by Unknown

The first single of Barbara's that I purchased was Am I The Same Girl in 1969 and this album also contained this little 2-Step all-time classic! But today I'm spinning Mr. Sunshine because the sun is out here in Birmingham today. The other big hit at the time although not on this album was Love Makes A Woman. Pressed up on the UK's 'Soul Bag' series of Brunswick US releases. Barbara Acklin (February 28, 1943 - November 27 1998) was a soul singer of the 1960s and 1970s. Her biggest hit was "Love Makes a Woman" in 1968 which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Born Barbara Jean Acklin, the only child of Herman and Hazel Acklin, she began singing in church and then as a teenager in nightclubs while attending Dunbar Vocational High school in Chicago. Upon graduation, she was hired as a secretary for a local record label by her cousin, saxophonist and producer Monk Higgins. Her first release was under the name Barbara Allen on his Special Agent label. Later, Higgins used Acklin as a background singer on his Chess Records sessions with artists like Etta James and Fontella Bass.

In 1966, Acklin began working as a receptionist for record producer Carl Davis at Brunswick Records in Chicago. She persistently asked Davis to record her. Davis finally agreed but encouraged her to keep writing songs. Cornering Brunswick star Jackie Wilson, Acklin had him listen to a tune that she co-wrote with David Scott (formerly of The Exciters Band and later to join the Chi-Lites for a time). Wilson liked it and passed it on to Davis. Released in September 1966, "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" went to number 5 R&B and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song helped to re-launch Wilson's career and, returning the favor, he helped Acklin to secure a recording contract with Brunswick.

Acklin's first chart success as a singer came with "Show Me the Way to Go," a duet with another Brunswick artist, Gene Chandler, which reached number 30 R&B in the spring of 1968. In July the same year, Acklin had a hit of her own with the extremely catchy "Love Makes a Woman," which went to number three R&B and number 15 on the Hot 100. The song, co-written by producers Carl Davis and Eugene Record together with arranger Sonny Sanders and guitarist Gerald Sims, also won a BMI Award. Another Chandler/Acklin duet followed in October 1968. "From the Teacher to the Preacher" reached number 16 R&B and number 57 pop.

Acklin's next charting singles were "Just Ain't No Love," "Am I The Same Girl" (covered by Dusty Springfield, Swing Out Sister and The Manhattan Transfer), "After You", "I Did It," "Lady Lady Lady," and "I Call It Trouble."

She was reportedly disappointed with Brunswick when, prior to releasing her version of "Am I the Same Girl", her voice on the track was replaced by the piano part and released as an instrumental. "Soulful Strut" became a massive hit for Young-Holt Unlimited, reaching the top 3 of both the Hot 100 and R&B charts. Unfortunately for Acklin, her release some months later in early 1969 did not enjoy the promotion or reaction of "Soulful Strut", managing only #33 R&B and #79 pop. However, Barbara was also proficient as a songwriter - in addition to "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)", she co-wrote "Have You Seen Her", a major hit for The Chi-Lites with the group's lead singer, Eugene Record, and several of their other biggest songs: "Oh Girl", "Stoned Out Of My Mind" and "Toby" as well as her own releases. Her distinctive voice also featured occasionally on background vocals on some of The Chi-Lites' records.

Acklin departed Brunswick in 1974 for Capitol Records. Her first single, "Raindrops," was an R&B hit (#14) in the summer of that year. The song and resulting album were produced by Willie Henderson, another Brunswick regular who had also just left the label. A few subsequent singles failed to register strongly and Acklin's recording career subsided. Barbara Acklin died from pneumonia on November 27, 1998 while in Nebraska. She had lived for some years with Eugene Record and the two had a son. -Wikipedia

Barbara Acklin Discography:

I'm not mad any more/nobody cares special agent 203

Love makes a woman/soulful strut eric 4503

Love makes a woman DAU 1015

Brunswick

Fool fool fool/your sweet loving 55319 (1967)
Love won't start/show me the way to go +Gene Chandler 55366 (1967)

Seven days of nites/a gaggidy ride 55379 (1968)

Come and see me baby/love makes a woman 55379 (1967)

From the teacher ../anyware but nowhere +Gene Chandler 55387

Just ain't no love/please sunrise please 55388 (1967)

Am i the same girl/by my side 55399 (1968)

Will i find love/little green apples +Gene Chandler 55405 (1968)

After you/more ways than one 55421 (1968)

Someone else's arms/is it me 55433 (1968)

Did it/i'm living with a memory 55440 (1969)

I can't do my thing/make the man love you 55447

Lady, lady, lady/stop look and listen 55465

Love you are mine today/i call it trouble 55486 (1971)

Love makes a woman/old mach maker be by 554137

I'll bake me a man/i call it trouble 55501 (1972)

Capitol
Raindrops/here you come again 3892 (1973)

Give me your sweet love/fire love 4016 (1974)

Special loving/you give him everything but i 15807 (1975)

Kresent

Your the one/inst. 12" [no number] (1990)

albums:

Love Makes A Woman Brunswick (1968)

Seven Days of night Brunswick (1970)

Someone els's arms Brunswick (1970)

I Did It Brunswick (1971)

A place in the sun Capitol st11377 (1975)

Groovy Ideas (uk) Kent 072 (1987)

The Complete Barbara Acklin Edsel 2xcd's (2004)

Carroll Thompson

2009-05-08T11:16:00.018+01:00

Carroll Thompson - Just A Little Bit - Red Bus RBUS 65 (1981)

Known as the Queen Of Lovers Rock, Thompson has been recording reggae & soul for some 24 years now. This self penned track 'Just A Little Bit' is lingering on the edge of the two genre's and also crossing into the Modern soul realm like Beres Hammond of a few blogs back. The track is arranged by Alan Weeks and as far as I know not spun yet on the the Modern soul circuit. Thanks to Mr. Merry for putting me on to this track. The label was set up by S & G Record Shop Ltd. 417 Roman Rd., Bow, London E3 5QS, England and had about 21 singles/3 albums.

Gota & The Heart Of Gold Feat: Carroll Thompson - Someday (1994)

Thompson also recorded with Gota & The Heart Of Gold & was quite popular in Japan for a while with three albums. The Gota track 'Someday' on UK RPL in 1994 got a few spins by myself and Brian Goucher.

Carroll Thompson (born 1960, Letchworth, Hertfordshire) is an English lovers rock singer, best known for her work in the 1980s. Thompson sang in school and church choirs as a girl, but initially chose a career in pharmacy. In the mid-1970s, she began working as a backing singer at several recording studios after auditioning for Frank Farian's Sugar Cane group.

Eventually, Thompson embarked on a solo career, with early successes in the shape of lovers rock singles "I'm So Sorry" (produced by the now London-based Leonard Chin) and "Simply In Love", which both topped the reggae chart in 1981, the same year seeing the release of her debut album.

She won two GLR Reggae Awards in 1982, for Best Female Performer and Best Song (for "Hopelessly In Love"). In 1983, she won further awards, again winning Best Female Performer at the GLR awards. She also recorded duets with Sugar Minott ("Make It With You") and Trevor Walters ("Love Won't Let Us Wait"), as well as continuing with regular solo reggae chart hits. After the mid-1980s, her releases dwindled.

Her fortunes revived in 1990 when she provided lead vocals on a version of Diana Ross's "I'm Still Waiting", recorded with Aswad and Courtney Pine, which was a minor UK Singles Chart hit. She also enjoyed minor chart hits that year with Movement 98's "Joy & Heartbreak" and "Sunrise". In 1993, she worked with Neil "Mad Profesor" Fraser on the The Other Side Of Love album. Carroll is married to the Radio 5 Live presenter Dotun Adebayo. Wikipedia

Carroll Thompson Discography:

I'm So Sorry/Sorry dub Santic san 0011 (1980)

Simply in love/Simply dub (12" yellow) Santic san0014 (1980)

Just A Little Bit/A Happy Song Red Bus rbusl65 (7") (1981)

Just A Little Bit/A Happy Song S&G 12" SG11 (1981)

Hopelessly without you/You are the one S&G SG 3 (1981)

Your Love/My Love (12") S&G SG 20 (1982)

Smiling in the morning /dub Excalibur (12") excl518 (1982)

Love won't let me wait/Inst (with Trevor Walters) Sanity styt014 (19??)

Let The Music Play/Live for your love (with Cicero)

You make it heaven/ Carib Gems car3

Honis I Do/Give me a chance Carousel 12car7a (1983)

Make it to heaven/Vers Carousel car7 (1983)

Is That The Way You Like It/ Sure Delight sdt13

Apple Of My Eye/Songwriters cramp (with Total Contrast) Virgin VS698 (1984)

Strangest Love Affair/Tonight Virgin 608433 (1986)

Love Without Passion/Ready Or Not (+Tonight 12") Virgin vs933 (1987)

Joy & Heartbreak (all formats) Circa (1990)

Let The Music Play/live for today Speciality 04726 (1992)

The other side of love/Aztek warrier Arwia ari 138 (1992)

Too late (remix) E1 Recordings EQ1 (1998)

Free (cdsingle)

Flying (1999)

Deep Factor feat: Thompson Friend Of Mine/3 vers Fellin'Music FM 003(2006)

albums

Carroll Thompson s&g sg21 (1982)

Hopelessly in love Carib gems/Carousel cglp15 (1982)

Other side of love Ariwa arilp 077 cd (1992)

The Ultimate Collection E1 Recordings RE001LP (1998)

Jeff Floyd

2009-05-07T14:29:00.020+01:00

Jeff Floyd - Changing Times

Jeff Floyd - Changing Time - Murphy Floyd R DRP 9260a (1992)

Changing Times, 9 to 5, Breaking Hearts, Miss You, Throw Her Love To Me, Walking In The Rain, Why You Ain't Funky, Little Susie

Produced by Jeff & Mike Floyd

Changing Times is a nice period stepper by bass player, keyboards player, singer Jeff Floyd and drummer lead guitar player Mike Floyd. The album came out again with a cover on a P-Vine CD in Japan in 1993.

This was a popular spin of Consortium DJ Chris Anderton. Vinyl is very rare! non for sale at time of press. In what seems to be his only single, the more uptempo raregroove; don't Leave Me (1984), it changed hands in 2006 for £62, I'm not sure its the same person, but it does sound like him, a nice child spoken introduction on that song. I Found Love (On A Lonely Highway) from his 2000 'Powerhouse' album is just a great Southern Modern soul stepper.

Jacksonville, FL, native Jeff Floyd (born October 1965) is a throwback Southern soul singer who conjures up images and the aural extremities of the genre's best purveyors, notably Otis Clay and Bobby Womack. His music evokes emotions and feelings that linger long after the song has ended.

A start in his church's choir piqued Floyd's interest in music to the point of becoming proficient on many instruments, which helped tremendously in his songwriting, with his baby being the bass guitar. Floyd's mastery of instruments made him an employable commodity who has performed behind some of the industry's giants on the road.

He recorded for William Bell's Wilbe Records, but cut an album prior to that association entitled Changing Times, originally issued on his Jeff Floyd Music. Floyd headlined a concert with Trudy Lynn, and the Total Package Band at the Narni Black Festival in Italy, October of 2000.

And he played regularly during the '90s with his crew, Jazz Jeff Floyd and the Sweat Band at the Contemporary Jazz Lounge in downtown Jacksonville, as well as performing opening-act duties for many of the major urban artists that rolled into Jacksonville, including a two-day concert with the Temptations at a Mother's Day show at Metropolitan Park. — Andrew Hamilton , All Music Guide http://www.jazzijefffloyd.com/

http://www.williambell.com/

Jeff floyd Discography

singles:

Don't leave me/Best of friends Big J 1010 (1984)

albums:

Changin times Murphy floyd drp 9260 (1992)
Changin times P-vine cd (1993)

Powerhouse Wilbre wil cd (2000)
I Found Love (On A Lonely Highway), Funny Love, You're My Magic Girl, Let's Get It On, I'm Giving You My Private Number, I'm Giving Up (All The Other Girls), Nobody Wants You , Try A Little Tenderness, Face Down, All I Need, Party All Night

Power is still on Wilbre wil 2008 cd (2004)

Let Me Know, I Got My Woman Upset, Lovin' Someone On The Outside, I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love, Swing Out For Love, Thank You Baby, Somebody Is Gonna Lose A Good Woman, It's You, Last Chance, You Had It All, King Size Bed, Night Club

Keepin' it real Wilbre wil 2014 cd (2008)

Lock My Door, Shake Somethin' Loose, That Body, A Woman's Worth, Do You Wanna, Hand On It, Planning My Weekend, Rump Bump, Where Do You Go, How Do You Want It, Wrapped Up In You, Last Call

Beres Hammond

2009-05-03T14:16:00.014+01:00

Beres Hammond - Do This World A Favor

Beres Hammond - From My Heart With Love - Rocky Gibbs - RGCD026 (late 90's)

I'm In Love With You, I'm Lonely, Do This World A Favor, Save A Little Love For Me (Dennis Brown), John Crazy, Love Me Tonight, Keep My Wheel Turning, Too Hot (Dennis Brown), Just A Man, Music Is A Positive Vibration, Jammin' My Way To Fame (Dennis Brown), If Only I Knew, Seasons

Produced by: Joe Gibbs

Every now and again a reggae artiste gets a spin on the UK Northern soul scene. Just recently (last 10 years) its been Beres Hammond, but some of the people that came before were; Glen Miller and Jackie Edwards. It's obvious that the money is to be made in reggae and not soul, but that doesn't stop these artistes putting out the odd soul tracks.

In the case of Do The World A Favour, it came out a few times on LP only, first on 'Just A Man' from 1979 to later an 80's LP and finally the track took off when it appeared on the From My Heart With Love CD in late 90's. Small amount of distortion on CD, like it's been dubbed from vinyl, still sounds very nice though, take a preview listen. Backing vocals are by Pam Hall and todays song was written and arranged by Willie Lindo. The CD is as hard to find as the original albums, thanks to John Weston for my copy, a mint Just a Man sold for £102 in 2008!

Born the ninth of ten children; Hammond grew up listening to his father's collection of American soul and jazz music; including Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. He was further influenced by the native musics of ska and rocksteady, in particular Alton Ellis.

Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording, of Ellis' "Wanderer". In 1975 he joined the band, Zap Pow, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single, "The System" under the Aquarius Records label. However, he simultaneously sought a solo career, releasing his debut album, Soul Reggae, in 1976. His solo ballads "One Step Ahead" (1976) and Joe Gibbs produced "I'm in Love" (1978), were both hits in Jamaica. He left Zap Pow in 1979 to pursue his solo career, and recorded two more albums in 1979 and 1981. He formed Tuesday's Children, a harmony group that toured but never recorded.

Hammond formed his own record label, Harmony Records, in 1985 for the release of his Make a Song album, which had two Jamaican chart-toppers that were influenced by the emerging dancehall style: "Groovy Little Thing" and "What One Dance Can Do". The latter, produced by Willie Lindo, began to break Hammond into the international market. He scored another hit in 1986 with "Settling Down" on his eponymous release. He left his fame in Jamaica for New York in 1987 after being tied up as thieves ransacked his house during a home invasion. There he recorded Have a Nice Weekend and the duet single "How Can We Ease the Pain" with Maxi Priest.

Beres Hammond at PCRL radio

Hammond returned briefly to Jamaica to record Putting Up Resistance, which was significantly harder than his typical ballads, under Tapa Zukie, which spawned the hits "Putting Up Resistance" and "Strange." He signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and returned to Jamaica permanently to record the dancehall smash "Tempted to Touch", with producer Donovan Germain. This is perhaps his best known song in the United States and United Kingdom, and set the foundation for the hits "Is This a Sign" and "Respect to You Baby" on the 1992 Love Affair album.

Now garnering interest from major studios such as Electra Records, Hammond recorded five more albums in the 1990s as well as several compilations, establishing himself as one of the top lovers rock artists. His first album of the new millennium was 2001's Music Is Life, which featured an appearance by Wyclef Jean. The 2004 release Love Has No Boundaries, had guest spots by Buju Banton and Big Youth.

He returned to Jamaica to perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Cricket World Cup 2007. 2008 saw the release of yet another album "A moment in time" featuring the single "I feel good". It was released on the 11/11/08 under VP records. Wikipedia

Freddie Hughes

2009-04-26T17:54:00.017+01:00

Freddie Hughes - We Gotta Keep on

Freddie Hughes - Send My Baby Back - Wand WDS 664 (1968)

1-Send My Baby Back, Tonight I'm Gonnna See My Baby, We Gotta Keep On, He's No Good, Natural Man

2-I Gotta Keep My Bluff In, Every Night I See Your Lovely Face, Where's My Baby, You're My Everything, What Am I Gonna Do Without Your Sweet Lovin'

Produced & arranged by Lonnie Hewitt (of 'Is it Me' fame)

He's not to be confused with Fred Hughes on Brunswick & Vee Jay. A bootleg compilation recently mixed the two singers up on one cd!

Freddie Hughes born in Berkley California, August 20th, 1943 and was raised on Oakland. He started singing in church. Moved on to in school vocal groups in the mid-50's; The Four Rivers, The Holidays, Five Disciples (Gospel group) ,The Markeets & later Casanova II.

To be honest you can pick any track of the above album and it will blow your socks off. Recorded at Coast Recording in San Fransisco with audio engineer Mel Tanner as were most of the the Wee label singles at this time and with Hughes on Scepter/Wand. Girl vocals on today's featured track was by: The Kisses – Wilet, Harriet and Sandra, Hughes also wrote this song.

Freddie Hughes toured with Cliff Knobles while the album was out and mimed to a few tracks on the Shindig tv show. The producer Lonnie Hewitt had set up the Wee label and also put out his own 'Is It You' track as Hewitt, where he jokes about talking over the brass bits, quite a strange single but a really but a nice stepper. The other nice Wee track I know is It Ain't Nobody's Business by Ernie Marberry one of John Weston's spins from 1998. The Hughes album is very rare and took myself some years to find this copy. (extra info: Colin Dilnot)

Freddie Hughes discography:

early bird (as Casanova 'II' or Two)
49658 we gotta keep on/ I was a fool 'Two' (1965)
49661 love’s philosophy/maybe there right 'II' (1966)

wee
1006 send my baby back/where's my baby (1968)
1007 send my baby back/natural man (1968)
1011 my baby came back/love can't be understood (1969)

wand
1182 Send my baby back/where's my baby (1968)
1192 I gotta keep my bluff in/natural man (1968)
1197 I got to keep my bluff in/he's no good (1968)

hipstar
1013 take me as I am/inst

janus (with chevelles)
196 I just found out/I've got my own mind (1972)
208 will you be there/

happy fox (with chevelles)
504 will you be there/? (1972)

greg-uh-rudy
002 sarah mae/don't leave me (1976)

hatties
1110 send my baby back/my baby came back (1989)

LP's
Send my baby back - Wand lp (1968)
Soul of freddie hughes - Ifgam cd (1997)
Fred Hughes & His Groups Veltone cd (bootleg+name mix ups) (2000)
I know it's hard but fair - Blues express cd (2008)

Rick Clarke

2009-04-26T15:24:00.017+01:00

Rick Clarke - See You Along The Way (1988)

Rick Clarke - Time Keeps Moving On - Raven RAV LP1 (1988)

Side 1: Time Keeps Moving On, If You Think Your In Love, Grooving On, Better Luck Next Time, Love

Side 2: Got To Get A Hold, See You Along The Way, I Wanted Your Love, Don't Say Goodbye, Perfect Lady

Produced by Rick Clark

Nice British indi soul album from the early 90's. Electronic production by Peter Hinds, guitar Nat Augustine and saxophone & flute by David Baptiste. Backing vocals Julie Roberts & Gina Foster

Rick got lots of Pirate plays but failed to break into the UK charts, I think this is his only album although there are many singles/12's. Raven Records was based at Raven House in Cleveland Way, London E14.

The electronic bass-line was quite new at the time but sounds a little old hat now. His biggest tune in Birmingham was 'See You Along The Way' that came out in 1988 and was also released in the Netherlands. I really want to be with You with Emma (not on the album) is also a nice mellow stepper found on 12".He also takes on Luther Vandross's I Wanted Your Love and gives it a Soul II Soul type UK sound. Perfect Lady is his most remembered track and also a nice stepper. Quite hard to find album only one for sale at the time of print. It's the mellow groove that he'll be remembered for and lots of late 80's sunny days and the words 'haul & pull'.

Rick Clarke Discography:

local

LR11 love with a stranger/dub with a stranger (1985)
0000 turn the lights down/?

rca
PT 41286 when you gonna /?(with Lisa)

PT 41331 i've been watching/i really wanna be with you (+Emma) (1987)

PT 41332 i've been watching you/i really wanna be with you (x2) 12" (1987)

PT 41497 looking out for you/perfect lady (1987)
PT 41498 looking out for you/perfect lady 12" (1987)

jet star
wa 1 i'll see you along the way/2 mix's (1988)
wa 2 get busy/love (1988)

wat2 get busy/love 12' (1988)
wat3 if you think your in love/i really wanna be with you (1988)
wat4 grooving on/the bass line/mix 2 12"
wa88 i really want to be with you/mix 2 (with Emma)

funky dreads
stand1 stand up/you can depend on me (1993)

full crew
fc004p ride with me/inst (2000)

lp's
raven
rav lp1 time keeps moving on (tracks above) (1988)

Brook Benton

2009-04-25T17:02:00.010+01:00

Brook Benton - Where Do I Go From Here

Brook Benton - Today - Cotillion/UK Atlantic 2465 004 (1970)

Rainy Night In Georgia, My Way, Life Has it's Little Hang Ups, We're Gonna Make it, A Little Bit Of Soap, Where Do We Go From Here?, Desertion, I've Gotta Be Me

Produced by Arif Mardin

OK you think I've lost the plot, but the truth is I was always a Benton fan from the day I first heard his 1961, Bo Weevil song. His version of the Tony Joe White song Rainy Night In Georgia is the master cut of that song anyway - so there!

The nice touch in today's track is the inclusion of a vibraphone and oil drums and even a sax solo on the bridge (that sounds like King Curtis) - too much. When I played this on my radio show I had remixed it, but it sounds good now on it's own. So take a listen and let me know what you think.

Mickey Nold Remix 1999

(I added a cabassa, bongo's and a tambourine)

Brook Benton (September 19, 1931 - April 9, 1988) was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.

He made a comeback in 1970 with the ballad "Rainy Night in Georgia." Benton scored over 50 Billboard chart hits as an artist, and also wrote hits for other performers. Brook died of complications from spinal meningitis in Queens, New York City, at the age of 56, on 9 April 1988.

Billy Butler

2009-04-25T16:06:00.008+01:00

Billy Butler - Feel The Magic (1976)

Billy Butler - Sugar Candy Lady - Curtom CU 5015 (1977)

Side 1:Sugar Candy Lady, I Know The Feeling Well, Play My Music, The Saga Of Sadie Lee

Side 2: Feel The Magic, I'm Gonna Make Her Mine, Alone At Last, My love For You Grows

Produced by Billy Butler & Rufus Hill

Two nice ballads; I Know the Feeling Well, I'm Gonna Make Her Mine, and two Modern tempo numbers Feel The Magic (Today's play) and My Love For You Grows.

Recorded at Curtis Mayfields' Curtom studio's in Chicago, Phillips Upchurch on guitar, Richard Tufo on keyboards and Henry Gibson on bongos/congas. Feel the magic was from a year earlier and may have been on a single.

This was Butler's first work since in 1971 and after this single flopped he played guitar in his brothers band (Jerry Butler) and never made a record again. He was greatly loved in the UK though for his Okeh & Brundswick Records in the mid-60's; I'll Bet You & The Right Track. His Okeh LP is mega rare although it has now been put on CD, he toured the UK in the 70's.

JoAnne Tardy

2009-04-22T22:24:00.005+01:00

JoAnne Tardy - You Pick Me Up

JoAnne Tardy - Sorceress - T.M. Int. Records (1981)

Side 1: A Taste Of Sorcery, Music Makes Me High (Pt1.), Music Makes Me High (Pt.2), Crazy Love
Side 2: You Pick Me Up, You Give Me Love, City Of The River (Pt.1), City Of The River (Pt.2)

Produced by Odell Tillman

Tardy, a graduate of Xavier Prep High School, sang with the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony at the young age of 17 and later became one of the first African Americans to sing with the New Orleans Opera company in 1972.

Upon moving to Indianapolis in 1977 and Milwaukee in 1978, she took up acting and singing jazz. She composed original material for and recorded two jazz albums: Sorceress with TM Records in 1981, and Think of This on her own production label, Samajoi Records, in 1986. Tardy also has held numerous positions as a music educator and reading specialist.

Tardy earned her BS in vocal music education from Xavier University of New Orleans in 1961. She then earned an MA in Reading Specialization from Cardinal Stritch College of Milwaukee in 1986, writing her thesis on “The Importance of Music Instruction to Reading Achievement.” She later earned an MBA from Fontbonne College in St. Louis in 1995.

Now “retired,” this former educator and administrator keeps herself busy by traveling the country to do book readings of her book as well as presentations and workshops on a variety of topics. She also still enjoys composing and recording music. Joanne Tardy Site

JP's Force

2009-04-22T19:55:00.006+01:00

JP's Force - I'll Do Anything (For Your Love)

JP's Force - Time To Throw Down - Sensational Records DRP 9040 (1990)

Side 1: Things Are Not The Same, I'll Do Anything (For Your Love), Shake What You Got

Side 2: Do You Wanna Dance?, Still In Love, Time To Throw Down

Produced by Joe Phillips

Joe Phillips was the guy who produced the Winstons Color Him Father and on this album has much the same production techniques. It came out first in 1986 and they pressed more copies in 1990 (First pressing is in black & white).

The collectible 12" Time To Throw Down and is popular with Boogie collectors and may crossover to the Modern play one day. But today's spin is the slower more southern type stepper I'll Do Anything (For Your Love).

As far as I can find out this is the groups only material and the album didn't have a cover.

Chocolate Milk

2009-04-22T15:44:00.011+01:00

Chocolate Milk - How About Love

Chocolate Milk - Same - RCA APL1-1399 - 1976

Side one: Never Ever Do Anything Without You; How About Love; Spread A Little Love; You've Got A Spell On Me

Side Two: Let The Music Take Your Mind; Crazy About You; Party Happy; Running Away; Pluck It

Produced by: Allan Tousaint & Marshall Seahorn for Sansu

This album is supposed to be the best of the three that the group recorded. Today's play How About Love is a nice little slow stepper. Let The Music Take Your Mind was later covered by Kool & The Gang. Two other stand out tunes are the funky; Crazy About You and the instrumental Pluck It.

The eight member band wrote all their own songs and played their own instruments. Sansu Productions was a successful New Orleans label in the 1960's with many soul/r&b hits to there credit. The album was recorded at Sea-Saint Studios. Although the album was re-issued original copy's are quite rare!

Brothers By Choice

2009-02-04T14:40:00.022Z

Brothers By Choice - Take A Little More - Ala - 1978

She Puts The Ease Back Into Easy; Baby, You Really Got Me Going; Girl I Need You Too; Young Single and Free; Take A Little More; I've Got What You Need; She Puts The Ease Back In To Easy (Part 2); You Keep My Love Alive

Produced By: E. J. Gurren, Barnett Williams & Stan Ross

Brothers By Choice is basically Chuck Higgins with Patty Brooks & Patsy Powell on backing vocals on some tracks. Recorded at the famous Phil Spector venue Gold Star Studios, part owned by producer Stan Ross and opened in 1950 (picture below, note distinctive reflex horn speakers). On guitar is my very favorite David T. Walker with Clay Drayton. Bass is provided by Henry Fields & Clay Drayton. Great Horn section provided by Quipman Dennis, Chuck Findley & Ronn Star.

The album cover is untitled but the vinyl is titled 'She Puts The Ease In To Easy?" so not surprisingly there is confusion, it looks like they forgot to put the title on the cover! So dealers selling un-opened copies are calling it a self titled album. I'm thinking this may be the Chuck Higgins who is also from Los Angeles and recorded for Combo/Dootone in the late 50's, if so he would have been about 54 when this album was made! If so he was a famous horn honker and track one is horn led, but no credit is given in the sleeve notes. It may even be Chuck Higgins Jr. as he did backing vocals for two of his fathers 1979 disco LP's.

The first single from this set I think was the catchy "She Puts The Ease Back Into Easy" and has been a hard single to find. The album though is quite rare and comes along about once a year on Ebay and also has two other nice 2-Steppers as well as today's featured song; "Baby You Really Got Me going, & "She Puts The...,

The first thing that strikes you about today's featured song is the nice wide percussive sound provided by Gary Coleman with a nice string introduction. It's always nice when a tune has a good beginning, middle & end, and this song ticks all three box's. Girl I Need You Too has Northern appeal with lots of horns, kinda like the old Stafford sound in fact Young Single & Free is in the same vain but sadly no lyrics. The group were previously known as The Gliders and the producer on some of the album tracks is Barnett Williams and he was a percussionist in Gil-Scott-Heron's backing group, The Midnight Band, for a number of years from about 1974, so Dave Allen tells me!

Brothers by choice discography:
(as Gliders:)
alva 112 no time/lonely cities & one way streets (1974)

southern sound 103 baby come on/school days *

fantasy 681 barefoot boy/is this what i need*

As Brothers By Choice
calgar
0002 - you think that i'm a fool/can't you see *(1973)

fretone
034 - no time/lonely cities & one way streets (1975)

ALA
103 - she put's the ease into easy (part 1)/part 2 (1978)
104 - baby you really got me going/take a little more time (1978)
105 - young single and free/girl i need you 12" (1979)
108 - oh darlin'/why can't you make up your mind (1980)
110 - how much I feel/ (1980)

new world
105 - Got to get you home/Get up and dance *(1979)

LP's
ala 1983 - she put's the ease into easy ALA (1978)

Photos: Sure Microphones. *may be another group

Darlene Love - Lord If You're A Woman

2009-02-03T12:38:00.014Z

Darlene Love - Lord If You're A Woman - Phil Spector Int. 2010 019 - 1977

Darlene Love was a founding member of the Blossoms in 1957. They did several sessions and were resident singers on the television show Shindig. Love sang lead vocals on "He's a Rebel," which was credited to the Crystals, and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," which was issued as Bob B. Soxx and the Bluejeans.

In the early 70s she landed a deal with the then-hot Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia Records and everything looked rosy, but Phil Spector put an unknown amount of money and he bought her contract and soon had her working on a newly written song. "Lord If You're A Woman" was recorded in 1974 and composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, it has a great Modern Soul tempo that is just right for today, bringing the 60's sound back to the Modern dancefloor, even perhaps bridging the gap between Northern and Modern.

Dave Thompson's Spector bio tells us: "It was intended to be the first step towards a full Love album. It was not to be, Love was several months pregnant at the time and Spector she remembered was more interested in entertaining guests who dropped in the studio at the time, Cher and John Lennon among them, than Love's own performance. When the session wrapped up a couple of hours later there was no discussion of a return date and the single didn't come out until 1977". It was the first of seven Phil Spector International singles that went unnoticed in 1977. A watered down version also appeared later on cd with great gospel vocals removed. Incidentally the Ronettes reissue on Phil Spector Int., of "Walking In The Rain" 2010 017 (UK) had the great "I Wonder track that was never issued on a single before this date taken from the Ronettes first 1964 album.

Blossoms - needle in a haystack
Uploaded by mickeynold

She had cut six singles for Spector's Phillies label in the 60's, with "Wait Till My Bobby Gets Back Home" the most successful. Love became busy as an actress, but reunited with Spector for the 1977 single . Love also appeared in all four films, and was also in the Royal Shakespeare Company's co-production of Stephen King's + Carrie. Her 1990 LP, Paint Another Picture, failed to chart in America. Love later toured as a background vocalist with Cher. She appeared briefly on the soap opera Another World in 1993. Her site is: www.darleneloveworld.com

Darlene love - it's a long way
Uploaded by mickeynold

I've included the Blossoms (Darlene in the middle) footage from the US TV show Shindig in 1965 and a stunning previously unreleased track that appeared on the Phil Spector box set in the early 90's. As for Spector himself, 'guilty' or 'not guilty' of murder?, having recently watched a new documentary program about him during his court case, he does seem to have received a raw deal over the years from the press. What's your thoughts ...

Silver Blue Records

2009-02-02T13:52:00.027Z

Bingo - We Can't Get Enough/Mumblin' Man - Polydor UK 2066 365 (1973)

A great Philly dancer/Modern Soul song from Bingo released in the USA on Silver Blue Records. The production is Joel Diamond and Bobby Martin (shown below). Bobby Martin probably means it was recorded in Philadelphia, although I can't find any details about the group themselves you can clearly hear the great philly production sound. The review song was written by Joel Diamond and L. Martineli.

Demo copies of this record are less desirable due to the 'b' side 'Mumblin' Man' being a great funky-2-stepper. (demo's have same record on both sides.) It looks like this was their only release under this group name.

Thanks to Bill Blackshear (the groups friend & Timeless Tracks record shop owner in Roselle), I can tell you that the five member group were from New Jersey area, four from Roselle and one from Linden, the lead singer was the late Danny Thomas, his brother 'Beare' Thomas and Reggie Sumner (b.1950) who's a barber now in Linden and whose brother is Bobby Sumner of the Deff Comedy creation & management.
Bill is trying to find us a photo of the band, he is also vice president of The Rhythm & Blues Music Society, check it out.

Silver Blue records was set-up by Polygram Int., in 1973 with Joel Diamond owning the publishing companies used; Silver Blue and Oceans Blue Music, he had previously worked for CBS in the late 60's.

Joel's first act at the helm was to purchase 29 Van McCoy copyrights, with 'The Hustle' being amongst them. Over the years the label changed pressing Companies from Poygram though TK and ending up with Columbia. I've included a discography as some of these records are quite collectible, now Philly productions are still in vogue.

Gloria gaynor - i am what i am (live)
Uploaded by mickeynold

Although the label had some success, Bingo, Terry Collins and the Invitations sadly fell the wayside. Silver Blue copies of Bingo are quite rare and Polydor ones are even more scarce. I have live video footage of Gloria Gaynor's single, will add soon along with Terry Collins info. I haven't seen any copies of release number 810 (The Creations), the story is after the single was promoted, they found out that there was another group with that name, so they re-issued it as Richmond Extension with 811 as the number. Most of the labels tracks are in 7' format only although 1980's and later were on 12'.

Terry Collins - Hold Hands With One And Other - Silver Blue 1975

Terry Collins has a great powerful gospel type vocal with the call to 'Hold hands and live with one and other in peace', of course it's never going to happen but nice gesture though! Sadly I sold my single to PCRL DJ Gypsy (Anna) who liked the 'b' side (Oh So Lonely) as it had later been covered in reggae style. These guys are still producing, check them out:

http://www.bobbymartinprodutions.com/

http://www.joeldiamond.com/

silver blue records discography
polydor pressed:
801cb - invitations - they say the world is crazy/for your precious love
801 - invitations - they say the world is crazy/real gone lover
802 - sharon ridley/van mccoy - i'm in your corner/
803 - bingo - I cant get enough/mumblin man (1973)
804 - invitations - let's love/love it's to grow
805 - sharon ridley - I can't get by/to make a long story short
806 - don goodwin - this is your song/help it along (1973)
807 - eddie holman - your my lady(right or wrong)/pt.2 (1973)
808 - don goodwin - time to cry/
809 - invitations - I didn't know/living together is keeping us apart (1974)
810 - creations* - girls are made to love/every thing's coming up love (*demo's only)
811 - richmond extension - girls are made to love/every thing's coming up love (1974)
812 - jay & the techiques - this world of mine/I feel love coming on
813 - jerry samuels - can you dig it/this planet earth
814 - n/r
815 - eddie holman - just say I love her/darling take me back
816 - n/r
817 - fairplay - guilty/love (1974)
818 - invitations - look on the good side/same
819 - lana cantrell - like a sunday morning/
820 - gloria gaynor - I am what I am (12")
821 - don goodwin - diana/i'll never be away from yo
822 - don goodwin - baby baby do i/same (1975)

tk pressed:
7301 - terry collins - hold hands with each other/oh so lonely (1975)
7302 - eli's second coming - love chant/part 2 (1976)
7303 - eli's second coming - hopscotch/foxfire (1977)
7304 - eli's second coming - heavenly/why don't cha (1977)

columbia pressed:
04295 - gloria gaynor - i am what i am/ (1984)
04422 - gloria gaynor - strive (1984)
04471 - lorna - where the boys are/prove me wrong
04699 - david hasselhoff - do you love me
05018 - gloria gaynor - bullseye/chain of whispers (1984)
05114 - barone - shake it up (1984)
05145 - robey - bored & beautiful/one night in bancock (1984)
05048 - lorna - jesse's theme (1984)
05919 - robey - killer instinct/bored & beautiful
905321 - robey - moth to a flame (various mix's) (1985)
223198 - lea - dressed for love (3 versions)
sb220 - Robey - hungry for you baby/be my be my baby (12") also 17045 (1985)
sil12 - Howard Hewett - this moment in time (also silvcd5 (cdsingle)) (2005)
statik - shake it down
hal1235 - tamara walker - i'm gonna make you love me

Betty Wright - Live

2008-07-11T14:49:00.010+01:00

Tonight Is The Night 'Live' (Part 1.)

Betty Wright - Live - Alston 4408 (1978)

Side A - Lovin' Is Really My Game; Tonight Is The Night; A Song For You

Side B - Clean Up Woman; Pillow Talk; You Got The Love; Mr. Melody; Midnight At The Oasis; Me & Mrs Jone; You are My Sunshine; Let's Get Married Today; You Can't See For Looking Up; Where Is The Love

What can you say about Betty Wright that has no already been written she is simply Miami's finest. The album opens with Brainstorm's Lovin' is Really My Game, witch was always one of the greatest 12" releases of the 70's, she also does Clean Up Woman, what an all-time guitar riff that was but the stand-out 8 minute track is a remake of Tonight Is The Night. It is supposed to be live but I doubt it as it is too clean-cut. Performing this song live for some years I think she had now (in 1978) got it down to a fine art. What stated out as just a nice single from 1974 is now performed to pure 8 mins perfection.

The great bass-line is provided by Michael Wilkerson and the new acid drum sound by Gregory Wilkerson (brothers?). This live cut is so popular even now 35 years later as used in Sheek Louch's rap song Good Love with a nice glocken over-dubbing the melody and also the R&B track Rock With Me getting Modern soul nite spins by Melissa Young, any others that you know?

+++ Melissa Young 'Rock With You'

(from the album 'Just Up The Road' on Sugashack 2007 - cdbaby)

Betty though was released as a TK 12" in 1979 and as a Alston 7' in 1974 (studio vers.) It was getting a few London spins in 1987 when it was put out again in the UK and pressed in France on Groove & Move. Most Alston copies I've heard crackle bad so a re-press was a better option for me. Betty in recent years has been given renewed interest due to her success with Joss Stone's debut LP. I've done three blogs on Miss B. and if your getting to like her, watch out because there is much more to come!

Respect to Ms. B. (& her Mom) & Miami.

Sam Dees

2008-05-31T20:26:00.005+01:00

Lonely ('Lonely For You Baby' remake)

Sam Dees - Secret Admirer - Pen Pad PP 1002 (1989)

Side A - Lonely; Secret Admirer; All The World To Me; True Believers; Say It's Just A Rumour

Side B - Expert; After All; Heart; Turn The Love Lamp Up Higher; Thank God For Jesus & Grace; Love Triangle; Danger Everywhere

Produced By: Sam Dees

The old saying "it it ain't broke don't fix it" will apply here for many listeners. The first thing you notice about Lonely is the magnificent bass player on the 1969 original is not in attendance. When all the aggression inside against a new version wares-off, it ain't bad at all. I Don't like the saxophone introduction, so I left that off, but I must say it's a bit of a grower. New melodies and bridge changes have been included and it now had a fresh sound for the 80's. My version of the album doesn't have a sleeve and I not sure whether it had one later. In 1990 Secret Admirer came out on cd but with a different track listing that did not include Lonely!

Other medium tempo tracks include; All The World To Me, Say It's Just A Rumour, the rest of the album is mainly ballads. Guest artists are included; Harmonics, Person To Person & Freddie Jones. All tracks are written by Dees and the Pen Pal label was based at Compton, California. After All was released as a single in the UK on RCA records. The Voices From The Shaddows magazine cover refers to Sam's other Pen Pal album The Homecoming. The glossy uk mag was run by Rod Dearlove with a little help from 80's snooker champion Steve "Interesting" Davis who is a big soul music fan.

Sam Dees

2008-05-30T20:13:00.021+01:00

Good Guys

Sam Dees - The Show Must Go On - Atlantic SD 18134 (1975)

Side A - Child Of The Streets; The Show Must Go On; Come Back Strong; Just Out Of My Reach; Claim Jumpin'

Side B - Troubled Child; What's It Gonna Be; Worn Out Broken Heart; Good Guys; So Tied Up

Produced by: Sam Dees

The guy's is most famous for being the writer of Larry Grayam's hit single 'One In A Million' on the mid 1980's, but he has been there behind the scene over the years writing good southern soul type songs, hits for ZZ Hill, Clarence Carter, & The Persuaders.

He worked with Bill Brandon on his Prelude album also featured in a previous Blog. Dees said in an 80's Voices interview that; "I wanted the tracks Signed Miss Heroin (a 7' single) and Heritage Of A Black Man included on the Atlantic album and there were other songs on that 16 track master that Atlantic holds". (apparently later seized my the FBI after a tax raid!) The track Signed Miss Heroin he took from a Birmingham (Alabama) newspaper headline and turned it into a song. He said drugs were taking over then just like now.

The track What's It Gonna Be is also a nice modern soul plodder, other great moments include ballads; So Tied Up and Worn Out Broken Heart. The track featured today was recorded at the Sound Of Birmingham Studios, Alabama. Glen Woods Guitar, David Caman Bass, Shermon Carson: drums.

Collectables: He has so many sort after 7's but Lonely For You Baby (recorded in Nashville) will Always Be The Biggest (£400-£500) and aways a big Northern floor filler, Fragile Handle With Care [Atlantic] (£60-80) is also selling well at the moment. Lonely for You Baby was pressed as a single for a recent Vampisoul boxset, and has sold for £25.

I've also included a rare chance to see a UK live TV performance by Sam in the early 90's. I recently had an email from Jimmy Ginn, the owner of Sam's US catalogue, he hadn't seen this footage before either, he said to say hello to Rod Dearlove & Ady Croasdall for me - done! I've included a link to his website below ginnmusicgroup.com.

Great news - Just had an email from Shotgun Records and they are about to put out the unreleased Fool Of The Year/Train To Tampa in August or September. The owner of the new label Paul Mooney also ran Ardent, Sam's other UK label in 1990's. Listen to clips plus other label tracks: http://www.myspace.com/selectarecords

Sam dees - one in a million
Uploaded by mickeynold

www.ginnmusicgroup.com Jimmy Ginn's website, Sam Dees USA catalogue

Sam Dees Discography:
SSS Int.
Lonely For You Baby/I Need You Girl 732 (1968)
Lo Lo
If It's All Wrong It's All Right/Don't Keep me Hanging On L 2103 (1969)
Easier To Say Than Do/Soul Sister L 2306 (1970)
Chess
Can You Be A One Man Woman/Put You Back In Your Place 2109 (1971)
Love Starvation/ Maryanna 2122 (1972)
Funny (Unreleased Acetate, owned by DJ Sean Hampsey UK)
Clintone
I'm So Very Glad/Claim Jumping CT 010 (1972)
Atlantic
I'm So Very Glad/Just Out Of My Reach 2937 (1973)
Signed Miss Heroin/So Tied Up 2991A (1973)
Worn Out Broken Heart/Come Back Strong 3205 (1975)
The Show Must go On/Child Of The Streets 3243 (1975)
Fragile, Handle With Care/Save The Love At Any Cost 328 (1975)
Big Tree
(with Bettye Swann)
Just To Be Sure/Story Book Children BT 16054 (1975)
New London Int.
In My World/Ext version 1003 (1977)
Polydor
Say Yeah/My World PD 14455 (1978)
Pen pad
I'll Be Loving You/Just Wait Till I Get You Home 1000 (T) (1988)
After All/Always Something (Inst) 1001 (T) 12 (1989)

UK Singles
Major Minor
If It's All Wrong/Don't Keep Me Hanging On MM 655 (1969)
Atlantic
Fragile.../Save The Love At Any Cost K 10676 (1975)
Storybook Children/Just Be Sure (With Bettye Swann) K 10719 (1975)
Move
Survive/Fly Angel Fly (12") M SS 11 (1986)
RCA
After All/True Believer/Always Something PB 43139/43140 (12") /cd single
Ardent
Get The Message Out (Burning Hope mx)/Say It's Only A Rumour/Theme from After all ADS 9012 12' (1992)
Walking On The Edge/Inst/Accapella ADS 9014 12' (1993)
Soul City
Lonely For You Baby/I Need You Baby 137 (2000 ish)
Vampi Soul (Spain)
Lonely For you/[other artist - with box set/has SSS int. label]

Albums
Atlantic
The Show Must Go On SD 18134 (1975)
Pen Pad
Secret Admirer PP 1002 (1989)
Secret Admirer (alt. tracks) PP 1005 CD (1990)
The Homecomings (6 track) PP 1007 (1991)
Gospel Tribute Album PP 2000 (1997)
Lovers Do PP 2001 CD (1998)
P-vine (Japan)
Cry To Me PCD 2855 CD (1994)
Ace/Kent (UK)
Second To None CDKEND 125 (1995)
Heritage Of A Black Man CDKEND 161 (1998)
After All
Sam Dees (1997)

Thanks: Dave Allen for dates & some titles & Paul Mooney for corrections.

Aretha Franklin

2008-05-30T12:06:00.008+01:00

I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face

Aretha Franklin - Runnin' Out Of Fools - Columbia CL 2281 (1965)

Side a - Mockingbird; Walk On By; Every Little Hurts; The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss); You'll Lose A Good Thing

Side b - I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face; It's Just A Matter Of Time; Running Out Of Fools; My Guy; Two Side Of Love; One Room Paradise

Produced by: Clyde Otis

Nobody yet has surpassed Aretha's stature as a soul singer, I've read all the bickering about Mary J. Blige's talent and I just laugh to myself, Aretha's is just magnificent. People talk about her Columbia days as her pre-soul era, but this album proves that she could do fine covers of the soul classics of the day. I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face has been covered by 'every man and his dog' or woman that is and everybody has their favorite version, well this is mine!

It crosses over from 2Step to Modern in one go. This is why more and more Northern fans are now picking-up on Steppers. I picked up about five of Aretha's Columbia albums from Ray Purslow who used to run a nice little Jazz shop in Birmingham (he is also runs the Frank Sinatra fan club UK) in the late 70's and although they were nice in there way I couldn't find any stand out tracks. I was an Aretha fan from day one and remember buying tickets for the Royal Albert Hall, late '69 and she cancelled the tour due to her fear of flying we later found out!

Not surprising though when you think Otis Redding had recently died in a plane crash and a few years earlier other act's had lost lives. We had our money refunded and she came over in 1971 to Hammersmith Odeon and was presented with a Blues & Soul 'best soul singer' poll award for that year on stage, I have it all on audio tape! I also managed to get her autograph on an album cover.

In fact she had won best soul singer four consecutive times! looking at the cover of Blues & Soul magazine it was all a bit laid back compared to these days she would be splashed all over the cover, although Marvin Gaye won best male and he's on the cover adorning his dapper white suit, frilly shirt and country hat! (two years later and its a 'pom-pom' hat and jeans.) The inside spread of the Aretha program I proudly put on the Free Radio Nold (FRN) studio wall, my life-long friend Bob Edmunds is posing at the studio console.

Aretha tribute
Uploaded by mickeynold

I broadcast Sunday afternoons on 222 Metres on the Medium Wave band with pure soul/funk music. One of the early shows can be found on the bottom right side of your PC display. I remember doing test transmissions and walking the streets with my Discatron to check quality of broadcasts. I'd put a JB's album on and walk away for about 10 minits and then walk back, it would be the end of side one. I remember one day getting about 5 minits down the road when the signal started humming loudly, I ran back to find the transmitter on fire! I used two PL509 TV valves in push-pull (I could get them from work as I was a TV repair man). I had a 111 feet long 1/2 wave aerial in the back garden of my parents home. The neighbor's must have loved me. I've uploaded a short Aretha Tribute where she talks about Columbia days.

Walter Jackson

2008-05-28T11:37:00.006+01:00

Tell Me When It Hurts

Walter Jackson - It's Cool - CD Charly 305 (1992)

It's Cool; Magic Man; If I Had My Way; Feelings; Tell Me When It Hurts; I Won't Remember Ever Loving You; Baby I Love Your Way; Someone Saved My Life Tonight; Got To Find Me An Angel; Come To Me; Open Up Your Heart; Unchained Melody; Love Woke Me Up This Morning; At Last; I Got It Bad Feelin' Good; Everything Must Change; If You Walked Away; Love Goes Out Of The Loving

Produced by: Carl Davis

I know what your thinking: "This isn't vinyl !" and your right, but when a cd comes out as special as this one, then it needs to be out there, chances are it was on vinyl as well but I brought the cd. All the tracks are aranged and produced by Riley Hampton & Sonny Sanders and for the Chi-City Label in the 70's/early 80's.

The big stepper track is It's Cool (see pic) released on June 16th. 1983 and 3 days later Jackson died from a stroke. The other great and to my mind better track was Tell Me When It Hurts is better, do you agree? Come on now people let's start talking. His version and hit with Maurice Albert's Feelings is also included along with fine ballads; Magic Man, Aretha's: Got To Find An Angel (medium pace tempo with great sax break) & Love Goes Out Of The Loving, I can go on... Northern Soul fans will enjoy If I Had My Way and Open Up Your Heart that 'stops & starts' moving I really missed it when the cd came out and now love to death.

Walter Jackson

2008-05-27T19:35:00.005+01:00

It's All Over

Walter Jackson - It's All Over Okeh OKM 12107 (1965)

Side A - It's All Over; A Blossom Fell; That's What Mama Say; It Will Be The Last Time; Opportunity; I Don't Want To Suffer

Side B - There Goes That Sound Again; What Would You Do; Lee Cross; Then Only Then; This Funny World Of Mine; Funny (Not Much)

Produced By: Carl Davis & Curtis Mayfield

If this is the first you've listened to this long well you're in for a REAL TREAT! and for his first album the rest is not at all bad. It's got two Curtis Mayfield songs; It's Over & a reply to the Jan Bradley hit song That's What Mama Said/Say. It's the 'It's All Over Now' that's the masterpiece, it's about as big-a-beat-ballad as your gonna find. Heavy strings and a plodding along production at a slow heart beat make this just as cool as it gets for 1965. This was the first Walter Jackson track that I ever heard and I must say I've never looked back. Listeners to my radio show will know that this song was hammered. PCRL's Lady Cherry at the time I also remember playing Jackson's Chi-Sound stuff.

The song was also re-recorded by Chi-Sound records some years later and still sounded nice in the 70's. The album art is by Saul Lambert who was also used on his next album cover with his crutches (see previous blog). Black artists were rarely put on the covers up until late 60's (in case it put off the White market!) doing a drawing was the next best thing, even Black owned labels would shy away from this.

Walter Jackson

2008-05-27T12:42:00.016+01:00

Walter Jackson - Speak Her Name (OKM 12120) 1966

Speak Her Name; Tear For Tear; Not You; After You There Can Be Nothing; They Don't Give Medals (To Yesterday's Hero's); A Corner In The Sun; My One Chance To Make It; She's A Woman; I'll Keep On Trying; It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom

Produced by: Ted Cooper/Carl Davis/Gerald Sims

It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom

Do you have to feel the pain to sing the pain? I think right from the word go It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom says it all. Walter Jackson shown here on his album cover clinging to crutches, was he looking for a sympathy vote or was he just very honest, i guess the later as he suffered from Polio, a desease that was all but eradicated in the second part of the 20th. century, I remember having a childhood girlfriend who also died from this illness. Marvin Gaye always said that his troubled life gave him the inspiration to sing new songs, I guess his father took him too literally.

It seems that way even today with people like Amy Winehouse achieving great success due to her honest portrayal of emotions/lyrics in her music. With Walter Jackson 'the tears' prove one thing if YOUR not crying at the music in this song then you need to receive more pain in your own life perhaps.

An appreciation of the fabulous Chicago production techniques on this album are also to be admired. Just magnificent; After You There Can Be Nothing (and you believe him), Tear For Tear & My One Chance To Make It are all a heavenly fusion of Carl Davis (who discovered Walter in the Twenty Grand a Detroit night club by the way), Gerald Sims and Riley Hampton's combined work.

These titles alone could have been names for movies or best selling novels. Uphill Climb is also available on a single and also had a picture sleeve, quite unusual in the music business at the time (excluding France that is.) Ace Records UK have put this album out now on CD with some unreleased tracks as a bonus, but how special is an album where every track is just supurb anyway!

Walter Jackson was born 19 March 1938, Pensacola, Florida, USA, but parents moved to Detroit while he was a baby. As mentioned he crippled by polio as a child & spent much of his life on those crutches. Jackson recorded in 1959 as a member of the Velvetones one single, but his solo career unfolded on signing to the OKeh label. It's All Over (1964), a Curtis Mayfield-penned ballad, was Jackson's first R&B hit. It was followed by exceptional performances such as Welcome Home (1965) and It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom (1966), both of which reached the soul Top 20.

However, the singer's definitive, towering version of My Ship is Comin' In (first recorded by Jimmy Radcliffe and later by the Walker Brothers) sadly failed to chart. Walter later recorded for Cotillion and Brunswick, but between 1973 and 1976 he retired from active performing. Jackson returned with a series of minor hits, including an interpretation of Morris Albert's Feelings, but his health was deteriorating. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage on the 20th June, 1983.

Collectables: All his Okeh albums are knock-out apart from a standards album, Welcome Home, he did and that's just nice. Although hits were lacking with his Chi-Sound work they are very good albums (the 'best of' found on It's Cool - a Charly CD). The 1973 Brunswick single (shown) Let Me Come Back is picking up in value at the moment, up-to £90 on a good day.

Walter Jackson Discography:

Who Took My Girl / Stars Of Wonder (VELVETONES) DEB 1008 1959

I Don't Want To Suffer / This World Of Mine Columbia 42528 8/1962
Then Only Then / Starting Tomorrow Columbia 42659 1963
It Will Be The Last Time / Opportunity Columbia 42823 6/1963

That's What Mama Said / What Would You Do Okeh 7189 2/1964
It's All Over / Lee Cross Okeh 7204 10/1964
Suddenly I'm All Alone / Special Love Okeh 7215 1/1965
Welcome Home/Blowing In The Wind Okeh 7219 5/1965
Where Have All The Flowers Gone/I'll Keep Trying Okeh 7229 9/1965
Funny(Not Much/One Heart Lonely Okeh 7236 2/1966
It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom/Tear For Tear Okeh 7247 5/1966
After You There Can Be Nothing/My Funny Valentine Okeh 7256 8/1966
A Corner In The Sun/Not You Okeh 7260 10/1966
Speak Her Name/They Don't Give Medals Okeh 7272 1/1967
Deep In The Heart Of Harlem/My One Chance To Make It Okeh 7285 6/1967
My Ship Is Coming In/A Cold Cold Winter Okeh 7295 1967
Everything Under The Sun/Road To Ruin Okeh 7305 1968

The Bed/The Look Of Love Epic 10377 1968
No Butterflies/Ad Lib Epic 10408 1968

Anyway That You Want Me/Life It's Ups And Downs Cotillion 44053 11/1969
Bless You/Coldest Days Of My Life Cotillion 44077 5/1970

The Walls That Separate/A Fool For You USA 104 1971

No Easy Way Down/I'm All Cried Out Wand 11247 1972

I Never Had It So Good/Easy Evil Brunswick 55498 1973
It Doesn't take Much/Let Me Come Back Brunswick 55502 1973 *pic shown

Feelings/Words (Are Impossible) Chi-Sound/UA 908 1976
Baby I Love Your Way/What Would You Do Chi-Sound/UA 964 1977
It's All Over/Gonna Find Me An Angel Chi-Sound/UA 91044 1977
If I Had My Way/We Could Fly Chi-Sound/UA 1140 1978
I Won't Remember Ever Loving You/Manhattan Skyline Chi-Sound/UA 1216 1978

Magic Man/Golden Ray 20th Century Fox 2426 1979

Tell Me Where It Hurts/When I See You Columbia 02037 5/1981
Come To Me/What If I Walked Out On You Columbia 02294 8/1981

Touching In The Dark/If I Had A Chance Kelli-Arts 1006 2/1982
It's Cool/When The Loving(Goes Out Of The Loving) Chi-Sound 110 6/1983

Albums:
It's All Over Okeh 12107 (1964) (see blog)
It's All Over [EP/Mini LP] Okeh 14107 (1965)
Welcome Home Okeh 12108 (1965)
Speak Her Name Okeh 12120 (1967) (see blog)
Greatest Hits Okeh 12128 (1969)
Feeling Good Chi-Sound 656 (1976)
I Want To Come Back As A Soung Chi-Sound 733 (1977)
Good To See You Chi-Sound 844 (1978)
Send In The Clowns Chi-Sound/20th.Cent 586 (1978)
Tell Me Where It Hurts Columbia (1981)
A Poirtrait Of Walter Jackson Chi-Sound 2009 (1983)
It's Cool Charly 305 (1992) (see blog)
Touching The Soul Westside (1999)
Speak Her Name Ace/Kent CD

Deniece Williams

2008-04-02T21:55:00.010+01:00

When Love Comes Calling

Deniece Williams - When Love Comes Calling CBS 83202 (1979)

When Love Comes Calling; Why Can't We Fall In Love; Go Knows; I Found Love; Turn Around; I've Got The Next Dance; Are You Thinking; Touch Me Again; My Prayer

Produced by: David Foster & Ray Parker Jr.

As mentioned in the Lovelites blog Deniece first recorded for the Lock label in 1969 as Deniece Chandler. She has also appeared on the Lovelites CD as a guest artiste. Basically it looks like tracks from her un-released Love Lite album. I'm surprised that they didn't appear around the time of her biggest hits; Let's hear it for the boy and Free. This album was recorded for ARC, run by Earth Wind & Fire's Maurice White. The video footage of 'Free' shown below is taken from a CED Capacitance Detection RCA developed video disc that uses a stylus to track the picture, 'vinyl video' - way cool!

Born Deniece Chandler, 3 June 1951, Gary, Indiana, USA. As a child she sang in a gospel choir and made her first recordings in the late 60s for the Chicago-based Toddlin' Town/Lock label. After training as a nurse, she was hired by Stevie Wonder to join his Wonderlove vocal backing group.

Deniece williams - free
Uploaded by mickeynold

She contributed to four of his albums before leaving Wonder to pursue a solo career. Produced by Maurice White of Earth, Wind And Fire, her first album included the UK hits "That's What Friends Are For" and the number 1 "Free" which was revived in 1990 by British group BEF for their Music Of Quality & Distinction Vol II album of cover versions.

In 1978, Williams joined Johnny Mathis for the immensely popular ballad "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" This was followed by an album of duets by the couple, That's What Friends Are For.

Returning to a solo career, Williams moved to Maurice White's own label, ARC but her next two albums made little impact. However, a revival of the 1965 song "It's Gonna Take A Miracle', produced by Thom Bell, returned her to the US Top 10 in 1982.

Johnny mathis - too much too little too late
Uploaded by mickeynold

This was a prelude to the release of Williams" most well-known song, "Let's Hear It For The Boy". Originally made for the soundtrack of the 1984 film Footloose, it was issued as a single the following year and headed the US charts.

Later records had no pop success although Deniece remained popular in the R&B audience and in 1988 she made her first gospel album for Sparrow. Williams is a prolific songwriter and her compositions have been recorded by Merry Clayton, the Emotions, the Whispers, Frankie Valli and others.

The Lovelites

2008-04-01T10:57:00.017+01:00

Love So Strong/(c/w mono) 7' demo TC-2068

Yes It's my first 7' single up-load, I've done it! what a track it is indeed. Produced by Star-Vue Productions for 'our hero' the independent producer Clarence Johnson in 1973 who we have talked about in previous Blogs. I do believe it also came out on Lovelite Records. The song Love So Strong was written by the lead singer here Patti Hamilton and Byron Gregory.

Patti had been the main vocalist for some years for the group, but on some tracks on a recently released CD, a 17-year-old Denise Williams (aka Denise Chandler) can clearly be heard. If you listen to Love Is Pretty this is classic Denise Williams' later style. Johnson said that he had a whole album on her at the time but nobody else liked her. Did she learn her vocal techniques from Patti Hamilton? they are very similar if you listen carefully.

Johnson had used her (Niecy) on the Lock label founded in 1968 by himself and Johnny Cameron, Eddie Sullivan and Eddie O'Kelly in Chicago, the first single being Love Is Tears (shown). Lock collapsed in 1970 but just before the company had a national hit with How Can I Tell Mom & Dad by the Lovelites in 1969, a song that delt with teen-age pregnancy, similar to the Diana Ross & the Supremes' Love Child that had delt with this in 1968. During the 70's Eddie Sullivan would join his two sisters in the Classic Sullivan's, with the hit Put Yourself In A Corner on the Kwanza label.

The Lovelites were from the Altgeld Gardens projects on Chicago's South Side, actually the first public housing built in the United States in the 1940's for returning WWII soldiers & families. The original group consisted of Patti Hamilton, Patti's sister Rozena Petty & Barbara Peterman and were formed when the girls were at Carvers High. They first recorded for a local label, Bandera, two sides. After this Pearman left and was replaced by Ardell McDaniel and that's when they joined the Lock label in 1969. After the Mom & Dad single Petty left to be replaced by Joni Berlmon. Bill Watkiss part owner of the Love Lite label played bass on all their records. [info: Chicago Soul - R. Pruter]

Lovelites Discography:

Bandera 2515 - I Found A Lover/You Better Stop It - 1967
Lock 723 - How Can I Tell My Mom & Dad/Hey! Stars Of Tomorrow (Inst.) 1969
Uni 55181 - How Can I Tell My Mom & Dad (Part 1) / (Part 2) 1969
Uni 55222 - Oh My Love/Who You Gonna Hurt Now 1970
Uni 55242 - Oh My Love/This Love Is Real 1970
Uni 73081 - (LP) 'With Love From The Lovelites' 1970
Nitia 100 - How Can I Tell My Mom & Dad/I'm Still Here *Flip By The Notations
Love Lite 01 - My Conscience/Man In My Life - 1970
Love Lite 02 - Bumpy Road Ahead/Love Is Pretty 1971
Love Lite 03 - The Way That You Treat Me Baby/My Baby Loves Me 1972
Cotillion 44145 - I'm The One That You Need/Love Bandit 1972
Cotillion 44161 - Is That Lovin' In Your Heart/We've Got The Real Thing 1972
Velvet 300 - Give It Up/It's The Right Thing To Do 1972
Love Lite 1008 - Oh My Love/Love So Strong 1973
20th Century Fox 2068 - Oh My Love/Love Is So Strong 1973
Lovelite 1508 - (Get It Off) My Conscience/Oh, What A Day - 1975
Lovelite 28 - Bumpy Road Ahead/Love Is Pretty - ?

Pat Lundy

2008-03-31T16:09:00.020+01:00

Let's Get Down To Business

Pat Lundy - The Lady Has Arrived! - Pyramid PY-9001 (1976)

Baby Don't You Let Me Down; Day By Day/My Sweet Lord; Happy Talk; Strong Lovin' Man; Who Are You Now; Let's Get Down To Business; Ain't No Pity In The Naked City

Produced By: Dennis Ganim & Buddy Scott

Pat Lundy is known mainly for being on the 'b' side of DC La Rue's Cathedrals that was a Blackpool Mecca classic in 1976. It was a was a new release on the Pyramid label then. Sadly the lady has had no hits of her own and for somone that has put out four albums very little is known.

Pat Lundy was a New York-based singer and actress, and was apparently a girlfriend of New York producer Buddy Scott. She was originally in a group called the Symbols which she left in 1962. Having put out albums and singles on Deluxe, Columbia, RCA, Toto, Leopard and Heidi labels over a 20 year period, and some are quite worth sorting out. This album alone stands high out there. It contains a version of the Jackie Wilson's classic Ain't No Pity in The Naked City and my 'played out' (at least one venue!) Northern soul tune: Happy Walk. Today's spin though is a jolly little stepper Let's Get Down To Business or if it came out today: Let's have sex Now! A binding force behind many of her songs was writer Jimmy Radcliff & productions of Buddy Scott.

Bob Babbitt (much used by James Brown) bass player is found on this album and is arranged by Phil Medley with Patti Austin on backing vocals and recorded at Groove Sound Studio's in New York. The most sort after track at the moment is the 12" of 'Work Song' (shown above) that commands a £50 price tag.

Letter 16/1/09 - Thank you so much for writing the article on Pat Lundy. I met Pat through our then Manager Dwight Thomas in the 1980’s after a performance she was in with Chuck Patterson. Pat became a dear friend of ours. Pat was living with Buddy Scott and when she decided to end the relationship with Buddy, her manager, her career suddenly ended too.

Pat Married Chuck Patterson an actor and Equity advocate for minorities and women. She continued performing and became an SGI member dedicating her life towards peace in the world. Pat died in 1994 just before her 52nd. birthday from brain cancer. Pat resided in New York City.

Rita Montauredes -(author of 'Coping with Glaucoma')

Pat Lundy Discography: (*albums)
Heidi
108 - Come To Me/Make it For The Door
111 - We Got A Thing Going On/I Really Love You (with Bobby Harris) 1965
Deluxe
45-114 - Another Kind Of Feeling/One Woman
45-118 - Prove it/Only Mama That Will Work The Line
45-130 - I Apologise/Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
45-126 - I'm Your Special Fool/Another Loving Kind Of Feeling (1967)
Columbia
43989 - Wildfire/City Of Stone
44624 - The Complete Man/Mr. Rain maker (1968)
44145 - Any Day Now/Nothing But Tears (1968)
44312 - Soul Ain't Nothing But The Blues/Another Rainy Day (1967)
44506 - What Now My Love/Does She Ever Remind Me Of You (1968)
44773 - The Thrill is Gone/City Of Stone
*9588 - LP - 'Soul Ain't Nothing But The Blues' (1967)
RCA
740951 - Thank Heaven For You/He's The Father Of My Children (1973)
1036 - Closer/Friend Of Mine
*APL1-0215 - LP - 'Only Spoken Here'
Toto
102 - I'll Keep Pressing/Play It Again
Vigor
1723 - Party Music/? (1975)
Pyramid
PD 1001 - Cathedrals (DC La Rue)/Day By day (Pat Lundy)
P 8001 - Ain't No Pity In Naked City/Let's Get Down To Business
P 8005 - One To One/Baby Don't You Let Me Down
P 8010 - Work Song/?
*PY 8001 - LP - 'The Lady Has Arrived' (1976)
*PY 8???? - LP - 'Loving You Is The Funkiest Feeling' (1977)
Leopard
5009 - It's Raining Outside/Hal's Belles

King Curtis Ousley

2008-03-19T12:17:00.011Z

The Weight

King Curtis - Instant Groove - Atco 228 027 (uk) 1969

Instant Groove; Hey Joe, Foot Pattin'; Witcita Lineman; Games People Play; Sing A Simple Song; The Weight; La Jeanne; Little Green Apples; Somewhere; Hold Me Tight; Hey Joe

Produced by: Tom Dowd

Loving 60's Soul from an early age I always had great respect for the sax break or bridge on up-tempo stuff. It seams to come out of the late 40's & 50's style of 'live jazz' and worked it's way to contemporary soul. 'King' Curtis Ousley was always found on the Atlantic classics with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and his first success The Coasters Yackty Yack.

So it led to myself buying lots of sax albums, this one in particular is good because he plays the popular 'black' tunes of the day. On the Weight, written by Jamie Robertson (and a hit record for Aretha) he expels and so does Duanne Allman with his slide guitar riffs a trademark of some blues guitarists. Other great footage of him is found at Aretha's Live at Filmore West album where he heads the band and is joined by Ray Charles from the audience.

Sadly though Curtis was knifed down in 1971 I think it was not long after the video clip of him doing his big hit single Memphis Soul Stew found at the end of this blog.

Wikipidia details: On Friday August 13, 1971, at the height of a New York heat wave, King Curtis was carrying an air conditioner unit into his apartment at 50W.86th St. He found his access blocked by two men administering drugs to themselves. He asked them to move, there was a scuffle, and one of the men, later identified as Juan Montanez, stabbed King Curtis in the heart with a knife. (According to Sam Moore, the attack was witnessed by Aretha Franklin and Moore himself, both of whom were arriving at Curtis's apartment to discuss recording sessions he was producing for them.) Curtis was hurried to Roosevelt Hospital, but was dead on arrival.

The funeral was held four days later. As the mourners filed in, Curtis' Kingpins played an hour long version of "Soul Serenade" and a number of musicians got up to play. Jesse Jackson preached the service, and Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Cissy Houston, Brook Benton and Duane Allman were among those attending. Aretha sang the closing spiritual, 'Never Grow Old'. The Atlantic Records office closed for the day.

Curtis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.

Curtis ousley - memphis soul stew (live)
Uploaded by mickeynold

Betty Wright - Explosion....!!

2008-03-15T12:38:00.004Z

Keep Feelin'

Betty Wright - Explosion !! - RCA RS 1063 (1976 UK) TK US

Open the Door To Your Heart; Do Right Girl; I Think I Better Think About It; Smother Me With Your Love; Don't Forget To Say I Love You Today; Keep Feelin'*; Rock On Baby, Rock On; If I Ever Do Wrong; Bluesville; Life

Produced by; Willie Clark*/Clarence Reid/Seth Snyder

When you first look at the cover art you think 'Oh no it's a live album' but far from it, not that Betty isn't good live (she's actually a knock-out!). The musicians of this album are TK's finest like: guitars; Little Beaver, Snoopy Dean & Milton Wright, Keyboards, Timmy Thomas & Latimore.

The track I pulled today I've slowed down by -2 is Keep Feelin', written by herself and Willie Clarke. It's the horns that are the hook on this song and they do it very well with the help of Mike Lewis.

Nearly all Betty's albums contain some stunners. She gone though some labels in her years; Atlantic, TK, Epic and now has settled with her own Ms B label.

Other fine tracks on this set are Smother Me With Your Love, Bluesville & Do Right Girl. All these tunes I would regulary play on PCRL in Birmingham along with dj's Lady Cherry & Tony Roots.

Future Flight

2008-03-11T15:26:00.006Z

Hypnotic-Lady

Future Flight - Same - Capitol 12145-1 (1981)

Hip-Notic Lady; Walk Don't run; 24 Hour Service; You Should Have Been There; Don't Pull The Plug; Red Light Row; Let Me Love You Where It Hurts; Foolish Things; Dues; Nite People Prelude/Night People

Produced by: Lamont Dozier

Who said the 80's was all electronic, well the staff a Capitol records were still being put to good use in 1981 courtesy of Lamont Dozier. For those that don't know the he was part of the 'hit team' Holland/Dozier/Holland with Motown in the mid-to-late 60's, producing 10 number ones for the Supremes and a fair few for the Four Tops.

Future Flight was: Sy Jeffries (lead vocals/drums), David Swanson (lead vocals/keyboards), Brynwood Tanner (guitars) and Anthony Patler (all). When I mentioned electronic above I should point out that the strings are synths here but well programmed to sound natural.

Most tracks Dozier had a hand in writing and the tune I picked today he wrote ALL himself, Hip-Notic Lady, I love the line "Shooting Stars a'flyin' " and the flute wisps by - all proof that the musicians and singers were together in the studio collaborating with each one. The other nice 2-steppers are: You Should Have Been There and Let Me Love You Where It Hurts.

Discography:

Future Flight - Capitol 12145 (album/cd) 1981/2000 (jap)
Hip-Notic Lady/Dues - Capitol 5002 (7') 1981

Tami Lynn (Live in Birmingham 1972)

2008-03-10T15:17:00.011Z

We've Just Begun/Ain't No Sunshine (Since You've Gone) (5:00)

Recorded on the 9th. February 1972 at the La Dolce Vita club, Smallbrook Ringway, Birmingham, UK. We arrived for the late show and the revolving stage (all the rage then) and asked to visit her in her changing rooms. We were using the BBC as extra pull and we got in the club free! My friend at the time was Les Ross from the popular 'Ross & Henry Show' (B.B.C. Radio Birmingham) they were like a radio version of 'Tiz-Was' a children's Saturday Morning TV show. I've held on to the original master tape for so many years and I would like to share it someone for the first time. You can also hear a full edited interview later in the blog.

Listening to her sing I think she must have had a bad love-life at the time, the taunt in her voice makes for a good Southern soul sound. Although when you listen to the interview, Tami is so bubbly (like on acid). For some years 'I'm gonna Run Away From You' had been a popular and a very hard to find UK night club track having been issued on Atco in the US/France and London in the UK in 1965 with little success. It wasn't a Northern track as some writers suggest but a big club tune in late 60's. Though in 1971 it was re-issued in the UK on the Mojo label (via Polydor) and a year later on Contempo with a more up-tempo flip side, although all her good early sides were found on the French EP with a brunette model on the cover! selling for £200 or more these days.

She made the cover of Blues & Soul in June 1971 and a full page review and made her debut in the UK according to the article on the 14th of June at the Scene 2 Club in Scarborough, Yorkshire. Her manager at the time was Harold Batiste who had managed Sam Cook, Sonny & Cher and a few of the TFO label's acts from New Orleans. I recently found her 1972 Cotillion album on http://www.lostin-tyme.blogspot.com/ titled Love Is Here And Now Your Gone and relived all those early days again.

After her UK chart success in 1971 there wasn't enough early material for one LP so along with John Abbey (who had put out the re-issue and wrote for Blues & Soul magazine) they went over to US to record the extra material that made this a nice Southern soul type album although UK buyers would have prefered the earlier fast pace movers, so it didn't sell very well. If you look at the line-up at the Mardi-Gras Club in Liverpool, Tami had great company with Jimmy Lewis, Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon and The Swinging Soul Machine who had that nice little instrumental track: 'Spooky's Day Off' about that same time.

Interview made on the same evening with Tami (13:00 mins)

The interviewee is the late 'Funky Dunk' (Duncan Finlayson) who knew the most about her (so got the job) and it was broadcast that Sunday afternoon on FRN (Free Radio Nold) and later on BBC Radio Birmingham.

Cuba Gooding Sr.

2008-03-07T14:57:00.008Z

All I Can Give You Is Love

Cuba Gooding - The 1st Album - Motown STML 12083 (UK)

Mind Pleaser; All I Can Give You Is Love; Where Would I Be Without You; Hold On To What You Got; Fool Of The Year; We're In Love; Ain't Nothin' To It; Someone To Go Home With; As Long As There's You

Produced by: Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter

Well it's bloody cold here and it's starting to rain and i'm bored stiff so I reach for my Cuba Gooding album for musical background. I've just typed into my data-base 10 cd's worth of Stax/Volt singles from the 1994 US box set and I need some background music.

Today's stepper is All I Need Is Love from Gooding's first solo album, having just left The Main Ingredient in 1977 for 12 months and has now with Motown in 1978. The other stepper is Were in love written by Patti Austin and later a hit for herself.

New York, USA-based trio, Main Ingredient: Donald McPherson (Born 9 July 1941, d. 4 July 1971), Luther Simmons Jnr. (Born 9 September 1942) and Tony Sylvester (Born 7 October 1941, Panama) made their recording debut in 1965. One of several groups using the name "the Poets", they decided to become the Main Ingredient and signed with producer Bert DeCoteaux, whose lush arrangements provided the requisite foil for their excellent harmonies.

This skill was particularly apparent on such early releases as "I'm So Proud" (1970), "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling In Love)" and "Black Seeds Keep On Growing" (both 1971). McPherson died from leukaemia in 1971 and, ironically, it was his replacement, Cuba Gooding, who sang on the group's million-seller "Everybody Plays The Fool".

Although the Ingredient went on to enjoy further commercial success, their work grew increasingly bland and lacked the purpose of those early releases. Gooding embarked on a solo career with Motown Records in 1977, but reunited with Sylvester and Simmons in 1979, continuing to record under the Main Ingredient name into the 80s. Simmons was replaced by Jerome Jackson in the late 80s, following which the group moved to Polydor Records.

Following Cuba's departure from the Motown imprint in 1983, Cuba launched Happiness Is Just Around The Bend for Streetwise Records. A remake of an earlier Main Ingredient tune taken from the 1974 album Euphrates River, the album was extremely well-liked on the United Kingdom soul music scene.

He resumed his career with the Main Ingredient up until the early 1990s. Returning to his solo career, Cuba released Meant To Be In Love in 1993 for the label Triune Records. It featured guest performance from Vaneese Thomas. Later in early 2000, he toured with David Peaston and Shirley Murdoch on the gospel play Id'Be Careful What You Pray For, and in 2002, he joined U.S. Irie Records to produce his next recording, Cuba Gooding: Solo. The collaboration continued with Begin With The Family in 2004.

In addition to singing career, Cuba also sporadically appeared as an actor on television and film. He was featured as a reporter in the Schoolbreak Special: No Means No (1988), portrayed southern gentlemen in writer/director John Benitz’s short movie Children of the Struggle (1999), was cast as Pawn Shop owner in the crime/drama movie Gedo (2001) and starred as Mr. Manus in the musical Destination Fame (2004). Still in 2004, he had a feature role in the comedy film Roscoe’s House of Chicken n Waffles, which went to a direct-to-video-release.

Most collectible album at the moment is I Only Have Eyes For You, fetching around £20-30 pounds.

Main ingredient - everybody plays the fool
Uploaded by mickeynold

I thought I'd show you my video footage of the group. Taken from the film Save The Children, but only lasts for a couple of minutes, so I edited the sound from the Sountrack of the film over some other shots from the original film to fill it out. Came out quite good considering the video tape was 30 years old.

Nancy Wilson

2008-02-08T19:04:00.001Z

Nancy Wilson - Hurt So Bad - Capitol 1C 062-80 232 (1969)

Willie & Laura Mae Jones; Let's Make Th Most Out of A Beautiful Thing; You're All I Need To Get By; Can't Take My Eyes Of You; Hurt So Bad; Spinning Wheel; Do You Know Why; Come Back To Me; Ages Ago; One Soft Night

Produced by: David Cavanaugh

Hurt So Bad

I haven't Blogged for about 5 weeks due to a lack of responce and I did actually deleted my Black History pages after 5 years! still I did have some interest in in Nancy Wilson, so here is one more...

For this album Nancy got together with half-dozen very devoted, extremely talented gentlemem. Five of them serve as arrangers-conductors. Their already famous names are listed; Oliver Nelson, Phil Wright, Jimmy Jones, Billy May & Sid Feller. The sixth gifted collaborator is David Cavanaugh, the producer who gathered everyone together in one place at one time to make a dream-album come true.

This time the idea was to record a collection of some of the best songs ever written-not necessarily current Million-sellers or Number One Chart-Toppers, but songs that will always be valuable for their likeable lyrics and memorable mood/melodies. Most of all though, the songs have to be innate, individual good style, tell a story you'd be glad to hear again, or express a universal feeling better than any other song of the moment. The ten that passed all the tests, filled all the qualifications and best-pleased everyone all round are the ones that got the long, loving attention of Nany Wilson and her six very in-demand gentleman friends.

It was Phil Wright who arranged and conducted the very up-best, pulsing version of Hurt So Bad in such a way that Nancy wraps it around her little finger within the first four bars. Written by Teddy Randazzo-Hart-Wilding, William Hart being one of the Delfonics if my memory serves me well. My copy of the album is German and no date is on it but I should think it's from 1969, the sound quallity/fidelity is also stand-out on this pressing, Hurt So Bad wasn't released as a US single.

In case you are still scratching your heads the featured song was a hit for Little Anthony & The Imperials found on their Going Out Of My Head album in 1966, later for the Delfonics.

Nancy wilson - face it girl it's over
Uploaded by mickeynold

Here is a nice bonus clip of her in 1968. Always loved this song. Taken from my Dailymotion site - enjoy!

Teddy Pendergrass

2007-12-23T16:10:00.001Z

Happy Kwanzaa - 1998

"I've added this song to launch my sister blogg on January 1st 2008 'Ebony Events' it will have black history set out on 365 day event calender." - Mickey (PCRL) [cancelled 1/2/08]

Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival celebrated primarily in the United States, honoring African American heritage. It is observed from December 26th. to January 1st. each year. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, and culminating in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Ron Karenga (pictured), and first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967, timed to coincide with Christmas so that it would be remembered. Karenga calls Kwanzaa the African American branch of "first fruits" celebrations of classical African cultures. According to African American leader Al Sharpton, Kwanzaa was created to "de-whitize" Christmas.

In 1966 Karenga created Kwanzaa while living in California. There, he was the leader of the black nationalist US Organization and he claims that his goal was to give an alternative holiday to Christmas. In Karenga's words "The Christian is our worse enemy. Quiet as it's kept, it was a Christian who enslaved us. Quiet as it's kept it's a Christian who burns us. Quiet as it's kept it's a Christian who beats us down on the street; and quiet as it's kept when the thing goes down it'll be a Christian that's shooting us down. You have to face the fact that if the Christian is doing all this there must be something wrong with Christanity." He later stated, "...it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." At the time he created Kwanzaa, he changed his last name from Everett to the Gikuyu "Karenga", shaved his head, and began wearing traditional African clothing.

The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits". The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s, though most African-Americans have West African ancestry. Karenga stated "People think it's African, but it's not. I came up with Kwanzaa because Black people wouldn't celebrate it if they knew it was American. Also I put it next to Christmas because I knew that's when a lot of Bloods would be partying"

The official stance on the spelling of the holiday is that an additional "a" was added to "Kwanza" so that the word would have seven letters. At the time there were seven children in Karenga's US Organization, each wanted to represent one of the letters in Kwanzaa Also, the name was meant to have a letter for each of what Karenga called the "Seven Principles of Blackness". Another explanation is that Karenga added the extra "a" to distinguish the African-American meaning from the African one. Kwanzaa is also sometimes incorrectly spelled "kwaanza".
Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s, and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with what Karenga characterized as their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study around principles that have their putative origins in what Karenga asserts are "African traditions" and "common humanist principles."

In 1967, a year after Karenga proposed this new holiday, he publicly espoused the view that "Jesus was psychotic" and that Christianity was a white religion that blacks should shun. However, as Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so as not to alienate practicing Christians, then stating in the 1997 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."

Also in 1997, the first Kwanzaa stamp was issued by the United States Postal Service on October 22 at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, California. In 2004 a second Kwanzaa stamp, created by artist Daniel Minter was issued which has seven figures in colorful robes symbolizing the seven principles.ONSELECTSTART="return false"

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called "The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa", or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba - "The Seven Principles of Blackness"), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy" consisting of Karenga's distillation of what he deemed "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason that Karenga used to refer to his synthesized system of belief. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, which are explained by Karenga as follows (one for each date):

Umoja (Unity) 26th December - To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) 27th December - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) 28th December - To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) 29th December - To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose) 30th December - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity) 31st December - To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith) 1st January - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. These principles correspond to Karenga's notion that "the sevenfold path of blackness is think black, talk black, act black, create black, buy black, vote black, and live black."

Info: Wikipedia

Johnnie Taylor

2007-12-22T13:48:00.001Z

Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)

Johnny Taylor - Wanted One Soul Singer (Stax S 715) 1967

I Got To Love Somebody's Baby; Just The One I've Been Looking For; Watermelon Man; Where Can A Man Go From Here; Toe-Hold; Outside Love; Ain't That Loving You; Blues In The Night; I Had A Dream; Sixteen Tons; Little Bluebird

Produced by: Unknown

This is a great idea for an album concept, need a new singer let's advertise and let the successful applicant make an album 'Wanted One Soul Singer'. Nice touch putting his job application form on the rear of the cover, the social security number is made up though me thinks. Love his alternative language 'soul brogue'.

The stepper today is the first track from the album on side two Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) written by Homer Banks and A Jones.

I've uploaded the job form for you to read, just click image for larger copy. The played out/in demand track is 'Blues In The Night' with a 'Time Is Tight' type guitar rif giving it a nice R&B meets Northern Soul sound. Anther nice collectable and dance track from this album is Just The One I've Been Looking For. The album was re-issued on US CD in the early 90's. Prices range from £50-65 for the album, £150 for French single shown, £120 for French EP & UK single of Just The One.. £35.

Rasputin Stash

2007-12-10T16:13:00.002Z

I See Your Face

Rasputin' Stash - Same (Gemigo GMS 1000) 1974

Ooh Baby; I See Your Face; The Devil Made Me Do It; Hit It And Pass It; I Can Feel Your Jones; You're So Special; Middle Man; You've Opened My Mind; Givin' Way My Love

Produced by: Rasputin' Stash & Joseph Scott.

Rasputin Stash were from Chicago and on the first album were an eight piece band but in 1974 were; Martin Dumas Jr., Paul N. Coleman, Ernest Frank Donaldson & Bruce Butler and from the look of the rear sleeve endorsed senhiezer headphones, In fact I had a pair about this time as well and was told they were the best, but I found them shit really, like having a clamp on your head.

This was Rasputin' Stash's second album, having one first released on on Atlantic's Cotillion label in 1971 with two singles. When I first discovered this band I thought they were well weird but now found myself liking the less funky tracks like today's tune: I See Your Face written by group members Dumas and Coleman.

The funky number found here is The Devil Made Me Do It and a more Raregroove type tempo is I Can Feel Your Jones. Although the Gemigo label is Curtis Mayfields' he doesn't seam to have any input on this one, although Rich Tufo did the strings. I can't find any Gemigo singles but two came out on Curtom as R-Stash & Stash between 1978-79.

Mr. Cool on the groups first album was later sampled and re-issued on cd single due to it's new found interest along with re-presses of the albums, but soon became deleted again. All members of this line-up apart from Butler became Crystal Winds for one album on Cash Ear in 1982 with some extra members, and also produced by Rich Tufo. Thanks to Dave Allen for extra research and Tony Ray for copy of Crystal Winds's album now on CD. Values: first LP (Cotillion) £30, 2nd LP (Gemigo) £20 and 3rd LP (Cash Ear £40)

Rasputin Stash Discography: (*lp)

*Rasputin's Stash Cotillion SD 9046 (1971)
Your Love Is Certified/What's On Your Mind Cotillion 44132 ('71)
(above also on UK Atlantic 2091 552) ('71)
Mr.Cool/Freaks Prayer Cotillion 44137 ('71)
*Rasputin' Stash Gemigo GMS 1000 (1974)
as R-Stash:Dance With Me/ Gotta Have Your Love Curtom CMS 0127 ('77)
as Stash Booty March/Get Down Curtom CMS 0136 ('78)
as Crystal Winds First Flight Cash Ear MEGCO 9255 ('82)
Later: Various CD's/vinyl re-issues (2000-03) (most deleted already)

Odyssey

2007-11-25T15:52:00.002Z

I Can't Keep Holding Back My Love

Odyssey - I Got The Melody (RCA LP 5028) 1981

I Got The Melody; Roots Suite: Ajomora/Going Back To My Roots/Baba Awe; I Can't Keep Holding Back My Love; Baby That's All I Want; Oh No Not My Baby; Hold On To Love.

Produced by: Steve Tyrell.

The vocal acrobatics at the first bridge in I Can't Keep Holding Back My Love is just wonderful better than brass or strings could have done the same thing. Vocals were arranged by the producer Steve Tyrell and nice guitar introduction is by Bob Mann and the song was written by Leon Ware & Linda Clay.

The hit single from this album was Going Back To My Roots a new look at the song about 4 years after Lamont Dozier did it on himself, on the back of the Alex Haley's Roots Book/mini-tv series (now on DVD by the way.)

When I used to DJ for party's/weddings Odyssey was a very useful tool in my box of records and I thank them for all their fine work.

I'm sure I have this song by someone else it will come to me soon I hope. The group (NOT TO be confused with Mowest's Odyssey, who were thought to be members of the Turtles, some nice tracks as well!) , born in the Virgin Islands but raised in NY, the sisters started as a local stage show in New York around 1968, Lillian, Louise & Carmen Lopez were the Lopez Sisters and received good reviews.

This led to a tour of Europe when Carmen left the group and was replaced with Tony Reynolds. Changing the groups name to Odyssey they signed to RCA and had a first hit with Native New Yorker from the first self titled LP in 1977.

Then Reynolds left the group replaced by Bill McEachern for the groups second LP Hollywood Part Tonight in 1978. In 1980 more success followed with Hang Together, Use It Up And Wear It Out & If Your Looking For A Way Out. Other tracks were less successful Don't Tell Me Tell Her, also recorded by Phyllis Hyman. After a greatest hits no more was heard from them.

Odyssey Discography: (lp's)

Odyssey RCA APL1 12204 1977
Hollywood Party Tonight RCA AFL1 3031 1978
Hang Together RCA AFL1 3526 (1980)
I Got The Melody RCA LP 5028 (1981)
Happy Together RCA LP 6056 (1982)
Greatest Hits RCA LP (1982)
Various CD's after 1995-2007

Odyssey - hang together

Gift Of Dreams

2007-11-25T14:01:00.001Z

One In All

Gift Of Dreams - Same (Jam Power Records JPLP 002) 1983

Funkincise; Spirit Of The Dancer; Feel It; Love Is All We Need; I Believe In You; By My Side; One In All.

Produced by: Unknown

One In All is a nice eighties stepper with good vocals a production. It was a local pressed album with no album cover at the time. This is one I picked up in Manchester in the day and have played it too death on my show, nice to see some interest in them at last. More recently a CD has come out with a few extra tracks.

The 12" they are also killing for is Better Day that came out 1n 1982. The writers on the best tracks are R. Brownlee and M. Rochelle. Those other tracks are; Feel It (great Crossover) and Love Is All We Need. Spirit Of The Dancer is a good Boogie groove. I don't know anything about the band, If anybody out there knows more please let us know. It seems all there vynal is very collectible; First album 'Mandroid' £50, Second LP £100-160, and Better Day /Speak Your Mind Jam Power 12" £200.

Better Day 12"/ Mandroid Boogie LP

A track I would play on my Modern program was Feel it. Although good on the album i felt the need to remix it and brighten it up graphically then added a tambourine. Have a listen - it was done in 1999 for the Basement Soul Show.

Feel It

O. C. Smith

2007-11-24T14:56:00.001Z

If You Knew

O. C. Smith - Love Changes (Southbay Records SB 1001) 1982

I Betcha; If You Knew; Love Changes; Girl; Got To Know; That's One For Love; You're Still My Lady; We're Making Love, We're Making Music; I'm Glad That I Fell In Love With You.

Produced by: H.B. Barnum

It's got to be his best album, not one poor track on the set, produced by H.B. Barnum, Kevin Brandon on bass, David T. Walker who recorded my Basement Soul Show radio theme music is on guitar, he played for Martha Reeves touring band for some years. Every time I play the album I have a new favorite track. Today it's If You Knew. Other stunning tracks on this album are I Betcha, Got To Know We're Making Love... and That's One For Love.

His collectables are Whatcha Gonna Do £20, Colour Him Father £10 , On Easy Street, Stormy and I Am Your Man.

Born Ocie Lee Smith, 21 June 1932, Mansfield, Louisiana, USA, d. 23 November 2001, Los Angeles, California, USA. O.C. Smith was raised in Los Angeles, where he began singing jazz and standards in clubs at the end of the 40s.

After serving five years in the US Air Force, he signed with Cadence Records in 1956, enjoying some success the following year with the sophisticated Lighthouse. He remained predominantly a club performer until 1961, when he replaced Joe Williams in the Count Basie Band.

He resumed his solo career in 1963, finally attaining a commercial breakthrough in 1968 with Dallas Frazier's unusual story-song, The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp, recorded at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, and a major hit in Britain.

In the USA, this record was overshadowed by his rendition of Bobby Russell's Little Green Apples, which outsold a rival hit version by Roger Miller. Daddy's Little Man in 1969 provided Smith's final taste of US Top 40 success, though the soul-flavoured La La Peace Song proved popular in 1974, and Together was an unexpected chart entry in 1977.

During the 70's which he was most successful, Smith issued a series of impressive albums. He spent the last 16 years of his life as a full-time minister at the City Of Angels Church Of Religious Science in Los Angeles. Thank you for great music.

http://www.cityofangelschurch.com/

Debra Laws

2007-11-24T11:44:00.001Z

Meant For You

Debra Laws - Very Special ( Electra Records ELK 52281) 1981

On My Own; Meant For You; Very Special; Be Yourself; Long As We're Together; Your Love; How Long; All The Things I Love.

Produced by Ronnie & Hubert Laws

I was going to spin How Long, as it was a Grey & Hanks number, but then I thought Meant For You was perhaps a far nicer track. You can hear G&H's other versions in my other Bloggs. It's a David Lasley and Roxanne Joy Seaman song. Debra is of course the sister of producer's Ronnie and Hubert Laws the jazz musicians who have made many good albums themselves. Aways There being the classic Ronnie hit track covered by everybody & their dog. Eloise laws her sister, sang with Aqaurian Dream on their hit Your're A Star.

Other nice steppers on board this album as usual marked in green; Be Yourself & As Long as We Are Together (this colouring-in is getting a bit tedious I hope it's of-use.) Debra hasn't got the greatest voice on earth, but she has a good go. Bobby Lyle is found on piano, Nathan East on bass and David Lasley on background vocals who has had an album on himself recently.

The other suprise on this album is the jazzy ballad Very Special a duet with Ronnie Laws, who also plays alto sax on it, this sells on 12" promo single for upto £130 ($260). A 10 second sample from this was used in a Jennifer Lopez/LL Cool J song All I Have and is an on-going law case between Debra Laws & Sony. The Very Special album is also now on CD.