Monthly Archives: February, 2012

DEEP DISCO AND BOOGIE VOLUME 1.

DEEP DISCO AND BOOGIE VOLUME 1. For over thirty years I’ve been a fanatical collector of music in all forms. When I first started collecting, vinyl was still king, with tapes, mini discs and compact discs all still to come. Since then, I’ve been unable to resist crate digging, with anywhere where there might be …

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SOUL JAZZ RECORDS PRESENTS VOGUING AND THE HOUSE BALLROOM SCENE 1976-1996.

SOUL JAZZ RECORDS PRESENTS VOGUING AND THE HOUSE BALLROOM SCENE 1976-1996. Recently, I’ve noticed that there have been some quality compilations being released by some of the smaller independent record labels. Many of these labels like BBE, Harmless and the Soul Jazz have a good record for releasing quality compilations. A couple of weeks ago, …

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CHIC-TAKE IT OFF.

CHIC-TAKE IT OFF. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a group or artists’ star can wane. In some cases, this is because the quality of their music is no longer as good as it once was, or it can be because their music is no longer fashionable. With Chic, the demise in popularity …

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THE DETROIT SPINNERS-PICK OF THE LITTER.

THE DETROIT SPINNERS-PICK OF THE LITTER. Previously, I’ve reviewed a trio of The Detroit Spinners albums, starting with the first  album Thom Bell produced for the group, Spinners, released in April 1973 on Atlantic Records. This was the first album in a series of classic albums from The Detroit Spinners that started in 1973 and …

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LOOSE CHANGE-LOOSE CHANGE.

LOOSE CHANGE-LOOSE CHANGE. Tom Moulton’s role in disco music can’t be understated. He’s credited with inventing the remix, and could take a three minute track, extend it, creating eight minutes of majestic disco music. Now, remember this was long before the technology that’s available now. Back then, there was no Logic Pro, Reason or Ableton …

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BODDHI SATVA-INVOCATION.

BODDHI SATVA-INVOCATION. What I’ve always loved about music is the way it can change your emotions. Last week, I heard one of the most beautiful tracks that I’ve heard in a long time, one that left me feeling totally uplifted and at peace with myself. This gorgeous track just soothed my soul, washed away my …

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SMOKEY ROBINSON-SMOKEY’S FAMILY ROBINSON.

SMOKEY ROBINSON-SMOKEY’S FAMILY ROBINSON. In a previous review, I reviewed one of Smokey Robinson’s solo albums, Quiet Storm, which released in 1975. This a critically acclaimed and landmark album, one that spawned its own musical genre Quiet Storm. The music on Quiet Storm was very different to most of the music being released in 1975. …

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STEVIE WONDER-MUSIC OF MY MIND.

STEVIE WONDER-MUSIC OF MY MIND. When Stevie Wonder was recording Music of My Mind, he neither knew nor realized that this was the first album in a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums. Between 1972, when Music of My Mind was released, until Songs In the Key In Life in 1976. These two …

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JOHNNY D PRESENTS DISCO JAMMS VOLUME 1.

JOHNNY D PRESENTS DISCO JAMMS VOLUME 1. Nowadays, for anyone wanting to try to become a DJ, the equipment is very different to the equipment Johnny “D” DeMairo learnt his trade on. For the wannabe DJ, they can choose from CD decks, USB controllers with software like Traktor or if they’re traditional or old school …

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ANN PEEBLES-TELLIN’ IT.

ANN PEEBLES-TELLIN’ IT. It’s been a while since I looked back at the Hi Records back catalogue, so thought that I’d rectify that by doing a review of one of Ann Peebles’ albums. With seven albums to choose from, I’ve plenty of great music to chose from. Previously, I’ve written about Ann’s most successful album, …

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TEDDY PENDERGRASS-IT’S TIME FOR LOVE.

TEDDY PENDERGRASS-IT’S TIME FOR LOVE. When I was reviewing Dimitri From Paris’ Philly Sound compilation Get Down With the Philly Sound, the compilation featured five tracks from one of my favorite soul singers Teddy Pendergrass. This included two tracks from Teddy’s debut solo album Teddy Pendergrass, plus a trio of tracks from Teddy’s old group …

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