Monthly Archives: December, 2012
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1. It’s always at this time of year, that lists of what have been the best albums of the year are released. Not to be outdone, I’ve been compiling my lists too. So far, I’ve compiled lists of the best box sets, compilations and reissues. The one I’ve been …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 2.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 2. The Best New Albums of 2012-Part 2, covers the period between May and June 2012. These two months proved to be good months for new music. Two veterans of music, Paul Buchanan and Eddie Levert somewhat belatedly, released debut solo albums. Then there were three truly innovative albums, …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3. By now, we’re at the third part in The Best New Albums of 2012. The five albums I’ve chosen cover the period between July and September 2012. This includes albums from labels based in Japan, Belgium and the UK. Each of these labels art independent labels, who are …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4. So, we get to the fourth and final installment of The Best New Albums of 2012. These five albums cover the three months period between October and December 2012. Like the first three installments, there’s an eclectic selection of albums. Here’s my final five of 2012. BIG BOY …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS. When The Ritchie Family released their debut album in 1975, the group hadn’t yet settled on a lineup. So, the legendary Philadelphia backing vocals the Sweethearts of Sigma had taken charge of vocal duties. Now a year later, for their 1976 sophomore album Arabian Nights, The Ritchie Family had three new …
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN.
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN. Although the Intruders weren’t the most successful group Gamble and Huff discovered, they played an important part in Philadelphia International Records’ history. When Gamble and Huff were considering leaving the Cameo Parkway label to form their own label, it was the Intruders that Gamble and Huff chose to risk their money and …
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO.
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO. Eight months after The Trammps released Where The Happy People Go in April 1976, they released their third studio album Disco Inferno In December 1976. A year later, The Trammps career was transformed, when the title-track featured on a movie soundtrack. This was a low-budget movie, produced by Robert Stigwood for $2.5 …
DJ VADIM FEATURING GREG BLACKMAN-I’M FEELIN’ U.
DJ VADIM FEATURING GREG BLACKMAN-I’M FEELIN’ U. Back in October 2012, DJ Vadim released his tenth solo album Don’t Be Scared on BBE Music. Don’t Be Scared saw the return of one of hip hop’s true innovators. Three years after DJ Vadim’s previous release for BBE Music, 2009s Like U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun, one of …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2. The first six reissues of 2012 I reviewed were released between February and August 2012. My first choice from The Best Reissues of 2012-Part 2 was also released in August, before September proved to be one of the best months of 2012 for rereleases. BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3. Throughout my review of The Best Reissues of 2012, I’ve reviewed albums that have either been commercial successful or for some reason, failed commercially. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the music. Often, it’s too innovative, released at the wrong time or not promoted enough. Behind each of the my …
FIRST CHOICE-ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
FIRST CHOICE-ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Next year, 2013, marks the fortieth anniversary of First Choice’s debut album Armed and Extremely Dangerous. First Choice were one of the most successful of Philly Soul’s female groups, releasing six albums between 1973 and 1980. The story of how First Choice made their commercial breakthrough is very different to …
BLUE MAGIC-THE MAGIC OF THE BLUE.
BLUE MAGIC-THE MAGIC OF THE BLUE. In the history of one of Philly Soul’s most successful groups, Blue Magic, 1974 was by far, the biggest year of their career. In January 1974, Blue Magic released their debut album Blue Magic. It was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, reaching number forty-five in the US Billboard …
BENNY TONES-CHRYSALIS REMIXES.
BENNY TONES-CHRYSALIS REMIXES. Since Benny Tones released his debut album Chrysalis, on BBE Music back in April 2011, Benny has headed off on his travels. Benny’s globetrotting adventures have seen circumnavigate the globe several times. During his adventures, Benny has often worked with, and acted as engineer for his fellow countrymen Electric Wire Hustle. He’s …
PAUL BUCHANAN-MID AIR-DELUXE EDITION.
PAUL BUCHANAN-MID AIR-DELUXE EDITION. 2012 has been a great year for anyone who loves the music of the Blue Nile. Not only have we enjoyed deluxe reissues of the Blue Nile’s first two albums, 1984s A Walk Across the Rooftops and 1989s Hats, but Paul Buchanan released his long awaited debut album Mid Air in …
TWELVE OF THE BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART ONE-JANUARY TO JUNE.
TWELVE OF THE BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART ONE-JANUARY TO JUNE. Having recently picked what I regard as the six box sets from 2012, it’s now time for me to pick twelve of my favorite compilations of 2012. To do this, I’ve had to listen to literally a mountain of music. There’s been so many …
BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER.
BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER. JOHNICK-YOU KNOW HOW WE DEW. One of the most eagerly awaited compilations of 2012, was JohNick’s You Know How We Dew, released by BBE Music in August 2012. You Know How We Dew was a double-album featuring twenty-two tracks from Johnick, Johnny D’s collaboration with Nicky Palermo. …
DIABLOS DEL RITMO-THE COLOMBIAN MELTING POT 1960-1985.
DIABLOS DEL RITMO-THE COLOMBIAN MELTING POT 1960-1985. Often when I review albums, I’m often frustrated by the lack of sleeve-notes. I like to read about how an album or compilation was made, the inspiration behind it and any backstory. Some albums are better than others, offering detailed and accurate sleeve-notes. Then there’s albums where there …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 