Monthly Archives: January, 2013
TYRONE DAVIS-IN THE MOOD.
TYRONE DAVIS-IN THE MOOD. After Carl Davis signed Tyrone Davis to Dakar Records in 1968, success came quickly for Tyrone. His debut single Can I Change My Mind gave Tyrone the first of three US R&B number one singles. A year later, Tyrone released his debut album Can I Change My Mind in 1969. This …
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN.
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN. When most people think of Philadelphia International Records, they think of The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The Three Degrees and Teddy Pendergrass. However, there’s much, much more to Philadelphia International Records than just these artists. Granted they were among Philadelphia International Records’ most successful artists, but they …
AZTECA-AZTECA.
AZTECA-AZTECA. With brothers Coke and Pete Escovedo growing up Oakland in the sixties, surrounded by Latin music, it’s no surprise that they decided to form their own group, Azteca. Like Santana, Azteca were a pioneering and innovative group. Their music was a fusion of a multiplicity of musical genres and influences, including Latin and funk. …
MONTANA-I LOVE MUSIC.
MONTANA-I LOVE MUSIC. 1978 marked the start of the next chapter in the long and successful career of Vince Montana Jr. Just a few months earlier, one chapter closed and the next began. The chapter that had just finished lasted three years. It began in 1975, when Vince Montana Jr. founded The Salsoul Orchestra. Vince …
MAJOR HARRIS-JEALOUSY.
MAJOR HARRIS-JEALOUSY. During 2012, music lost many great names. One of them was Major Harris, who died on 9th November 2012. Major Harris was just sixty-five and one of legends of Philly Soul. He’d enjoyed a long and successful career, one that spanned over five decades. This success came as part of groups like The …
EDDIE HOLMAN-A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.
EDDIE HOLMAN-A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. Eddie Holman’s career began when in 1956, he was just ten years old, when he auditioned for the Amateur night at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre. Soon, Eddie was hooked. Music came easy to him, he’d been playing piano and guitar from his early years. Following that night at the Apollo, …
EDDIE KENDRICKS-HE’S A FRIEND.
EDDIE KENDRICKS-HE’S A FRIEND. Eddie Kendricks was one of the founding members of The Temptations back in 1960. He then spent the next eleven years as one of The Temptations’ lead singers. Then in 1971, Eddie Kendricks decided to leave The Temptations and embark on a solo career. By 1976, Eddie had released six solo …
IT’S A NEW BEGINNING FOR GINA CAREY…THE SONGBIRD.
IT’S A NEW BEGINNING FOR GINA CAREY…THE SONGBIRD. 31st January 2013 marks the next chapter in Gina Carey’s seventeen year career, when Gina Carey…The Songbird is released. Gina Carey…The Songbird is the ninth album of Gina’s career, and her sixth soul album. This is the start of a new chapter in the career of Gina …
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE.
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE. When eventually, someone decided to write a proper, comprehensive history of Philadelphia International Records, I hope that they separate the music into two parts. The first part was what I’d call Philadelphia International Records’ golden period, between 1972 and 1975 and then the second part, from 1976 onwards. There’s a good reason for …
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE.
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE. Although Joe Simon had been around since the 1959, releasing his debut album Joe Simon in 1963, for the next ten years, he struggled to make a commercial breakthrough. Granted Joe enjoyed a string on minor hit singles on Vee Jay Records and the Sound Stage label. Unfortunately, …
THE WHISPERS-BINGO.
THE WHISPERS-BINGO. It’s almost ironic that when The Whispers released Bingo in 1974, which was arguably the best album of their career so far, its success was derailed by a lack of promotion. Bingo was The Whispers’ fourth album, and their first foray outside of their native California. It also saw a change of producer. …
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2.
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2. Just under year since The Stylistics released their debut album The Stylistics in November 1972, which was certified gold, and featured five top ten US R&B singles, The Stylistics released their sophomore album Round 2 in October 1973 on Avco Records. Like The Stylistics, it was produced by Thom Bell, who cowrote …
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-MAGIC JOURNEY.
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-MAGIC JOURNEY. By 1977, The Salsoul Orchestra had established their reputation as disco’s premier orchestra. They’d been formed in 1975, and had already released a trio of albums, where disco, Philly Soul, funk, jazz, Latin and classical music were seamlessly fused. Much of the emphasis was on individual members stepping into spotlight and …
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