Monthly Archives: January, 2014

CESAR 830-CESAR.

CESAR 830-CESAR. Originally, Cesar Ascarrunz came from Bolivia to California to study economics and psychology. Caesar wanted to continue his education and the University of California, in Berkeley seemed the perfect place. When he arrive in California in 1960, he was twenty-five. Although interested in music, he couldn’t play an instrument. This changed in 1961, …

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KRAFTWERK-TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS.

KRAFTWERK-TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS. In the history of electronic music, one of the most important and influential, groups are Kraftwerk. From their formative years, and their eponymous debut album Kraftwerk, released in 1970, they’ve constantly reinvented their music, using the latest technology. In the early years, they were one of first groups to realize the potential of …

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JETHRO TULL-BENEFIT.

JETHRO TULL-BENEFIT. If I was to ask what group had nine albums certified gold, and one certified triple-platinum, between 1969 and 1979, how many people would say Jethro Tull? That’s because most people forget how successful Jethro Tull were. They were one of the most successful, groundbreaking and innovative of the prog rock bands in …

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THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-INNER FIRE.

 THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-INNER FIRE. Back in 2012, The Souljazz Orchestra celebrated their tenth anniversary with the release of their fifth album Solidarity. Less than two later, The Souljazz Orchestra will release their sixth album inner Fire on 24th February 2014. Just like their previous albums, Inner Fire is a compelling fusion of musical influences and …

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THE BEATLES-RUBBER SOUL.

THE BEATLES-RUBBER SOUL. It was fifty years ago,  The Beatles made a breakthrough in America. This was when they released Introducing…The Beatles on 20th January 1963. It reached number two in the US Billboard 200. The Beatles had arrived. Ironically, Introducing…The Beatles proved to be the least successful album The Beatles released in America. After …

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BREAKAWAY-BREAKAWAY AND STRAIGHT TO THE TOP.

BREAKAWAY-BREAKAWAY AND STRAIGHT TO THE TOP. BBE Music’s latest release sees two of the rarest albums make their CD debut. For years, both of Breakaway’s two albums have been prized assets among record collectors. Copies have exchanged hands for ever increasing sums of money. Despite this, no record company decided to take the plunge and …

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HARDCORE TRAXX: DANCE MANIA RECORDS 1986-1997.

HARDCORE TRAXX: DANCE MANIA RECORDS 1986-1997. Whilst Traxx and DJ International dominated Chicago house in the mid-eighties, a whole host of smaller labels were being founded. Some of these labels were releasing innovative and influential music. One of these labels was Dance Mania Records. It was founded in 1986 by Ray Barney and offered an …

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MOGWAI-RAVE TAPES BOX SET.

MOGWAI-RAVE TAPES BOX SET. Nowadays, it’s a common occurrence for bands to release their new albums in a variety of formats. Usually, this includes CD, vinyl and MP3. Sometimes, there’s also a box set available. This is the case with Mogwai’s eighth studio album Rave Tapes. It’s a limited edition of 4,000 which was released …

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BODDHI SATVA FEATURING GAME WALLA-APAGA O FOGO.

BODDHI SATVA FEATURING GAME WALLA-APAGA O FOGO. It was back in early in 2012 during a tour of Angola, that Boddhi Satva first came across Game Walla. Djeff Afrozilla, a producer friend of Boddhi’s, recommended that he have a listen to Game Walla. Boddhi wasn’t disappointed. Far from it. Game Walla is one of the …

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KRAFTWERK-AUTOBAHN.

KRAFTWERK-AUTOBAHN. Formed in 1970 by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider, Kraftwerk went on to become one of the most innovative, influential and groundbreaking groups in musical history. Kraftwerk have gone on to influence several generation of musicians. Without Kraftwerk, musical history would’ve been very different. However, still, many people struggle to describe Kraftwerk’s music. It’s best …

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KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND.

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND. Imagine this scenario. You’re part of a band whose just released your debut album which fails to chart. A year later, you release the followup which not only reaches number one in the US R&B Charts and is certified triple-platinum, but features two singles that reach …

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MAJOR HARRIS-HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR LOVE.

MAJOR HARRIS-HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR LOVE. Two years after the release of his 1976 sophomore album Jealousy, Major Harris returned with How Do You Take Your Love, which was rereleased by Funkytown Grooves on 21st January 2014. How Do You Take Your Love found Major Harris’ career at a crossroads. His 1975 debut album …

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DOUG PAISLEY-STRONG FEELINGS.

DOUG PAISLEY-STRONG FEELINGS. For anyone yet to discover Doug Paisley’s music, you’ve been missing out on one of the most talented singer-songwriters of his generation. Born in Toronto, Canada, Doug has just released his third album Strong Feelings on No Quarter Records. Strong Feelings is a fusion of alternative country, Americana and folk. The album …

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T-CONNECTION-T-CONNECTION.

T-CONNECTION-T-CONNECTION. By December 1978, disco was at the peak of its popularity. So should T-Connection. They should’ve been riding the crest of the disco wave. They weren’t. That age old problem, the difficult second album had tripped them up. Their had career started so well. Magic released in April 1977 reached number 109 in the …

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ECSTASY, PASSION AND PAIN-ECSTASY, PASSION AND PAIN.

ECSTASY, PASSION AND PAIN-ECSTASY, PASSION AND PAIN. The maxim that Good Things Don’t Last Forever proved to be true for Ecstasy, Passion and Pain. They released just one album, Ecstasy, Passion and Pain in 1974. Featuring just ten songs, Ecstasy, Passion and Pain was a tantalizing taste of what might have become for Barbara Roy’s …

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LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.

LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT. Having signed Loleatta Holloway to Gold Mind Records in 1976, Loleatta’s producer and mentor Norman Harris set about giving Loleatta a makeover. He started transforming the Southern Soul singer in the a disco diva on her debut album Loleatta. After her Sasloul debut Loleatta was released, Loleatta Holloway’s makeover to …

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THE THREE DEGREES-MAYBE.

THE THREE DEGREES-MAYBE. Way before Gamble and Huff sprinkled their magic over The Three Degrees, they were signed to Roulette Records, where they a series of singles and their 1970 album Maybe. Then, five years later, when The Three Degrees were at the height of their popularity, Roulette released So Much Love, a collection of …

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CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI.

CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI. Having been discovered by bandleader Xavier Cugat Maria del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, or Charo as she became, went on to become one of the highest paid performers in America during the early seventies. Reputedly, actress, singer and guitarist Charo was paid as much as Rat Pack members …

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CANDI STATON-YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE.

CANDI STATON-YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE.  Having released a trio of albums of Southern Soul for Rick Hall’s Fame Records, Candi Staton signed to Warner Bros,where she released a song that’s become synonymous with her, Young Hearts Run Free. Released in 1976, Young Hearts Run Free saw Candi Staton transformed into a disco diva. This was …

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AFRO-BEAT AIRWAYS-WEST AFRICAN SHOCK WAVES 1972-1978.

AFRO-BEAT AIRWAYS-WEST AFRICAN SHOCK WAVES 1972-1978. Without doubt, one of the best compilations of 2013 was Analog Africa’s Afrobeat Airways Return Flight To Ghana 1974-1983. It was the perfect introduction to Ghanaian music and featured thirteen slices of Afrobeat and highlife. This was music that’s irresistible. Uplifting, joyous, spiritual and infectiously catchy, it’s also funky, …

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