Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
CULT CLASSIC: CANDI STATON-I’M JUST A PRISONER.
Cult Classic: Candi Staton-I’m Just A Prisoner. By 1968, Candi Staton was twenty-eight, and still hadn’t embarked upon a solo career. However, that would soon change when Clarence Carter introduced her to Rick Hall. He would transform the former gospel singer’s fortunes. Sixteen R&B hit singles were recorded at Rick Hall’s Fame Studios, in Muscle …
CULT CLASIC: JOHNNY LYTLE-THE LOOP.
Cult Classic: Johnny Lytle-The Loop. Johnny Dillard Lytle was born into a family of musicians on December October ’13th’, 1932 in Springfield, Ohio. His father was a drummer and his mother an organist. Influenced by both, the future vibes virtuoso grew up playing drums and piano. However, before studying music he was a successful boxer. …
NINA SIMONE-LET IT ALL OUT: SELECTED SINGLES 1961-1978.
Nina Simone-Let It All Out: Selected Singles 1961-1978. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Release Date: 31st October 2025. Nina Simone’s recording career began at Bethlehem Records in 1957 when she started recording tracks that would eventually feature on her debut album. The tracks were recorded during two sessions for a flat fee, with Simone not receiving …
RONNIE McNEIR-MAKES A MOVE.
Ronnie McNeir-Makes A Move. Label: Kent Soul. Format: CD. It’s always exciting to discover a lost album. I’ve discovered a number of lost albums over the years, and still, it’s exciting to listen to an album that was recorded forty or more years ago. It’s like going back in time, and eavesdropping on the session. …
JON SAVAGE’S 1986-1990 ROLLIN’ UNDER THE MELODY.
Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody. Label: Ace. Format: 2 CD. Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody is the final compilation in what’s been, a long running series. This is the eleventh compilation in a series that began in 2018. However, does the series end on a high? During the period between 1986-1990, …
ISAAC HAYES-1969-1972.
Isaac Hayes-1969-1972. Isaac Lee Hayes Jr was born on 20th, August 1942 in Covington, Tennessee. He was the second child of Eula and Isaac Lee Hayes Sr. However, tragedy struck when Hayes’ mother died when he was young. The situation got even worse when his father abandoned his young family. Fortunately, Hayes’ maternal grandparents Mr. …
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHNNY ADAMS.
The Life and Times of Johnny Adams. Johnny Adams’ recording career lasted exactly forty years. His career began in early 1958, when he released his first single ‘I Won’t Cry’ on Ric. It was a hit single in New Orleans and the Southern states. For the twenty-six year old soul man this was the start …
CULT CLASIC-REET HENDRIKSON-REET.
Cult Classic-Reet Hendrikson-Reet. Sadly, Estonian folksinger Reet Hendrikson only ever released one album during her carer. This was ‘Reet,’ which was released in 1969, on the Estonian-Canadian label Reindeer Records. However, this stunning album of folk and psych-folk failed to find the wider audience it deserved. Nowadays, though, Hendrikson’s music is starting to reach a …
SAMMI SMITH-THE “SOUTH’S OWN DUSTY SPRINGFIELD.”
Sammi Smith-The“South’s own Dusty Springfield.” Without doubt, country singer singer-songwriter Sammi Smith had a voice, the talent and potential to crossover and become a huge, mainstream star. Her records were cinematic, soul-baring confessionals where her inimitable husky voice veered between melancholy and full of hurt and heartache to sensuous. It sounded as if Sammi Smith …
CHRIS BANGS PRESENTS THE PLAYBOX.
CHRIS BANGS PRESENTS THE PLAYBOX. Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox. Label: BGP. Format: CD. Release Date: 30th May 2025. Initially, DJ Chris Bangs started off as a guitarist with space rockers the Mighty Om. However, he soon realised that his talents lay elsewhere. That came in 1982, after meeting Gilles Peterson, who was playing his …
SOUL HARMONY – SWEET SOUL VOCALS 1961-1984.
Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984. Label: Kent Soul. Format: CD. Between 1962 and the early seventies there was an increase in the popularity of soulful ballads in Southern California. These slow jams were played in the clubs and could be heard in the cars that cruised the streets of towns and cities throughout Southern California. …
HIT AND RUN! MORE MOTOWN GUYS.
Hit and Run! More Motown Guys. Label: Kent Soul. Format: CD. Just like many other record labels, the vaults at Motown contain hundreds of unreleased tracks. These tracks are part of the label’s rich and illustrious history. Many were recorded at the company’s headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit between 1961 and 1968. This …
PAUL WELLER PRESENTS THAT SWEET SWEET MUSIC.
Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music. Label: Ace Format: CD. Release Date: 28th March 2025. From an early age, soul music has played an important part in Paul Weller’s life. He grew up listening to, and buying soul singles. This was just the start. Then during his ten years with The Jam, the group …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 