Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
ROMARK RECORDS-KENT HARRIS’ SOUL SIDES.
ROMARK RECORDS-KENT HARRIS’ SOUL SIDES. From the fifties right through the sixties and seventies, all over America, small independent record labels sprung up. From Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Philly and Los Angeles, small labels were founded. They released everything from blues, doo wop, pop, garage and soul music to varying degrees of success. Sadly, much of …
THE NUTOPIANS-LENNON RE-IMAGINED.
THE NUTOPIANS-LENNON RE-IMAGINED. With so many artists and bands being inspired by John Lennon’s music, it’s no surprise his music is so widely covered. For many artists, it’s their way of paying homage to one of the most articulate, perceptive and intelligent songwriters in the history of modern music. Sadly, the results however, have varied …
PHILLY RE-GROOVED 3-TOM MOULTON REMIXES.
PHILLY RE-GROOVED 3-TOM MOULTON REMIXES. Whether it’s music or life, there aren’t many people who can be described as both an innovator and visionary. That however, is fitting description of Tom Moulton, whose one of the most important figures in the history of dance music. During his career, Tom Moulton invented remix and the twelve-inch …
DAN GREER BEALE STREET SOUL MAN.
DAN GREER BEALE STREET SOUL MAN. When someone finally writes the definitive history of Memphis Soul, Dan Greer’s name should loom large. Dan was a singer, songwriter, producer and head of A&R at the Sounds of Memphis label. It’s no exaggeration to say Dan Greer was one Memphis’ most talented songwriters and producers. He worked …
BLUESIN’ BY THE BAYOU.
BLUESIN’ BY THE BAYOU. Bluesin’ By The Bayou, which was released by Ace Records in 27th May 2013, is described as: “low down, dirty and greasy blues from Louisiana.” As if that wasn’t enough reason to discover the delights of Bluesin’ By The Bayou, compiler Ian Saddler had added some zydeco for good measure. I …
NUTRITIOUS-FLASH IT.
NUTRITIOUS-FLASH IT. Nutritious’ latest single Flash It, which will be released on 25th June 2o13, on SpinSpinNYC is undoubtably his most ambitious project. Why is this? Well DJ, remixer and producer Nutritious, decided to create a track that pays homage to his hometown, New York. That my friends, is no easy task. Anyone whose been …
THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL YEAR BY YEAR 1964.
THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL YEAR BY YEAR 1964. 1964 proved to be an important year in the history of music. In January 1964, America finally “got” The Beatles. Coast to coast, Beatlemania swept the states. This kick-started the British invasion. Suddenly, American artists no longer monopolized the American charts. Instead, British artists stole the limelight …
SWEET DREAMS: WHERE COUNTRY MEETS SOUL VOLUME 2.
SWEET DREAMS: WHERE COUNTRY MEETS SOUL VOLUME 2. Ever since the fifties, country music has influenced soul music. That’s no surprise. After all, many soul singers grew up in the southern states, listening to the country music coming out of Nashville, Memphis and Muscle Shoals. Back then, country music was King. There was no alternative …
JUMP THE CHANNEL-VOLUME ONE.
JUMP THE CHANNEL-VOLUME ONE. Ever since the birth of modern music, far too many record companies have been content to churn out numerous generic releases. Often, that’s been their downfall. Whether they released soul, disco, funk, house or hip hop, labels, including innovative labels, have gradually, or even quickly, become stuck in a musical rut. …
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE II.
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE II. By 1982, when Inner Life released their their second album for Salsoul Records, Inner Life 2 not only was the changing of the guard complete, but Salsoul as a record label had been transformed. Nearly all of Salsoul’s founding father’s were gone and the legendary Salsoul Orchestra was a shadow of …
DONNY HATHAWAY-DONNY HATHAWAY
DONNY HATHAWAY-DONNY HATHAWAY While many artists enjoy long careers, Donny Hathaway’s career was tragically short. He only released three studio albums and one soundtrack album during his lifetime. However, during his short career, Donny Hathaway recorded some of the most beautiful, powerful and moving music you’ll ever hear. Donny’s debut album was Everything Is Everything, which was …
ALMUNIA-PULSAR.
ALMUNIA-PULSAR. Often when I’m looking for new music, it’s an album cover that grabs my attention. That was the case with Almunia’s new album Pulsar. It was released on Paul Murphy’s Claremont 56 label, on 27th May 2013. Released without publicity or fanfare, Almunia’s sophomore album Pulsar was a low key release to say the …
PSYCHEMAGIK PRESENTS MAGIK SUNRISE.
PSYCHEMAGIK PRESENTS MAGIK SUNRISE. By far, one of the best compilations of 2012 was Leng Records’ Psychemagik Presents Magic Circles. Released in October 2012, it’s best described as a compelling and captivating collection of music. Not only that, but it brought new meaning to the word eclectic. Fusing cosmic disco, Balearica, psychedelic funk, ambient, soul, …
COUNTRY SOUL SISTERS VOLUME 2: WOMEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC 1956-1979.
COUNTRY SOUL SISTERS VOLUME 2: WOMEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC 1956-1979. Last October, when I reviewed the Soul Jazz Records compilation Country Soul Sisters: Women In Country Music 1952-1974, I wondered whether it would convert me into a fan of country music? Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Its persuasive powers and that of the Country Soul …
ERRORS-HAVE SOME FAITH IN MAGIC.
ERRORS-HAVE SOME FAITH IN MAGIC. Since their 2006 debut album, How Clean Is Your Acid House, Errors have come a long way. Having started their career gigging around Glasgow and the west of Scotland, seven years and three albums later, rather than playing Paisley, Kilmarnock and Hamilton, Errors are venturing much further afield. This includes …
LAU-RACE THE LOSER.
LAU-RACE THE LOSER. Usually, when I read about any group being referred to as the: “most innovative band” of their chosen genre, I take this with the proverbial pinch of salt. Often, that’s far from the truth. Mostly, its the result of marketing hype gone into overdrive, wihful thinking, desperation or a manager who thinks …
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE.
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE. By 1978, things were changing at Salsoul. The Salsoul Orchestra played a huge part in Salsoul’s success. They were much more than musicians, with many of its members songwriters, arrangers and producers. This included the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section, Ron “Have Mercy” Kersey and Vince Montana Jr. So when Vince Montana …
PAUL BUCHANAN-MID AIR-DELUXE EDITION.
PAUL BUCHANAN-MID AIR-DELUXE EDITION. 2012 was 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 May …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 