Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
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 …
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS-IMAGINATION.
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS-IMAGINATION. In 1973, it came as no surprise that Gladys Knight and The Pips decided leave Motown. After all, Gladys Knight had been forced to live in the shadow of Diana Ross. To onlookers. Diana Ross was Motown’s chosen one, while Gladys Knight had to settle for second best. So after …
GOODY GOODY-GOODY GOODY.
GOODY GOODY-GOODY GOODY. Often, looking back through musical history, one decision can change forever change a group or label’s future. Whether it was Gamble and Huff’s decision to allow their legendary house-band M.F.S.B. to leave Philadelphia International Records following a dispute with money, or Harold Melvin’s decision not give give Teddy Pendergrass equal billing in …
BUNNY SIGLER-LET ME PARTY WITH YOU.
BUNNY SIGLER-LET ME PARTY WITH YOU. Bunny Silger seemed to have been around the Philadelphia music scene forever, by the time he signed to Norman Harris’ new label Gold Mind Records, where he’d release his fifth album Let Me Party With You in 1978. Eleven years before, Bunny had released his debut album Let the …
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS.
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS. Ever since The Detroit Spinners had signed to Atlantic Records, their fortunes had been transformed. Their 1967 debut album, The Original Spinners, released on Motown, had failed to chart. Three years later, now signed to V.I.P. Records, their 1970 sophomore album 2nd Two Around, saw their fortunes …
JAZ AND MENDOZA-FANTASY.
JAZ AND MENDOZA-FANTASY. Any new record company that describes itself as combining the best of the “old school values,” with “new school digital thinking,” has gotten my attention. Not only that, but it’s gotten my respect. All too often, in music, the past is dispensed with way to freely and quickly. It’s discarded like yesterday’s …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-BRAZIL.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-BRAZIL. In the seventies, Philadelphia was a musical hotbed, with the City of Brotherly Love giving the world some of the greatest groups of the decade. Everyone remembers artists like Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass and Barbara Mason, plus groups like The O’Jays, The Three Degrees, M.F.S.B, The Trammps and Harold Melvin and The …
LOVE COMMITTEE-LAW AND ORDER.
LOVE COMMITTEE-LAW AND ORDER. Gold Mind Records was subsidiary of Salsoul Records, run by legendary Philadelphia guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer, Norman Harris. Norman was responsible for running the label, discovering the talent and with some of his Philly friends, writing, recording and producing these acts. Loleatta Holloway, First Choice and Double Exposure are just …
TEDDY PENDERGRASS-THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
TEDDY PENDERGRASS-THIS ONE’S FOR YOU. Ever since Teddy Pendergrass left Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, the success he’d enjoyed with his former group kept on coming. By 1981, Teddy had released five albums since his solo career started in 1977. From his 1977 debut album Teddy Pendergrass was certified platinum, Teddy cemented his reputation …
THE CHARLIE CALELLO ORCHESTRA-CALELLO SERENADE.
THE CHARLIE CALELLO ORCHESTRA-CALELLO SERENADE. Back in 1958, Frankie Vali walked into a nightclub in Newark, New Jersey and immediately, was bowled over by the band that were playing. Straight away, Frankie knew this band were special and knew why. The secret to their success was the man who wrote and arranged their music. When …
THE EBONYS-THE EBONYS.
THE EBONYS-THE EBONYS. During the seventies, Philadelphia International Records was one of the most successful record labels in America. Without a doubt, it was one of Philly Soul’s greatest label. Between 1972 and 1975, it seemed Philadelphia International Records could do no wrong. Artists like The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Three …
BILLY PAUL-GOT MY HEAD ON STRAIGHT.
BILLY PAUL-GOT MY HEAD ON STRAIGHT. Three years before Billy Billy Paul released Got My Head On Straight in 1975, he’d released his fourth album 360 Degrees of Billy Paul. Not only had 360 Degrees of Billy Paul made Billy Paul a worldwide star, but had played its part in launching Philadelphia International Records as …
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES-TO BE TRUE.
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES-TO BE TRUE. Between 1972 and 1975, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes released a quartet of albums that saw one of the most successful artists in the history of Philly Soul. During that period, commercial success and critical acclaim were constant companions for Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. …
MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD-MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD.
MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD-MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD. Anyone familiar with the history of Philly Soul, will realize that some of the best music was written or produced by musical partnerships. Obviously the best known is Gamble and Huff, but there are many more. The Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section were also a successful production partnership, while Norman …
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