Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
THREE MAN ARMY-THREE MAN ARMY AND THREE MAN ARMY TWO.
THREE MAN ARMY-THREE MAN ARMY AND THREE MAN ARMY TWO. All too often, a truly talented group fails to find the audience their music deserves.As a result, the band only releases a few albums, which are cherished by discerning record buyers. That was the case with Three Man Army, which was founded by brothers Adrian …
JOHN MILES-MORE THAN MUSIC.
JOHN MILES-MORE THAN MUSIC. Forty years ago in 1976, John Miles released his most successful single Music. Since then, every time John Miles’ name comes up in conversation, Music is mentioned. That must be frustrating for the English singer-songwriter. That must be frustrating for John Miles, who released ten albums between 1976 and 1999. This is …
JIMMY HOLIDAY-THE ACCIDENTAL SINGER-SONGWRITER.
JIMMY HOLIDAY-THE ACCIDENTAL SINGER-SONGWRITER. Jimmy Holiday never set out to make a career out of music. instead, he wanted to be a boxer, and got as far as fighting in the annual Golden Gloves competition. Then Jimmy started to get beat. That wasn’t in his plans. Realising he was never going to be more than a contender, Jimmy …
BOPPIN’ BY THE BAYOU-DRIVE-INS AND BABY DOLLS.
BOPPIN’ BY THE BAYOU-DRIVE-INS AND BABY DOLLS. The compilation market is without doubt, one of the most competitive in the music industry. Every week hundreds of compilations are released by labels in America, Europe and Britain. Some are released by major labels, while others are lovingly curated compilations that are released by small independent labels. Many …
LIGHTDREAMS-ISLANDS IN SPACE.
LIGHTDREAMS-ISLANDS IN SPACE. Thirty-five years ago in 1981, the British Columbian band LightDreams, released their debut album, Islands In Space. It was a captivating, psychedelic sci-fi odyssey where LightDreams explored cosmic ideology. This was something that had fascinated and enthralled the band’s leader Paul Marcano ever since he first encountered the work and theories of author, …
MILT JACKSON-SUNFLOWER AND GOODBYE.
MILT JACKSON-SUNFLOWER AND GOODBYE. By 1967, Creed Taylor was a veteran of the music industry. He had worked numerous record labels, including Bethlehem, ABC and Verve. However in 1967, Creed Taylor left Verve to join Herb Albert and Jerry Moss’ A&M Records. This was something of a coup for A&M Records, as Creed Taylor had …
SANDY DENNY-WHO KNOWS WHERE TIME GOES?
SANDY DENNY-WHO KNOWS WHERE TIME GOES? On the 21st of April 1978, Sandy Denny passed away aged just thirty-one. That day, the career of one of the finest British folk singers of her generation was cut tragically short. Music lost a hugely talented singer and songwriter. There was no doubt about that. Sandy Denny stood head …
JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION.
JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION. With the vinyl revival in full flow, some of the biggest names in music are taking the opportunity to reissue their albums exclusively on vinyl. This includes one of Glasgow’s most talented sons, John Martyn. Two of his finest albums, including his classic One World and the hugely personal Grace and Danger were reissued on vinyl on …
THE SUN RECORDS ROCK ’N’ COLLECTION-40 ROCKIN’ GREATS FROM THE SUN VAULTS-LIMITED EDITION VINYL.
THE SUN RECORDS ROCK ’N’ COLLECTION-40 ROCKIN’ GREATS FROM THE SUN VAULTS-LIMITED EDITION VINYL. Back in late 2014, I was talking to someone who was then, the label manager at an independent record label. At the time, sales of vinyl were growing on both sides of the Atlantic, as well in Europe. Many independent labels …
PAUL MARCANO AND LIGHTDREAMS-10,001 DREAMS.
PAUL MARCANO AND LIGHTDREAMS-10,001 DREAMS. In 1981, British Columbian band LightDreams released debut album Islands In Space. It was a captivating psychedelic sci-fi odyssey where LightDreams explored cosmic ideology. Normally, an album like Islands In Space would’ve found favour with fans of psychedelia and progressive rockers who embraced cerebral, innovative and epic albums. Alas, that …
DAN WHITEHOUSE-THE REVEAL RECORDS’ E.P.s.
DAN WHITEHOUSE-THE REVEAL RECORDS’ E.P.s. For Dan Whitehouse, 2016 has been without doubt, one of the most important and successful years of his eighteen year career. This began when Dan Whitehouse signed to Reveal Records. On April 22nd 2016, Dan Whitehouse released his Reveal Records’ debut Introducing. It was a mixture of new songs and …
KEB DARGE PRESENTS THE BEST OF LEGENDARY DEEP FUNK.
KEB DARGE PRESENTS THE BEST OF LEGENDARY DEEP FUNK. For any serious record collector, the thought of having to sell their record collection fills them with dread. Sadly, that happened to DJ and record collector extraordinaire Keb Darge. He was in the midst of a divorce, and was forced to sell of his extensive collection …
SYREETA-THE RITA WRIGHT YEARS: RARE MOTOWN 1967-1970.
SYREETA-THE RITA WRIGHT YEARS: RARE MOTOWN 1967-1970. When Rita Wright got a job as a receptionist at Motown in 1965, little did she realise that in the space of seven years her life would be transformed beyond all recognition. This transformation began when Rita Wright became producer Mickey Stevenson’s secretary. It was through him, that …
BOO HEWERDINE-STILL LIVING THE DREAM.
BOO HEWERDINE-STILL LIVING THE DREAM. Boo Hewerdine’s life has always revolved around music. That’s been the case for over thirty years. The first job Boo Hewerdine had, was working in the warehouse of Andy’s Records in Bury St. Edmunds. However, Boo Hewerdine always had ambition beyond working in a record shop. Instead, he dreamt of making music. …
JOHN MARTYN-MUSIC’S MAVERICK.
JOHN MARTYN-MUSIC’S MAVERICK. John Martyn’s life revolved around music. His career began in 1967, when he was just seventeen. Back then, John Martyn was a folk singer. Over the next forty-two years, John Martyn continually reinvented his music. He flitted between folk and folk rock to blues, psychedelia, reggae, rock and trip hop during the …
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN AND BENJAMIN LAZUR DAVIS-LET IT BE YOU.
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN AND BENJAMIN LAZUR DAVIS-LET IT BE YOU. Signing a distribution deal to Reveal Records in December 2005 was the turning point for Joan As Police Woman. Their new label rereleased their eponymous debut E.P. Meanwhile, Joan As Police Woman headed into the studio and recorded their debut album, Real Life. It …
PIED PIPER -THE PINNACLE OF NORTHERN SOUL-VINYL EDITION.
PIED PIPER -THE PINNACLE OF NORTHERN SOUL-VINYL EDITION. There’s always been a degree of oneupmanship within record collecting circles. That’s still the case today, with some record collectors willing to spend thousands of pounds on a rare record. Especially within the Northern Soul scene. That’s not surprising, and has been for the best part of …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 