Category Archives: Funk
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 2.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 2. The Best New Albums of 2012-Part 2, covers the period between May and June 2012. These two months proved to be good months for new music. Two veterans of music, Paul Buchanan and Eddie Levert somewhat belatedly, released debut solo albums. Then there were three truly innovative albums, …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3. By now, we’re at the third part in The Best New Albums of 2012. The five albums I’ve chosen cover the period between July and September 2012. This includes albums from labels based in Japan, Belgium and the UK. Each of these labels art independent labels, who are …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4. So, we get to the fourth and final installment of The Best New Albums of 2012. These five albums cover the three months period between October and December 2012. Like the first three installments, there’s an eclectic selection of albums. Here’s my final five of 2012. BIG BOY …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS. When The Ritchie Family released their debut album in 1975, the group hadn’t yet settled on a lineup. So, the legendary Philadelphia backing vocals the Sweethearts of Sigma had taken charge of vocal duties. Now a year later, for their 1976 sophomore album Arabian Nights, The Ritchie Family had three new …
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO.
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO. Eight months after The Trammps released Where The Happy People Go in April 1976, they released their third studio album Disco Inferno In December 1976. A year later, The Trammps career was transformed, when the title-track featured on a movie soundtrack. This was a low-budget movie, produced by Robert Stigwood for $2.5 …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2. The first six reissues of 2012 I reviewed were released between February and August 2012. My first choice from The Best Reissues of 2012-Part 2 was also released in August, before September proved to be one of the best months of 2012 for rereleases. BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3. Throughout my review of The Best Reissues of 2012, I’ve reviewed albums that have either been commercial successful or for some reason, failed commercially. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the music. Often, it’s too innovative, released at the wrong time or not promoted enough. Behind each of the my …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
JOHN DAVIS MONSTER ORCHESTRA-NIGHT AND DAY.
JOHN DAVIS MONSTER ORCHESTRA-NIGHT AND DAY. One of the phenomenon’s of the disco era, was the arrival of the disco orchestra. Obviously, the best known and without doubt, best, and most successful was The Salsoul Orchestra. They played their part in making Salsoul Records disco’s most successful and classic label. Other record companies, having seen …
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