Category Archives: Funk
FIRST CHOICE-THE PLAYER.
FIRST CHOICE-THE PLAYER. In the early seventies, Philadelphia had become the soul capital of America. Forget about Detroit or Memphis, Philly was where some of the greatest soul music was being produced. Philly was a hive of musical creativity, with the Philly Sound providing the soundtrack to much of the seventies. This soundtrack came courtesy …
M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B.
M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B. By 1973, Philadelphia International Records was well on the way to becoming one of the most successful record labels of all time, whilst supplying the soundtrack for the seventies, and a generation. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums started flowing out of Philadelphia. This included The O’Jays’ Backstabbers, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ …
TIM MAIA: WORLD PSYCHEDELIC CLASSICS 4: NOBODY CAN LIVE FOREVER: THE EXISTENTIAL SOUL OF TIM MAIA.
TIM MAIA: WORLD PSYCHEDELIC CLASSICS 4: NOBODY CAN LIVE FOREVER: THE EXISTENTIAL SOUL OF TIM MAIA. For a label looking to release a retrospective compilation of an artist’s career, things don’t always go smoothly. Pitfalls aplenty await the label. Often their persistence, never mind patience is sorely tested. Indeed from deciding to rerelease an album …
BLUE NILE-HATS.
BLUE NILE-HATS. For most groups, a gap of five years between albums would be unthinkable. It just wouldn’t happen. Either the group would be keen to get a new album released, or their record company would be pressurizing them to do so. Not the Blue Nile. In fact, the five years between their debut alum …
SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83.
SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83. All too often, when compilers decide to compile an album of disco, boogie and funk, they stick to what I’d call tried and tested tracks. They’re hardly adventurous, and as a result, far too many compilations of predictable, if not boring compilations are released.Granted …
DELEGATION-DELEGATION II.
DELEGATION-DELEGATION II. Although Delegation calling their third album Delegation II, might seem somewhat confusing, but in many ways it made sense. Delegation II the second album to feature the new lineup of Ricky Bailey, Ray Patterson and Bruce Dunbar, who’d replaced founding member Len Coley. So essentially, Eau De Vie, Delegation’s sophomore album and now …
BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS.
BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. Enigmatic, reluctant and contrarian are words that best of describe the Blue Nile, whose 1984 debut album A Walk Across the Rooftops was rereleased just two days ago. The Blue Nile are the complete opposite of most bands. Describing the Blue Nile as publicity shy, is an understatement. Indeed, …
DELEGATION-EAU DE VIE.
DELEGATION-EAU DE VIE. Often, it seems American bands have a monopoly when it comes to producing quality and successful soul and funk music. Sometimes, British groups can match their American counterparts in the success stakes. It doesn’t happen often, but very occasionally, a British band releases a single or album that takes America by storm. …
DOUBLE EXPOSURE-LOCKER ROOM.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE-LOCKER ROOM. Following the trials and tribulations that surrounded Double Exposure’s sophomore album Fourplay, Locker Room their third and final album, proved to relatively plain sailing. Having released their debut album Ten Percent Salsoul in 1976, there was a two year delay with the followup. This was due to alleged discrepancies regarding Double Exposure’s …
JOHNNIE TAYLOR-EARGASM.
JOHNNIE TAYLOR-EARGASM. By the time Johnnie Taylor released Eargasm in 1976, he was one of music survivors, capable of adapting with the ever-evolving musical landscape. During Johnnie Taylor’s career, he’d sung gospel, blues, soul, funk, R&B and by 1976, disco. Johnnie’s career had spanned three decades, and much had changed in music. Indeed, just the …
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-PART 3.
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-PART 3. Imagine you’re a member of a band whose just released a triple-platinum album. Not just any triple-platinum album, but one featured two number one singles. How do you follow this up? This was the problem facing Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, or as they’re better known, KC and …
OLIVIA DE LANZAC-UNCUT.
OLIVIA DE LANZAC-UNCUT. For Olivia De Lanzac, whose new digital album Uncut has just been released by BBE Music, her musical journey has seen her cross two continents and live in three countries. Olivia was born in the Congo, brought up in Greece and now, is based in London. This journey has influenced Olivia’s musical …
FANGA AND MAALEM ABDALLAH GUINEA-FANGNAWA EXPERIENCE.
FANGA AND MAALEM ABDALLAH GUINEA-FANGNAWA EXPERIENCE. As someone whose been a champion of African music for twenty-five years, I’ve recently been really enjoying Andy Kershaw’s autobiography No Off Switch. I’ve enjoyed his stories of traveling through Africa discovering new music. Having discovered artists that previously were unheard of outside of their own country, he gave …
BODDHI SATVA-NANKOUMANDJAN.
BODDHI SATVA-NANKOUMANDJAN. For Boddhi Satva, 2012 has been a huge successful and important year. 2012 started with the release of Invocation on BBE Music in March. Not only was Invocation one of the most beautiful albums of 2012, but one of the best. When the lists of 2012’s best albums are released, surely Invocations will …
JOHN CAREY-FAMILY.
JOHN CAREY-FAMILY. It seems hardly a month goes by without John or Gina Carey releasing a new single or album. So far this year, Gina has released three albums, Love Letters, Love Letters 2 and Live, Love and Laugh. John seems to be determined to keep up with the pace set by Gina, by releasing …
THE BRECKER BROTHERS-BACK TO BACK.
THE BRECKER BROTHERS-BACK TO BACK. During the seventies, The Brecker Brothers were the go-to guys for anyone looking for a horn section. This wasn’t any horn section though. Quite the opposite. The Brecker Brothers were one of the hottest horn sections of the seventies. Their services and sound was constantly in demand. No wonder. Michael …
GEORGE DUKE-A BRAZILIAN LOVE AFFAIR.
GEORGE DUKE-A BRAZILIAN LOVE AFFAIR. By 1979, when George Duke released A Brazilian Love Affair, he was one of the hardest working men in music. Not only had he released fifteen solo albums, but had moved into production. Then there was George’s work as a sideman. The list of musicians George has played with reads …
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE 2.
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE 2. 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 …
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