Category Archives: Funk
CHARLES BRADLEY-NO TIME FOR DREAMING.
CHARLES BRADLEY-NO TIME FOR DREAMING. Although it was a long time coming, Charles Bradley released his debut album No Time For Dreaming in 2011 on Dunham Records. By 2011, Charles was fifty-three, and during his life, he’d travelled more than a few roads, most of them twisty. His love of music started when his sister …
THE CRUSADERS-STREET LIFE.
THE CRUSADERS-STREET LIFE. Having started their career as The Jazz Crusaders and releasing their debut album Freedom Sound in 1961, it took a change in name and sound before their music became commercially popular. This transformation occurred in 1971, with The Jazz Crusaders becoming The Crusaders. They released their “debut” album as The Crusaders in …
MY SALSOUL MARSHALL JEFFERSON PRESENTS:THE FOUNDATIONS OF HOUSE.
MY SALSOUL MARSHALL JEFFERSON PRESENTS:THE FOUNDATIONS OF HOUSE. Often when writing about Salsoul Records, I’ve mentioned how important a part Salsoul played in the development of house music. Salsoul’s music wouldn’t just influence the first generation of house DJs, but several generations of producers. Even now, that influence is apparent, with producers paying homage to …
MYSTIC MERLIN-SIXTY THRILLS A MINUTE.
MYSTIC MERLIN-SIXTY THRILLS A MINUTE. When Mystic Merlin signed Capitol Records, it looked as if the New York based soul and funk group had a great future ahead of them. They were tipped to join funk’s elite, joining Parliament, Funkadelic, Brass Construction, B.T. Express. Charles Kipp had been hired to produce their debut album Mystic …
HOLY SPIRIT-SPIRITUAL SOUL AND GOSPEL FUNK.
HOLY SPIRIT-SPIRITUAL SOUL AND GOSPEL FUNK. In an increasingly overcrowded compilation market, certain labels can be relied upon to release quality compilations. Three labels spring to mind, BBE Music, Strut and Harmless Records. Whilst other labels, including major labels continue to recycle the same collections of familiar and sometimes tired songs, albeit using different titles. …
THE SYLVERS-SHOWCASE AND NEW HORIZONS.
THE SYLVERS-SHOWCASE AND NEW HORIZONS. In these recessionary times, even the most dedicated music fan is feeling the pinch. With people having less disposable income than ever to spend on life’s essentials like music, it’s always a bonus when a record company releases two albums on one CD. This is what the good people at …
DISCO RECHARGE: VOYAGE-VOYAGE.
DISCO RECHARGE: VOYAGE-VOYAGE. When Harmless Records launched their new label Disco Recharge back in June 2012, the new label’s first release was Voyage’s eponymous debut album Voyage. Released in 1978, this sees Voyage embark upon a worldwide whistle-top tour, where they pay homage to various styles of music. Their whistle-top tour ends in America, the …
WAH WAH WATSON-ELEMENTARY.
WAH WAH WATSON-ELEMENTARY. Whenever I listen to music, one thing I always do is look at which musicians play on an album. One man whose played on more sessions than the average musician has had gigs, is the one and only Wah Wah Watson, virtuoso guitarist and a man who weaves that unmistakable wah wah …
MYSTIC MERLIN-MYSTIC MERLIN.
MYSTIC MERLIN-MYSTIC MERLIN. Many times, I’ve mentioned how when you’re crate digging in a record shop, desperate for something new to listen to, but finding nothing inspirational, you’ve got to think laterally. One thing I, and many other people I know do, is look for an album cover that stands out. Ideally, you’re looking for …
ARETHA FRANKLIN-ARETHA.
ARETHA FRANKLIN-ARETHA. By 1978 and the end of Aretha Franklin’s time at Atlantic Records, her career had stalled, lost direction. She wasn’t enjoying the hits that were a regular feature of her early Atlantic. Granted there were occasional bright spots, with Break It To Me Gently, which although it gave Aretha a US R&B number …
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND.
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND. Imagine this scenario. You’re part of a band whose just released your debut album which fails to chart. A year later, you release the followup which not only reaches number one in the US R&B Charts and is certified triple-platinum, but features two singles that reach …
DENIECE WILLIAMS-I’M SO PROUD.
DENIECE WILLIAMS-I’M SO PROUD. Sometimes, the difference an experience and talented producer can make to an artist’s career can’t be underestimated. While everyone has their own examples, Deniece Williams certainly felt this when she first met Thom Bell. Instantly, they realized they were musical soul mates. By that time, Thom Bell was a vastly experienced …
CHAKA KHAN-NAUGHTY.
CHAKA KHAN-NAUGHTY. After Rufus released their sixth album Street Player in 1978, Chaka Khan decided the time was right to launch her solo career. Her peerless vocals played a huge part in the success of Rufus, resulting four of their albums being certified gold and 1977s Ask Rufus being certified platinum. Chaka’s solo career started …
ROSE ROYCE-ROSE ROYCE III: STRIKES AGAIN.
ROSE ROYCE-ROSE ROYCE III: STRIKES AGAIN. When Norman Whitfield decided to set up his own record company Whitfield, after spending ten years at Motown as their psychedelic kahuna, one of his first signing were Total Concept Unlimited, an eight-piece band from Los Angeles. Norman became the group’s mentor, signing them to his label and shaping …
THE O’JAYS-TRAVELIN’ AT THE SPEED OF THOUGHT.
THE O’JAYS-TRAVELIN’ AT THE SPEED OF THOUGHT. A year after The O’Jays released Message In the Music, their final album to feature William Powell, The O’Jays would release Travellin’ At the Speed of Thought, their first album featuring their new vocalist Sammy Strain. Given how successful The O’Jays had been since releasing their first album …
TEENA MARIE-NAKED TO THE WORLD.
TEENA MARIE-NAKED TO THE WORLD. Having left Motown after a bitter and prolonged legal dispute, Teena Marie signed for Epic Records, releasing five albums. She’d enjoyed commercial success at Motown, releasing three albums that were certified gold between 1979 and 1981. These were Lady T in 1979, 1980s Irons In the Fire and 1981s It …
RONNIE FOSTER-DELIGHT.
RONNIE FOSTER-DELIGHT. After the release of Ronnie Foster’s previous album, 1978s Love Satellite, Ronnie headed out on the road with George Duke, before accompanying George Benson on one of his tours. On his return home, Ronnie would release the most commercially successful album of his career, Delight. On Delight, which was rereleased by SoulMusic Records …
QUAZAR-QUAZAR.
QUAZAR-QUAZAR. Having spent several years aboard George Clinton’s Mothership Connection, as vocalist and guitarist for Funkadelic and Parliament, Glenn Goins started getting restless being just a side-man for George. He watched other members leave the bands, forming their own successful bands. Soon he too, was considering his future, having played important roles on mid-seventies Funkadelic …
DISCO RECHARGE-TANGERUE/STRANGE AFFAIR.
DISCO RECHARGE-TANGERUE/STRANGE AFFAIR. After the success of Harmless Records’ Disco Discharge series, which celebrated the release of four further volumes in 2012, taking the total to sixteen volumes of the Disco Discharge series, Harmless have launched another new label and series, Disco Recharge. The Disco Recharge series sees Harmless rerelease long out of print classic …
THE JACKSONS-GOIN’ PLACES.
THE JACKSONS-GOIN’ PLACES. Just eleven months after The Jacksons had released the most successful album of their career thus far, 1976s The Jacksons, they released the followup album Goin’ Places. This was the second album of a joint venture between where Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records, with Gamble and Huff in charge of the …
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