Category Archives: Jazz
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN.
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN. When most people think of Philadelphia International Records, they think of The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The Three Degrees and Teddy Pendergrass. However, there’s much, much more to Philadelphia International Records than just these artists. Granted they were among Philadelphia International Records’ most successful artists, but they …
AZTECA-AZTECA.
AZTECA-AZTECA. With brothers Coke and Pete Escovedo growing up Oakland in the sixties, surrounded by Latin music, it’s no surprise that they decided to form their own group, Azteca. Like Santana, Azteca were a pioneering and innovative group. Their music was a fusion of a multiplicity of musical genres and influences, including Latin and funk. …
MONTANA-I LOVE MUSIC.
MONTANA-I LOVE MUSIC. 1978 marked the start of the next chapter in the long and successful career of Vince Montana Jr. Just a few months earlier, one chapter closed and the next began. The chapter that had just finished lasted three years. It began in 1975, when Vince Montana Jr. founded The Salsoul Orchestra. Vince …
MAJOR HARRIS-JEALOUSY.
MAJOR HARRIS-JEALOUSY. During 2012, music lost many great names. One of them was Major Harris, who died on 9th November 2012. Major Harris was just sixty-five and one of legends of Philly Soul. He’d enjoyed a long and successful career, one that spanned over five decades. This success came as part of groups like The …
EDDIE HOLMAN-A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.
EDDIE HOLMAN-A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. Eddie Holman’s career began when in 1956, he was just ten years old, when he auditioned for the Amateur night at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre. Soon, Eddie was hooked. Music came easy to him, he’d been playing piano and guitar from his early years. Following that night at the Apollo, …
EDDIE KENDRICKS-HE’S A FRIEND.
EDDIE KENDRICKS-HE’S A FRIEND. Eddie Kendricks was one of the founding members of The Temptations back in 1960. He then spent the next eleven years as one of The Temptations’ lead singers. Then in 1971, Eddie Kendricks decided to leave The Temptations and embark on a solo career. By 1976, Eddie had released six solo …
IT’S A NEW BEGINNING FOR GINA CAREY…THE SONGBIRD.
IT’S A NEW BEGINNING FOR GINA CAREY…THE SONGBIRD. 31st January 2013 marks the next chapter in Gina Carey’s seventeen year career, when Gina Carey…The Songbird is released. Gina Carey…The Songbird is the ninth album of Gina’s career, and her sixth soul album. This is the start of a new chapter in the career of Gina …
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE.
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE. When eventually, someone decided to write a proper, comprehensive history of Philadelphia International Records, I hope that they separate the music into two parts. The first part was what I’d call Philadelphia International Records’ golden period, between 1972 and 1975 and then the second part, from 1976 onwards. There’s a good reason for …
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-MAGIC JOURNEY.
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-MAGIC JOURNEY. By 1977, The Salsoul Orchestra had established their reputation as disco’s premier orchestra. They’d been formed in 1975, and had already released a trio of albums, where disco, Philly Soul, funk, jazz, Latin and classical music were seamlessly fused. Much of the emphasis was on individual members stepping into spotlight and …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1. It’s always at this time of year, that lists of what have been the best albums of the year are released. Not to be outdone, I’ve been compiling my lists too. So far, I’ve compiled lists of the best box sets, compilations and reissues. The one I’ve been …
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 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 …
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. …
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