Category Archives: Soul
THE REMARKABLE STORY OF THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA.
The Remarkable Story Of The Souljazz Orchestra. When The Souljazz Orchestra was founded in Ottawa, Canada, in 2002 none of its members had any idea where they would or what they would be doing in fifteen years time. They didn’t even know if The Souljazz Orchestra would still be together? The Souljazz Orchestra could’ve been consigned …
KABASA-AFRICAN SUNSET.
Kabasa-African Sunset. Label: BBE Music. Kabasa was formed in Soweto by vocalist and bassist Tata “TNT” Sibeko and percussionist Oupa Segwa and guitarist Robert “Doc” Mthalane who previously had been members of the iconic Afro-rock band Harari, who the first ever local black pop band to appear on South African television. Despite Harari being regarded …
HOLDING THINGS TOGETHER-THE MERLE HAGGARD SONGBOOK.
Holding Things Together-The Merle Haggard Songbook. Label: Ace Records. For the latest instalment in their Songwriter Series, Ace Records turn the spotlight on the late Merle Haggard, who was one of the finest exponents of the Bakersfield Sound. Hag as he was known, eschewed the increasingly slick and homogenized country music that was coming out …
TIM MAIA- THE FIRST TEN ALBUMS: 1970-1978.
Tim Maia-The First Ten Albums: 1970-1978: . By 1978, charismatic Brazilian singer-songwriter Tim Maia’s career was at a crossroads and he was worried about what the future held for him. Tim Maia found himself financially embarrassed, after a couple of musically barren years. He had spent much of the money he earned on cars, musical instruments …
IRMA THOMAS-IN BETWEEN TEARS RECORD STORE DAY 2019.
Irma Thomas-In Between Tears-Record Store Day 2019. Label: Reel Music. There’s not many artists whose career spans six decades but Irma Thomas’ does. The Soul Queen of New Orleans released her debut single (You Can Have My Husband But) Don’t Mess With My Man on the Ron label in 1960, and since then, has recorded …
TOMMY HUNT-THE COMPLETE MAN: 60s NYC SOUL SONGS.
Tommy Hunt-The Complete Man: 60s NYC Soul Songs. Label: Kent. Mention the name Tommy Hunt, and many soul fans will think of the music that the Pittsburgh-born singer recorded for Scepter in the early sixties. That was where Tommy Hunt came to prominence as a solo artist. However, this wasn’t Tommy Hunt’s first encounter with …
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALICE CLARK?
Whatever Happened To Alice Clark? Sadly, all too often, hype and image has triumphed over talent, while commercial success and critical acclaim eludes truly talented artists. Chastened by the experience, many of these artists turn their back on the music industry. They’re content to return to civvy street, free from a world populated by A&R …
ON THE DETROIT BEAT! MOTOR CITY SOUL-UK STYLE 1963-1967.
On The Detroit Beat! Motor City Soul-UK Style 1963-67. Label: Ace Records. As 1959 unfolded, Detroit based songwriter, producer and future musical impresario Berry Gordy Jr had already discovered The Miracles and started to build a successful portfolio of recording artists. There was only one problem, what would Berry Gordy Jr do with these talented …
DR JOHN-THE ATCO YEARS 1968-1974.
Dr John-The Atco Years 1968-1974. Gris Gris. When a copy of Dr John’s debut album Gris Gris was sent to Atlantic Records’ founder Ahmet Ertegun he disliked the album so much, that he was reluctant to even release the album and said: “how can we market this boogaloo crap?” This wasn’t the response that Dr …
WHERE THE GIRLS ARE VOLUME 10.
Where The Girls Are Volume 10. Ace Records. Thirty-five years ago, in 1984, Mick Patrick and Ady Croasdell compiled the first volume of Where The Girls Are, which was released on vinyl. This was just before the emergence of the CD, which within a few years, replaced vinyl in many people’s music collection and affections. …
REGGIE YOUNG-SESSION GUITAR STAR.
Reggie Young-Session Guitar Star. Ace Records. In many ways, session musicians are the unsung heroes of the music industry, and far too often, don’t get the credit that they deserve. They’re mostly anonymous musicians, who are musical hired hands who over the course of a year, will work with countless musicians in the studio or live. However, some of these anonymous musicians have gone on to greater things This previously includes some of the legends …
THE JUNIE STORY: FROM OHIO PLAYER TO SOLO ARTIST, FUNKADELIC AND BEYOND.
The Junie Story: From Ohio Player To Solo Artist, Funkadelic and Beyond. In 1970, most sixteen years in Drayton, Ohio, were still at high school and were making plans for college or the world of work. Some were worrying about being drafted, and heading for Vietnam to fight in a war that America was struggling to win. …
FUZZY HASKINS-THE WESTBOUND YEARS.
Fuzzy Haskins- The Westbound Years. Between 1970 and 1977, Fuzzy Haskins was a member of not one, but two of the most prolific and successful funk bands of the seventies,..Parliament and Funkadelic. Still, though, Fuzzy Haskins found time to embark upon a solo career. Fuzzy Haskins released his debut album, A Whole Nother Thang on …
DOLORES VARGAS-“LA TERREMOTO”-THE EARTHQUAKE.
Dolores Vargas-“La Terremoto” The Earthquake. Ask anyone who saw Dolores Vargas at the peak of the powers in the early seventies and they almost go misty eyed as they describe a flamboyant performer who combined a unique and inimitable mixture of flamenco funk, gypsy funk and rumba pop with a wild, energetic and frenzied dancing style. …
THE ENIGMATIC WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR
The Enigmatic William Onyeabor. Enigmatic. That was the perfect word to describe synth funk pioneer, William Onyeabor who died on January 16th 2017 aged just seventy. Nigerian music lost a musical pioneer. However, William Onyeabor was, without doubt, one of the most mysterious and elusive musicians in musical history. There’s a good reason for this, Much of William Onyeabor’s …
LINDA JONES-THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE LOST SOUL QUEEN.
Linda Jones-The Tragic Story Of The Lost Soul Queen. As 1972 dawned, twenty-seven year old Linda Jones was a successful soul singer. She had already enjoyed five hit singles and her debut album had sold well. This looked like it was just the start of a long and successful career for a singer who had the …
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF FUZZY HASKINS
The Life and Music Of Fuzzy Haskins. Between 1970 and 1977, Fuzzy Haskins was a member of not one, but two of the most prolific and successful funk bands of the seventies,..Parliament and Funkadelic. They released a total of fourteen albums, which sold in excess of 2.5 million copies. Still, though, Fuzzy Haskins found time …
THE RISE AND FALL OF SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE.
The Rise and Fall Of Sly and the Family Stone. Between 1966 and 1976, psychedelic soul pioneers Sly and The Family Stone released eight studio albums and their first Greatest Hits album. These albums showcased Sly and the Family Stone’s genre-melting music, which took as a starting point psychedelic soul and added funk and rock to this heady musical brew. …
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