Category Archives: Soul
RIPPLE-SONS OF THE GODS.
RIPPLE-SONS OF THE GODS. During their seventies heyday, Ripple released just two albums and nine singles. This included two dance classics. The first of these was I Don’t Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky. Released in 1973, it reached number sixty-three in the US Billboard 100 and number eleven in the US …
AFROBEAT AIRWAYS 2-RETURN FLIGHT TO GHANA 1974-1983.
AFROBEAT AIRWAYS 2-RETURN FLIGHT TO GHANA 1974-1983. For anyone who loves African music, Analog Africa’s releases are essential listening. Their compilations are among the best compilations of African music available. The reason for this is simple, Analog Africa dig deeper than other reissue labels. They’ve been doing since 2005, when Samy Ben Rebjed founded Analog …
CHARLIE WHITEHEAD-RAW SPITT.
CHARLIE WHITEHEAD-RAW SPITT. For many years, I’ve been a huge fan of Swamp Dogg’s productions, including Doris Duke’s seminal album I’m A Loser. During his career, Swamp Dogg, aka Jerry Williams worked with many artists, including Gary US Bonds, Patti La Belle, Arthur Conley and ZZ Hill. One of the lesser known artists Jerry worked …
T-CONNECTION-T-CONNECTION.
T-CONNECTION-T-CONNECTION. By December 1978, disco was at the peak of its popularity. So should T-Connection. They should’ve been riding the crest of the disco wave. They weren’t. That age old problem, the difficult second album had tripped them up. Their had career started so well. Magic released in April 1977 reached number 109 in the …
MARLENA SHAW-JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
MARLENA SHAW-JUST A MATTER OF TIME. For the first Lady of Blue Note, Marlena Shaw, 1975 saw her release the most successful album of her career, Who Is This Bitch Anyway? An innovative fusion of soul and jazz, Marlena explored feminist, sexual politics and social issues. This represented Marlena Shaw at the height of her …
DARROW FLETCHER-THE PAIN GOES DEEPER-THE COMPLETE EARLY YEARS 1965-1971.
DARROW FLETCHER-THE PAIN GOES DEEPER-THE COMPLETE EARLY YEARS 1965-1971. Once tasted, fame is something every singer wants more of. It’s like a drug, totally addictive. The more success a singer enjoys, the more they crave. Soon, they assume a sense self importance that dwarves their success. Suddenly they’re a parody of their former self. Bombastic …
LIPSTICK, POWDER AND PAINT! THE NEW YORK DOLLS HEARD THEM HERE FIRST.
LIPSTICK, POWDER AND PAINT! THE NEW YORK DOLLS HEARD THEM HERE FIRST. It’s no exaggeration to say, that the New York Dolls have been one of the most influential and innovative bands in music history. What people don’t realize, is that the original and classic lineup, only released two albums. They were a tantalizing glimpse …
AURRA-A LITTLE LOVE.
AURRA-A LITTLE LOVE. It was in 1975, that Steve Washington formed his first band with his school friends Mark Hicks and Tim Dozier. Born in Newark, Steve was brought up in East Orange, New Jersey. Steve was from a musical family. His uncle was The Ohio Players’ Ralph “Pee Wee” Midlebrooks. During his holidays, Steve …
THE GET DOWN BOOGIE SOUND.
THE GET DOWN BOOGIE SOUND. Disco which had provided the musical backdrop to the second half of the seventies, went from hero to zero in the space of a year. Suddenly, disco sucked. Disco’s downfall started on Christmas Eve 1978, That’s when Steve Dahl was fired by Chicago radio station WDAI. It had previously been …
SIMBA AND MILTON GULLI-THE HEROES A TRIBUTE TO A TRIBE CALLED QUEST.
SIMBA AND MILTON GULLI-THE HEROES A TRIBUTE TO A TRIBE CALLED QUEST. In the history of hip hop, A Tribe Called Quest are one of the most innovative and influential bands ever. No ifs and no buts. The five albums they released between 1990 and 1998, featured a genre melting fusion of genres and influences. …
ANGELA BOFILL-INTUITION.
ANGELA BOFILL-INTUITION. When Angela Bofill signed to Clive Davis’Arista Records, he decided to mentor his latest signing. For five albums, Angela was one of the labels most successful artists. Sadly, things went sour for Angela after her fifth album Teaser. Her final two albums 1984s Let Me Be The One and 1985s Tell Me Tomorrow …
BEATING THE PETRILLO BAN-THE LATE DECEMBER 1947 MODERN SESSIONS.
BEATING THE PETRILLO BAN-THE LATE DECEMBER 1947 MODERN SESSIONS. It was in 1927 when the Automatic Music Instrument Company invented the first multi-selection jukebox. For owners of juke joints and bars, the jukebox was a boon. Not only did it attract customers, wanting to hear and dance to the latest music, but It was much …
MYELE MANZANZA-ONE.
MYELE MANZANZA-ONE. Last year, Electric Wire Hustle’s eponymous debut album was released on BBE Music to critical acclaim and commercial success. Instantly, the album was hailed as one of the albums of 2012. This wasn’t just confined to their native New Zealand. No way. Britain, Europe, Australasia and North America were won over by Electric …
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, which was recently released by Octave Records, proved to relatively plain sailing. Having released their debut album Ten Percent in 1976, there was a two year delay with the followup. This was due to …
PETER KING-SHANGO.
PETER KING-SHANGO. All too often, innovative music isn’t appreciated when it’s released. It passes almost unnoticed. Apart from a few people, who realize the importance of the music, and champion it passionately, it can be years, even decades later, that the importance of an artist or album is recognized. This has been the case with …
PLEASURE-FUTURE NOW.
PLEASURE-FUTURE NOW. Portland-based Pleasure spent several years honing their style and sound before Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders “discovered” them. Pleasure were formed in 1972, after a merger of two high school bands, Franchise and The Soul Masters. Franchise were led by guitarist and vocalist Marlon McClain. Their music was a fusion of disco and …
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS-IMAGINATION.
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS-IMAGINATION. In 1973, it came as no surprise that Gladys Knight and The Pips decided leave Motown. After all, Gladys Knight had been forced to live in the shadow of Diana Ross. To onlookers. Diana Ross was Motown’s chosen one, while Gladys Knight had to settle for second best. So after …
PHYLLIS HYMAN-THE BUDDAH YEARS.
PHYLLIS HYMAN-THE BUDDAH YEARS. Although Phyllis Hyman’s career was cut tragically short, the eight albums she released between 1977 and 1991, are a tantalizing reminder of a singer who could’ve and should’ve become one of the greats of soul music. Sadly, that wasn’t to be. Tragedy intervened. Phyllis Hyman committed suicide, a week before her …
KLEEER-WINNERS.
KLEEER-WINNERS. Kleeer, whose sophomore album Winners was recently released by BBR Records, could be described as a band with an identity crisis. After all, how many bands change their name five times? Kleeer did. Their origins can be traced to The Choice 4, an R&B band who were guided by Van McCoy. Richard Lee was …
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