Category Archives: Soul
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 …
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE.
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE. Although Joe Simon had been around since the 1959, releasing his debut album Joe Simon in 1963, for the next ten years, he struggled to make a commercial breakthrough. Granted Joe enjoyed a string on minor hit singles on Vee Jay Records and the Sound Stage label. Unfortunately, …
THE WHISPERS-BINGO.
THE WHISPERS-BINGO. It’s almost ironic that when The Whispers released Bingo in 1974, which was arguably the best album of their career so far, its success was derailed by a lack of promotion. Bingo was The Whispers’ fourth album, and their first foray outside of their native California. It also saw a change of producer. …
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2.
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2. Just under year since The Stylistics released their debut album The Stylistics in November 1972, which was certified gold, and featured five top ten US R&B singles, The Stylistics released their sophomore album Round 2 in October 1973 on Avco Records. Like The Stylistics, it was produced by Thom Bell, who cowrote …
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 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 …
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN.
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN. Although the Intruders weren’t the most successful group Gamble and Huff discovered, they played an important part in Philadelphia International Records’ history. When Gamble and Huff were considering leaving the Cameo Parkway label to form their own label, it was the Intruders that Gamble and Huff chose to risk their money and …
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO.
THE TRAMMPS-DISCO INFERNO. Eight months after The Trammps released Where The Happy People Go in April 1976, they released their third studio album Disco Inferno In December 1976. A year later, The Trammps career was transformed, when the title-track featured on a movie soundtrack. This was a low-budget movie, produced by Robert Stigwood for $2.5 …
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 …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3. Throughout my review of The Best Reissues of 2012, I’ve reviewed albums that have either been commercial successful or for some reason, failed commercially. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the music. Often, it’s too innovative, released at the wrong time or not promoted enough. Behind each of the my …
FIRST CHOICE-ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
FIRST CHOICE-ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Next year, 2013, marks the fortieth anniversary of First Choice’s debut album Armed and Extremely Dangerous. First Choice were one of the most successful of Philly Soul’s female groups, releasing six albums between 1973 and 1980. The story of how First Choice made their commercial breakthrough is very different to …
BLUE MAGIC-THE MAGIC OF THE BLUE.
BLUE MAGIC-THE MAGIC OF THE BLUE. In the history of one of Philly Soul’s most successful groups, Blue Magic, 1974 was by far, the biggest year of their career. In January 1974, Blue Magic released their debut album Blue Magic. It was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, reaching number forty-five in the US Billboard …
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 …
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