Category Archives: Soul
FIRST CHOICE-THE PLAYER.
FIRST CHOICE-THE PLAYER. In the early seventies, Philadelphia had become the soul capital of America. Forget about Detroit or Memphis, Philly was where some of the greatest soul music was being produced. Philly was a hive of musical creativity, with the Philly Sound providing the soundtrack to much of the seventies. This soundtrack came courtesy …
THE TRAMMPS-WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO.
THE TRAMMPS-WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO. After a series of modest hit singles, The Trammps contract with Buddah Records ended. Baker, Harris, Young decided to form their own label, Golden Fleece Records, which would release their debut album, Trammps. Released in 1975, Trammps reached number 159 in the US Billboard 200 and number thirty in …
BLUE MAGIC-BLUE MAGIC.
BLUE MAGIC-BLUE MAGIC. Having left The Delfonics, Randy Cain started working with Ted Mills, a Philadelphia-based songwriter. The pair would cowrite songs for the Philly-based WMOT production company. Not long after they started collaborating, Randy and Ted met Shades of Love, a Philly vocal group yet to make their commercial breakthrough. Featuring Keith Beaton, Richard …
M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B.
M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B. By 1973, Philadelphia International Records was well on the way to becoming one of the most successful record labels of all time, whilst supplying the soundtrack for the seventies, and a generation. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums started flowing out of Philadelphia. This included The O’Jays’ Backstabbers, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ …
S.E.L.-DAYDREAM.
S.E.L.-DAYDREAM. While many people may not yet have heard of S.E.L. or to give her, her real name, Emma Louise Bucknor, that could and should be, all be about to change. S.E.L’s new single Daydream has just been released. It’s the latest offering from one of the hottest names in the UK’s Nu-Soul and Nu-Jazz …
TIM MAIA: WORLD PSYCHEDELIC CLASSICS 4: NOBODY CAN LIVE FOREVER: THE EXISTENTIAL SOUL OF TIM MAIA.
TIM MAIA: WORLD PSYCHEDELIC CLASSICS 4: NOBODY CAN LIVE FOREVER: THE EXISTENTIAL SOUL OF TIM MAIA. For a label looking to release a retrospective compilation of an artist’s career, things don’t always go smoothly. Pitfalls aplenty await the label. Often their persistence, never mind patience is sorely tested. Indeed from deciding to rerelease an album …
SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83.
SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83. All too often, when compilers decide to compile an album of disco, boogie and funk, they stick to what I’d call tried and tested tracks. They’re hardly adventurous, and as a result, far too many compilations of predictable, if not boring compilations are released.Granted …
MARY WELLS-THE COMPLETE 20TH CENTURY COLLECTION.
MARY WELLS-THE COMPLETE 20TH CENTURY COLLECTION. After four hit laden years at Motown, Mary Wells dropped a bombshell, when she announced she was leaving Motown. Mary couldn’t have chosen a better time to leave Motown. She was holding all the cards, and had just enjoyed the equivalent of a Royal Flush. My Guy had just …
SYREETA-ONE TO ONE.
SYREETA-ONE TO ONE. Mention the name Syreeta, and somewhat predictably, most people remember her as being married to Stevie Wonder. That, however, is doing Syreeta a huge disservice. Not only did Syreeta play a huge role in transforming Stevie Wonder’s career, writing and appearing on his albums, but enjoyed a successful solo career. Their marriage …
DELEGATION-DELEGATION II.
DELEGATION-DELEGATION II. Although Delegation calling their third album Delegation II, might seem somewhat confusing, but in many ways it made sense. Delegation II the second album to feature the new lineup of Ricky Bailey, Ray Patterson and Bruce Dunbar, who’d replaced founding member Len Coley. So essentially, Eau De Vie, Delegation’s sophomore album and now …
BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS.
BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. Enigmatic, reluctant and contrarian are words that best of describe the Blue Nile, whose 1984 debut album A Walk Across the Rooftops was rereleased just two days ago. The Blue Nile are the complete opposite of most bands. Describing the Blue Nile as publicity shy, is an understatement. Indeed, …
DELEGATION-EAU DE VIE.
DELEGATION-EAU DE VIE. Often, it seems American bands have a monopoly when it comes to producing quality and successful soul and funk music. Sometimes, British groups can match their American counterparts in the success stakes. It doesn’t happen often, but very occasionally, a British band releases a single or album that takes America by storm. …
NICKI RICHARDS-LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME PARRISH JAMES AFRO HOUSE ONCEOVER REMIX.
NICKI RICHARDS-LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME PARRISH JAMES AFRO HOUSE ONCEOVER REMIX. One of the latest musical innovations is releasing an E.P. featuring multiple remixes of a single. Usually, the E.P. features the original version of a single, plus three other remixes. For Hawaii born and New York-based Nicki Richards, she took this concept one …
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, proved to relatively plain sailing. Having released their debut album Ten Percent Salsoul in 1976, there was a two year delay with the followup. This was due to alleged discrepancies regarding Double Exposure’s …
JOHNNIE TAYLOR-EARGASM.
JOHNNIE TAYLOR-EARGASM. By the time Johnnie Taylor released Eargasm in 1976, he was one of music survivors, capable of adapting with the ever-evolving musical landscape. During Johnnie Taylor’s career, he’d sung gospel, blues, soul, funk, R&B and by 1976, disco. Johnnie’s career had spanned three decades, and much had changed in music. Indeed, just the …
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-PART 3.
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-PART 3. Imagine you’re a member of a band whose just released a triple-platinum album. Not just any triple-platinum album, but one featured two number one singles. How do you follow this up? This was the problem facing Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, or as they’re better known, KC and …
OLIVIA DE LANZAC-UNCUT.
OLIVIA DE LANZAC-UNCUT. For Olivia De Lanzac, whose new digital album Uncut has just been released by BBE Music, her musical journey has seen her cross two continents and live in three countries. Olivia was born in the Congo, brought up in Greece and now, is based in London. This journey has influenced Olivia’s musical …
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