Category Archives: Soul
LIPPS INC-MOUTH TO MOUTH.
LIPPS INC-MOUTH TO MOUTH. When Minneapolis based producer Steven Greenberg and the former Miss Black Minneapolis Cynthia Johnson entered the studio to record a single Rock It as Lipps Inc in 1979, little did they realize the commercial success that was about to come their way. Once Rock It was recorded, it was then released …
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: WHEN COUNTRY MEETS SOUL.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: WHEN COUNTRY MEETS SOUL. Compilers it seems, are always looking for new ideas for the compilations, that will make their particular compilation standout from the sometimes overcrowded compilation market. Record companies big and small, sometimes perceive compilations as shooting fish in a barrel, an easy way to make quick buck. Having said …
M.F.S.B.-THE GAMBLE AND HUFF ORCHESTRA.
M.F.S.B.-THE GAMBLE AND HUFF ORCHESTRA. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been charting the rise of Salsoul Records and then the changes in personnel that ensued from 1978 onwards. The story of Salsoul Records wouldn’t have happened without Philadelphia International Records and Gamble and Huff. M.F.S.B. were Philadelphia International Records legendary house-band, and in 1975 …
SAM COOKE-THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION.
SAM COOKE-THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION. With record companies on what seems like an extended summer break, it gives me the opportunity to look back at albums I’ve overlooked or not had time to review when they were released. Now as someone whose something of a self-confessed music addict, who can’t go more than two days …
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE I.
INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE I. In the last few articles I’ve written about Salsoul Records, I’ve mentioned how from 1978 onwards, things were changing at Salsoul. The Salsoul Orchestra played a huge part in Salsoul’s success. They were much more than musicians, with many of its members songwriters, arrangers and producers. This included the Baker, Harris, …
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT. Having signed Loleatta Holloway to Gold Mind Records in 1976, Loleatta’s producer and mentor Norman Harris set about giving Loleatta a makeover. He started transforming the Southern Soul singer in the a disco diva on her debut album Loleatta. After her Sasloul debut Loleatta was released, Loleatta Holloway’s makeover to …
LUTHER VANDROSS-GIVE ME THE REASON.
LUTHER VANDROSS-GIVE ME THE REASON. There aren’t many singers that go from singing backing vocals to releasing a string of gold and platinum albums. While that might sound like the stuff of fiction, that’s what happened to Luther Vandross. During the late seventies, Luther was singing backing vocals for Chic, while no doubt studying Niles …
M.F.S.B.-PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM.
M.F.S.B.-PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM. Often, when I’m either writing about Philadelphia International Records or Salsoul Records, I mention M.F.S.B. Philadelphia International Records’ legendary house-band. M.F.S.B.’s role in the Philly Sound can’t be underestimated. They played on literally every album the influenced and shaped what became known as the Philly Sound. Whether it was working with Thom Bell …
JACKIE MOORE-WITH YOUR LOVE.
JACKIE MOORE-WITH YOUR LOVE. It was during the recording sessions for Jackie Moore’s 1973 album Sweet Charlie Babe that Jackie first met Philly guitarist and producer Bobby Eli. In 1973, Bobby was a member of M.F.S.B., Philadelphia International Records’ legendary house band. Two years later, after a dispute over money, Bobby Eli and other members …
JERRY BUTLER-NOTHING SAYS I LOVE YOU LIKE I DO.
JERRY BUTLER-NOTHING SAYS I LOVE YOU LIKE I DO. When Jerry Butler signed to Philadelphia International Records in 1978, it was a homecoming of sorts. Seven years previously, in 1971, Gamble and Huff and Jerry Butler ended what had been a fruitful working relationship. Now seven years later, the three men were older and wiser. …
IDRISSA SISSOKO-LOPILOPILO.
IDRISSA SISSOKO-LOPILOPOLO. There are few people in music that work as hard as Boddhi Satva does, that I can say with a degree of certainty. Not only is he one of the hardest working men in music, but successfully juggles a variety of roles. Boddhi Satva is a DJ, recording artist, producer and owns his …
CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI.
CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI. Having been discovered by bandleader Xavier Cugat Maria del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, or Charo as she became, went on to become one of the highest paid performers in America during the early seventies. Reputedly, actress, singer and guitarist Charo was paid as much as Rat Pack members …
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-LOLEATTA.
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-LOLEATTA. Recently, when I reviewed Carol Williams’ ‘Lectric Lady, I referred to Carol as the First Lady of Salsoul, as she was the first female artist to sign to Salsoul Records. Now while Carol Williams was the First Lady of Salsoul, Loleatta Holloway was the undisputed Queen of Salsoul. I’d go further and say …
DIONNE WARWICK-DIONNE.
DIONNE WARWICK-DIONNE. Before Dionne Warwick signed for Clive Davis’ Arista Records in 1978, her career was at a musical crossroads. After leaving Warner Bros after the release of 1977s Love At First Sight, Dionne found herself without a record company. It seemed the seventies had been a tumultuous decade for era for her. The seventies …
BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY PAUL.
BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY PAUL. Sometimes, an artist releases a single that becomes a huge commercial success and regardless of whatever else they release, they’re forever be known as the artist that recorded “that single.” For Billy Paul, ever since he released Me and Mrs Jones as a single back in October 1972, he’s …
TAVARES-LOVE UPRISING.
TAVARES-LOVE UPRISING. As a new decade dawned for Tavares, they set about recording what would prove to be their ninth and penultimate album for Capitol Records Love Uprising. This was Tavares’ second album of 1980, the followup to Supercharged. Love Uprising, which will be released on 20th August 2012 by SoulMusic Records, would be produced …
THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-SOLIDARITY.
THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-SOLIDARITY. When The Souljazz Orchestra released their acoustic album Rising Sun in 2101, it was to widespread critical acclaim. Now two years later, The Souljazz Orchestra are celebrating their tenth anniversary with the release of their fifth album Solidarity, which will be released by Strut Records on 17th September 2012. During the last …
MYSTIC MERLIN-FULL MOON.
MYSTIC MERLIN-FULL MOON. When Mystic Merlin started their musical adventure, here was a group of talented musicians looking to fill their considerable potential. They were the latest in a line of New York funk bands looking to hit the big time. Parliament, Funkadelic, Brass Construction, B.T. Express were funk royalty, but Mystic Merlin were looking …
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-NICE ‘N’ NASTY.
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-NICE ‘N’ NASTY. When I realized that this would my 500th review, I decided that to mark the occasion, by reviewing a really special album, one of my favorite albums. Now with the best part of two-thousand albums to choose from, I’ve plenty of choice. Regular readers of this blog will have realized …
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-LIGHT OF THE WORLD. One of the bands who were at the forefront of the UK’s jazz funk movement during the late-seventies were Light of The World, whose name pays homage to Kool and The Gang’s 1974 album Light of the Worlds. They went on to release five albums between 1979 and …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 