THE BLUE NILE-PEACE AT LAST.
THE BLUE NILE-PEACE AT LAST.
The Blue Nile were no ordinary band. They did things their way. Enigmatic, reluctant and contrarian are words that best of describe the Blue Nile, whose third album Peace At Last will belatedly be released on vinyl as a double album. The remastered vinyl version of Peace At Last will be released on the 14 December 2014 via their website, nine months after the CD version. This reissue has been a long time coming. However, it’s been well worth the wait.
Originally, Peace At Last was released in June 1996, seven years after the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Hats. However, a further eighteen years passed, before The Blue Nile released a remastered CD version of Peace At Last. That’s not surprising.
Quite simply, The Blue Nile are unlike other bands. They do things their way, or not all. There’s no sense of urgency in the world of The Blue Nile. Things move slowly in the world of The Blue Nile. So it’s no surprise that it’s taken eighteen long years for Peace At Last to be rereleased. After all, there was a gap of seven years between The Blue Nile’s sophomore album Hats and 1996s Peace At Last. Looking back, with the benefit of hindsight, that’s not surprising.
It’s no exaggeration to say that The Blue Nile were the complete opposite of most bands. Describing the Blue Nile as publicity shy, is an understatement. Indeed, since Paul Buchanan, Robert Bell and Paul Joseph Moore formed the Blue Nile, they’ve been one of the most low-profile bands in musical history. It seems that when they formed thirty-one years ago, The Blue Nile ticked the “no publicity” box. This has proved a double-edged sword, and resulted in the Blue Nile becoming one of the most enigmatic groups ever. This would be apparent through The Blue Nile’s career, which began back in 1981, in Glasgow, Scotland’s musical capital.
The Blue Nile were formed in 1981, when two friends Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell, met Paul Joseph Moore. They all had one thing in common, they were graduates of Glasgow University. Paul and Robert had both been in a band before, Night By Night. However, they type of music Night By Night performed was not deemed commercial enough, and they were unable to gain a recording contract. This lead to the formation of The Blue Nile
Once The Blue Nile were formed, they set up their own record label Peppermint Records. It was on Peppermint Records that The Blue Nile released their debut single, I Love This Life. This single was then picked up and re-released on the RSO label. Unfortunately for The Blue Nile RSO became part of the Polygram label and I Love This Life disappeared without trace. Despite this setback, The Blue Nile kept writing and recording music.
Following the merger of RSO with Polygram, The Blue Nile continued to hone their sound. They wrote and recorded songs. Some of that material would later be found on A Walk Across the Rooftops. Then fate intervened and The Blue Nile met the man some people refer to as the fourth member of the band, recording engineer Calum Malcolm.
When Callum heard The Blue Nile’s music, he alerted Linn Electronics. This was to prove a fortuitous break for the band. Linn gave The Blue Nile money to record a song that they could use to demonstrate the quality of Linn’s top-class stereo products. However, when Linn heard the track they were so pleased that decided to set up their own record label to release A Walk Across the Rooftops, The Blue Nile’s debut album.
Although the formation of Linn allowed the band to finally release their debut album A Walk Across the Rooftops, Paul later speculated whether Linn was the right label for The Blue Nile? Paul said that he felt that Linn did not operate like a record label. However, he conceded that, during that period, The Blue Nile were not like a band. So, essentially, this was a match made in heaven for the release of A Walk Across the Rooftops.
On the release of A Walk Across the Rooftops, it was released to critical acclaim. Critics described the album as a minor classic. A Walk Across the Rooftops was described as ethereal, evocative, soulful and soul-baring. It also featured the vocals of troubled troubadour Paul Buchanan. Despite the critical acclaim A Walk Across the Rooftops enjoyed, it wasn’t a commercial success, reaching just number eight in the UK. However, since the A Walk Across the Rooftops has been recognised as a classic album. So has the followup Hats.
Unlike most bands, The Blue Nile weren’t in any rush to release their sophomore album Hats. There was a five year gap between A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats. It was worth the wait. The Blue Nile had done it again. Hats was a classic.
Featuring seven tracks, written by Paul Buchanan, Glasgow’s answer to Frank Sinatra He’s a tortured troubadour, whose voice sounds as if he’s lived a thousand lives. Producing Hats was a group effort, with Paul, Robert and P.J. taking charge of production duties. Guiding them, was Callum Malcolm. On the release of Hats, British and American audiences proved more discerning and appreciative of the Blue Nile’s sophomore album Hats.
On the release of Hats in the UK in 1989, it was critically acclaimed and commercial success, reaching number twelve in the UK. Then when it was released in America in 1990, audiences seemed to “get” Hats. Not only did it reach number 108 in the US Billboard 200 Charts, but The Downtown Lights reached number ten in the US Modern Rock Tracks charts. While this was a small crumb of comfort for the Blue Nile, in the UK, they remained a well kept secret.
Since the release of Hats, like their debut album A Walk Across the Rooftops it’s become a minor classic. With The Blue Nile making a breakthrough in America, most bands would’ve been keen to build on this and released another album before long. Not The Blue Nile.
Seven long years passed, where Blue Nile fans wondered what had become of Glasgow’s most enigmatic trio. However, they’d been busy. After Hats found its way onto American radio stations, The Blue Nile, who previously, had been one of music’s best kept secrets, were heard by a number of prestigious musicians. Among them were Robbie Robertson and Annie Lennox, Michael McDonald. After a decade struggling to get their music heard, The Blue Nile were big news. During this period, America would become like a second home to The Blue Nile, especially Paul.
Paul took to life in America, and in 1991, decided to make it his home. This just so happened to coincide with Paul’s relationship with actress Rosanna Arquette between 1991 and 1993. Hollywood starlets and Sunset Boulevard was a long way from Glasgow’s West End. In the midst of Paul’s relationship, disaster struck for The Blue Nile, they were dropped by their label.
Linn Records and Virgin decided to drop The Blue Nile. For some groups this would’ve been a disaster. Not The Blue Nile.
They signed to Warner Bros. While this sounded like the ideal solution for The Blue Nile, Paul made the deal without telling P.J and Robert. He later explained that “none of the others were in town at the time.” With a new contract signed, The Blue Nile began thinking about their third album.
So the band started looking for the perfect location to record their third album. They travelled across Europe looking for the right location. This location had to be private and suit their portable recording studio. Cities were suggested, considered and rejected. Among them, were Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Venice. Being The Blue Nile, things were never simple. Eventually, after much contemplation The Blue Nile ended up recording what became Peace At Last in three locations, Paris, Dublin and Los Angeles. For the first time, The Blue Nile recorded an album outside of their native Scotland.
For what became Peace At Last, Paul wrote nine tracks and cowrote God Bless You Kid with Robert Bell. When recording began, Paul played guitar and synths. Robert played bass and synths, while P.J. played keyboards and synths. Joining The Blue Nile were drummer Nigel Thomas and a gospel choir consisting of Eddie Tate and Friends. They featured on Happiness. Craig Armstrong took charge of the strings on Family Life. Peace At Last was produced by The Blue Nile, with Callum Malcolm engineering the sessions. Once Peace At Last was completed, it was released in June 1996.
On the release of Peace At Last, in June 1996, it reached just number thirteen and sold poorly. For The Blue Nile this was disappointing, given it was their major label debut. Worse was to come when the lead single Happiness failed to chart. Why was this though?
Critics remarked upon the change of sound on Peace At Last. It had a much more understated, restrained sound. Acoustic guitars and piano play important parts. The Blue Nile’s beloved synths sound like synths. Occasionally, The Blue Nile use real strings. There’s even a gospel choir on Happiness. Gone was the sound of A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats. Peace At Last showed a different side to The Blue Nile and their music, one that divided the opinion of critics and fans. Paul, Robert and P.J. were back, but it was a different sound. One constant was Paul’s worldweary vocal. He was still the tortured soul, who wore his heart on his sleeve on Peace At Last, which I’ll tell you about.
Opening Peace At Last is Happiness, the lead single. Just a sweeping synth and acoustic guitar combine, before Paul counts himself in. After seven years, the troubled troubadour is back, laying bare his soul. As he plays his trusty acoustic guitar, you can hear him change chords. His voice his just the same. It’s world weary, one that has lived a life. However there is one change. He sounds content. That’s apparent from the lyrics. Domestically and personally, Paul has found Peace At Last. Later, the minimalist sound changes. Joining the synths, bass, keyboards and chirping guitar are a gospel choir. They transform the track. Their short performance is joyous and uplifting After that Paul forever the optimist, ponders whether the happiness will last. Quite simply, a beautiful, melancholy song.
Tomorrow Morning starts in a similar vein to Happiness. Just a briskly strummed acoustic guitar and drums accompany Paul’s vocal. Pensive becomes hopeful, as he sings: “ we could be together tomorrow morning.” Synths replicate strings, as thoughtful keyboards and acoustic guitars accompany an insecure Paul. It’s that time of the night we’ve all experienced. Lying there, unable to sleep, we wonder what tomorrow brings. That’s Paul, His emotions go from total insecurity to euphoria and happiness in the space of half a verse. The lyrics are some of the best on the album. They allow the listener to hear the range on emotions Paul experiences. With a brisk, minimalist arrangement, where the acoustic guitar, piano and synths disguised as strings combine, the result is a thoughtful, stunning soul-searching song many people will be able to empathise with.
As Sentimental Man unfolds just an acoustic guitar and drums combine, creating a moody and pensive atmosphere. Unlike the two previous albums, there’s no drum machines. Instead, Nigel’s drums, Robert’s bass and Paul’s guitar power the track along. They also add to the funk factor. Paul is in a thoughtful mood, and sings that it’s “not about money, and all about love.” His contentment shines through on this song. He is truly a man at peace with world. The sound on this track is bigger and fuller, than the previous two tracks. This is helped by the arrangement. The bass is panned hard left and the guitars hard right. Synths and Paul’s vocal fill the rest of the arrangement. As the track progresses, the sound grows, peaking towards the end. Guitars, synths and drums dominate the track, while Paul’s vocal is loud and strong. He shrieks and whoops, something unheard of before. A transformation in sound, but one thing remains the same…the quality.
Drums crack and Paul strums his guitar and delivers a needy, sincere vocal on Love Come Down. It’s as if he’s realised he’s in love and wants his partner to know it. With chirping guitars, synths and drums for company, Paul delivers a vocal tour de force. It’s one of his best vocals, growing in power, passion and joy. Drums are loud and sit at the front of the mix, while the guitars are a constant and welcome accompaniment. However, what makes the song is Paul’s vocal. It’s a dramatic and passionate reading of the intelligent and thoughtful lyrics.
From the opening bars of Body and Soul, it’s obvious that this is one of the best songs on Peace At Last. The track has a familiar theme, acoustic guitar and vocal start the song. After that, the track builds, and opens out into one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs on the album. Strings are used to augment the sound, they are understated, sit at the back of the mix, sweeping in and out of the track. The acoustic guitar is played loudly, with confidence, accompanying Paul’s soulful rendition of the lyrics. Speaking of the lyrics, they’re an evocative paean. How we feel when in love, and are an example of our feelings and hopes for the future when in love. Without are some of the best lyrics on Peace At Last.
Holy Love has a totally different sound and feel. In many ways, it owes much to the sound on previous Blue Nile albums. Just like the rest of Peace Of Last, the remastering makes the song come alive. New parts of the track shine through. In many ways, it owes much to the sound on previous Blue Nile album. Backing vocalists sing one note, synths and drums sound dark, almost dull. Synths squelch, drums have a retro sound and feel, and even Paul’s vocal style has changed. As the song progresses, you find yourself wondering what direction it’s heading. Lyrics are sparse, the vocal has an experimental sound and feel, with Paul having to almost improvise. Ethereal synths, chiming guitars, bursts of drum machines and Paul’s scatted vocal become one, on a track where Blue Nile’s past and present combine.
The Blue Nile return to a familiar theme on Family Man, contentment, contentment in your personal life. Family Man is a gentle song, one with similarities to Easter Parade on A Walk Across the Rooftops. It’s the sound and feel that make me draw this comparison. The track has a minimal sound, and starts with piano, which features heavily throughout the song. Later in the track, synths are transformed to sound like a string section. They add depth and feeling to the track. Paul’s voice is perfectly suited to deliver the heartfelt lyrics on this beautiful track.
After the minimal sounding last track, the sound changes dramatically on War Is Love. The sound is fuller, with a moody, dramatic sound. War Is Love starts with those magical strings, via the synths, drums are loud, slow and crisp. Quickly, the sounds builds, Buchanan’s voice sounds moody, perfect to deliver the lyrics, which are about the breakdown of a relationship. His voice fluctuates, getting the message over about a turbulent, troubled relationship. In contrast to the darkness, the strings sit behind his vocal, producing light to Paul’s darkness. A heartbreakingly sad song, delivered sincerely by Paul. So realistic is Paul’s cathartic outpouring of hurt and heartbreak, that it sounds as if he’s lived, loved and survived to tell the tale.
Drums and strings open God Bless You Kid, giving it a lush sound. Buchanan’s mood and vocal seem happier. The arrangement sweeps along, gradually developing. Mostly drums, strings and synths accompany Paul as the song takes on a cinematic quality. Later, a guitar can be heard in the background. As for the lyrics , they’re enigmatic, almost surreal. Especially, when Paul sings: “I never grew up, I never grew down” and “it’s like Memphis after Elvis.” Here we hear a very different side of Blue Nile, one that we never saw on A Walk Across the Rooftop or Hats. Like much of this album, it has a gentle, mellow and understated sound, quite different from their previous sound.
Peace At Last closes with Soon, another beautiful, gentle and mellow song. It starts slowly, keyboards playing, Paul sings. This is another love song. One about how can love coming soon, when we least expect it to. It can happen at given time, in even the most mundane situation. As you would expect from Blue Nile’s lyrics their clever, well constructed and the narrative is strong. You can close your eyes and imagine the scene being played out, and the characters involved. The track meanders, develops through time, building up slowly, until a great track evolves. One that Paul sings really well, behind a backdrop of sweeping strings, spacious plodding drums and percussion. It’s a lovely, soothing track, truly a thing of beauty, and the perfect way to end Peace At Last.
Although that’s the end of the remastered version of Peace At Last, there’s still disc two. It features six tracks. This includes the Lauren Canyon Mix of Soon, a New Vocal Mix of War Is Love and the Picture Mix of Holy. Then there’s Turn Yourself Around and an unreleased demo A Certain Kind Of Angel. Both of these tracks were penned by Paul and Robert Bell, who prove a potent songwriting partnership. The final track is the melancholy Paul Buchanan penned There Was A Girl. It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful song, with Paul’s lived-in, weary vocal bringing the lyrics to life. This reminds you of how good a group The Blue Nile are. Sadly, they only released four albums.
Of the quartet of albums The Blue Nile recorded, Peace At Last is their most underrated album. Peace At Last divided critics and fans. This new sound was very different from A Walk Across The Rooftops and Hats. That was then, this was now. Seven years had passed since Hats. If The Blue Nile had released an album similar to Hats, they’d have been accused of standing still. That’s one thing The Blue Nile never did.
Far from it. Constantly, The Blue Nile were on a mission to create innovative and influential music. This they succeeded in doing. From the opening bars of Happiness, right through to the closing notes of Soon, The Blue Nile create timeless, ethereal music. Here, was a very different group the one that recorded Hats.
For much of the seven years, The Blue Nile had lived separate lives. P.J. and Robert lived happily in the West End of Glasgow. Paul however, led a very different life. Based in Los Angeles, he dates Hollywood starlets and spent time on Sunset Boulevard. This was a long way from Ashton Lane, in Glasgow’s West End. However, The Blue Nile reconvened for the recording of Peace At Last. Lady Luck had smiled on them.
Having survived being dropped by Linn and Virgin, The Blue Nile signed to Warner Bros. Sadly, it was a one album deal. Following the commercial failure of Peace At Last, The Blue Nile were dropped. This wasn’t their fault. No. They’d recorded a minor classic at the wrong time.
Released in 1996, at the height of the vastly overrated Britpop boom, Peace At Last was the wrong album at the wrong time. Peace At Last took several years to record. By the 10th June 1996, when Peace At Last was released, music had changed. Britpop was King. Kinks and Beatles tribute bands were topping the charts. There was, it seems, no room for The Blue Nile, with Peace At Last only reaching number thirteen in the UK. It should’ve been a bigger commercial success.
During Peace At Last, The Blue Nile capture the listener’s attention with music that’s variously lush, atmospheric, beautiful, captivating, ethereal and lush. The Blue Nile draws the listener in, holding their attention. Before long, the listener has fallen in love. They fall in love with music that’s hauntingly beautiful, emotive, dramatic and pensive. Much of this is thanks to ten peerless vocal performances courtesy of Glasgow’s very own Frank Sinatra, Paul Buchanan. He plays the role of the troubled troubadour, to a tee. His worldweary, emotive, heartfelt and impassioned vocal sounds as if it’s lived the lyrics he’s singing about. Lived them not just once, but several times over. Paul’s vocal adds soulfulness to an album where The Blue Nile reinvent their music. The result is music that’s innovative, influential, ethereal and timeless.
With songs about love, love lost, betrayal, heartbreak, growing up and growling old, Peace At Last was a grown up album. It had a much more understated, restrained sound. Acoustic guitars and piano play important parts. The Blue Nile’s beloved synths sound like synths. Occasionally, The Blue Nile use real strings. There’s even a gospel choir on Happiness. Gone was the sound of A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats. Peace At Last showed a different side to The Blue Nile and their music, one that divided the opinion of critics and fans. Paul, Robert and P.J. were back, but it was a different sound. One constant was Paul’s worldweary vocal. He was still the tortured troubadour, who wore his heart on his sleeve on A Walk Across The Rooftops and Hats. Sadly this new side of The Blue Nile’s music wasn’t as popular as their two previous albums A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats. However, Peace At Last has aged well.
Whilst much is made of newly remastered albums, the remastered version of Peace At Last is truly stunning. Previously unheard subtleties, secrets and nuances. Layers, textures and hidden depths can be heard. This was the case with the remeasured versions of A Walk Across The Rooftops and Hats. Now it’s possible to hear The Blue Nile’s underrated classic Peace At Last in all its glories. This remastered vinyl version, which will be rereleased via The Blue Nile’s website on 14th December 2014, is worth every penny. It’s not unlike an old picture that after years covered in grime, is cleaned suddenly, a new picture emerges. That’s what remastering process has done to Peace At Last. Never again, will you reach for your original copy of Peace At Last, as the remastered version breathes new life into Peace At Last, which was The Blue Nile’s penultimate album.
Eight years later in 2004, The Blue Nile called time on their recording career, when they released High. That was their swan-song. Never again, would Paul, P.J. and Robert record another album. Their back-catalogue may only contain four albums, but it’s a rich musical legacy. The Blue Nile are one of the most innovative and influential groups in Scottish musical history. Similarly, their first two albums A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats are two of the greatest albums released by a Scottish band. Their underrated third album, Peace At Last, is a minor classic, which shows another side to The Blue Nile and their music.
THE BLUE NILE-PEACE AT LAST.
THE LAST SKEPTIK-I DON’T EVEN LIKE YOU.
THE LAST SKEPTIK-I DON’T EVEN LIKE YOU.
Longevity. That’s what every artist hopes to enjoy. However, longevity doesn’t come easy. Constantly, an artist has to revaluate and reinvent them self. Their music has to evolve, in an attempt to stay relevant. The Last Skeptik realises that, and in 2014, celebrated his tenth anniversary with the release of his new E.P. I Don’t Even Like You on BBE Music. This is the latest step on a musical journey that began back in 2004.
It was back in 2004 that The Last Skeptik released his debut single Wordsearch on the Netgroove label. With The Last Skeptik laying down the beats, Wordsearch featured Squared with cuts by Jazz T and Dr. Zygote. Later in 2004, as Skeptik, he contributed a rap to a compilation Deprogrammed Productions Presents…”Friends Of The Family.” Little did The Last Skeptik realise it, but this was the start of what would be a successful career. This was a long way from when a young Last Skeptik skipped school to make his own beats. Throughout his nine year career The Last Skeptik has collaborated with many artists.
During 2005, The Last Skeptik was involved in two collaborations. There was his collaboration with Conflix on the Think Twice E.P, whichI was released on the Filthy Habits label. His other collaboration was Kashmere, featuring The Last Skeptik and Diversion Tactics’ E.P. This six-track E.P. was released on Boot Records. Two years later, The Last Skeptik would collaborate on what was his debut album.
Over the next two years, The Last Skeptik wasn’t just establishing a reputation as a talented producer. He was also the go-to-guy for anyone looking for a DJ, MC and remixer. Then in 2007, The Last Skeptik collaborated with Verb T on The Broken Window.
While The Broken Window was Verb T’s fourth album, it was The Last Skeptik’s debut album. Released on the Silent Soundz label, The Broken Window was well received. So too was Satisfied, a single taken from The Broken Window. With The Last Skeptik’s reputation and fan-base growing, things were looking good for The Last Skeptik.
Between 2008 and 2010, The Last Skeptik continued working as a songwriter, producer, remixer and DJ. During this period, The Last Skeptik remixed tracks by Conspicuous, The Streets, Daniel Meariweather, Brad Strut, David’s Lyre, Loudmouth Melvin and Marina and The Diamonds. These were just a few of the artists remixed by The Last Skeptik. He was quickly establishing a reputations as the go-to-guy for anyone looking for a remix. So, with his reputation in the ascendancy, it was time for The Last Skeptik to release another album.
This was The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t. It was a compilation of remixes by The Last Skeptik Presents. Twelve of the tracks were written by The Last Skeptik. They were an eclectic collection of tracks. So much so, that The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t is best described as a genre-sprawling album. It’s also an album that demonstrated just how innovative a producer The Last Skeptik was fast becoming. Critics were won over by The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t.
On the release of The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t in 2010, critics hailed The Last Skeptik as one of best up-and-coming remixers and producers. The tracks on The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t became The Last Skeptik’s musical C.V. One listen, and artists knew exactly what he was capable of. This included rapper Rewd Adams.
Two years after the genre defying The Last Skeptik Presents Same Day Different Sh*t, The Last Skeptik hooked up with rapper Rewd Adams. The result was the critically acclaimed How Not To Make A Living. Released in 2012, not only did it receive widespread radio play, but further enhanced and reinforced The Last Skeptik’s reputation as a groundbreaking producer.
After the release of How Not To Make A Living, The Last Skeptik was busier than ever. He had a residency at London’s premier hip hop night Livin’ Proof and has spent time touring the US. The Last Skeptik also has spent time writing, remixing and producing artists. This includes being commissioned by major labels to produce musical luminaries like Kate Nash and Gorillaz. Given how busy The Last Skeptik has been, it’s hard to believe he’s found time to record his sophomore album Thanks For Trying, which was be released on BBE Music on 6th May 2013.
A year after the success of How Not To Make A Living, The Last Skeptik’s somehow, found time within his hectic schedule to produce his sophomore album Thanks For Trying. It was released to widespread, critical acclaim on BBE Music.
The Last Skeptik’s Thanks For Trying was, without doubt, one of the best hip hop albums of 2013. It incorporated everything from hip hop, jazz, classical, rock, ambient and Eastern music. The result was a truly is a genre defying album. Thanks For Trying was much more than a hip hop album. It’s a compelling, captivating album of eclectic music from one of the most inventive, influential and innovative producers of his generation. Filled with subtleties and surprises aplenty, the fifteen tracks that comprise Thanks For Trying was like an enthralling musical journey that further enhanced The Last Skeptik’s reputation.
Since the release of Thanks For Trying, The Last Skeptik has been busier than ever. Thanks For Trying really enhanced The Last Skeptik’s reputation. This was the benefit of being signed to one of independent music’s premier labels, BBE Music.
With his music reaching a much wider audience, the last eighteen months have been a whirlwind for The Last Skeptik. He embarked upon a gruelling DJ-ing schedule. This saw The Last Skeptik DJ everywhere from America, Japan and the Middle East. He’s also been busy with remixes and production work. Indeed, The Last Skeptik’s music has been used by television companies and advertisers. However, somehow, The Last Skeptik found the time to record his new tenth anniversary E.P. I Don’t Even Like You.
BBE Music recently released The Last Skeptik’s new tenth anniversary E.P. I Don’t Even Like You. It features seven new tracks. They see The Last Skeptik’s music move in a different direction. Electronica and hip hop are combined by The Last Skeptik on his E.P. I Don’t Even Like You. Five of the tracks are instrumentals. The other two tracks see The Last Skeptik joined by guest artists. This includes MTA Records’ Dream Mclean and pop starlet FEMME. They join The Last Skeptik in his tenth anniversary E.P. I Don’t Even Like You, which I’ll tell you about.
Opening I Don’t Even Like You, is Show Me. Straight away, a vocal is sung through a vocoder. Filters transform the sound. Then a dramatic, impassioned vocal shines through. The Last Skeptik, however, continues to tease you. He’s not finished with his filters and vocoder. Meanwhile, drums crack, synths shimmer, harmonies soar and the vocal stutters. Searing guitars are unleashes, as harmonies sweep above the arrangement to this soundscape. Then as this genre defying track draws to a close, braying horns are added, proving the icing on this musical cake.
Dark, almost gothic synths open Cheerio. They’ve a late seventies, Berlin sound. Think Bowie circa Low or The Lodger. When drums crack and crunch, there’s a brief nod to Kraftwerk. Then the arrangement takes on an ethereal, cinematic sound. Later, a flute adds a jazz influence, as the track reveals its secrets and subtleties. Listening to Cheerio, one of I Don’t Even Like You’s highlights, it’s no surprise that The Last Skeptik’s music is so popular with television companies and advertisers.
Wrong Tree features the first of The Last Skeptik’s guest artists, Dream Mclean. A futuristic, sci-fi sound gives way to a arrangement that takes on a dubby, then lysergic, hip hop sound. A swaggering rap is unleashed. It’s equal parts machismo and social comment. Meanwhile, the arrangement is a mixture pounding, thunderous drums and sci-fi synths. They provide the backdrop to Dream McLean’s swaggering, strutting rap.
Thunderous drums, handclaps and futuristic synths unite on Eye Gouge. The arrangement veers between eerie, to a sci-fi sound and cinematic. Throughoyt the track, The last Skeptik takes space invader synths and partners them with thunderous drums, handclaps and an eerie cry. It reverberates into the distance. Later, a synth line is picked out, adding to the dramatic cinematic sound. This is a track that would be perfect for a 21st Century horror film.
Propulsion features another guest artist, Femme. Straight away, a melodic, eighties influenced sound unfolds. Stabs of synths inject a sense of urgency. The drums have been reigned in. They’re much more subtle, and don’t overpower the sweet sound of FEMME’s tender, sometimes sassy vocal. Adding an old school sound, are a myriad of snap, crackle and pops. They bring to mind the sound of worn vinyl. Later, FEMME adds harmonies, which respond to her call. They add to the urgency of this melodic, hook-laden, dance track, which the best track on I Don’t Even Like You.
Computer Love sees another change of sound. The tempo drops as washes of synths meander in. They’ve an old school sound. So do the drums. They’re loud and proud, providing a pulsating heartbeat, as the arrangement marches along to the beat of the drums. Banks of synths are deployed, adding a dark, moody sound. This is very different to Propulsion. It’s dark, moody and sometimes, sinister. However, it showcases The Last Skeptik’s versatility.
Me and My closes The Last Skeptik’s I Don’t Even Like You E.P. Straight away, the track has a much more laid-back, jazz-tinged sound. A sample of a piano, accompanied by a standup bass and drums played by brushes provides the mainstay of the arrangement. It has a hypnotic, mesmeric sound. Literally, it washes over you. However, this being The Last Speptik, it’s obvious he’s going to throw a curveball. A thunderous drumbeat enters and a hi-hat hisses. In the distance, a braying horn plays. So do scratchy strings. Layers of sound assail you, endearing themselves to you, on this mesmeric, laid-back and lysergic track.
For The Last Skeptik, I Don’t Even Like You, which was recently released on BBE Music, is the perfect way to celebrate his tenth anniversary. After all, the music is cinematic, dark, dramatic, eerie, hypnotic, laid-back, lysergic, melancholy, melodic and mesmeric. These are just some of the words that describe I Don’t Even Like You. So does eclectic.
Quite simply, I Don’t Even Like You is a genre-defying E.P. Everything from ambient, dub, electronia, hip hop, jazz, rap and rock. A quite disparate selection of influences and genres have inspired The Last Skeptik on I Don’t Even Like You. As a result, no two tracks are the same. Along with his two guest artists, Dream McLean and FEMME, The Last Skeptik has produced a captivating, genre-defying E.P. Several tracks stand out.
I Don’t Even Like You’s standout track is, without doubt, Propulsion. It features one of the guest artists, Femme. Her sweet, sassy vocal plays an important part in a melodic, hook-laden dance track. Tracks like Show Me, Cheerio and Me and My are the perfect showcase for The Last Skeptik’s versatility. These soundscapes are full of nuances, subtleties and surprises. They’ve also got a cinematic sound, that’s bound to appeal to advertisers and television companies. The same can be said of Eye Gouge. It’s the perfect soundtrack to a modern day horror or slasher film. Computer Love sounds like a homage to the new way of making music. No longer are recording studios necessary. Producers like The Last Skeptik, can make music as they travel the world DJing. This wasn’t possible twenty years ago. Now it’s a reality. For producers like The Last Skeptik, this allows him to continue making music during his hectic touring schedule.
Even ten years ago, when The Last Skeptik released his debut single Wordsearch on the Netgroove label, things were very different. The way music is made, distributed and sold has changed beyond recognition. Many artists, couldn’t adapt to the new musical landscape. The Last Skeptik was able to, and has thrived.
The Last Skeptil is now one of the most successful DJs, producers and remixers. His latest genre-defying E.P, I Don’t Even Like You, sees The Last Skeptik pickup where he left off on the critically acclaimed Thanks For Trying.
THE LAST SKEPTIK-I DON’T EVEN LIKE YOU.
DISCO: A FINE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT DISCO, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE 1978-82.
DISCO: A FINE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT DISCO, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE 1978-82.
Never has a musical genre caused so much controversy as disco. It divided opinion back in the seventies. Even today, thirty-five years after disco survived a near death experience, disco continues to divide opinion. People seem to either love or loathe disco. There seems to be no in between. Controversy even surrounds disco’s birth, and its near death experience.
What was the first disco record is disputed. Ask a hundred music critics, and they’ll give you a different answer. Some critics believe disco was born in 1971, with Barry White and Isaac Hayes pioneering the disco sound. Other critics think 1972 was the year disco was born. They point towards singles like The O’Jays’ Love Train, Jerry Butler’s One Night Affair or Manu Dibango’s Soul Makossa. Even 1972 might be too early for disco’s birth?
It could be that disco wasn’t born until 1973, when the Hues Corporation released Rock The Boat. Some critics think George McCrae’s 1974 number one single got the disco ball rolling. However, it’s thought that disco was already celebrating its first birthday by then. The first article in the music press about disco was penned by Vince Aletti for Rolling Stone magazine in September 1973. Little did Vince know, he’d just written the first article about a true musical phenomenon.
Disco was born in America. Music historians have traced disco’s roots to clubs in Philly and New York. These two cities would play an important part in a disco. Philly and New York were where many of the most successful disco records were recorded. They were also home to some of disco’s top labels, Salsoul Records, SAM Records, West End Records and Casablanca. New York was also home to some of the top clubs, including David Mancuso’s Loft and Studio 54. Although born in America, soon disco’s influence was being felt worldwide.
Around the world, dancers danced to the pulsating disco beat. Disco crossed the continents and provided the musical soundtrack to dance-floors worldwide. Then in July 1979, disco nearly died. The story began eight months earlier.
Disco went from hero to zero in less 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 a rock station, but switched to disco. Steve wasn’t out of work long. He was hired by WLUP, a rival station. WLUP played rock, which suited Steve Dahl. He’d an inkling that disco wasn’t long for this world.
Steve wasn’t a fan of disco, and took to mocking disco on-air. Openly, he mocked WDAI’s “disco DAI.” It became “disco die” to to Steve. Soon, Steve had created the Insane Coho Lips, his very own anti-disco army. Along with cohost Gary Meier, they coined the now infamous slogan “Disco Sucks.” The backlash had begun.
From there, the Disco Sucks movement gathered momentum. Events were held all over America. This came to a head at Disco Demolition Derby, which was Steve Dahl’s latest anti-disco event. Each one was becoming bigger, rowdier and attracting even more publicity. Disco Demolition Derby, which was held at Comiskey Park, Chicago on 12th July 1979 surpassed everything that went before. WFUL were sponsoring a Chicago White Sox game at Comiskey Park. if fans brought with them a disco record, they’d get in for ninety-eight cents. These records would be blown up by Steve Dahl. An estimated crowd between 20-50,000 people attended. Quickly the event descended into chaos. Vinyl was thrown from the stands like frisbees. Then when Steve blew up the vinyl, fans stormed the pitch and rioted. Things got so bad, that the riot police were called. After the Disco Demolition Derby, disco nearly died.
Following Disco Derby Night, disco’s popularity plunged. Disco artists were dropped by major labels, disco labels folded and very few disco albums were released. Disco was on the critical list, and suffered a near death experience. It took a long time to recover. After disco’s demise, dance music changed.
No longer were record labels willing to throw money at dance music. Budgets were suddenly much smaller. Gone were the lavish productions of the disco orchestras of the seventies. This was epitomised by The Salsoul Orchestra and John Davis and The Monster Orchestra. Strings and horns were now a luxury. Music would have to go back to basics.
Replacing strings and horns would be sequencers, synths and drum machines, which during the last couple of years, had become much cheaper. Previously, they were only found in studios or were used by wealthy and famous musicians. Now they were within the budget of many musicians. This would prove crucial in the rise and rise of boogie, and later, modern soul, as these musical genres that replaced disco. They became the favoured choice of music for discerning dancers and DJs.
For DJs all over America, boogie and modern soul were the answer to their prayers. Disco’s demise had proved problematic. What were they going to play? If they even dared to drop a disco track, they risked clearing the dance-floor. As DJs wrestled with this problem, boogie was born. It was almost born out of necessity, and became the choice of discerning DJs. So did modern soul. Boogie and modern soul became part of the soundtrack in the most fashionable clubs. These genres also feature in Soul Jazz Records’ latest compilation Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.
Soul Jazz Records will release Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 on 17th November 2014. It’s the companion to Soul Jazz Records’ new 360-page hardback book Disco-An Encyclopedic Guide To The Cover Art of Disco. featuring over 2,000 album cover designs, as well as over 700 12″ sleeves. For anyone interested in boogie, disco or modern soul, Disco-An Encyclopedic Guide To The Cover Art of Disco will be a must have. So is Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.
Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 features nineteen tracks. There’s contributions from Superfunk, Jessie G, The Sunburst Band, Sparkle, Sympho State, Fantastic Alleems, Chemistry, Retta Young and Cordial. Many of these tracks are incredibly rare. There’s a reason for this.
The tracks on Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 on small, independent labels. Often, only small amounts of these tracks were pressed. Many of the copies have been lost or forgotten about. Except by crate-diggers who swoon at the thought of finding a long lost, copy of Jupiter Beyond’s . The River Drive or Retta Young’s My Man Is On His Way. This however, comes at a price.
Given the rarity, and continued demand for the tracks on Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, buying a copy of the nineteen tracks is beyond most people. It would require deep pockets or bank loan. Not any more. Instead, the nineteen tracks can be found on Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
Disc One.
John Morales’ mix of The Fantastic Aleems’ Hooked On Your Love, which features Calebur, opens Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. The Fantastic Aleems consisted of Identical twin brothers Taharqa Aleem and Tunde Ra Aleem. Their debut single was Hooked On Your Love. It was released in 1979, on NIA Records. Leroy Burgess arranged Hooked On Your Love and The Fantastic Aleems produced their debut single. A year later, John Morales remixed Hooked On Your Love, transforming this slice of boogie into a six minute epic.
In 1981, Jessie G released the Billy Nichols produced That’s Hot. It was released on the New Jersey based label Nugget Records. Written by Jesssie and Billy, swathes of strings, harmonies, handclaps, Chic guitars and harmonies accompany Jessie G. Together, they play their part in a hook laden fusion of boogie and disco.
Back in 1982, The Sunburst Band, who were based in York, Pennsylvania, released their one and only single. This was The Easton Assassin. It was produced by Samuel King and released on King Records. Copies of The Easton Assassin were then given away at Larry Holmes’ prize fights. Larry Holmes was born in Easton and given the nickname “The Easton Assassin.” The Sunburst Homage pay homage to one of the great American boxers of the early eighties on this innovative fusion of boogie, funk and hip hop. After releasing The Easton Assassin, The Sunburst Band continued to make a living on the New York club scene.
1979. That was the year disco went from hero to zero. It’s also the year Sparkle released Disco Madness on Jam Records. It was penned by Keith Cloud and Steve Sargent and produced Harold Sargent. In Sparkle’s hands, Disco Madness is a drive slice of funky, sassy disco.
Wayne Ford’s Dance to the Beat Freakout is my final choice from disc one of Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. This was Wayne’s only single, released in 1979, just as disco cheated death. It was arranged by Peter and Patricia Brown, and produced by Michael Brown. He produced what’s best described as a thirteen minute epic where disco and elements of boogie melt seamlessly into one.
Disc Two.
Sympho State’s You Know What I Like opens disc two of Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. It was the B-Side to Sympho State’s 1979 single Fever, which was released on ZE Records. Written by Eddie Cooley and John Davenport, You Know What I Like was recorded at Blank Tapes Studios, New York in July 1978. Back then, disco was at the height of its popularity. By the time Fever was released as a single, in 1979, disco’s popularity was on the slide. That’s a great shame, as You Know What I Like is a gloriously, soulful, dance-floor friendly hidden gem from one of disco least known orchestras, Sympho State.
Sexy Lady is another B-Side. It was the B-Side to Something Extra’s eponymous sophomore single. It was released in 1980, a year after Something Extra released their debut single Dancin’ With You Love on Unidisc. Dice, a Canadian label, released Something Extra. Good as the single was, the B-Side Sexy Lady was better. It’s a funky slice of boogie, which showed the direction music was heading, in the post disco era.
Cirt Gill and The Jam-A-Ditty Band released Turn This Disco Out in 1979. It was produced by Earl Gill and released on the Jam-A-Ditty label. On the A-Side was the vocal version, while the instrumental version featured on the B-Side. Boogie and funk collide head on, on a track that looks to the future, rather than the past. Maybe Cirt Gill and The Jam-A-Ditty Band knew that the disco boom was almost over?
Three years after releasing her debut single, You Beat Me To The Punch in 1975, Retta Young released My Man is On His Way. It was released on All Platinum in 1978. This was an Al Goodman, Harry Ray and William Morris composition. They also produced the track with Sammy Lowe. They’re responsible for an old school disco track. This is before boogie. So swathes of quivering strings and stabs of braying horns accompany Retta’s heartfelt, soulful and sometimes, sassy vocal. Together, they play their part in the highlight of Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. Why? Well, My Man is On His Way epitomises everything that’s good about disco.
Cordial’s Wave closes Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. It was originally recorded by Carlos Jobeme. In 1979, Cordial recorded their version of Wave in Bill Withers’ San Jose studio. They then released Wave on Tolimar Records, as part of their 1979 E.P. Their First. Of the three tracks on Their First, Wave is the standout track. This long lost disco track is the perfect way to closeDisco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, and leaves you wanting more.
Indeed, hopefully, Soul Jazz Records, who released Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 on 17th November 2014, are working on the followup. After all, Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 oozes quality. Unlike lesser compilations, the guys at Soul Jazz Records have dug deep, eschewing the familiar and obvious.
Long forgotten slices of boogie, disco and modern soul can be found on Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. These tracks were released on small, independent labels, during what was an important period for dance music.
Disco had gone from hero to zero, the space of eight months. From providing the soundtrack to dance-floors worldwide, disco became a musical pariah. DJs didn’t dare drop a disco track. If they did, they risked emptying a dance-floor. They’d also be perceived as behind the curve musically. So, they looked for alternatives. This included boogie, modern soul and the early house records that came out of Chicago. These records, including some of the tracks on Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, ensured that dance-floors stayed full. However, in turning their back on disco, many sheep-like DJs turned their back on so much great music.
Unwilling to stand out from the crowd, many DJs turned their back on disco. None of them were willing backbone to keep spinning classic disco. No way. They feared the wrath of their contemporaries or peers. So, second rate music took the place of classic disco. That’s ironic.
After all, many of the people who were disco’s fiercest critics, were critical of what’s best described as manufactured disco. Much of this was released by labels jumping on the disco bandwagon. Disco became the last refuge of the failed pop or rock star. Not at some of the smaller, independent labels.
Among the small, independent labels were Salsoul, SAM and West End Records. They’d released some of the best music of the disco age. There was a reason for this. They were staffed by innovative musicians and producers. These musicians and producers were responsible for some of the most successful disco music. Much of that music has become timeless, and still features on compilations. However, following disco’s near death experience, it was persona non gratis on dance-floors.
So while disco teetered on the brink, boogie and modern soul flourished. Independent labels were founded all over America. They released short runs of singles. Many were popular within a small geographical area. However, since then, and especially in the internet age, word has spread about these hidden gems. They’re now prized amongst record collectors, crate-diggers and compilers. Especially compilers.
Over the last fifteen years, many compilations of rare boogie, disco and modern soul have been released. As regular readers of this blog will realise, these compilations differ in quality. They’re best described as the good bad and ugly. There’s everything from lovingly compiled and critically acclaimed compilations, like Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, which will be released on 17th November 2014. It’s one of the best compilations of boogie, disco and modern soul released during 2014. However, and to misquote George Orwell in Animal Farm, not all compilations are created equally.
For every Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82, there’s several hastily compiled, thrown together, cash-in compilations. Ironically, many of the low rent disco compilations have been thrown together by those who turned their back on disco, in its time of need. Nowadays, they’re happy to cash in on the resurgence of interest in disco. This allows them to top up their pension pot, now they’ve hung up their Technics 1210s. These DJs don’t really love music. No. They love money. People who love music, create compilations like Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.
DISCO: A FINE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT DISCO, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE 1978-82.
NIPPON GIRLS 2-JAPANESE POP, BEAT AND ROCK ’N’ ROLL 1965-1970.
NIPPON GIRLS 2-JAPANESE POP, BEAT AND ROCK ’N’ ROLL 1965-1970.
It was five years ago, that Big Beat International, a subsidiary of Ace Records, released Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970 to critical acclaim. For many people, this was their introduction to the groovy, eclectic sounds of sixties Japanese pop. What an introduction it was.
Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970 was hailed a truly eclectic compilation. Beat, bossa nova, go-go rubbed shoulders with lounge, pop and psychedelia. So did cover versions and new songs. As a result, Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970 whetted the appetite of many Western music lovers. They eagerly awaited the followup to Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970. They’ve had to be patient
Five long years passed before Big Beat International announced the followup to Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970. That was Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970. It features twenty-four tracks from Kayoko Ishuu, Reiko Mari, Katsuko Kanai, Bay Beats, Akiko Nakamura, Ayui Ishida, Kiyoko Ito, Aki Izumi and Yuko Nagisa. These tracks are just a few of the delights on Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
The first track on any album is always important. It has to grab the listener’s attention. That’s the case on Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970. Kayoko Ishuu’s version of Bazazz No. 1 literally, bursts into life, showcasing a quintessential groovy sixties sound. Atop this fusion of jazz, Latin, lounge and pop sits the sweetest of scatted vocals from session singer Kayoko Ishuu. She was a member of backing vocalists The Singers Three. Then in 1966, she covered Bazazz No. 1, which was released on Crown. A truly irresistible track, this is the perfect start to Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970.
In 1969, Japanese singer and actress Mari Henmi released Daniel Mon Amour as a single. It was released on the Columbia label, with Love Passes Like A Stomy Wind on the B-Side. Daniel Mon Amour sounds as if it has been inspired by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin’s J ‘taime. During two minutes of coquettish music, Mari’s “sexy kayou” sound takes shape, and she becomes Japan’s answer to Jane Birkin.
Just like a lot of Japanese singers, in the early sixtes, Katsuko Kanai started out releasing cover version. Then in 1962, Bobby Vee toured Japan. His support act were The Ventures. They made a bigger impression, spawning a wave of surf rock groups. Five years later, in 1967, Katsuko Kanai released Mini Mini Girl on RCA. It was penned by Japanese lyricist and composer, Kuranosuke Hamaguchi. In Katsuko’s hands, it becomes two minutes of energy and electricity, where surf and go-go combine head on, creating one of Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970’s highlights.
The tempo drops on Bay Beats version of Kizudarake No Taiyou. It’s a real find. This long forgotten track was was released as the B-Side to a Bay Beats single released on Polydor in 1970. Since then, it’s lain in Polydor’s vaults. That’s a great shame, as it’s a quite beautiful song. A slow, heartfelt vocal is accompanied by stabs of braying horns and crystalline guitars. They play their part in three minutes of beauty, drama and emotion.
As Akiko Nakamura’s Taiyou Ni Koi Wo Shite unfolds, it sounds like a homage to Herb Albert’s Tijuana Brass. It’s the percussion, braying horns and vibes. Then when Akiko’s jazzy vocal enters, the song starts to swing. Fool of hooks, it’s a truly irresistible track that was released as a single in 1967 on King.
Emy Jackson was a pioneer of the surf rock sound. A reminder of that is her 1966 single Namida No Go Go. It’s credited to Emy Jackson & Blue Comets. However, Emy Jackson was her stage name. She was born Emy Eaton in Essex, England, but spent her teenage years in Japan. That’s when she signed to Columbia. Her debut single, Crying In A Storm, was released in April 1965, and sold a million copies. Namida No Go Go was Emy’s fourth single and is a reminder of a musical pioneer, at the height of her career.
Chico Okumura was a model, who enjoyed a parallel career as a singer. She released her debut single in 1965. A year later, she released Koi Gurui, which translates as Love Crazy. It was released on Toshiba in 1970. In the intervening years, Chico’s releases had caused controversy. Her singles lyrical content, were sometimes, construed as lewd. Koi Gurui is somewhat tame by Chico’s standards. Featuring dramatic, string drenched backdrop, Chico delivers an impassioned, sassy vocal on what’s one of her best releases.
Back in 1966, Kiyoko Ito was one of 300 Japanese hopefuls to audition for the Christy Minstrels folk group. This didn’t work out. However, when Kiyoko returned home, she signed a recording contract with CBS Records. Two years later, Kiyoko released the wistful and understated single Mishiranu Sekai. It’s another of Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970’s highlights.
Pinky and Killers’ was one of a number of female fronted bands in Japan during the second half of the sixties. Their trademark look was to wear derby hats and suits. Each member of the group dawned an alias. Fronting the group, and delivering the lead vocal on the 1968, King single, Ore To Kanojo, was Pinky. She sings call and response with the Killers on another quintessentially sixties sounding track.
Actress and singer Akiko Nakamura released Namida No Mori No Monogatari in 1969, on King. Her vocal is best described as a mixture of power, passion and drama. It’s delivered against a lush string laden arrangement, and chirping, wah-wahing guitar. This compelling combinations showcases one of Japan’s best known beat singers.
Kazumi Yasui wasn’t just a singer, she was one of Japan’s most talented lyricists. She wrote lyrics for the great and good of Japanese music. Then, in 1975, she penned Nigai Namida for The Three Degrees. In 1970, she wrote the lyrics to Warui Kuse. It has a beautiful, understated, jazz-tinged sound that’s the perfect showcase for Kazumi’s tender, wistful vocal.
Yuko Nagisa’s Kyoto No Koi is my final choice from Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970. It was released as a single in 1970, on Toshiba. Despite being released in 1970, the song has an obvious sixties sound. Indeed, the guitars are still inspired by The Ventures. That’s no bad thing. Along with swathes of lush strings and an urgent rhythm section, they prove the perfect backdrop for Yuko’s impassioned vocal. So much so, that Kyoto No Koi, reached number one in Japan.
Although five years was a long time to wait for the followup to Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970, it’s been well worth the wait. Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970, which was recently released by Big Beat International, a subsidiary of Ace Records, picks up where its predecessor left off. It’s a case of digging deeper, in an attempt to unearth the eclectic and obscure.
This has worked. Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970 is a truly eclectic compilation. Beat, bossa nova, go-go and jazz rub shoulders with Latin, lounge, pop, psychedelia and surf rock. So eclectic is Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970, that you never know what’s about to happen. It’s a veritable musical feast. Indeed, Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970 is a bit like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Truly, there’s no end of surprises on Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970. No wonder. Look at the track listing.
Everyone from Kayoko Ishuu, Reiko Mari, Katsuko Kanai, Bay Beats, Akiko Nakamura, Ayui Ishida, Kiyoko Ito, Aki Izumi and Yuko Nagisa feature on Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970. They’re just a few of the musical delights on Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970, the long awaited followup to Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970.
Although five years have passed since the release of Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970, it’s been well worth the wait. Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970 is the perfect companion to Nippon Girls- Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Nova 1966-1970. One listen to Nippon Girls 2- Japanese Pop, Beat and Rock ’N’ Roll 1965-1970, and you’ll surely agree.
NIPPON GIRLS 2-JAPANESE POP, BEAT AND ROCK ’N’ ROLL 1965-1970.
MORENO VELOSO-COISA BOA.
MORENO VELOSO-COISA BOA.
Thirteen years have passed since Moreno Veloso released his debut album Music Typewriter. Since then, Moreno has put his solo career on hold, concentrating instead, on production. Moreno has spent over a decade years learning, and honing his production skills. This paid off.
In 2006, Moreno was asked to produce his father’s latest album Zii e Zie. This was no case of nepotism. Far from it. Caetano Veloso is a cultural icon in Brazil. He’s one of the most celebrated artists the country has produced. His reputation was at stake. So Caetano wouldn’t risk his reputation by indulging an aspiring producer. No. Moreno won the right to produce Zii e Zie.
Between the release of his debut album in 2001, and the released of Zii e Zie, Moreno had established a reputation as a talented producer. This was apparent when Zii e Zie was released to critical acclaim. It reinforced Moreno’s reputation as a top class producer. As a result, Moreno produced Caetano’s next two albums, 2010s Cê and 2012s Abraçaço. These two albums further reinforced Moreno’s reputation as a producer. However, after Abraçaço, Moreno decided it was time to return to his solo career.
Moreno hadn’t released any solo material since 2001. He had been involved with a couple of collaborations with his friends Domenico Lancelotti and Alexandre Kassin. They collaborated with Moreno on his 2001 debut album Music Typewriter. He returned the favour on Domenico 2004 album +2’s Sincerely Hot and 2007 album Kassin +2’s Futurismo. These three albums became known as the +2 trilogy. After collaborating on Futurismo, Morneo didn’t release any music until 2014.
That’s when three of Moreno’s songs featured on the soundtrack to Richard Linklater’s 2014 film Boyhood. These three songs also feature on Moreno’s sophomore album Coisa Boa, which will be released on November 17th 2014, on the Luaka Bop label.
Coisa Boa marks the welcome return of Moreno Veloso. Great things were forecast of Moreno, when he released his debut solo album back in 2001. However, Moreno put his solo career on hold. This meant that we never got the opportunity to see whether he could fulfil his potential…until now.
For Coisa Boa, Moreno penned several songs with Domenico Lancelotti and Alexandre Kassin. They also play on Coisa Boa. So do a number of Moreno’s friends. A total of thirty musicians featured on Coisa Boa. This includes guitarists Pedro Sá and Arto Lindsay, bassist Melvin Gibbs, pianist Daniel Jobim, keyboardist Rodrigo Bartolo and multi-instrumentalist Takako Minekawa. These musicians recorded the eleven tracks in in nine studios in a variety of locations, including Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Japan and New York. Once the eleven songs were recorded and mixed, they became Coisa Boa, which I’ll tell you about.
The understated and mellow Lá e Cá opens Coisa Boa. A wash of synths, a gently plucked acoustic guitar and a myriad of disparate, subtle sounds seamlessly became one. They provide the backdrop to Moreno’s tender, heartfelt vocal. Not only that, but the arrangement compliments the vocal. The only way to describe the vocal is truly beautiful, just like Moreno’s guitar playing.
There’s an urgency to the guitar that opens Um Passo à Frente. Soon, one becomes two. Washes of sound reverberate, as an impassioned vocal is delivered with a similar urgency. Soon, the arrangement unfolds, building and blossoming. A pulsating bass, percussion and harmonies unite urgently. Then just as quickly, the urgency dissipates leaving a captivating, urgent vocal. After that, the urgency returns, as hooks, harmonies and musical genres unite, creating a delicious Latin backdrop.
Em Todo Lugar sees another change of tack. Moreno is a musical chameleon, who is showcasing his versatility. Elements of Latin, jazz and even funk are combined from the get-go. The rhythm section and a chiming guitar provide the backdrop for Moreno’s vocal. It’s needy, hopeful and heartfelt. This is perfect for captivating ballad.
Verso Simples has a much more traditional sound. Yet again, Moreno is content to keep the listener guessing. Just his acoustic guitar and percussion accompany his vocal. It’s tinged with emotion and sadness, as the arrangement meanders along, all the times, tugging at your heartstrings.
Wistful and spacious describes the title-track, Coisa Boa. It’s just a thoughtful Moreno playing his guitar. His vocal is tinged with melancholia. He leaves space within the arrangement, as if contemplating the lyrics he delivers.
Almost hesitantly, Jacaré Coruja unfolds. The band play their way into the track. Just a chiming, hypnotic guitar plays and a drum thoughtfully beats out a rhythm. Moreno play his guitar and delivers a vocal that veers between heartfelt, hurt-filled and dramatic. In doing so, he brings the lyrics to life.
Slow and melancholy describes the introduction to Num Galho de Acácias. Moreno is accompanied by dark strings and a soft, thoughtful piano. They’re the perfect accompaniment to Moreno’s vocal. However, it’s a tender female vocal that adds the finishing touch to what’s without doubt, the highlight of Coisa Boa. It’s Moreno’s finest hour.
De Tentar Voltar picks ups where Num Galho de Acácias left off. It’s another slow, understated track. Moreno’s vocal is full of hurt and regret. He’s accompanied by guitars, drums played with brushes and a bass. Later, a crystalline guitar and wistful strings enter, playing important roles as Moreno delivers another heartfelt and beautiful song.
Latin percussion and chiming guitars open Não Acorde o Neném. Moreno’s vocal is tender as gradually the arrangement shows its delights. A probing bass, crystalline guitar, percussion, handclaps and harmonies accompany Moreno. They take care not to overpower his vocal. Instead, they compliment his languid vocal on what’s best described as an irresistible slice of Latin music.
The guitar that opens Hoje, reminds me of Nick Drake. So does the bass. That’s not the end of the comparisons. Hoje’s arrangement has a similar stripped back sound. This allows the music to breath. Especially Moreno’s wistful vocal and the shapeshifting bass. A piano adds to the sense of melancholia. Its addition is the finishing touch to what sounds like a homage to the late, great, Nick Drake.
Closing Coisa Boa is Onaji Sora. Again, it has an understated sound. Percussion and an acoustic guitar accompany Moreno, as he delivers a duet. His partner is a female vocalist. They’re like yin and yang. Their voices compliment each other, and result in a tender, heartfelt track that’s the perfect way to close Coisa Boa, Moreno Veloso’s comeback album.
Leaving thirteen years between albums isn’t to be advised for an artist. By the time they make their comeback, their audience may have forgotten about them? That’s not all. Music will have changed. Their sound may not be relevant any more. That doesn’t apply in the case of Moreno Veloso.
He’s an artist with his own, unique sound. That’s apparent on Coisa Boa, Moreno’s long awaited sophomore album. On the first few songs, Moreno switches between musical genres. He’s something of a musical chameleon. Then when he delivers a series of slow, understated, ballads, it’s apparent that this is Moreno Veloso’s “sound.”
He dawns the role of troubadour, delivering songs that are a heartfelt, hopeful, melancholy and wistful. Sometimes, Moreno’s vocals are needy and full heartache and hurt. The way he delivers songs, it’s as if he’s lived the lyrics. However, there’s more to Moreno than the role of troubled troubadour.
Moreno Veloso is also a guitarist and producer. He’s a hugely talented, classically trained guitarist. That shows on Coisa Boa. He knows exactly what notes to play, and when. Often, just one note adds a sense of melancholy or a poignancy to a song. Sometimes, he realises less is more.
This isn’t just when he plays guitar. Often, Moreno leaves space between notes. It’s like a pregnant pause. Similarly, Moreno’s arrangement’s are understated, uncluttered. and spacious. Never, do the band overpower his vocals. Instead, they compliment his vocals. Always, Moreno’s vocals take centre-stage, as he becomes the comeback King.
Thirteen long years after his debut album, Music Typewriter, Moreno Veloso returns with his sophomore album Coisa Boa, which will be released by Luaka Bop on 17th October 2014. Coisa Boa has been worth the thirteen year wait, and sees Moreno Veloso more than fulfil the potential that was apparent on 2001s Music Typewriter.
MORENO VELOSO-COISA BOA.
ADRIAN CROWLEY-SOME BLUE MORNING.
ADRIAN CROWLEY-SOME BLUE MORNING.
Adrian Crowley never intended to be a musician. Originally, the Galway born singer-songwriter studied architecture, painting and photography. In his spare time, Adrian wrote a few songs. He never performed any of these songs until 1993, when Adrian was twenty-five. That was when Adrian first performed live. This show might never have happened though.
Just a few days before Adrian made his musical debut, he was looking through his attic. That’s where he found some songs he’d penned in early nineties. These songs became his debut set. Since then, Adrian hasn’t looked back. He’s just released his new album Some Blue Morning, on Chemikal Underground. It’s his seventh album since his 1999 debut.
It was back in 1999, that Adrian Crowley’s career began in earnest. Adrian Crowley was thirty-one, a relative latecomer to music. He was born in Slimea, in Malta in 1968 to an Irish father and Maltese mother. After Adrian’s birth, his family lived in Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Malta. By the early nineties, Adrian had settled in Dublin. Apart from some time spent in France, Dublin has been home to Adrian Crowley.
That’s where Adrian Crowley made his musical debut as a twenty-five year old. Adrian was an accidental singer-songwriter. If he hadn’t discovered the long lost songs in his attic, he might never have made his debut. Thankfully, he did. Six years later, Adrian released his debut album.
A Strange Kind.
It wasn’t until 1999, that Adrian released his debut album A Strange Kind. It was independently released on the Lam 99 label. Capricorn, the lead single, received some radio play and the album was well received upon its release. This was many people’s introduction to Adrian Crowley. The accidental singer-songwriter’s sophomore album arrived three years later.
When You Are Here You Are Family.
Adrian’s sophomore album was When You Are Here You Are Family. It was recorded over Easter 2001, at Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. This is home to Steve Albini. He recorded and mixed When You Are Here You Are Family.
When people heard that Adrian had worked with Steve on When You Are Here You Are Family, this gave his career a boost.
When You Are Here You Are Family was well received by critics. They saw what Steve Albini saw in Adrian, a talented singer-songwriter, who painted pictures with his music on When You Are Here You Are Family. It’s best described as fusion of folk-rock and indie rock, which Steve Albini helped hone. For Adrian, Steve’s involvement proved advantageous.
American record labels started paying attention to Adrian Crowley. A number of American labels began taking an interest in Adrian Crowley.
Eventually, Adrian signed to the New York based label Ba Da Bing! They were meant to release Adrian’s next two albums, including A Northern Country.
A Northern Country.
Two years passed between the release of When You Are Here You Are Family and Adrian’s delayed third album, A Northern Country. It had been an eventful time for Adrian. His contract with Ba Da Bing! didn’t work out. He was now signed to a smaller label, Misplaced Music. That’s why two years had passed between albums. For Adrian this was a huge disappointment.
He’d been on the cusp of making a commercial breakthrough. Steve Albini had mixed his sophomore album, and he’d signed to an American label. When that didn’t work out, it was as if he’d taken one step forward and two steps backwards. At least however, he had a record deal. Now belatedly, A Northern Country was released in 2004.
A Northern Country was released in 2004. It was mixed and produced by Thomas Haugh and saw a change in diction from Adrian. Acoustic, country and folk rock combine on A Northern Country. It was well received by critics. However, later, Adrian Crowley called A Northern Country as “the least ceremonious album of them all.” That’s not surprising, given what he been through. His luck, however, was about to change.
Long Distance Swimmer.
In 2004, Adrian decided to commit his future to music. This meant he had to give up his full time job as a photographer. It would prove to be the best decision he made.
Three years later, Adrian released his first album since becoming a full time musician. This was Long Distance Swimmer, Adrian’s fourth album.
Long Distance Swimmer was recorded at various locations between winter 2005 and spring 2006. This included at Adrian’s Dublin home, Thomas Haugh’s home and at producer Stephen Shannon’s Studio. A total of twelve tracks were recorded. They became Long Distance Swimmer, which was a game changer.
On its release, Long Distance Swimmer was critically acclaimed. Long Distance Swimmer was a career defining album for Adrian. Comparisons were drawn with Nick Drake and Tim Buckley, whose influence shawn through on Long Distance Swimmer, which was hailed a fusion of post rock, lo-fi and folk-rock. Before long,things got even better for Adrian.
Later in 2007, Long Distance Swimmer was nominated for the Choice Music Prize. At the end of the year, Long Distance Swimmer was included in the best of 2007 lists. This didn’t go unnoticed.
Chemikal Underground, the Glasgow based record label watched with interest. They were just one of a number of labels considering signing Adrian. Eventually, a deal was signed and Adrian was the latest musical luminary signed to Chemikal Underground. His Chemikal Underground debut was Season Of The Sparks.
Season Of The Sparks.
Another two years passed before Season Of The Sparks was released in 2009. This was Adrian’s Chemikal Underground debut. Again, Season Of The Sparks was produced by Adrian and Stephen Shannon. They’d worked successfully on Long Distance Swimmer, so renewed their partnership on Season Of The Sparks.
Ten tracks featured on Season Of The Sparks, when it was released in 2009. It was released to glittering reviews. Described as pastoral and beautiful, Season Of The Sparks was hailed Adrian’s most consistent album. When critics looked for comparisons, they compared Adrian to musical luminaries like Al Stewart and Leonard Cohen. Adrian Crowley, it seemed, was going places.
When the end of year awards were dished out, Adrian Season Of The Sparks won Season of the Sparks won the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year 2009. This came with a €10,000 cheque. For Adrian Crowley, 2009 was the best year of his ten year recording career.
I See Three Birds Flying.
After the success of Season Of The Sparks, Adrian resisted the urge to rush out a followup. He waited three years, before I See Three Birds Flying was released, in 2012. It was worth the wait.
When I See Three Birds Flying was released on Chemikal Underground in 2012, it was to widespread critical acclaim. It seemed Adrian could do no wrong. The Irish troubadour was going from strength-to-strength. Both critics and record buyers were one over by I See Three Birds Flying, which built on Season Of The Sparks. With every album, Adrian seemed to be developing and evolving as an artist. Will this continue on his latest album Some Blue Morning, which was recently released on Chemikal Underground.
Some Blue Morning.
For Some Blue Morning, Adrian penned eleven new songs. They were recorded at Experimental Audio, Dublin between winter 2013 and spring 2014. Accompanying Adrian, was a small, but talented band.
There’s no need for a large band on an Adrian Crowley session. Not when Adrian is a multi-instrumentalist. Guitars, violin, harmonium, synth, auto harp, marxophone, omnichord, clarinet saxophones and sound effects. Adrian’s co-producer, Stephen Shannon, plays guitar, bass and organ and Dan Higgerty drums. They were joined by cellist Kevin Murphy, violinist Emma Smith, violist Vince Sipprell and Ted Barnes on hammered dulcimer. Katie Sim added backing vocals on Some Blue Morning, which I’ll tell you about.
Some Blue Morning opens with the title-track. A harmonium plays and strings shimmer, before Adrian delivers a a slow, heartfelt hopeful vocal. Ethereal backing vocal provide a perfect foil to the strings. Together, they frame Adrian’s vocal as he delivers lyrics that are filled with hope, hope for a better future with the woman he loves. A quite beautiful song.
The Hungry Grass is best described as a cinematic track. From the get-go, Adrian sets the scene. Swathes of strings sweep and swirl, while drums pound. They add an element of drama, before once again, Adrian dawns the role of troubadour. His pensive, thoughtful vocal is accompanied by a multilayered, widescreen arrangement. It sweeps behind Adrian’s vocal, and then when the vocal drops out, replaces it. After that, the swells of drama unfold, on this cinematic track, which sounds like it should feature on the new series Twin Peaks.
Just a thoughtful acoustic guitar opens The Magpie Song. Soon, Adrian’s melancholy vocal enters. It sounds as if it’s been influenced by Johnny Cash. There’s a darkness to the lyrics, with their symbolism, and references to death. Swells and swathes of string add an element of drama, as Adrian sings “the magpie calls my name.” This is the signal for ethereal, angelic harmonies to sweep in, as if this is Adrian’s signal to “drift away.”
Just like on other tracks, The Stranger sees Adrain paints pictures. His vocal breathes life and meaning into his lyrics. He’s accompanied by an understated arrangement. Drums provide the heartbeat, while strings sweep and a harmonium plays. Adrian also unleashes a myriad of disparate instruments. From the acoustic guitar to the omnichord, they provide the perfect backdrop to this autumnal song, where strangers pass in the night.
“The only trouble you get around here, is when wet leaves stick to the railway track” opens Trouble. It’s like a lyric Nick Drake might have written. Just like Adrian, Nick was a wordsmith and storyteller. Here, Adrian’s lived-in, worldweary voice brings the lyrics to life. Especially with Katie Kim’s backing vocals accompanying him. So much so, that when you shut your eyes, the story unfolds before your eyes. You can imagine Adrian playing piano in the hotel lounge, during the long winter months. The reason for this, is the way Adrian delivers the lyrics, breathing life and meaning into them.
Washes of effects meander into the distance, as The Gift unfolds. They quiver, shiver and shimmer, teasing and toying with you. Before long, they’re gone, leaving just a pleasant memory.
Understated and dramatic collide head on, on The Angel. When Adrian’s vocal enters, it’s earnest and impassioned. Swathes of strings sweep urgently, as if to draw your attention to Adrian’s vocal. It’s delivered with a similar urgency and power. When it drops out, the strings combine drama and urgency on what’s one of Some Blue Morning’s highlights.
Wistful. That describes Follow If You Must. What sounds like waves breaking on a beach opens the track. Then just an acoustic guitar accompanies Adrian’s fragile vocal. Later, soothing harmonies accompany Adrian’s vocal. It’s a mixture of heartbreak and hurt. As he sings “Follow If You Must,” he sounds unsure whether he wants his partner to follow. It’s as if he’s loath to go through the pain and hurt again.
Adrian’s Dublin brogue shines through as he reads the lyrics to The Wild Boar. All the time, he’s accompanied by a meandering, chiming guitar and washes of effects. Later, an autoharp is plucked. Space is left in the arrangement. This adds to the mystery and drama, before Adrian throws a curveball.
As The Hatchet Song unfolds, it’s akin to an ethereal soundscape. Adrian deliberately plucks his guitar, allowing it to reverberate into the distance. It becomes a wash of of shimmering, glistening music. Then as the arrangement pauses, Adrian plucks his guitar and his vocal begins. It’s tender, and full of determination. He’s determined that nothing will get in the way of his love for his partner.
Golden Palaminos closes Some Blue Morning. Just Adrian’s pensive vocal and his trusty acoustic guitar combine. As he plucks his guitar he ponders, and philosophises bout how time slips away. He sings: “our days are Golden Palaminos, galloping away.” Accompanying Adrian are tender backing vocals and a harmonium. Together they play a part in a beautiful song, that makes you think about how quickly times slips away. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful way to close Some Blue Morning.
Although Adrian Crowley only released his debut album back in 1999, he’s come a long way since then. His career took-off after 2007s Long Distance Swimmer. Released to widespread critical acclaim, on Distance Swimmer was a building block for Adrian Crowley. It was the foundation to a successful career. Since then, has never looked back.
Long Distance Swimmer was a game-changer of an album. Since then, Adrian’s career has been in the ascendancy. Both critics and music lovers have been following the rise and rise of Adrian Crowley, the Dublin based troubadour.
He might have been a latecomer to music, but Adrian Crowley has been making up for lost time. Proof of that are his trio of albums for Glasgow based Chemikal Underground. 2009s award winning Season Of The Sparks, saw Adrian’s career continue on an upward trajectory. He didn’t rush out a followup. No. Keeping a cool head, he waited three years before releasing I See Three Birds Flying.
This calculated gamble paid off. I See Three Birds Flying picked up where Long Distance Swimmer left off, and saw Adrian’s music progress to the next level. No wonder. Adrian had matured and evolved as an artist, in the thee intervening years. His profile had risen, since the release of Season Of The Sparks. Another two years have passed, and Adrian has released his latest critically acclaimed album Some Blue Morning.
Wistful, melancholy, hopeful and cinematic describes Some Blue Morning, which was recently released on Chemikal Underground. Some Blue Morning features eleven songs from the pen of Adrian Crowley. They’re based upon Adrian Crowley life and experiences. Many of the songs are akin to short stories. They unfold before your eyes, while as Adrian Crowley becomes a storyteller par excellence. His lyrics come to life, as Adrian breathes life, meaning and emotion to the lyrics. Accompanied by a tight, talented band, these songs become like the soundtrack to a film that’s yet to be made.
There’s a reason for this. Adrian Crowley’s songs have a cinematic quality. Some of the songs wouldn’t sound out of place in a David Lynch or Wim Wenders film. That’s how good they are. Indeed, the songs on Some Blue Morning include some of the best of Adrian Crowley’s careers. That’s why Some Blue Morning is a career defining album for Dublin based troubadour, Adrian Crowley.
ADRIAN CROWLEY-SOME BLUE MORNING.
STEVE GUNN-WAY OUT WEATHER.
STEVE GUNN-WAY OUT WEATHER.
Although Philly born guitarist Steve Gunn’s career began fifteen years ago, it wasn’t until 2007 that he released his eponymous debut album. Before that, Steve was the guitarist in Kurt Vile’s band The Violators. Since then, Steve has enjoyed parallel careers.
Apart from his solo career, Steve has been a member of GHQ, Desert Heat, Golden Gunn, Gunn Diehl and the Gunn-Truscinski Duo. That’s not all. Steve has also found time to collaborate with Mike Cooper, Mike Gangloff, Jack Rose, Tom Carter, Meg Baird and Michael Chapman. It seems Steve Gunn is one of the hardest working musicians of recent years. This has paid off.
Nowadays, Steve Gunn has a huge following worldwide. This hasn’t happened overnight. No. Steve has embarked upon gruelling and relentless tours. It’s paid off. Now when he heads off on tour, the sold out signs hang outside his shows. For Steve Gunn, this must be hugely satisfying. He’s come a long way since he released his debut album Steve Gunn in 2007.
Seven years later, and Steve has just released his fifth album Way Out Weather, on the Paradise Of Bachelors label. It’s a coming of age for Steve Gunn. With his band, he creates eight intriguing, genre-melting soundscapes. They’ve been influenced by Steve’s musical influences.
Among the artists to influence Steve Gunn, are Robbie Basho, Michael Chapman, Sandy Bull and John Fahey. Each of these artists have influenced the development of Steve Gunn’s music. So have the artists Steve’s worked with, including everyone from Kurt Vile to Meg Baird and Michael Chapman. As a result, Steve Gunn’s music is a captivating fusion of blues, country, free jazz, and psychedelia. Gnawa and Carnatic music has also influenced Steve Gunn’s music. That’s been the case from his 2007 eponymous debut album, right through to his recent album, Way Out Weather.
Steve Gunn.
Steve Gunn’s solo career began back in 2007. That was when Steve released his eponymous debut album, Steve Gunn, on the Onomato label. The album was described as an ambitious fusion of acoustic, experimental and folk music.
On its released, the album was well received by critics. They realised that Steve Gunn was a pioneering musician. He was much more than Kurt Vile’s guitarist. Much more. So, they decided here was a musician whose career they would follow closely.
Sundowner.
A year later, in 2008, Steve returned a year later with his sophomore album Sundowner. It was released on Digitalis Recordings. Essentially, Sundowner was a progression from Steve Gunn.
The same fusion of experimental and folk was used as the building blocks. However, Steve took things further, for what was a series of innovative soundscapes. Critics and cultural commentators saw Sundowner as the next step in the career of a musical pioneer. However, Steve’s music wasn’t just attracting the attention of critics.
By then, Steve was building up a loyal fan-base. He toured relentlessly. This was the only way to spread the word about his music. He didn’t have a big budget and P.R. team behind him. So, he hit the road and did things the old fashioned way, by touring. He also found time to record his third album Boerum Palace.
Boerum Palace.
Boerum Palace, which was released in 2009, was Steve’s third album, but his first for Three Lobed Records. It saw Steve’s music evolve. He seemed to matured as a songwriter and also, found his voice. The combination of his guitar playing and vocals, were a potent one.
The critics agreed. Boerum Palace was hailed as Steve’s finest hour. His music was evolving, as elements of folk, psychedelia and rock melted into one. It was an album influenced by Steve’s record collection. However, it was also an ambitious and progressive album. There may have been more than a nod to the past, but Boerum Palace saw Steve make music that was ambitious and innovative. Just when it looked like Steve was making a breakthrough, he didn’t release another album for four more years.
During the next four years, Steve was still making music. He took time to collaborate with a number of artists including Mike Cooper, Mike Gangloff, Jack Rose, Tom Carter, Meg Baird and Michael Chapman. For Steve, this was all part of his musical education. So was working on his other projects.
Working with different artists allowed Steve to learn from them. This included Steve’s instrumental the Gunn-Truscinski Duo. They released Sand City in 2010 and Ocean Parkway in 2012. In between Sand City and Ocean Parkway, Steve Gunn released his live solo album, Live at the Night Light in 2011. These albums further cemented Steve’s reputation within music. His peers looked on, admiringly. They marvelled at his skills as a composer and his ability to improvise. A year after the release of Ocean Parkway, Steve returned with his fourth solo album, Time Off.
Time Off.
By 2013, Steve had signed to a new record label, Paradise of Bachelors. They released his fourth solo album Time Off. This was Steve’s first album as leader of a trio. It featured two of Steve’s friends drummer John Truscinski and bassist Justin Tripp. Just like Boerum Palace, one of the key features was Steve’s vocals.
Time Off saw Steve come out of his shell. He seemed more confident as a vocalist, as he introduces the listener to a series of stories and characters. His new band complimented him, providing the perfect backdrop for stories about his life and the people he knows. It was a truly captivating album, one that critics hailed as Steve Gunn at his best. He seemed to have matured as a musician, singer and songwriter. This continues on Way Out Weather, which is a coming of age for Steve Gunn.
Way Out Weather.
For Way Out Weather, which was recently released by Paradise Of Bachelors, Steve penned eight new tracks. They were recorded by Steve’s new band at Black Dirt Studio. It’s built around the trio that featured on Time Off.
On Time Off, drummer John Truscinski and bassist Justin Tripp accompanied Steve on guitar. They were joined by James Elkington, Jason Meagher, Jimy Seitang, Mary Lattimore and Nathan Bowles at Black Dirt Studio, where they recorded the eight tracks that became Way Out Weather, which I’ll tell you about.
Opening Way Out Weather, is the title-track. Washes of guitar reverberate into the distance. Hesitantly, guitars chirp and a piano produces an Eno-esque sound. Before long, the rhythm section and guitar unite. They’re accompanied by weeping, country-tinged guitars. Then when Steve’s vocal enters, it has a lived-in, worldweary sound. Other times, it veers towards dreamy and lysergic. As he lazily delivers the lyrics, you’re captivated. His vocal has a hypnotic quality. Especially with layers of sounds enveloping and surrounding him. They play their part in a mellow, dreamy and lysergic sounding soundscape.
Just country-tinged acoustic guitars open Wildwood. Soon, washes of reverberating guitar are panned left. They trail of into the distance. That’s the signal for Steve’s vocal to enter. It’s heartfelt and emotive, while guitars and the rhythm section provide a backdrop for his vocal. They provide a fuzzy, guitar driven soundscape. This is very different to Steve’s vocal. So much so, that they’re yin and yang. It’s a case of musical genres and influences meltong into one. Everything from alternative rock, country, folk, psychedelia and rock have influenced Wildwood.
A distant, dramatic was of sound opens Milly’s Garden. Soon, chiming, crystalline guitars trade licks. They’re joined by the rhythm section and then Steve’s vocal. It veers between languid and laid-back, to urgent and powerful. Meanwhile, his band provide a melodic, hook heavy backdrop as they kick loose. They play with an unbridled freedom, as Steve Gunn and his band explode into life, in the rocky Milly’s Garden. Quite simply, it’s the highlight of Way Out Weather, so far, and shows how far Steve’s come in seven years.
Shadow Bros. has a wistful, thoughtful sound. The tempo is slow and the arrangement lumbers along. Again, there’s a country influence as a myriad of disparate instruments unite. This includes guitars and a banjo. They provide an arrangement that frames Steve’s vocal. It takes centre-stage. It’s worldweary, and full of character as he paints pictures with his lyrics. The result is enigmatic and cinematic track.
Fiction has a much more fulsome arrangement. Again, there’s a country influence. Guitars jangle and chime, while the rhythm section drive the arrangement along. Then when Steve’s vocal enters, it’s whispery, and full of mystery. It sits back in the mix. The rest of the arrangement frames the vocal. It can just be heard. You’ve got to focus on it. That’s no bad thing. This means you focus on Steve’s lyrics. As the song ends, you realise that Steve has come of age as a singer, songwriter and musician.
The introduction to Drifter gives no hint at what’s about to happen. A folk influenced acoustic guitar plays. Then the drums pound. Blistering guitars and the bass cut loose. They set the scene for Steve’s vocal. It’s a drawl, sometimes, becoming fiery and powerful. Searing, blistering guitar licks are fired off. A thunderous, pulsating bass also plays a leading role, as Steve Gunn and his band mix rock, folk and country seamlessly.
Atmosphere has an experimental, sci-fi sound. It’s an ethereal soundscape. Steve’s distant vocal is sung through a vocoder. Meanwhile, chiming, chirping guitar are joined washes of synths on what’s best described as a dreamy, ethereal soundscape.
Tommy’s Congo closes Way Out Weather. It’s another experimental, genre-melting track. Afro-beat meets free jazz, experimental, psychedelia and rock. Layers of music unfold, showing their secrets and nuances. Then when Steve’s vocal enters, it veers between dramatic, deliberate and dreamy. All the time, there’s a sixties influence in his vocal. Meanwhile, the mesmeric arrangement worms its way into your consciousness. Although very different to much of Way Out Weather, Tommy’s Congo shows another side to the versatile and multitalented Steve Gunn.
For Steve Gunn, Way Out Weather is a coming of age. It’s the finest album of his five album solo career. No wonder. Way Out Weather has been seven years in the making. Everything Steve has released before, has been leading up to Way Out Weather.
This includes his four previous solo albums, and the various collaborations he’s been involved with. This includes his work with Mike Cooper, Mike Gangloff, Jack Rose, Tom Carter, Meg Baird and Michael Chapman. All these collaborations have influenced Steve, and Way Out Weather. That’s why Steve couldn’t have made Way Out Weather earlier in his career. He had to work with all these artists before he made Way Out Weather. It’s a coming of for Steve.
Innovative, genre-melting and full of subtleties, surprises and nuances, Way Out Weather is a career defining album from Steve Gunn. Way Out Weather features eight innovative, genre-melting soundscapes. Ambient, acoustic, Afro-beat, blues, country, folk, psychedelia and rock feature on Way Out Weather. It includes some of the best music of Steve Gunn’s career. That’s why Way Out Weather is seen as the next step in the career of a musical pioneer.
For Way Out Weather, this was Steve Gunn’s first album as bandleader. It’s a role Steve has settled comfortably into. That’s not a surprise. Steve lead a trio that featured on his previous album Time Off. However, leading a band is a new ball game. However, having lead a trio meant that Steve new what was expected of him.
This experience paid off on On Way Out Weather. His newly expanded band play an important part in Way Out Weather’s sound and success.
On Way Out Wether, Steve Gunn seemed more confident as a vocalist.Over eight tracks, he introduces the listener to a series of stories and characters. His new band complimented him, providing the perfect backdrop for stories about his life and the people he knows. This makes Way Out Weather, a truly captivating album, that features Steve Gunn at his very best. Since 2013s Time Off, Steve Gunn has matured as a musician, singer and songwriter. That’s why Way Out Weather is a coming of age for Steve Gunn.
STEVE GUNN-WAY OUT WEATHER.
T-BONE WALKER-T-BONE BLUES.
T-BONE WALKER-T-BONE BLUES.
When eventually, someone writes the history of blues music, T-Bone Walker’s name will loom large. There’s no doubt about that. T-Bone Walker was, without doubt, one of the most innovative and influential blues guitarists ever. He was a true musical pioneer.
T-Bone Walker was pioneer of firstly, the jump blues, then the electric blues. His music evolved, in an attempt to stay relevant. That’s why T-Bone Walker is remembered as a musical pioneer, who released groundbreaking music. That may seem like a bold statement, but it’s not. It’s the truth.
After all, T-Bone Walker was one of the first artists to wield an electric guitar. He honed and tamed the electric guitar and made that sound his own. That’s why nearly forty years after T-Bone Walker’s death he’s remembered not just as one of the best blues guitarists, but one of the top guitarists in musical history. What some people forget is that T-Bone Walker was also a flamboyant showman.
It was T-Bone Walker that Jimi Hendrix saw playing his guitar with his teeth. This was T-Bone Walker’s party trick. When he decided to showboat, T-Bone Walker played his guitar with his teeth. A young Jimi Hendrix saw this. He was awe struck. Here was a guitarist who could do things other guitarists could only dream of. For the young Jimi Hendrix, it was as if T-Bone had thrown down the gauntlet.
Jimi Hendrix went away and eventually, was able to play the guitar T-Bone Walker. His party trick was playing the guitar with his teeth. As the audiences watched, they thought this was new. It wasn’t. T-Bone Walker had done this before. He played his part in the rise and rise of Jim Hendrix.
After all, if Jim had never seen T-Bone play, would he have ever reached the heights he did? The same can be said of other artists T-Bone influenced.
Apart from Jimi Hendrix, T-Bone Walker influenced several generations of musicians. Among them are B.B. King, The Allman Brothers and Chuck Berry. Then there’s a generation of British musicians who grew up listening to artists like T-Bone Walker. This includes Eric Clapton, John Mayall, The Animals and Rolling Stones. Each and every one of these artists owe a debt of gratitude to the late, great, T-Bone Walker, whose 1959 Atlantic Records debut T-Bone Blues was recently reissued by Rhino. By 1960, T-Bone was forty-nine. His story began fifty years before the release of T-Bone Blues.
It was in May 1910, that T-Bone Walker was born Aaron Thibeaux Walker. Both T-Bone’s parents Movellia Jimmerson and Rance Walker were musicians. So, was T-Bone’s stepfather Marco Washington. Rance, like T-Bone’s mother, was a member of the Dallas String Band. He taught T-Bone to play guitar, banjo, violin, ukelele and piano. T-Bone couldn’t have asked for a better of a musical education. By the time T-Bone was a teenager, his career as a musician began.
Having left school aged ten, T-Bone became a professional musician when he was a teenager. His mentor was Blind Lemon Jefferson, who was a family friend. Blind Lemon helped T-Bone establish himself on the local blues circuit. Then when T-Bone was nineteen, he made his recording debut in 1929. He wasn’t billed as T-Bone Walker. No. Instead, he was billed as Oak Cliff T-Bone, when he released the single Wichita Falls Blues. This was the first recording in a career that lasted six decades.
By the time T-Bone was twenty-five, he was living in Los Angeles. He was married with five children. Sometimes, T-Bone was the guest vocalist for the Les Hite Orchestra. All the time, T-Bone was developing his musical style.
When T-Bone signed to Capitol Records in 1942, this was the start of one of the most important periods in his career. T-Bone’s sound was constantly evolving. So much so, that his single Mean Old World was a game-changer. His sound was totally unique and inimitable. This lead to T-Bone being referred to as a flamboyant, innovative and influential. Sometimes, T-Bone would play his guitar with his teeth, above his head or behind his back. Audiences were shocked and awe struck. Nobody had played a guitar like this. Then in 1947, T-Bone released a track that’s since become synonymous with him.
This was Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad). It was released on the Black and While label, which T-Bone has signed to in 1946. For two years between 1946 and 1948, T-Bone was releasing some of the most successful and pioneering music of his career. This included 1946s Bobby Sox Blues and West Side Baby, which gave T-Bone top ten hits. Having released some of the most important music of his career at Black and White, the fifties saw blues music fall out of favor and T-Bone flit between record companies.
Back then, this wasn’t new. Many artists signed one-off deals with labels. This was the case with T-Bone. He released several singles for Imperial and in 1959, released his debut album Sings The Blues. A year later, in 1960, T-Bone Blues was released on T-Bone Blues on Atlantic. It comprised eleven recordings from the fifties.
Of the eleven tracks on T-Bone Blues, T-Bone wrote eight tracks. This includes Two Bones And A Pick, T-Bone Shuffle, Stormy Monday Blues, Blues For Marili, T-Bone Blues, Shufflin’ The Blues, Play On Little Girl and Blues Rock. T-Bone also cowrote Mean Old World with Michael Goldsen and Papa Ain’t Salty with Grover McDaniels. The only cover version was Evenin,’ which was penned by Harry White and Mitchell Parish. These eleven tracks were recorded by T-Bone during the fifties.
This means that different line-ups play on different tracks on T-Bone Blues. The rhythm section included bassists Billy Hadnott and Joe Comfort, drummers Earl Palmer and Oscar Bradley and guitarists Barney Kessel and R.S. Rankin. They were joined by pianists Lloyd Glenn and Ray Johnson. Tenor saxophonist played on three tracks. T-Bone played guitar and added his inimitable vocal. Nesuhi Ertegun was credited as producer. T-Bone Blues was then released in 1960.
When T-Bone Blues was released in 1960, it was to widespread critical acclaim. T-Bone Blues was the perfect showcase for the master of the electric guitar. That was the case from the opening bars of Two Bones and A Pick, right through to Why Not, Mean Old Little Girl and a remake of the T-Bone Walker classic Stormy Monday and Pappa Ain’t Salty. During the eleven tracks, T-Bone and his small, tight and talented band feed off each other, driving each other to greater heights. That’s apparent on T-Bone Blues, which I’ll tell you about.
Two Bones and a Pick opens T-Bone Blues. It literally bursts into life, with T-Bone and his band combining blues and R&B. T-Bone is joined by guitarists R. S. Rankin and Barney Kessel. Both play important parts. R.S Rankin delivers the first guitar solo and Barney the second. The rhythm section and piano drive the arrangement along. Later, during the third guitar solo, T-Bone delivers some flamboyant, flashy guitar licks. He’s very much star of the show. That’s until a growling saxophone joins T-Bone. It matches him every step of the way. It’s like a musical duel. They drive each other to greater heights, resulting in a blistering fusion of blues and R&B.
Slow, and moody describes the introduction to Mean Old World. As T-Bone unleashes some driving, crystalline licks, the bass propels the arrangement along. Drums played with brushes provide the heartbeat. Meanwhile a melancholy piano meanders along. Taking centre-stage is T-Bone’s guitar. His fingers flit up and down the fretboard. Having set the scene, T-Bone delivers a despairing vocal “Some day, I’ll be six feet in the ground…it’s a Mean Old World.” Not only does this track showcase T-Bone’s guitar skills, but his vocal prowess and songwriting talents.
T-Bone Shuffle sees T-Bone and his band slow things down. The rhythm section and grizzled tenor saxophone unite. They combine blues and jazz. Before long, T-Bone’s vocal enters. He toys with the lyrics, before delivering a sassy vocal. Then when his vocal drops out, he delivers a searing, chiming guitar solo. Behind him, the rest of the band are in the groove, and are yin to T-Bone’s yang.
Stormy Monday Blues is, without doubt, T-Bone Walker’s most famous song. He rerecorded this track in the fifties. A pounding, driving rhythm section and piano set the scene for T-Bone. His vocal is tender and wistful. The way he delivers the lyrics, it’s as if he’s lived them, and survived to tell the tale. When his vocal drops out, he delivers some sparse, searing, crystalline licks. He takes care they don’t interrupt his vocal. Behind him, his band play slowly and thoughtfully. They take care to compliment T-Bone Walker, as he delivers a career defining song.
Just T-Bone’s chiming guitar opens Blues for Marili. Soon, a driving, dramatic piano and the rhythm section join him. Although the piano plays an important role, T-Bone is unleashing a guitar masterclass. The rest of his all-star band are content to let T-Bone play a starring role, as he delivers some of his best licks on T-Bone Blues.
T-Bone Blues has a wonderfully melancholy sound. Partly that’s down to the slow tempo, stabs of piano and the moody bass. Along with the drums, the bass anchors the track. T-Bone jams along with the rest of the band. His bands flit up and down the fretboard. All of a sudden, he delivers a searing lick. Then later, T-Bone delivers a worldweary vocal. He sings “ yes I love my woman, she’s so mean to me…I love my woman, I don’t care what she does to me.” The way T-Bone delivers the lyrics, it’s as if he knows he’s being mistreated, but can’t stand to walk away.
Shufflin’ the Blues is vintage T-Bone Walker. That’s the case from the opening bars. As his band provide a uptempo backdrop, T-Bone dawns the role of guitar hero. His guitar chimes and chirps. Other times, he duckwalks his way across the arrangement. It’s no surprise that T-Bone Walker influenced Chuck Berry. That’s apparent here. Later, T-Bone reaches new heights. He’s encouraged by whoops and hollers, as T-Bone proves that he’s a master of the electric guitar.
Evenin’ has a dark, broody, late-night sound. Blues and jazz collide head on, as a heartbroken T-Bone delivers a vocal full of hurt and regret. Meanwhile, his band provide a late-night, smokey sound. Washes of crystalline, chiming, searing guitars and a braying horn provide the perfect accompaniment to T-Bone, as he unleashes a soul-baring vocal.
Play On Little Girl is another of the slower tracks. A bluesy harmonica joins the rhythm section. They set the scene for T-Bone’s grizzled vocal. It’s needy, insecure and full of emotion, as he sings: “I love my baby, I really do.” When his vocal drops out, a bluesy harmonica takes centre-stage, soaring above the arrangement. Later, it accompanies T-Bone as the song reaches a dramatic crescendo.
Slow, bluesy and sultry. That describes Blues Rock. Partly that’s because of the tenor saxophone. It plays a starring role. It drops out when T-Bone’s guitar enters. He unleashes another of his trademark guitar solos. Slowly, and carefully, his blistering guitar solo unfolds. Later, it plays second fiddle to the growling saxophone. Just like T-Bone’s guitar, it plays a starring role in Blues Rock’s success.
Papa Ain’t Salty closes T-Bone Blues, an uptempo track. Straight away, T-Bone lays down some searing, crystalline licks. Meanwhile, his band play as one, providing a driving, mesmeric backdrop. Stabs of jangling piano and braying horns join the rhythm section. They set the scene for T-Bone, he delivers a rueful, weary vocal. Regret and hurt fill his vocal, as he asks: “why pretty baby did you have to go?” This is one of T-Bone’s best vocal. Heartfelt and tinged with heartbreak, T-Bone and his band ensure T-Bone Blues finishes on a high.
T-Bone Blues is a case of all killer and no filler. That’s what people had come to expect of the blues legend. From the opening bars of Two Bones and A Pick, right through Why Not, Mean Old Little Girl and a remake of the T-Bone Walker classic Stormy Monday, to Pappa Ain’t Salty, T-Bone Walker and his tight, talented band never miss a beat on a career defining album.
Of all the albums T-Bone Walker released, T-Bone Blues was the best album of his long and illustrious career. No wonder. His searing, driving, blistering licks are accompanied that inimitable, world weary voice. It’s a voice that sounds as if its lived a thousand lives. Add to the equation a band that’s features some of the best musicians of the day. That’s why T-Bone Blues was a coming of age for T-Bone Walker.
Sadly, T-Bone Blues which was recently released by Rhino, was T-Bone Walker’s only album for Atlantic Records. Indeed, T-Bone Walker didn’t release another album until 1965.
By then blues music was briefly back in fashion. A new generation of British musicians had been inspired by the blues, and name checked artists like T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf. As a result, these blues players careers enjoyed a renaissance. Sadly, this didn’t last long. Before long, blues had fallen out of fashion. However, some music doesn’t fall out fashion. This includes T-Bone Blues, a truly timeless album.
Released in 1959, fifty-five years ago, T-Bone Blues was a career defining album for T-Bone Walker. It was the greatest album of his long and illustrious career. So the reissue of T-Bone Blues is to be welcomed. My only criticism is that the running order is wrong. There’s the original version of T-Bone Blues, plus four bonus tracks, Why Not, T-Bone Blues Special, You Don’t Know What You’re Doing and How Long Blues. However, they’re in no apparent order. For blues purists, it would’ve been preferable if the original running order had been used, with the four bonus tracks tagged on the end. However, that’s a minor gripe. What’s important is that T-Bone Blues has been reissued.
For a newcomer to T-Bone Walker, then T-Bone Blues is the perfect starting point. To accompany T-Bone Blues I’d recommend the underrated Every Day I Have The Blues, which was recently reissued by Ace Records. However, the album that introduced many people to T-Bone Walker was T-Bone Blues.
It’s a reminder of one of the most innovative and influential blues musicians. That’s not all. T-Bone Walker was a flamboyant showman, who inspired a generation of musicians with his 1959 career defining album, T-Bone Blues.
T-BONE WALKER-T-BONE BLUES.
SPIRIT OF MALOMBO: MALOMBO JAZZ MAKERS, JABULA AND JAZZ AFRIKA 1966-1984.
SPIRIT OF MALOMBO: MALOMBO JAZZ MAKERS, JABULA AND JAZZ AFRIKA 1966-1984.
Four years have passed since the last instalment in Strut Records’ critically acclaimed Next Stop Soweto series. At last, however, the wait is over. Recently, Strut Records have released Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. This is a double album, which celebrates the life and music of influential drummer, and political activist, Julian Bahula, whose career began in the late fifties.
It was around 1959, when Julian Bahula’s family were forced to move from Eesterust, a township a few miles west of Mamelodi. Their new home was Mamelodi, a township, to the north east of Pretoria. For the young Julian Bahula this could’ve been a turbulent time in his life. After all, he was leaving behind his friends and family. However, the move to Mamelodi resulted in Julian’s musical career unfolding.
In Mamelodi, Julian first met flautist Abbey Cindi and guitarist Philip Tabane. Abbey was also a newcomer to Mamelodi, having moved from Witbank. Phillip, however, had lived in Mamelodi all his life. Indeed, it was in Mamelodi Phillip’s career began.
Ever since the early fifties, Phillip had been playing live. He had blossomed into a gifted and talented guitarist. Phillip played in a variety of groups, including jazz groups. Then as the sixties dawned, Phillip was a member of a jazz group, The Crotchets. However, he decided to form a vocal group The Lullaby Landers.
Two of the other members of The Lullaby Landers were Abbey Cindi and drummer Julian Bahula. They were part-time musicians. Unlike Phillip, who was able to practice during the day, Abbey and Julian worked during the day. The only time they had to rehearse, was in the evenings, at the Mamelodi centre. Phillip would join them, and they became a trio.
The trio would meet in the evenings and play the music Phillip had composed. With Phillip’s guitar, Abbey’s flute and Julian’s drums, they were able to create a sound that ws very different to other groups. There was a reason for this. That was the type of drums Julian used.
This became obvious during rehearsals. Phillip had composed the music for the band. The music he composed didn’t require trap drums. Despite this, when Julian played the music with a Western drum kit, it didn’t sound right. This was patently obvious. So, Julian made the decision to buy African drums.
Having bought a new set of drums, Julian returned to the Mamelodi centre to practice. Julian was proudly setting up his new drums, when the caretaker looked in. He was one of the Venda people, a group of Southern African people who live near the South African and Zimbabwean border. Straight away, he recognised Julian’s new drums. They were actually malombo drums, which traditionally, he explained, the Venda people play. However, there was another explanation of the word malombo.
A malombo, the caretaker explained is a word given to to ancestral spirits. Very occasionally, he told Phillip, Abbey and Julian, these spirits can make people unwell. The only way to cure this illness, is through dance and spirit possession. A healer puts the person into a trance, and calls upon the spirits. As the caretaker explained, Julian and Phillip remembered this. They had been told about this as they grew up. Still, the were fascinated by the story. Even more so, when the malombo drum was involved. After hearing this explanation of the drums’ origins and use, Phillip, Abbey and Julian decided that their nascent group be called The Malombo Jazz Men. Little did they know the effect the Malombo drum would have on their music.
The Malombo Jazz Men.
The Malombo drum brought a totally unique and innovative sound to African jazz scene. Rather than drawing inspiration from America, jazz’s homeland, the inclusion of the Malombo drum saw an Africanisation of jazz music. It was as if The Malombo Jazz Men wanted to reconnect with traditional African music, tradition and culture. This was a huge step, one that had never been made before. This made the Malombo Jazz Men Malombo musical pioneers, who were set to make their musical debut.
Originally, The Malombo Jazz Men were set to make their debut at the Soweto Cold Castle Jazz festival. The Malombo Jazz Men practiced, and practised hard. They were determined to tighten and hone their sound. As the festival neared, Phillip realised the band weren’t ready. A decision was made to delay their debut until a competition at Orlando stadium. That’s where The Malombo Jazz Men made their debut. Their unique, innovative sound won over the audience and judges. When The Malombo Jazz Men returned home with the first prize, they were the all conquering heros. This resulted in the Malombo Jazz Men recording their debut album.
As part of their prize for winning the Castle Lager Jazz Festival in 1964, The Malombo Jazz Men got the chance to record their debut album. The Malombo Jazz Men featured on one side and the festival runners-up, the Early Mabuza Quartet, featured on the other side. For The Malombo Jazz Men, this looked like the start of a long and successful career. It wasn’t.
A year later, in 1965 The Malombo Jazz Men split-up. Two separate groups evolved out of The Malombo Jazz Men. Philip Tabane formed a duo with drummer Gabriel Thobejane. Just like Phillip. Julian and Abbey decided to form a new band. They recruited guitarist and fellow Mamelodi resident, Lucas ‘Lucky’ Ranku.
Lucas was a self-taught guitarist. When he met Julian and Abbey, he was The Four Lads guitarist. He was also a member of another popular band, Jimmy’s Band. Julian and Abbey first met Lucas at the Mamelodi Community Centre, where The Malombo Jazz Men won a talent contest. The runners-up were Jimmy’s Band. Julian had complimented Lucas on his guitar playing, and as a parting shot, said “maybe we’ll play with you one day?” Little did anyone realise that, less than a year later, this would come true, when Lucas joined The Malombo Jazz Makers.
From the get-go, The Malombo Jazz Makers were one of the hardest working groups in South Africa. Peter Magubane, who was the photographer for Drum magazine became their manager. He accompanied The Malombo Jazz Makers as they embarked upon relentless touring schedules. At first, The Malombo Jazz Makers ventured into neighbouring states. The constant touring honed The Malombo Jazz Makers’ sound. Soon, they were a tight, talented and innovative group, who were selling out venues big and small. Then gradually, The Malombo Jazz Makers travelled as far afield as Swaziland, for the 1967 Swaziland Jazz Festival. By then, The Malombo Jazz Makers’ recording career had began.
Malompo Jazz.
It was in 1966, that The Malombo Jazz Men released their debut album Malompo Jazz, on the Gallo label. It featured a guest vocalist, Hilda Tloubatla of Mahotella Queens. This was a coup for The Malombo Jazz Makers. Hilda was one of South African music’s top vocalists. She played her part in the sound and success of Malompo Jazz.
Four tracks from Malombo Jazz feature on Strut Records’ recent compilation Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. This includes the driving, hypnotic and rock-tinged Abie’s Mood and the understated, wistful and jazzy Bababelo. Equally understated is Abbey’s Body, a quite beautiful track that allows each of The Malombo Jazz Men to shine. Then Hilda Tloubatla’s vocal prowess features on Jikeleza, an upbeat, joyous and dance-floor friendly track. These tracks showcase a tight, talented and pioneering band, who were able to seamlessly combine musical genres. It’s no surprise that The Malombo Jazz Men was such a well received debut album. The future looked bright for The Malombo Jazz Makers.
Malombo Jazz Makers Volume 2.
This proved to be the case. A year later, Malombo Jazz Makers Volume 2 was released by The Malombo Jazz Makers. They had been busy since they recorded their debut album. What with touring and recording radio sessions for SABC, the state broadcaster. However, the most important date in 1967, was the release of their sophomore album Malombo Jazz Makers Volume 2.
Just two tracks from Malombo Jazz Makers Volume 2, feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. They’re Hleziphi and Sibathathu, which fittingly, translates as “we are three.” The three members of The Malombo Jazz Makers had a lot more music to release over the next few years.
In 1968, The Malombo Jazz Makers decided to augment their sound. They added extra musicians and released two singles as The Malombo Jazz Makers Plus 2. The singles included Bahula Dithabeng, which is included on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. So is the B-Side, Away From Malombo’s which has a much more pensive sound. This expanded lineup shows another side to The Malombo Jazz Makers’ music. Their music was continuing to evolve. This was the case throughout the rest of the sixties.
Down Lucky’s Way.
As the sixties drew to a close, The Malombo Jazz Makers released another album Down Lucky’s Way. Released in 1969, Down Lucky’s Way is one of The Malombo Jazz Makers’ rarest albums. Little is known about the album. It isn’t even mentioned in the Gallo record label’s discography. Despite its rarity, a track from Down Lucky’s Way, Matshenyogo, features on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. Just like the two singles released as The Malombo Jazz Makers Plus 2, Down Lucky’s Way features an expanded lineup. A bass and Hammond organ augment Julian’s drums and Lucky’s guitar on Down Lucky’s Way. Not on Matshenyogo. It’s just Julian’s drums and Lucky’s guitar that feature on this captivating track, that brought the sixties to a close.
When the sixties became the seventies, The Malombo Jazz Makers were South Africa’s most popular jazz bands. However, they weren’t becoming rich. Far from it. Just like so many musicians before them, they were being exploited. They were paid, but not what they should have received. This must have been hugely frustrating. Especially considering how along with their contemporary Philip Tabane, The Jazz Makers had revolutionised South African jazz. Their influence, in what became known as the Malombo sound, would be heard throughout the next two decades.
For the next two decades, the Malombo drum, guitar and flute were the starting point for a generation of groups. These groups followed in The Jazz Makers’ footsteps in more than one way.
Peter Magubane, The Malombo Jazz Makers’ manager was an active member of the African National Congress. It had been outlawed by the government. For the last few years, The Jazz Makers’ had played a part in the African National Congress’ fight for equality. Their drums had hidden documents being smuggled across the border, to places like Botswana, where members of the African National Congress were in hiding. This was the start of the politicisation of The Malombo Jazz Makers.
By 1971, The Malombo Jazz Makers toured South Africa with African Follies’ stage and variety show. South Africa was a dangerous place. Especially for anyone involved in the Anti Apartheid movement. This included Peter Magubane, The Malombo Jazz Makers’ manager. During the tour, he introduced The Malombo Jazz Makers to Steve Biko, Saths Cooper and Strini Moodley.
They were founder members of the Black Consciousness Movement and played an important part in the South African Student Organisation. Soon, friendships were formed. Steve Biko invited The Malombo Jazz Makers to become part of a musical cultural production, Into the Heart of Negritude. This offer was accepted, and The Malombo Jazz Makers embarked upon the riskiest tour of their career.
Throughout the tour, The Malombo Jazz Makers had to be on their guard. Constantly, the security services were watching The Jazz Makers. They risked arrest each day. Their every move was constantly watched. This continued after the tour.
Following the tour, The Malombo Jazz Makers were under the constant scrutiny of the security services. Things got so bad, that the three members of The Malombo Jazz Makers were followed by the police. Soon, they were having to change address. Things got so bad, that they were constantly moving house to avoid harassment and surveillance. As if this wasn’t bad enough, their families were harassed by the police. Still, The Malombo Jazz Makers continued to make music.
Music Of The Spirit.
In 1971, The Malombo Jazz Makers recorded a new album, Music Of The Spirit. This time, The Malombo Jazz Makers were billed as Malombo. Only 100 copies of Music Of The Spirit were pressed. As a result, it’s a real rarity. Two tracks, Malombo Workshop and Bird Meets Elephant feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo,Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. This was the last album from The Malombo Jazz Makers. However, they continued to make music.
Not only were The Malombo Jazz Makers playing live, but they became part of a multi-racial group. Concerts were clandestine affairs. It was a game of cat and mouse with the police. Then when the band came onstage, they wore masks. Other times, they had to play behind the curtain. For everyone involved, they must have been under tremendous pressure. It’s no surprise that when Julian got the chance to leave South Africa, he jumped at the opportunity.
In 1972, Julian got the opportunity to play malombo drums in Hawk, with a white fusion band. They had just been offered a deal on the British based Charisma Records. Hawk were also due to tour Britain. For Julian, this was his chance to escape the constant oppression of South Africa. Having played a few warm up concerts in South Africa, he boarded the plane to Britain, never planning to return until the end of Apartheid.
Julian arrived in London on 19th February 1973. Straight away, he started trying to secure work permits for the other two members of The Malombo Jazz Makers. This couldn’t happen quick enough. They were under constant scrutiny, having to change addresses constantly to stay one step ahead of the police. Eventually, Julian was able to send a work permit and plane ticked to Lucas ‘Lucky’ Ranku. He never told a soul, and escaped from South Africa.
Sadly, one member of The Malombo Jazz Makers was left behind, Abbey Cindi. Two years later, in 1975, Abbey was meant to make the journey to London. Sadly, this never happened. The Malombo Jazz Makers were no more.
London had been home to a number of South African musicians over the year. Julian and Lucas were just the latest to call London home, whilst in exile. Hawk however, offered no future for Julian.
They were a talented band, but they didn’t want to get involved in the anti apartheid movement. Julian wanted to use Hawk as a platform to tell people about what was going on in South Africa. Hawk didn’t want to get involved. So Julian and Hawk went their separate ways.
Julian became involved in the UK and Western Europe branch of the African National Congress. They were aware of what The Malombo Jazz Makers had been doing in South Africa. Julian was keen to do the same in Britain. So, Julian decided he would tour Britain, in an attempt to increase awareness of Apartheid.
The concerts had to be promoted independently, as the African National Congress didn’t have the funds to pay musicians. These concerts, as well as raising awareness of apartheid, would raise much needed funds for the African National Congress. It was a win-win situation.
For his new band, Jabula, Julian recruited British, Caribbean and African musicians. They became the focal point for the African National Congress, as they set about raising awareness of apartheid in South Africa. Before long, Jabula were a popular band, who were attracting a lot of attention. This time, for the right reason.
Ever since he arrived in Britain, Julian had been looking for a record deal. Initially, he was trying to interest labels in The Malombo Jazz Makers. He had no luck. His luck changed when he formed Jabula.
Simon Draper was an A&R man, who just so happened to be a cousin of Richard Branson. He had previously attended Natal University. That was where he first heard The Malombo Jazz Makers. When he met Julian, he offered Jabula a deal with Virgin imprint Caroline Records. Jabula released their debut album Jabula Happiness, in 1975.
Jabula Happiness.
Two tracks from Jabula Happiness features on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. That’s the genre-melting Let Us Be Free. Elements of Afrobeat, jazz, funk, rock and soul melt into one. The other track, is the title-track Jabula Happiness, which features a joyous, vocal powerhouse from Vicky Busiswe Mhiongo. These two tracks were a tantalising taste of what Jabula were capable of. For Simon Draper and Virgin Records, they must have thought Jabula had a big future ahead of them. After all, they oozed talent.
Thunder Into Our Hearts.
That was apparent on Jabula’s sophomore album Thunder Into Our Hearts. It was released on Caroline Records in 1976. Thunder Into Our Hearts was dedicated to Julian’s fellow countryman, Mongezi Feza, the former Blue Notes’ drummer. Two tracks, Thunder Into Our Hearts and Ithumeleng Ba Mamelodi, feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. Both tracks show Jabula evolving as a group, honing and tightening their sound. Sadly, Thunder In Our Hearts was Jabula’s last album for Caroline Records. The political activists weren’t selling enough records.
By 1977, Jabula were at the forefront of the Antiapartheid movement in Britain. They played up and down Britain. All the time, they publicised the injustices happening in South Africa. They were advocates for justice and change. Another thing changing, was Jabula’s lineup.
What is perceived as the classic lineup of Jabula took shape in 1977. Julian’s drums and Lucas’ guitar were central to Jabula’s sound. They were augmented by flautist Michael Rose and Steve Scipio of Cymande, and Pinese Saul a South African vocalist. Adding the finishing touch was trumpeter Peter Segona. This was the lineup that played on the 1977 live album, Jabula in Amsterdam.
Jabula in Amsterdam.
Among the highlights of Jabula in Amsterdam, were Journey Into Africa and the uber funky All For One. These tracks feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984, and are a reminder of just how good, Jabula were live. No wonder. Jabula toured relentlessly. This was Julian’s way of making a difference. He was one of the lucky ones. After all, Julian had escaped the oppression of inequality of Apartheid era South Africa.
Sadly, people in South Africa didn’t get the opportunity to hear Jabula in Amsterdam. On its release, Jabula in Amsterdam was banned in South Africa, because of its lyrical content. This didn’t stop Julian, Lucas and the rest of Jabula trying to bring about change in South Africa.
Afrika Awake.
A year later, Jabula would release their third studio album. However, they were without a record deal. So, Jabula formed Jabula Records. It released Afrika Awake, a ten track album. Just two tracks, Sorrows and the mellow Mathome, feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. Afrika Awake would be Jabula’s last studio album until 1982.
Between 1978 and 1982, Julian continued campaigning with the African National Congress. He was determined to bring about change, in his home land. Mostly, he did this through his music. So in 1979, he took Jabula to Sweden.
Stamping Out Apartheid.
In Sweden, Jabula recorded a live album with the South African Freedom Singers. Jabula featured on side two. They contributed four tracks, and joined with the South African Freedom Singers on the Stamping Out Apartheid album. However, Jabula’s finest hour was the impassioned Siakala. It features on Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984 and ia heartachingly beautiful track.
Jabula With Me.
Right through until 1982, when Jabula released final album, Jabula With Me, Julian used music to draw attention to the plight in his homeland. Jabula With Me was a delicious fusion of Afro-beat, disco, funk, jazz and soul. Botlokwa which features on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984, epitomises everything that’s good about Jabula. Dance-floor friendly, funky, soulful, joyous and full of hooks, this is one of Jabula’s finest moments. It meant that Jabula bowed out in style.
Jabula With Me was Jabula’s swan-song. They never released another album. His next album was with his new group, Jazz Afrika.
Son Of The Soil.
After Jabula, Julian formed Jazz Africa. They fused Afrobeat with and funk. Their debut album was Son Of The Soil. It was released on the newly founded Tsafrika Records. Two tracks from Son Of The Soil feature on Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. They’re Woza Cindi and Tlhompho. These tracks are a tantalising reminder of what Jazz Africa could have become. Sadly, Son Of The Soil was their only album. Julian had other things on his mind.
Throughout his career, Julian didn’t stop trying to make a difference. In doing so, his career suffered. Julian sacrificed fame and riches to make a difference. Not many people would be will willing to do this. Julian Bahula was. He was determined that Apartheid would be defeated. By 1983, his and the African National Congress’ efforts were rewarded.
The Release Mandela and All Political Prisoners’ campaign started in 1980. Oliver Tambo and the African National Congress were determined to raise the profile of Nelson Mandela, and the other political prisoners in South Africa. By 1983, the campaigned had grown. It had international backing. Especially in Britain.
1983 was a landmark year for Nelson Mandella. He would celebrate his sixty-fifth birthday on the 18th July 1983. Julian had an idea. He wanted to put on a concert in London that would gain publicity for the anti-apartheid movement. This took a lot of planing and persuasion. Eventually, the African Sounds concert took place on the 17th July 1983, just a day before Nelson Mandela’s sixty-fifth birthday.
The African Sounds concert was a huge success. A mixture of South African and British musicians took to the stage. This included Jazz Afrika, Julian’s new group. They helped raise much needed funds and more importantly, the profile of the Antiapartheid movement. This was the first step in the Free Mandela campaign.
For Julian Bahula, at last, he was making a difference. For three decades, he had strived to bring about change in homeland. He was doing this from a distance. Exiled in London, Julian made a difference through what he did best, making music.
From his days with The Malombo Jazz Makers, through his time with Jabula and latterly, Jazz Africa, Julian Bahula had used music to help spread the Anti-apartheid message. This took time and patience. However, eventually, Apartheid was defeated. Nelson Mandela was freed in 1990. South Africa was no longer a divided country. Only them was Julian Bahula able to return from exile.
His time as a political activist, and then in exile cost Julian Bahula. His family were persecuted. They suffered at the hands of the secret police. Julian was forced to flea South Africa, and until Apartheid was defeated, he was unable to return home. This was a huge sacrifice. Another sacrifice was his career.
Just like Lucas ‘Lucky’ Ranku, Julian’s career suffered. Who knows what height he might have reached if he hadn’t become involved in the antiapartheid movement? He was a truly innovative and pioneering musician, who was capable of creating groundbreaking and genre-melting music. However, for much of his career, Julian sacrificed critical acclaim, fame and riches, in an attempt to change South Africa for the better. This he did. Julian Bahula was part of the Antiapartheid movement, who transformed South Africa, and made it a better place. Only now, is Julian Bahula receiving the recognition he deserved.
Recently, Strut Records released Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984. It’s a double album featuring twenty five tracks that cover Julian’s career. The best way to describe Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984 is lavish, and lovingly compiled. Spirit of Malombo: Malombo, Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika 1966-1984 is also a celebration of the life and music of musician, political activist and humanitarian, Julian Bahula, who played a an important role in transforming and modernising South Africa.
SPIRIT OF MALOMBO: MALOMBO JAZZ MAKERS, JABULA AND JAZZ AFRIKA 1966-1984.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED-MOTOWN GUYS 1961-1969.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED-MOTOWN GUYS 1961-1969.
During the sixties, Berry Gordy Jr’s Motown Records, was a musical colossus. Between 1961 and 1969, seventy-nine of the singles released by Motown reached the top ten in the US Billboard 100. It seemed Motown could do no wrong. That’s not surprising. Look at the artists signed to Motown.
This included Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Junior Walker and The All Stars, Johnny Bristol, Edwin Starr, Chuck Jackson and The Fantastic Four. Each of these artists played their part in the rise and rise of Motown. These artists also feature on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969, which was recently released by Kent Soul, a subsidiary of Ace Records.
Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 is a compilation of twenty-four previously unreleased tracks. Some of these tracks are alternate takes of well known tracks. This includes contributions from some of Motown’s biggest names, including Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. For fans of Motown, Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 is bound to find its way into their record collection. I’ll tell you why that’s bound to be the case, by picking the highlights of Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969.
Opening Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 is Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers’ Satisfaction Is Guaranteed. Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers signed to Motown in 1967. Their debut was Does Your Mama Know About Me, which reached the top thirty in the US Billboard 100 chart. The followup was meant to be Satisfaction Is Guaranteed. It was written by Tom Baird. He cowrote Does Your Mama Know About Me with Tommy Chong. However, Satisfaction Is Guaranteed was recorded, but never mixed. Since then, it has lain in the Motown vaults…until now. Belatedly, Satisfaction Is Guaranteed makes a welcome debut on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969.
Johnny Bristol enjoyed a long and successful career as a singer, songwriter and producer. His career began in 1959. For the next four years, he worked with Harvey Fuqua. When Harvey moved to Motown, so did Johnny. He worked as a staff songwriter, penned a number of hits. However, Johnny wanted to forge a career as a singer. He recorded six tracks for Motown between 1963 and 1964. This included Tell Me How To Forget A True Love. None of the tracks were ever released. Considering the quality of the irresistible Tell Me How To Forget A True Love, that’s a great shame. Who knows what heights Johnny might have reached with the Motown machine behind him?
Before signing to Atlantic Records, and hooking up with Thom Bell, The Spinners were signed to Motown. They’d enjoyed two hits in 1965 and 1966. They only released just one album on Motown, The Original Spinners in 1967. It failed commercially. A year later, in February 1968, The Spinners recorded Hold On To Me (A Little Longer). A beautiful, needy slice of soul, it’s the perfect showcase for The Spinners’ harmonies. Despite oozing quality and soulfulness, Hold On To Me (A Little Longer) was never released. Three years later, in 1971, with Thom Bell’s help, The Spinners’ career was transformed and they would become one of the biggest soul groups.
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles were one of Motown’s most successful groups. In 1966, Smokey Robinson and The Miracle were recording their 1966 album Away We A Go-Go. One of the tracks recorded was Baby You Got The Key, a thoughtful ballad. When Away We A Go-Go was released, Baby You Got The Key had missed the cut. Since then, it’s lain unreleased. That’s a great shame, as it’s a real hidden gem from Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.
Frank Wilson’s best known track is the Northern Soul classic Do I Love You (Indeed I Do). It was released in 1965. That year, Frank recorded the ballad Together ‘Til The End Of Time. Penned by Frank, it was produced by Hal Davis and Marc Gordon. Together ‘Til The End Of Time was never released. There was a reason for this. Brenda Holloway had also recorded the track. Motown weren’t going to release two versions of the same track. So a decision had to be made about which version was to be released. Brenda’s version got the nod. Only now, do we get the opportunity to discover the beauty of Frank’s version of Together ‘Til The End Of Time.
It wasn’t until 1968, that The Fantastic Four signed to Motown. There’s a reason it took this long. 1968 was the year Ed Wingate sold his Ric Tic label to Motown. After signing to Motown, The Fantastic Four were prolific. They recorded fifty tracks between 1968 and 1971. One of these tracks was I Wanna Say I Love You, which was recorded back in 1969. Penned by Lawrence Brown, George Gordy and Allen Story, it’s a bluesy, soulful track from The Fantastic Four.
Motown aficionados will remember Frank Gorman. He was a member of The Fidelitones and cowrote Please Mr. Postman for The Marvelettes. As a result, Frank was given a recording contract. His first single was The Day Will Come. After this, Frank was climbing the Motown ladder. He formed a songwriting partnership with Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland. Later, he lost his place in the partnership to Eddie Holland. They wrote I’m Gonna Make It To The Top. Recorded in 1963, this hopeful version of I’m Gonna Make It To The Top was one of Frank’s final recordings for Motown.
From the opening bars of Mojo Hannah, the inimitable voice of Marvin Gaye pours out of the speakers. This track was recorded in 1963, when Marvin’s career was just beginning. He’d enjoyed hits with Stubborn Kind Of Fellow and Hitch-Hike. Mojo Hannah was recorded with a view to releasing it as a single. This never happened. However, Mojo Hannah featured in Marvin’s 1963 album Recorded Live On Stage. The version of Mojo Hannah on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969, is a reminder of a young Marvin Gaye, as his career unfolded.
It was in 1963, that The Temptations first recorded He Who Picked A Rose. Eddie Kedricks delivered the lead vocal, that day in 1963. The song was never released. Five years later, The Temptations decided to revisit He Who Picked A Rose. In the intervening five years, Tammi Terrell had recorded the song. New lyrics were added and it became I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back). This song featured on The Temptations’ 1968 album Cloud Nine. Since then, He Who Picked A Rose has been overlooked. At last, it makes an appearance on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969.
By 1968, Jr. Walker and The All-Stars had enjoyed eleven consecutive hit singles, since their Motown debut in 1965. Their sound was unmistakable. It was raw R&B full of energy and electricity. This was very different to Motown’s “house” sound. So Johnny Bristol was brought onboard to change Jr. Walker and The All-Stars sound. This began with What Does It Take To Win Your Love? Jr. Walker and The All-Stars rough edges were smoothed away. This continued on My Girl Annie. It was recorded in 1968, but never released until now. However, it was the latest stage in the remaking of Jr. Walker and The All-Stars’ sound.
Originally, The Contours recorded Claudia on 13th December 1961. It featured on their one and only album Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance, which was released in 1962. Claudia was written by Joe Hunter, Clarence Paul and Andre Williams. It was produced by Clarence Paul, who also sang lead. The version of Claudia on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969, is an alternate take, which shows the track taking shape.
My final choice from Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 is The Four Tops’ The Night We Called It A Day. This was a Tom Adair and Matt Dennis composition. It was recorded on 19th April 1963 and produced by William Stevenson and Henry Crosby. Jazz-tinged, soulful and sultry, The Night We Called It A Day is a beautiful way to close Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969.
For either anyone interested in soul music, or Motown, then Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 will be a must have. It’s chock full of rarities. There’s twenty-four tracks on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969. Twenty tracks make their debut on Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969. This includes contributions from the great and good of Motown’ men. Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Junior Walker and The All Stars, Johnny Bristol, Edwin Starr, Chuck Jackson and The Fantastic Four. Each of these artists played their part in the rise and rise of Motown.
By 1969, the end of the period that Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 covers, Motown Records, was a musical colossus. Between 1961 and 1969, seventy-nine of the singles released by Motown reached the top ten in the US Billboard 100. It seemed Motown could do no wrong. They were one of the most successful record labels. However, the party was almost over for Motown.
As the seventies dawned, other labels usurped Motown at soul’s top table. Philadelphia International Records, Atlantic Records and Hi Records were home to some of the biggest names in soul. Motown was left with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and Diana Ross. While these artists would bring commercial success and critical acclaim Motown’s way, it never reached the same heights during the seventies. As a result, Satisfaction Guaranteed-Motown Guys 1961-1969 is a reminder of Motown Records’ sixties glory days, when seemingly, Motown could do no wrong.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED-MOTOWN GUYS 1961-1969.
EDDY GILES-SOUTHERN SOUL BROTHER-THE MURCO RECORDINGS 1967-1969.
EDDY GILES-SOUTHERN SOUL BROTHER-THE MURCO RECORDINGS 1967-1969.
For the last sixty years, Eddy Giles has been a regular on KOKA, a Shreveport based radio station. Originally, Eddy was a guitarist in various local groups. Then between 1967 and 1969, Eddy Giles was signed to Murco Records. His singles, which feature on Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, which was released on Kent Soul, an imprint of Ace Records, were a staple of KOKA’s playlist. Eddy was the local boy made good. KOKA was playing an important part in his career.
Fast forward twenty years, and Eddy was a DJ on KOKA. Eddy was behind the wheels of steel, spinning the latest hits. That was the latest incarnation of Eddy Giles. Another thirty years have passed. Now Eddy Giles is the Reverend Eddy Giles, who preaches on KOKA. An ordained pastor, this is just the latest in a long line of career changes for Eddy Giles. His story began seventy-six years ago.
It was in 1938, that Eddy Giles was born in Frierson, a country town in Minnesota. Frierson was home to Eddy until the fifties. That’s where he first picked up a guitar. Unlike many musicians, the guitar didn’t come easy to Eddy. No wonder. There were only two strings on Eddy’s guitar. However, Eddy persisted. He was determined to play the guitar. Then he caught a break.
Eddy saw an advert in a magazine in a cowboy magazine. If he could sell 300 packets of seed, he could win a prize. One of the prizes was an acoustic guitar. So, having sold 300 packets of seeds, Eddy sent away a money order and waited. Eventually, an acoustic guitar wound its way back to Eddy. This was the start of Eddy’s nascent career.
With nobody to teach him the basics, Eddy had to rely upon an instruction manual that came with the guitar. Tuning the guitar was problematic. It was a case of trial and error. Eventually, Eddy’s patience paid off. He was able to play his new guitar. Soon, the first chapter in Eddy’s musical career began.
Now able to play guitar, Eddy and three friends formed a group. They appeared at talent shows in the local area, where they covered songs by Elvis and Chuck Berry. This was how Eddy spent the new few years. Then in 1958, Eddy headed to Shreveport.
Originally, Eddy headed to Shreveport to attend Booker T. Washington high school. He was determined to graduate high school. Fortunately, Eddy’s aunt and uncle lived in Shreveport, and he was able to stay with them. For Eddy, an eduction was important. Eddy wasn’t interested in returning to the family farm. So, he attended high school, worked as a bell boy in a local hotel and played in talent shows. After a year, Eddy graduated. As a reward, his aunt and uncle bought Eddy his first electric guitar.
Having graduated, Eddy headed home to the family farm. Along came his new electric guitar. This caused problems for Johnny. His mother couldn’t stand the noise. Luckily, he was able to practice at a friend house. Gradually, Eddy mastered the electric guitar. When he did, he was able to join a local gospel group The Humming Bees.
Joining The Humming Bees looked like the break Eddy had been looking for. However, there was a problem. Churches didn’t allow electric guitars. For Eddy, this was frustrating. Then he caught a break.
KOKA, a Shreveport based radio station gave local groups fifteen minute slots to showcase their talent. Eddy was many of these groups go-to guitarist. This lead to Eddy joining the Chicago based group, The Pilgrim Jubilees.
Although Eddy was The Pilgrim Jubilees guitarist, he was to all intents and purposes, their bassist. He had to convert his guitar to a bass. For the next couple of years, Eddy was on the road nonstop with The Pilgrim Jubilees. Then his new wife told Eddy it was either The Pilgrim Jubilees, or her. Eddy chose his wife.
Ironically, his relationship with his wife didn’t last. They eventually split-up. During this period, Eddy was working in a restaurant. At one point, he began taking his guitar to work. On his break, he would go downstairs and play his guitar. It was at this point Eddy met drummer Willie “Caveman” Harris and a bassist. They formed The 3 Corners.
Originally, The 3 Corners were a covers band. They made just seventy-five cents each. Soon, they were getting bookings all over town. They became so popular, that The 3 Corners were being asked to enter the recording studio. There was a problem. The 3 Corners didn’t have any material. They were just a covers band. So, some new members joined The 3 Corners, who became The Jive 5.
The 3 Corners then decided to add a vocalist, Dori Grayson. After that, James R. Steward and Earl Carter joined Dori, Eddy and Willie. They became The Jive 5. This new group quickly gelled. Soon, The Jive 5 became a popular group. Before long, the word was out about and The Jive 5 were attracting the attention of a local record company.
Dick Martin, cofounder of Murco Records got in touch with The Jive 5. He asked them if they’d considered recording some songs? However, The Jive 5 didn’t have any songs. Eddy told them this. Luckily, Dee Marais had got in touch with The Jive 5. He offered a song. Unfortunately, it wasn’t suitable for The Jive 5. So Eddy told Dee he was going to write a hit record.
Eventually, after weeks of trying to write a song, Eddy came up with Losin’ Boy. It was cut by at the Robin Hood Studios in 1967. The Robin Hood Studios were situated just across the state line in Tyler, Texas. This was where Eddy Giles cut his debut single.
Vocalist Dori Grayson wasn’t present when Losin’ Boy and the B-Side I Got The Blues, another Eddy Giles’ track were recorded. So, Eddy took charge of the lead vocal and played guitar. The other three members of The Jive 5, drummer Willie “Caveman” Harris, bassist Charles Lawrence and saxophonist James R. Steward. accompanied Eddy on what became his first hit single.
Murco Records picked up Losin’ Boy. When they released Losin’ Boy 1967, they had no idea how well the single would do. This tale of heartbreak from Eddy Giles sold 2,000 copies in Shreveport alone. For Murco Records, this gave a hint of what was about to happen. Soon, Losin’ Boy was selling well. In the Dallas area, it sold 10,000 copies, and reached number one in the local charts. Losin’ Boy sold so well, that it crept into the US Billboard 100, where it spent five weeks. For Dick Martin, cofounder of Murco Records, Eddy Giles must have looked like the future of his label.
For the follow-up to Losin’ Boy, Eddy wrote Don’t Let Me Suffer. The version of Don’t Let Me Suffer on Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, is a previously unreleased extended version. It sees a heartbroken Eddy plea for his partner to return. The flip-side is While Im Away (Baby, Keep The Faith), a ballad that Eddy delivers from the perspective of a soldier heading to Vietnam. The song was inspired by saxophonist James R. Steward, who’d just entered the US Army. Despite the quality of Don’t Let Me Suffer, it failed to chart. For Eddy Giles and Dick Martin of Murco Records, this was a disappointment.
Just a few months after the release of Don’t Let Me Suffer, Eddy returned with Eddy’s Go-Go Train. It’s a fusion of funk and soul, where Eddy appears to have been inspired by Otis Redding and James Brown. Sadly, lightning struck twice for Eddy. Eddy’s Go-Go Train failed to chart. Despite failing to chart, Eddy’s Go-Go Train proved a popular track in Eddy’s live sets. That was a small crumb of comfort. Eddy’s recording career had stalled.
So for Eddy’s fourth single, and first of 1968, he chose Happy Man, a beautiful ballad. This was the answer to Losin’ Man. Here, a contented Eddy lays bare his soul. This was Eddy finest hour. The quality continues on Music, B-Side. Just like Happy Man, it was the perfect showcase for Eddy’s talents. Sadly, Happy Man failed to chart. Eddy Giles looked like being a one-hit wonder.
This was despite Baby Be Mine, a heartfelt ballad, being chosen as Eddy’s next single. Released later in 1968, played to Eddy’s strengths. He was at his best delivering ballads. Eddy delivered lyrics like he’d lived them. The B-Side was the blues tinged Love With A Feeling on the B-Side. Despite Eddy’s fifth single oozing quality, his second hit single eluded him. Time was running out for Eddy.
Eddy only released three further singles on Murco Records. His sixth single was Soul Feeling Part 1, coupled with Soul Feeling Part 2. A driving, vampish slice of funky soul. Soul Feeling Part 1 sees Eddy pay homage to James Brown as he hollers, whoops and vamps his way through two minutes of uber funky music. Sadly, despite its undoubtable funkiness, Soul Feeling Part 1 didn’t trouble the charts. Neither did his next single.
Given Eddy had released five singles that failed to chart, there’s a certain irony that he chose Aint Gonna Worry No More as his next single. It was another ballad, where power and heartbreak are omnipresent. Tucked away on the B-Side was Tingling, which Dick Martin cowrote with Eddy. Sadly, Aint Gonna Worry No More failed to chart and proved to be Eddy’s Murco Records. Eddy just couldn’t catch a break. How different things had looked back in 1967. Now Eddy was in the last chance saloon.
Although Eddy was still signed to Murco Records, So Deep In Love was licensed to Nashville based, Silver Fox Records. Shelby Singleton was a friend of Dee Marais, of Murco Records. They agreed that, in an attempt to revitalise Eddy’s career, Silver Fox Records would released So Deep In Love. So in 1969, So Deep In Love with Thats How Strong My Love Is on the B-Side, was released as a single. The change of label didn’t result in Eddy’s luck changing. The end was neigh for Eddy.
After So Deep In Love failed to chart, Eddy Giles met Dick Martin and Dee Marais of Murco Records. This was the end of the road. Eddy had never reached the heights of Losin’ Boy, his debut single. He’d released seven singles that failed to chart. This couldn’t go on. So Eddy and Murco Records went their separate ways.
For Eddy Giles, his time at Murco Records had been a case of what might have been? Eddy was a seriously talented singer. That’s apparent on Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, which was recently released on Kent Soul, an imprint of Ace Records. On Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, we hear the different sides to Eddy Giles.
On Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, Eddy veers between Southern Soul and funk. These tracks are a mixture of singles, B-Sides and previously unreleased tracks. They were recorded between 1967 and 1969, when anything looked possible for Eddy Giles.
His career started so well. That was apparent on Losin’ Boy, his debut single. It showed that Eddy Giles was capable of bringing lyrics to life. The way he delivered lyrics, made you think he’d lived, loved and survived them. He’s at his best delivering Southern Soul ballads. Other times, he becomes a fully fledged funkateer.
When that happens, Eddy vamps his way through tracks, fusing funk and soul. Eddy’s reminiscent of James Brown, as he swaggers and struts his way through the funkier tracks on Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969. This funkier side of Eddy Giles failed to attract the attention of record buyers.
Apart from Losin’ Boy, Eddie Giles’ debut single on Murco Records, commercial success eluded the man from Frierson, Minnesota. That became the story of Eddy Giles’ career in secular music. Belatedly, Eddy released his debut album I’m A Losing Boy in 1979. Still, commercial success eluded Eddy Giles. After that, Eddy returned to where it all began KOKA, a Shreveport based radio station in the eighties.
Rather than making records, Eddy was spinning them. Eddy Giles’ career had come full circle. There were still a few twists and turns still to come.
Fast forward another thirty years, and Eddy Giles is now the Reverend Eddy Giles, who preaches on KOKA. Now aged seventy-six, Eddy Giles has come full circle. KOKA, was where he made his musical debut. Eddy Giles has packed a lot of living into the intervening sixty years, including recording the eighteen tracks on Southern Soul Brother-The Murco Recordings 1967-1969, which feature the best music of his career.
EDDY GILES-SOUTHERN SOUL BROTHER-THE MURCO RECORDINGS 1967-1969.
GOOD ALL OVER-RARE SOUL FROM THE WESTBOUND RECORDS VAULTS 1969-1975.
GOOD ALL OVER-RARE SOUL FROM THE WESTBOUND RECORDS VAULTS 1969-1975.
It was in late 1968, that music veteran Armen Boladian founded Westbound Records, in Detroit. This was a boost for Detroit’s ailing independent music scene. During the previous years, Motown had put most of Detroit’s independent labels to the sword. Gradually, Detroit’s independent labels fell by the wayside. Motown had a monopoly over Detroit soul music. Not any more.
Armen Boladian had been running record labels since the fifties. So he knew his way around the music industry. He’d also established a reputation amongst major and local labels. They respected Armen, and would help him establish Westbound Records and later, its label Eastbound Records.
Ironically, as Westbound Records’ reputation grew, Motown left Detroit, heading for Los Angeles. This left the stage clear for Westbound Records’ to become two of Detroit’s biggest, and most successful labels. No wonder. Westbound Records’ was home to funk royalty, including the Ohio Players, Funkadelic. That’s not all.
The Detroit Emeralds, Denise LaSalle, The Fantastic Four, A.C. Tilmon, The Motiviations, Damon Shawn and Unique Blend all called Westbound Records home. They all feature on Ace Records’ latest compilation music from Westbound Records’ back-catalogue, Good All Over-Rare Soul From The The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. It’s a twenty-three track compilation, which features two previously unreleased tracks. They’re A.C. Tilmon and Denise LaSalle’s Tender Moments and Bob and Harold’s You Can’t Take This Love From Me. These are just two of the twenty-three tracks on Good All Over-Rare Soul From The The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975, which I’ll tell you about.
The Fantastic Four’s I’m Falling In Love (I Feel Good All Over) opens Good All Over-Rare Soul From The The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. It’s the first of three contribution from The Fantastic Four. I’m Falling In Love (I Feel Good All Over) was released as a single on Eastbound in 1973. An uptempo, joyous track, it’s The Fantastic Four at their soulful best. The B-Side was a beautiful ballad, I Believe In Miracles (I Believe In You). Both tracks were penned by Albert Hamilton and Norma Toney, and produced by Al Kent. Another single released in 1973, was I Had This Whole World To Choose From (And I Chose You). The B-Side was If You Need Me I’ll Come Running. Written by Wallace Childs and William Garrett, it’s a hidden gem of a ballad that plays to The Fantastic Four’s strengths.
In 1972, Unique Blend signed to Eastbound Records. A year later, in 1973, they released Old Fashioned Woman as a single on Eastbound Records. The flip side, was Mommy and Daddy a delicious fusion of the smoothest soul and jazzy horns. It was written by Charles Holman and Milton Overton. Sadly, Old Fashioned Woman failed to chart and is now, something of a rarity. Unique Blend’s other contributions is the heartfelt ballad, Does He Treat You Better. Penned by Lorenzo Smith, it was released as a single in 1973. Just like Old Fashioned Woman, Does He Treat You Better failed to chart. After this, Unique Blend released just one further single on Eastbound Records. Their finest moments were the balladry of Old Fashioned Woman and Does He Treat You Better.
I Don’t Know How (To Say I Love You) Don’t Walk Away was The Superlatives only release on Westbound Records. It was released in 1969, and was one of the nascent label’s first releases. Penned by Robert Washington, I Don’t Know How (To Say I Love You) Don’t Walk Away somehow manages to be dramatic, soulful and wistful all at once.
The Magictones spent three years signed to Westbound Records. Between 1969 and 1971, they released a quartet of singles on Westbound Records. This includes the 1969 single Doc Paul produced Trying Real Hard (To Make The Grade). The same year, The Magictones released the George Clinton penned I’ll Make It Up To You. It’s two minutes of beauty, emotion and regret. Two years later, in 1971, The Magictones fused soul and funk on I’ve Changed. They plead and promise their way convincingly through I’ve Changed. In 1972, My Dreams Have Got The Best Of Me proved to be The Magictones swan-song on Westbound Records.
Back in 1973, The Motivations released their one and only single on Westbound Records. This was I Love You. Just like the B-Side, I’m Loving You You’re Loving Me it was written by Albert Tilmon Jr. I Love You is fusion of soul and funk, where the hooks haven’t been spared. I’m Loving You You’re Loving Me is a tender ballad, which shows another side to The Motivations.
A.C. Tilmon was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Sadly, his career was cut short, when he died in 1982, aged just thirty-seven. In 1974, he released Girl You Thrill Me as a single on Eastbound Records. The B-Side was I Love To Dream. Both were written by Albert Tilmon Jr. Of the two tracks, I Love To Dream is my favourite. It features a truly tender and heartfelt vocal.
A year later in 1975, A.C. Tilmon and The Detroit Emeralds collaborated on two singles. One of these singles was The Rosetta Stone. It was penned by Barry Blue and Dave Jordan. That’s All I Got was the B-Side. Hook-laden and dance-floor friendly, it’s a delicious fusion of soul and funk.
The Houston Outlaws released three singles on Westbound Records. This included What Am I Gonna Do, in 1972. It was written by Junie Morrison and produced by Cholly Atkins and Pearl Jones. Floaty, elegant and seriously smooth, this is The Houston Outlaws finest moment.
Emanuel Laskey released More Love (Where That Came From) in 1969. It was one of Westbound Records’ first released. Written by William Garrett and Michael Hanks, this was one of two singles Emanuel released on Westbound Records. It’s an outpouring of emotion, that’s very different from the social comment of B-Side, A Letter From Vietnam.
The final two tracks on Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975 come courtesy of Damon Shawn. He released a trio of singles on Westbound Records. Admit Your Love Is Gone was released as a single in 1971. Then in 1972, Damon released Feel The Need. Tucked away on the B-Side was I’m Wishing, an understated, melancholy ballad. It’s a tantalising taste of Damon Shawn’s music. He delivers a needy, hopeful ballad on a track that’s quite simply, a glittering hidden gem.
Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975, features twenty-three slices of the rarest soul. That’s no exaggeration. Many of these tracks will be new to many people. They may have heard of The Fantastic Four, The Detroit Emeralds, and Denise LaSalle, but not the tracks on Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. Similarly, many people won’t have heard the delights of A.C. Tilmon, The Motiviations, Damon Shawn and Unique Blend. That’s until now.
Ace Records recently released Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. It’s the latest instalment in Ace Records’ journey through the Eastbound and Westbound Records’ back-catalogues. Just like previous releases, Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975, is a lovingly compiled compilation. The man behind Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975, is Tony Rounce.
Tony has compiled a compilation where a sprinkling of old favourites rub shoulders with B-Sides, unreleased tracks and hidden gems. That’s the perfect way to describe Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. It’s one of the finest soul compilations of recent months. No wonder. Look at the quality of music on Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975. That’s not all. Much of the music on Good All Over-Rare Soul From The Westbound Records Vaults 1969-1975, is truly timeless, even forty years after its original release.
GOOD ALL OVER-RARE SOUL FROM THE WESTBOUND RECORDS VAULTS 1969-1975.
THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL YEAR BY YEAR 1965.
THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL YEAR BY YEAR 1965.
For a generation of music lovers, their introduction to American pop, rock ’n’ roll and soul was the London American label. It released the latest American hit singles. This had been the case since the mid-fifties.
London American had been licensing singles by Atlantic, Chess, Dot, Imperial, Speciality and Sun since the fifties. By the sixties, further labels were licensing their releases to London American. This would include Big Town, Hi Records, Monument and Philles Records. For a generation of music lovers, this made anything featuring the London American label essential listening. It was part of their musical education.
Only by listening to London American’s releases, were music lovers able to keep track of the latest music trends. They usually started in America, then took Britain by storm. Time and time again, this proved to be the case. That’s why, for a generation of music lovers, the London American label has a special place in their heart.
It brings back memories of when their love affair with music began. For some music lovers, that was nearly sixty years ago. This was the start of a life long love affair with music. Now it’s possible to relive these memories once again.
Since 2012, Ace Records have been releasing a series of compilations dedicated to the London American label. The first was The London American Label Year By Year 1956, which was released back in 2012. Recently, the tenth instalment in the series, The London American Label Year By Year 1965 has just been released.
The London American Label Year By Year 1965 is a tantalising taste of the soundtrack to a pivotal year in the Swinging Sixties, 1965. By 1965, music was changing, and changing fast.
One of the most important musical events in 1965, was when The Beatles played Shea Stadium. Little did anyone realise it, but the the stadium tour has just been born. Meanwhile, The Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion were still winning friends and influencing people in America. However, one of the most controversial events of 1965, was when Bob Dylan plugged in.
According to large swathes of his fans, when Bob Dylan plugged in, he sold out. Obviously, that wasn’t the case. It was an overreaction. Bob Dylan had to plug in to progress his career. If he hadn’t, he risked the ignomy of irrelevance. For the people’s poet, that was never going to happen. Another thing that many thought would never happen, was psychedelia.
In 1965, music was on the cusp of a psychedelic revolution. This psychedelic revolution would come to fruition, and blossom, a year later. However, some pioneering groups were at the vanguard of the psychedelic revolution. This included The Byrds and The Beatles, who released Rubber Soul later in 1965. Rubber Soul and The Byrds gave a hint at the direction music was heading. However, that was still to come. The music London American was releasing in 1965, was very different to the psychedelic revolution.
The best way to describe London American Label Year By Year 1965, is eclectic. There’s contributions from James Brown and The Fabulous Flames, Jerry Lee Lewis, Burt Bacharach, Dobie Gray, Barbara Mason, The Righteous Brothers and Carolyn Carter. Easy listening, funk, pop, Northern Soul, rock and soul feature on London American Label Year By Year 1965, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
Opening London American Label Year By Year 1965 is Mercy, Mercy, Mercy the first of two tracks from James Brown and The Fabulous Flames. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy was originally released on King in America, reaching number ninety-two in the US Billboard 100. When Mercy, Mercy, Mercy was released on London American, the single failed to chart. That’s despite the impassioned pleas from Mr. Dynamite. The second track from James Brown and The Fabulous Flames, is Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag Part 1. It reached number eight in the US Billboard 100 and number twenty-five in the UK. This is without doubt, one of James Brown’s finest hours. So much so, it’s remembered as a classic funk track.
In 1965, The Righteous Brothers covered Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Phil Spector’s Just Once In My Life. Released on Philles Records, Just Once In My Life reached number nine in the US Billboard 100 charts. The decision was made to release Just Once In My Life in the UK. No wonder. The Righteous Brothers had already enjoyed a trio of hit singles in the UK, during 1965. Promos were pressed, and sent out to DJs. Then for some reason, the single was withdrawn. This was a missed opportunity. Heartachingly beautiful, dramatic and Spectoresque Just Once In My Life could’ve been a huge hit. Sadly, that wasn’t to be. Belatedly, Just Once In My Life was released in 1966, giving The Righteous Brothers a hit single. However, later in 1965, Unchained Melody gave The Righteous Brothers a hit single. This pop classic reached number four in the US Billboard 100 and number fourteen in the UK. Since then, Unchained Melody has been a pop classic, which was one of The Righteous Brothers’ most successful singles.
By 1965, Jerry Lee Lewis was on the comeback trail. He was still persona non gratis in America. This had been the case since he married his younger cousin. However, in Europe and Britain, Jerry was still popular. He’d reinvented himself as a country singer, and rolls back the years on James Bland’s Carry Me Back To Old Virginia. In Jerry’s hands, Carry Me Back To Old Virginia becomes a joyous, hook-laden country track.
During the sixties, the Burt Bacharach and Hal David enjoyed a successful songwriting and production partnership. Burt was also a successful artist in his own right. Billed as Burt Bacharach, His Orchestra and Chorus he enjoyed a hit single with an easy listening version of Trains and Boats and Planes. It reached number four in the UK. Later in 1965, Burt Bacharach and His Orchestra Featuring Tony Middleton released My Little Red Book, a track from the What’s New Pussycat soundtrack. On the soundtrack, Manfred Man perform this track. Here, veteran cabaret singer, Tony Middleton, takes charge of the vocal, injecting urgency and drama. Despite this, the single failed to chart.
The Ronettes are synonymous with the girl group sound of the early, to mid sixties. They were guided by Phil Spector, the man behind the legendary Wall of Sound. As 1965 dawned, his roster featured just two groups. One of these groups were The Ronettes. He cowrote You Baby with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was recorded by The Ronettes and released on Philles Records. However, despite its undoubtable quality, You Baby failed to chart. Music had moved on. The problem was, Phil Spector hadn’t kept up with these changes.
For a while, Ruby and The Romantics could do no wrong in America. Each of their singles charted. Then they released You’re Baby Doesn’t Love You Anymore, which failed to chart. For Kapp, this was a disaster. Ruby and The Romantics were one of Kapp’s most successful acts. So, a new version of You’re Baby Doesn’t Love You Anymore was pressed and released in Britian on London American. However, Ruby and The Romantics weren’t as popular in the UK. Their only single to chart was Our Day Will Come. Sadly, Ruby and The Romantics’ luck didn’t change with the dreamy, yet dramatic You’re Baby Doesn’t Love You Anymore.
Mention Dobie Gray’s The In Crowd to anyone with a passing interest in Northern Soul, and they’ll wax lyrical about the track. It’s a Northern Soul classic. Originally released on the Charger label, it reached number thirteen in the US Billboard 100 and number twenty-five in Britain in 1965. In the intervening forty-nine years, The In Crowd has continued to fill dance floors with “The In Crowd.”
Lenny Welch’s highest profile fan was Paul McCartney. He introduced the rest of The Beatles to the New York based singer. One of Lenny’s finest performances is on Run To My Loving Arms. Penned by George Fischoff and Tony Powers, it stalled at number ninety-two in the US Billboard 100. Later in 1965, Run To My Loving Arms was released Britain. There was a problem though. Billy Fury had covered Run To My Loving Arms. So when Lenny’s version was released, it failed to chart. Since then, Lenny’s version of Run To My Loving Arms has remained a hidden gem, which makes a welcome return on The London American Label Year By Year 1965.
Philly born Barbara Mason released her original version of Yes, I’m Ready in 1965. She was just eighteen. Yes, I’m Ready was her third single, and would become a song that was synonymous with Barbara Mason. She recut the song when she signed to Buddha Records. The version on The London American Label Year By Year 1965 is the original. It reached number five in the US Billboard 100, and was Barbara Mason’s breakthrough single. Yes, I’m Ready also lent its name to Barbara’s debut album, which was released on Arctic Records.
Carolyn Carter’s It Hurts is another of the hidden gems The London American Label Year By Year 1965. Originally released on the Philly based Jamie label, It Hurts failed to chart. It sees Carolyn Carter fuse soul with a Spectoresque girl group sound. Sadly, It Hurts passed British record buyers by and it failed to chart. However, forty-nine years later, and It Hurts is a case of what might have been for Carolyn Carter.
Charles Boyer is best known for his acting career. In 1965, he released Where Does Love Go, which closes The London American Label Year By Year 1965. It’s very different to anything that’s gone before. There’s an air of mystery as Charles’ half-spoken vocal sits above an orchestral arrangement. Harmonies are added. They sweep in, and add to the lush backdrop. Despite Charles Boyer’s popularity in Hollywood, the single failed to chart. It remains an interesting reminder of Charles Boyer’s second career.
Just like The London American Label Year By Year 1964, The London American Label Year By Year 1965 is a fascinating and eclectic musical document. It demonstrates the sheer variety of music being released in 1965. There’s everything from country, easy listening, funk, pop, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, pop and soul. Eclectic is the best way to describe The London American Label Year By Year 1965.
There’s contributions from James Brown and The Fabulous Flames, Jerry Lee Lewis, Burt Bacharach, Dobie Gray, Barbara Mason, The Righteous Brothers and Carolyn Carter. Hits sit side-by-side with misses. Similarly, classics and hidden gems rub shoulders on The London American Label Year By Year 1965, which was compiled by Tony Rounce.
Tony should be congratulated for the way he’s approached The London American Label Year By Year 1965,. Rather than choose the most successful singles released by London American during 1965, Tony has chosen an eclectic and captivating selection of tracks. Forgotten favourites and familiar faces feature, during The London American Label Year By Year 1965, which is eclectic and compelling compilation that’ll bring back memories for anyone introduced to American pop, rock ’n’ roll and soul by the London American label.
THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL YEAR BY YEAR 1965.
JOZEF VAN WISSEM-IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO RETURN.
JOZEF VAN WISSEM-IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO RETURN.
It was back in 2000, that avant-garde composer and baroque lutenist Jozef Van Wissem released his debut album, Retrograde Renaissance Lute. Since then, Josef has released a series of groundbreaking solo albums and collaborations. Jozef’s latest album, It Is Time For You To Return, will be released by Crammed Discs on 10th November 2014. It Is Time For You To Return is the latest instalment in Crammed Discs’ Made To Measure series. It’s also the perfect introduction to the music of a true musical innovator, Jozef Van Wissem, whose recording career began as a new millennia dawned.
Jozef Van Wissem was born in 1962, in Maastricht, a town in Southeast of the Netherlands. A classically trained musician, Jozef has spent a lifetime honing his sound. He’s now based in New York, and has established a reputation as one of the top avant-garde musicians of his generation. His recording began back in 2000.
That was when Jozef Van Wissem released debut solo album Retrograde Renaissance Lute. It was released on the Persephone label in 2000. Two years later, Jozef returned with Narcissus Drowning. Just like his debut album, Narcissus Drowning was a fusion of classical, contemporary and electronic music. A groundbreaking, genre-melting album, Narcissus Drowning was a foretaste of what Jozef Van Wissem was capable of.
By 2003, Jozef released his third album Simulacrum (Mirror Images For Solo Lute And Electronics). Just like his two previous albums, Jozef innovated. He made a series field recordings, and “manipulated” them in the studio. The result was a captivating and compelling album. Meanwhile, Jozef was establishing a reputation as a musical pioneer.
So much so, that word was spreading about Jozef Van Wissem. Other artists began collaborating with Jozef. The first was guitarist Gary Lucas. He asked Josef to play on his 2003 album Diplopia. Just like Narcissus Drowning, genres melted into one on Diplopia. The pair reconvened on Gary’s next album The Universe Of Absence, which was released on 2004. This was just the start of a string of collaborations Jozef Van Wissem was involved with.
The next collaboration Jozef was involved with, was Tetuzi Akiyama’s 2004 album Proletarian Drift. This was a live album recorded in 2003, at the Gendai Heights Gallery, Setagaya, Tokyo. Proletarian Drift featured two lengthy improvised tracks. Tetuzi and Jozef would collaborate again on the 2007 album, Hymn For A Fallen Angel. By then, Jozef would’ve released two further albums.
Between 2005 and 2009, Jozef Van Wissem released an album each year. This began with 2005s Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear. A Rose By Any Other Name (Anonymous Lute Solos Of The Golden Age followed in 2006, and Stations Of The Cross in 2007. With each album, Jozef pushed musical boundaries even further. He released A Priori in 2008 and in 2009, released two albums, It Is All That Is Made and Ex Patris. This is quite incredible, because during this period, Jozef embarked upon a relentless touring schedule.
Throughout his career, Jozef has constantly toured the world. He’s played over 800 solo lute shows at concert venues around the world. This includes rock festivals like ATP and Primavera Sound. At these festivals, Jozef dawns the the stage playing his custom made, black lute. During his set, the audience are captivated as he delivers music that’s mesmeric and hypnotic. That’s also the case with his solo albums.
After a gap of two years, Jozef returned in 2011 with a new album, The Joy That Never Ends. That year, he also collaborated with United Bible Studies on their Downland album. Busy as 2011 had been, 2012 would be the busiest year of Jozef’s career.
During 2012, Jozef collaborated with film director Jim Jarmusch. Jim is also a guitarist, and was looking for someone to collaborate with. Jozef fitted the bill. So much so, that they recorded three albums together, Apokatastasis, Concerning The Entrance Into Eternity and The Mystery Of Heaven. On Concerning The Entrance Into Eternity, Tilda Swinton was the guest vocalists. She also performed with Jozef and Jim at an ATP festival in 2012. This collaboration with Jim lead to more work for Jozef. Before that, Jozef found time for another collaboration.
This time, Jozef collaborated with Gregg Kowalsky. They worked on Gregg’s Movements In Marble And Stone album. It was released later in 2012. Along with playing live, 2012 had been one of the busiest years of Jozef Van Wissem’s career.
2013 saw Jozef Van Wissem release a new solo album, Nihil Obstat. His reputation had grown. Now he was well known beyond avant-garde circles. That’s why so many artists were so keen to work with Jozef. This includes Jim Jarmusch.
After collaborating with Jim Jarmusch on the three albums, he commissioned Jozef Van Wissem to write most of the soundtrack for the 2014 film Only Lovers Left Alive. It featured Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston. When Only Lovers Left Alive premiered at Cannes, it was awarded the Cannes Soundtrack Award. For Jozef this was recognition that his work was finding a wider audience. The other advantage was, that the promotional tour for Only Lovers Left Alive allowed Jozef the opportunity to play a tour of twelve cities.
During the promotional tour for Only Lovers Left Alive, Jozef played in twelve cities around the world. Jozef performed solo lute music, and also appeared as part of Jim Jarmusch’s band SQÜRL. Since then, Jozef has been working on his new solo album It Is Time For You To Return,
It Is Time For You To Return features nine tracks written by Jozef Van Wissem. He plays lute and adds a series of mesmeric, haunting vocals. Joining Jozef is Chilean filmmaker, Domingo Garcia-Huidobro, who contributed electronic programming on a couple of tracks. Jim Jarmusch plays guitar and Lebanese singer Yasmine Hamdan adds a vocal on Invocation Of The Spirit Spell. It’s one of the nine tracks on It Is Time For You To Return, which I’ll tell you about.
It Is Time For You To Return opens If There’s Nothing Left Where Will You Go? Just a lone lute plays hesitantly. Space is left within the arrangement. This adds a sense of melancholy. It’s as if Jozef is contemplating each note before playing it. Notes linger, hanging in the air, as if posing a question, to which Jozef knows there’s no answer.
Love Destroys All Evil has a brighter, more upbeat sound. Jozef’s lute sparkles and chimes. It sounds like what a minstrel would play at a medieval feast. Then, later, it’s all change. Jozef’s hopeful vocal enters. He sings “Love Destroys All Evil and frees us.” His vocal is hope felt and heartfelt. It’s as if Jozef desperately wants to believe what he’s singing.
Just Jozef’s lute plays as Once More With Feeling unfolds. Soon, Jozef’s lute is joined by Jim’s guitar. It adds a Byrdsian sound to the mix. When the guitar drops out, Jozef takes centre-stage. That’s the case throughout the track. However, when when it returns, Jim’s guitar is yin to Jozef’s yang on this beautiful, meandering track.
As Confinement unfolds, it’s apparent that this is very different to anything that’s gone before. What sounds like a radio crackling, or a biplane flying above is accompanied by a dark, broody, booming drum. Then Jozef’s lute enters. He delivers a tender, dramatic and wistful vocal. It’s as if he’s sympathises with those in Confinement. He can imagine the days becoming months and years. The hopelessness of the situation shines through as he delivers the lyrics. All the time, the drum pounds and the arrangement crackles, replicating the horror of Confinement.
Wherever You Will Live I Will Live has a thoughtful, and almost dark introduction. Jozef plucks at his lute. Carefully, and slowly, he plucks and probes the strings. They resonate, resulting in a sound that veers between dark and ominous, to an ethereal and hopeful sound. One word however, describes the track perfectly, cinematic.
Meandering and chiming, Jozef’s lute sets the scene on You Can’t Take It With You. Then he scats, before unleashing a deliberate, urgent vocal. As usual, his lyrics are full of social comment. A case in point is when he sings: “until the next damaged world we go… your worldly possessions what will they do.…You Can’t Take It With You” Part poetry, part philosophy, Jozef Van Wissem ruminates on greed and avarice, cutting to the chase, with the conclusion “You Can’t Take It With You.”
Straight away, Temple Dance Of The Soul has an avant-garde sound. A scratchy sound flits across the arrangement. All the time, the arrangement pulsates. That’s even the case when Jozef’s lute enters. It wanders across the arrangement, with Jim’s guitar for company. Assailing them are a myriad of scratches and glitches. That’s not forgetting that pulsating sounds. It’s the arrangement’s heartbeat, as elements of electronica, avant-garde, classical and folk combine to create a hypnotic soundscape.
Wistful, spacious and full of pregnant pauses describes After We Leave. It’s a create a mesmeric, pensive and captivating cinematic track where ethereal beauty is omnipresent.
Closing It Is Time For You To Return is Invocation Of The Spirit Spell. It features Lebanese singer Yasmine Hamdan. Her tender, heartfelt vocal provides the perfect foil to the rest of the arrangement. It’s a fusion of lute and washes of buzzing guitar and glitch. The guitar unleashes washes of controlled feedback. Along with a thoughtfully strummed lute, this is the perfect foil for the breathy beauty of Yasmine Hamdan’s vocal. This glorious fusion from music’s past, present and future proves a breathtaking way to close It Is Time For You To Return.
For anyone yet to discover the music of avant-garde composer, and baroque lutenist, Jozef Van Wissem then It Is Time For You To Return is the perfect starting place. It’s a breathtaking aural adventure. Featuring nine understated and hypnotic tracks, It Is Time For You To Return features Jozef at his innovative best. The music is captivating, compelling, ethereal, hopeful, hypnotic, melancholy, mysterious and wistful. That’s not all.
On several of the tracks on It Is Time For You To Return, Jozef’s lyrics are full of social comment. Jozef isn’t averse to commenting on the state of the world. His lyrics are veer between hope to hopelessness. There’s hope on Love Destroys All Evil. Confinement paints a picture of hopelessness, as days become months, months become years. All the time, the clock is ticking. Then on You Can’t Take It With You, Jozef deals with greed and avarice. Wealth and possessions, he points out, You Can’t Take It With You. These tracks showcase Jozef Van Wissem, whose part poet and philosopher. That’s not all.
Jozef Van Wissem creates innovative, groundbreaking and genre-melting music. On It Is Time For You To Return, elements of ambient, avant-garde, baroque, classical, electronica, experimental, folk and folk-rock melt into one. You may wonder at the folk-rock element? It’s there though. The guitar on Once More With Feeling remind me of The Byrds. Just like the rest of It Is Time For You To Return musical influences and genres melt into one, on a truly groundbreaking album. This makes Jozef Van Wissem’s It Is Time For You To Return the perfect candidate for the return of Crammed Discs’ Made To Measure series.
For those unfamiliar with the Made To Measure Composers’ Series, it’s best described as the musical equivalent of a collection of art books. These albums are a reminder of some of the most innovative, important and interesting instrumental music of an era. A total of thirty-five albums were released between 1983 and 1995. This included albums by musical luminaries like Harold Budd, Fred Frith, Arto Lindsay, Steven Brown, Brion Gysin, David Cunningham and Daniel Schell. Now, nineteen long years after the last in the Made To Measure series, it makes a very welcome return.
For the return of the Made To Measure series, Crammed Discs were looking for a very special album. That’s what Jozef Van Wissem’s It Is Time For You To Return is. It’ll be released on Crammed Discs on 10th November 2014. It Is Time For You To Return is an ambitious and groundbreaking album from Jozef Van Wissem, true musical innovator.
JOZEF VAN WISSEM-IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO RETURN.
BRING IT ON HOME-BLACK AMERICA SINGS SAM COOKE.
BRING IT ON HOME-BLACK AMERICA SINGS SAM COOKE.
By the time of his death on 11th December 1964, Sam Cooke was soul’s first superstar. Throughout his career, it seemed Sam could do no wrong. You Send It, Sam’s 1957 debut single, reached number one in the US Billboard and US R&B charts. This was was the start of a run of twenty-eight top forty singles that saw Sam Cooke’s career transformed.
Between 1957 and 1964, Sam Cooke became one of the biggest names in music. For seven years, his records filled the airwaves. Many of these singles, Sam wrote and produced. That’s not all. In 1961, Sam founded his own record label, SAR Records, which released Sam’s singles. Not only was Sam soul’s first superstar, but soul’s first entrepreneur.
Three years later, SAR Records was a successful record company. Sam was its most successful artist. That’s no surprise. By 1964, Sam was enjoying the most successful period of his eight year career. His popularity was at an all-time high. It seemed Sam Cooke could do no wrong. Then on 11th December 1964, thirty-three year old Sam Cooke’s life ended in a hail of bullets. That night, soul music lost its first superstar. Since then, a whole host of artists have covered Sam Cooke songs.
This includes the twenty-four artists who feature of Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke, which was recently released by Ace Records. Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke features Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, Bobby Womack, The Soul Stirrers, The Miracles, Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes and Sam and Dave. These artists are just some of the artists that feature on Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
Opening Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke is The Ovations Featuring Louis Williams’ Havin’ A Party. This was released as single on MGM Records, reaching number fifty-six in the US Billboard 100 and number seven in the US R&B charts. For The Ovations, this was their final hit single. Havin’ A Party also lent its name to their 1973 album Having A Party, which was released on MGM Records. It was arranged and produced by Dan Greer. One of Having A Party’s highlights was the title-track, where The Ovations Featuring Louis Williams pay homage to a soul great.
Many people have covered You Send Me. This includes Percy Sledge. He covered You Send Me on The Percy Sledge Way, which was released Atlantic Records in 1966. The album was produced by Quin Ivy and Marlin Greene. Just like the original version of You Send Me, Percy’s cover is understated. Percy literally toys with the lyrics, mixing melancholy, beauty and joy, as he gives thanks for the love he’s found.
In 1965, Otis Redding covered shake on his album Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, which was released on Atco Records. Shake became the first single released after Otis’ death. Produced by Steve Cropper, this track owes a lot to Little Richard. It reached number seven in the US Billboard 100 and number two in the US R&B charts. No wonder. Otis stomps and vamps his way through Shake. Accompanied by braying horns, Otis grabs the song and makes it his own.
Sam Cooke was a huge influence on Bobby Womack. So it’s no surprise that Bobby covered I’m Gonna Forget About You. It featured on his 1970 album My Prescription, which was released on Minit. I’m Gonna Forget About You was released a single and gave Bobby a top thirty single. No wonder. It features the former Valentino unleashing a vocal masterclass that’s a mixture of power, passion and sheer soulfulness.
Before embarking upon a solo career, Sam was a member of The Soul Stirrers. One of the final songs he recorded with The Soul Stirrers was That’s Heaven To Me in 1961. It lay unreleased until the early seventies, when an overdubbed version was released. The version on Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke, is the spine-tingling original version.
Back in 1959, at one of Sam’s concerts, he met Little Anthony Gourdine. The two decided to collaborate on a song. The result was I’m Alright. It was released by Little Anthony and The Imperials later in 1959. It’s literally, an explosion of hooks and happiness.
Ever since Sam, Herb Albert and Lou Adler penned Wonderful World, it’s been an oft covered song. A whole host of artists have covered Wonderful World. This includes Johnny Nash in 1976. He recorded his cover in Muscle Shoals, along with the rest of his 1977 album What A Wonderful World. It was produced by Mickey Buckins and Sonny Limbo. They increased the tempo and transformed the song into a slice of musical sunshine. Despite this, the single stalled at just number sixty-six in the US R&B charts.
In 1969, Brenton Wood covered A Change Is Gonna Come. It was released as a single on Double Shot Records. Sadly, it failed to replicate the success Sam’s original enjoyed. That’s despite a vocal that stays trues to Sam’s version. It’s a mixture of despair, hurt and hope for the future. Brenton sounds as if he’s seen too much. As a result, it’s a powerful interpretation of one of Sam’s finest songs.
1970 saw Lou Rawls released an album of Sam Cooke songs, entitled Bring It On Home….And Other Sam Cooke Hits. It was released on Capitol Records. Lou gave then ten tracks his own unmistakable twist. This includes Win Your Love For Me. Just like the other tracks, it was recorded at FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals. Producing Bring It On Home….And Other Sam Cooke Hits was David Axelrod and Rick Hall. They provided a glorious Southern Soul backdrop for Lou as he unleashes a heartfelt, needy vocal.
On Aretha Franklin’s 1967 eponymous album, she covers Sam Cooke’s Good Times. This was Aretha’s Atlantic Records’ debut. Aretha Franklin reached number five in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US Billboard 200 charts. For Aretha, this was the start of a period where she’d be crowned the Queen of Soul. Good Times was a taste of what was to come from Aretha Franklin during the next five years.
Sam and Dave’s Soothe Me closes Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke. Soothe Me was a track from Sam and Dave’s 1966 album Double Dynamite. It was released on Stax. So was their 1967 single Soothe Me, which features the soul men creating a joyous slice of Sweet Soul Music.
After his death in 1967, Sam Cooke left behind a rich musical legacy. So, it’s no surprise that for the last fifty years, a whole host of artists have covered Sam Cooke’s songs. This includes the twenty-four tracks covered on Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke, which was recently released by Ace Records.
On Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke, the great and good of soul pay homage to Sam Cooke. This includes everyone from Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, Bobby Womack, The Soul Stirrers, The Miracles, Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin, to The Supremes and Sam and Dave. That’s no surprise. Sam Cooke influenced each and every one of these artists. So, it’s no surprise that these artists wanted to pay tribute to soul’s first superstar, who died on 11th December 1964.
Now, nearly fifty years since the death of Sam Cooke, Ace Records have brought together twenty-four of these tracks on Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke. It’s a belated celebration of the music of Sam Cooke.
For too long, Sam Cooke’s music hasn’t been celebrated. Especially when you compare the music industry has been celebrated other soul singers. This includes Otis Redding. Otis died far too young. He was just twenty-six when he died in a plane crash. However, the manner of Otis Redding’s death meant that his record company wanted to celebrate his music. With Sam, this was very different.
There was a very good reason for that, the manner of Sam’s death. Sam Cooke’s death was shrouded in controversy. Nobody knew for certain what happened. Was Sam in the wrong or wronged? Even today, nobody knows. Rumours and conjecture surround what happened at the Hacienda Motel, Los Angeles. Sadly, we’ll never know for sure the truth surrounding Sam Cooke’s death. As a result, for the past fifty years, the music industry seems to have been somewhat reticent about celebrating the music of Sam Cooke. However, with fiftieth anniversary of Sam Cooke’s death fast approaching, now it seems, is the time to celebrate the life and music of Sam Cooke.
What better way to do this, than with a compilation featuring the great and good of soul music? That’s what Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke is. It’s twenty-four of soul music’s biggest names, paying homage to one its most talented sons, on Bring It On Home-Black America Sings Sam Cooke.
BRING IT ON HOME-BLACK AMERICA SINGS SAM COOKE.
CHARLIE GILLETT’S RADIO PICKS-HONKY TONK VOLUME 2.
CHARLIE GILLETT’S RADIO PICKS-HONKY TONK VOLUME 2.
Music was Charlie Gillett’s life. He literally lived for music. It was his passion. As a result, Charlie had an encyclopaedic and eclectic knowledge of music. That was apparent to listeners to his radio show Honky Tonk, which first hit Radio London’s airwaves in 1972.
Soon, Charlie was educating his listeners musically. He introduced them to an eclectic selection of music. Each night, listeners to Honky Tonk had no idea what musical delights Charlie had in store for them. What they did know, was that by the end of the show, Charlie would’ve introduced them to something new. That was the case each each week. Week in, week out, Charlie Gillett introduced his listeners to new music. Eventually, Charlie became a musical institution. So, it’s no surprise that Charlie was asked to compile a compilation.
The only surprise was, that it took until 2009. On the 2nd November 2009, Ace Records released Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk. It was an intriguing and eclectic selection of music. Joe South, J.J. Cale, Bobby Charles, Dale Hawkins, Bruce Channel, Eddy Raven, Dire Straits and Tabou Combo sat side-by-side on Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk. It proved a successful compilation. Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk sold well. So in early 2010, Ace Records announced there would be a followup.
So Charlie began work on the followup, which would become Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2, which was recently released by Ace Records. Charlie through himself into the project. This wasn’t work. No. It was a labor of love for Charlie. After all, Charlie was passionate about music. However, out of nowhere, tragedy struck.
By early 2010, Charlie became unwell. The prognosis wasn’t good. He didn’t have long to live. For Charlie and his family, this was a huge blow. Despite the tragedy of the situation, Charlie was determined to finish what became Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2. There was a problem though.
Charlie hadn’t decided on a final track listing. He had a list of 106 songs. This isn’t unusual. A compiler always starts with a long list, and will whittle the list down to a short list. The short list will always include a few extra tracks, because often, clearance won’t be given for tracks. Sadly, Charlie didn’t get as far as compiling a short list. Charlie Gillett died on 17th March 2010. The death of Charlie Gillett looked like the end of Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Roger Armstrong, who Charlie Gillett worked with on Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk decided to finish the project they’d started would be Roger Armstrong’s tribute to the late, great, Charlie Gillett.
Roger began with Charlie’s list of 106 songs, and gradually, whittled them down to twenty-five tracks. There’s contributions from Tom T. Hall, Archie Bleyer, Roy Buchanan, Marty Robbins, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Ricky Nelson, Betty Wright, Professor Longhair and The Blue Scholars and Rico. The format is the same as Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk. This means a song that was current when Charlie was presenting Honky Tonk, is followed by an oldie. Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2, which I’ll pick the highlights of, is a truly eclectic compilation. Everything from blues, country, folk, funk, rock and soul features on Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2.
Opening Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2 is a track from country singer, Tom T. Hall. Tulsa Telephone Book is a track from Tom’s fifth album In Search Of A Song. It was released on Mercury in 1971. Tom wrote Tulsa Telephone Book, a tale of hurt and heartbreak, that’s straight out of Nashville.
Travis Wammack is another country singer. Born in Memphis, he’s a guitarist, singer and songwriter, who recorded his debut aged twelve. By the time he released his sophomore album, Not For Sale in 1975, Travis was almost a veteran. Not For Sale was released on Capricorn Records and featured (Shu-Do-Pa-Poo-Poop) Love Being Your Fool, a hook-laden slice of country music. This is the perfect showcase for the multitalented Travis Wammack.
Billy Swan’s I Can Help doesn’t sound like a single released in 1974. Instead, it sounds as if it should’ve been release ten or fifteen years earlier. In many ways, it was an unlikely hit single in 1974. However, it was a huge hit single, one that Charlie Gillett championed. It was released on Monument, and reached number one in the US Billboard 100 and US Country charts. That’s not all. It also gave Billy a top hit throughout Europe. I Can Help also became the title of Billy’s debut album. Released in 1974, this was the first of six albums Billy Swan released. However, Billy never again, reached the heights of I Can Help.
Roy Buchanan was, without doubt, one of the greatest blues guitarists of his generation. Born in 1939, he died tragically in 1988. He left behind a rich musical legacy. This includes his eponymous debut album Roy Buchanan,which was released in 1972, on Polydor. It features Sweet Dreams, which features a beautiful blues’ masterclass from Roy Buchanan.
Canadian singer-songwriters Kate and Anna McGarrigle were folk royalty. The Quebec born duo spent thirty-five years making music. This came to an end in 2010, with Kate’s death. However, back in 1975, Kate and Anna McGarrigle’s recording career was just just about to begin. They released their eponymous debut album, Kate and Anna McGarrigle on Warner Bros. Records. This was just the start of a long and successful career, which saw Kate and Anna become Canada’s most successful folk group.
In New New Orleans, Irma Thomas is known as the Soul Queen Of New Orleans. No wonder. She’s been making music since 1959. In 1963, Irma Thomas was signed to Minit Records, and recorded Ruler Of My Heart. This was a song written by Allen Toussaint, using his Naomi Neville alias. Ruler Of My Heart is the perfect showcase for Irma. She delivers a vocal that veers between heartfelt and tender to powerful and sultry. Given the quality of this single, it’s no surprise Irma was crowned the Soul Queen Of New Orleans.
My favourite track from Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2 is, without doubt, Dr. John’s Such A Night. It’s is a track from Dr. John’s 1973 album In The Right Place. It was released on Atco, during a period where the charismatic, Night Tripper at the peak of his powers. The time Dr. John spent at Atco was his most productive. That’s where he released the best music of his career. This includes In The Right Place, Dr. John’s biggest selling album, which reached number twenty-four in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty-eight in the US R&B charts. For newcomers to Dr. John’s music, Such A Night is bound to make you delve deeper into the Night Tripper’s back-catalogue.
Dennis Turner released Lover Please back in 1962. This was cover of a track penned by Billy Swan. It was originally recorded by The Rhythm Steppers and then covered by Dennis Turner. Sadly, Dennis’ version wasn’t a commercial success, sinking without trace. Another ten years passed, before Charlie Gillett picked up on Dennis Turner’s cover of Lover Please. He played it on Honky Tonky. Belatedly, Lover Please was heard by the wider audience that it deserved.
Clean Up Woman is one of the finest moments of Betty Wright’s career. Released in 1971, Betty was just eighteen when Clean Up Woman was released on Alston Records. It reached number six in the US Billboard 100 and number two in the US Billboard R&B charts. Since then, Clean Up Woman has become a soul classic. A year later, Clean Up Woman featured on Betty’s sophomore album I Love The Way You Love. Forty-two years later, and Betty Wright is still making music. However, she never again reached the heights of Clean Up Woman.
Professor Longhair is a legend of New Orleans music. He’s influenced several generation of New Orleans’ musicians. This includes Dr. John, who also recorded Tipitina. However, Professor Longhair and The Blue Scholars recorded Tipitina first, back in 1954. It’s a tantalising taste of what Professor Longhair is capable.
Rico’s Ramble closes Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2. For those unfamiliar with Rico, back in the sixties, he was the finest trombonist in Jamaica. His recording career began in 1961. By 1977, Rico had released his third album Wareika Dub. One of its highlights is the laid-back Ramble, which proves the perfect way to close Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2.
For anyone looking to buy just one compilation this week, then Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2 is the one to choose. It’s a truly eclectic compilation, where everything from blues, country, folk, funk, reggae, rock and soul sits side-by-side. There’s contributions from Tom T. Hall, Archie Bleyer, Roy Buchanan, Marty Robbins, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Ricky Nelson, Betty Wright, Professor Longhair and The Blue Scholars and Rico. The format is the same as Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks From Honky Tonk. This means a song that was current when Charlie was presenting Honky Tonk, is followed by an oldie. That’s the same format as Honky Tonk, Charlie Gillett’s much missed musical institution.
Honky Tonk, on Radio London, was where people went to complete their musical education. Charlie Gillett introduced them to an eclectic selection of musical delights. It was a case of anything goes. Album tracks, classics and hidden gems featured on Honky Tonk. They were introduced by the man with an encyclopaedic, and eclectic, knowledge of music, Charlie Gillett. He loved, and lived for, music. It was his passion. That was apparent to listeners to his radio show, Honky Tonk, which first hit Radio London’s airwaves in 1972. A reminder of that much missed musical institution Honky Tonk, is Charlie Gillett’s Radio Picks-Honky Tonk Volume 2, which was recently released by Ace Records.
CHARLIE GILLETT’S RADIO PICKS-HONKY TONK VOLUME 2.
HARD TO EXPLAIN-MORE SHATTERED BLUES-FUNKY BLUES 1968-1984.
HARD TO EXPLAIN-MORE SHATTERED BLUES-FUNKY BLUES 1968-1984.
Nearly three years have passed, since BGP Records, a subsidiary of Ace Records, released Funky Blues and Shattered Dreams 1967-1978. It was released to widespread critical acclaim in early 2012. No wonder. Funky Blues and Shattered Dreams 1967-1978 featured blues greats like Lowell Fulson, Albert King, Buddy Guy and The Johnny Otis Show. They sat side-by-side with lesser known names like Smokey Wilson and Freddie Robinson. These tracks, were just a tantalising taste of the music on Funky Blues and Shattered Dreams 1967-1978. Since then, we’ve been awaiting the followup to Funky Blues and Shattered Dreams 1967-1978. Thankfully, the wait in over.
Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 was released by BGP Records, a subsidiary of Ace Records. It features twenty funky blues released between 1968 and 1984. This includes Lowell Fulsom, Albert King, Icewater Slim and The Fourth Floor, Earl Wright, Tommy Youngblood and Jimmy Robbins. That’s not all. Freddie Robinson, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Obrey Wilson, Big Daddy Rucker and Adolp Jacobs all feature on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. The twenty tracks on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 come from a time when blues music was in the doldrums.
As the sixties drew to a close, blues music was no longer as popular. It had enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity, after the latest generation of rock musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Cream and The Yarbirds, name checked the blues musicians that influenced them. Suddenly, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and T-Bone Walker’s music was being heard by a new generation of music lovers. This didn’t last long.
Despite the decline in popularity of the blues, soul music was still popular. Soul was popular right through until the the dawn of the disco era. After that, soul’s popularity declined. Just like the blues, soul music was no longer as popular as it once been. So much so, that some high profile soul singers, including Bobby Womack, were left without a recording contract. This trend would continue, right through the seventies and the early eighties.
During this period, many blues musicians were struggling to make a living. They were finding it tough to adapt to the changes in musical tastes. While rock groups played huge venues, blues players were relegated to playing some of the many smaller, run-down clubs that could be found in every part of America. Many of these musicians raised on the blues, stubbornly refused to change their style of music. Eventually, it became a case of adapt or die.
If blues musicians didn’t adapt, the music risked dying. It would become a relic of music’s past. If this happened, the future looked bleak for a generation of blues musicians. So, they had to adapt to survive.
During their sets, some blues musicians decided to adapt. They didn’t want to. This went against the grain. Despite this, they started throwing in some funky licks, soulful hollers and screams into their music. It became hugely popular with their audiences. The funky licks, hollers and screams added an element of showmanship to the music. Suddenly, their was a resurgence of interest in blues music. This music is still as popular.
Since then, crate diggers and collectors of funk and blues music have been collecting these funky blues’ tracks. Twenty of these funky blues feature on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. Many of these tracks on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 are real rarities and hidden gems, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
Freddie Robinson’s The Creeper opens Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. Written by Freddie and Jamo Robinson, it was released on Checker in 1966. This is the perfect introduction to the Memphis born blues guitarist. With braying horns for company, Freddie and his band combine blues, funk and soul with sass to create a sultry sounding track.
Artie “Blues Boy” White was a latecomer to blues music. He didn’t release his first single until 1968. After that, his music combined blues, funk and soul. That’s apparent on Gimme Some Of Yours. It was released on Gamma Records in 1970, and is a fusion of three musical genres. A bluesy harmonica and funky rhythm section provide the backdrop for Artie. His vocal is a mixture of blues and soul, as he struts his way through the sassy Gimmie Some Of Yours.
Although Larry Davis released the original version of You Upset Me Baby, in 1968, it was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version most people remember. However, Larry’s version of You Upset Me Baby is well worth revisiting. It was released on the Duke label. Featuring blistering blues guitars, and a vocal tinged with heartbreak, it’s a hidden gem that oozes emotion.
Finis Tasby features twice on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. The two tracks are taken from his album Blues Mechanic. It was meant to be released on Big Town in 1977. Big Town was a label founded by the Bihari brothers. They owned Modern and Kent Records. That was the past. Blues, they thought, was the future. Sadly, that proved not to be the case. Sadly, once the album was completed, Big Town closed its doors. For Finis Tasby, and many other blues musicians, this was a disaster. His album was never released until Ace Records reissued Blues Mechanic. Walk On and Find Something Else To Do are two of the highlights of Blues Mechanic, and a tantalising taste of what Finis Tasby was capable of.
By the time Ray Agee released It’s Hard To Explain on Romark, in 1972, he was a blues veteran. His vocal is lived in and full of hurt and sadness. Against a dramatic, piano lead arrangement, Ray lays bare his soul. As he does, blues and soul melt into one. The addition of lush strings are the perfect finishing touch to this blues opus.
Lowell Fulsom is one of the biggest names on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. His contribution is Lovemaker, the title-track from Lowell’s 1978. Released on Big Town, Lovemaker was a return to form from a blues legend.
In 1970, Albert King was a giant of the blues. He was up there with Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King. Albert was signed to Stax, and released Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me as a single. On the B-Side was a cover of James Brown’s Cold Sweat. The track is a revelation. It features what can only be described as a blistering, blues guitar masterclass from the man that should’ve been King.
Smokey Wilson is another artist that features twice on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. His contributions come from the time he was signed to the Big Town label. Go Go Train is from his 1977 album Blowin’ Smoke. I Want You is from Smokey’s 1978 album Sings The Blues. Both tracks feature Smokey as his music evolves in an attempt to stay relevant.
From the opening bars, Big Daddy Rucker’s He Made You Mine epitomises everything that’s good about the blues. No wonder. He Made You Mine was written by Big Daddy Rucker and Johnny Otis, who produced He Made You Mine. It was released on Hawk Sound, in 1972. Accompanying Big Daddy Rucker is The Johnny Otis Show. They’re responsible for an arrangement that’s slow, moody and full of sadness and emotion. Meanwhile, Big Daddy Rucker’s vocal is a mixture of regret and hurt.
Getting Down With The Game is the perfect showcase for Adolph Jacobs guitar playing. He’s a hugely talented blues guitarist. On Getting Down With The Game, which was released on Romark in 1972, he’s accompanied by a washes of bluesy harmonica. The result is three minutes of driving, dramatic blues. This is a real find from Adolph Jacobs, who before he got the blues, was one of the original members of The Coasters.
Tommy Youngblood wrote and recorded Hey Little Girl for his album The Soul Of Tommy Youngblood. It was released in 1970, on United. On Hey Little Girl, Tommy fuses blues, funk and soul. He literally vamps and pleads his way through the track, as a crack band provide a funky, bluesy, driving backdrop.
Closing Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 is Jimmy Robbins’ Its Real (Part 1). Written by Jimmy, it was released in 1968, on the Chicago based Jerhart label. It’s a quite beautiful song. Jimmy fuses equal parts emotion and drama. His vocal is a mixture of power, hope and emotion, as blues and soul unites. The result is a track that’s guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.
The recently released, Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 is the perfect followup to Funky Blues and Shattered Dreams 1967-1978. It might have been three years in the making, but it’s been well worth the wait. Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 features twenty funky blues released between 1968 and 1984. This includes contributions from Lowell Fulsom, Albert King, Icewater Slim and The Fourth Floor, Earl Wright, Tommy Youngblood and Jimmy Robbins. That’s not all. Freddie Robinson, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Obrey Wilson, Big Daddy Rucker and Adolp Jacobs all feature on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. Familiar faces, cult classics and hidden gems sit side-by-side. The result is Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984, a captivating collection of funky blues.
Hard To Explain-Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 was compiled by Dean Rudland. He’s had to dig deeper than he’s dug before. For that, Dean deserves the utmost credit. After all, crate digging takes patience and persistence. When it pays off, it’s well worth all the disappointment that’s gone before. It’s certainly paid off for Dean Rudland.
He has rediscovered, and rescued, many long forgotten tracks. For far too long, they’ve lain unloved in the dusty vaults of record companies. Not any more. They now feature on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984 and are the perfect introduction to eighteen blues musicians. Hopefully, these tracks will be the start of a musical journey.
After hearing Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984, hopefully you’ll head off on a musical journey. During that journey, you’ll discover more from the artists on Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984. That, for me, is the joy of buying compilations. It allows you to discover music from artists you’ve never heard before. This could be the case when you buy Hard To Explain-More Shattered Blues-Funky Blues 1968-1984, which was recently released by BGP Records, an imprint of Ace Records? Let’s hope so.
HARD TO EXPLAIN-MORE SHATTERED BLUES-FUNKY BLUES 1968-1984.
ERIK HONORE-HELIOGRAPHS.
ERIK HONORE-HELIOGRAPHS.
Erik Honoré is no stranger to a recording studio. He’s played on, or produced, over fifty albums. These albums are all very different. They’re best described as eclectic. No wonder. This eclectic selection of albums features everyone from David Sylvian to Arve Henrikse, through Eivind Aarset, Jon Hassell and Laurie Anderson, to Brian Eno and Peter Schwalm. However, despite working with so many high profile artists, there’s one thing forty-eight year old Erik Honoré still has to do. That’s release a solo album. Soon, the wait will be over. Heliographs, Erik Honoré’s debut album will be released by Hubro Music on 17th November 2014.
In some ways, it’s no surprise that it’s taken Erik Honoré such a long time to record his debut album. There’s more to Erik’s career than his solo career. He’s also a successful musician, producer and author.
Erik was born on 11th December 1966, in Kristiansand, Norway. Growing up, music was Erik’s passion. So it’s no surprise that, having left high school, Erik headed to college in Oslo.
His destination was the Norwegian Institute for Stage and Studio. That was where Erik spent the next few years. When Erik graduated, he was a fully qualified sound engineer and producer. Now, his career got underway.
One of the first projects after he left college was Woodlands’ 1988 eponymous album. Erik a member of Woodlands, played electronic percussion and keyboards. He also mixed and produced Woodlands, which featured Jan Bang, who Erik would later collaborate with.
Jan Bang and Erik Honoré have released six albums togther. Their first collaboration was 2000s Birth Wish. It featured Arve Henriksen and Christian Wallumrød. A year later, Erik and Jan released their sophomore album on Going Nine Ways From Wednesday. Released in 2001, it featured Nils Christian Moe-Repstad and Anne Marie Almedal. After the release of Going Nine Ways From Wednesday, it would be another eleven years before Jan Bang and Erik Honoré released another album. One reason for this, was Erik’s career change.
In 2002, Erik released his first novel Orakelveggen. This was the first of a trio of successful novels Erik wrote. Ubåten på Nørholm followed in 2003. However, Erik hadn’t turned his back on music.
Eivind Aarset, a Norwegian guitarist, asked Erik to collaborate with him in 2004. The result was Connected, Eivind Aarset’s third album. Connected was critically acclaimed. It was hailed as an album of groundbreaking music. Erik had played his part in Connected’s success. Despite the success of Connected, Erik continued to juggle his parallel careers as a musician and author.
2005 saw Erik release this third novel Kaprersanger. This was Erik’s literary swan-song. He hasn’t written another book. That’s a great shame, as the novels were well received. A great future was forecast for Erik as a writer. However, literature’s loss was music’s gain.
Although his three novels showed another side to Erik Honoré, he had decided to concentrate on music. He was content to work as a songwriter, session musician and producer. That was, until Erik cofounded a music festival.
This was the Punkt Festival in Kristiansand. Jan Bang and Erik founded the Punkt Festival in 2005. Jan and Erik had known each other since they were teenagers. They’d similar tastes in music and were determined to create a festival that was truly unique.
The Punkt Festival was very different to any other Norwegian festival. The idea was that, as a concert was taking place, it would be remixed live in another room. Remixers improvised and added samples to the live sound, essentially creating new and original music on the fly. For everyone involved, the audience, musicians, producers and remixers, this offered endless opportunities. So, it’s no surprise that the Punkt Festival grew legs.
Since 2005, when the first Punkt Festival took place, what are essentially spin-offs of the original festival have taken place across Europe. Paris, London, Tallinn, Wroclaw and various German cities have played host to Punkt Festival spin-offs. Since then, Erik has been busier than ever.
It seems the Punkt Festival opened doors for Erik Honoré. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, Peter Schwalm and David Sylvian.
The first time Erik worked with David Sylvian, was in 2011. They collaborated on the 2011 album Died In The Wool. This was the start of a successful musical partnership. David Sylvian then featured on the third collaboration between Jan Bang and Erik Honoré. However, there was more to 2012 than one album from Erik Honoré.
2012 was a busy year for Erik. He’d collaborated with Greta Aagre on Yyear Of The Bullet. That wasn’t all. Then there was the collaboration between Jan Bang and Erik Honoré.
After eleven long years, Jan Bang and Erik Honoré were back with their third album, Uncommon Deities. Featuring David Sylvian, Uncommon Deities was a hailed a return to form from Jan and Erik. So they released two albums in 2013.
For Jan Bang and Erik Honoré, 2013 was their most productive year. They released two albums, Narrative From The Subtropics and Victoria. After not releasing an album for eleven years, Jan and Erik had released three albums in two years. The drought was well and truly over, in more than one way.
Narrative From The Subtropics and Victoria weren’t the only albums that Erik Honoré had been working on during 2013. He’d began work on his debut solo album Heliographs, an album whose title was inspired by his debut novel.
The titles and narrative on Heliographs originate from parts of Erik’s debut novel, Orakelveggen. It was released back in 2002. However, it provided the inspiration for the concept for Erik’s belated debut album Heliographs.
Much of the recording of Heliographs, took place in Erik’s Oslo home studio. His approach to recording is fascinating. He used samples, but not just any samples. Instead, the basis for much of Heliographs were samples taken from concerts and live remixes. These were then reworked into new tracks. The first track was recorded in August 2013. Gradually, Heliographs began to take shape.
It wasn’t until a few months passed, before it dawned on Erik that potentially, he was working on his long awaited debut album. When he realised this, Erik called upon some of the musicians he regularly collaborated with.
The musicians who played on Heliographs, which features nine tracks, reads like a who’s who of Norwegian improvisational music. The nine tracks are all collaborations. Some of Erik’s collaborators cowrote the tracks. They’re also responsible for Heliographs’ groundbreaking sound.
This is no surprise. Just look at the the lineup of musicians that feature on Heliographs. There’s guitarist Eivind Aarset, trumpeter Arve Henriksen and percussionist Ingar Zach of Huntsville and Dans Les Arbres. They’re joined by Dutch violinist Jeffrey Bruinsma from Zapp 4. That’s not all.
Jo Wang, Nils Petter Molvær, Okavango and Jan Bang provide the myriad of samples that feature on Heliographs. So does Erik. He also plays synths and takes charge of programming. The other person who plays an important role in the success of Heliographs, is vocalist and improviser Sidsel Endresen. She’s part of what’s a array of talented and innovative Norwegian musicians. They accompany Erik Honoré on his long awaited debut album Heliographs, which I’ll tell you about.
Navigators opens Heliographs. It literally meanders into being. Elements of ambient, avant-garde, experimental and jazz melt seamlessly into this experimental soundscape. Shimmering, quivering and fluttering, the arrangement is variously melancholy, ethereal, dark and eerie. You’re drawn in, it cocoons you. A shimmering, shivers, quivering, cooing sound floats above the arrangement. Deep down, dark strings add a gothic tone. Later, the track takes on an experiment and eerie sound. That doesn’t matter, as you can’t help but succumb to its charms and delights.
Halfway House is a short, spacious and minimalist track. The arrangement crawls along, as if hesitant to reveal its secrets. Ambient and classical music provide inspiration for Erik, on this cinematic track.
Percussion and a pulsating bass provide a backdrop for the wistful, ethereal beauty of Sidsel Endresen’s vocal on Sanctuary. She delivers a tender, thoughtful and truly heartfelt vocal. It’s the focus of your attention. No wonder. Literally, her vocal oozes emotion and ethereal beauty.
Pioneer Trail has a captivating introduction. A myriad of disparate layers of sounds assail you. A grinding, churning arrangement meanders along. All the time, a radio plays and a pounding drum pulsates. The grinding, churning sound is reminiscent of a journey along the Pioneer Trail. Meanwhile, the other two stratas of sound are reminiscent of late night, city living, far from the Pioneer Trail. Just like Halfway House, Erik Honorè uses music to paint pictures and tell stories.
Just a lone bass plays as the arrangement to Red Café shows its secrets. Meanwhile, a subtle wash of sound sits down in the mix. Before long, a violin plays. Its minimalist, melancholy sound adds a heartachingly beautiful, wistful sound.
Washes of synths open Last Chance Gas and Water. They’re joined by a broody bass and sci-fi sounds. Together they combine darkness and a futuristic, otherworldly sound. Gradually, layers of music unfolds. A buzzing synth bass adds a cinematic sweep. That’s fitting. Sometimes, the arrangement is reminiscent of the soundtrack to a Cold War thriller. Other times, moody and broody describes the music. So does futuristic and 21st century. All this is down the imagination of Erik Honorè, a true musical innovator and explorer.
Strife might be a relatively short track, but it leaves an impression. It’s futuristic, and packed full of sci-fi sounds. Elements of avant-garde, experimental free jazz and rock melt into one. They play their part in a captivating and futuristic sounding track that packs a punch.
Sanctuary Revisited picks up where Sanctuary left off. It welcomes back Sidsel Endresen’s vocal. Her vocal is tender, and melancholy. There’s a fragility to her voice and a sense of sadness. Despite that, the ethereal beauty is omnipresent. She’s accompanied by an arrangement that’s slow, minimalist and has a classical influence. Strings are at the heart of the arrangement. They swell, and sweep the arrangement along. Later, so are pizzicato strings and Sidsel’s tender, thoughtful, scatted vocal. They’re at the heart of track that’s the highlight of Heliographs.
Departed closes Heliographs Erik Honoré’s long awaited debut solo album. Elements of ambient and classical music melt into one. Slowly, the arrangement unfolds. It’s reticent about doing so. However, eventually, Departed reveals its secrets and beauty to all, proving the perfect way to close Heliographs.
Erik Honoré is now forty-eight. He’s been involved in music all his life. However, there’s one thing he’s never done, release a solo album. That’s about to change. Heliographs, will be released by Hubro Music on 17th November 2014. Belatedly, one of Norwegian music’s most creative and innovative musicians releases his solo debut album Heliographs. However, Erik is no newcomer to music.
He’s worked with the great and good of music. This includes David Sylvian and Arve Henrikse, through Eivind Aarset, Jon Hassell and Laurie Anderson, to Brian Eno and Peter Schwalm. Each of these artists have one thing in common. They release music that’s groundbreaking. That’s what Erik Honoré does on Heliographs.
That’s no surprise. Erik has collaborated with many artists. They’ve never played it safe. So why should Erik start playing it safe now? He doesn’t. There’s no chance of that. Heliographs is a groundbreaking, genre-melting album. Everything from ambient, avant-garde, classical, experimental, free jazz and a hint of psychedeliaan and rock melt into one. It’s an eclectic and disparate fusion of musical influences and genres. That’s not surprising. Erik Honorè is a true musical innovator and explorer. On Heliographs, Erik Honorè dares to go, where other musicians fear to tread.
ERIK HONORE-HELIOGRAPHS.
DAVID SANCIOUS AND TONE-TRANSFORMATION (THE SPEED OF LOVE).
DAVID SANCIOUS AND TONE-TRANSFORMATION (THE SPEED OF LOVE).
Although David Sancious was a self-taught guitarist, the New Jersey born multi-instrumentalist was a classically trained pianist. David, who was born on November 30th 1953, first started playing piano aged seven. That was the start of David Sancious’ long and illustrious career.
David went on to play with rock royalty, including Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Springsteen. Indeed, David was an early member of the E-Street Band, and played on Bruce Springsteen’s first two albums. He made his debut on Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. However, by then, David Sancious had served his musical apprenticeship.
Four years after he took his first classical piano lesson, the eleven year old David Sancious first picked up a guitar. He managed to teach himself the rudiments of guitar. A few years passed, and David had immersed himself in Asbury Park’s music scene.
This was the late sixties and early seventies. The Asbury Park music scene was vibrant. At the heart of it, was a teenage David Sancious, Bill Chinnock, Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen and future members of the E-Street Band. Along with David, they played in various bands, including Glory Road, Dr.Zoom and The Sonic Boom, The Bruce Springsteen Band and The Sundance Blues Band. Right through until 1972, this was the first part of David Sancious’ apprenticeship. The final part came, when David moved to Richmond, Virginia.
As 1972 dawned, David Sancious moved to Richmond, Virginia. His destination was Alpha Studios. David’s new job was a studio musician, who played on jingles and sessions. That was how he met Ernest “Boom” Carter, the E-Street Band’s drummer. This was how David spent two years in Bruce Springsteen’s employ.
Between 1972 and 1974, David was a member of the E-Street Band. He played keyboards on Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.
Recording of Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. took place between July and September 1972. Four months later, on January 5th 1973, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. was released. It was well received by critics, and nowadays, features in Rolling Stone magazines list of 500 best albums of all time. Despite this, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. wasn’t a huge commercial success.
On its release, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. reached just number sixty in the US Billboard 200 charts. Little did anyone know that this was the start of the career of one of the most successful American musicians ever.
Even David didn’t appear to realise this. After Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. was recorded, he didn’t head out on tour with Bruce Springsteen. Instead, he returned to Alpha Studios.
At Alpha Studios, David recorded some demos with drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter and bassist Garry Tallent. There was a problem though. The rights to the demos that the three members of the E-Street Band recorded, were owned by producer and songwriter Will Farrell. These would become a bone of contention, when they were later released without David’s permission. That was still to come. Before that, David would play on The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle.
Recording of Bruce Springsteen’s sophomore album, The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle took place between May and September 1973 at was re914 Recording Sound Studios. It was the perfect showcase for David’s skills.
On The Wild, The Innocent and The E-Street Shuffle, David talents as a multi-instrumentalist shines through. He played piano on New York City Serenade, organ on Kitty’s back and a soprano saxophone solo on The E Street Shuffle. That’s not all. During instrumental breakdowns, David enjoys the chance to showcase his versatility. Drawing inspiration from his eclectic musical taste, he takes The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle on unexpected directions. In doing so, David played his part in Bruce Springsteen’s first great album.
When The Wild, The Innocent and The E-Street Shuffle was released in September 1973, it was too widespread critical acclaim. So much so, that The Wild, The Innocent and The E-Street Shuffle features in the Rolling Stone magazines list of 500 best albums of all time. Sadly, this didn’t translate into sales.
The Wild, The Innocent and The E-Street Shuffle stalled at just number fifty-nine in the US Billboard 200 charts. Although slightly better than Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., it was a disappointing chart placing. Maybe this is why David’s time with The E-Street Band was soon at an end.
David toured with The E-Street Band from June 1973 right through to August 1974. He also played on the title-track to Bruce Springsteen’s third album Born To Run. However, David was about to leave the E-Street Band, albeit not for ever.
Having left The E-Street Band, David and drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter formed their own group Tone. The third member of Tone was bassist Gerald Carboy. Other members would come and go. This would include vocalists Gail Boggs, Patti Scialfa, Brenda Maddison and Gayle Moran, of Return To Forever and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Another future member of Tone was Alex Ligertwood, who’d become Santana’s vocalist. These vocalists were part of Tone’s fluid lineup. Their debut album was Forest Of Feeling.
Forest of Feeling.
For David Sancious and Tone’s debut album, 1975s Forest Of Feeling, they decided to change direction from the music they’d been making with Bruce Springsteen. To do this, they brought onboard a producer capable of making this happen.
Billy Cobham of The Mahavishnu Orchestra was brought onboard to produce Forest Of Feeling. Their debut album saw David Sancious and Tone’s music move in an innovative direction. Progressive rock and jazz fusion melted into one on Forest Of Feeling. There was more than a nod to The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Yes and Genesis. A captivating fusion of musical genes and influences, Tone’s debut Forest Of Feeling, was released in 1975.
On its release in 1975, Forest Of Feeling was well received by critics. They realised that Forest Of Feeling was an album of groundbreaking music. It was very much a mixture of music’s present and future. Despite this, Forest Of Feeling failed to chart. For David Sancious and Tone this a huge disappointment. So they started work on their sophomore album, Transformation (The Speed Of Love), which was reissued by Esoteric Recordings.
Transformation (The Speed Of Love).
For Transformation (The Speed Of Love), David Sancious and Tone’s sophomore album, David penned four tracks. They were Piktor’s Metamorphosis, Sky Church Hymn #9, The Play And Display Of The Heart and Transformation (The Speed Of Love). These four lengthy pieces were the perfect showcase for David Sancious and Tone.
Recording of Transformation (The Speed Of Love) took place at Caribou Ranch studios with Bruce Botnik producing. David played acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, piano plus Hammond and electric organ. That’s not all. A true multi-instrumentalist, David also played Moog synth, clavinet, electric and acoustic guitars. Ernest “Boom” Carter played drums, percussion and added the vocal on Piktor’s Metamorphosis. Gerald Carboy played bass and wind chimes. Gayle Moran sang the vocal chorus on Transformation (The Speed Of Love), an eighteen minute epic that closes the album. Once these four songs were recorded, Transformation (The Speed Of Love) was released in 1976.
On Transformation (The Speed Of Love)’s release, it was released to widespread critical acclaim. A genre-melting album, everything from blues, boogie, classic rock, psychedelia, funk, fusion, jazz, progressive rock and rock feature on Transformation (The Speed Of Love). It’s three hugely talented musicians showcasing their considerable talents. Despite this, commercial success eluded Transformation (The Speed Of Love).
Transformation (The Speed Of Love) failed to chart. It passed record buyers by, upon its release in 1976. Since then, Transformation (The Speed Of Love) has found an audience within the rock and jazz community. You’ll realise why, when I tell you about Transformation (The Speed Of Love).
Opening Transformation (The Speed Of Love) is Piktor’s Metamorphosis. A melancholy Fender Rhodes plays slowly and thoughtfully. Tenderly, wind chimes make their presence felt. Soon, the track heads in the direction of fusion. Starting slowly, it’s a laid back track. Just scatted harmonies accompany Tone. Then Tone kick loose. The rhythm section and scorching guitars drive the arrangement along. David’s guitar are at the heart of the arrangement. His fingers fly up and down the fretboard, as he draws inspiration from fusion and rock. However, Tone aren’t a one man band. Ernest “Boom” Carter’s drums and Gerald Carboy bass play important roles. Especially the pounding, probing bass. Along with David’s blistering, searing, guitars, it plays a starring role during this musical roller coaster that veers between laid back and melancholy to raucous and rocky.
Sky Church Hymn #9 sees Tone head in the direction of the blues, as they pay homage to the late, great Jimi Hendrix. Early on, there’s even a country and rock influence. Mostly, though, the blues are the starting point as Tone get into the deepest of grooves. After a couple of minutes, it’s time for Tone to stretch their legs musically. This is the signal for David to unleash some scorching, rocky guitar licks. He goes toe-to-toe with Tone’s rhythm section. They match him every step of the way. Soon, the track becomes a funky slice of boogie, with more than the merest hints of psychedelia. Later, fusion is the next genre Tone make a fleeting visit to, on a truly genre-melting homage to a musical legend, Jimi Hendrix.
The Play And Display Of The Heart sees another change in direction. A wistful piano plays. David unleashes some flamboyant flourishes, before the track returns to what’s almost a fusion modern classical and jazz. He duets with himself on acoustic guitar. This is a compelling combination, where David becomes a one man band. After three minutes, David injects drama and flamboyance. Elements of classical, jazz and rock shine through on what’s a truly beautiful track.
Closing Transformation (The Speed Of Love), is the title-track, an eighteen minute epic. It took up the entire second side of the original album. As the arrangement unfolds, it’s almost discordant. You wonder what’s about to unfold. It’s best described as heading in the direction of ambient, avant-garde, experimental and free jazz. This is a brief detour. Then Tone become one and get down to business. The track heads in the direction of fusion and progressive rock. In full flight, the rhythm section, propelled along by the bass provide the backdrop for a vampish Hammond organ. Then sci-fi synths signal a breakdown. A lone Fender Rhodes meanders across the arrangement. Boom Boom marks time, as if desperate to kick loose. When he does, he and the rest of Tone become a tight, progressive band. As the tempo increases, they showboat their way through what’s the album’s highlights. It’s another musical journey, one where drama and melancholy are ever-present. Adding to that is Gayle Moran’s ethereal vocal, during the chorus. It plays a part in David Sancious and Tone’s musical Magnus Opus where beauty, drama, darkness, joy and melancholy make their presence felt.
Transformation (The Speed Of Love), David Sancious and Tone’s sophomore album was their finest moment. Sadly, they were neither a prolific nor successful group.
Indeed, they only released two further albums, 1977s Dance Of The Enlightenment and True Stories. Just four albums are the sum total of David Sancious and Tone’s discography. For the newcomer to David Sancious and Tone’s music, then Transformation (The Speed Of Love) is the place to start.
Quite simply, Transformation (The Speed Of Love), is an innovative, genre-melting album. During the four tracks, elements of ambient, avant-garde, blues, classical, experimental, funk, fusion, jazz, progressive rock, psychedelia and rock are combined by three hugely talented musicians. Seamlessly, the change direction. They’re able to do this, because they’re versatile musicians. However, David Sancious and Tone were hardly musical veterans.
David was just twenty-three when Transformation (The Speed Of Love) was released. However, he’d spent a lifetime making music. That’s apparent on Transformation (The Speed Of Love). Whether he’s playing guitar, piano or organ, David Sancious is a truly gifted musician. Accompanying him are two talented musicians, drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter and bassist Gerald Carboy. Their contribution to Transformation (The Speed Of Love), which is something of a hidden gem, is equally important.
Recently, Transformation (The Speed Of Love) has been reissued by Esoteric Recordings. This will allow a new generation of music lovers to discover David Sancious and Tone’s captivating and genre-melting album Transformation (The Speed Of Love).
DAVID SANCIOUS AND TONE-TRANSFORMATION (THE SPEED OF LOVE).
WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR 2.
WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR 2.
Enigmatic. That’s the perfect word to describe synth funk pioneer, William Onyeabor. He is, without doubt, one of the most mysterious and elusive musicians. There’s a good reason for this, Much of William Onyeabor’s life is shrouded in mystery. After releasing eight albums between 1978 and 1985, which will feature in Luaka Bop’s forthcoming nine CD box set William Onyeabor 2, William Onyeabor became a born-again Christian. He turned his back on music and refused to talk about his life or music. In some ways, this has helped perpetuate the myths surrounding William Onyeabor.
With William Onyeabor refusing to discuss his past, numerous rumours surrounded his life after music. Rumours were rife about what happened next. Some believe William studied cinematography in the Soviet Union, then returned to Nigeria, where he founded his own film company, Wilfilms. Then there’s the rumour that William studied law in England, then became a lawyer in his native Nigeria. Others believe William became a businessman in Nigeria. According to other people, William worked for the Nigerian government. No-one can say with any degree of certainty. The only person who knows what happened next, is William Onyeabor.
William Onyeabor however, isn’t for telling. Thirty-nine after William Onyeabor found religion, and turned his back on music, he’s still refusing to discuss his past. This means still, little is known about Nigerian music’s most enigmatic musicians, William Onyeabor. The effect this has, is to perpetuate the myth of William Onyeabor. He’s a a musical riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Sadly, one that looks like never being solved. There’s no clues in William Onyeabor’s biography.
Trying to write an accurate biography of William Onyeabor is almost impossible. Especially when William Onyeabor refuses to talk about his past. There are some things we can say with a degree of certainty. The first is that growing up, William Onyeabor was a talented musician.
William Onyeabor was born either in 1945 or 1946. Nobody knows. Only William Onyeabor and he won’t say. He was born and brought up Enugu, in the Nigerian provinces. Growing up, William Onyeabor showed an interest in music.
Soon, William was hooked. Music began to play a bigger part in his life. Before long, he realised listening to music was one thing. He wanted to make music. So he decided it was tine to learn how to play an instrument. It’s thought that the first instrument William learnt to play were keyboards. That was his musical weapon of choice. Before long, it became apparent that William Onyeabor was a talented musicians. Some people thought that when William Onyeabor left school, he would make a living out of music. They were in for a surprise.
When William was a teenager and ready to leave high school, it’s thought he was awarded a scholarship to study cinematography in the old Soviet Union. That may, however, be one of the myths surrounding William Onyeabor.
Anyone who has a copy of William Onyeabor’s 1977 debut album, Crashes in Love, will see he is described as an American and French trained filmmaker on the back cover. Crashes in Love is allegedly the soundtrack to the film of the same name. It’s meant to have been made by William’s own film company Winfilms. That however, is another of the controversies surrounding William Onyeabor.
On his return to his native Nigeria, William Onyeabor founded his own film company, Winfilms. Between 1977 and 1985, when William’s career was at its height, people speculated whether Winfilms released any films? It was known if Winfilms had even released a film? Since then, efforts have been made to trace whether Winfilms released any films. There has been no trace of Winfilms releasing any films. That includes Crashes in Love. It’s billed as “a tragedy of how an African princess rejects the love that money buys.” However, another company William Onyeabor founded was more active and successful.
Winfilms wasn’t the only company William Onyeabor founded. No. A subsidiary of Winfilms, Wilfims Records released William Onyeabor’s eight albums. They were recorded at Winfilms Recording Studio in Enugu, Nigeria. William Onyeabor’s debut album was 1978s Crashes In Love.
Crashes In Love.
Crashes In Love was released in 1978 on Wilfims Records. This was supposedly a soundtrack album. However, no trace of the film Crashes In Love has ever been traced. That’s not the only mystery surrounding William Onyeabor’s debut album Crashes In Love.
Seemingly, there are two versions of Crashes In Love in existence. Both versions feature in Luaka Bop’s forthcoming CD box set 2. There’s what’s known as the electronic version. It’s essentially a remix album. The four songs have added drumbeats. Then there’s the original version.
The original version of Crashes In Love has just five tracks. It opens with the ten minute spic Something You’ll Never Forget. After that, the music continues to be funky, soulful and dance-floor friendly. Especially Ride On Baby and Crashes In Love would showcase William Onyeabor’s trademark sound. However, with two version of Crashes In Love being released, it seems even mystery surrounds William Onyeabor’s debut album.
Atomic Bomb.
Following his debut album, William Onyeabor released his sophomore album Atomic Bomb in 1978. Featuring the Winfilms Resident Band, Atomic Bomb was groundbreaking, genre-sprawling album. Released on his own label, Wilfilms Records, William Onyeabor Atomic Bomb was a career defining album further established William’s reputation as a pioneering musician.
Atomic Bomb is one of those albums where there’s no weak tracks. It just oozes quality. From Beautiful Baby to the defiant, social comment of Better Change Your Mind and Atomic Bomb, William Onyeabor unleashes a series of musical tour de forces. They’re just three reasons why William Onyeabor would be hailed as one of the most innovative musicians with Nigeria in the late seventies. So is the understated, spacey lo-fi funk of Shame and I Need You All Life.
Tomorrow.
For the recording of his third album Tomorrow, William Onyeabor headed to the familiar surroundings of Wilfilms Studios Limited, Awakunanaw, Enugu. William had written another five tracks. They would feature what was his trademark sound.
Essentially, this was funk and soul fused with a pulsating Afro-beat beat. Sometimes, the female backing vocal took the music in the direction of gospel music. Especially when they sung call and response with William. The music was joyous and irresistible. What made William Onyeabor’s music stand out, were the banks of synthesisers. This was very different from most of the music coming out of Nigeria.
William it seemed, was determined to stand out musically. Tomorrow and Fantastic Man are proof of this. This is Why Go To War, one of many ant-war songs William recorded. His music had a social conscience. It was also evolving with each album. There was no chance of William Onyeabor standing still. That wasn’t his style. He was determined his music would continue to evolve. That would be the case as a new decade dawned.
Body and Soul.
For the cover of Body and Soul, William Onyeabor dawns a while suit and bow tie. This makes him resemble Lou Rawls. So when you drop the needle on The Way To Win Your Love, you’re expecting a slice of the smoothest soul. You’re in for a shock. It’s all beeps, squeaks from the music and sound-effects department of Wilfilms Ltd. Add to this stabs of horns and hissing hi-hats. After that, soul, funk and Afro-beat melt into one. This is the case right Poor Boy, Body and Soul and Believe In God, which provides a clue to William Onyeabor’s future.
Five years after the release of Body and Soul, William Onyeabor would become a born-again Christian. Was the release of Believe In God a hint of the direction William Onyeabor’s life was leading? He was certainly known for his anti-war songs and social conscience, but religion was apparently a new thing. Believe In God was just a hint that William Onyeabor was changing.
Great Lover.
Just like Body and Soul, the cover of Great Lover is akin to a homage to the album covers of giants of American soul. William Onyeabor dawns a tuxedo and top hat on Great Lover. Wearing a watch that’s the size of a dinner plate, William Onyeabor looks urban and debonair. This is very different to the younger version of William Onyeabor that headed to the former Soviet Union to study cinematography. The image William Onyeabor is also very different to the reality of his life.
By 1981, when he released Great Lover, William Onyeabor wasn’t exactly a giant of Nigerian music. He was enjoying a modicum of success. However, he wasn’t one of Nigerian’s most successful musical exports. So it’s no wonder rumours continued to surround this mystery man. However, one thing wasn’t in doubt, William Onyeabor’s talent.
That’s apparent on the genre-hopping Great Lover. Elements of Afro-beat, Afro-Cuban, funk and soul melt into one during this concept album. Just like his previous albums, William Onyeabor is determined to innovate. He manages to do that on an album that’s soulful, funky and tinged with the influences of three continents.
Hypertension.
In 1982, William Onyeabor was ready to release his sixth album, Hypertension. It marked a change of direction from the man they called a musical chameleon, William Onyeabor. He fused Afro-beat, funk, psychedelia, rock and even a hint of soul. This musical melange also so songs of praise and protest songs sit side-by-side. Hypertension was William Onyeabor his eclectic best.
From the opening bars of The Moon And The Sun, what was probably William Onyeabor’s most eclectic and ambitious album proved a musical mystery tour. After The Moon And The Sun gave way to Papa Na Mama and Hypertension, William’s social conscience shines through on Politicians. They’re far from William Onyeabor’s people. They’re to blame for Nigeria and the wider world’s problems. This impassioned track closes William Onyeabor’s most eclectic and innovative album Hypertension.
Good Name.
Little did anyone realise it, but 1983s Good Name would be the penultimate album William Onyeabor released. Good Name is a truly compelling album. Although it only features two tracks, where elements of Afro-beat, electronica and funk are fuses, these two tracks speak volumes.
On side one, William almost dawns the role of a preacher. The message he preaches is about Love. That he believes leads to peace, harmony and happiness. Then on side two, Williams sings about the importance of good name. It he believes is better than silver and gold. William reinforces this message by singing: “no money, no money, no money, Nn money can buy good Name.” Looking back, this could be seen as the beginning of a change in William Onyeabor. Maybe this was the start of William Onyeabor turning his back on music?
Anything You Sow.
If Good Name gave a hint of what was about to happen, Anything You Sow spelt it out in large letters. Given the title, Anything You Sow, it looks as if William was changing. Maybe he was on the verge of a spiritual awakening and was questioning the world around him? This would explain songs like When The Going Is Smooth and Good, This Kind Of World, Anything You Sow and Everyday?
A fusion of Afro-beat, funk and soul, the changes in William’s life didn’t affect the quality of music on Anything You Sow. William was continuing to push musical boundaries. He was determined, maybe even fearful of releasing music that didn’t evolve. There was no chance of that. Similarly, there was no hint of what was about to happen next.
Looking at the back cover to Anything You Sow, William Onyeabor continued to give an impression that Wilfilms Limited was an important, thriving company. It wasn’t a case of what Wilfilms Limited did, it was case of what they didn’t do. Their services were listed as “recording and record manufacturing industry. Music, video and film producers.” They also had within their portfolio of business interests an office, factory and recording studios within the Wilfilms Complex. To the onlooker, it looked like William Onyeabor was on his way to building a business empire on the back of his recording career. Surely, the last thing he was about to do was walk away from music?
1985s Anything You Sow was William Onyeabor’s final album. After that, William Onyeabor turned his back on music. He became a born-again Christian. Since then, he has refused to discuss his music or his past. Both his musical career and his past are another country. Since then, rumours, myths and speculation have surrounded William Onyeabor.
One of the most controversial parts of his life was where he studied. Which side of the Iron Curtain did William Onyeabor study? Originally, he claimed to have won a scholarship to study cinematography in the former Soviet Union. Then on his 1977 debut album Chains Of Love, which was the alleged soundtrack album, William Onyeabor claims to have studied cinematography in France and America. Just like the rest of his life, William Onyeabor refused to speak about this period of his life. So tight lipped is William Onyeabor, that ge wouldn’t even confirm if he had ever made a film. As a result, allegations of the Russian connection in William Onyeabor’s life refuse to go away.
This is all part of rumours, mystery and speculation the Nigerian synth funk pioneer, William Onyeabor. As a result, for far too long William Onyeabor has been one of music’s best kept secrets. Not any more.
Over a seven-year period, William Onyeabor released eight innovative and inventive, groundbreaking, genre-melting albums. On each of these albums, was music that was way ahead of the musical curve. Everything from Afro-beat, cosmic funk, gospel, jazz, post-disco, proto-house, psychedelia, reggae, rock and soul was thrown into the melting pot by William Onyeabor. This is apparent on Luaka Bop’s forthcoming nine CD box set William Onyeabor 2. It’ll be released on 24th November 2014, and features all you need to know about William Onyeabor, but were afraid to ask.
The music on William Onyeabor 2 is the work of a musical visionary. That’s no exaggeration. After all, how many people could successfully mix sci-fi synths with soul and jazz? William Onyeabor could, and does on Let’s Fall In Love. Then on Fantastic Man, William like a mystic, foresaw the changing of the musical guard. The ghost of disco passes the musical baton to Chicago house. This fusion of post-disco and proto-house demonstrates the versatility of William Onyeabor.
Indeed, William Onyeabor’s music evolves throughout the period between William released his 1978 debut album Crash In Love and 1983s Good Name. Whilst other artists were churning out albums of similar music, William was pushing musical boundaries. He wasn’t content to stand still. One listen to the nine discs within William Onyeabor 2 and you’ll realise this.
From 1980 onwards, his music evolved. It became much more reliant on synths, keyboards and drum machines. Sometimes, it’s best described as futuristic, with a sci-fi sound. An example of this is Let’s Fall In Love, from his 1983 album Good Name. Buzzing, sci-fi synths are key to the track’s futuristic sound. To this inventive track, somehow, William welds soul and jazz. It’s a combination that shouldn’t work, but does. In a way, it’s just one example of the genius of William Onyeabor, which was lost to music after his 1985 album Anything You Sow.
That William Onyeabor turned his back on music, is music’s loss. Who knows what heights of innovation and inventiveness William Onyeabor might have reached? As a result, William Onyeabor 2 is a reminder of an elusive and enigmatic musical visionary.
WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR 2.
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 