KARINE POLWART-TRACES.
KARINE POLWART-TRACES.
Karine Polwart is something of a rarity in an age where anodyne, bland and uncontroversial music fills our airwaves and record shops. Her music isn’t just intelligent, articulate and socially relevant, it’s also melodic and beautiful. She’s a storyteller who gives a voice to the downtrodden, disenfranchised, impoverished and vulnerable, and in doing so, empathizes with their plight. Telling their story with a mixture of anger, frustration, passion and tenderness, Karine brings her lyrics to life. These lyrics are people’s stories, which Karine has discovered and shares with her audience. That’s why Karine Polwart is an award-winning folk singer, whose fifth album Traces which was released on Hegri Music, has been short-listed for 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year Award. Traces features ten songs, which are akin to short stories. Using a rich and colorful musical palette, Karine Polwart paints musical pictures that come to life before your eyes. Before I tell you about Traces, I’ll tell you about Karine Polwart’s career so far.
Before embarking on her musical career, Karine Polwart studied politics and philosophy at university. On graduating, Karine worked in women’s and children’s rights. However, what she really wanted to do, was make a career out of music. For Karine, she didn’t make this decision lightly. What swung it for her, was that she felt through music, life somehow, made sense. Not only that, Karine felt that through music, she could “perform some important social function.” It did. It allowed Karine to tell people’s stories of the situations, adversity and obstacles they had to overcome.
Having decided to make a career in music, Karine’s debut album made a huge impression. Faultlines, released in 2005, won three albums at the BBC Folk Awards. This included Best Album. Then in 2005, the live Pulling Through E.P. was released. This allowed people a tantalizing taste of what Karine sounded like live. Karine’s sophomore album, 2006s Scribbled In Chalk featured Daisy, which won the BBC Folk Award For Best Original Song. Just two albums into her career, and Karine Polwart’s decision to embark upon a musical career had been vindicated.
2007 saw Karine release the third album of her career. Fairest Floo’er was a combination of folk and Scottish traditional songs. A year later, in 2008, Karine released This Earthly Spell, her fourth album. Her reputation was growing with each release. She was being hailed as one of Britain’s finest folk singers, both on record and live. Proof of how good a live act Karine and her band were, was 2009s Build Your Own Cathedral E.P.
In 2010, Karine put her musical career on hold, when she went on maternity leave. Before that, Side Show-The Burns Unit album and the Evergreen E.P. were released. On the Lau Vs. Karine Palwart Evergreen E.P., Karine hooked up with a band who coincidentally, are on the long-list for 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year Award. This would be the last that would be heard of Karine Polwart until 2011. However, it would 2012 before Karine Polwart released another album, Traces.
Traces was Katine’s fifth studio album, which was released in 2012. Released to critical acclaim, fans and critics alike decided Karine was back with the best album of her career. Not only was Traces nominated for three awards in the BBC Folk Awards, but it was hailed the Guardian’s Folk Album of 2012. The Herald went one better, crowning Traces as the best Scottish album of 2012. That’s quite an accolade. Will Traces surpass that by winning 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year Award? That’s what I’ll tell you, once I’ve told you about the music on Traces.
Opening Traces is Cover Your Eyes, a quite beautiful, understated song about teenage romance. With just acoustic guitar accompanying her, Karine paints pictures of about the innocent adventures she and her boyfriend used to have. Lyrics like: “I was Farah Fawcett, you were Steve McQueen, and we rode your silver grifter, half way to Aberdeen.” Evocative pictures are painted, and scenes unfold. It’s like a film being played out before your eyes. Later, her description of the landscape is particularly poignant, given how it has been destroyed to make way for a golf-course. Filled with pathos, poignant, beautiful and melancholy, it’s the perfect way to open Traces.
There’s a real wistful sound as King Of Bird, a song that tells a story in three parts. The song is about St. Paul’s Cathedral, London and is set against the Fire of London, The Blitz and The City of London. Acoustic guitar, fiddle and keyboards accompany Karina’s heartfelt vocal. She delivers the evocative lyrics with passion. If you close your eyes, you can smell the smoke of the fire, picture the chaos of the blitz. When Karine delivers the lyric “mirrors that bruise the sky,” that’s the perfect description of the garish architectural monstrosities. Having delivered that line, Karina scats, with the band accompanying her. You’re left feeling pensive, marvelling at Karine’s articulate, literate lyrics.
Tears For Lot’s Wife was adapted from Anna Akhamatova’s poem. Just a meandering acoustic guitar sets the scene for Karine’s vocal. Harmonies envelop her, while piano and percussion accompany her. As the drama grows, Karina paints vivid but heartbreaking pictures. You hope against hope that she turns back, but fear that she’s too determined and principled. That makes the lyrics: “whose gonna mourn, one woman in a storm,” even more poignant, powerful and even disturbing.
Don’t Worry is about a soldier returning home, and the problems he has. The understated arrangement allows you to focus on Karina’s vocal. She’s accompanied by just an acoustic guitar as she sings: “when the soldier comes back, with the weight of the world in his knapsack, he’s gonna need a little hand.” This paints a powerful picture. Immediately, you wonder what horrors and atrocities he’s seen? His partner is desperate, vowing to trade anything to have make him better and “set him free.” This brings to life the sheer desperation of his partner.
We’re All Leaving demonstrates just how diverse the subject matter Karine uses for inspiration for her song. Here, she uses the death of Charles Darwin’s daughter Annie for inspiration. Just acoustic guitar, harmonies, percussion and accordion provide a backdrop for Anna. Her vocal is emotive, filled with sadness and resignation as she delivers the lyric: “he has no ark to bear him from his flood.” This is a particularly poignant lyric, given Darwin was an avowed atheist. The most heartbreaking lyric is the one that describes Darwin and his wife approaching the church door, and how after, a helpless and bereft Darwin: “walks these woods alone.” A stark and deeply portrayal of a heartrending situation.
Tinsel Show is about how the petrochemical plant near where Karine grew up. With just acoustic guitar, drums and keyboards, the memories come flooding back. Karine’s vocal grows in power at the memory of the lights and fumes that dominated the landscape around Grangemouth. Despite this, the lights reminded Karine of disco lights, diamonds and flying saucers. Seen through a child’s eyes, there’s beauty in even the most grotesque industrial landscape. Equally beautiful are the ethereal and angelic harmonies that reach an elegant crescendo. It’s a fitting way to close Karine’s beautiful, evocative walk down memory lane.
Strange News is a song everyone can relate to. It was inspired by the tragic and sudden death of his cousin’s wife. She’d died far too young. The thing anyone asks themselves is why? That’s the unanswerable question that neither reason nor religion can answer. With just her trusty guitar, fiddle and later, accordion for company, Karine remembers times and places. She remembers where she was when she heard the news, and the reminisces about things they’d done and been together. One of the most heartbreaking pictures she paints is of the stoic mother, trying to put a brave face on it, despite her heartbreak. Anguish and the realization life will never be the same shine through, as Karine delivers one of her best vocals of some incredibly moving, but beautiful lyrics.
Just the mournful, emotive sound of an accordion opens Sticks ‘n’ Stones. Having set the scene for Karine’s vocal, she delivers a slow, pensive vocal. The reason for her melancholia is having decided to visit the now empty house she once lived in. Memories come flooding back, when things were simpler and her dreams were intact. Harmonies, a flute, drums and accordion accompany cascading harmonies. Along with a trumpet, they create a mournful, melancholy backdrop. You wonder why? Sadly we never find out, but maybe, the Sticks ‘n’ Stones Karine sings about are a clue?
Salters Road was written to celebrate the life of Karine’s neighbor Molly Kristensen. Karine delivers an impassioned and heartfelt vocal, as she tells the story of her life. Accompanying her are a subtle backdrop of piano, guitar and celestial harmonies. So clear is the picture Karine paints, you can imagine scenes unfolding. You can see Molly walking down Salters Road, the sun shining and her waiting for her boyfriend. It’s evocative, beautiful, melancholy and much, much more. It demonstrates Karine talents as a singer, lyricist and storyteller.
Closing Traces is Half A Mile. Although the song features lyrics that veer between beautiful and heartbreaking. Articulate and expressive lyrics, there’s an inherent sadness in the song. The song pays tribute to a young girl who was abducted and tells of the search for her. From the opening bars, there’s a sense of melancholia. Just Karine’s pensive vocal and her acoustic guitar, before booming drums add to a dramatic contrast. As Karine poses a series of questions. What was she doing, where was taken from, was she singing? To all these questions, there’s no answer. All that’s known is that Susan had only Half A Mile to walk until she was home.
Although Karine Polwart’s fifth album Traces, is quite different to many of the albums on the long-list for 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year Award, it’s deserving of its place. Indeed, Traces is in the minority, given it’s a folk album. However, if you’re only going to have one folk album, make it one as good as Traces. The ten tracks on Traces feature some of the most articulate, poignant and evocative lyrics. Taking her inspiration from a diverse range of subjects, Karine proceeds to paint pictures. Using a rich and colorful musical palette, Karine introduces you to a series of characters and their lives. Tragedy, desperation, pathos and joy feature in the songs. Articulate and cerebral, Karine gives a voice to the downtrodden, disenfranchised, impoverished and vulnerable. She empathizes with their plight, telling their story with a mixture of anger, frustration, passion and tenderness. In doing this, Karine tugs at your heartstrings, makes you think, stirs your emotions and makes you ask why? You experience sadness, melancholy, anger, frustration and heartbreak. Not many artists can achieve this through their music. Karine Polwart can, and does with Traces. Quite simply, Karine Polwart’s Traces is one of the best Scottish albums of 2012. Traces which was released on Hegri Music, should be one of the contenders for the Scottish Album Of The Year. However, are the judges brave enough to award a folk album, like Karine Polwart’s Traces, 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year? Standout Tracks: Cover Your Eyes, We’re All Leaving, Tinsel Show and Strange News.
KARINE POLWART-TRACES.
MIAOUX MIAOUX-LIGHT OF THE NORTH.
MIAOUX MIAOUX-LIGHT OF THE NORTH.
When the long-list for 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year was announced, this celebration of Scottish music, demonstrated just how eclectic the music Scotland’s musicians have been producing. The twenty albums featured everything from indie rock, pop, electronica, folk, jazz, dance and R&B. One album incorporated not just variety of these genres but much, much more. This album was Miaoux Miaoux’s debut album Light Of The North. Released on Glasgow’s Chemikal Underground label in July 2012, Light Of The North was hailed as one of the albums of the summer. In their desperation to categorize Light Of The North, critics described it as “indie dance pop.” There’s much more to Miaoux Miaoux’s music on Light Of The North. Indie dance pop is merely scratching the surface of the music Light Of The North. The best way to describe Miaoux Miaoux’s music is genre-sprawling. You’ll realize that, when I tell you about the music on Light Of The North.
Before producer Julian Corrie decided to make a career out of music, he lead an interesting life to say the least. He lead something of a nomadic existence. Heading off on his travels, Julian eventually settled in Peru, where he spent five years. From the exotic climes of Peru, next stop for Julian was England. After moving between towns and cities, Julian moved to Glasgow, where his musical career began.
Having settled in Glasgow, Julian’s musical career began in 2010. He dawned the guise of Miaoux Miaoux. It didn’t take long before people realized Julian was a talented producer and remixer. His first release as Miaoux Miaoux was the critically acclaimed Blooms E.P, which Julian released himself. With the publicity generated by the Blooms E.P, Miaoux Miaoux were suddenly playing at concerts all over Scotland. Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Rock Ness Festival were introduced to the delights of Miaoux Miaoux.
Suddenly, Miaoux Miaoux were establishing a reputation as one of Scotland’s up-and-coming bands. Later in 2010, Miaoux Miaoux released their Knitted E.P. Not only did it feature three innovative tracks, but featured a memorable hand knitted CD cover. In November 2010, Miaoux Miaoux were one of four groups who contributed a track for the Split E.P, which was released on Gerry Loves Records. Along with the two E.P.s Miaoux Miaoux released during 2010, Julian Corrie was establishing a career as a talented remixer.
Remixing was another string to Miaoux Miaoux’s musical bow. This second career saw Miaoux Miaoux tranform tracks by Silver Column, Discopolis and Chvrches. Soon, Miaoux Miaoux had gained the reputation as Glasgow’s go-to-guy for anyone looking for an innovative remix. However, all this was just working towards Miaoux Miaoux’s debut album.
Released in July 2012, Miaoux Miaoux’s debut album Light Of The World received plaudits and praise aplenty. Critically acclaimed and hailed as one of the album of the summer, Light Of The World was described as indie dance pop. That’s an understatement. It’s a genre-sprawling album where indie rock, pop, dance, electronica, synth pop, dream pop and much, much more. You’ll realize that, when I tell you about Miaoux Miaoux’s debut album Light Of The North.
Light Of The North opens with Sweep Clean, where dramatic washes of synths sweep in. Veering between a broody drone and an elegant orchestral sound, it builds to a crescendo. Then hesitant, jittery and excited drum ‘n’ bass style drums break loose. They’re joined by buzzing synths and a heartfelt vocal that’s reminiscent of Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout. Soon, the arrangement is heading in the direction of indie rock and pop, albeit with a touch of electronica. Crystalline guitars, swathes of synths and driving, pounding drums combine as drama, energy and poppy hooks seamlessly become one.
Autopilot sees the tempo drop, and an atmospheric, electronic arrangement unfold. Drums crack, melodic synths meander and then buzzing eighties synths usher in Julian’s tender vocal. By now, you’re struck by the similarities to New Order in their prime. It’s almost uncanny. Especially when the harmonies accompany Julian’s vocal. However, this isn’t a New Order tribute band. Far from it. Instead, Miaoux Miaoux add their own unique twist to this sound. Synths and a wall of guitars provide a dreamy backdrop, as the anthemic chant: “you can think for yourself emerges.” It becomes almost like a mantra, albeit one that’s a hook-laden, slice of musical sunshine that’s a fusion indie rock, dream-pop, electronica, synth pop and dance music.
Hey Sound has a dreamy, spacey sound as washes of synths and drums combine to produce a hypnotic groove. Reminiscent of trance music, bursts of harmonies emerge from the arrangement. They’re sung call and response style, as you embark upon a musical journey. It’s one that’s truly captivating and irresistible, and will bring back memories of dancing till dawn in crowded warehouses.
As Better For Now begins, you realize that it’s impossible to categorize Miaoux Miaoux’s music, given how eclectic the music on Light Of The North Is. You also realize this is a truly irresistible and anthemic track. Dance-floor and radio friendly, indie-rock and the dance music are combined. Instantly, your faith in music is restored. It’s impossible to be won over by this track. With the rhythm section providing the track’s heartbeat, buzzing synths and melodic keyboards provide the backdrop for Julian’s vocal Spurred on, he delivers one of his best vocals on the best track on Light Of The North.
Kraftwerk. That’s what I thought when Cloud Computer began to reveal its secrets. With its sci-fi sound that come courtesy of washes of synths and pounding drums, it’s like Chicago House meets Autobahn. They’re joined by sound effects that remind me of eighties video games. Soon, it’s all change again. A wall of guitars makes a fleeting appearance before it’s back to the captivating combination ofChicago House meets Kraftwerk, albeit with chiming guitars that give the track a melodic sound. Again, this reinforces the eclectic nature of Miaoux Miaoux’s music and proves that you should never second guess Julian Corrie.
Is It A Dream is an elegant, ethereal soundscape that sweeps in. Atop the wash of synths sits Anna Miles vocal. Then just as you were wallowing in the track’s beauty, the arrangement fills out. That’s when a few curveballs are thrown. Am almost disturbing, droning noise appears. It’s almost as it’s meant to challenge you. However, given the quality of the music, you just ignore it. Meandering keyboards and deliberate synths play their part, before the tempo is increased and Anna’s vocal becomes high pitched. You begin to think Julian’s toying with you. Even when he adds echo to her vocal, the track’s innate beauty shine through.
Virtua Fighter is an enigmatic track, that has many secrets and surprises to reveal. At the start, a real eighties sound emerges. For some reason, I’m reminded briefly reminded of a track from an old Stranglers album. Then when sweet harmonies sweep in, it’s all change. The track has a real poppy sound. Behind them, an edgy, rap from MC Profisee emerges out of the shadows. It transforms the track and proves to be a game-changer. MC Profisee’s performance steals the show as everything from eighties electronica, hip hop and pop are thrown into Miaoux Miaoux’s musical melting pot and given a stir.
Just a chiming guitar and drums accompany Julian’s tender, pensive vocal on Stop The Clocks. The understated arrangement is perfect, allowing you to listen to some of the best lyrics on Light Of The North. Soon, it’s all change. Gone is the vocal, replaced by an arrangement that gradually grows. Again, there’s a Kraftwerk influence. You’re propelled atop an arrangement where washes of synths and drums play leading roles. Later, the arrangement grows to a disturbing, dramatic and captivating crescendo.
Singing In The Dark has a dark, moody sound thanks to the thunderous drums and buzzing synths. When Julian’s vocal enters, it’s heartfelt and accompanied by banks of distant meandering synths. Key to the song’s success are the lyrics, which have a strong narrative. Julian’s delivery is emotive, while the arrangement grows in power. Hissing hi-hats, claps of drums and keyboards combine, before later, filters strip out everything but the vocal. As Julian scats, the arrangement builds up, and another anthemic, catchy unfolds.
Closing Light Of The North is Ribbon Falls. It’s the perfect track to close the album. The understated arrangement gradually builds and builds, as Miaoux Miaoux have settled into a groove. Julian’s vocal is accompanied by stabs of synths and keyboards. You know that the understated arrangement is about explode. It’s just a case of when. When it eventually happens, Miaoux Miaoux examine every nuance and subtlety of the groove. The arrangement grows in power and drama. Guitars are unleashed while banks of keyboard and synths are at the heart of the action, before the track, and Light Of The North, reach a dramatic and explosive climax.
Earlier, I said that describing Light Of The North as an indie dance pop album was an understatement. There’s much more to Light Of The North than that. It’s a much more complicated and sophisticated album. Instead, many musical genres are thrown into Miaoux Miaoux’s musical melting pot and given a stir. There’s everything from indie rock, pop, dance, electronica, synth pop, dream pop, drum ‘n’n bass, trance, hip hop and ambient music. Among the musical influences that shine through are Kraftwerk, New Order, Mogwai, Prefab Sprout and Chicago House. Layer upon layer of complex music unfold. That music is variously dramatic, melodic, hook-laden, poppy, captivating, anthemic and much more. Subtleties, surprises and nuance await discovery. Trying to second guess Miaoux Miaoux isn’t possible. Similarly, a bag full of curveballs are delivered by Miaoux Miaoux on Light Of The North. A track might head in one direction, but be transformed into something very different. That’s what makes Light Of The North such an enthralling and captivating album. It’s also why Miaoux Miaoux’s debut album Light Of The North is deserving of its place on the long-list for the 2012 Scottish Album Of The Year.
Critically acclaimed, innovative, genre-sprawling and lauded as one of the albums of the summer 2012, Miaoux Miaoux’s Light Of The North is one of the best debut albums I’ve heard in recent years. It’ll be fascinating to hear what Miaoux Miaoux’s sophomore album will be like? Will it be as eclectic, hook-laden, anthemic and captivating as Light Of The North? Let’s hope so. Standout Tracks: Autopilot, Hey Sound, Better For Now and Stop The Clocks.
MIAOUX MIAOUX-LIGHT OF THE NORTH.
THE UNWINDING HOURS-AFTERLIVES.
THE UNWINDING HOURS-AFTERLIVES.
Maybe I’m getting old and/or cynical, but music just isn’t what it used to be. Looking through what’s about to be released in the next few weeks and it’s disappointing fare. There’s either the umpteenth rerelease of albums by bloated sixties and seventies rock band, compilations that appeal to people who buy their music in supermarkets or reissues of soul and funk albums by groups and artists who weren’t even household names in their own house. Of course, each of these releases are hyped up by coked up PR gurus. As Chuck D said, Don’t Believe The Hype. Anyone who thinks I’m exaggerating just check out next month’s releases. Proof of this, is a ten-disc box set by a wannabe rock and roll band whose trademark lurid suits would’ve had Elvis choking on his burgers. Basically, the music industry is barrel scraping. As we say in Scotland, the ball is well and truly on the slates. Put simply, the music industry is dying a slow and lingering death. Either fetch me a ladder, a shovel or a priest to administer the last rites to the music industry. Thankfully, there is one place where music is vibrant and thriving…Scotland.
North of Hadrian’s wall, Scotland’s music industry is in the rudest of health. You just need to look at the long-list for 2012s Scottish Album Of The Year. The twenty albums on the long-list demonstrate not just the quality of music, but just how eclectic a selection of music has been nominated. There’s everything from folk, electronica, dance, indie-rock, jazz and R&B. Among the best known nominees are Paul Buchanan, Calvin Harris, Django Django and Emeli Sande. That’s just the tip of the musical iceberg. Other nominees include Lau, Session A9, Duncan Chisholm, Admiral Fallow, RM Hubbert and Karine Polwart. One of the other nominees are The Unwinding Hours, a Glasgow band whose sophomore album Afterlives has been nominated for the prestigious Scottish Album Of The Year Award. Before I tell you about Afterlives, I’ll tell you about The Unwinding Hours.
The Unwinding Hours were formed out of the ashes of Aerogramme, who were a Glasgow band who split up back in 2008. Just as Aerogramme’s army of fans were entering a prolonged period of mourning, and considering counseling, good news broke. That news was that, out of the ashes of Aerogramme, a new band called The Unwinding Hours had been formed. Featuring Craig B and Ian Cook, formerly of Aerogramme, the pair began work on some new material.
While some bands work quickly, The Unwinding Hours worked in a slow and methodical way. Songs were written, honed and eventually, taken into Ian’s Allucard Studios. Even then, neither Craig, nor Ian, knew whether the songs would ever be released. Gradually, the songs took shape, and Ian and Craig realized, that these songs were just that bit special. So, The Unwinding Hours, being a Glasgow band, signed to a Glasgow label Chemikal Underground.
2010 saw the release of The Unwinding Hours’ eponymous debut album The Unwinding Hours. Released to plaudits and praise aplenty, The Unwinding Hours were hailed as a band going places. They were lauded as Scotland’s next big band. However, before they were crowned as the future of Scottish music, they still had one obstacle to clear, that awkward and “difficult” second album.
While many bands have released a stunning debut album, many have come a cropper with their second album. This is akin to a coming of age for a band. In many ways, it’s the musical equivalent of separating the men from the boys. However, by the time The Unwinding Hours began work on their sophomore album, Craig had decided to become a student.
With Craig having decided to head back to university, to study theology and sociology, Ian concentrated on recording and production. Working in his studio in Glasgow’s south side, Craig made weekly pilgrimages to Ian’s studios, bringing with him demos. Gradually, songs evolved, were honed and eventually, feature on The Unwinding Hours’ sophomore album Afterlives. These ten songs have been influenced and inspired by Craig’s studies. Among Afterlives’ themes are the conundrum that is belief, personal responsibility, the thirst for knowledge and experience. Intelligent, intriguing, cerebral and compelling describes Afterlives. Quite simply, Afterlives is thinking people’s music. The Unwinding Hours have been influenced by Laurie Anderson, Flaming Lips, Max Richter and Scotland’s very own Cocteau Twins. To these influences, I’d add Teenage Fanclub, Blue Nile and The Bathers. All these influences and more, emerge during the ten tracks on Afterlives, which I’ll tell you about.
Afterlives opens with Break, where The Unwinding Hours make sure you’re paying attention. It’s literally a delicious explosion of energy and melodies. Driving guitars, pounding drums and keyboards set the scene for Craig’s vocal. Thoughtful, filled with doubt and heartache, emotion fills Craig’s voice. Meanwhile, the rhythm section provide a driving, rocky backdrop while meandering keyboards provide a melancholy contrast. Elements of indie rock and even grunge can be heard in the arrangement, while Craig’s vocal is reminiscent of troubled troubadours like Paul Buchanan and Tim Buckley. It’s a captivating combination, and bodes well for the rest of Afterlives.
After the opening bars of I’ve Loved You For So Long, it’s like being transported back to 1991 and hearing Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque for the first time. There are several similarities, which are uncanny. It’s as if Craig and Ian are paying homage to one of Glasgow’s great bands. A wall of guitars, sweeping Byrdsian harmonies and even Craig’s vocal style are similar. His voice is filled with sorrow and regret, as he sings about having to break up a relationship. Not only does this track sound like Teenage Fanclub in their pomp, but like the Fanclub, The Unwinding Hours write great songs with poignant lyrics.
The Right To Know is very different from the two previous tracks. There’s a much more understated, spartan arrangement, which gradually grows in power and drama. One thing doesn’t change, and that’s the quality of the cerebral lyrics, which are about knowledge. Just drums and synths accompany Craig’s pensive, earnest and questioning vocal. Later, thunderous drums and stabs of piano are used to build up the drama. As it reaches a cinematic crescendo, Craig’s vocal takes centre-stage. Enveloped by buzzing bass, flourishes of piano and drums he emotively sings: “I’ll not leave this place to the idiots” and “I’ll fight for the right to know.” Emotive, powerful and literate, this Laurie Anderson influenced track reinforces that The Unwinding Hours are the thinking person’s band.
So far, Afterlives has proved a truly eclectic album. Saimaa sees another change of direction. Again, there’s a Laurie Anderson influence. Accompanied by just a wash of synths and lone piano, Craig delivers a vocal that’s filled with confusion and desperation. Influenced by Jeff Buckley and Nick Cave, it’s a vocal from a man whose lost direction. He’s bewildered, at life’s crossroads, pondering life’s big questions. A piano provides a broken-hearted accompaniment as washes of synths buzz like electricity in the air. Quite simply, this is one of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear, where Craig delivers a soul-baring vocal, that’s filled with despair and confusion.
The Promised Land is a song about religion and when opens, reveals a broody, moody and maudlin sound. It drones into the distance, almost uncomfortably, to be joined by drums and Craig’s vocal. He’s not impressed by The Promised Land, and what it has to offer. Later, the song blossoms, as jangling guitars chime. They’re the perfect accompaniment for Craig as he articulately rejects religion in an eloquent and melodic way.
Wayward sees The Unwinding Hours kick loose, and show that when they’re not afraid to find their inner rock stars. Still, the lyrics are intelligent and literate. Anything else, you feel would be an affront to their indisputable songwriting skills. So this is no throwaway pop song. Like a puppy, a song by The Unwinding Hours isn’t just for Christmas, it’s for life. The rhythm section and searing guitars drive the arrangement along, while Craig delivers a heartfelt vocal. Not only is Wayward melodic and memorable, but catchy and anthemic.
Say My Name is another track that demonstrates why The Unwinding Hours are like a chameleon. It sees another change of tack, with two disparate styles of music meeting head on. Understated and pensive, just washes of synths and drums join Craig as he delivers a heartbreakingly sad vocal. As a melancholy piano and moody bass join the arrangement and searing, angry guitars add a real rocky sound. This works though, and reminds me of the Cocteau Twins. These two parts to the arrangement become one, as Craig unburdens himself of the hurt, heartbreak and loneliness that he’s feeling.
Just an acoustic guitar and piano open The Dogs, which is a beautiful acoustic song. Craig’s tender, thoughtful vocal articulates the vocal with feeling. His vocal veers between pensive and melancholy, to dreamy and hopeful. He’s heading on a journey, looking and hoping for peace, happiness and love. Accompanying him, he hopes, will be the woman he loves. Quite simply, not only does this song features some beautiful, hopeful lyrics, but a tender, heartfelt vocal from Craig, sung against a subtle backdrop.
Skin On Skin has a dark, industrial sound. Gone are the acoustic instruments of the previous track. Replacing them, are drums that crack and buzzing synth. They prove a contrast to Craig’s tender, needy and impassioned vocal, as he sings of his need and love of his partner. A meandering, strummed acoustic guitar proves to be the ying to Craig’s yang, before the arrangement grows in power and drama. It’s like a musical metaphor for how much Craig’s grown to love and need his partner. The result is a love song with a twist, where need, reliance and love shine through.
Closing Afterlives is Day By Day. From the distance, the arrangement gradually decides to reveal its subtleties and nuances. Dark, melancholy strings sweep in, accompanying Craig’s vocal. Filled with sincerity, he proffers the advice: “that you should take it Day By Day.” This makes you wonder who he’s talking to and what’s happened to them? So heartfelt is his delivery, that it sounds personal. It’s like he’s revealing something of himself. Beautiful, tender and impassioned, delivered against an understated, but cinematic arrangement, it’s an enigmatic way to close Afterlives.
Earlier, I said that The Unwinding Hours are not unlike a chameleon. That’s the perfect description of a band who have many sides to their music. One minute they’re comfortable delivering a slice of indie rock, the next, a beautiful, pensive and understated ballad unfolds. Then The Unwinding Hours deploy synths to create a much more industrial sound. Arrangements veer between spartan and understated to much fuller and rockier. No two songs are the same. Each one is unique. So, you can’t say that The Unwinding Hours have a “sound.” Not at all. The Unwinding Hours are a truly unique and enigmatic band, whose music has been influenced by numerous artists and musical genres. There’s everything from Teenage Fanclub, Blue Nile, Jeff Buckley, Laurie Anderson, Flaming Lips, Max Richter, Tim Buckley, Nick Cave and The Byrds. Similarly, you can hear everything from 60s garage bands, seventies singer-songwriters, eighties electronica, indie rock, folk and soul.
One thing you can say with certainty is The Unwinding Hours is they only produce outstanding music. You won’t find faux pax nor filler on Afterlives. Instead, the ten tracks feature intelligent, articulate and eloquent lyrics, delivered with passion and emotion. These tracks evoke a variety of emotions and deal with a variety of subjects. Thoughtfully and articulately, Craig B delivers the lyrics as if he’s live and survived them. Similarly, Craig and Ian play their music with passion, injecting life, meaning, energy and emotion.
While many bands struggle with that “difficult” second album, that’s not the case with The Unwinding Hours. Afterlives surpasses their eponymous debut album. It’s a much more eclectic album, where seamlessly, The Unwinding Hours flit between musical genres. Effortlessly, The Unwinding Hours reveal the many sides of their music, music which deserves to find a much wider audience. Hopefully, when the shortlist for the Scottish Album Of The Year is announced in a few days time, The Unwinding Hours’ sophomore album Afterlives will be on it, as it was one of the best Scottish albums of 2012. Standout Tracks: I’ve Loved You For So Long, Salmaa, Say My Name and The Dogs.
THE UNWINDING HOURS-AFTERLIVES.
CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS THE SOOTHSAYERS-NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW.
CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS THE SOOTHSAYERS-NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW.
When it comes to musical collaborations, they often, bring out the best in musicians. Especially, when you bring together musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. Often, they drive each other to greater heights. This was the case with previous installments of Strut Records Inspiration Information series. Sly and Robbie collaborated with Amp Fiddler, while Horace Andy collaborated with Ashley Beedle. Then there was the captivating collaboration between Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics. Equally compelling, was the collaboration between Jimi Tenor and Tony Allen, one of Afro-beat’s legendary drummers. So given how diverse previous collaborations in the Inspiration Information series have been, the next installment had a lot to live up. However, Strut Records have surpassed everyone’s expectations with a collaboration between reggae legend Cornell Campbell,, and one of London’s best bands, the Soothsayers. Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ Nothing Can Stop Us Now will be released on Strut Records on 8th July 2013. Here, one of reggae’s legendary figures Cornell Campbell, joined forces with one of London’s hottest live bands, The Soothsayers. This is a real heavyweight musical pairing, one who I’m sure, will produce some intriguing and captivating music. Before I tell you about the music on Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ Nothing Can Stop Us Now, I’ll tell you about this heavyweight musical pairing.
Cornell Campbell was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1948, and by the early sixties, had embarked upon his musical career. Starting as he meant to go on, Cornell worked at one of reggae’s legendary labels…Studio One. Then in 1967, Cornell joined The Uniques, who proved to be a short-lived group. Two years later, in 1969, Cornell decided to form his own band, The Eternals, with Ken Price and Errol Wisdom. The Eternals recorded just four singles, including Stars and King Of The Minstrels. Then when The Eternals split up, Cornell Campbell embarked upon a solo career. Not only did his fortunes change, but he released the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed music of his career.
Having embarked upon a solo career, Cornell hooked up with one of the greatest reggae producers of all time, Bunny Lee. He produced Cornell’s eponymous debut album Cornell Campbell, which was released on Trojan. 1975 saw the release of Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm and Dance In A Greenwich Farm. By 1976, when Cornell released The Gorgon and Stalowatt, his popularity had soared. Featuring Santa Davis’ trademark flying hi-hat sound and Bunny Lee production skills, Cornell was one of reggae’s most successful artists. However, by the late-seventies, his popularity began to wane. Cornell concentrated on Lovers Rock and then, in 1979, reformed The Uniques with Lloyd Chalmers and Jimmy Riley.
During the eighties, Cornell wasn’t as prolific an artist. He continued to release albums, but between 1984 and 2000, Cornell didn’t release a solo album. That wasn’t the last we heard of Cornell Campbell though. Not at all. The man who’d worked with producers Bunny Lee, King Tubby, Coxsone Dodd and Winston Niney The Obsever was back in 2005 with My Destination. Then three years later, in 2008, Rock My Soul was released. That was the last we heard of Cornell Campbell until he hooked up with The Soothsayers for Nothing Can Stop Us. However, who are The Soothsayers?
Since the were formed, Brixton’s Soothsayers have established a reputation as one of the best live bands on the London music scene. That’s not easy, given how many talented bands play in the English capital. Lead by Soothsayers’ supremo saxophonist Idris Rahman, he’s joined in the horn section by trumpeter Robin Hopcroft. Then there’s Zoe Raham, Pat Illingworth, Westley Joseph, Julia Biel, Phil Dawson and Derek Johnson. Their unique fusion of funk, jazz, Afro-beat and dub has won the Soothsayers fans much further afield than the stages of London. They’ve also become firm festival favorites, playing throughout Europe and at the Glastonbury festival. Whilst honing their sound, the Soothsayers have released three albums.
It was back in 2008, that the Soothsayers released their debut album The Time Is Now on P-Vine. Tangled Roots followed in 2009 and then Lost City in 2012. Apart from this trio of albums, the Soothsayers have been involved in numerous collaborations, including two albums. The first was 2009s Soothsayers Meet The Red Earth Collective’s One More Reason. Then on 2010, it was just the Soothsayers’ horn section that was called into action. This was for 2010s The Red Earth Collective featuring The Soothsayers Horn Section’s Red Earth Dub. So given the Soothsayers’ live experience, plus their experience accompanying and collaborating other artists, they should be the perfect group to accompany Cornell Campbell on Nothing Can Stop Us? Is that the case though? That’s what I’ll tell you.
Opening Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ Nothing Can Stop Us is the title-track Nothing Can Stop Us. Slow and melodic, meandering reggae rhythms accompany Cornell’s heartfelt vocal. Tender and gentle, veering between pleading and joyous. Stabs of blazing horns courtesy of saxophonist Idris Rahman and trumpeter Robin Hopcroft accompany him. Tender harmonies sweep in, as Cornell rolls back the years, revisiting late-seventies Lovers Rock for inspiration. Although just one song in, the collaboration between Cornell Campbell and the Soothsayers seems inspired.
Straight away, Conqueror has a tougher, dubbier sound. It’s as if Cornell is seeking inspiration from the legendary producers he’s worked with. King Tubby, Niney The Observer, Bunny Lee and King Coxsone, have all influenced this track’s sound. While the drums reverberate and echo into the distance, a pounding bass line and grizzled horns accompany Cornell’s earnest vocal. Moody, broody and atmospheric describes this track perfectly.
As I’ll Never Leave begins, you hear similarities to Nothing Can Stop Us is Nothing Can Stop Us. Meandering, churning rhythms accompany Cornell’s impassioned, thoughtful vocal. With pride and a spirituality in his vocal, he sings: “I love my country” and “we don’t no war.” Accompanied by a punchy, rubbery bass-line and stabs of growling horns, the arrangement fuses reggae, Lovers Rock and jazz, thanks to the frantic, grizzled horns. What makes the song though, are the lyrics and Cornell’s delivery of them.
With You My Heart Belongs has a real dubby sound that grabs your attention. It sets the scene for Cornell’s needy, lovestruck vocal. Delivered in a lover’s rock style, his vocal is drenched in reverb, as it drifts into the distance. Meanwhile, drums crack, subtle stabs of horns sound and melodic jazz-tinged keyboard sweep in. They soar high above the arrangement, with the help of echo and reverb. The result is a captivating fusion of styles, where dub, lover’s rock and jazzy keyboards combine.
Continuing the dub influence is It’s Not For Me. Not only does it features some of the best rhythms, but some outstanding lyrics. The lyrics are a paean to peace, and an end to violence. Cornell delivers an inspired, impassioned vocal. Spurred on, the Soothsayers mix dub, reggae and rocky guitars. Then when they embark on a jam, a jazzy influence emerges. Feeding off each other, they reach previously unscaled heights. On Ode To Joy (Babylon Can’t Control I) the quality continues. There’s a real seventies influence and sound to the track. Again, Cornell and the Soothsayers prove to be the perfect foil for each other. Thunderous rhythms combine with Cornell’s fervent, enthusiastic vocal and bursts of rasping horns. Joyful, equally enthusiastic harmonies and jazz-tinged guitar prove to be the finishing touches to this infectiously catchy, hook-laden track.
Ae Want To Be Free has an understated introduction, but when it explodes into life, it’s dub-delicious. It’s as if the Soothsayers’ rhythm section’s raison d’etre is to grab your attention. The reason for this is so you focus one Cornell’s sincere pleas for freedom. With its combination of jazzy horns and dub-drenched sound, you can’t help but pay attention to Cornell’s impassioned pleas. Good Direction is another song with a message. Again, the song is about freedom and although people are free, the circumstances they’re living in, can make them feel anything but free. It’s delivered in a much more subtle way. With a meandering, thoughtful rhythm section, soaring harmonies and rasping horns for company, Cornell delivers a vocal that although it’s tender, becomes the focus of your attention. His message is delivered with an intensity and a belief. Despite the song’s message, the song is not unlike a musical slice of sunshine. So too is Never Give Up, an upbeat and joyous message of determination and persistence.
The Soothsayers drop the tempo on There’s A Fire. They provide a slow, sultry backdrop for Cornell’s impassioned vocal. With the rhythm section providing the arrangement’s steady heartbeat, percussion, keyboards and cooing harmonies join rasping horns. Just as good is Cornell’s emotive vocal. It brings to life the lyrics. Quite simply, it’s one of the best tracks on Nothing Can Stop Us Now and proves that Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ is a musical dream team.
Jah Jah Me No Born Yah opens with the unmistakably atmospheric sound of the Hammond organ. They’re joined by growling horns, dubby drums and percussion. A brief burst of surf-inspired guitars signals the entrance of Cornell’s vocal. It’s as if the Soothsayers have realized it’s Cornell’s farewell vocal. Neither the Soothsayers, nor Cornell disappoints. Accompanied by harmonies, Cornell’s vocal veers between a jazzy scat, becoming heartfelt, emotive and sincere. As Cornell delivers bows out, the Soothsayers return with Jah Jah Me No Born Yah (Dub Outro). This allows them to showcase their considerable skills. It also gives you a tantalizing taste of what their live show sounds like. Dubby, with a slightly experimental sound, the Soothsayers decided to test the tolerance of your speakers. For four minutes the recreate the sound of vintage dub, albeit with a Soothsayers twist.
Earlier, I mentioned how many previously, musical collaborations haven’t worked. Instead, they’ve been traumatic episodes that gave many a music lover nightmares. Thankfully, Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ are a musical dream team. The reggae veteran Cornell Campbell, and London’s hottest band the Soothsayers proved to be an inspired collaboration. From the opening bars of Nothing Can Stop Us right through to the closing notes of Jah Jah Me No Born Yah (Dub Outro) Cornell Campbell and the Soothsayers become a musical ying and yang. They prove to be the perfect foil, each driving the other to greater heights. Just as you think Cornell Campbell and the Soothsayers have reached the musical summit, they prove you wrong. Somehow, they better a track that you think was peerless. What makes this even more remarkable was this was the first time Cornell and the Soothsayers had set foot in a recording studio together.
What Cornell and the Soothsayers created was a captivating and eclectic collection of twelve tracks. Nothing Can Stop Us which will be released by Strut Records on 8th July 2013, is a musical melting pot that draws its inspiration Jamaica, England, America and Africa. There’s everything from dub, jazz, reggae, funk, lover’s rock, Afro-beat and even, rock-guitars on the twelve tracks that comprise Nothing Can Stop Us. Every time you listen to Nothing Can Stop Us, further nuances, subtleties and surprises reveal themselves. Layer upon layer of music unfolds. Key to this is the Soothsayers’ musical prowess. They provide the backdrop for Cornell Campbell’s vocal, which ranges from heartfelt and emotive, right though to enthusiastic and sincere. He rolls back the years to his seventies heyday, passionately delivering lyrics filled with messages and social comment. Along with the Soothsayers, Cornell Campbell has played his part in one of the best albums of 2013 so far. So when the lists of the best albums of 2013 are drawn up, the powerful, emotive and socially relevant Cornell Campbell Meets The Soothsayers’ Nothing Can Stop Us will be on it. Standout Tracks: Conqueror, I’ll Never Leave, We Want To Be Free and There’s A Fire.
CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS THE SOOTHSAYERS-NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW.
BACKBEATS: MEMORIES AND SOUVENIRS.
BACKBEATS: MEMORIES AND SOUVENIRS.
Mention Ian Levine’s name, and most people will remember from his time DJ-ing at Blackpool Mecca and the Wigan Casino. There’s much more to Ian Levine that DJ-ing though. Ian’s first love was s, who used to DJ-ing to share his love of soul music, and specifically, Motown. Having established himself as one of the top DJs in the Northern Soul scene, in 1975, Ian branched out into production.
The inspiration to branch out into production came from New York. By 1975, records which were tailor-made for the Northern Soul scene started entering the UK. Ian realizing he could do better, took The Exciters into a recording studio and recorded Reaching for The Best. Having produced and co-written Reaching for The Best, it reached the top forty in the UK. This was the first step on Ian Levine’s journey as a songwriter and producer.
Ian’s careers as DJ and songwriter and producer comfortably sat side by side. Through DJ-ing, Ian was able to gauge what was popular, and stay ahead of the musical curve. As musical tastes changed, so did Ian’s DJ-ing and production style. He started championing crossover and then modern soul. This proved controversial. Northern Soul fans turned against Ian. Despite this, Ian’s sucessful production and songwriting career continued.
Having become a successful songwriter and producer, Ian Levine decided to form his own label. He called his new label Motorcity Records. This was Ian paying homage to the record label he loved, Motown. Motorcity Records proved to be a commercial success, releasing numerous hit singles. Among them, were the sixteen tracks that feature on Harmless Records latest Backbeats compilation Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs, which was released on 20th May 2013.
Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs is the second Backbeats compilation focusing on Ian Levine’s music. The first was Unexploited and Underrated, which focused on Ian’s Northern Soul productions, while Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs features sixteen of Ian’s contemporary soul production.
Compiled by Ralph Tee, Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs features sixteen tracks, including twelve Ian cowrote. These tracks are from some of the biggest names in soul. This includes contributions from Betty Lavette, Edwin Starr, Edwin Starr, Johnny Bristol, Freda Payne, Chuck Jackson and Syreeta. That’s not forgetting tracks from Frances Nero, Ronnie McNeir, The Monitors and Susaye Greene. Released between 1989 and 1999 these sixteen tracks on Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs, which I’ll pick the highlights of, are some of Ian Levine’s most successful contemporary soul productions.
My first choice from Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs is the track that opens the compilation. This is Frances Nero’s Footsteps Following Me. Released as a single in 1989, it featured on Frances’ 1990 album Out On The Floor. Written by Ian with Ivy Jo Hunter and Steven Wagner, it was Motorcity Records biggest hit, reaching the top twenty in the UK. No wonder it was so successful. With swathes of strings and rasping horns setting the scene for Frances, the drama builds and builds. When her vocal enters, it’s worth the wait. Strident, dramatic and powerful, Frances calls upon her inner diva for inspiration, as classic soul and eighties electronica are combined.
Like many artists Ian Levine worked with, Betty Lavette had previously, been signed to Motown. Her 1982 debut album Tell Me A Lie, was released on Motown. Nine years later, in 1991, Not Gonna Happen Twice was released on Motorcity Records. It featured Surrender, which was written by Ashford and Simpson. Stabs then flourishes of keyboards combine with hypnotic, electronic drums before blazing horns signal the entrance of a dance-floor diva. Mixing power, passion and emotion, the result is one of the best vocals on Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs.
Before signing to Ian’s Motorcity Records, Johnny Bristol had spent thirteen years at Motown, between 1959 and 1972. After leaving Motown, Johnny signed to MGM and Atlantic. By 1989, when Johnny released Man Up In The Sky, penned by Barrett Strong and Billy Always, music had changed. Drum machines and synths were de rigueur. This was the case here. Rick Gianatos, Steven Wagner and Ian Levine’s production relies heavily on synths and drum machines. However, one thing doesn’t change…the quality of Johnny’s vocal.
Regardless of the music Freda Payne released, her name was always going to be synonymous with Band Of Gold. By 1992, her career had stalled. The success she’d enjoyed at Invictus and Capitol seemed a long time ago. To try to rejuvenate her flagging career, she teamed up with Ian Levine. He cowrote Memories and Souvenirs with Edwin Starr. Produced by Billy Griffin, Memories and Souvenirs gave Freda a hit single in the UK, and provided a reminder of her soulful glory days.
Frankie Gaye may not have enjoyed the commercial success and critical acclaim his older brother Marvin enjoyed. Some of Marvin’s talent rubbed off on Frankie, who was known as Frankie “The Philosopher” Gaye. He only released one album, 1991s My Brother. Featuring the single My Brother, which was written by Steven Wagner, Ronnie McNeil and Ian Levine. It’s a captivating, uptempo track. With lyrics that are variously, poignant, thoughtful and joyous, Frankie pays homage to his brother in a deeply soulful and heartfelt way.
Edwin Starr is responsible for one of the greatest ant-war songs in musical history..War. That’s just one of many hit singles Edwin released on labels like Ric-Tic, Motown and 20th Century Fox. By 1991, Edwin Starr had signed to Ian Levine’s Motorcity Records, and released what was his final album Where Is The Sound. It featured Real True Loving, which Edwin and Ian cowrote. Soulful, dance-floor friendly and hooky, Edwin vamps his way through the track combining his trademark combination of power, passion and energy.
Syreeta was one of the highest profile signings to Ian Levine’s Motorcity Records. Formerly married to Stevie Wonder, Syreeta is a hugely talented singer and songwriter. She cowrote Moment Of Weakness, which was released in 1989. It’s a track that fuses elements of soul, gospel and dance music. Not only that, but it provides a showcase for Syreeta’s considerable vocal prowess.
Chuck Jackson’s All Over My Love is my final choice from Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs. Released in 1989, All Over My Love was released twenty-eight years after Chuck’s first hit single I Don’t Wanna Cry, released on Wand. After that, Chuck signed to Motown and ABC. By 1989, commercial success was eluding him. So, he hooked up with Ian Levine, who cowrote All Over The World with Steven Wagner. Not only did it give Chuck a UK hit single, but this soulful dance track gave his career a boost.
On Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs, Ian Levine attempts to rejuvenate the career of artists whose careers were failing. For many of the artists on Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs, the commercial success they’d previously enjoyed was along time ago. Musical fashions had changed and they’d been left behind. With their music no longer relevant, what was needed, was someone who could give their career a much needed boost. That’s where Ian Levine came in.
Many of the artists that feature on Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs which was released by Harmless Records on 20th May 2013, had their career revitalized. They enjoyed commercial success in the UK, which gave their career a boost. Along with a team of songwriters, arrangers and producers, Ian’s Motorcity Records took inspiration from Motown. Motorcity Records, like Motown, was a one-stop-shop. Artists could record songs written, arranged and produced in the label’s own studios where they were accompanied by the house-band. This worked. Many artists were grateful to Ian Levine. Without his help, their musical careers would’ve been over. They’d have been back on the assembly line or waiting tables. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Their careers were rejuvenated and continued. They returned to doing what they loved doing, making music. So the music on Backbeats: Memories and Souvenirs, just like on Unexploited and Underrated, demonstrates that when it came to rejuvenating ailing and failing careers, Ian Levine had the Midas touch.
BACKBEATS: MEMORIES AND SOUVENIRS.
BACKBEATS: SOUL SEARCHIN’-FINDING GOLD IN MEMPHIS 1968-1979.
BACKBEATS: SOUL SEARCHIN’-FINDING GOLD IN MEMPHIS 1968-1979.
During the sixties, Southern Soul was at the height of its popularity. Independent labels like Stax, Goldwax and FAME, and majors like Atlantic released some of Southern Soul’s most commercially successful and critically acclaimed music. However, one label’s success lasted from the late sixties, right through the late seventies. This was Hi Records.
Although best known as the label Al Green called home, there were many more hugely talented artist who were signed to Hi Records. This includes Ann Peebles, best known for releasing the definitive version I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down. In O.V. Wright and Otis Clay, Hi Records had two of the most distinctive and emotive vocalists. Then there’s Syl Johnson, one of not just Hi Records, but Southern Soul’s most underrated vocalists. Still, that’s still just scratching the surface of Hi Records’ bewitching back-catalogue. There’s a whole host of other artists awaiting discovery. Among them are Jean Plum, Donna Rhodes, Bobby McClure and The Duncan SIsters. Quite simply, Hi Records’ back-catalogue is groaning with rich musical pickings that are awaiting discovery. Thankfully, Harmless Records’ Backbeats’ compilation series has just released Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis. Released on 20th May 2013, Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis features twenty-three tracks from the rich pickings that are, Hi Records’ back-catalogue. Picking just a few of the many highlights isn’t going to be easy, given the quality of Southern Soul on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979.
My first choice from Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979 is Ann Peebles I Didn’t Take Your Man. This a track from Ann’s final album for Hi Records, 1978s The Handwriting’s On The Wall. By 1978, Hi Records was a very different label from the early seventies. Many of the musicians that created the unique and unmistakable “Hi Sound” had left the label. Gone were the legendary Hi rhythm section, the Memphis Horns and backing vocalists Chalmers, Rhodes and Chalmers. Similarly, musical tastes had changed. Neither Southern Soul, nor Ann Peebles were as commercially successful, withThe Handwriting’s On The Wall failing to chart, A small crumb of comfort was that the Earl Randle and Patricia Barnes penned I Didn’t Take Your Man reached number fifty-five in the US R&B Charts. Here, Ann’s emotive denials prove that she’s still Hi Records’ first Lady.
Some of the artists on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979 only played minor parts in the Hi Records’ story. During the five years Quiet Elegance spent at Hi, they released seven singles, but no albums. Mama Said, which was written by Willie Mitchell, was the B-Side to their sophomore single I Need Love. Despite featuring a former Vandella and two former members of The Glories, never enjoyed the success their soulful strains deserved. The same can be said of Eddie McGhee. He only released one single, 1971s hurt-filled Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979. Laden with heartbreak, Eddie brings life and meaning to the lyrics.
Syl Johnson is one of several artists who feature more than once on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979. Given Syl released four albums for Hi, that’s no surprise. The two tracks are I’m Yours and Mystery Lady, a track from Syl’s final album for Hi, 1979s Uptown Shakedown. Both are good tracks, but I’m Yours is the best. From the opening bars of Syl Johnson’s I’m Yours, it has that unmistakable “Hi Sound.” No other label could’ve released this track. Released as a single in 1973, I’m Yours reached number sixty-eight in the US R&B Charts. This was a track from Syl’s album Back For A Taste of Your Love. I’m Yours features Syl at his best, creating a sultry, sensual slice of Southern Soul. He’s helped no end by backing vocalists Chalmers, Rhodes, Chalmers who feed of Syl. Each drive the other to greater heights of soulfulness and sensuality.
The Duncan Sisters’ It’s You That I Need (Part 1) shows how by 1975, Hi as a label was evolving in reaction to changes in musical tastes. There’s a tougher, funky sound to a track that’s designed to light up any dance-floor. This it does, as elements of funk, Southern Soul, disco, drama and rocky guitars are combined.
Before becoming one of the best backing singers in the history of Southern Soul, Donna Rhodes embarked upon a solo career. She released her 1969 debut album I See Love on Epic. Then in 1973, having settled into a career as a backing vocalist, often helping make people sound better than they were, Donna briefly returned to her solo career. Where’s Your Love Been was the only single Donna released on Hi. With an arrangement that’s soulful, funky and dramatic, Donna’s breathy subtle vocal grabs your attention. Things get even better when the backing vocals sweep in. Sultry, sassy and incredibly soulful, why Donna Rhodes didn’t enjoy a longer and much more successful career seems strange?
Given how important a role Al Green played in Hi Records’ history, it’s fitting that three of his tracks feature on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979. These three tracks are “late period” Al Green. By then, religion had entered Al’s life and made Al question the direction and subject matter of his music. Having enjoyed six number one US R&B albums, four of which were certified gold and one platinum, Al’s success gradually slipped away from 1976s Full Of Fire, which features Al’s emotive and impassioned pleas on Glory Glory. Full Of Fire reached number fifty-nine in the US Billboard 200 and number twelve in the US R&B Charts. Have A Good Time, released later in 1976, featured the joyous and celebratory Happy. It stalled at number ninety-three in the US Billboard 200 and number twelve in the US R&B Charts. Then in 1977, The Belle Album, which featured Loving You, marked the end of an era, with Willie Mitchell no longer producing Al. Absent were the famed Hi rhythm section from an album that was one of Al’s last album’s of secular music. The result was an album that reached number 103 in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty-nine in the US R&B Charts. After The Belle Album, Al’s popularity declined and he was no longer the King of Southern Soul. The King had lost his crown, and Hi Records lost its most successful artist.
While Al Green was Hi Records’ best known male singer, O.V. Wright had one of the most distinctive voices on Hi. That throaty rasp is unmistakable. You Gotta Have Love was a track from O.V’s Hi debut album Into Something Can’t Shake Loose. Penned by Willie Mitchell and Earl Randle You Gotta Have Love is the perfect introduction to one of Southern Soul’s most underrated and best kept secrets. As if one contribution from O.V. isn’t good enough, I Found Peace from O.V’s third and final album for Hi, We’re Still Together is included. I’m sure after hearing these two tracks, you’ll be heading to a record shop near you and looking for an album by O.V. Wright.
I know that I’ve already picked an Ann Peebles’ track, but so good is If This Is Heaven, that it would be remiss of me if I overlooked it. This was the title-track to her 1977, which Willie Mitchell and Earl Randle cowrote. It’s another track with that unmistakable Hi Sound written all over. From the Hi rhythm section, Memphis Strings and backing vocalists Chalmers, Rhodes, Rhodes, everything is in place for the Queen of Hi Records. She lays down one of her trademark vocals. This she does, with style, passion and power. Emotive, ironic and wistful, in Ann’s hands the lyrics become all these things and more. In the process, Ann creates a late-period Hi Records’ classic.
The final track from Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979. I’ve chosen is by Jean Plum. Like several other artists, Jean Plum has two tracks on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979, I’m Gonna Stay and Pour On The Loving. These were just two of the singles Jean released after signing to Hi in 1975. One of her best known tracks and most successful was 1977s Pour On The Loving. Quite simply, it’s a quite beautiful track, where Jean and her backing vocalist create a delicious slice of Southern Soul.
While I’ve only mentioned some of the tracks on Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979, there’s much more music to discover. This includes contributions from James Fry, The Memphians, Bobby McClure, Willie Walker, The Melodics and Majik. For anyone new to Hi Records, then Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979 is the compilation to start with. In many ways, Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979 is a refreshing, bold and brave compilation. After all, it eschews the predictable tracks that previous Hi Records’ compilations have included. For that, compiler Jaffa should be commended and congratulated. Instead, Jaffa has dug deeper into Hi Records’ back-catalogue. In doing do, Jaffa has unearthed some long-forgotten gems, including Donna Rhodes’ Where’s Your Love Been and The Duncan Sisters’ It’s You That I Need (Part 1). As well as these tracks, there are the contributions from Hi Records’ most successful artists.
Of the contributions from some of Hi Records most successful artists, there’s no bigger than Al Green. His name has become synonymous with Hi Records. No wonder, with six number one US R&B albums, four of which were certified gold and one platinum, was Hi Records’ most successful artist. Then there’s Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright and Otis Clay. They enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim, however, not to the extent Al Green enjoyed. Just as “no man is an island,” no artist makes a label a commercial success. Instead, they only play a part in doing so. In the case of Hi Records, it took artists from Al Green, right through to artists who played a walk-on part in Hi Records’ success.
Similarly, without producer and songwriter Willie Michell, who masterminded Hi Records rise and rise the label wouldn’t have been as successful. Then there were the Hi rhythm section, the Memphis Horns and backing vocalists Chalmers, Rhodes and Chalmers Hi Records wouldn’t have been the same label. It certainly wouldn’t have produced some of the most memorable and emotive Southern Soul of the seventies. Much of that music was timeless, and forty years later, has stood the test of time. One listen to Backbeats: Soul Searchin’-Finding Gold In Memphis 1968-1979, which was released on by Harmless Records on 20th May 2013 and you too, will agree and will be won over by the Hi Records’ sound. Standout Tracks: Syl Johnson I’m Yours, Donna Rhodes’ Where’s Your Love Been and The Duncan Sisters’ It’s You That I Need (Part 1) and Jean Plum Pour On The Loving.
BACKBEATS: SOUL SEARCHIN’-FINDING GOLD IN MEMPHIS 1968-1979.
ARETHA FRANKLIN-LADY SOUL.
ARETHA FRANKLIN-LADY SOUL.
Commercial success and critical acclaim didn’t come easy for Aretha Franklin. She was no overnight star, if such a thing exists. Her recording career started back in 1956 and she’d released ten albums before signing to Atlantic Records. Until then, success had been a stranger to Aretha Franklin. However, signing to Atlantic Records proved to be a turning point in Aretha Franklin’s career.
Now signed to Atlantic Records, Aretha Franklin was about to enter a period where critical acclaim and commercial success were constant companions. Between 1967 and 1969, Aretha Franklin released five albums, which all reached number one in the US R&B Charts. This run of commercially successful albums began with 1967s I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You and Aretha Arrives, took in 1968s Lady Soul and Aretha Now and finished with Soul ’69. Three of these albums were certified gold, including I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You, Aretha Now and Lady Soul which was rereleased by WEA Japan on 26th March 2013. Before I tell you about the music on Lady Soul, I’ll tell you the background to what is, one of the albums that resulted in Aretha Franklin being crowned the Queen Of Soul.
Lady Soul was Aretha Franklin’s third album for Atlantic Records, and was the followup to Aretha Arrives. It was her second album of 1967, a year that totally transformed her life and career. Aretha’s Atlantic Records’ debut I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You, had reached number two in the US Billboard 200 and number one on the US R&B Charts. This resulted in the first gold disc of Aretha’s eleven album career. Proving I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You was no fluke, was Aretha Arrives, released later in 1967. Aretha Arrives reach number five in the US Billboard 200 and reached number one in the US R&B Charts. Like I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You, Aretha Arrives featured two US R&B number one singles, which were certified gold. It seemed Aretha Franklin, guided by producer Jerry Wexler, had the Midas Touch. Would this continue with her third album for Atlantic Records, Lady Soul?
For Lady Soul, Aretha and her husband Ted White cowrote Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone) and Good To Me As I Am To You, while Aretha’s sister Carolyn contributed Ain’t No Way. Some of the other tracks were written by some of the best songwriters and musicians of that time. This included Don Covay’s Chain Of Fools, Curtis Mayfield’s People Get Ready and Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Jerry Wexler’s (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman. James Brown and Nat Jones contributed Money Won’t Change You, Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigat’s Groovin’ and Walter Davis’ Come Back Baby. The other track on Lady Soul was Niki Hoeky, penned by J. Leslie McFarland and Sidney Wyche. These ten tracks were recorded in New York, at Atlantic Studios.
When Aretha entered the Atlantic recording studios in New York, Jerry Wexler had assembled a tight, talented band. This included a rhythm section of drummer Roger Hawkins, bassist Tom Cogbill and guitarists Jimmy Johnson, Joe South and Bobby Womack. Spooner Oldham played piano and organ, while tenor saxophonist King Curtis was part of a horn section. Backing vocals came from the legendary Sweet Inspirations. Once Lady Soul was recorded, it was released in January 1968.
Lady Soul was released in January 1968, reaching number two in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. Since Lady Soul’s release, it’s been recognized as one of the most important albums in the history of popular music. Rolling Stone magazine put Lady Soul at number eighty-four in their list of the 500 most important albums of all time. The lead single from Lady Soul was (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman, which reached number eight in the US Billboard 100 and number two in the US R&B Charts. Chain Of Fools reached number two in the US Billboard 100 and number one in the US R&B Charts. This resulted in Aretha’s fifth gold disc for a single. Then Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone) made it gold disc number six, after reaching number number five in the US Billboard 100 and number one in the US R&B Charts. Ain’t No Way, the B-side to Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone) then reached number sixteen in the US Billboard 100 and number nine in the US R&B Charts. Aretha had regained her crown. She was still the Queen Of Soul, after the release of Lady Soul. You’ll realize why, when I tell you about this hugely important album.
Opening Lady Soul, is Chain of Fools, which has that familiar opening. Brief bursts of guitar set the scene for Aretha, accompanied by The Sweet Inspirations. She delivers an angry, frustated vocal. Her voice is powerful and emotive, as she sings about being mistreated by her partner. Accompanying Aretha, are sweeping harmonies. They soar high, proving the perfect accompaniment Aretha, while the rhythm section drive the arrangement along, providing its heartbeat. Stealing the show, is Aretha’s emotive, angry vocal, filled with disappointment, disbelief and hurt. Truly, her vocal is a Magnus Opus, that played its part in Chain Of Fools becoming a timeless, soul classic.
James Brown and Nat Jones cowrote Money Won’t Change You. It burst dramatically into life. Guitars and drums combine before Aretha’s vocal enters. Like on Chain of Fools, her vocal is a mixture of controlled power and emotion.The tempo is quick, with horns and the rhythm section creating a relentless, driving sound. Horns blaze, drums pound while guitars soar and chime. The Sweet Inspirations accompany Aretha, their soulful interjections a contrast to Aretha’s powerful, emotive, soaring vocal. Aretha and her band kick loose. The powerful, driving arrangement proves a perfect foil to her vocal, as Aretha mixes sincerity and emotion, confidently forecasting that money won’t change her.
If you mention the song People Get Ready to most people, they associate Curtis Mayfield with the song, either as a solo artist or with The Impressions. Aretha’s cover is emotive, thoughtful and soulful, but with gospel-tinged. Just The Sweet Inspirations, rasping horns and piano accompany Aretha’s impassioned pleas. When the rhythm section and Hammond organ enter, the gospel influence grows. Aretha’s gospel influenced delivery is spine-tingling, helped no end by The Sweet Inspirations. Similarly, the band produce one of their best performances on Lady Soul. They play their part in bringing the song to life, and in the process, bringing out the meaning in the almost spiritual lyrics. By the end of the track, you feel privileged to have heard such a beautiful song, sung with such emotion and feeling.
Blazing horns, a pounding rhythm section and searing, chiming guitars set the scene for Aretha as Niki Hoeky unfolds. Aretha delivers a sassy, feisty vocal accompanied by The Sweet Inspirations. Their short, soulful interjections provide a contrast to Aretha’s powerful vocal. Her voice combines control, power and sensuality as she realistically, plays the part of a woman whose partner is in prison. Despite Aretha, The Sweet Inspirations and her band’s best efforts to make the song swing, the lyrics let the song down. Ultimately, it’s a disappointing track.
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman is a song Aretha made her own. With Spooner Oldham playing piano, Aretha starts to sing what was, a career defining song. Her voice is strong, laden in emotion and feeling, as she delivers the lyrics. The Sweet Inspirations, short soulful interjections, punctuate the track, while strings sweep grandly, and a strong, slow bass line provides the heartbeat. Spooner Oldman’s performance on piano is crucial to the track’s success. He gives the performance of a lifetime.Meanwhile, Aretha’s heartfelt, impassioned delivery is a mixture of passion and emotion. This results in one of the most heartachingly beautiful songs in the history of soul music. Whether Aretha or Jerry Wexler realized the importance of the song in 1967, when it was recorded, we’ll never know. What we do know, is it’s a timeless, classic.
Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) is the first of two songs Aretha cowrote with her husband Ted White. As Aretha’s powerful vocal soars above the arrangement, the rhythm section, piano and rasping horns accompany her. A joyous sounding arrangement unfolds. Aretha mixes power, emotion, drama and a touch of sass, as she sings about her man leaving her. The Sweet Inspirations’ gospel-tinged harmonies prove the perfect foil to Aretha’s vocal masterclass on a track that gave Aretha her sixth number one US R&B single.
Ted White and Aretha cowrote Good To Me As I Am To You. It has a subtle, understated introduction. Just piano and guitar combine before Aretha sings. This subtle backdrop suits the song, with Aretha’s voice taking centre-stage. Quickly, the arrangement grows, with the rhythm and rasping horns entering. Aretha’s vocal and the arrangement grow in drama, power and emotion. Powerful, passionate and controlled. Aretha warns her man, you’d better be good to me. By now, she’s almost shouting the lyrics, accompanied by soaring, screaming guitars and throwing in the odd whoop and holler for good measure. As the track ends, you can only admire Aretha’s controlled power, and almost aggressive vocal. She can bring a song to life, inject meaning and feeling, that other vocalists fail to do.
Growling horns open Come Back Baby track that has a really quick tempo, driven along by a melange of rhythm section and Hammond organ. The Sweet Inspirations live up to their name. Their sweet and soulful interjections help inspire Aretha. Her delivery is quick and soulful. It rises and falls, a combination of restrained power and emotion. Likewise, the arrangement has a joyous sound, with horns blazing, guitars chiming and the rhythm section driving the arrangement along. They seem to take their lead from Aretha’s emotive, impassioned vocal, matching her every step of the way.
Groovin’ was originally recorded by The Young Rascals, who for me, recorded the definitive version of this song. Here Aretha interprets the track. Just the rhythm section and Hammond organ combine brightly and melodically as Aretha sings. The song is slowed down, with Spooner Oldham’s atmospheric Hammond organ and The Sweet Inspirations tender, subtle harmonies playing important roles. Aretha gives a much more gentle, restrained and soulful vocal. Behind her, a beautiful and understated arrangement unfolds. Add to the arrangement, Aretha’s thoughtful and soulful vocal, and this is one of the best versions of this song I’ve ever heard.
Ain’t No Way closes Lady Soul and was written by Carolyn Franklin. A piano, slow sultry horns and drums combine, before Aretha’s vocal enters. It’s hugely emotive, thoughtful and drenched in horns, with Cissy Houston contributing vocal obbligato. The Sweet Inspirations add tender harmonies, while rasping horns punctuate the arrangement, and lush strings sweep. By now the arrangement has a grand but soulful sound, with Aretha’s voice soaring emotionally and powerfully heavenwards. Behind her, one of the best arrangements on Lady Soul unfolds. Elements of a big band sound combines with the best soul music has to offer. This is potent and beautiful mixture, made all the better by Aretha’s brilliant vocal and a stunning contribution from Cissy Houston. It’s the perfect way to end Lady Soul, one of the best albums Aretha Franklin ever recorded.
During Aretha Franklin’s long and illustrious career she has recored many great albums and received critical acclaim, awards and plaudits aplenty. Aretha won eighteen Grammy Awards, had twenty R&B number one singles, with ten of her albums topping the R&B Chart. Then there’s the small matter of thirty-eight studio albums. However, Aretha Franklin’s best music was the albums she recorded between 1967 and 1969. Starting with 1967s I Never Loved A Man Like I Loved You and Aretha Arrives, taking in 1968s Lady Soul and Aretha Now and finishing with Soul ’69, these albums are Aretha’s finest. The other album I’d include is 1972s Young, Gifted and Black. 1969s Lady is undoubtably one of Aretha Franklin’s greatest albums.
Lady Soul features two songs that Aretha made her own, Chain of Fools and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. Not only have both songs since become synonymous with Aretha, they’ve become two of her best known, and best loved tracks. On Lady Soul, Aretha also gave stunning interpretations of People Get Ready, Come Back Baby and Groovin.’Demonstrating her talents as a songwriter are two tracks Aretha cowrote with her husband Ted White for Lady Soul. These are the US R&B number one single Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby), and Good To Me As I Am To You. Then on Money Won’t Change You and Come Back Baby, Aretha breathes life, meaning and emotion into the tracks. She transforms these tracks, especially Money Won’t Change You, which in the hands of a less talented vocalist, may come across as an average track. The only track on Lady Soul which disappoints is Niki Hoeky, which despite the best efforts of Aretha, The Sweet Inspirations and her band, never rises above mere mediocre. That’s the only track that stops Lady Soul from being a flawless album.
Whether its sadness, hurt and heartache, frustration, anger or emotion, or confidence, sass and sensuality, Aretha Franklin could bring all these things and more to a song. She has you believing she’s lived and survived the lyrics. Lady Soul, which was rereleased by WEA Japan on 26th March 2013, is one of Aretha Franklin’s classic albums. As such, Lady Soul belongs in every record collection. Quite simply, it features Aretha Franklin at her very best. To me, Lady Soul is the perfect introduction to the career of one of the greatest female soul singers of all time. Standout Tracks: Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and Ain’t No Way.
ARETHA FRANKLIN-LADY SOUL.
PAAAARTY TIME-SERIOUS FUNK FROM THE 70S.
PAAAARTY TIME-SERIOUS FUNK FROM THE 70S.
After its birth in the mid to late sixties, funk’s popularity quickly grew. With its fusion of soul, R&B and jazz, funk’s heyday was the seventies. While the peak of funk’s popularity was during the seventies, it was during the seventies that some of the greatest funk music was produced. Indeed, looking back at the seventies, the quality of funk produced during that decade has never been equalled. No wonder. Just look at the giants of seventies funk. James Brown lead the way, with Sly and The Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire and in Philly, M.F.S.B. following in the Godfather of Funk’s wake. There was more to funk than most people realized. It was a musical genre that not only has been influenced by various disparate musical genres, but gave birth to many sub-genres.
While funk’s roots can be traced to soul, jazz and R&B, out of funk, other sub-genres emerged. Jazz-funk, fusion and P-Funk, pioneered by Parliament and Funkadelic. Often, funk had a soulful or jazz tinged influence. Proof of this is Nina Simone and Esther Phillips, two female funk pioneers who feature on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s, which was released on 20th May 2013, by Harmless Records’ Backbeats’ imprint. Sometimes, funk’s R&B influence shines through. On Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s Johnny Otis demonstrates this. So, funk, we can safely say, in the seventies, was a broad musical genre, one with many sub-genres emerging. Not only that, but during the seventies, funk was in the rudest of health. It seemed its popularity would last forever. That however, didn’t happen.
Music as we know, is cyclical. Musical genres drift in and out of fashion. Funk’s popularity didn’t last forever. Not at all. Instead, it’s popularity waned and it was forced to reinvent itself. The near death experience that disco suffered, affected funk’s popularity. It was almost guilt by association. After all, many disco artists came from a funk background. None more so than Chic, whose popularity slumped. So realizing the end was neigh, shrewd funk groups new their music had to evolve. It was survive or die. To stay relevant as the eighties dawned, funk albums became much more spartan.
Gone were horn sections. Out too were keyboards that had become synonymous with funk. So funk groups waved goodbye to their Hammond organs, clavinets and Fender Rhodes. Replacing them were synths. Even the drums weren’t sacrosanct. Not at all. They were replaced by drum machines. For veterans of seventies funk, this was unbearable. It was a step too far. Not only had they thrown out some of funk’s most effective, and important instruments, but they’d thrown out funk’s very soul. Funk was no longer the musical genre it had once been. For some people, it was a mere synthetic shadow, stripped of its soul and potency. No longer would music like the nineteen tracks that feature on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s be released. The track on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s are a powerful reminder of why the seventies were funk’s greatest days.
Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s features nineteen tracks from labels like RCA Records, Date Records, Epic Records, Jewel Record Corp, Philadelphia International Records, Columbia and Trius Records. Among the familiar faces on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s are Sly and The Family Stone. M.F.S.B, Nina Simone, Esther Phillips, Jimmy Castor and Shuggie Otis. These artists show the different sides to funk music. This includes the soulful, jazzy or even R&B-tinged sides to funk. One thing each of the tracks on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s have in common is their quality. Compiler Dean Rudland has dug deeply and diligently, compiling nineteen quality tracks, which I’ll now choose the highlights of.
My first choice from Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s is Nina Simone’s Funkier Than A Mosquitos Tweeter. This was a track Nina’s 1974 album Is It Finished. It was released in 1974, on RCA Victor. This was during one of Nina’s most successful and critically acclaimed periods. Whether it was jazz or funk, Nina was equally at home. Here, it’s funk all the way. Her vocal is sassy and strident, playing an important role in this classic track’s success.
While Nina Simone was one of the most successful artists in the history of music, Esther Phillips is one of the most underrated. Although she enjoyed some success as Little Esther Phillps and later, during her time at Kudu, she never truly enjoyed the success her talent deserved. Proof of this is Home Is Where The Hatred Is, a track from her 1972 album Alone Again, Naturally. Released on Kudu, Esther’s vocal is a fusion of anger, frustration and power. She unleashes a vocal masterclass that’ll have you spellbound. So much so, that you’ll be adding some Esther Phillips to your record collection.
One of The Jimmy Castor’ Bunch’s best known tracks is his cover of We’ve Only Just Begun. It was a track from the 1972 album It’s Just Begun, which was released on RCA Victor. Since the birth of hip hop, It’s become a source of inspiration for hip hop artists, who’ve liberally “sampled” it. This includes the Jungle Brothers, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Bomb The Bass and 45 King. No wonder they’ve sampled this track’s delights. Quite simply, it’s a storming slice of gloriously funky music. With its blazing horns, wah-wah guitars and funky rhythm section, this is seventies funk at its best.
Johnny Otis has two claims to fames in life. His first is that he was one of the pioneers of R&B. He released his debut single, That’s Your Last Boogie, in 1948. Later, that year, Johnny and Little Ester Phillips has a US R&B number one single with Double Crossing Blues. Johnny’s other claim to fame is he’s the father of Shuggie Otis, one of music’s most reluctant, but gifted musicians. By 1972, Johnny had adapted to changes in music. Not only was still making music, but his music had elolved. The Johnny Otis Show released Watts Breakaway as a single. Although a prime slice of seventies funk, Johnny’s R&B roots shine through on this explosive slice of driving funk.
Shay Holiday’s career may not neither have been the longest, nor the most successful, but it was truly memorable. After all, she released It’s Not How Long You Make It on Jewel Record Corp, in 1973. Written Jerry Strickland and Bobby Patterson, who produced the single, Shay’s vocal is sassy, powerful and soars soulfully above the funky arrangement. This marriage of soul and funk results in not only a hidden musical gem, but an extremely expensive one.
I didn’t just choose Casey Jones’ single Good Thing Part 2, so I could make a gratuitous joke about railways. Not at all. In many ways, I was almost railroaded into choosing this track, given its quality. After an understated opening, where hypnotic drums provide the arrangement’s heartbeat, Casey’s vampish vocal enters, and the track explodes into life. Soon, you’re embarking on a musical journey, one that’s both soulful thanks to Casey’s vocal, but fast and furiously funky thanks to his backing band.
I’ve often said that M.F.S.B. were much more than Philadelphia International Records’ house-band. Quite the opposite. This multitalented band were also songwriters, arrangers and producers. Often, their role in the Philadelphia International Records’ success story is downplayed. That suits certain people though. However, what made M.F.S.B. such an outstanding band is their versatility. Family Affair, a track from their 1973 sophomore album M.F.S.B, which reached number 131 in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty in the US R&B Charts. Here, M.F.S.B. combine some heavy duty funk with mellow, jazzy keyboards and a touch of Philly Soul.
Apart from Nick Drake, Shuggie Otis must be one of the most reluctant musicians of the seventies. He could’ve and should’ve been huge. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. His seventies back-catalogue amounts to three albums. Ice Cold Daydream is a track from his 1971 album Freedom Flight. While Strawberry Letter is a better known track, Ice Cold Daydream allows Shuggie to kick loose his shackles and become a strutting funkateer, a role which he carries off with considerable aplomb.
Mention seventies funk groups, and many people will reply Sly and The Family Stone. For four years, between 1969 and 1973, their star shawn brightly. Sadly, amidst chaos and a trail of destruction, their star burnt out. Thankfully, during that period, they released three peerless studio albums. 1969s was the first of these. It featured genre-sprawling Sing A Simple Song, where seamlessly Sly Stone fuses funk, psychedelia, soul, rock and jazz. The result is a timeless, anthemic track that epitomizes an era.
Al Kooper’s Toe Hold is my final choice from Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, it was a track from Al’s 1968 debut album I Stand Alone, which was released on Columbia Records. Although Toe Hold is a primarily a funky track, albeit with a real late sixties sound, it incorporates soul, gospel and rock. Here. Al’s vocals veer between soul and rock, accompanied by gospel tinged harmonies. His band keep things funky, but sometimes, especially the keyboards, have a rocky sound. Having said that, this is a tantalising taste of the multitalented Al Kooper, as he embarks upon his solo career.
For anyone who likes their music seriously funky, then Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s is an album that must find its way into your record collection. During the nineteen tracks on Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s, you can hear funk’s soulful, jazzy and R&B roots shine through. What else shines through is the quality of music. There’s contributions from familiar faces like Sly and The Family Stone, M.F.S.B and Nina Simone. You’re also introduced to some hugely underrated artists. Many people won’t have heard of Esther Phillips, Shay Hliday, Casey Jones or Johnny or Shuggie Otis. So hopefully, Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s will introduce their music to a much wider audience. Maybe after hearing Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s, which was released on 20th May 2013, listeners will embark on a musical voyage of discovery.
Compiler Dean Rudland, deserves credit for not just sticking with the tried and tested tracks that feature on many funk compilations. Instead, Dean’s dug deep into his record collection. No corners of his collection have been left unexplored, in his quest for the funkiest of music. After much crate digging, Dean’s come up with nineteen slices of the funkiest music you’re ears will be lucky to hear. This is Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s, a compilation guaranteed to get any party started.
In many ways, Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s is a reminder of the golden age of funk. Long gone and much mourned, the golden age of funk is but a passing memory. Thankfully, Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s is a reminder of these few short years. Indeed, Paaaarty Time-Serious Funk From The 70s is a like a musical walk down memory lane, where you hear familiar tracks and forgotten treasures. By the end of your trip down this musical memory lane, you realize that funk doesn’t get any better than this. Standout Tracks: Esther Phillips Home Is Where The Hatred Is, Shay Holiday It’s Not How Long You Make It, M.F.S.B. Family Affair and Al Kooper Toe Hold.
PAAAARTY TIME-SERIOUS FUNK FROM THE 70S.
BACKBEATS: DIGGERS DELIGHT-MORE RARE-GROOVE GEMS.
BACKBEATS: DIGGERS DELIGHT-MORE RARE-GROOVE GEMS.
For many DJs and music-lovers, crate-digging for hidden rare-groove gems is the musical equivalent of an Olympic sport. Whether its record shops, thrift stores, dusty warehouses or junk shops, there’s nowhere that the determined crate-digger won’t head. Nowhere is off-limits in their search for rare of obscure vinyl. A crate-digger is the modern equivalent of a big game hunter. The only difference between the two, is that a crate-digger’s hunting musical gold. Often, a determined and persistent crate-digger can strike musical gold by finding a rare and valuable album for little, or no money. That however, is fast, becoming a thing of the past.
The reason for this is the internet. Nowadays, people have become much more savvy about how much vinyl is worth and bargains are becoming harder to unearth. Granted, there’s still bargains out there, but they’re becoming even harder to find. Not helping the situation, is the economically straightened times we live in. Being smack bang in the middle of the biggest recession in financial history, people have less money to spend on vinyl. So for anyone looking to compile a collection of rare-groove gems, a good place to start is Backbeats: Diggers Delight, the latest installment in Harmless Records’ Backbeats compilation series, which will be released on 20th May 2013. Featuring fifteen slices of rare-groove, Backbeats: Diggers Delight, features some obscure, rare and valuable slices of funk, soul and jazz, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
The fifteen funky, soulful and jazzy cuts on Backbeats: Diggers Delight are from labels like Arista, CTi, Epic, RCA, Chi-Sound, Columbia, Universal and Buddah Records. This includes contributions from Weldon Irvine, Shuggie Otis, Idris Muhammed, Mandrill, Larry Young’s Fuel, Jimmy Castor Bunch and The Modulations. Looking at the track listing, and given their rarity, these tracks would require deep pockets and determination to find. After I’ve picked the highlights of Backbeats: Diggers Delight, I’ll tell you how much it would cost you buy the fifteen tracks on Backbeats: Diggers Delight.
My first choice from Backbeats: Diggers Delight is Herbert Law’s Family, which was the title-track to his 1980 album. Released on Columbia, an all-star band accompanies Hubert. This includes bassist Nathan East, drummer Leon Ndugu Chancier and pianist Bobby Lyle. As the track unfolds, it’s mellow and understated. Then, all of a sudden, the track explodes into life. Key to this soulful, jazzy and funky track, is Debra Law’s vocal. Hubert’s sister delivers an impassioned, powerful vocal.
Idris Muhammed released Turn This Mutha Out in 1977, on Kudu. One of the tracks on Turn This Mutha Out was Crab Apple, which was written by producer David Matthews. Of the seven tracks on Turn This Mutha Out, Crab Apple is head and shoulders above the rest. Key to this are Michael Brecker’s schorching saxophone, Wilber Bascomb’s pounding bass and Cliff Carter’s synths. With Idris’ drums providing the heartbeat, the result is a tough, funky track that quite simply, is one of the highlights of Backbeats: Diggers Delight.
Lalo Schifrin forged a reputation as one of the most talented and innovative film composers of his generation. When not writing film scores, Lalo enjoyed a successful solo career. His 1977 album Towering Toccata featured Theme From King Kong, z five minute fusion of funk, rock and jazz. With blazing horns, the funkiest of rhythm section and rocky guitars Lalo creates a dramatic, Uber funky reinterpretation of a familiar track.
One of music’s best kept secrets is Shuggie Otis, who released four albums between 1969 and 1974. The last of this quartet of albums is 1974 Inspiration Inspiration, which featured Aht Uh Mi Hed. Like all of Shuggie’s music, It’s a captivating fusion of soul, funk, psychedelia, rock and jazz from one of music’s most reluctant stars, whose music everyone should discover.
All too often, compilers overlook Weldon Irvine’s music. Thankfully, Dean Rudland, who compiled Backbeats: Diggers Delight is guilty of that. We Gettin’ Down was written by Weldon and featured on his 1975 album Spirit. Released on RCA Victor, it’s a slow, funky and atmospheric track. Squelchy synths usher in blazing horns, rocky guitars and a myriad of percussion. Soon, strings are dancing in appreciation, while Weldon’s keyboards provide a backdrop to a compelling and often, beautiful fusion of harmonies, percussion and swathes of strings.
Back in 1973, Earth, Wind and Fire embarked upon a journey where critical acclaim and commercial success were ever-present for a decade. The second album in this unbroken run success was 1974s Open Your Eyes. It reached number fifteen in the US and number one in the US R&B Charts, and was certified gold. Mighty Mighty was a single Open Your Eyes, which reached number twenty-nine in the US Billboard 100 and number four in the US R&B Charts.Tough, funky, soulful, laden with hooks and dance-floor friendly, it’s no surprise Earth, Wind and Fire were so successful.
Not only did The Brecker Brothers enjoy a successful recording career during the seventies, but were the go-to-guys for anyone looking for a hot horn section. The sound of Michael’s saxophone and Randy on flugelhorn or trumpet graced many an album. Their debut album was 1975s The Brecker Brothers. Released on Arista, it featured Sneakin’ Up Behind You, which is best described as an infectiously catchy, melodic and timeless slice of jazz-funk.
The last track I’ve chosen from Backbeats: Diggers Delight just happens to be the final track. This is The Modulations’ It’s Rough Out Here, which was the title-track to their one and only album. Released on Buddah Records in 1975, it’s a tough, funky and soulful track. Disco strings accompany the vocal while soaring harmonies, growling horns and vibes provide a backdrop as seamlessly, soul, funk and disco unite peerlessly. Given how obviously talented The Modulations were, it’s a pity their recording career amounts to just one album. Mind you, what an album It’s Rough Out Here is.
Of the fifteen tracks that feature on Backbeats: Diggers Delight, each of compiler Dean Rudland’s choices deserve their place on this compilation. With neither faux pas nor filler on Backbeats: Diggers Delight. That’s quite a feat. Usually, on compilations there’s the odd track that disappoints. Not here. No, not at all. Instead, there’s just quality rare-groove from Angela Bofil’s People Make The World Go Round right through to The Modulations’ It’s Rough Out Here. Soulful, funky and jazz-tinged, Backbeats: Diggers Delight is an eclectic selection of quality music. It’s a combination of a few familiar tracks, rarities and hidden gems. For anyone whose a fan of rare-groove, then they’ll thoroughly enjoy discovering the delights of Backbeats: Diggers Delight, which will be released by Harmless Records’ subsidiary Backbeats on 20th May 2013. in fact, Backbeats: Diggers Delight is the perfect companion to Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk. Both compilations are soulful, funky and jazzy, and will be welcome additions to any self-respecting record collection. Standout Tracks: Idris Muhammed Crab Apple, Lalo Schifrin Theme From King Kong, Shuggie Otis Aht Uh Mi Hed and Weldon Irvine We Gettin’ Down.
BACKBEATS: DIGGERS DELIGHT-MORE RARE-GROOVE GEMS.
BACKBEATS: IN THE POCKET-70S JAZZ FUNK.
BACKBEATS: IN THE POCKET-70S JAZZ FUNK.
Ever since the birth of jazz, the music has never stood still. Instead, it’s been constantly evolving. That was the case in the early seventies. By the early seventies, jazz had to evolve to survive. Jazz’s popularity had been surpassed by soul music. Even soul jazz which had proved popular during the sixties, was losing popularity. So, what was needed was change.
Bringing about this change, were some of the most innovative and pioneering jazz musicians of the time. This included Herbie Hancock, Charles Earland, Ramsey Lewis, Lonnie Liston Smith, Harvey Mason and Freddie Hubbard. These musicians were responsible for jazz funk, which was seen as not just the future of the jazz, but its savior. By taking soul jazz and adding a sprinkling of funk, a new musical genre was born…jazz funk.
Jazz funk proved to be the answer to jazz’s problems, giving jazz’s popularity an unexpected boost. Since then, jazz funk is one of the most celebrated sub-genres of jazz. For anyone yet to discover jazz funk, Harmless Records next batch of its Backbeats’ compilation series includes Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk, which will be released on 20th May 2013. Featuring twelve tracks from some of jazz funk most successful, innovative and pioneering musicians, including Herbie Hancock, Charles Earland, Lonnie Liston Smith and Harvey Mason, Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk is the perfect primer for the newcomer to jazz funk. Having said that, for veterans of jazz funk, Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk, which was compiled by Dean Rudland, will bring back memories of the jazz funk’s glory days. You’ll realize why, when I pick the highlights from Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk.
Fittingly, given the important role Herbie Hancock played in the development of jazz funk, Just Around The Corner opens Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk. This was a track from Herbie’s 1980 album Mr. Hands, released on Columbia Records. Joining Herbie on Just Around The Corner are a jazz supergroup of guitarist Wah Wah Watson, drummer Alphonso Mouzon, bassist Freddie Washington and percussionist Sheila E. Given their combined talents, it’s no surprise that they produce a truly innovative slice of jazz funk.
For many people, myself included, Charles Earland is one of the greatest Hammond organ players of his the last fifty years. However, outside jazz circles, Charles is almost unheard of. That, to me, is a great shame. So, I’m pleased to see compiler Dean Rudland has included Charles’ Coming To You Live, This was the title-track to Charles’ 1980 album, which saw him move from soul jazz to jazz funk. Almost seamlessly he made the progression, reinventing himself in the process.
By the time Ramsey Lewis released Salongo in 1976, he was into his third decade as a recording artist. He’d earned a reputation as a musical innovator, someone who embraced change. That was fortunate, because during his career, musical fashions had changed. So, Ramsey had to reinvent himself several times. 1974s Solar Wind and 1975s Don’t It Feel Good saw Ramsey settle into jazz funk. Salongo surpassed both these albums. It was an exploration of Latin and African music, which was combined with jazz and jazz funk. One of the highlights was sultry Latin delights of Brazilica, which since then, has been a favorite of jazz funk fans.
During the seventies, any jazz player looking for a drummer, called Harvey Mason. Alongside his career as a session player, Harvey enjoyed a successful solo career. His debut album was 1975s Marching In The Street, which reached number forty-five in the US R&B Charts. Marching In The Street featured Hop Scotch, a track that’s not just innovative and features an all-star jazz funk band, but epitomizes all that’s good about jazz funk. After all, it doesn’t get much better than some of the best jazz musicians of the seventies showcasing their considerable talents.
Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk is almost like a who’s who of jazz funk. Everyone whose anyone features on the disc. This includes jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Freddie Hubbard. His contribution is Put It In The Pocket, a track from his 1975 album Liquid Love. Although best known for be bop and hard bop, Freddie embraced jazz funk, especially on Liquid Gold. On Put It In The Pocket, Freddie and his band give an uber funky, sassy and dramatic performance, while Freddie demonstrates just why he’d gained a reputation as one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of his generation.
Weldon Irvine’s contribution to Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk is Sinbad, a track that explodes into life with growling, blazing horns. Sinbad was the title-track to Weldon’s 1976 album. Quite simply, it’s six majestic minutes of music. Featuring a guitar masterclass, scorching horns, sassy harmonies and a tough, funky street sound, it’s the perfect introduction to the music of Weldon Irvine.
My final choice from Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk is Hubert Laws Chicago Theme (Love Loop). It’s a track from, his 1975 album Chicago Theme, which reached number eighteen in the US R&B Charts. Hubert was an early member of The Jazz Crusaders, but established a reputation as a versatile flautist. He was just as comfortable playing jazz, classical or jazz funk. By 1975, his music was becoming more commercial.Chicago Theme (Love Loop) is proof of this. While his band lay down some funky licks, swathes of strings accompany Hubert’s wistful flute. Add to that are growling horns, and the result is a track that not only showcases Hubert Laws’ versatility and talent, but how he was determined to produce music that would be commercially successful.
Earlier I said that Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk was not unlike a who’s who of jazz funk. That was no exaggeration. With Herbie Hancock, Charles Earland, Lonnie Liston Smith and Harvey Mason, here were some of the most talented, innovative and influential musicians. As the seventies dawned, they faced the realization that jazz music wasn’t just changing, but was no longer as popular. Put simply, jazz had to change. The status quo wasn’t an option. Unless jazz changed, it would become marginalized and become the musical equivalent of an endangered species. For the musicians that feature on Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk that wasn’t an option.
While it was more a case of evolution, rather the revolution, jazz changed and survived. Out of the ashes of soul jazz, came jazz funk. All it took was a sprinkling of funk and soul jazz became jazz funk. Soon, jazz funk changed jazz’s flagging fortunes. With the innovators that feature on Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk, jazz was in safe hands. Jazz moved in a new, brave and bold direction. The music was energized, attracting a much wider audience. Jazz funk albums crossed over into the mainstream, making stars of jazz musicians who had previously, been known to only a small, niche audience.
So in many ways, jazz funk was the savior of jazz. Just as jazz was about to receive the musical equivalent of the last rites, along came jazz funk. Somehow, jazz made a miraculous recovery. Crucial to that recovery were a group of pioneering and innovative jazz musicians. These pioneers and innovators feature on Backbeats: In The Pocket-70s Jazz Funk, which will be released on 20th May 2013. Standout Tracks: Herbie Hancock Just Around The Corner, Charles Earland Coming To You Live, Harvey Mason Hop Scotch and Weldon Irvine Sinbad.
BACKBEATS: IN THE POCKET-70S JAZZ FUNK.
BACKBEATS: PHILLY GEMS-MORE PHILLY DISCO FLOOR-FILLERS.
BACKBEATS: PHILLY GEMS-MORE PHILLY DISCO FLOOR-FILLERS
One of the music industry’s big success stories of recent years has been Harmless Records’ Backbeats compilation series. In the last three years, the Backbeats’ compilation series has grown to become the world’s most popular compilation series. That is a remarkable achievement. We shouldn’t be surprised though. After all, for the last three years, Backbeats has consistently delivered quality compilations at budget prices. For soul, jazz and funk fans on a limited budget, the Backbeats compilations aren’t going to break the band. Not at all. Indeed, the next six installments of the Backbeat series are available for just £3, $4.50 or €4 each when they’re released on 20th May 2013. Of the next six installments in the Backbeats series, one I’ve been looking forward to is Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers.
Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers compiled by Ralph Tee, features sixteen tracks from labels like Philadelphia International Records, Buddah Records, Epic and Columbia. Featuring tracks from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, M.F.S.B, The Trammps, The O’Jays, Philly Devotions and The Futures, it’s like a who’s who of Philly Soul. This all-star lineup continues with the songwriters, arrangers and producers. Among them are Gamble and Huff, McFadden, Whitehead and Carstarphen, John Davis, Jefferson, Simmons and Hakwes and Norman Harris to name but a few. Whether you’re a veteran of Philly Soul compilations like myself, or a relative newcomer, then there’s plenty to interest you on Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
What better way is there to open Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers than with Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ The Love I Lost. This was a track from their sophomore album Black and Blue, which was released in 1973, on Philadelphia International Records. It reached number fifty-seven in the US Billboard 200 and number five in the US R&B Charts. When The Love I Lost was released as single, it reached number seven in the US Billboard 100 charts and number one in the R&B Charts. That’s no surprise though, as Teddy’s heartbroken, emotive vamp was a career defining vocal, resulting in the track becoming a Philly Soul classic.
Gamble and Huff had guided The Intruders career since their 1967 debut album The Intruders Are Together. This included signing them to Gamble Records, then Philadelphia International and producing their 1968 number one single Cowboys To Girls. With McFadden and Whitehead, Gamble and Huff cowrote Save The Children, the title-track to their 1973 album. Released in 1973, Save The Children was their fourth album. It reached number 133 in the US Billboard 200 and number twelve in the US R&B Charts. When Save The Children, which was produced by Gamble and Huff, was released as a single, it fared better reaching number thirty-six in the US Billboard 100 and number six in the US R&B Charts. Beautiful, soulful and heartfelt, it’s a potent reminder of one of Philly Soul’s most underrated groups.
What many people forget, is that there’s much more to Philly Soul than the music released on Philadelphia International Records. Proof of this is the Philly Devotions’ I Just Can’t Say Goodbye. Originally released on Don Re in 1974, it was rereleased in 1975 on Columbia. Sadly, its release on Columbia didn’t achieve the hit the record label had hoped for. Written and produced by John Davis, this single epitomizes Philly Soul. Matthew Covington’s lead vocal is not unlike Russell Tompkins of The Stylistics, as he lays bare his soul with swathes of strings and cascading harmonies for company.
During his eight-year spell at Philadelphia International Records, Billy Paul released nine albums, and in the process, become the label’s first male superstar. People Power was from his 1975 album When Love Is New. It reached number 139 in the US Billboard 200 and number seventeen in the US R&B Charts. People Power reached number eighty-two in the US R&B Charts and number fourteen in the US Disco Charts. When Love Is New was a combination of beautiful love songs and songs filled with social and political comment. The album opener People Power, was written by McFadden and Whitehead with Victor Castarphen. Thirty-eight years later, this soulful call for unity and action is just as relevant.
The Futures’ Party Time Man is a tale of escapism from the 9-5, Monday to Friday drudgery. Party Time Man was a track from The Futures’ sophomore album Past, Present and Futures. Released in 1978, on Philadelphia International Records, it stalled at number ninety-four in the US R&B Charts. Written Ted Marchall and Sherman Marshall, who produced the track, this hook-laden, dance-track benefits from The Sweethearts of Sigma’s joyous harmonies. They’re the perfect foil to The Futures on a track that’s became synonymous with them.
Love Epidemic was originally released by The Trammps in 1973, on Golden Fleece Records. This was a label owned by the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section, who produced the track. It was written by Leroy Green and Norman Harris and reached number seventy-five in the US R&B Charts. Two years later, Love Epidemic featured on The Trammps debut album Trammps, released on Golden Fleece. Trammps was an early disco album, and reached number 159 in the US Billboard 200 and number thirty in the US R&B Charts. Along with Where Do We Go From Here, Love Epidemic is one of the highlights of Trammps and features the vocal prowess of the late Jimmy Ellis, disco preacher par excellence.
Of all the artists on Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers, David Morris Jr. might not have had the longest or most successful career, but he’s responsible for one of the most soulful offerings. Midnight Lady was released on Buddah Records in 1976. Produced by Ed Biggins, Bud Ross and Bobby “Electronic” Eli, who arranged the track, this is a real hidden gem that even many Philly Soul fans won’t be aware of. Incidentally, the B-side of Midnight Lady, Jack In The Box, features on Tom Moulton’s forthcoming compilation Philly Re-Grooved Volume 3.
By 1975, Anacostia had been signed to Columbia Records for three years. During that period, success had eluded them. They’d released four singles, to little or no success. Something had to give. So in 1975, Columbia hooked them up with one of the hottest production teams of the time..Baker, Harris, Young. The legendary rhythm section and production team transformed the Tom Boyd penned All I Need into a delicious slice of Philly Soul. Soulful, dance-floor friendly and thirty-eight years later, is a truly timeless track, one that deserves a wider audience.
One of the most recognizable songs on Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers is The O’Jays’ Love Train. It reached number one in the US Billboard 100 and US R&B Charts in 1973. Love Train was a track from Backstabbers, The O’Jays first album for Philadelphia International Records. Backstabbers reached number ten in the US Billboard 200 and number three in the US R&B Charts. This started a run where The O’Jays next eight albums were certified either gold or platinum. Crucial to The O’Jays success were M.F.S.B. Here, the original lineup of M.F.SB. featuring the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section, vibes virtuosos Vince Montana Jr, percussionist Larry and guitarist Bobby “Electronic” Eli kick loose. Not only did M.F.S.B. help transform The O’Jays into Philly Soul’s most successful group, but provide the backdrop for one of their most joyous and uplifting songs, Love Train, a musical slice of sunshine.
My final choice from Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers is M.F.S.B’s Love Is The Message. This was the title-track to their 1973 album. It reached number four in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. When Love Is The Message was released as a single, it only reached number eighty-five in the US Billboard 100 and number forty-two in the US R&B Charts. What Love Is The Message demonstrates, is how important a role M.F.S.B. played in the Philadelphia International Records’ success story. Often their role is overlooked or underestimated. That should never be allowed to happen. Listen to Love Is The Message and you’ll hear some of the greatest musicians of the seventies in full flight. Quite simply, it’s a joy to behold.
Having looked forward to the hearing Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers, I wasn’t disappointed. Compiler Ralph Tee has dug deep, and come up with a combination of familiar tracks and hidden gems. This mixture of the familiar and unfamiliar means Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers will appeal to different types of buyers. Familiar tracks from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Biilly Paul, The Futures, The Trammps, The O’Jays and M.F.S.B. will appeal to either to newcomers to Philly Soul or occasional compilation buyers. What I refer to as hidden gems, including Gateway, David Morris Jr, City Limits and Anacostia will appeal to veterans of Philly Soul compilations. So, compiler Ralph Tee has managed to find a happy medium between Philly Soul classics and hidden gems. What he’s also done, is proved that there’s more to Philly Soul than Philadelphia International Records.
For many people, Philly Soul starts and ends with Philadelphia International Records. How wrong could they be? There’s much, much more to Philly Soul than one label, albeit Philly Soul’s most critically acclaimed and commercially successful labels. Many labels, both big and small, released Philly Soul. Philly Groove Records, Don Re, SAM Records, Atlantic, Atco, Epic and Columbia are just a few of the labels who released Philly Soul. Overlook these labels at your peril. If you do, you’ll miss out on some of the greatest Philly Soul ever released. This would included The Spinners, The Stylistics and The Delfonics, all produced by Thom Bell. You’d also overlook many of the artists Richard Rome, John Davis and Norman Harris produced. So you’d never hear the delights of Blue Magic, First Choice, Major Harris and The Ritchie Family. That would be a great shame, these artists and producers were responsible for some of Philly Soul’s finest moments.
Not only does Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers feature some of Philly Soul’s finest moments, but features forgotten and hidden gems. They’re given new life and introduced to a new, and wider audience by compiler Ralph Tee on Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers, which will be released by Harmless Records on 20th May 2013. So whether you’re a veteran of Philly Soul or relative newcomer to Philly Soul, then Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-Fillers is essential listening. Standout Tracks: Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ The Love I Lost, Billy Paul People Power, David Morris Jr. Midnight Lady and M.F.S.B. Love Is The Message.
BACKBEATS: PHILLY GEMS-MORE PHILLY DISCO FLOOR-FILLERS.
PAUL RANDOLPH-SOLDIER.
PAUL RANDOLPH-SOLDIER.
For many people, the first time they heard of Paul Randolph, was when they heard his track Soldier on the eight-track Offering Recordings Ade Sampler 2012. Paul Randolph was in good company, given the artists that featured on Offering Recordings Ade Sampler 2012. Idrissa Sissoko, Ade Alafia Adio, Sage Monk, Mammy Wata and Sons of Arhat all featured on Offering Recordings Ade Sampler 2012. In many ways, this was Offering Recordings showing the music industry how many talented artists they’d signed. One of most talented and up-and-coming artists was Paul Randolph. It was obvious from the first time you heard Soldier. Now, the next step in introducing Paul Randolph to a much wider audience swings into action with his forthcoming E.P. Soldier. This however, is no ordinary E.P. Quite the opposite. Instead, it’s a mammoth eleven track E.P. Rather than one Soldier, it’s more like a platoon. Before I tell you about the Soldier E.P, I’ll tell you about Paul Randolph.
When it comes to musical pedigrees, Paul Randolph’s is second to none. He comes from a musical family and was born in one of America’s most famous musical cities…Philadelphia. Paul first began his musical journey as a child playing guitar. Then when he was six, his family moved to Brazil. That transformed his life. Not only did he become fluent in a second language, but immersed himself in music, which in Brazil, is part of the culture. This included studying guitar with the same Brazilian tutor as his father. By the time Paul was a teenager, his family were on the move again.
Next stop for Paul was Detroit, another a musical city. Although Paul graduated from Central Michigan with a degree in marketing, music was his first love. Throughout his university course, music was ever-present. He played in the Detroit area, and by this time, had mastered percussion and bass. After graduating, Paul has made music his career, and worked with a number of well-known artists.
Among the artists Paul has accompanied, are Odetta, Tony Allen, Dennis Coffey and Johnny Johnston. After that, Paul was lead singer of Mudpuppy, a Detroit based group whose music was inspired by New Orleans funk and blues. Following his departure from Mudpuppy, Paul accompanied Amp Fiddler, Carl Craig, iSoul8, Catz ‘n’ Dogz and Zed Bias to mention just a few names. Paul Randolph it seems is a versatile musician, whose equally comfortable playing funk, blues, Nu-Soul and electronic music. Regardless of the musical genre, Paul can play it. As well as being a member of Mudpuppy, Paul has also released a trio of albums.
Paul’s debut album was 2004s This Is…What It Is, which was released on Mahogani Music. Three years later, Lonely Eden was released in 2007 on Still Music, with Echoes Of Lonely Eden following in 2010. Despite not releasing an album since 2010, Paul has been busier than ever. During 2012, he released seven projects, including collaborating with Jazzanova. Then late last year, came Paul Randolph’s first release for Offering Recordings. Straight away, it was obvious that Paul Randolph was a man with a big future in music ahead of him. Soldier is a tantalizing taste of Paul Randolph’s talents. On the Soldier E.P. there’s not just one, two or three versions of soldiers, but a might eleven versions, which I’ll pick the highlights of.
Just a lone acoustic guitar opens the Main Mix of Soldier, before drums and percussion enter, giving the track an African Roots sound. Then Paul throws a curveball. His tender vocal is accompanied by pounding drums. Now the track head in the direction of the dance-floor. Synth, keyboards and backing vocalists join the percussion and acoustic guitar as African Roots meets deep house. Paul teases and tantalizes the listener, dropping the tempo before building the track back up. This results in a track that’s compelling, catchy and beautiful oh and very dance-floor friendly.
Apart from the Main Mix of Soldier, another of the highlights of the Soldier E.P. are the Radio Mix. It’s just four minutes long, two minutes shorter than the Main Mix. This seems to result in a much more potent and powerful track. Somehow, it’s even catchier, not unlike to a call to dance, but one you can’t resist. Best to submit to its charms. Talking of infectiously catchy, dance-floor fillers, that’s a good way to describe the Daz i Kue Vocal Mix and the eleven-minute GiKu Remix. They’re two of the best of vocal remixes.
Showing a very different side to Soldier are the instrumental or dub versions. Choosing between the various remixes isn’t easy, given their consistent quality. However, Boddhi Satva is responsible for peerless dub remixes. These are the Ancestral Dub and Dubthrudamental Mix. Along with the Instrumental and Kickless Remixes, the eleven remixes on Paul Randolph’s Soldier E.P. have one thing in common…their quality.
While there are nine different remixes of Soldier on the E.P. this isn’t overkill. Not at all. Each of the nine remixes bring something new, compelling and captivating to the original version of Soldier, which is a quite beautiful song. Soldier is also melancholy, wistful, emotive and haunting. It’s all these things and much more. I’d describe it as one of these tracks that stay with you. It’s not just memorable, but makes you think and asks questions of you. If only more music like this.
Listening to Paul Randolph’s eleven track E.P. Soldier, it’s obvious Paul is a hugely talented singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He has a great future ahead of him. Not only did Paul write Soldier, but produced the track and arranged it with Boddhi Satve. Soldier is just a tantalizing taste of what’s to come from Paul Randolph. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until the release of Paul Randolph’s next album. Until then, you’ll be able to enjoy Paul’s forthcoming E.P. Soldier, which will soon be released by Offering Recordings.
PAUL RANDOLPH-SOLDIER.
THE MUGGSY STORY.
THE MUGGSY STORY.
Although Johnny De Mairo’s name is synonymous with Henry Street Records, the label he founded with Tommy Musto in 1993, that wasn’t the only label he founded. Not at all. Once Henry Street Records was an established label, and had forged a reputation as one of the most innovative and influential labels in house music, Johnny D decided to found a new label. There was a good reason for this. Henry Street Records had established a reputation for specializing in releasing soulful house that had been influenced by disco. Johnny wanted to release a much more eclectic selection of music. So, a few years after founding Henry Street Records, Johnny D founded Muggsy Records.
Originally, Johnny planned to release music with a more tribal sound on Muggsy Records. This tribal sound would launch Johnny D’s nascent label. The problem was, finding the right track. That wasn’t going to be easy. Then fate, luck or the musical gods intervened. Chris “TKC” Staropoii approached Johnny D with a track entitled Black Jack. It was the perfect track, with the sound Johnny was looking for. Not only was it tribal, but had a harder sound and was innovative. Without hesitation, Johnny D signed Chris “TKC” Staropoii to Muggsy Records. Black Jack became the first single released on Johnny D’s newly founded Muggsy Records. Soon, Muggsy Records were releasing tracks by some of house music’s luminaries, including Chicago’s Robbie Rivera and Ralphi Rosario, Miami’s Mike “Da Mooch” Mucci and New York’s Kenny Dope and Johnick, Kenny D’s studio partnership with Nick Palermo. Tracks from each of these innovative producers feature on The Muggsy Story, which will be released by BBE Music on 27th May 2013. Before I tell you about the music on The Muggsy Story, I’ll tell you about Johnny D’s career.
Johnny DeMairo was just twelve when he started learning to mix. Armed with a pair of Lafayette T-2000s, Johnny took the first step in his DJ-ing career. Quickly, Johnny managed to master his set of Lafayette T-2000s. A year later, Johnny graduated from the Lafayette T-2000s to a new set of Technics 1200 Mk IIs. Soon, Johnny was DJ-ing in his local neighborhood. Next step were block parties, where he’d meet older and more experienced DJs. Undeterred, and with an impressive array of records, Johnny soon won over the older DJs, with his skill and choice of music. His selection of music was eclectic to say the least. Italo disco and Led Zeppelin sat next to classics on the West End and Prelude labels. Having impressed his peers with his skills, he’d soon meet a DJ whose skills would impress Johnny no end.
Aged fourteen and helped by a fake id, Johnny gained entry to New York’s hottest nightclub, Studio 54, where he meet resident DJ Leroy Washington. His mixing skills on a set of Thorens’ turntables blew Johnny away. Leroy mixed every type of music, all with impeccable timing and stunning mixing skills. Leroy was just one of a series of people who’d inspire Johnny, and a year later, Johnny would have his own residency.
When Johnny was fifteen, he met Danny Cole, a Brooklyn DJ who had a residency on Friday and Saturday nights at Brooklyn’s Plaza Suite. Danny invited Johnny to join him. This wasn’t Johnny’s only job. He played at parties and held down a job in his family’s business. This allowed him to continue building his record collection, which now numbers eighty-thousand records. These records would find their way into his DJ sets. Around this time, he met another DJ who’d become a huge influence in Johnny’s career, Shep Pettibone.
Back then, Shep Pettibone was one of the hottest DJs on New York radio. Along with Frankie Crocker, they ruled New York’s airwaves on Kiss FM. Johnny was impressed by Shep’s reediting and mixing skill. Lke Leroy Washington, Shep influenced Johnny’s career. So too did freestyle DJs The Latin Rascals and The Dynamic Duo. All of these DJs influenced Johnny’s DJ career.
Through meeting DJ at record pools and in clubs, Johnny soon had numerous contacts among New York’s music community. However, he needed contacts further afield. To do this, he got a job at Vince Pellegrino’s promotion company the Street Information Network. This allowed Johnny to network with DJs worldwide. After leaving the Street Information Network, Johnny worked for Atlantic Records. During this time, Johnny founded Henry Street Records in 1993 with Tommy Musto. Five years later, Henry Street Records was an established label. The time was right for Johnny D to launch his new label Muggsy Records, which released a much more eclectic selection of music. You’ll realize that when I tell you about The Muggsy Story.
Opening The Muggsy Story is the single that launched Muggsy Records. This is TKC’s Black Jack. Released in 1998, Black Jack it’s a real slow burner. Gradually, the arrangement unfolds. It’s if not wanting to reveal its secrets. Having said that, it’s well worth the wait. The arrangement has a tribal sound from the get-go, before TKC introduces a sample of Steely Dan’s Do It Again. Its familiar sound is swathed in filters, percussion and echo. From there, TKC relentlessly teases you, gradually revealing its secrets, subtleties and charms.
Brutal Bill has three tracks on The Muggsy Story. The first is Brutal Bill Presents The Funkryders’ Woman of Angels. This four-track E.P. was released in 1998 and features three different mixes of Woman Of Angels, including the Whiskey-A-Go-Go Mix. Produced by “Brutal Bill” Marquez, Woman Of Angels samples The Doors’ classic Riders On The Storm. Here musical influences old and new are combined, including house and sixties, psychedelic rock. Adding a trademark house sound are thunderous drums. They’re joined by hissing hi-hats and percussion, which add to the drama. Having built up the drama, they’re joined by that unmistakable sample. Memorable and moody, it floats in, proving the perfect foil for the jacking arrangement. The result is a dramatic, memorable and melodic track.
The second track from Brutal Bill is the Club Mix of Do You Know About Love. This was Brutal Bill presents Soul Function’s single from 2000. Produced by “Brutal Bill” Marquez, this is quite different to Woman Of Angels. It’s best describes as a track that’s soulful, jazz-tinged and funky. Seamlessly, this fusion of musical influences unites, resulting in an irresistibly catchy, dance-floor friendly track.
Da Mooch’s Twist The Knob was released back in 1998. It was a five-track E.P. produced by Miami producer Mike “Da Mooch” Mucci. From the opening bars, you’re smitten. Resisting the charms and delights of this track isn’t easy. No wonder. Like so much of the music Henry Street Music released, here it’s house music with a strong disco influence. Waves of the arrangement unfold, while a diva-esque vocal delivers a strutting, vocal Magnus Opus.
Most people know Kenny Dope as one half of Masters At Work. That’s unfair though. Kenny has enjoyed a successful solo career, both as a producer and DJ. Proof of this is Kenny “Dope” Presents DBX’s And There Aint. Released in 1998, And There Ain’t was a three-track E.P, which featured Troopa’s Deep Mix. Opening with a sample of Young and Company’s I Like (What You’re Doing To Me), you embark upon a hypnotic and irresistible journey. Hectic, funky, soulful and melodic, here’s a track guaranteed to still fill any dance-floor.
Next up, are two back-to-back tracks from JohNick Presents The Sopranos. First up is, Is It Really Real, the title-track from an E.P. released in 2000. It has that trademark JohNick sound, where house has been heavily influenced by classic disco. That’s definitely the case here. Uplifting, joyous and with a plentiful supply of hooks, this is house with a strong disco influence. Quite simply, it’s the best track on The Muggsy Story. Coming a close second is the other contribution from JohNick presents The Sopranos. This is First and Henry, a track from their 1999 Untitled E.P. Quite simply, this is a totally timeless and irresistible track. One listen and you’ll be smitten.
Brutal Bill’s third contribution is Disko-Tek, a track from his 1999 E.P, The Disko-Tek. It’s drama-laden from the opening bars. Wave upon wave of driving, dramatic music unfolds. Classic seventies disco and nineties house become one. It’s as if the eighties never existed, and that the decade that taste forgot, was but a nightmare. With the cascading vocal, stomping beat and memorable melody, you’re swept along, above waves of glorious music.
Da Mooch’s other contribution to The Muggsy Story is That’s What It Is. Listening to this track, it’s hard to believe that it was released in 1999, as part of the That’s What It Is E.P. Given how good a track Twist The Knob was, Da Mooch has a lot to live up to. He rises to the challenge, mixing his familiar fusion of classic disco and house. Key to the disco influence is the strident, sassy vocal. He adds to this, elements of soul and jazz. The result is an eclectic track, one worthy of baring the Muggsy Records’ label.
Closing The Muggsy Story is Ralphi Rosario’s You Used To Hold Me. Released in 1998, this version is Ralphi’s Salsa Mix. It doesn’t take long before you discover that what an infectiously catchy track. Keyboards, percussion and crispy drums accompany a vocal that’s best described as a strutting diva. The vocal is crucial to the track’s success, transforming a good track into a great track.
The ten tracks on The Muggsy Story are the perfect introduction to Johnny De Mairo’s “other” label. While most people remember Johnny D for Henry Street Records, overlooking Muggsy Records is something they should do at their peril. After all, Muggsy Records was a label that was synonymous with innovative, influential and eclectic music. Indeed, one of Johnny D’s reasons for founding Muggsy Records, was to release a much more eclectic selection of music. This was music that Henry Street Records might not release. Given Johnny D’s reputation within the music industry, he’d soon, some luminaries of house music beating a path to his new label’s door. With producers of the standard of Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, Robbie Rivera, Ralphi Rosario, Mike “Da Mooch” Mucci, Brutal Bill and JohNick on their roster, Muggsy Records concentrated on quality not quantity. Better to release ten great tracks than twenty average tracks seems to be Johnny D’s thinking. So, while Muggsy Records may not have been one of the most prolific record labels, their releases had one thing in common…their quality. The ten tracks on The Muggsy Story which will be released by BBE Music on 27th May 2013 are proof of this. Standout Tracks: TKC Black Jack, JohNick Presents The Sopranos Is It Really Real, JohNick Presents The Sopranos First and Henry Street and Brutal Bill Disko-Tek.
THE MUGGSY STORY.
KEB DARGE AND LITTLE EDITH’S LEGENDARY WILD ROCKERS 3.
KEB DARGE AND LITTLE EDITH’S LEGENDARY WILD ROCKERS 3.
It doesn’t seem like a year since I was telling you about the delights of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s latest compilation Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 2. However, a year has passed and during the previous twelve months, Keb Darge and Little Edith have been compiling another compilation. This is Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3, which will be released by BBE Music on 10th June 2013. Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 features twenty slices of the rarest rockabilly and surf music from the fifties and sixtes. Now if Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 matches the quality of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 2, then this compilation will be a must-have for music lovers everywhere. Is that the case though? That’s what I’ll tell you, once I’ve reminded you about the lift and times of Keb Darge DJ, record collector extraordinaire, compiler and founding father of “deep funk.”
Keb Darge was born in Elgin, Scotland, and from an early age, was absorbed in music. His first exposure to music was as a record collector. Having accumulated an impressive record collector, DJ-ing was the next step for Keb. He travelled around Scotland and eventually, to Wigan. The road to Wigan was a well travelled road for Scottish soul fans. Most headed to the Wigan Casino, whereas Keb landed a DJ residency near the casino. He continued to DJ until he was twenty-two, then decided to move to London.
After moved to London, Keb quit DJ-ing. Promoters persisted in asking him to DJ. Eventually, he relented, allowing London’s club-goers to experience the Northern Soul sound. Then disaster struck for Keb in 1987. His divorce saw him forced to sell his beloved record collection. Obviously, without records, a DJ-ing career wasn’t feasible. Heading out into civvy street, Keb tried various jobs to make ends meet. Then, when he rediscovered some records in his loft, this would change his career, and life.
The pile of records that Keb discovered in his loft were what Keb called “junk records.” They included what was the beginning of what would become “deep funk.” Keb took this junk records to the Wag Club in 1989. Although this was the height of the Acid House’s popularity, the Wag Club was best known for Acid Jazz. After the night ended at The Wag Club, Keb met fellow DJ and record collector Snowboy. This was the start of a long and successful partnership.
Snowboy and Keb transferred their deep funk night to another venue. Due to the popularity of house music, the night never gathered momentum. From there, they headed to Soho. This was the perfect venue. Their Legendary Deep Funk night became hugely successful. It was so successful that the new venue quickly establishing itself as a club. Keb continued to DJ at the Legendary Deep Funk night lasted until 2010, when he decided to quit. He still continues to DJ at a variety of venues, spinning his own unique brand of Northern Soul, rockabilly, early R&B and jump-blues. However, by 2010, Keb’s career was heading in different directions. Not only was he busy compiling compilations for various labels, but was running Kay Dee, a label he founded with Kenny Dope.
By 2010, Keb Darge had compiled various compilations, including several volumes of his Legendary Deep Funk, plus Soul Spectrum, Funk Spectrum and Lost and Found with Paul Weller. 2010 saw the release of the first of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s collaborations. In 2010, Keb Darge and Little Edith released Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Rockin’ R&B. Then in 2011, came the first installment in Keb and Little Edith’s new compilation series.
Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers was released in July 2011, with Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 2 following in July 2012. Now just eleven months later, Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3. Given how critically acclaimed Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 2 was, Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 has a lot to live up to. Can Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 somehow surpass the quality of its predecessor? That’s what I’ll tell you, once I’ve told you about some of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 highlights.
Choosing the perfect track to open any album of compilation is never easy. Keb and Little Edith’s decision to open Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 with Gamimian & His Oriental Music’s Come With Me To The Casbah, is a masterstroke. This is a track from the 1959 album Come With Me To The Casbah, which was released on Atco Records. After an intriguing introduction, a scorching slice of frantic R&B, with blazing horns driving the arrangement along, unfolds. Irresistibly catchy, funk, jazz, blues and world music crammed inspire and influence this track.
Anyone who loves surf music will love Angie & The Citations’ Headache. Quite simply, this is a track you must hear once in your life. That’s easier said than done. Only 150 copies of Heartache were pressed in 1963, when it was released by Angela Records. Some of the band didn’t even get a copy of Headache. They’re missing a stunning slice of surf music. After an understated introduction, the track literally explodes into life. Waves of music pour out of your speakers, and your taken of a magical, joyous musical journey. So good is this journey, that once it’s over, you can’t stop yourself reliving it again.
The great thing about compilations like Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3, is that you’re able to hear tracks that are extremely rare for the price of just one CD. Another of these tracks is Johnny Knight’s Rock & Roll Guitar. It was released in 1958, on Morocco Records. From the opening bars, the track is an explosion of energy, emotion and power that’s best described as rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly combined.
Choosing just a few tracks from Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 isn’t easy. After all, the quality of the music is so high. Indeed, on another day I might choose different tracks. One track I’d still choose is Tony & Jackie Lamie With The Swing Kings’ Sunset Blues. Released in 1958, on Sunset Records, country and rockabilly meet head-on, creating one of the compilation’s highlights.
Ever wondered where The Beatles got the inspiration for Magical Mystery Tour? Well, listen to the opening bars of The Shindigs’ Thunder Reef and you could have the answer. The similarities may be brief, but like Magical Mystery Tour, Thunder Reef is quality all the way. Rather than psychedelia, it’s surf music The Shindigs specialise in. Thunder Reef was the B-side to Wolfman, a single released in December 1964 on Mustang Records. Ironically, Thunder Reef was a much better track than Wolfman, never reaches the same heights as the flip side. Quite simply, Thunder Reef is a hidden gem and much better than Wolfman.
Johnny Powers With The Band Of Stan Getz & Tom Cats’ Rock Rock is another B-side. It was the B-Side to Johnny’s second single Long Blond Hair is, Red Rose Lips, which was released on Fox Records in 1957. Good as the A-side Long Blond Hair is, Red Rose Lips is, the irresistible and infectiously catchy Rock Rock surpasses it. So, it’s no wonder that Johnny enjoyed a long and successful musical career, signing to Sun Records and then Motown.
Eddie Gaines And The Rockin’ Five’s Be-Bop Battlin’ Ball was was the B-side to Try This Heart For SIze. It was released on Summit Records, in April 1958. Best described as raw, explosive and emotive, instantly, you’re transported back to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll by this vintage slice of vintage rockabilly.
The best way to describe Ray Taylor & Alabama Pals’ Connie Lou is a real fusion of musical genres. There’s elements of blues, rockabilly and country during this three minute track. As for Ray’s vocal, it’s not dissimilar to Johnny Cash in delivery and sound. While Connie Lou was the B-side to My Hamtramck Baby, it yet again demonstrates that you should always check the B-side to a single. If you don’t, you’re liable to miss hidden gems like Connie Lou.
Joe Lee and Orchestra’s Hang Out is quite different from other tracks on Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3. It was released on 1959, on Fernwood Records. Produced by the legendary Scotty Moore, again, it’s a captivating and dramatic, fusion of influences, including jazz, rockabilly and exotica.
Fittingly, my final choice from Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 is the final track from the compilation. This is The Country Dudes’ Have A Ball. Released on 1959, on Dallas’ label Azalea, Have A Ball features a weary, wistful vocal from Clay Allan as seamlessly, The Country Dudes fuse country and rockabilly. Given the vocal and the lyrics, this is the best track on Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3.
Earlier I wondered whether Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 would match or better the quality of their previous compilations? That’s a question I also posed a year ago. This year I wondered if this was possible to surpass their previous efforts? After all, they’d set the bar high. To do this, would be the musical equivalent of a Fosbury Flop. Then I wondered whether the previous volumes of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers had exhausted their supply of hidden surf and rockabilly gems?
Thankfully, having set the bar high, Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 surpasses the quality of the two previous volumes. This is testament to Keb’s encyclopedic knowledge of music. Quite simply, he knows where to dig for hidden gems. Keb knows where there are a few musical treats lying undiscovered, including many of the twenty slices of surf music and rockabilly that feature on Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3. It seems that Keb Darge and Little Edith haven’t exhausted their supply of hidden gems. Not at all. Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 features another twenty glistening rockabilly and surf gems for your enjoyment.
Indeed, whether your preference is for rockabilly or surf, there’s plenty there for you to enjoy on Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3. From the opening bars of Gamimian & His Oriental Music’s Come With Me To The Casbah right through to the closing notes of The Country Dudes’ Have A Ballyou’re enthralled, captivated and in awe of Keb and Little Edith’s flawless musical taste. During Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3 you’ll continually wonder where this music has been all year life? However, many of these tracks are extremely rare. Even if you could find copies of the twenty tracks, you’ll need a second mortgage to buy them. Thankfully, you can save yourself the money, time and effort by buying a copy Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3, which will be released by BBE Music on 10th June 2013. If you can’t wait that long, you can always investigate the delights of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers and Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 2. By the time you’ve savored their delights, then it’ll be time for the release of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers 3. Standout tracks: Angie & The Citations Headache, The Shindigs’ Thunder Reef, Joe Lee and Orchestra Hang Out and The Country Dudes’ Have A Ball.
KEB DARGE AND LITTLE EDITH’S LEGENDARY WILD ROCKERS 3.
ROBERTA FLACK-KILLING ME SOFTLY.
ROBERTA FLACK-KILLING ME SOFTLY.
In a previous article about Donny Hathaway, I mentioned how closely he had worked with Roberta Flack during his tragically, short career. I also mentioned how the pair were recording an album of duets just before his death. Ironically, the album that preceded Killing Me Softly, which was rereleased by WEA Japan on 30th April 2013, was an album of duets with Donny Hathaway. This was the first album of duets the pair had recorded entitled Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. At the time of Donny’s death in 1979, they were recording a second album of duets, but had only recorded two songs before Donny tragically died. The two songs were released on Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway, which was released in March 1980. Like the first album of duets, it was certified gold, reaching number twenty-five in the Billboard 200 and number four in the US R&B Charts. However, it’s the album that followed 1972s’ Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway the first album of duets, that this article is about. That album is Roberta Flack’s 1973 album Killing Me Softly, which would become her biggest selling album.
By the time Killing Me Softly was released in 1973, Roberta Flack was a hugely successful artist. Three of her four previous albums had been certified gold, and the other platinum. Her debut album First Take, released in 1969, reached number one in both the US Billboard 200 and US R&B Charts, and was certified platinum. This was quite remarkable for a debut album, but when she released Chapter Two in 1970, it only reached number thirty-three in the Billboard 200. It however, was certified gold, as was her next two albums. They were 1971s’ Quiet Fire which reached number eighteen in the Billboard 200 and Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, released in 1972, which reached number three in the Billboard 200. So, when Killing Me Softly was released in August 1973, on Atlantic Records, she was hoping to replicate the success of previous albums. Little did she know, that Killing Me Softly would prove to be the biggest selling album of her career. On the album’s release, it reached number three in the Billboard 200 and number two in the US R&B Charts, and was certified double platinum, selling over two million copies. In 1974, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award, but lost out to Stevie Wonder’s album Innervisions. This was just one of four Grammy Awards that Roberta had been nominated for. The other three were for a song that she would become synonymous with.
One thing that must have helped sales of the album, was the success of the title track, Killing Me Softly WIth His Song, when it was released as a single. It reached number one in the Billboard Hot 100, spending four weeks there. Roberta won three Grammy Awards in 1974 for her version of the song, winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal By A Female Performer. Since then, a multitude of artists have recorded Killing Me Softly WIth His Song, but it’s widely recognized that Roberta’s version is the definitive version. One of the most recent versions was by hip hop group The Fugees in 1996. In 1999, Roberta’s version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and both Rolling Stone magazine and Billboard include the Killing Me Softly in their lists of the greatest songs of all time. Killing Me Softly is also the track that opens the album, which I’ll now tell you about.
Killing Me Softly opens with the title track, and a song that regardless of what she did before or after, Roberta Flack will always be synonymous with. Written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel and originally recorded by Lori Lieberman in 1971, it was two years later in January 1973, that Roberta made the song a huge hit. When the track opens, straight away, you’re enveloped in the song’s beauty. Roberta sings gently and tenderly, as multi-tracking backing vocals accompany her. Keyboards melodically play, a gentle acoustic guitar is strummed while a slow, thoughtful bass, subtle percussion and metronomic, atmospheric, drums accompany Roberta’s vocal. It’s a combination of tenderness and thoughtfulness, she delivers the lyrics with, bringing the beautiful lyrics to life. Meanwhile, guitars chime, while the bass sits at the bottom of the mix. Drums and percussion are used sparingly. The keyboards are at the heart of the arrangement, their soft melodic sound key to the success of the track. However, what made this track such a huge hit and a timeless classic is Roberta Flack’s delivery of some beautiful lyrics. Her voice and the key she sings the song in, is just perfect. Combine that with an arrangement that’s subtle and sympathetic, and you’ve the recipe for a timeless classic.
The song that has to follow Killing Me Softly has a lot to live up to. After all, how do you follow one of the best songs ever recorded? Here, the track chosen is Jesse, written by Janis Ian, another slow and gentle track. It opens with piano and strings drenching the arrangement in pathos and sadness. When Roberta sings the lyrics she gets across the sadness of the lyrics about someone who is missing, and how they still await their safe return years later. Her delivery is perfect, bringing the lyrics to life, so much so, that you can almost picture the scenes unfolding before your eyes. Like Killing Me Softly, the arrangement is subtle, but here, it’s stripped down to piano, strings and bass. This is effective, suiting the song and Roberta’s delivery. Overall, it’s a lovely song, beautifully sung and arranged, even though lyrics have a slight saccharine quality.
No Tears (In the End) opens with a piano grandly playing before percussion enters. Things move up a gear when funk laden, chiming guitars reverberate, and the rhythm section enter. Roberta’s voice is louder and stronger, her delivery considered and confident. Horns blazing, inject their rasping sound, while the funky guitars and rhythm section help drive the song along. Later, what sounds like a gospel influenced choir of backing vocalists unite soulfully and brilliantly. They really help lift this song. Their voices combine really well with Roberta’s. A combination of great vocal and a much fuller, joyous sounding arrangement, make this an irresistible and excellent track. By the end of this bright, uptempo sounding track, a very different side of Roberta has become apparent.
After a much more uptempo track, Roberta drops the tempo on I’m the Girl. It’s a song about love lost, and an old love affair, where she knew her partner loved someone else. Written by James Allan Shelton, it features another understated arrangement from producer Joel Dorn. Again, a piano and strings combine to accompany Roberta’s strong vocal, which again is thoughtful, but tinged with sadness. Apart from Roberta singing and playing piano, the arrangement features just strings and a really subtle contribution from an upright bass. This really suits the song, allowing Roberta’s vocal and delivery of the lyrics to take centre-stage. Her delivery of the track is hugely powerful, bathed in sadness, tinged with regret at what might have been. Like other tracks, she brings the song to life, allowing the listener to imagine the scenario unfolding scene by scene.
River, has a different sound and feel. Chiming guitars and rhythm section combine. Drums pound repetitively, their sound metronomic, controlled, before Roberta’s vocal enters. When it does, her voice is high, but always in control. Then, backing vocalists unite, accompanying her with their joyous, gospel tinged sound. This meeting of voices and styles really lifts the track, improves it. Still, the arrangement features just the guitars and rhythm section, with the drums at the forefront of the arrangement. Offering some variety are strings which sweep in, while the guitars seem to want to inject a modicum of funk into proceedings. What’s almost a wah-wah sound is straining at the leash, but is never unleashed. The same can be said of the track. Throughout it, I always expect it to break out into something joyous and beautiful, maybe Roberta interacting and feeding off the backing vocalists. Sadly this never happens, and it seems a missed opportunity. Instead, the track has a slightly flat feel and sound. Although not a bad track, it isn’t the best on the album by a long shot.
Hopefully, Conversation Love will make amends for the previous track, River. Straight away, things sound promising, when a piano, flute, string and rhythm section combine with Roberta’s voice which is deeper, richer and charismatic. The arrangement is fuller, grander, with lush strings sweeping while the piano’s contribution is subtle, while the rhythm section provide the track’s heartbeat. Waves of music rise and fall dramatically, with the strings shimmering and sweeping beautifully, responsible for this. This is a much better track, mainly because of Roberta’s beautiful, considered delivery of the lyrics, and the much fuller arrangement, which is bathed in drama and atmosphere. It’s very much a return to form for Roberta, after the slight disappointment of the previous track.
Things change quite dramatically in terms of style on When You Smile, when Roberta rolls back the years, delivering the song in a style that brings to mind ragtime and big band music. The track bursts into life with rhythm section, piano and banjo combining with Roberta’s vocal. Her delivery of the lyrics is in a dramatic, big band style, with horns serenading her. Talking of the lyrics, they’ve a lovely sentiment, and you can’t help but smile when you hear them. Quite simply, you can’t help but be seduced by the catchiness of the track, it’s totally melodic and hook laden. A combination of an excellent vocal and infectiously catchy arrangement by Joel Dorn easily make this one of the track’s highlights.
Killing Me Softly closes with a cover of a Leonard Cohen track Suzanne, which Roberta delivers dramatically and thoughtfully, against a suitably subtle arrangement. It’s an epic version of this song lasting nine and a half minutes, and is up there with Leonard Cohen’s version of the song, as the definitive version. As the track opens it’s just piano and percussion that combine before keyboards and bass then enter. They play gently, subtly and thoughtfully before Roberta’s tender and gentle vocal enters. Straight away, it’s apparent Roberta’s slowed down version is transforming the song totally. She seem to enliven the lyrics, so much so, that you can visualize and empathize with Suzanne’s plight. During the track, the tempo rises and falls, with the arrangement a mixture of subtle and dramatic. Both the piano and strings are responsible for increasing both the tempo and drama, while a combination of melodic keyboards, gentle chiming guitars, percussion and rhythm section all play with a subtlety. Like the arrangement, Roberta’s vocal rises dramatically, demonstrating her power and versatility, delivering the lyrics with drama, passion and soul. By the end of the track, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is my favorite version of the song. I even prefer it to Leonard Cohen’s original version. To me, the combination of Roberta’s excellent vocal and an arrangement that’s a mixture of drama and subtlety transform this song totally. Just as the album opened with a brilliant song in Killing Me Softly, Suzanne provides a fitting ending to the album.
I’d long planned to write about Killing Me Softly, hich was rereleased by WEA Japan on 30th April 2013, since I wrote about Donny Hathaway’s album Everything Is Everything. My reason for wanting to write about this album is that when people talk about R&B and soul music nowadays, people seem to forget about Roberta Flack. This to me is strange considering how hugely successful a career she had. Between 1969 and 2003, she had seven albums and five singles that were certified gold and three albums that were certified platinum. That demonstrates just how huge a star she was. Nowadays, people seem to remember her for two of her most successful singles The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. One of my reasons for writing this article was to remind people that there was much more to Roberta’s career than these two singles. Granted both are brilliant songs, with Killing Me Softly being the outstanding track on the album Killing Me Softly. On that album, Roberta demonstrates her versatility and talent as a vocalist, singing songs in different styles, including soul, jazz and R&B. Killing Me Softly is an excellent album, containing some wonderful music. Apart from Killing Me Softly, the album contains an outstanding version of Suzanne, a Leonard Cohen song, and When You Smile which features an arrangement that has its roots in ragtime and big band music. These are just some of the great tracks to be found on this album. Should you have never heard Roberta Flack’s music, Killing Me Softly and First Take are the perfect introduction to the career of a hugely talented singer, songwriter and musician. Standout Tracks: Killing Me Softly WIth His Song, I’m the Girl, When You Smile and Suzanne.
ROBERTA FLACK-KILLING ME SOFTLY.
SWEAT BAND-SWEAT BAND.
SWEAT BAND-SWEAT BAND.
After George Clinton and his manager Archie Ivy formed Uncle Jam Records, the nascent label’s first release was the debut album from Bootsy Collins newly formed P-Funk supergroup Sweat Band. Formed out of the ashes of Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Sweat Band was a short-lived P-Funk group, who released just one album in 1980. This was Sweat Band, which was recently rereleased by BBR Records. However, Sweat Band were no ordinary band. Instead, they’re worthy of being described as a P-Funk supergroup, albeit with a soulful twist. Before I tell you about Sweat Band, I’ll tell you about the background to the band and their only album Sweat Band.
Sweat Band were formed out of the ashes of Bootsy Collins’ previous group, Bootsy’s Rubber Band. They were one of a number of P-Funk spin-off groups, formed by members and former members of Parliament and Funkadelic during the seventies. This included Parlet, Quazar and Mutiny. However, not every P-Funk group enjoyed the success of Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Between 1976 and 1980 they released four albums, including the critically acclaimed and commercially successful sophomore album Ah, The Name Is Bootsy, Baby. Everything was going well for Bootsy’s Rubber Band, until a folk group challenged their legal right to use the name “Rubber Band.”
When the case came to court, Bootsy Collins lost the right to use the name Bootsy’s Rubber Band. So, what might have become the fifth album by Bootsy’s Rubber Band became Sweat Band’s debut album. Despite the change of name, Sweat Band featured many of the same members as Bootsy’s Rubber Band.
For Sweat Band, Bootsy Collins, wrote Body Shop and cowrote the other six tracks. With Gary Shider and Carl Small he cowrote We Do It All Day Long and We Do It All Day Long (Reprise). The trio also cowrote Freak To Freak with Jeanette Washington. Bootsy and Joel Johnson cowrote Hyper Space, while Bootsy and Maceo penned Love Munch. Maceo and Bootsy then cowrote Jamaica with Robert Johnson. These seven tracks became Sweat Band’s debut album Sweat Band.
When Sweat Band began recording at Detroit’s United Sound System, it was a P-Funk supergroup that Bootsy had put together. Bootsy was a one-man rhythm section, playing bass, drums and guitar, while also playing percussion. Augmenting his efforts were drummer Jerry Jones plus guitarists Garry Shider and Michael Shider. They were joined by keyboardists Bernie Worrell and Joel Johnson, percussionist Carl Small and The Horny Horns, who included Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Richard Griffith and Larry Hatcher. The backing vocalists included Ray Davis, Michael Payne and ex-Spinner Phillip Wynn whose Wynn Jammin’ was due for release at the same time as Sweat Band. Once Sweat Band was recorded, it was due for release in November 1980, a controversial release date if there ever was one.
Before the release of Sweat Band, Freak To Freak was released as the lead single in September 1980. It reached number twenty-five in the US R&B Charts and number forty-seven in the US Disco Charts. Controversially, Sweat Band was released in November 1980, on the same date at Bootsy’s fifth album for Warner Bros. Ultra Wave. Sweat Band reached number 150 in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty-two in the US R&B Charts. The second single Body Shop, released in December 1980, failed to chart. Despite Sweat Band’s all-star lineup, it wasn’t a commercial success. Maybe this was why Sweat Band was the only album Sweat Band released? However, was this a missed opportunity and if Sweat Band had been given time, could’ve been a successful P-Funk group like Bootsy’s Rubber Band?
Opening Sweat Band is Hyper Space, an instrumental penned by Bootsy and Joel Johnson. Although there’s a strong Parliament and Funkadelic sound, elements of jazz, boogie and disco shine through. Driving the arrangement along, are synths and Sweat Band’s uber funky rhythm section and hypnotic handclaps. By now, there’s a much more mellow, laid-back sound. Gone is the really heavy funk of other P-Funk groups. Even when percussion, bubbling, sci-fi synths and searing, rocky guitars are added this doesn’t spoil things. Quite the opposite. They play there part in a track that’s variously mellow, jazz-tinged, hypnotic, dramatic and dance-floor friendly.
Freak To Freak has a much heavier P-Funk sound, and is the polar opposite of the opening track. Key to this is Bootsy’s elastic, slapped bass. He hollers and ad-libs as the Sweat Band kick loose, combining funk, soul and blues. Chiming guitars, blues harmonica, handclaps, stabs of piano and sweet, soulful harmonies join the hypnotic handclaps. Soon, the Sweat Band are in the tightest and funkiest of grooves. You wish they would stay there for much longer than seven minutes. Especially with harmonies this sweet and soulful adding the finishing touch.
Love Munch is another instrumental, where Bootsy and Co. demonstrate their versatility. There’s a real jazzy sound as horns rasp and strings sweep, providing a wistful backdrop for the piano, percussion and rhythm section. The arrangement literally floats along. Described by some people as smooth jazz, that’s a misnomer. Smooth jazz equals bland. This is far from bland. While the percussion provide a shuffling backdrop, the horns take centre-stage. Not only are they played with passion, but controlled power that results in one of Sweat Band’s highlights.
We Do It All Day Long sees a return to the P-Funk sound of Freak To Freak. This version of We Do It All Day Long is only two minutes long. Despite the track’s brevity, you’re smitten from the get-go. Sweet and sassy sing-along vocals accompany growling horns, dark synths, handclaps and a funk-laden rhythm section. Irresistible and infectiously catchy, the only thing wrong with the track is its brevity. However, at least the Reprise is an eight-minute epic.
Jamaica is something of a misnomer. You’re expecting a reggae track, perhaps something paying homage to Jamaican music? Not at all. This is no reggae track. Instead, it’s an explosive slice of funk. It’s like the type of track you’d expect to find on the soundtrack to a seventies Blaxploitation movie. When the track bursts into life, you can imagine a high speed car chase. Driven along by the rhythm section and keyboards, horns growl and blaze. Sassy, feisty and chatter, percussion and harpsichord augment the horns and rhythm section. Crucial to this storming and joyous track’s success is Bootsy’s bass playing. Quite simply he delivers a masterclass in how to play an uber funky bass.
Body Shop was written by Bootsy Collins. After Bootsy hollers: “I like your body,” sassy, feisty female backing vocals strut in. They’ve a slight hip hop sound. That’s the signal for the arrival of some heavy duty P-Funk. Soon, the Sweat Band are into the tightest and funkiest of grooves. Bootsy unleashes some of his trademark bass lines, while scorching guitars, Hammond organ and haunting, moody male vocals accompany him. By now, the arrangement fuses everything from P-Funk through hip hop, psychedelia, seventies funk, jazz and rock. This results in a captivating, genre-sprawling track whose influences span three decades.
Closing Sweat Band is We Do It All Day Long (Reprise). While the original version was just a mere Amuse Bouce, this is a much more substantial musical meal. Slow, thunderous drums are joined by a Hammond organ, bubbling, sci-fi synths and sassy harmonies. As Bootsy’s bass weaves its way across the arrangement, disco strings dance, guitars chime and urgent harmonies soar above the arrangement. Together, they create the tightest of grooves. Crucial to the song’s success are the singalong vocals. They delivers the cheeky hook with just the right combination of sass and sensuality, while the rest of Sweat Band combine to create a nine-minute, hook-laden musical Magnus Opus.
Although Sweat Band stalled at number 150 in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty-two in the US R&B Charts, it’s a much better album than that. After all, Sweat Band featured some of the best funk musicians of their generation. Lead by Bootsy Collins, and featuring the combined talents of Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Bernie Worrell, Carl Small and ex-Spinner Phillip Wynn, Sweat Band was a multitalented, versatile, all-star band. Indeed, there’s much more to Sweat Band than P-Funk.
With its combination of P-Funk, jazz, boogie, disco and soul, there’s much to commend Sweat Band. Tracks like Freak To Freak, We Do It All Day Long, Body Shop and We Do It All Day Long (Reprise) feature the trademark and familiar P-Funk sound. During these tracks, Sweat Band kick loose and do what they do so well. For lovers of P-Funk, then these four tracks feature Bootsy and Co. rolling back the years. The other three tracks are very different, demonstrating another side to Sweat Band’s music.
On Sweat Band’s other three tracks, a different side of Sweat Band emerges. Hyper Space features a mellower sound and like Love Munch, features a jazzier sound. Indeed. Love Munch is the highlight of Sweat Band. Jamaica, rather than a reggae track, is a storming slice of seventies funky music. Gone is the P-Funk sound, with Bootsy and Co. just laying down some peerless funky licks. Which side of Sweat Band you prefer will be down to personal preference. Of the two sides to Sweat Band, I much prefer it when they move away from the P-Funk sound. After all, that was the same sound Funkadelic, Parliament and their various spin-off groups had been releasing since 1970. New and innovative as P-Funk was a few years earlier, this was now 1980, and music was changing. The various P-Funk groups, including the newly formed Sweat Band had to change to stay relevant.
Maybe the reason Sweat Band wasn’t a commercial success, was that P-Funk was no longer as fashionable. It had been overtaken by new musical genres. Granted funk was still popular, but not as popular as during the seventies. So, possibly, Sweat Band was possibly the wrong album at the wrong time? A new decade had dawned, and music fans were looking for new and innovative music. This was certainly something Sweat Band were capable of. Proof of this is Hyper Space, Love Munch and Jamaica. These three tracks saw Sweat Band take their music in a new, innovative and exciting direction. It’s just a pity Sweat Band, with its all-star lineup, didn’t take this innovation further. After all, Sweat Band were a new band, and this was the perfect opportunity to do this. Having said all that, Sweat Band with its mixture of familiar P-Funk and innovative music is an album that’s well worth discovering.
Whether you’re a newcomer to P-Funk, or a veteran of many a Funkadelic and Parliament album, then Sweat Band is well worth discovering. There’s neither faux pas nor filler on the seven tracks that comprise Sweat Band which was recently released by BBR Records. Instead, Sweat Band never miss a beat as they seamlessly veer between P-Funk, jazz, boogie, disco and soul. Sadly, Sweat Band was their only album. This to me, is a missed opportunity. Who knows what direction Sweat Band’s music would’ve headed in. Maybe they’ve forsaken their beloved P-Funk, in an attempt to create new, exciting and innovative music that would’ve inspired a new generation of musicians? That, however, wasn’t the case. Instead, Sweat Band remains a tantalizing reminder of what might have been. Standout Tracks Hyper Space, Love Munch, Jamaica and We Do It All Day Long (Reprise).
SWEAT BAND-SWEAT BAND.
THE GAP BAND-THE GAP BAND VII.
THE GAP BAND-THE GAP BAND VII.
For The Gap Band, commercial success didn’t come overnight. Quite the opposite. Instead, it took three albums. Neither 1974s Magician’s Holiday nor 1977s The Gap Band charted. Then when The Gap Band signed to Mercury Records, their third album The Gap Band reached number seventy-seven in the US Billboard 200 and number ten in the US R&B Charts. This was just a taste of the commercial success that was about to come The Gap Band’s way.
Starting this run of commercially successful albums was The Gap Band II, which was The Gap Band’s second album for Mercury Records. Not only did The Gap Band II reach number forty-two in the US Billboard Charts and number three in the US R&B Charts, but was certified gold.
This success was surpassed with 1980s The Gap Band III, which reached number sixteen in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. Having sold over one million copies, The Gap Band III was certified platinum. Ironically, just as The Gap Band were about to become one of the biggest bands of the early eighties, they left Mercury Records.
Having left Mercury after The Gap Band III, next stop for brothers Ronnie, Robbie and Charlie Wilson was Lonnie Simmons’ Total Experience Records. Things started well for The Gap Band at Total Experience Records. The Gap Band IV was their most successful album. It reached number fourteen in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. This gave The Gap Band their second platinum disc. A year later, in 1983, The Gap Band V-Jammin’ reached number twenty-eight in the US Billboard 200 and number two in the US R&B Charts, resulting in a second gold disc for The Gap Band. However, this proved to the beginning of the end of the commercial success The Gap Band had enjoyed.
Although 1984s The Gap Band VI reached number one in the US R&B Charts, it stalled at number fifty-eight in the US Billboard 200. This meant there was neither a platinum, nor gold disc for The Gap Band. The Gap Band’s ninth album, The Gap Band VII, which was recently released by BBR Records, this found a group at the crossroads. Was The Gap Band VI just a minor blip, or was the beginning of the end of The Gap Band’s popularity?
For The Gap Band VII, much of the the same personnel that had worked on their two previous albums for Total Experience Records would play an important role in the album. This included Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott. Not only were they producers, but songwriters. Jonah Ellis penned three of the nine tracks on The Gap Band VII. This included Desire, Ooh, What A Feeling and I Want A Real Love. Oliver Scott wrote I Need Your Love, while Jerry Peters penned Going In Circles and Raymond Callhoun wrote I Know We’ll Make It. The Wilson brothers cowrote Bumpin’ Gum People, while Charlie Wilson, Anthony Walker and Billy Young cowrote Automatic Brain and Lil’ Red Junkin’ Hood. These nine tracks became The Gap Band VII, which was recorded at Total Experience Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.
When recording began at Total Experience Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, Charlie Wilson took charge of lead vocals, keyboards, percussion. Ronnie Wilson played horns, keyboards and percussion, while Robert Wilson played bass and percussion. Accompanying them were some of Total Experience Records’ house-band, including producers Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott. Once the nine tracks that became The Gap Band VII were recorded, the album was released in December 1985.
On the release of The Gap Band VII it stalled at number 159 in the US Billboard 200 and number six in the US R&B Charts. This was The Gap Band’s least successful album since their third album The Gap Band. Desire was released as the lead single in November 1985. It reached number forty-six in the US R&B Charts. When Going In Circles was released in January 1986, it reached number two in the US R&B Charts. Automatic Brain was the last single released from The Gap Band VII, and stalled at number seventy-eight in the US R&B Charts. The Gap Band VII was The Gap Band’s least successful album since their third album The Gap Band. This wasn’t just a minor blip. Indeed, it looked like it was the beginning of the end of The Gap Band’s popularity. However, why didn’t The Gap Band VII match the commercial success of the Gap Band’s earlier albums?
Opening The Gap Band VII is Desire. Subtle chiming guitars proved to be something of a curveball, as the arrangement bursts into life. Soon, The Gap Band kick loose. A driving rhythm section, featuring pounding drums and Rolling Stones influenced guitars provide the heartbeat. They’re joined by keyboards and washes of synths. By now the arrangement is a busy combination of synth-funk and rock. There’s just enough space in the arrangement for Charlie’s lead vocal. It’s equally dramatic, feisty and confident.
A bluesy harmonica and slow, moody rhythm section open Going In Circles. Straight away, you realize this track is something special. Charlie’s vocal is heartfelt, tender and filled with hurt. The Gap Band are totally transformed. You hear another side to their music. No longer are they an eighties synth-funk group. Instead, they combine balladry with blues, resulting in one of The Gap band VII’s highlights.
Automatic Brain is a dance track with a sound that’s reminiscent of Cameo. Drums crash, while synths weave their way across the arrangement. Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker and Billy Young lay down raps against a backdrop of searing, rocky guitars and harmonies. Combining synth funk, rap and rock guitars, the result is a track that’s infuriatingly catchy.
L’il Red Funkin’ Hood sees The Gap Band seek inspiration from George Clinton. That’s where the P-Funk sound comes from. Synths, harmonies, percussion and an uber funky rhythm section combine. Then the arrangement reveals its surprises. Rather than a vocal, it’s more akin to a rap, laden with quick-witted witticisms. Its augmented by sweet, soulful harmonies. They’re joined by screaming rocky guitars, thunderous drums and a funky bass line. The finishing touch is a carefree, uplifting, melody and you’ve a track that’s full of surprises and curveballs.
Ooh, What A Feeling is another track penned by Jonah Ellis. R&B and funk meet head on as the track opens. Buzzing synths, stabs of keyboards and crashing drums provide the dramatic backdrop for Charlie’s vocal. He matches the arrangement for drama, his vocal a mixture of power and emotion. Urgent harmonies accompany him, before sweeping elegantly in as soul, funk and R&B combine seamlessly.
I Want A Real Love sees the tempo drop, and Charlie Wilson deliver one of his best vocals. Impassioned, emotive and wistful describes Charlie’s delivery. Charlie demonstrates he’s equally at home on ballads on uptempo, funky tracks. The arrangement sees a slow, rhythm section, synths and keyboards accompany his soul-baring vocal.
Bumpin’ Gum People has similarities with L’il Red Funkin’ Hood. Both tracks have been influenced by P-funk. Percussion, rhythm section and synths combine as Charlie lays down a vocal that’s full of hollers, chuckles and one-liners. The best is: “even ET bumped his way home.” Backing vocals accompany him, while Charlie’s vocal veers between ad-libs, raps and scats. This he does against a P-funk inspired backdrop.
I Know We’ll Make It is best described as a post-disco track. It shows that there was life after disco. This is a dance track that takes its inspiration from disco, boogie and eighties pop, it’s a captivating and eclectic combination. Stabs of piano, crashing drums, percussion and squelchy synths provide a hypnotic backdrop for Charlie’s heartfelt, but assured vocal. Dance-floor friendly, hypnotic, soulful and captivating, this track’s all these things and more.
Closing The Gap Band VII is I Need Your Love. As the track reveals its secrets, its reminiscent of something Chicago or Foreigner would’ve released. Having said that, it’s still a very beautiful track. With just piano, cascading harmonies and an understated rhythm section for company, Charlie’s vocal is needy, emotive and filled with loneliness. Although very different from other tracks on The Gap Band VI, it’s a very beautiful, emotive track, which demonstrated how versatile a group The Gap Band were.
During the nine tracks on The Gap Band VII, The Gap Band veer between P-funk, ballads, synth-funk and soul. Add to that, eighties electronica and rock and you’ve an album that’s truly eclectic. Taking inspiration from numerous musical influences and genres, The Gap Band VII is filled with surprises and subtleties aplenty. This allowed The Gap Band to demonstrate just how versatile a group they were. While other eighties groups were one-trick ponies, you certainly couldn’t accuse The Gap Band of that. The nine tracks on The Gap Band VII are proof of this. Despite being an accomplished and eclectic album, The Gap Band VII didn’t replicate the commercial success of earlier albums.
The Gap Band VII didn’t replicate the success of the four albums The Gap Band released between The Gap Band II and The Gap Band V-Jammin.’ Having said that, The Gap Band VII still reached number six in the US R&B Charts and featured some quality music. However, by 1985, when The Gap Band VII was released, The Gap Band’s most successful era was behind them. Sadly, 1983s The Gap Band V-Jammin’ proved to be the end of an era for The Gap Band. After that, The Gap Band never ever, replicated the commercial success of that four year period. Although they released six further albums, they only released two more albums for Lonnie Simmons Total Experience Records. Neither 1986s The Gap Band 8 nor 1988s Straight From The Heart were commercially successful and saw The Gap Band’s popularity continue to decline.
However, between 1979 and 1984, The Gap Band were one of the most successful groups in America. Two of their albums were certified gold, two platinum and three reached number one in the US R&B Charts. Although The Gap Band VII, which was recently rereleased by BBR Records, didn’t match the commercial success of their earlier albums, it’s an album that demonstrates just how talented and versatile The Gap Band were. Whether its synth-funk, ballads, P-Funk and soul, The Gap Band VII features all that and more. Standout Tracks: Desire, Going In Circles, I Want A Real Love and I Need Your Love.
THE GAP BAND-THE GAP BAND VII.
BILLY PAUL-LATELY.
BILLY PAUL-LATELY.
Having founded Philadelphia International Records in 1971, Gamble and Huff made Billy Paul one of the first signings to their new label. Gamble and Huff had know Billy since 1967, when he was working on his debut album Feelin’ Good At the Cadillac Club. Billy’s debut album needed some work to complete it, so Kenneth Gamble helped him complete it, and released it on his Gamble Records. For Billy’s 1970 sophomore album Ebony Woman, it was produced by Gamble and Huff and released on their Neptune Records. So, when Gamble and Huff founded Philadelphia International Records in 1971, it was no surprise that Billy Paul was one of their first signings.
Later in 1971, Billy released Going East, which was the first of eight studio albums he’d release for Philadelphia International Records. However, it was 1972s 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul that transformed Billy’s career. Not only did 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul feature the single Me and Mrs Jones which reached number one in the US Billboard 100 and US R&B Charts, but was the most successful album of Billy’s career. It reached number seventeen in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. Over the next eight years, Billy Paul would release six more albums which, although they reinforced Billy’s reputation as Philadelphia International Records’ first male superstar, didn’t match the success of 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul. Then 1979s First Class, proved to be Billy Paul’s final album for Philadelphia International Records, a label whose fortunes were changing.
By 1979, Philadelphia International Records was no longer soul music’s most successful, innovative and influential label. Not only had the hits nearly dried up, but the calibre of artists signed to Philadelphia International Records was nothing like the label’s glory days between 1972 and 1976. The O’Jays were the only artists from the label’s glory days, and even their run of commercial success was ending. Philadelphia International Records’ most successful artist was Teddy Pendergrass. As the eighties dawned, things got worse for Philadelphia International Records.
In 1982, Teddy Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed. Although he recovered, and his recording career continued, the last two album Teddy released for Philadelphia International Records 1982s This One’s For You and 1983s Heaven Only Knows failed to match the commercial success of his previous albums. Following Heaven Only Knows, Teddy left Philadelphia International Records. This meant Philadelphia International Records had lost their most successful artist. Then when Billy Paul’s contract was due for renewal, Gamble and Huff decided not renew it. This meant Philadelphia International Records’ first male superstar and his successor had both left the label. Luckily, Lonnie Simmons, who owned Total Experience Records, wanted to sign Billy. The result was Billy’s 1985 album Lately which was recently rereleased by BBR Records.
Lonnie Simmons was a self-made man. He had made his money running nightclubs in Los Angeles, before he founded Total Experience Records. The label’s roster included The Gap Band, Pennye Ford and Prime Time. For Total Experience, The Gap Band were their big success story, with their albums being certified gold and platinum. Previously, Total Experience’s fusion of synth-funk and R&B had been distributed by Polygram, but by 1984, RCA had signed a multimillion dollar deal to do so. With RCA distributing Total Experience, the future looked good for Lonnie Simmons’ label. So six years after the release of First Class, Billy Paul was back with his eleventh studio album Lately.
For Lately, Total Experience’s resident songwriter would contribute five tracks, including Fire In Her Love, Sexual Therapy, Hot Date, Get Down To Lovin’ and Me and You. Oliver Scott penned I Search No More and Let Me In, while Marvin Jenkins contributed Lately. Along with covers of I Only Have Eyes For You and On A Clear Day, these ten tracks became Billy’s eleventh album Lately.
Recording of Lately took place to Total Experience Recording Studios in Hollywood, California with Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott producing the ten tracks. Accompanying Billy Paul were drummer Gerry Brown, bassist Nathan East and Jonah Ellis, who also played lead guitar, electronic drums, percussion and sang backing vocals. Oliver Scott, played keyboards, synths, electronic drums and sang backing vocals. Playing synths and keyboards were David Tillman and Juan Luiz Cabaza. Adding backing were Marva King and The Waters Sisters. Once Lately was recorded, it was released in August 1985.
On the release of Lately in August 1985, it reached number fifty-seven in the US R&B Charts. Of the two singles released from Lately, neither Lately released in July 1985, nor Sexual Therapy released in September 1985 charted. Sexual Therapy did reach number eighty in the UK. However, why wasn’t Lately a bigger commercial success, given Total Experience’s fusion of synth-funk and R&B was proving popular? That’s what I’ll tell you?
Opening Lately, is Fire In Her Love, one of five tracks written by Jonah Ellis. Just wistful keyboards and subtle percussion give way to synths and electronics drums. With their dramatic, eighties sound, it’s as if they’re setting the scene for Billy’s vocal. It’s lost none of its qualities. Best described as smooth, sultry and filled with emotion, Billy breathes life and meaning into the lyrics. By now, the melody will be reminding you of a familiar track. It’s The O’Jays Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby. Tender soulful harmonies and bursts of guitar accompany Billy, as synths, keyboards and drums provide a backdrop to his heartfelt vocal.
During Sexual Therapy it’s as if Billy is paying homage to his old friend Marvin Gaye. So closely related are both tracks, they could be musical brothers. With synths, drums and a bass creating a slow, sensual and funky backdrop, Billy’s vocal is sensual, seductive and pleading. Tight, sweeping and needy harmonies provide the perfect accompaniment as one soul great Billy Paul, pays tribute to another Marvin Gaye with a sultry, bedroom ballad.
Just a pensive piano and washes of synths open Lately. Having set the scene for Billy, he delivers a heartbroken vocal, filled with hurt and confusion. With a much more understated arrangement accompanying him, Billy’s vocal brings out the heartbreak, hurt and loneliness he’s experiencing. He sings the lyrics about a relationship crumbling as if he’s lived the hurt he’s singing about. The result is a poignant, moving reading of some hurt-filled lyrics.
From the get-go, I Search No More has an eighties sound. Synths, pounding hypnotic drums and soaring harmonies accompany Billy as one of his favorite tracks from Lately unfolds. Gone is the hurt and heartbreak of the previous track, replaced by hope and joy. Soulful, funky and featuring what was a contemporary sound, this saw Billy’s music given an eighties makeover. This worked well, given the tracks infectiously catchy sound.
I Only Have Eyes For You is a classic track, which is given an eighties makeover by producer Johan Ellis. While Gamble and Huff would’ve given the track a string laden, big band sound, Jonah goes for a more contemporary sound. This means synths and electronic drums play an important role in the arrangement. They join chiming guitars and stabs of piano. Billy’s vocal is heartfelt and filled with emotion. Harmonies answer his call, sweeping in, their tight, soulful sound the perfect foil to Billy’s vocal as he reinvents a classic track.
Hot Date sees Billy combine soul, funk and poppy hooks. Written by Jonah Ellis, you’re smitten by the tracks charms from the opening bars. Synths, chiming guitars, funky bass and harmonies accompany Billy. His vocal is filled with hope and happiness, that maybe, tonight will be the night, he meets miss right. When keyboards and synths replace Billy’s vocal, their raison d’etre is setting the scene for Billy’s vampish vocal. Picking up the baton, Billy unleashes an emotive, impassioned vocal, rolling back the years in the process.
Get Down To Lovin’ sees searing guitars, strident drums and moody keyboards set the scene for Billy Paul, bedroom balladeer supreme. Smooth, sultry and sensual this is what Billy does so well. Keyboards add a dramatic contrast to Billy’s needy, vampish pleas as he delivers a vocal Magnus Opus.
Let Me In sees the tempo drop, with Billy doing what he does so well, deliver romantic ballads. With just synths and drums providing the backdrop for Billy, the arrangement gradually unfolds. Soon, Billy is delivering one of his trademark seductive vocals. Tight, soulful harmonies prove the perfect foil for Billy, as he pleas, heartfelt and hopeful, Let Me In.
Me And You sees synths, drums and bass combine to create a dramatic backdrop for Billy’s vocal. Needy and tinged with longing, Billy’s vocal grows in power, drama and emotion, while the arrangement pays homage to Me and Mrs Jones. Guitars and percussion join the arrangement. Like Billy’s vocal, it grows in power. Using his four decades of experience, Billy breathes emotion and meaning into Jonah Ellis’ lyrics.
Closing Lately is a cover of On A Clear Day. Washes of synths, keyboards and powerful drums create a moody backdrop to Billy’s vocal. A repetitive bass line accompanies Billy’s vocal, before he unleashes a powerful, strident vocal. Using his full vocal range, he draws upon his jazzy roots. So too, the band, with the piano picking up where Billy left off. When Billy’s vocal reenters, he’s determined not to be outdone, so ups his game, closing Lately on a jazz-tinged, but soulful and dramatic high.
Six years after Billy Paul released his final album for Philadelphia International Records, First Class, Billy made his comeback. Total Experience Records were a label that wanted Billy Paul, and were determined to rejuvenate his career. Lonnie Simmons set his best songwriters, musicians and producers to work. Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott played important roles. Not only did Jonah write five tracks, but produced eight tracks, while Oliver wrote and produced two tracks. Total Experience’s house-band accompanied Billy and although they were no M.F.S.B. circa 1972-1975, they worked well with Billy, giving his music an eighties makeover. While Total Experience did everything they could to make Lately a success, so did Billy Paul.
For his part, Billy doesn’t disappoint, rolling back the years on Lately. Ballads, standards and uptempo tracks, Billy Paul breathes life, meaning and emotion into them. Where Billy’s at his best is delivering ballads. Seductive, sultry and sensuous, Billy’s vocals are needy, pleading and heartfelt. Despite not having released an album in six years, Billy Paul was still one of the finest soul singers of his generation. This neither guaranteed that Lately would be a commercial success nor critically acclaimed.
Sadly, Billy and everyone at Total Experience’s best efforts were in vain. Lately which was recently rereleased by BBR Records, stalled at number fifty-seven in the US R&B Charts. This meant that there was no followup to Lately on Total Experience Records. For everyone involved with Lately, this must have been a huge disappointment. Lonnie Simmons’ Total Experience Records didn’t release another Billy Paul album. Indeed, following Lately, Billy Paul only released one more album Wide Open. This concluded Billy Paul’s career, a career that lasted nearly forty years and twelve studio albums.
Of the twelve studio albums Billy Paul released, Lately demonstrates another side to Billy’s music. Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott gave Billy an eighties makeover. Billy’s music was given a more contemporary sound using synths, sequencers and electronic drums. However, one thing remained the same…the quality of Billy Paul’s vocals. During the ten tracks on Lately, Billy Paul rolls back the years and when delivering ballads, is at his very best. Heartfelt, seductive and sensual describes the ballads on Lately, which is something of a glittering hidden gem, awaiting discovery in Billy Paul’s back-catalogue. Standout Tracks: Fire In Her Love, Sexual Therapy, Get Down To Lovin’ and Let Me In.
BILLY PAUL-LATELY.
THE SPINNERS-YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.
For The Detroit Spinners, their 1977 album Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow would mark an end of an era for the group. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was Phillip Wynn’s final album as lead singer of The Detroit Spinners. This wasn’t the only thing to change. Unlike their five previous studio albums, there were no songs written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed. Similarly, there was a change in the personnel that accompanied The Detroit Spinners.
No longer was the classic lineup of M.F.S.B. providing the musical backdrop for The Detroit Spinners. Granted guitarist Bobby “Electronic” Eli, percussionist Larry Washington and legendary backing vocalists The Sweethearts of Sigma all feature on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Given much of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was recorded at the same time as Happiness Is Being With The Spinners, the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section didn’t provide the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow heartbeat. The biggest difference with Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was its commercial performance. Between 1973s Spinners, through 1974s Mighty Love and New Improved then 1975s Pick of The Litter, The Detroit Spinners and 1976, The Detroit Spinners and Happiness Is Being With The Spinners had enjoyed five consecutive gold albums. That was about to change, as you’ll find out, when I tell you the background to The Detroit Spinners’ seventh album Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, eight songs were chosen. Thom Bell only cowrote one track, Honey, I’m In Love With You, with Leroy and Tony Bell. Sherman Marshall cowrote four tracks on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. He penned Me and My Music and You’re Throwing A Good Love Away with Ted Wortham, plus I Found Love (When I Found You) and Just To Be With You with Phillip Pugh. Charles Simmons and J.B. Jefferson wrote I Must Be Living For A Broken Heart and I’m Riding your Shadows Down To Love with Bruce Hawkes. Phil Terry and Michael Burton cowrote You’re The Love of My Life. These eight tracks became Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Like the Happiness Is Being With The Spinners, recording of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was split between Philly’s Sigma Sound Studios, but also at Kaye Smith Studios in Seattle. Indeed, much of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was recorded at the same time as their Happiness Is Being With The Spinners.
When the recording sessions began at the two studios, Philly’s Sigma Sound Studios, but also at Kaye Smith Studios in Seattle, little did The Detroit Spinners realize that Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow would be the final album released by the classic lineup. This included the three lead singers Phillip Wynn, Bobby Smith and Henry Fambrough. They were joined by Billy Henderson and Pervis Jackson. John Edwards makes his Spinners’ debut on You’re Throwing A Good Love Away. Accompanying them, were joined by a tight, talented band. This included a rhythm section of drummer Andrew Smith, bassist Bob Babbit and guitarists Tony Bell and Bobby “Electronic” Eli. Pervis Jackson also played bass on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. They were joined by keyboardist Thom Bell and percussionist Larry Washington. Adding backing vocals were legendary backing vocalists the Sweethearts of Sigma, Carla Benson, Evette Benton and Barbara Ingram. Thom Bell arranged and produced Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, which would be released in 1976.
In the release of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in 1977, it reached number twenty-six in the US Billboard 200 and number eleven in the US R&B Charts. This became The Detroit Spinners’ least successful album since signing to Atlantic. There was no sixth gold disc for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. However, considering that disco was now at the height of its popularity, this is no surprise. Indeed, for a soul album, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow had been a commercial success. After all, disco was now King. Over in the UK, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow didn’t fare any better, stalling at number thirty-six. By the time Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was released, Phillip Wynn had announced his departure from The Detroit Spinners. You’re Throwing A Good Love Away was the lead single from Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, reaching number forty-three in the US Billboard 100 and number five in the US R&B Charts. Me and My Music then stalled at number thirty-nine in the US R&B Charts. While Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and the singles released from the album weren’t as successful as previous releases, this was the end of an era for The Detroit Spinners. DId this era end on a high? That’s what I’ll tell you, when I tell you about the music on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Opening Side One of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, is Me and My Music, the second single released from the album. A piano, rhythm section and chiming guitar combine, before growling horns enter. They set the scene for Phillip’s joyous vocal, which swings along. He seems to be holding back, doesn’t quite unleash his vocal. Punchy harmonies and braying horns accompany him, while the rhythm section provide the arrangement’s heartbeat. There’s quite a different sound and feel from The Detroit Spinners’ previous albums. Although the band are tight, they don’t have the slick, polished sheen of M.F.S.B. Having said that, it’s still a good song, although not a classic from The Detroit Spinners.
Just subtle, pizzicato strings opens I Found Love (When I Found You), Straight away, this much more like what you’d expect from The Detroit Spinners. The tempo is slow, with layers of lush, emotive strings and wistful horns accompanying Phillip’s heartfelt tender vocal. Meanwhile, the rhythm section provide an understated backdrop, while harmonies from the other Spinners and The Sweethearts of Sigma sweep in. They provide the perfect accompaniment and play their part in a track that has “Philly Sound” written all over it.
I’m Riding Your Shadows (Down To Love) picks up where the previous track left off. Here, the tempo is slow. Thom Bell’s arrangement combines swathes of sweeping strings, keyboards, pensive horns and a subtle rhythm section. When the lead vocal enters, Henry takes charge, and then shares lead vocal with Pervis. The vocals are beautiful and impassioned vocal. The contrast between the vocal styles adds to the emotion of the lyrics, as do the tight, soulful harmonies. Flourishes of harpsichord punctuate the arrangement, adding to the beauty and emotion of this tender ballad, something The Detroit Spinners do so well.
You’re The Love of My Life is another track that has The Detroit Spinners’ name written all over it. Growling horns and swirling strings swirl are at the heart of the arrangement. The rhythm section and Larry Washington’s percussion combine, as the band build the drama. Having set the scene, Henry’s grateful, needy vocal enters. He goes on to deliver one of his best vocals on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Phillipe Wynne singing the hook Harmonies from the Spinners and The Sweethearts of Sigma sweep in. They match the emotion and sincerity of the lead. Meanwhile, strings dance and horns punctuate the arrangement, as The Detroit Spinners roll back the years, one more time.
I Must Be Living For A Broken Heart, written by Charles Simmons and J.B. Jefferson closes Side One of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. It’s a hurt-filled ballad, where each of The Detroit Spinners play their part. Just piano, the rhythm section, complete with Southern Soul guitars and harmonies combine to create an emotive backdrop. Then Pervis, Henry and Philippe take turns of delivering the lead vocal. Phillip’s delivers his vocal with equal amounts of hurt and heartache. Quivering strings and piano add to the melancholy sound of the arrangement. Later, harmonies from the Spinners and The Sweethearts of Sigma. They add to the sheer emotion and heartache, as The Detroit Spinners demonstrate how they were capable of breathing life and meaning into lyrics.
A chiming, funky guitar opens Honey, I’m In Love With You, which opens Side Two of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Soon, things get uber funky, thanks to the rhythm section, wah-wah guitars, percussion and growling horns. The tempo increases, as the arrangement mixes funk, soul and disco. John Edward makes his Spinners’ debut, combining power and passion. Sometimes, it becomes vampish, complete with hollers and whoops Punchy, soaring harmonies accompany him, while sometimes, the horn riffs seem to “borrow” from David Bowie’s Fame. It’s a very different track from The Detroit Spinners, straddling musical genres, as they attempt to keep up to date with musical fashions
Just an understated combination of piano and drums opens Just To Be With You. It’s the first of two eight-minute epics on Side Two of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Gradually, the arrangement builds. The bass and half-spoken, almost ironic vocal are joined by the lushest of sweeping strings. Then come the wistful horns and Phillip’s hopeful, needy vocal as Thom Bell’s arrangement reveals its beauty and secrets. Heartfelt harmonies join the deliberate piano, swathes of strings as the rhythm section create a beautiful, emotive backdrop as Phillip delivers a captivating, soul-baring vocal, that demonstrates how important he was to The Detroit Spinners’ success story.
Closing Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and Phillip Wynn’s time as lead vocalist of The Detroit Spinners is You’re Throwing A Good Love Away. This eight minute epic, is a fitting finale from Henry singing lead and Phillipe following him. Bursts of rasping horns, cascading strings and a rhythm section complete with hissing hi-hats give way to a melancholy vocal. Flourishes of harpsichord, bursts of braying horns and dancing strings see the vocal change hands. Soulful, heartfelt harmonies cascade, while Thom Bell adds jazz tinged piano and Larry Washing adds piano. Here, The Detroit Spinners deliver some of their tightest, most soulful harmonies, demonstrating just why this was the classic lineup of The Detroit Spinners.
In many ways, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow closed a chapter in The Detroit Spinners’ career. Not only was Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Phillip Wynn’s final album as lead singer of The Detroit Spinners, but ended a run of five gold albums. From 1973s Spinners, through 1974s Mighty Love and New Improved then 1975s Pick of The Litter, The Detroit Spinners could do no wrong. This incredible run of critically acclaimed and commercially successful music ended with Happiness Is Being With the Spinners. While Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was still a commercial success, it didn’t match the success of The Detroit Spinners’ five previous albums. This wasn’t helped by the lack or material from the songwriting team of Thom Bell and Linda Creed. Although they’d only written two tracks on Happiness Is Being With the Spinners, they contributed no songs for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Similarly, the lack of the Baker, Harris, Young who for so long, had provided the heartbeat on The Detroit Spinners’ albums, including Spinners, Mighty Love, New and Improved and Pick of The Litter, were badly missed. Granted the rhythm section that played on Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow were tight and talented, they were no match for The Mighty Three. Another problem for The Detroit Spinners was the change in musical tastes.
By 1977, when The Detroit Spinners released, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, disco was the most popular musical genre. Soul groups, even commercially successful and critically Philly Soul groups weren’t as popular. So in some ways, that Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was as commercially successful bucked musical trends. Phillip Wynn, seeing how musical tastes were changing, decided it was time to part company with The Detroit Spinners. In January 1977, Phillip announced he was leaving The Detroit Spinners. When, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was released, John Edwards was chosen as Phillip Wynn’s replacement. Although The Detroit Spinners still enjoyed sporadic success, they never replicated the success they enjoyed with Phillip Wynn as one of the three lead singers. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow marks Phillip Wynn swan-song. Although not as consistent as previous Detroit Spinners albums, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow demonstrates just why The Detroit Spinners were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed groups in the history of Philly Soul, which their five albums between Spinners and Pick of The Litter proves.
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.
CANDIDO-DANCIN’ AND PRANCIN.’
CANDIDO-DANCIN’ AND PRANCIN.’
Two of the most innovative record labels in the history of modern music are Blue Note and Salsoul Records. However, there was only one artist who released albums on both labels. That artist is legendary Cuban percussionist, Candido, who released two albums for Salsoul in 1979. Candido’s Salsoul debut was Dancin’ and Prancin,’ which was recently rereleased by BBR Records. Not only was Dancin’ and Prancin’ an innovative album, but it epitomized the Salsoul sound. By 1979 when Salsoul released Dancin’ and Prancin,’ their trademark sound was just about to change, change beyond recognition. Before I tell you about Dancin’ and Prancin,’ I’ll tell you how the Salsoul sound came about, and why, and when, it changed.
Originally, Salsoul was a small label that specialized in releasing Latin music. That wasn’t what Ken Cayre, one of the owners of Salsoul wanted. What he wanted was an orchestra similar to Philadelphia International Records house-band M.F.S.B. Ken’s vision was an orchestra who could fuse salsa, Philly soul and disco. Ken got his disco orchestra after a fortuitous meeting with Vince Montana Jr.
Vince Montana Jr. approached Ken Cayre about bringing a Latin vocal to Mericana, another of Salsoul’s labels. Ken wasn’t interested in Mericana, but explained his vision to Vince. He explained that he was looking for an orchestra similar to M.F.S.B. Having explained his vision to Vince, Ken wrote Vince a cheque. In return, Vince would deliver three songs where Philly Soul, disco and salsa were fused. Without even looking at the cheque, Vince headed back to Philadelphia to record three songs with M.F.S.B. Eventually, Vince looked at the cheque. He was shocked to discover it was for $10,000. Back in Philly, M.F.S.B. recorded Nice Vibes, Dance A Little Bit Closer and Salsoul Hustle.
After the three tracks were delivered to Ken Cayre, he took Salsoul Hustle to CBS who’d first refusal on Salsoul releases. Unluckily for CBS, they were busy releasing albums by Bob Dylan and Barbara Streisand. CBS passed on Salsoul Hustle, as did Atlantic and Polydor Records. So Salsoul released and distributed Salsoul Hustle. Immediately, Salsoul had a hit single on their hands. This proved to be the best $10,000 Ken Cayre had ever spent. Then in Philly fate intervened again.
Less than a hundred miles away from Salsoul’s New York headquarters, problems were afoot at Philadelphia International Records in 1979. Gamble and Huff were locked in a dispute with Philadelphia International Records’ legendary house band M.F.S.B. over money. When this dispute couldn’t be resolved, members of M.F.S.B. quit Philadelphia International Records and headed to New York where they became The Salsoul Orchestra. In one fell swoop, Ken Cayre had his orchestra.
From Salsoul’s earliest releases in 1975, the fusion of salsa, Philly Soul and disco was at its strongest. This was the case right through to 1979, when Candio signed to Salsoul. Commercial success and critical acclaim were never far away. However, by 1979, Salsoul’s trademark sound was changing and had become diluted. The reason for this was the change in personnel at Salsoul. Some of the musicians, arrangers, producers and songwriters who were crucial to Salsoul had left the label.
With Vince Montana Jr. at the helm of The Salsoul Orchestra, the fusion of influences Ken Cayre wanted was at its strongest. After Vince left following a disputed with the Cayres over royalties, this was the start of dilution of the trademark Salsoul sound. The dilution of the Salsoul sound continued when other key personnel either left Salsoul or played less important roles. This included the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section and Bobby “Electronic” Eli. Playing an important role were remixers, including Larry Levan, Walter Gibbons and Tom Moulton, who’d also produce and write tracks for Salsoul. The music Salsoul was releasing began to change. Recent signings included Silvetti, Claudja Barry, Gary Criss, The Miami Disco Band and Skyy. However, after Candido signed to Salsoul, the music changed dramatically. Candido’s Dancin’ and Prancin’ would mark the end of an era at Salsoul.
Candido was born in August 1921, on the outskirts of Havana in Cuba. From an early age, Candido was immersed in music. He started to learn music when he was four. His uncle taught him to play bongos and then Canido learned to play the tres, a three stringed Cuban guitar. By the time Candido was a teenager, he’d mastered the congas. This lead to him performing at the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. Soon, he was backing Carmen y Rolando, a dance duo whose reputation was worldwide. This lead to Candido accompanying them to New York, where he gained a reputation as a true musical innovator.
In New York, when Candido was accompanying Carmen y Rolando, their budget couldn’t stretch to hiring two conga players, which were needed. Candido, realizing that the only way round this, was to play two congas simultaneously. He’d watched tympani players doing something similar, so realized it was possible. When the time came, Candido played two congas simultaneously. This had never been done before and people were mesmerised. Then Candido took things even further. Soon, he was playing three congas, all tuned at different pitches simultaneously. After this, American jazz legends began to take notice of the name Candido. So it made sense for Candido to move to America.
Now living in America, Candido played alongside Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billie Holliday and Tito Puente. They were able to experience firsthand this visionary percussionist. Then in 1956, the wider public were able to hear Candido when he released his debut album. Candido was released on ABC-Paramount. Over the rest of the fifties, Candido featured on albums by The Billy Taylor Trio, The Lecuona Cuban Boys and The Don Elliot Octet. There was also numerous appearances on albums by everyone from Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, The Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington. Candido also released two more solo albums, 1957s The Volcanic and 1958s In Indigo. If the fifties had been busy for Candido, then the sixties would be even busier.
During the sixties, Candido’s solo career continued alongside his collaborations with other artists. He released 1962s Conga Soul,1963s Congas Comparsa and featured on Jazz At The Philharmonic In Europe. However, Candido was gaining the reputation as the busiest percussionist in jazz music. Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Elvin Jones, Donald Byrd and Gene Ammons all called upon Candido when it came to percussion. Little did Candido realize, as the sixties became the seventies, that he’d release albums on two of the most important labels in the history of music.
Candido’s first album of the seventies, was one the best albums of his career. Thousand Finger Man was released in 1970, on jazz’s premier label Blue Note, with Beautiful following in 1971. Apart from the two albums for Blue Note, Candido only released two other albums before signing to Salsoul. These were 1971s Brujeras De Candio/Candido’s “Latin McGuffa’s Dust” and 1973s Drum Fever. For the remainder of the seventies, Candido worked as a session player, working with everyone with Elvin Jones, Randy Weston, Duke Wellington and Sonny Rollins. Then in 1979, having started the seventies signed to a label synonymous with jazz, Candido ended the seventies signed to disco’s premier label…Salsoul.
In many ways, Candido was similar to Joe Bataan, one of the Cayre’s earliest signings for Salsoul. Joe’s music was a fusion of Latin, soul and disco. He’d two spells at Salsoul. His first spell resulted in his best known track, a cover of Gil Scott-Heron’s The Bottle. So maybe, Joe could replicate the success of Joe Bataan?
Producing what became Dancin’ and Prancin,’ was an old friend of Candido’s, Joe Cain. The pair had worked together on albums like Thousand Finger Man and Beautiful. Joe had been brought to Salsoul by the Cayres, as General Manager of Salsoul Salsa and Mericana. During his career, Joe had produced over 400 Latin albums. However, when it came to disco, Joe was lacking in experience. That wouldn’t stop Joe Cain and Candido trying to produce an album worthy of baring the Salsoul logo. That album would be Dancin’ and Prancin.’
Accompanying Candido on Dancin’ and Prancin,’ were the members of Kleer, who when working with Patrick Adams, Greg Carmichael and Leroy Burgess, were known as The Universal Robot Band. Kleer included a rhythm section of drummer Woody Cunningham, guitarist Richard Lee and bassist and keyboardist Norman Durham. Completing the lineup of Kleer was percussionist Paul Crutchfield. Kleer would play an important part in Dancin’ and Prancin.’ Not only did they accompany Candido, but cowrote two of Dancin’ and Prancin’s tracks.
Dancin’ and Prancin’ consisted of four lengthy tracks. The title-track Dancin’ and Prancin’ and Thousand Finger Man were penned by Woody Cunningham and Louis Small, while Carlos Franzetti wrote Rock and Shuffle (Ah-Ha). Jingo was written by Michael Olatunji. Recording of Dancin’ and Prancin’ took place at The Power Station in New York.
Joining Candio and Kleer, were a horn section, backing vocalists, drummer Jimmy Young, bassist Ken Payne, guitarists Sandy Santana and Joe Caro. Adding keyboards and synths were Louis Small and Carlos Franzetti. Candido played everything from congas, bongos, cowbells, jawbone, clave, quinto and tumbao. Producing this compelling fusion of musical genres was Joe Cain. However, would Dancin’ and Prancin’ be a commercial success?
On the release of Dancin’ and Prancin’ in 1979, it failed to chart. The lead single Jingo, reached number twenty-one in the US Disco Charts, while Dancin’ and Prancin’ failed to chart. Although Dancin’ and Prancin’ hadn’t been a commercial success, it was well received by critics, who hailed Dancin’ and Prancin’ as a minor classic. Why was that?
Opening Dancin’ and Prancin’ is the title-track Dancin’ and Prancin.’ Straight away, thunderous drums grab your attention, and provide a dance-floor friendly backdrop. They’re joined by flourishes of keyboards, cowbells and a myriad of percussion, including congas, bongos and jawbone. Having set the scene, soulful and sassy harmonies sweep in. They add to the irresistible dance-floor friendly backdrop where soul, funk, disco and Latin music seamlessly combines. Keyboards drift in and out, while strings float elegantly and gracefully. Ever-present are the drums that provide a pulsating heartbeat. Horns growl while synths prove their perfect foil. When the soulful harmonies return, they’ set the scene for a virtuoso performance from Candido. Quite rightly, his percussion is at the centre of the mix. You’re enthralled by his jazz-tinged style. Not only is it dramatic and inspirational, regardless of whether he’s improvising or not, but features Salsoul’s trademark sound.
Saying Jingo has a dramatic start is almost an understatement. It’s not unlike Jimi Hendrix teasing you with a guitar solo before diving head first into a familiar track. Instead, it’s keyboards that take centre-stage. Then pounding drums and percussion drive the arrangement along. Combining elements of rock, jazz, Latin and dance music it’s a captivating track. Layers of music unfold, revealing subtleties and nuances aplenty. Urgent, punchy harmonies enter. They soar above the arrangement. By now, you’re swept along atop what’s akin to a musical roller coaster. Candido’s trusty percussion plus banks of synths and keyboards join a powerhouse of a rhythm section, on what is a truly captivating, compelling and genre-sprawling track.
As Thousand Finger Man begins, the arrangement is laden in drama, reminiscent of a seventies sci-fi movie. Soon, drama becomes understated and almost elegant. After that, the two unite, with synths and piano at the heart of the action. When thunderous drums, percussion and ethereal vocals enter, it’s a very different track. Granted there’s still drama and elegance, but the vocal brings a haunting beauty. Keyboards join the funkiest of rhythm sections and heartfelt harmonies. From there, the track reveals its secrets. The result is a track that’s funky, soulful and dance-floor friendly. Add its Latin influence and it’s a track that’s dramatic, elegant, tinged in beauty and filled with secrets and surprises.
Closing Dancin’ & Prancin’ is Rock & Shuffle (Ah-Ha). From the get-go, the arrangement is like a call to dance. Resistance is impossible. As keyboards, a funk-laden rhythm section, blazing horns and percussion combine, you’ll be on your feet and Dancin’ & Prancin.’ Bursts of soulful harmonies sweep in and out while this tight, talented band kick loose. It’s a joy to behold. Fusing musical influences and genres seamless, Candido and his band never miss a beat. Driven along by blazing horns, rhythm section and percussion, keyboards and harmonies add the finishing touch to what is, the best track on Dancin’ & Prancin.’ Quite simply, it’s a hook-laden and infectiously catchy fusion of musical genres like you’d expect on a track released by Salsoul.
For fans of Salsoul, Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin’ was a landmark album in the history of disco’s premier label. Dancin’ & Prancin’ was one of the final albums to feature what had been the trademark Salsoul sound. This was a mixture of salsa, Philly Soul and disco. After Dancin’ & Prancin,’ disco nearly died. Its popularity nosedived, so Salsoul had to evolve to survive. It was a case of change or die. Other disco labels had folded, so Salsoul change was vital. Salsoul started signing what I’d describe as “post-disco” artists. Aurra, Inner Life and Logg joined groups like Instant Funk and Skyy. Disco was replaced by boogie, while funk and eighties electronics started making inroads into post-disco Salsoul. Suddenly, Salsoul’s trademark sound could no longer be heard on Salsoul releases. One of the final albums to feature Salsoul’s trademark sound was Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin,’ which was a minor classic. However, there was much more to Dancin’ & Prancin’ than the Salsoul sound.
Listen carefully to Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin’ and you’ll hear a complex, multilayered album. Dancin’ & Prancin’ has been influenced by numerous musical genres and influences. There’s everything from jazz, funk, disco, Latin, Philly Soul and even rock during the four tracks on Dancin’ & Prancin.’ Soulful, fabulously funky and dance-floor friendly, Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin’ is a truly timeless album that’s irresistible and infectiously catchy. Featuring some hugely talented and versatile musicians, Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin’ which was recently released by BBR Records, is a reminder of Salsoul’s trademark sound. Thirty-four years after the release of Dancin’ & Prancin,’ it’s still perceived as a minor classic. If anything, Dancin’ & Prancin’s’ importance has grown, as a new generation of music fans discover its delights. Sadly, Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin’ marked the end of a musical era. Following Dancin’ & Prancin’ Salsoul Records’ sound changed. It was no longer disco’s premier label. Although disco hadn’t died, it had been badly wounded. It was no longer King. Its rein was over and disco lover’s marked the end of a musical era. However, what better way is there to end an era than with Candido’s Dancin’ & Prancin,’ an album that’s an irresistible and infectious fusion of musical genres.
CANDIDO-DANCIN’ AND PRANCIN.’
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