Sunday 8 December 2013

The Muzikstan Christmas Party (14/12/2014)

I have the pleasure of joining the line up for the Muzikstan Christmas Party on the Saturday 14th December at The Old Print Works in Birmingham where I'll be dropping an all 45rpm set of Funk and Soul for your listening and dancing pleasure!

Muzikstan is a long running eclectic night that has seen a plethora of world music from local as well as national talents. This community driven night always sees a great turnout so don't sleep on this one!

Click HERE for more information






Monday 25 November 2013

***Review*** The James Hunter Six - The Concorde 2, Brighton (23/11/2013)

I had the pleasure of catching The James Hunter Six at The Concorde 2 in Brighton on Saturday night. Having previously seen their 100 Club gig in London a while back, I knew I was in for a great night!

The Concorde 2 isn't a venue I'd previously visited. Set into the promenade it had a comforting subterranean feel to it and provided a great atmosphere and setting.

The band took to the stage and worked through much of the new material from 'Minute By Minute', an album I strongly urge you to pick up if you haven't already. A few old favourites from his earlier albums were also thrown in and pleased the crowd. By the end of the gig everyone was calling for more!

The JH6 are undoubtably one of the tightest outfits I've seen live. All the musicians are seriously accomplished but for me (aside from James!) it was the horn section that stood out! Amazing stuff!

If The James Hunter Six stop near your town be sure to catch a ticket. You won't be disappointed!

Check HERE for future tour dates.





























Thursday 21 November 2013

Breakestra - Come On Over (2010)







Vintage Presents The Classic Car Boot Sale



https://www.facebook.com/TheClassicCarBootSale

James Brown - Advert for Funky Drummer Parts 1&2 (1969)





***NEW*** The Motown 7's Box - Rare And Unreleased Vinyl








Universal Music Catalogue are proud to release the Motown 7s Box – a collection of 14 rare and previously unreleased vinyl gems. Highlights include Do I Love You by Frank Wilson - the world's rarest Motown 45 as an original pressing.

This release also contains tracks previously only available on CD from not only the biggest names at Motown : Marvin Gaye , the Four Tops, The Isley Brothers , Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder , The Temptations but the acts that are worshipped worldwide by collectors : The Originals, Chris Clark, The Spinners, Tammi Terrell and David Ruffin, and selections and detailed liner notes from UK club and radio DJ Richard Searling.

TRACK LIST

SINGLE 1
Marvin Gaye - This Love Starved Heart (It's Killing Me)
The Spinners - What More Could A Boy Ask For

SINGLE 2
Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
The Originals - Suspicion

SINGLE 3
The Supremes - Stormy
Stevie Wonder - Just Enough To Ease The Pain

SINGLE 4
The Four Tops - Clip My Wings
Tammi Terrell - All I Do (Is Think About You)

SINGLE 5
Barbara McNair - It Happens Everytime
David Ruffin - I Can't Be Hurt Anymore

SINGLE 6
The Temptations - Forever In My Heart
Kim Weston - You Hit Me Where It Hurt Me

SINGLE 7
Chris Clark - Something's Wrong
The Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love (Forever)

http://www.amazon.co.uk

Sunday 17 November 2013

Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl (1962)





Charles Bradley As "Black Velvet" - James Brown Tribute Act



1960's RCA Swingline Portable Record Commercial





Three New 45's From Truth & Records

LADY "GOOD LOVIN" (T&S HLIC MIX) b/w "SWEET LADY" 45







Good Lovin, is an uptempo, fuzzed out burner in which Lady forgo the innuendoes and word play, and instead, praise a man that "knows how to do it right". This one is as much for the B-Boys & B-Girls on the floor as it is for the two steppers.

The flip side is also a tribute to a loved one, but a more G-rated kinda thing. "Sweet Lady" is a song about Mom, propelled by hard hitting drums while pretty glockenspiel, reverb soaked piano, and bouncy guitars all float on top. The music sounds like a lost b-side from the "What's Going On" sessions, but the vocals make sure it's unmistakably Lady. Ms. Wray and the girls vocals on Sweet Lady are one of the most memorable melodies on their self-titled debut.



LADY "GET READY" b/w "GET READY" (TICKLAH RMX)







The song “Get Ready,” taken from their self-titled LP, is one of the best examples of their truly unique sound. The heavy drums, driving rhythm, and punching horns provide the perfect backdrop for Nicole's raw vocal stylings and positive message.

The B-side is a masterful remix by NYC reggae super dude, Victor Axelrod, a.k.a Ticklah. All that remains of the original are the vocals; the rest is replayed and reprogrammed. The result is a song that sounds like a classic reggae tune that could of been cut on the same day and in the same studio as Johnny Osbourne's "We Need Love". This is not a remix in today's sense of the word - this is a version.



QUNESTINE STRONG "ONE HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW"
PICTURE SLEEVE 45







Like most great undiscovered soul 45s, Qunestine Strong's "A Thousand Years From Now" musically derives from the church, 1960's R&B, and the iconic Motown sound. This laborious studio magic has been remastered and fittingly repackaged by Truth & Soul Records, another T&S sureshot.

Pre-order HERE From Truth & Soul Records


Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Don't Make A Fool Out Of Me (2011)





Northern Soul - Post Office Club (28/12/2013)





***NEW RELEASE*** Jukebox Jam Volume Two (18/11/2013)





The original Jukebox Jam Blues & Rhythm Revue compilation album was released in September 2011, a collection which brought together the dynamic and varied R&B sounds of Liam Large's London based club night and reissue label. With an action-packed, all-killer set, it quickly became an instant classic, a comp of vintage sounds which truly stood out in an ever-saturated market.

Two years on, and we are proud to unleash the second volume of Jukebox Jam, another collection of 23 obscure masterpieces from mid-century America. Perhaps even more ambitious than Vol 1, the follow-up broadens the scope of investigation by digging both deeper back into the 1940s - with a couple of jazzy blues numbers, and further into the 1960s - with gritty rock and roll and early Detroit soul both featuring prominently.

In between these sounds, there's of course a healthy fill of dirty '50s blues, jumping R&B and swinging popcorn, but it's safe to say that on this set, the surprises come a little more frequently. We're very confident that Jukebox Jam Vol. 2 is another essential classic in waiting.

Super deluxe double LP gatefold with US-style pasteback sleeve. Extensive liner notes with detailed info and artist pics!


Pre-order HERE

Sunday 20 October 2013

Mo' Soul - Episode 7

Welcome back to Mo' Soul.

It's been a while coming but I'm finally back with a very long overdue mixtape and finally Mo' Soul Episode 7 for you.

Since the last episode dropped here things have been pretty manic and finding time to digitise some records has proved tough due to one thing or another getting in the way. So anyway without further ado here we go with another clutch of records that have either been on constant rotation on my turntables or I've recently turned up digging.

Kicking the next 50 minutes of goodness off is a previously unreleased record from Etta James which has been picked up, finally issued and seems to be getting much deserved spins on the scene at the minute. Cracking strings and Etta's honeyed vocals make this a huge winner.

Nicknamed "The White Negress", Chris Clark was the US answer to Dusty Springfield. Aside from being the first white woman to record for Motown Records, she also made her mark on the scene charting with 'Love's Gone Bad' which reached #41 in the US R&B chart. 'Something's Wrong' is again another strangely unreleased 45 which has been given a pressing and has also been getting a lot of interest amongst collectors.

I'll go on record and say 'If That's What You Wanted' has to be a Top 20 favourite record of mine, where exactly in that Top 20 is too hard to say as any of the hardened collectors out there will surely understand! Both strangely sad and musically uplifting at the same time, this for me ticks every box and has it all going on. As I'm sure my poor Girlfriend will gladly confirm, I could quite happily listen to this over and over again without ever getting bored. Every listen bringing out another unnoticed detail! Fantastic in absolutely every way!

Frankie Beverly & The Butlers
 
Continuing on with the Northern Soul tip is The Seventh Avenue Aviators. This is the same record, backing track and vocals as the Frankie Karl & The Chevrons cut on Philtown Records. The Seventh Avenue Aviators appears to be a later issue and only difference being the enormous difference in price between the two. This has had renewed interest since being featured on the BBC Culture Show Northern Soul documentary from a few weeks back which you can catch HERE.

Joseph Moore rounds out the Northern part of this mix with 'I Still Can't Get You' from 1965. This has been a staple of my playbox for sometime now and never fails to get the dancefloor going. Arguably one of the rarest releases on the Chicago Mar-V-Lus label topping out at four figures in recent auctions.

Bringing us upto date is Charles Bradley with 'Strictly Reserved For You', the first 45 from his new 'Victim Of Love' LP. Charles has been causing quite a stir with his live tours which all seem to quickly sell out. I was lucky enough catch his show and met him backstage at his recent Koko gig in London a few weeks back. Aside from putting in an electric performance which I won't forget in a hurry, he's an extremely humble and affable man as well. Be sure to catch his 'Charles Bradley: Soul Of America' Documentary.

Whilst this might not be one of 'Wicked' Pickett's most well known releases having been overshadowed by 'In The Midnight Hour', 'Land Of 1,000 Dances' and 'Mustang Sally', this is still a massive record worthy of inclusion here. Released in 1965, 'Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won't Do)' made it to #13 in the R&B charts and was co-written with Eddie Floyd and guitar legend Steve Cropper during one of 3 sessions at the Stax studios.

Eveyln Freeman's Gospel and R&B crossover record from 1962 featured backing from the 'Exciting Voices', a group of some 14 singers which also included her husband. This is an awesome record which always ignites the floor when I've played it. The thumping bass backbeat ties things together and her raucous vocals round off a great underground record. Imperial Records also put out an instrumental cash in version a year later in 1963 entitled 'Didn't it Rock' which you can catch HERE. 'Didn't It Rain' was also interestingly covered by the psych-rock outfit, The Tormentors who put out a version on their 1967 LP 'Hangin' Around'. catch that version HERE.

Heading into the funkier side of things is Dawson Smith and his 1974 Scepter release. I know very little about Dawson Smith himself but the credit crunch message on this 45 is pretty apt for today's dancefloor. The track has also been sampled by Hip Hop outfits Alliance Ethnik and The Underwolves.

Dawson Smith
 
The Chairmen Of The Board record featured on this mix today was one of the very first 45s to fall into my hoard after I pillaged my mothers small but perfectly formed clutch of Soul singles (Go mum!) at the start of my own collecting journey. I have always loved this tune which is actually the B-side to 'Give Me Just A little More Time'. This extremely well written Holland-Dozier-Holland production could easily have been an A-side in its own right. Released in 1970 it has a bit of a Motown feel about most likely imitating the popular Tamla sound at the time.

Frank Raines Detroit label Funk Night Records has consistently dropped strong releases since it's first release back in 2010. Will Sessions team up with Funk legend Ricky Calloway for 'Jump Back' a full on Deep funk onslaught which totally delivers. Massive drums, bass and guitar keep this moving along nicely behind Ricky Calloway's vocals. Pure quality!

Keeping on the heavy 'New Funk' vibe is the Keb Darge and Kev Roberts produced monster, 'It's Alright Now' from the New Mastersounds backed with The Haggis Horns. It's hard to think that this record is 12 years old now but it still sounds fresh!

Affiliated with several NoLa labels and artists such as Dave Bartholomew and Danny White, Al Reed delivers with this Wardell Quezergue arranged Funk cut on Axe Records. This has been recently coupled together with 'Shake 'Em Up' and given a release on tramp Records.

Flipping things with a couple of Ska 45s and first up is The Skatalites with 'Beardman Ska'. This 1965 Coxone Dodd produced single was a recent eBay pick up of mine from a couple of weeks back. This is a reworking of 'Live It up' by Ernie Freeman, brother of Evelyn Freeman (small world!). Jackie Mittoo holds this one down with an infectious piano riff that's been sampled several times.

The Skatalites

After making time to head across town for the recent London Record Fair, I spent the afternoon digging through more crates of records than you could shake a very large stick at. Fortunately for me 'Funky Kingston' was in one of those crates and having missed out on it several times on eBay it was a no brainer and it came home with me!

Jukebox Jam Records are another label with well thought out and consistent releases. This Billy Hamlin cut from 1962 has been packaged with a dancefloor friendly edit which loses the amusing intro that is featured on this mix. This has been limited to 500 copies so make sure you grab one before it's too late!

Rounding up today's mix is a track lifted from Dollar Bills recently released live album. Recorded earlier this year at The Shake 'Em On Down Club in Camden this is a Doctor Ross styled blues stomper which rounds out today's offering perfectly. 'Yes, I'm Feelin' Fine' is taken from one of a small handful of 10 inch test pressings that I was lucky enough to procure from the label itself. A welcome addition to my collection!

I hope you enjoy today's offering, stay safe and I'll be back here shortly with some more of the "Good Stuff"

 

Track List

 

Etta James - I Can't Shake It - Soulwax

Chris Clark - Something's Wrong - SOUL

Frankie Beverly & The Butlers - If That's What You Wanted - Inferno

The Seventh Avenue Aviators - You Should O' Held On - Congress

Joseph Moore - I Still Can't Get You - Joeboy

Charles Bradley - Strictly Reserved For You - Dunham

Wilson Pickett - Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won't Do) - Atlantic

Evelyn Freeman Conducting Exciting Voices & Orchestra - Didn't It Rain - United Artists

Dawson Smith - I Don't Know If I Can Make It - Scepter

Chairmen Of The Board - Since The Days Of Pigtails (And Fairytales) - Invictus Records

Will Sessions Featuring Ricky Calloway - Jump Back Pt1 - FNR

New Master Sounds - It's Alright Now - Deep Funk Records

Al Reed - 99/44/100 Pure Love - Axe Records

The Skatalites - Beardman Ska - Supreme Records

Toots And The Maytals - Funky Kingston - Dragon

Billy Hamlin - If You Ain't Got No Bread (You Might As Well Stay In Bed) - Jukebox Jam

Dollar Bill & His One Man Band - Yes, I'm Feelin' Fine - Rollin Records (10" Test Pressing Version)

 LISTEN TO EPISODE 7 HERE

Saturday 19 October 2013

HopeStreet Recordings Presents The Tropical Brunswick Mixtape Launch (02/11/2013)








HopeStreet Recordings presents…
the Tropical Brunswick Mixtape Launch

Starring:
THE BOMBAY ROYALE
SAN LAZARO
KARATE BOOGALOO AND SPECIAL GUESTS

With:
DJ Chris Gill

SATURDAY NOV 2ND
The Shadow Electric at The Abbotsford Convent

Doors 7pm – come early for Showbags! Prizes! Super nice vibes!
The Tropical Brunswick mixtape is mixed by DJ Jumps.

Saturday the 2nd of November sees a super-charged night of music at The Shadow Electric with freakadelic Bollywood goodness from The Bombay Royale, hot salsa and Latin funk from San Lazaro and a selection of rarities, versions and remixes from the funk and soul closet with Karate Boogaloo – the Cactus Channel rhythm section and their guests. It’s all in aid of launching HopeStreet’s Tropical Brunswick Mixtape, mixed by DJ Jumps.

What does Tropical Brunswick sound like? Don’t wait for global warming to find out. Unreleased gold from HopeStreet Recording’s 2014 release schedule and hits and obscurities from the back catalog rub shoulders in the mix under the deft hands of DJ Jumps. Latin and afro bump up against funk, soul and spaghetti cinematica. It’s that hot analog sound you love, but you can get it on the interweb! The first 50 through the door receive a Hopestreet showbag containing the mixtape by DJ Jumps and a free 7″ vinyl from the catalog.

HopeStreet Recordings – we’re not revivalising, we’re revitalising.


TRACKLIST:

The Worm– The PutBacks (coming soon) – 00:00
Monkey Fight Snake – The Bombay Royale - 3:12
Shake – The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra - 5:14
Suicide – Zillanova Ft Cisco Tavares - 9:38
Jorge Buccio – The Cactus Channel - 13:20
What Goes Around – The Afrobiotics (coming soon) – 16:03
Derty D’s Thing – The Cactus Channel - 20:36
The Time It Takes – Zillanova Ft Jess Harlen - 23:49
The Dap – The Cactus Channel - 27:04
Spanish Harlem – The PutBacks Ft Secret Mystery (coming soon) – 29:19
Dilo – San Lazaro (coming soon) – 32:30
X–Ray Bear – The Cactus Channel - 36:45
Set Me Free – The PutBacks - 40:27
Phone Baje Na – The Bombay Royale - 43:14
Wooden Boy (Part 1) – The Cactus Channel - 48:05





DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE HERE (50mb)

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Barbara McNair - You're Gonna Love My Baby





Acapella Soul - The Lion Sleeps Tonight






Derobert & The Half-Truths - 18/10/2013 - Marathon Music Works


Hackney Colliery Band / Trueman Brewery Beer Launch - 18/10/2013 - Hoxton Hall

Ready Steady Go! - 16/10/2013 - The Constitution





Get Rhythm - Fridays - Joes Bar, Camden





Truth & Soul Records Presents: The Soul Fire Box Set 8X7" RECORDS - Record Store Day Exclusive






Truth & Soul is proud to present The Soul Fire Box Set for Black Friday Record Store Day 2013. Soul Fire Records, started in 1999 by Phillip Lehman, produced some of the funkiest modern recordings to ever make it to 45.

Many of the 45's from the Soul Fire catalog are nearly impossible to find today and if and when they do come up for sale, they fetch top dollar. Soul Fire closed it's doors in 2003 when Phillip stepped away from the music business to pursue other ventures. He left the studio to Jeff Silverman & Leon Michels, who then started what is known today as today as Truth & Soul Records.

This box set contains some of the rarest sides from the Soul Fire catalog, 8'7" vinyls, liner notes from Phillip himself, and a Soul Fire sticker all packaged in a woven silkscreened collectors box. Limited to 1000 pieces for Record Store Day.

7" Record # 1

A - Lee Fields & The Explorers - "I'm The Man"
B - The Soul Diggers - "Soul Dig"

7" Record # 2
A - Bronx River Parkway - "Quienes Que Resoverlo (Antes Que Hacerlo)"
B - Bronx River Parkway - "Chum's Pimpage"

7” Record # 3
A - The Third Eye - "Children's Song"
B - Zafari - "Addis Ababa"

7” Record #4
A - J.D. & The Evil's Dynamite Band - "Everglades Pt. 1"
B - J.D. & The Evil's Dynamite Band - "Sunday Kind Of Love"

7” Record # 5
A - The Fabulous Three - "Odyssey Revised"
B - The Fabulous Three - "Vibes"

7” Record # 6
A - "Educational Series Vol. 1 (Drums)"
B - Bama And The Family - "Don't Think... Do"

7” Record #7
A - Detroit Sex Machines - "The Funky Crawl"
B - Detroit Sex Machines - "Rap It Together"

7” Record #8
A - Raindeer Runners - "Super Smooth"
B - Lee Fields & The Explorers - "Soul Dynamite"

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Thursday 10 October 2013

***REVIEW*** Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires - Live At Koko, London (09/10/2013)

So, I was lucky enough to grab a ticket for last night's AGMP show at Koko in London several months ago before it finally sold out.

As expected Charles Bradley performed a heart stopping and captivating set of songs, mainly taken from his newest 'Victim Of Love' LP. A true display of honest and humble emotion from a man who should have had this level of success many, many years ago.

'The Screaming Eagle Of Soul' even had time to dip into his Daptone back catalogue for a super funked up and extended version of his 2006 cut 'This Love Ain't Big Enough For The Two Of Us' as well as a clever reworking of Neil Young's 'Heart Of Gold', amazing stuff!

With a band leader as instantly lovable as Charles, the group of musicians hand picked for this tour had a lot to live up to and they certainly delivered on the night with a faultless display of playing.


Charles Bradley - Where Do We Go From Here -Live at Koko


My only minor critisism was the omission of 'Heartaches & Pain', a personal favourite of mine. But with so many other incredibly strong songs in the setlist I could see why this was left out on the night!

After the show I was also lucky enough to get back stage and even meet the man himself! Certainly a night I won't forget in a hurry!

A little birdie also tells me there may even be a return show planned for April 2014, so fingers crossed and remember, you heard it here first!

Below are a few pictures I took during and after the show!

Enjoy!

Ben