Jackie Wilson - Soul Time (1965) Brunswick - Rare Soul

 The 5th Album Of jackie,s posted over the Blogs. God I love this guy,s Music!....Timeless!

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                                                                    The Mighty Taster !

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Kent 371 CDTOP - The Spinners - Truly Yours (2012) - Rare Soul (FLAC) + Booklet

Long before the Spinners amassed a stack of gold albums and singles with producer Thom Bell at Atlantic Records in the 70s, they spent eight years working hard at Motown. For the first four of those years, the period covered by this CD, the group recorded some very tasty tracks but had only four singles released.Can you believe that ? It was good luck that brought the Spinners together in the first place. “I was watching a local television show called Saturday Evening Dance Party with C.P. Spencer,” founder member Billy Henderson told Black Stars magazine back in 1975. “The amateur vocal groups always won. So I said if those guys can sing, so can I. I asked C.P. if he knew anybody that could sing bass and baritone because I could sing tenor. That’s how Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson and I got together. Pervis tried to give us a hard time, since he was one of the few baritones around and popular in school, but we pulled him anyhow.” “Bobby Smith had the car so we had to get him with us,” recalled Pervis. “Henry lived down the street from me and I would see him carrying a guitar back and forth to church, so I figured there goes our guitar player. We asked him to be in the group, figuring he could give us some backup music. We found out that he was carrying the guitar for his minister at church. Henry couldn’t play a note, but he could sing bass, so we kept him.” It was bad luck that kept them standing in the shadows at Motown. Billy: “We literally sat around and watched the other acts become superstars: the Supremes we worked with them in the early days of their success; the Temptations; the Four Tops; Marvin Gaye who played drums for us a couple of times; and Tammi Terrell  who we loved dearly.” The great UK Tamla Motown re-issue programme of the late 60s and early 70s, which ought to have made the Spinners household names, bypassed the group entirely. Shameful! Good fortune teamed the Spinners with some of Motown’s finest writers and producers. Sterling work with Harvey Fuqua, Ivy Jo Hunter, Mickey Stevenson and Johnny Bristol make the tracks on this collection so special.
Their 1967 album “The Original Spinners”  including the singles ‘Sweet Thing’, ‘I’ll Always Love You’, ‘Truly Yours’ and ‘For All We Know’  appears here on CD for the first time. Other gems from the LP include Smokey Robinson’s ‘Like A Good Man Should’ and fan favourite ‘I Cross My Heart’, composed by Stevie Wonder with Ivy Jo Hunter. Of the 14 contemporaneous bonus titles here, 10 are previously unissued, all freshly transferred from the Motown master tapes. These include ballads such as ‘Darling’ and ’12 O’clock’, which display the group’s doo wop roots, and a handful of top-of-the-range stompers in the classic Motown style. Motown never sounded better than when in the hands of master stylists such as the Spinners. This set, featuring an essay by Motown expert Keith Hughes based on a new interview with lead singer Bobby Smith, means at last the Spinners have their rightful place in soul history. Shame on Berry Gordy For not getting behind these very talented guys!.. Ive Added "Sundown" as an extra Bonus Track even though its on "while the city sleeps" their other Kent Album.

AMM

                                                        Review Courtesy Of Oldsoulrebel

                                                                        The Taster!

                                                Tracks Below (FLAC) + Bonus Track (MP3-HQ)

                                      27 Bonus - (She's Gonna Love Me) At Sundown - VIP 25050

RARE NORTHERN SOUL VOL 110

                                                                       The Taster!

Tracks

B J And The Profits - It's Gonna Rain Outside - Uptown

Ben Aiken - You Were Meant To Be My Baby - Loma

Bernie Moore - I Wanna Be Loved To Death - Burdett

Betty Harris - Mean Man - Sansu

Bill Brandon - Whatever I Am, I'm Yours - Moonsong

Billy Williams - Dipping Snuff - Kris

Bobby Duke - Smothering Love - Verve

Bobby Harden - Runnin' (to Get Your Love) - Dala

Bobby Jonz - WIn Your Love - Dispo

Edwin Starr - Running Back And Forth - Tamla Motown

Elmore Morris - Before I Turned My Back On You - Crackerjack

Eloise Laws - (You're Mine) Baby Doll - Music Merchant(unreleased)

Elsie Strong - Just Ask Me - Finally

Father's Angels - Bok To Bok - MGM

Gladys Knight and The Pips - No One Could Love You More - Tamla Motown

Helen Shapiro - He Knows How To Love Me - Columbia

J.J. Barnes - Our Love Is In The Pocket - Ric Tic

James Carr - Freedom Train - Goldwax

Jimmy Helms -  My Little Devil - Capitol

Kenny Gamble - The Jokes on You - Arctic

Kurtis Scott - No, No Baby - Sure Shot

Lee Dorsey - What You Want (Is What You Get) - Bell

Little Willie John - Fever - King

Lou Johnson - Unsatisfied - Big Top

Louis Curry - A Toast To You - M-S

Mad Dog And The Pups - Why Did You Leave Me Girl - Magic City

Major Lance - Wait Till I Get You In My Arms - Okeh

Pearl Woods - Sippin Sorrow - Charge

Soul Set - Call On Me - Goodtime

Stu Gardner - Friday Love - Revue

The Dynamites - Don't Leave Me This Way - Dolores

The Feathers - Tryin' To Get To You - Team

The Four Tops - Where Did You Go - Motown

The Parliaments - All Your Goodies Are Gone - Revilot

The Puzzles - My Sweet Baby - Fat Back

The Superbs - Happiest Girl In The World - Catamount

The Tams - Trouble Maker - ABC

Tower Of Power - You Ought To Be Havin' Fun - Columbia

Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino

Wendy Rene - After Laughter - Stax

The Chambers Brothers - The Time Has Come LP (1967) Columbia - CD(2000) Columbia - (FLAC)+ Booklet - Rare Soul

One of my all time Fave groups,the Mighty Chambers Brothers,this was their 5th Studio Album,& rather than post the lp version i,ve opted for the Cd with 4 xtra Bonus Tracks and that booklet! Originally from Carthage, Mississippi,the products of an impoverished sharecropping family, the Chambers Brothers first honed their skills as members of the choir in their Baptist church. This arrangement ended in 1952 when the eldest brother, George, was drafted into the Army. George relocated to Los Angeles after his discharge, and his brothers soon joined him. Beginning in 1954, the foursome played gospel and folk music throughout the Southern California region, but remained little known until 1965 when they began performing in New York City.Consisting of George (1931 - 2019) on washtub bass (later on Dan electro bass guitar), Lester (born 1940) on harmonica, and Willie (born 1938) and Joe (born 1942) on guitar, the group started to venture outside the gospel circuit, playing at coffee houses that booked folk acts. They played at places like The Ash Grove, a very popular Los Angeles folk club. It became one of their favorite haunts and brought them into contact with Hoyt Axton, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Reverend Gary Davis, and Barbara Dane. Dane became a great supporter, performing and recording with the brothers. With the addition of Brian Keenan,a white musician (born 1943 –1985) on drums,this opened up a multi racial audience for the guys and doors opened for them! Dane took them on tour with her and introduced them to Pete Seeger, who helped put the Chambers Brothers on the bill of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. One of the songs they performed, "I Got It", appeared on the Newport Folk Festival 1965 compilation LP, which was issued on the Vanguard label.They were becoming more accepted in the folk community, but, like many on the folk circuit, were looking to electrify their music and develop more of a rock and roll/Soul/R&B sound. Joe Chambers recalled in a May 1994 Goldmine article that people at the Newport Folk Festival were breaking down fences and rushing to the stage. "Newport had never seen or heard anything like that." After the group finished and the crowd finally settled down, the MC came up and said "Whether you know it or not, that was rock 'n' roll." That night they played at a post-concert party for festival performers and went to a recording session of the newly electrified Bob Dylan. Shortly after appearing at Newport, the group released its debut album, People Get Ready. Like their West Coast contemporaries Sly & the Family Stone, the Chambers Brothers shattered racial and musical divides to forge an incendiary fusion of funk, gospel, blues, and psychedelia which reached its apex with the perennial 1968 song "Time Has Come Today." The Chambers Brothers all of whom contributed vocals.  Time Has Come Today FEATURED HERE was Performed Live On the Ed Sullivan Show.As the Chambers Brothers toured rock clubs (including the famed Fillmore in San Francisco) and R&B venues (most notably the Apollo Theatre) alike, their music increasingly embraced elements of both; after recording 1968's Shout! for the Vault label, the group signed to Columbia to issue Time Has Come Today, scoring a major pop hit with the title track, an 11-minute psychedelic soul epic in its original album incarnation. The follow-up, A New Time - A New Day, yielded another Top 40 hit, a cover of the Otis Redding classic "I Can't Turn You Loose," but subsequent efforts, including 1969's Love, Peace and Happiness and 1970's Live at Fillmore East, failed to maintain the commercial momentum. Upon completing 1972's Oh My God!, the Chambers Brothers disbanded, only to reunite two years later for Unbonded. Right Move appeared in 1975, and although no new studio records were forthcoming, the group regularly performed live in the decades to follow, with the brothers also pursuing individual projects; the Chambers Family Choir, a gospel group including the siblings' children, remained a priority as well. The UK Northern Scene was quick to discover the dance floor magic of these guys as a few tracks from this superb album will testify!

AMM

                                                                        The Taster!

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KEND 504 - Various Artists - Psychedelic Soul - Produced By Norman Whitfield

Here is the first ever compilation dedicated to the distinctive and influential productions of Norman Whitfield. You’ll find all time classics such as Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, the Temptations’ ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ and Rose Royce’s ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’, alongside lesser known soul gems from the 70s. Compiled by Bob Stanley, who also put together the acclaimed, big-selling Thom Bell “Ready Or Not” set POSTED ON THE OLD BLOG , it’s the perfect introduction to Whitfield’s work. Atmospheric, cinematic things like Rare Earth’s ‘Come With Me’ sit alongside floor-fillers such as David Ruffin’s wild ‘Me And Rock & Roll (Are Here To Stay)’.Whitfield started out at Motown and worked up to his instantly recognisable, dark, orchestrated sound. By the turn of the 70s he was the king of ‘psychedelic soul’, a genre that he basically invented, selling millions of records along the way. He was responsible for the Temptations’ second wave of hits, including party classic ‘Psychedelic Shack’. Whitfield concentrated on the Undisputed Truth, a group he put together and kept in his roster when he started his own Whitfield label in 1975. “Psychedelic Soul” is an illuminating cross-selection from Norman Whitfield’s exceptional career.

AMM

                                                              Review Courtesy Of Trinity

                                                                         The Taster!

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Lee McDonald - Sweet Magic (1981)LP Debbie (2012)CD Expanded Favorite Japan - Rare Soul (FLAC)

A Real Holy Grail Of Soul Music in this very rare release from Lee McDonald that yielded no less than 3 Great tracks that graced the floors of the Modern Rooms On the Northern Scene.Initially released on Debbie Records located in Paterson, New Jersey. This was an album everyone was clamouring to own!...It just oozes pure class with every track and still a rare album and so is the CD released 30 years later with an Expanded Edition that i,m reviewing here for those Xtra tracks!..McDonald's birth name, Cleveland Parker, was later changed to Lee McDonald. He later resumed using his birth name and went under that name till his death in 2018. He started singing at the age of 13 in his church choir, school talent shows and on street corners in Norfolk ,Virginia. Always admiring singers such as Smokey Robinson and Four Tops, his main influence was Cuba Gooding, lead singer of the R&B group Main Ingredient. Lee went to New York in 1969 and sang in nightclubs and hotels. He also sang with many local bands. Recording a demo with a group called August Heat when he met Ron Foster who would eventually produce, write and arrange his first Album.  Other titles on the LP include "Sweet Magic," "Slow Down," "Gotta Get Home," "Show Me," "Let's Play Luck," and an instrumental version of "Sweet Magic." With the renewed interest in his Sweet Magic LP, Lee had plans to tour behind this recording, especially in the UK, where it had become extremely popular with soul collectors and dance fans alike but sadly it never happened.

AMM

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Anthony Hamilton - What I'm Feelin' (2016) RCA - Soul (FLAC)

Anthony Hamilton delivers some of the most relatable songs in post-millennial R&B with a voice distinguished by its ruggedness as much as its grace. The singer struggled for the better part of the 1990s as he recorded two albums that went unreleased. He finally achieved his hard-fought commercial breakthrough the next decade with Comin' from Where I'm From (2003), which earned a platinum certification and five Grammy nominations. Hamilton's vocals and no-nonsense manner prompted comparisons to the likes of Bill Withers and Bobby Womack, and it was through a collaboration with another soul legend, Al Green, that he earned his first Grammy win with the duet "You've Got the Love I Need" (2008). While he could have continued to crank out rustic throwback soul, Hamilton expanded his sound in the 2010s and added to his tally of Grammy-nominated Top Ten R&B recordings with Back to Love (2011) and What I'm Feelin' (2016)FEATURED HERE  among his warmest-received releases yet. After roughly a decade-and-a-half with So So Def/Arista and RCA, Hamilton established his own label with Love Is the New Black (2021). The Charlotte, North Carolina native got his start at age ten in his church's choir. As a teenager, he progressed by performing solo at various nightclubs and talent shows. In 1993, while in his early twenties, he moved to New York City, where he signed with André Harrell's Uptown Records, a major source of the new jack swing sound and home to artists such as Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. By 1995, Uptown was set to push Hamilton's debut album, but the company went out of business, leaving the album unreleased. Hamilton moved to Uptown parent label MCA and was finally able to release that debut album, XTC, in 1996. Only one song, "Nobody Else," was released as a single. It peaked at number 63 on Billboard's R&B chart, and the disc quickly disappeared from view. Another transitional period followed. Hamilton joined Soulife, an upstart venture run by some of his old Charlotte friends. While there, he laid down tracks for another solo album and wrote songs for Donell Jones and Sunshine Anderson. In 2000, he accepted an invitation to sing backup vocals on D'Angelo's Voodoo tour and traveled the world. Upon returning home, Hamilton discovered that Soulife had also gone belly up.With a second album unreleased, Hamilton spent the next two years selling songs and singing backup for artists including 2Pac and Eve. Then, in 2002, a lead spot singing on the Nappy Roots track "Po' Folks" gave Hamilton some much-needed attention, as the song was nominated for the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2003 Grammy Awards. A subsequent gig performing at a Grammy luncheon led to a meeting with producer Jermaine Dupri, who signed the singer to his So So Def label. Technically his fourth album, Comin' from Where I'm From bowed for So So Def/Arista in 2003 and featured "Charlene," a classic-sounding Southern soul ballad. Co-written and produced by Mark Batson, it reached number three on the R&B/hip-hop chart. In 2005, some of Hamilton's Soulife recordings were dusted off and polished for release as Soulife, and Ain't Nobody Worryin', a new set, followed later in the year. It was Hamilton's third consecutive Top Ten R&B album. Southern Comfort, released in 2007, was another compilation of previously unreleased recordings. The Point of It All, a proper studio release, was issued near the end of 2008. It was overshadowed by Hamilton's contribution to Al Green's "You've Got the Love I Need," which won a 2009 Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance that is, until the following Grammy ceremony, when the set received a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Album, with two of its songs also nominated in separate categories. Back to Love, which featured three songs co-written with Babyface, followed in 2011 and went Top Ten R&B as well. Home for the Holidays stuffed stockings in 2014, but Hamilton didn't release another proper studio album for several years. He did add to his already considerable quantity of high-profile collaborations with guest appearances on tracks by Big K.R.I.T., Nas, and Rick Ross. Additionally, he partnered with Marsha Ambrosius for a Grammy-nominated version of Stevie Wonder's "As," recorded for the soundtrack of The Best Man Holiday, and also contributed to the Django Unchained soundtrack.Hamilton ended his major-label affiliation in 2016 with What I'm Feelin', a full-length that reunited him with Mark Batson and became his sixth straight Top Ten R&B/hip-hop album, entering at number two, his highest placement on the chart. A subsequent collaboration with Shirley Caesar on "It's Alright, It's OK" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Gospel Performance/Song. At the following ceremony in 2018, "What I'm Feelin'" itself was up for Best Traditional R&B Performance. The diverse likes of Gorillaz, Boosie Badazz, E-40, and Amanda Black all released Hamilton-assisted songs by the end the decade. Hamilton entered the 2020s as an independent artist. The 2020 single "Mercy," featuring Tamika Mallory, launched his My Music Box label. That song was among the selections on the 2021 full-length Love Is the New Black. Ive gone in depth on Anthonys career as i think he will be a megastar with so much talent under his belt.i have everything he,s done so more to come from him...he deserves to hit the big time IMHO.Great to see guys like Anthony & Willie Clayton still flying the flag for REAL Southern Soul!

AMM

                                                                        The Taster!

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Various Artists - All Turned On! • Motown Instrumentals 1960-1972 - Ace - Rare Soul Instrumentals (FLAC)+ Booklet

A stellar cast of musicians take the spotlight on this collection of soul, jazz, funk and other groovy Motown instrumentals which features six cuts otherwise available only as digital downloads and five masters previously unissued in any format. Compiled by the guys behind Ace,s popular “Motown Girls” and “Motown Guys” series,BOTH POSTED HERE IN THE PAST the CD opens with three certified crowd-pleasers: the San Remo Golden Strings’ ‘Festival Time’, a Northern Soul favourite that reached the UK charts in 1971, five years after its original release in the USA; a version of the Supremes’ ‘Come See About Me’ by Choker Campbell’s Big Band; and ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)’ by Earl Van Dyke & the Soul Brothers, an outfit known behind the scenes as the Funk Brothers. The five previously unissued tracks are Choker Campbell’s brassy stomper ‘The Break Down’; Earl Van Dyke’s organ, vibes and guitar-led ‘L.B.J.’; the jazzy ‘Defunk Brothers’ by saxophonist Frank Morelli; ‘Little Mack’s Shuffle’ by the Morrocco Muzik Makers featuring tasty work from guitarist Harold Williams; and ‘Great Google Mook’, a terrific honker ‘n’ twanger by the Mysterions. Other highlights include trumpeter Jonah Jones’ funky and almost unrecognisable treatment of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright)’; a great version of Hugh Masekela’s ‘Grazing In The Grass’ by Stevie himself under his Eivets Rednow alias; ‘Ich-I-Bon #1’ by Nick & the Jaguars, a hard-driving rocker from 1960; ‘Double 0 And A Half’ by the Agents, a band that included members of Jr Walker’s All Stars; and ‘Good Rockin’’ by Jr Walker & the All Stars themselves. As usual the package includes notes and track annotations by Hitsville historian Keith Hughes and photos of many of the featured artists.

AMM

                                                         Review Courtesy Of Oldsoulrebel

                                                                        The Taster!

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SUNDAY DOCUMENTARY - MAVIS! (2015)

Although she has never quite achieved the reputation and visibility in the UK that she has in the US, Mavis Staples is a figure whose force of personality, not to mention her talent as a singer  can grab anyone's attention. Jessica Edwards' meandering yet joyful documentary provides a great introduction for newcomers but has lots to offer for fans. It's built from a combination of archive materials and interviews; Edwards has assembled an impressive number of contributors for the latter. As well as talking about Mavis herself (who is also present, and irrepressible), they talk about her family, about musical development across the many decades during which she has performed, and about the political movements that influenced her work and gradually drew her in as a campaigner. There's footage of the young Bob Dylan, who performed alongside her and went on to woo her, though she confesses she was too naive to understand the seriousness of his intent. Through these stories, a portrait emerges not just of a remarkable woman but of the times through which she has lived.What makes this so affecting is its personal character. Mavis' deep love for her father and her feeling that, musically, she owes Her whole career to him, comes through clearly. This makes for some tearful moments but the general atmosphere is one of relentless positivity drawn from Mavis' joy in expressing herself onstage, something it seems likely she would be doing even if she didn't have such a powerful voice. Coming from a strongly religious background, she's modestly dressed much of the time, which highlights the fact that her charisma doesn't depend on her sexuality. Unlike most women who rose to prominence in the Sixties, she was never promoted on the basis of her looks, and it's latterly that she has started dressing more glamorously, with sequinned dresses emphasising her confidence and fierceness in her Seventies. Edwards captures a lot of laughter and Mavis' sense of fun is infectious.There's also a lot of music in this film, including several numbers from different periods in Mavis' career played all the way through, enjoyable in their own right and interesting as illustrations of her creative development. They include material written for her by Prince, someone she must never have expected to outlive, and she's clearly amazed that he even knew who she was. This helps to illustrate her importance to American music and culture, especially in regard to the protest music that was her contribution to the civil rights struggle. Edwards doesn't always succeed in making these various threads cohere but she has nevertheless produced a rich and entertaining film. SADLY BECAUSE THESE SUNDAY DOCU,S GET BETWEEN 40-90 DOWNLOADS ON AVERAGE ,WITH A FRACTION OF THAT NUMBER BOTHERING TO COMMENT ?.....SO ITS BACK TO DROPPING A COMMENT IN THE BOX IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THIS. WHAT IS UP WITH SOME OF YOU GUYS ? ..I DO THE WORK AND YOU CANT BE ARSED TO SAY A THING?...I REALLY GIVE UP AND MAY STOP POSTING THESE.  THE LINK WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FOR 7 DAYS FROM TODAY.

AMM

 

The Perceptions • Introducing the Perceptions(2008) Freestyle - Soul/Funk/Jazz/Latin

 Great Band featuring the Legendary Snowboy (Mark Cotgrove)from London. You can read all about him HERE

                                                          Review Courtesy Of Bill Aers

                                                                         The Taster! 

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Narada Michael Walden - The Dance Of Life (1979) Atlantic - Soul/Jazz/Funk (FLAC)

Drummer/songwriter/producer/vocalist Narada Michael Walden's career spans over three decades and is threaded with gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards. He's produced and/or (co) written number one hits by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey ("Vision of Love"), Aretha Franklin ("Freeway of Love"), and Lisa Fischer ("How Can I Ease the Pain"). His proficient drumming skills have made him a first-call session musician playing on countless recording sessions.Walden has played on all kind of sessions from rock, jazz, pop, R&B, to fusion, sharing the recording and concert stage with the likes of John McLaughlin, the Mahavishnu Orchestra (a 21-year-old Narada replaced drumming legend Billy Cobham), and Jeff Beck (his Wired album) to name a small few. Walden's eclecticism is threaded throughout his recordings in varying degrees. In the '80s, he became a Grammy-winning mega-producer: Producer of the Year in 1987, Album of the Year for the 1993 movie soundtrack The Bodyguard (Narada Michael Walden, producer), and the Song of the Year award in 1985 for writing Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love." The song helped the Queen of Soul land her first platinum album. Walden was named one of the Top Ten Producers With the Most Number One Hits by Billboard magazine. Narada produced the Temptations' "Stay," the group's first number one record in 25 years from their platinum-plus Grammy-nominated Phoenix Rising. He also produced tracks for their follow-up album, Ear-Resistable issued by Motown/Universal on May 16, 2000. Born April 23, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michegan,Walden was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy. After college graduation, he trekked to Miami, FL, playing in various rock bands. Signing with Atlantic Records, his debut album, Garden of Love Light, included the mid-tempo "Delightful," which charted at 81 R&B in spring 1977. His next LP, I Cry I Smile, boasted the sweet "So Long" and the radio-aired LP tracks the languid "I Need Your Love," the delicious "I Remember," and the charming "Better Man." Even though these top-notch tracks received airplay in Chicago and other markets, other than "Better Man," none were released as singles. Instead, the label picked "Soulbird" and "Manago Bop," which worked well as album tracks, but not singles. The Awakening proved to be his breakthrough album, going to number 15 R&B in spring 1979 on the strength of the brassy "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)." Awakening radio-aired LP tracks were the airy "Listen to Me" and the jubilant album opener "Love Me Only" (also arranged by Patrick Adams). Awakening also featured top session bassist Keni Burke, formerly of the Five Stairsteps and best known for his own "Risin' to the Top." His second highest charting single, "I Shoulda Loved Ya," hit number four R&B in late 1979. It was on his "The Dance of Life" FEATURED HERE (number nine R&B, late 1979), which included the gentle ballad "Why Did You Turn Me On." "You're #1" and "Summer Lady" were both on his Confidence LP from summer 1982. Walden's cover of the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Reach Out," a huge dance hit, was listed on Looking at You, Looking at Me, which charted in spring 1983. Switching to Warner Bros., his duet with Patti Austin, the Motown-ish pop confection, "Gimme Gimme Gimme," issued as Narada Michael Walden with Patti Austin, went to number 39 R&B in early 1985 and was listed on his The Nature of Things album. His single "Divine Emotions" on the Warner Bros. imprint Reprise Records appeared in the Michael J. Fox movie Bright Lights, Big City. The Divine Emotion LP included the charting mellow single "Wild Thing" and the smooth, chugging, radio-aired LP track "That's the Way That I Feel About Cha." His 1995 Toshiba/EMI album was titled Sending Love to Everyone.
In late 1985, Walden opened Tarpan Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio located near San Francisco. Walden's work appears on releases by Stacy Lattisaw ("Let Be Your Angel") ,Al Green (Your Heart's in Good Hands), Shanice Wilson ("I Love Your Smile," "I Hate to Be Lonely"), Ray Charles, Diana Ross, George Michael, Wild Orchid, Tevin Campbell, Angela Bofill, Diana Ross, MyTown, Steve Winwood, Phaze II, Regina Belle-Passion ("Baby Come to Me"), Andy Vargas, Debelah Morgan, Jai, Jermaine Stewart ("We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off"), Natalie Cole ("Good to Be Back), Clarence Clemons, Puff Johnson, Eddie Murphy ("Put Your Mouth on Me"), and Carl Carlton ("The Bad CC"), among many many others. Other Narada Michael Walden-related releases are Stacy Lattisaw and Johnny Gill (Perfect Combination), Lisa Fischer (So Intense), and the movie soundtracks to Beverly Hills Cop II, Perfect, Waiting to Exhale, License to Kill, The Bodyguard, Jason's Lyric, 9 1/2 Weeks, Crooklyn, Free Willy, and The Associate. This is one of the best soul/dance albums ever made IMHO.More to come from this LEGEND as i have everything he,s done.2 Tasters to highlight the mans,s genius!

AMM

                                                                         The Taster!

 

                                                        Line Up & Tracks Below (FLAC)

Lead Vocals, Drums, Piano, Percussion – Narada Michael Walden
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Marc Russo
Backing Vocals – Carla Vaughn, Jim Gilstrap, Nuhad Saba Martin, Vicki Randle
Bass – T.M. Stevens
Guitar – Corrado Rustici
Horns – The "See America Horns"
Keyboards,Electric Piano,Synthesizers – Frank Martin
Trombone – Danny Noe
Trumpet – Dave Grover
Producers – Bob Clearmountain, Narada Michael Walden

Various Artists - Keb Darge & Paul Weller Present Lost & Found (Real R'n'B & Soul) (2009) BBE Promo

On this album we see Keb Darge team up with Pop legend Paul Weller (a huge fan of Soul Music) for a selection of their fave tracks. Great album split between Northern & R&B Classics.

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THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH GUYS!

Well after a longer absence than i planned, i,m just about there after an horrendous bout of Flu. I would like to personally thank you all for your well wishes and very kind comments,greatly appreciated from a wonderful bunch of guys!.

Dancin Cat - Vol. 162 - Wigan Casino The Early Years Volume 1 - Rare Soul

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Dancin Cat - Vol. 163 - The Northern Soul Collective 19 - Rare Soul

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Dancin Cat - Vol. 164 - The Crossover Connection 13 - Rare Soul

 

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THOUGHT I HAD THIS THING LICKED !?

Sneaky bastard fooled me good!...looks like relapse time guys as i,m back in bed and still feeling worse than ever..this is one mean bitch to get rid of!?...so i,ll catch you all when i begin to feel some sort of normal. Thx for all your kind wishes but we,ll draw a line under this now.....Laters ?

Various Artists - The Kings of Funk (2005) BBE/Rapster (FLAC)+ Booklet

This sees Keb Darge teaming up with Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, Jr. (RZA) choosing some real tasty joints of Funk!

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                                                                 Tracks Below (FLAC)

Various Artists - Rolling With The Punches - The Allen Toussaint Songbook (2012) Ace (FLAC) Soul/Pop + Booklet

In a career that’s reached its seventh decade before his passing, this quietly spoken, modest son of New Orleans has written some of the greatest hits ever to grace the Great American Songbook. And on his own, too – there can be very few black American composers who have written so many successful songs without the aid of a collaborator. Between 1960 and 1980, barely a week went by without his compositions appearing on the R&B or Hot 100 charts. Some were subsequently revived, in multiple versions, and often with renewed success. Most of them are the kind of popular music standards of which any songwriter would be proud. "Rolling With The Punches” is a compilation that celebrates Allen’s glittering career in a rounded and highly appropriate manner. Other anthologies of his work as a songwriter have tended to be built around the numbers he wrote during the first 10 years of his career .So Ace couldn’t omit titles such as ‘Ride Your Pony’, ‘Fortune Teller’ and ‘Working In The Coal Mine’ here. However, rather than massively duplicate what those other collections have to offer, this one focuses primarily on the later songs Allen penned in a period when he was looking beyond the constraints of the 3-minute single and moving his writing in new directions. Many of the tracks featured here are sung by some of Allen’s biggest musical admirers. Robert Palmer, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat’s Lowell George all recorded multiple of his songs, so we were often spoiled for choice as to whose versions of which songs to include. Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey or Ernie K-Doe, all of whom have career-long associations with Allen. No tribute to him could be complete without at least one contribution from each The compilation features pristine examples of Allen’s work as a vocalist (‘Soul Sister’) and instrumentalist (the Rhine Oaks’ ‘Tampin’’). More than anything, these show that Allen Toussaint should have been as big a star as those whose careers he helped as a writer, arranger and/or producer, had he not been content to remain behind the scenes. It’s always nice to get the approval of someone whose work is anthologised. When Ace sent the proposed track listing for this compilation to Allen, his reply read as follows: “Absolutely wonderful choices. I’m looking forward to hearing this myself! Thank you very much.” Of course, it’s we who should be thanking him..A True legend sadly missed

AMM

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Kenny Lynch - The Very Best of (1987) Marginal 001 - Rare Pop/Soul

Kenneth Lynch, OBE (Born 1938 – Passed 2019) was an English singer, songwriter, entertainer and actor. He appeared in many variety shows in the 1960s. At the time, he was among the few black singers in British pop music. He was appointed an OBE in the 1970 New Year Honours list. Lynch grew up in Stepney, East London, as one of 13 children; his sister Gladys (stage name Maxine Daniels) was a jazz singer of some note. His father was born in Barbados and his mother was mixed-raced British and Jamaican. After leaving school at 15 and working various jobs, he did national service in the Royal Army Service Corps and was the regimental featherweight boxing champion. He was always on the TV over here in the UK in the 1960,s.This CD contains most of his recorded material and ive added some bonus tracks which were hits on the Northern SoulScene.

AMM

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                                                                    Tracks & Bonus Tracks Below

26 Bonus - It's Too Late
27 Bonus - Movin Away
28 Bonus - My Own Two Feet

Still Not Feeling So Great....But Easing back Into Blogosphere!

Well i,m just starting to recover from the Flu which has knocked my wife and i completely off our feet!...Nasty bloody thing,but very bored watching the drivel that passes itself of as TV entertainment ?

Lee Dorsey - Night People (1978) ABC - Rare Soul - Still Vinyl only !

 If anybody on here has not heard of this legend by now what galaxy have you been living on ?..Amazingly only recorded 5 albums with nearly 80 45,s and EP,s. This was his last studio album with all songs written by Allen Toussaint and recorded in Allens studio. "Night People" is the last hurrah of a man who had an amazing recording career. At this stage of the game, Lee Dorsey was touring with The Clash while never losing touch with what made his such a likable and listenable recording artist. Lee Dorsey: forever the working class hero for the soul lover. There's an 8-year gap between "Night People" and its predecessor "Yes We Can", and the musical landscape for soul music had changed dramatically over that time-span. Night People doesn't sell itself out to the disco and sunday pop that was killing soul music at the time, but it does make steps to stay musically relevant in its time. Producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint throws down a kind of funky Al Green vibe for the album. It's not exactly the laid back New Orleans funk 'n groove that Lee Dorsey masters, but it's still a sound he can be in control of. The effervescent approach of Lee Dorsey perfectly encapsulates the infectious charm of early-'60s New Orleans R&B. Dorsey specialized in good humored music with a touch of second line funk thrown in to make it all the more irresistible. Although he had already waxed a couple of singles, he caught the country by surprise in 1961 with his deceptively simply nursery-rhyme-style "Ya Ya" on Bobby Robinson's Fury label. Arranged by prolific New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint, the track became an R&B chart-topper and a major pop hit to boot. Dorsey's laconic vocal charms served him well on "Ya Ya" and the Earl King penned follow-up "Do Re Mi," and the mid-'60s found him working with Toussaint on the funky smashes "Ride Your Pony" and "Working in a Coal Mine," this time for Amy Records. It's little remembered that Dorsey was responsible for the original 1970 version of Toussaint's "Yes We Can," revived to much greater acclaim by the Pointer Sisters (who tacked on an extra "Can"). From all accounts, Dorsey remained an exceedingly humble R&B star who preferred tinkering with cars to extensively touring the country. Dorsey was born in New Orleans on December 24, 1924 (although some sources list 1926), and moved to Portland, Oregon, at age ten. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Dorsey returned to Portland and became a successful light heavyweight boxer, fighting under the name "Kid Chocolate." He retired from boxing in 1955 and returned to his birthplace, where he eventually opened a successful auto body shop. He pursued a singing career by night, and wound up recording singles for several different labels, most of which made little noise (although "Lottie Mo" sold respectably). In 1961, he signed with Bobby Robinson's Fury label, where he entered the studio with producer Allen Toussaint for the first time. Dorsey's nonsense ditty "Ya Ya" -- reportedly inspired by a children's rhyme became his first national hit that year, reaching the pop Top Ten and hitting number one on the R&B charts. Despite its popularity, following it up turned out to be difficult, and with a large family to support,Dorsey returned to his auto repair business after a few more singles flopped. Still, Allen Toussaint loved Dorsey's voice, and kept him in mind for future sessions.Toussaint's hunch paid off in 1965 when, signed to the Amy label, Dorsey turned "Ride Your Pony" into a Top Ten R&B hit. The accompanying album of the same name sold respectably as well, and Dorsey began cutting a multitude of Toussaint compositions, often with the legendary New Orleans funk ensemble the Meters as his studio backing band. The New Lee Dorsey was released later in 1966, and supplied Dorsey's best-known song, the irresistible "Working in a Coalmine" (which he co-wrote with Toussaint). With its clanking sound effects and Dorsey's comic exclamations, "Working in a Coalmine" became his second Top Ten pop hit and signature song, and Dorsey toured internationally with the Meters backing him up. A few follow-ups, particularly "Holy Cow" and "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)," met with some success, but Dorsey was once again hard pressed to duplicate his big hit, and once again left music for the practical concern of running his business. 1970's Yes We Can (on Polydor) was his last album for some time, with the title track becoming his last chart single. On the "Night People" album ,(FEATURED HERE) After guesting on the Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes cut "How Come You Treat Me So Bad?," Dorsey attempted a comeback in 1977 with the ABC album Night People, which wasn't a commercial success despite mostly positive reviews. Still, it was enough to land him supporting slots on tours by the likes of James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even the Clash, whose 1980 tour was his last major concert jaunt. In the meantime, other artists mined his back catalog for covers: "Working in a Coalmine" was redone by robotic new wavers Devo and country duo the Judds; "Ya Ya" by Ike & Tina Turner, John Lennon, and Buckwheat Zydeco; "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)" by jazzman Lou Donaldson; and "Yes We Can" by the Pointer Sisters (under the new title "Yes We Can Can"). Dorsey continued to perform sporadically, as opportunities presented themselves, until he contracted emphysema; he died in New Orleans on December 1, 1986.

AMM

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                                                                       Tracks Below

The Sunday Documentary - The Allen Toussaint Quartet - Baloise Session (2015)

One of the last Performances of the New Orleans Legend, recorded in 2015 in Basel, Switzerland....Link below poster good for 7 days only.

                                                            https://we.tl/t-cxhtigW4ss

Various Artists - Royal Memphis Soul - Hi Book 11 Box Set 4 x CD,s (FLAC)+ 42 Page Booklet

Royal Memphis Soul is a superb, 95-track box set that collects all the highlights, both well-known and obscure, from the Hi Records vaults. Hi was one of the handful of great soul labels of the early '70s, featuring such artists as Al Green, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson and Otis Clay. Green's popularity and reputation has tended to overshadow the other artists, who were all capable of delivering material of equal power, as this set demonstrates. In addition to all the hits, there's a number of neglected gems that hardcore soul fans will treasure. Certainly, the mammoth size of this box set means that it appeals primarily to special interests, but those collectors will find this to be an invaluable addition to their collection. Exclusive in Flac !..you may have to zoom in to read this fabulous booklet.One of the greatest Soul Box Sets ever released and it will save you a lot of money!

                                                                        CD1 Taster!

                                                                         CD2 Taster!

                                                                         CD3 Taster!

                                                                         CD4 Taster!

                                                               Tracks Below (FLAC) 

CD 1
1-01    Bad & Good Boys – We Got Soul
1-02    Don Bryant – I Like It Like That
1-03    Willie Mitchell With Don Bryant – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
1-04    Janet & The Jays – Without A Reason
1-05    Don Bryant – The Lonely Soldier
1-06    1+1 – I Will Be True
1-07    Norm West –    Hey Little Girl
1-08    Don Bryant – The Call Of Distress
1-09    George Jackson – I'm Gonna Wait
1-10    Don Bryant – Is That Asking Too Much
1-11    Don Bryant – There Is Something On Your Mind (Part 1)
1-12    James Fry –    Tumblin' Down
1-13    Don Bryant – I'll Go Crazy
1-14    Ann Peebles – Walk Away
1-15    Don Bryant – You Cause Me To Wonder
1-16    Lyndon – The Very First Time
1-17    Lyndon – Love Map
1-18    Al Green – You Say It
1-19    Ann Peebles – Part Time Love
1-20    Ann Peebles – I Still Love You
1-21    Al Green – I Can't Get Next To You
1-22    David Duke – Is It Over?
1-23    Ann Peebles – I Pity The Fool
1-24    Eddi McGee – What Made You Change?
1-25    Eric Tigg –    Treat Her Right
1-26    Al Green – Tired Of Being Alone
1-27    Ebony Web –    This Morning

CD 2
2-01    Ann Peebles – 99 Lbs
2-02    Syl Johnson – The Love You Left Behind
2-03    Al Green – Let's Stay Together
2-04    Veniece – Stepchild
2-05    Al Green – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?
2-06    Ann Peebles – I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home
2-07    Al Green – Look What You Done To Me
2-08    George Jackson – Aretha, Sing One For Me
2-09    T-99 – Sweetness Ain't Sweet No More
2-10    Al Green – I'm Still In Love With You
2-11    Philip Mitchell –    Little Things
2-12    Quiet Elegance – I'm Afraid Of Losing You
2-13    Bobo Mr.Soul – She's My Woman
2-14    Otis Clay – Trying To Live My LIfe Without You
2-15    Al Green – You Ought To Be With Me
2-16    Joint Venture – When The Battle Is Over
2-17    Ann Peebles – I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
2-18    Al Green – Call Me (Come Back Home)
2-19    Otis Clay – I Can't Make It Alone
2-20    Philip Mitchell –    The Same Folks That Put You There
2-21    Darryl Carter – Looking Straight Ahead
2-22    Quiet Elegance – You've Got My Mind Messed Up
2-23    Otis Clay – I Love You, I Need You
2-24    Ann Peebles – I Can't Stand The Rain

CD 3
3-01    Syl Johnson – Back For A Taste Of Your Love
3-02    Otis Clay – If I Could Reach Out
3-03    Erma Coffee – You Made Me What I Am
3-04    Otis Clay –    I Die A Little Each Day
3-05    Erma Coffee – Anyway The Wind Blows
3-06    Al Green – Livin' For You
3-07    Philip Mitchell – Turning Over The Ground
3-08    Al Green – Livin' For You
3-09    Quiet Elegance – Will You Be My Man In The Morning?
3-10    The Masqueraders – Wake Up Fool
3-11    Syl Johnson – Please Don't Give Up On Me
3-12    Otis Clay – It Was Jealousy
3-13    Al Green – Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)
3-14    Veniece – Evry Now And Then
3-15    Known Facts – He's Got It
3-16    Al Green – L-O-V-E (Love)
3-17    Known Facts – How Can I Believe You
3-18    Ann Peebles – Beware
3-19    Syl Johnson – Take Me To The River
3-20    Willie Clayton – I Must Be Losing You
3-21    Gene Anderson – You Love Must Be Voodoo (Part 1)
3-22    Willie Clayton – It's Time You Made Up Your Mind
3-23    Jimmy Mack – Be Good To The One (That's Good To You)
3-24    Ann Peebles – Come To Mama
3-25    Willie Walker – I Love Her

CD 4
4-01    Jean Plum –    Back To You
4-02    Al Green – Full Of Fire
4-03    Jean Plum – Today I Sing The Blues
4-04    Syl Johnson – It Ain't Easy
4-05    Ann Peebles – I Needed Somebody
4-06    Quiet Elegance – After You
4-07    Jean Plum -    I Love Him
4-08    O.V. Wright – Without You
4-09    Jean Plum –    Loneliness
4-10    Quiet Elegance – Roots Of Love
4-11    Otis Clay –    I Can't Take It
4-12    Quiet Elegance – How's Your Love Life Baby?
4-13    Bobby McClure – I Ain't Gonna Turn You Loose
4-14    Al Green – Belle
4-15    Willie Walker – Reaching For The Real Thing
4-16    O.V. Wright – Your Good Thing Is About To End
4-17    O.V. Wright – I Don't Know Why
4-18    O.V. Wright – Sacrifice
4-19    O.V. Wright – Eight Men, Four Women (Live)