Instead of a Documentary this week its a movie all about these legends.
Review Courtesy Of Hakase & Thank you! Good For 7 Days Only
FOR FANS OF SOUL, 60,s MOD,JAZZ, JAZZ FUSION,REGGAE AND BLUES MUSIC.....ONLY THE BEST QUALITY OF REVIEWS AVAILABLE! NOW A SUBSCRIBED BLOG AND REVIEWED FOR THE LOVE OF THE MUSIC - NO LINKS AVAILABLE ON THIS BLOG AND NO SHARING REVIEWS WHAT SO EVER PLEASE WITHOUT CONSENT..OR YOUR GONE.....HAVE RESPECT AND ENJOY YOUR VISITS ENQUIRIES OR REQUESTS TO allmusicman2@protonmail.com OR BACK UP EMAIL allmusicman22@yahoo.com
Sunday, April 30, 2023
The Sunday Review - The Temptations (1998) 2 Hours 54 Minutes
Masato Honda - Solid State Funk (2009) + Booklet - Sony - Japanese Jazz/Funk/Fusion (FLAC)
This was Masato,s eleventh studio album with another star studded line up of Japanese and american musicians. All tracks composed by Masato,Fabulous stuff!
AMM
The Tasters!
Line Up
Line Up
All Saxophones – Masato Honda
Piano, Keyboards – Bob James, Keiji Matsumoto
Bass – Gregg Lee, Tetsuo Sakurai
Drums – Hideo Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Noritake
Guitar – Jun Kajiwara, Yuji Toriyama
Piano – Satoru Shionoya
Masato Honda - SAXES STREET (2015) GRP - Japanese Jazz/Funk/Fusion (FLAC)
With 12 studio albums under his belt,this very gifted horn man who was once in super group T-Square gives us a great album with an all star line up of gifted & legendary japanese musicians. Most of his solo albums are going for big bucks these days if you can locate them. This was his last recorded solo album on Dave Grusins GRP label. As usual all tracks composed by Masato.
AMM
The Tasters!
Line Up
Masato Honda - Saxophones Alto & Soprano,Trumpet,Flute
Trombone,Flugelhorn,Programming Of Synth, overall Arranger
Eric Miyashiro - Trumpet
Keiji Matsumoto - Keyboards,Organ,Piano
Satoru Shionoya - Piano
Jun Kajiwara - Electric Guitar,Acoustic Guitar
Yuya Komoguchi - Electric Guitar,Acoustic Guitar,Electric Guitar
Mitsuru Sutoh - Electric Bass
Yosuke Inoue - Acoustic Bass
Teppei Kawasaki - Electric Bass
Hiroyuki Noritake, Hideo Yamaki - Drums
Electric Guitar,Soloist – Yuji Toriyama
All compositions by Masato Honda
Recorded at NK Sound Tokyo,Shinjuku-ku Tokyo,Japan
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Various Artists - Campark Records - Volume 13 The British Invasion (2005) - Rare Northern/Mod/Pop (MP3)
Bit of a rush today as our TV set conked out and had to go out an find a relacement ...Although this penultimate album in the series is mainly pop oriented there are a few tracks that will appeal to the soul/dance fans among you. I thought i might as well finish the series in full for the collectors on the blog.
AMM
The Tasters!
Friday, April 28, 2023
Various Artists - Contempo - The U.K. Singles Volume 1 - Rare Soul/Mod (MP3)
The start of a great 10 volume series concentrating on the old UK Contempo label. British soul, funk and disco+Mod tracks were issued by label owner john Abbey who was also the founder of Blues and Soul magazine. In 1970, Abbey opened a record shop called Contempo Records, located upstairs at 42 Hanway Street, London, W.1. that specialized in U.S. imports. In January 1973, he began licensing and releasing records via the label also based at the same premises. One of his first projects was recording oscar Toney Jnr in a cover of Bread's "Everything I Own," which was released in the US on Atco in 1974. In late 1975, John Abbey signed a US distribution agreement with Scepter records, this lasted until Scepter's sale in 1976 after which Contempo was distributed in the US by henry stones T K Productions. The label continued releasing product until mid-1978, with the record shop lasting around a year longer. They also had a sister label that issued the more rarer records called Contempo-Raries. I reviewed these 4 volumes back on the old blog.
AMM
Entire Series Reviewed Courtesy Of UK Soul Brothers
The Tasters!
Thursday, April 27, 2023
William Bell - One Day Closer To Home (2023) Wilbe - Soul (FLAC)
Five seconds into the opening track of veteran soul man William Bell’s 15th & latest studio album, he shouts, “Oh yeah!” That excited exclamation sums up his excited approach to creating timeless music, even at the age of 83, incredible!..... The Memphis born, Atlanta Based singer/songwriter’s new release, back on his own Wilbe label, is his first since the critically acclaimed "This is Where I Live" in 2016 (and reviewed next!) That was on the revived Stax label, the initial home for Bell’s early ’60s classics, “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” and “Private Number,” & "Happy" among many others. But don’t think because this is on Bell’s tiny indie label it’s not as professionally crafted as any major label recording. He has always hired top notch musicians, typically uses a horn section, and produces a dozen originals (he penned or co-wrote all but one) with a smooth, yet not overly slick shine. Bell knows his groove is in mid tempo, sultry bluesy music, and he generally sticks to that. His voice shows little sign of the deterioration found in many singers his age, although a slight rasp adds authenticity to these intimate found love/lost stories. When he sings "I’m longing for that human touch, let’s make loving great again, or everybody goes to heaven, but nobody wants to die", he obviously believes every word. Anyone who thinks his best songwriting days are in the past just needs to spin the heartbreaking “In a Moment of Weakness,” a love song to someone who rescues the subject (maybe William ?) during the time, singing "without you I would surely die", with a low boil intensity that sends chills up your back. He gets funky on the title track, stripping down to a tough, swampy, blues attack. It’s a refreshing change from the sweeter ballads that dominate the set and makes a pattern for a full album texuding sweet soul. The same for the rocking “Georgia Peach” that closes the collection with a thumping edge. The album is filled with charmingly crafted gems that sound as pertinent and heartfelt today as in William,s prime. Far from retiring and fading gracefully into his final years, on this new album William Bell seems like he’s just getting warmed up. What a talented legend William is...SUPERB!
AMM
The Tasters!
William Bell - This Is Where I Live (2016) Stax - Soul/Blues (FLAC)
Yes its William bell again!...can anyone really get enough of one of the few human beings born that puts the S into soul as much as he does ? Sadly many of our heroes are passed but billy boy keeps chugging along (Thank God)....William Bell wrote "Born Under a Bad Sign," "You Don't Miss Your Water," and "I Forgot to Be Your Lover," among many other R&B classics, and anyone with those tunes on their CV has nothing to prove to anyone. But no artist wants to be regarded as a spent force, no matter how impressive their past body of work may be. While William has stayed in the game since his glory days in the '60s and '70s, like many giants of the soul era, his recordings of the '90s and onward often suffered from poor production and a lack of sympathetic, worthwhile collaborators. But unlike many of his peers, William has been lucky enough to get a second chance at making a great record, and the revived Stax label teamed Bell with songwriter and producer John Leventhal. Working with Leventhal has brought out the best in Bell, and 2016's "This Is Where I Live" is his strongest and most powerful work since the late '70s. (Apart from the above just Reviewed) Bell's voice is in marvelous condition here, with the faint signs of age only adding to the subtle authority of his delivery. And in Leventhal, Bell has found a writing partner who has coaxed some excellent songs from him. The new songs on This Is Where I Live deal with the home truths of life and love that are the bedrock of Southern Soul. "The Three of Me," "The House Always Wins," and the title song are thoughtful and literate while also sounding warm and down to earth, and the maturity of William,s outlook speaks of wisdom rather than wear. He also finds a few new wrinkles in his re-recording of "Born Under a Bad Sign," and his interpretation of Jesse Winchester's "All Your Stories" is splendid to say the least. The studio musicians have given these songs backdrops that evoke the mood of vintage soul without stumbling into cliches, and practically every aspect of this album flatters him and his talents. It's tempting to call This Is Where I Live a comeback, but the truth is William Bell never went away. What the album does prove is that Bell's talent is as strong as ever, and that he's been given a chance to let it shine. Give a carpenter a small amount of materials and he'll build a shed. Give that builder the proper supplies and he can construct a house. Give William Bell what he needs and he'll give you a mansion, and that's just what he's delivered with "This Is Where I Live". I just cant get enough of the man, FANTASTIC!
AMM
The Tasters!
Jasmine 0218 - Various Artists - Motor City Roots - A Family Affair 2 X CD (2013) - Rare R&B/Soul (FLAC)
A Family Affair' Follows on from the previous review of Barrett Strong and the roots of detroit soul. In this
volume we focus on the labels owned by Berry Gordy's sister, Gwen, and
as you would expect this is once again a feast of early 60s soul! Features the first recordings from the soon to be famous
Motown stars, The Spinners, Junior Walker, Lamont Dozier, David Ruffin
and Johnny Bristol. Hear history in the making as the roots of Motown take shape with many recordings on CD for the first time. Essential for Detroit lovers!
AMM/OSR
Oldsoulrebel
The Tasters!
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Jasmine 1121 - Various Artists - Barrett Strong and the Roots of Detroit Soul (2023) - Rare R&B/Soul (FLAC)
The latest volume in Jasmine's intense reissue programme of early Detroit Soul, this unique compilation is built around the seven singles which Barrett recorded for Tamla and Atco, between 1959 and 1962 both sides. Barrett was one of Tamla's earliest hitmakers, famously recording the original version of 'Money', the crossover R&B/Pop classic which would later be revived by Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, among many more. Also featured are six other Tamla/Motown/Miracle label artists Chico Leverett (who was also a member of The Satintones), Herman Griffin, Singin'Sammy Ward (who charted briefly with 'Who's The Fool'), Herman Lumpkin, Gino Parks and Andre Williams (who went on to become an important producer), each of whom cut only a few sides for Berry Gordy's labels.
AMM
Review Courtesy Of USman47 & Thank You!
The Tasters!
Various Artists - Lovelite Records - The Singles Collection (2023) - Rare Soul (MP3)
Here is a great label well known to Soul collectors and northern fans alike. with many classy releases. The label formed in the 1970,s was the brain child of Clarence Johnson a one time member of The Chi-Lites who went onto become a legendary composer and producer of many soul groups over the years.
AMM
Review Courtesy of ELtel & OSR & Thank You!
The Tasters!
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Dancin' Cat Volume 195 - Northern Soul Roots Volume 1 - Rare Soul (MP3)
I,ve been stuck for time today guys, had to go out this morning and have to shoot out again this afternoon so only the one review today. These cats take a lot of time and work you have no idea what a mess they were in, catch you all tomorrow with hopefully a bit more time to spare for the blog.
AMM
The Tasters!
Monday, April 24, 2023
Various Artists - Carm,s R&B Groovers Vol 1 (1982) - Rare Northern Soul/R&B (FLAC)
Nearly 40 years ago i was a member of an audio sharing group on yahoo run by a then well known DJ called Carmen McCullough. We used to send in our mp3,s on a rota to share among the members, about 50 of us i think. She used to post out the CD,s and i again stumbled over a few i still had a few months ago. There is a member on this blog who was also on that forum but sadly we have both lost touch with carmen over the years, last time i saw her was at another great guys funeral about 20 years ago who we both know very well. Somehow myself and kansas joe got talking about that forum and he thought he had the reast of the CD,s but unfortunately they didnt play. So i thought you guys might be interested in what i was listening to way back then, so i have ripped the first one and we,ll see how it goes. i have 5 more in the the pipeline. Most were played out on the NNS and we even organised a few Dayers to meet up and have a drink and dance....happy days! All these records were ripped from the original 45,s and originally converted to mp3 so accept or not the hics & bumps but what great "sounds" they are and no mistake!
AMM
The Tasters!
Pacific Express - Black Fire (1976) EMI LP Only - Rare Soul/Funk/Jazz (FLAC)
Here we have a really outstanding band from South Africa who only recorded three studio albums before splitting up. They were known back in the day as the EWF of South Africa and used to pack the crowds in when touring. This was their superb debut album. This as the other two were LP only releases in the 1970.s. The band evolved from ’60s soul outfit the Pacifics and maintained a revolving door lineup over the years that served as a launching pad for up-and-comers on the Cape Town soul/jazz scene. Subsequent releases were issued on the local Gull label, which was instigated in part to market the band. This really is a killer!
AMM
The Tasters!
Claire Davis - Get It Right (2023) LRK - Soul (FLAC)
Its always great to see fresh artists appear on the music scene and i like to think this blog provides that platform so these people can "get their name out there" Toronto based retro-soul artist Claire Davis shares her journey on her debut album "Get it Right". This lively 10 track analog soul LP was recorded to an 8 track tape machine in a converted garage/studio in Toronto, owned by another local group. Featuring some of the city's top flight musicians in the R&B/Soul scene, the album was laid down live-off-the-floor in one week during the winter of 2022 during lockdown. Davis shares, "My heart really lies in live performance so I wanted to recreate that experience as much as possible for this record by having the musicians all record together to tape. I feel like I personally thrive under the limitations that tape gives you; it offers the opportunity to capture a vibe of a performance more so than chasing perfection. Knowing that my favourite soul records were recorded this way gives me an even deeper appreciation for the skill and talent involved in this process."..."Get it Right" is a record born out of the faith that there's better things on the other side of fear. Whether that's breaking toxic cycles or being truly honest about what is and isn't working in life. The first song written for the record was the title track of the album which began as a jam between Davis on guitar, producer Scott McCannell on bass, and drummer Chino deVilla. "The lyrics were inspired by my relationship with my partner and the intention that we both have to work on healing ourselves in order to make our partnership work. I'd like to think that it's a love song with a strong sense of maturity and understanding to it. And the whole record was really shaped around that idea of my relationships and experiences stemming from my own sense of self-love and my desire to live and create from an authentic place."...The songs on the album feature co-writes from Scott McCannell, Kyla Charter, and Toronto production house Safe Spaceship Music, in addition to horn and background vocal arrangements by composer La-Nai Gabriel. Musicians include Heather Crawford on guitar, Scott McCannell on bass, Adrian Hogan on keys, Chino de Villa on drums, Juan Carlos Medrano on percussion, Aphrose, Tegan Michelle Gordon and Chynna Lewis on background vocals, and horn section The Northern Soul Horns. i know alll strange names at the moment but who knows in the future. Its a great album, and i have to thank USman47 for reminding me about this as he did offer to review his own but no need as its here ripped from the LP version.
AMM
The Tasters!
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Sunday Review - Cynthia Erivo - Legendary Voices At The BBC Proms 2022 - 1 Hour 44 Minutes
Multi award winning star of stage and screen Cynthia Erivo takes the Proms by storm as she sings the great American songbook of the 1950s and 60s. This English girl is my current fave Actress and she can sing, what a talent! Backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, she celebrates the legendary female voices that have shown her the way, artists such as Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Billie Holiday, Etta James, and Gladys Knight. From showtunes to pop, from soul to French chanson, expect big iconic anthems of love, loss and transformation. From the Royal Albert Hall in London, she is joined by special guests Clarke Peters and Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Well worth watching and go check out her movies!
AMM
Review Good For 7 Days Only!
Haruomi Hosono, Shigeru Suzuki, Tatsuro Yamashita - Pacific - LP (1978) CD (2013) CBS SONY (FLAC) - Rare Japanese Fusion
First Released in 1978, all music by Haruomi Hosono,
Shigeru Suzuki, Tatsuro Yamashita! A historical masterpiece of a
planning board produced by a gathering cutting edge sound creators at the
time. Top creators such as Haruomi Hosono, Tatsuro Yamashita,
Shigeru Suzuki, Yukihiro Takahashi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Masataka
Matsutoya, who are now major artists, producers, and musicians in the music world, made "Island Music" when they were younger. Its a
masterpiece of an instrumental album. Haruomi
Hosono's work, including the prototype version of "Cosmic Surfing" recorded
in YMO's debut album, and the small suite "Nostalgia of Island" by
Tatsuro Yamashita, Shigeru Suzuki. Full of J-fusion-oriented tracks such
as "Passion Flower" and "Nostalgia". Other participating musician
members include Tatsuo Hayashi, Shuichi Murakami, Kenji Takamizu, Motoya
Hamaguchi, Nobu Saito, Jun Sato, Kenji Omura, Hirofumi Tokutake, and
Hidefumi Toki. All giants in their field of instruments. Full line up included.
AMM
Tracks
01 Last paradise
02 Coral Reef
03 Nostalgia of Island
04 Slack Key Rumba
05 Passion Flower
06 Noa Noa
07 Kiska
08 Cosmic Surfing
The Tasters!
T-Square Super Band - Smile (2013) Hitman Jazz + Booklet - Rare Japanese Jazz Fusion (FLAC)
One album from 70 odd from Japan,s Number One band! Check out the booklet for members, these guys know their stuff believe me!
AMM
Members
Alto Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Takahiro Miyazaki, Takeshi Itoh
Bass – Mitsuru Sutoh, Shingo Tanaka, Toyoyuki Tanaka
Drums – Hiroyuki Noritake, Satoshi Bandoh
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Masahiro Ando
Percussion – Kiyohiko Semba
Piano, Keyboards – Keizo Kawano
Producer – T-Square Super Band
The Tasters!
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Various Artists - Campark Records The Teen Sound - Vol 12 - Rare R&B/Soul/POP (MP3)
The Northern Tasters!
John Whitehead - I Need Money Bad (1988) Mercury - Rare Soul (FLAC)
John Whitehead was born in 1948 and raised in Philadelphia where he passed in 2004 tragically. He teamed with fellow Philadelphian and high school classmate Gene McFadden to form McFadden and Whitehead. The two became successful record producers, songwriters for many local philly labels, and popular R&B recording artists. In the 60’s the two formed a group call The Epsilons which included McFadden’s cousin and a family friend and went into northern Soul Folklore. In the late 60’s the group toured with Otis Redding until his untimely death in 1967. The group then returned to Philadelphia where Whitehead and McFadden worked as writers and producers for Philadelphia International Records. The label, which earned 175 gold and platinum albums in the 70’s, included artists Teddy Pendergrass, the O’Jays, Billy Paul and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. After years of success as writers/producers, the duo finally released their self-titled debut album in 1979 . Their song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” from that album reached number one on the R&B charts and is still a bit of an anthem today. In 1988 Whitehead released this solo album after spending two years in prison for tax evasion. Tragically, John Whitehead was killed when two gunmen opened fire on him and a family friend as they worked on his car outside his West Oak Lane home. As of 2013, his murder remained unsolved....What a bloody sinful waste of a precious life!...A Truly fabulous soulful album that i still dig out now and again. This was his only album and Gene Mcfadden recorded no solo albums at all. As McFadden & Whitehead 3 studio albums were issued. As a writer John with gene were the architects of many stunning philly northern dancers.
AMM
The Tasters!
Friday, April 21, 2023
Various Artists - Soul For Sale 30 British Northern Soul Dancers Chapter 2 (1998) Sequel - Rare Soul (FLAC)
Well i stuck it out for as long as i could in Lincolnshire,lovely county though, but our friends internet was going to be down all week so i was,nt having that and left the Mrs down there and came home (thank god!). Our friends will bring her back and stay with us for a few days in the soulful north!..Had a request or 2 for this gem, following hot on the heels of "Dance Like The devil" Chapter 1 this rounds up the Northern/Mod singles made popular on the Pye & Piccadilly UK labels. Still many rare tracks on this album also! No booklet just a sheet that i have split up into sections the best i could but all the info is in there for you to read and a few photo,s.
AMM
**********REQUEST**********
The Tasters!
Various Artists - Something For The Weekend Volume 1 (Twelve Extended Soul Classics From The Eighties) (2004) Stateside EMI - Soul/Funk/Disco (FLAC)
When i got home and rummaged around stumbled on these 2 great CD,s that brought back some happy memories so thought i,d rip em. A great album as the label says of Extended Cuts of Big Records back in the day! Many of these cuts are still in demand now with collectors after their huge success at Southport Soul Weekender that i loved to attend run by my old m8 Alex lowes and other places around at the time. The Soul Weekenders were very popular back then as we Soul loving Brits could,nt get enough for those of you outside the UK!
AMM
The Tasters!
Various Artists - Something For The Weekend Volume 2 (12 Extended Soul Weekender Classics) (2004) Stateside EMI + Booklet (FLAC)
Out of the 2 CD,s this is my personal fave!
AMM
The Tasters!
Thursday, April 20, 2023
No Internet In The Wilds Of Lincolnshire
I,m down in Lincolnshire visiting old friends of ours but sadly they have an internet problem and waiting for engineers to come and sort out.
So god knows when i,ll be back on just to let you all know.
AMM
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
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