Soul Strutter: 09/28/22

Wednesday, 28 September 2022

Keni Burke - A Profile

Keni Burke is 69 today (born 28 Sep 1953) and was a member of 'The First Family of Soul' The Five Stairsteps with four of his siblings from Chicago who had around twenty hits prior to disbanding in 1976 and another later as The Invisible Man's Band. Their initial hits were on Curtis Mayfield's short-lived Windy C label on which all but one single was by them. Later releases were on another Mayfield label Curtom, followed by Buddah and then George Harrison's Dark Horse label. In the interim their name changed to just The Stairsteps.

When the group disbanded Keni remained at Dark Horse where he recorded his self-titled debut solo album

In the UK he is probably best known for the 80s soul weekender anthem "Risin' To The Top" which amazingly didn't register on US Hot 100 but got to a meagre #63 R&B. Prior to that he hit with "Let Somebody Love You". However, charts don't mean anything to soulies and much of his material has been played on the modern soul scene for years including the previous two along with "One Minute More", "Indigenous Love" and "Nothing But Love" in particular. Many of the Five Stairsteps recording have adorned northern soul dancefloors and I have all of their Windy C records which are quite cheap and easy to find and are prime examples of the mid 60s Chicago sound.

Keni's brother James died last year and a Stairsteps Discography was posted as a tribute if you wish to explore it.

Included below some of his best tune along with a superb rendition of "Risin' To The Top" at the Baltic Soul Weekender in 2011.

Album Discography

1977 - Keni Burke [Dark Horse]

1981 - You're The Best [RCA Victor]

1982 - Changes [RCA Victor]

1998 - Nothin' But Love [Expansion]

Glenn Jones - A Profile

Glenn Jones was 60 yesterday. He was born in Jacksonville, FL, on 27 Sep 1962 and started his career as a gospel singer with the Florida-based gospel group The Modulations (not the group from North Carolina who had several tracks from their 1978 Buddah album, "Rough Out There", played on the modern soul scene) who cut two albums on Savoy "With A Made Up Mind" (1978) and "Feel The Fire" (1980).

In the 80s he went secular and solo and featured on Norman Connors 1980 album "Take It To The Limit" singing the excellent "Melancholy Fire" and also duetted with Jean Carn on "Sweet And Wonderful" on PIR in 1981. He hit the ground running with his first two solo singles which were very well received (this side of the pond at least) with the club 'anthem' "I Am Somebody" and the excellent "Keep On Doin'" on which he is joined by the incredible voice of his wife Genobia Jeter who was also a gospel singer with Savoy, having already released three albums for the label at that point ("Heaven" (1979), "Things 'Have' Got To Get Better" (1981) and "Genobia Jeter" (1981)). She released a further album in 1986 and has backed many artists including Luther Vandross, George Benson, Millie Jackson, The O'Jays, Stephanie Mills, Regina Belle, Meli'sa Morgan, James 'D-Train' Williams, Miki Howard and Jonathan Butler.

To date Jones has released ten solo albums and has achieved R&B chart status with 21 singles, 5 of them being top 10 and "Here I Go Again" reaching to top spot in 1991.

As far as chart action in the UK is concerned his only chart entry was with "We've Only Just Begun (The Romance Is Not Over)" in 1987 which got to #85 but was a #2 R&B hit in the US.

His first two gospel album with The Modulations on Savoy are well worth checking out and I've cherry picked a few tracks from them but, as space was limited as wanted to keep the playlist to a maximum 30 tracks, there is a separate playlist with his gospel and pre solo recordings. Also, whilst picking through the albums to select tracks to include, the standout was his 2002 album "Feel Good" with nine of the eleven tracks featured in the playlist.

UK girl group Eternal covered Jones's 1990 track "Stay" as their debut single in 1993 which reached #4 on the UK pop chart.

Album Discography

The Modulations

1978 - With a Made Up Mind [Savoy]

GlennJones & The Modulations

1980 - Feel the Fire [Savoy]

Glenn Jones

1983 - Everybody Loves a Winner [RCA]

1984 - Finesse [RCA]

1986 - Take It from Me [RCA]

1987 - Glenn Jones [Jive]

1990 - All for You [Jive]

1992 - Here I Go Again [Atlantic]

1994 - Here I Am [Atlantic]

1998 - It's Time [SAR Records]

2002 - Feels Good [Peak]

2006 - Forever: Timeless R&B Classics [Shanachie]

MF Robots [2022] - Make The Call (Two Soul Fusion and Atjazz Remixes) [BBE]

Something overlooked on Friday which was posted from Bandcamp back on 13 Aug when only a couple of tracks were available but was full released on 23 Sep 2022. It contains no fewer than ten different mixes of "Make That Call" along with three for "The Love It Takes".

MF Robots are former Brand New Heavies members Dawn Joseph and Jan Kincaid and they released their 3rd album "Break The Wall" last October.

It's available from Bandcamp either digitally or on 2 x 12" vinyl.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single / Remixes
Media:	Digital / 12" Vinyl
Label:	BBE
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/09/2022
Price:	£10 / £20

Jodi Mathis aka Mortonette Jenkins / Stephens

Whilst researching a post a while back on Sharon McMahan, I discovered that she wrote a song recorded on Benny Golson's 1978 album 'I'm Always Dancin' to the Music' called 'Love Is The Key'. I liked the female vocals so investigated who it was and discovered that it was a lady called Mortonette Jenkins which turns out to be Jodi Mathis who had a big NS tune released on Capitol in 1971 which was played around 74/75 and was popular enough to get a UK reissue in 1975.

Whilst researching her I found this clip of her singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' which was a bit of a coincidence as I had posted this song as a tribute to Gerry Marsden only a few days earlier.

There was a comment on there asking if she sang on his Killer Joe album (which was Golson's previous album released in 1977) so I checked it out and indeed she did and she sang lead vocals on tracks 5,6,12 which includes 'New Killer Joe' which has been a favourite of mine since hearing it on release. So, this got me digging deeper.

She got her first break backing Billy Paul in the late 60s/early 70s and then through connections that her relations had, she was auditioned by Capitol Records. After recording two solo singles on Capitol as Jodi Mathis she went on the become a highly sought after session singer who toured with many established artists such as Barbara Streisand, Paul Anka, Linda Ronstadt and Elton John. Quincy Jones signed her to his label as a member of The Wattsline before she was signed by Paul Anka who she toured with for 11 years. During this time she also appeared as backing singer on recordings for artists such as Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Norman Connors, Chuck Jackson, Gladys Knight, Ronnie Laws, Howard Hewett and many others.

She appeared on 2 tracks on Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' album - 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' and 'Get Off The Floor'.

Jodi Mathis [1971] - Don't You Care Any More [Capitol (US) #3180]

I think I'm correct in saying that this was an Ian Levine spin from The Blackpool Mecca (it certainly sound like one he would have pushed). The issue is the one to find as as all the demos are same sided with 'Mama'. It was reissued in UK in 1975.

Jodi Mathis [1971] - Mama [Capitol (US) #3180]

No sound file on YouTube but I will try and rip it from vinyl and upload it to my YT channel.

Jodi Mathis [1972] - God Is Love [Capitol (US) #3192]

Jodi Mathis [1972] - Young Power [Capitol (US) #3192]

Benny Golson [1977] - New Killer Joe

From the album 'Killer Joe'

Benny Golson [1978] - Love Is The Key

From the album 'I'm Always Dancin' to the Music'

1981 - Madagascar Feat. Mortonette Jenkins - Pay Attention

She was the featured vocalist on the first two tracks from Madagascar's only album in 1981 'Spirit Of The Street'.

1982 - Madgascar Feat. Mortonette Jenkins - This Is When It Counts

Con Funk Shun [1978] - Loveshine [Mercury] (Full Album)

A superb ballad I stumbled across yesterday by Con Funk Shun. It doesn't get much better than "Make It Last" which is a 70s sweet soul ballad written and sung by Felton Pilate from their 1978 "Loveshine" album. Why this was never released as a single is anyone's guess.

I think perhaps Con Funk Shum were overlooked and underrated this side of the pond, possibly owing to their name, as over here the majority of those on the rare soul scene disregarded funk and assumed that's what their sound would be? Their only impact on the UK chart was with "Burnin' Love" in 1986 which reached #68 and they released only one further single before disbanding. During their time they achieved twenty six R&B chart entries (eight in top 10) but only four crossed over to the Hot 100.

Their profile has been raised by the recent cover of one of their B sides, "Loves Train" by Silk Sonic. They were formed in 1969 as Project Soul by school friends from Vallejo, CA, Michael Copper (vocals/guitar) and Louis McCall (drums). By 1971 they were seven strong and included Cedric Martin (bass), Danny "Sweet Man" Thomas (keyboards), Karl Fuller (trumpet), Paul "Maceo" Harrell (woodwind), Felton Pilate (vocals). In 1972 they relocated to Memphis and were the backing band for The Soul Children. Whilst there they came to the attention of Stax co-founder Estelle Axton who owned Fretone records and recorded "Organized Con Funk Shun" and "The Memphis Sessions". They were asked to change their name and chose Con Funk Shun after a 1970 song by The Nite-Liters (aka The New Birth) that they played. All songs on those two albums were actually outtakes of recording sessions they did for a studio who made them sign a contract to pay for their studio time, so technically it is not Con Funks Shun only the their rhythm section. They have released fourteen studio albums, eleven of them for Mercury between 1976-86.

Michael Cooper went on to a solo career and Felton Pilate went into production producing MC Hammer. They and another original member, Karl Fuller, got back together in 1993 and tour as Con Funk Shun and released their first album in almost 30 years, "More Than Love", in 2015.

Rather than just posting "Make It Last" I may as well post the full "Loveshine" album which was one of their biggest selling, reaching #10 R&B and '32 Billboard 200.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul / Funk
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Mercury
Cat No:	None
Date:	1978
Price:	£8.91

DJ Kool Keith [2022-09-27] - Soulful Slow Jams [Soul Radio Coast2Coast]

DJ Kool Keith's Soulful Slow Jams show broadcast on L.A. station Soul Radio Coast 2 Coast Mon/Tue (26/27 Sep 2022).

A particularly good set of tunes this week from the Soul Emperor!

The first track to highlight is an undated cover of a Smokey Robinson written song recorded by Smokey & The Miracles in 1965 as the flip to "Tracks Of My Tears", by Rick Webb. Webb was active during the 80s and early 90s (his "Sitting On The Doorstep" has been a modern soul spin for decades) but this is the only release on the MJN label and everything else he released, except one single in 1983, was on Washington Hit Makers. So with the song being a cover of a 1965 song it's difficult to know if it was before 1983 or after 1994, or even somewhere in between. It was also released as a 12" on R.P.M. This side was arranged by Norman Harris.

Hard Tymes were a group from St. Louis, MI, founded by Chuck (Aubrey) Wallace & Roosevelt Matthews who also recorded as Chuck & Mac. The track was posted way back. The Ruby label only released three singles, the first by Chuck Wallace (1969), the second by Chuck & Mac (1972) and this one in 1977. It's a sublime, epic 6:28, deep soul ballad written by Roosevelt Matthews who Northen Soul followers will know from "You Got Me Diggin' You" (written by Matthews) / "Tighten Up" (a version of Archie Bell & The Drells funk classic) with Billy Ball & The Upsetters on King (1968).

Don Bryant wrote "It Was Jealousy" which was first recorded by Otis Clay in 1974 followed by his wife Ann Peebles in 1976, both released on Hi (posted here). In 2017 he included his own version on his "Don't Give Up On Love" album. It is set to be the next release on a new label Creative Soul run by UK rare soul DJ's Cliff Steele and Andy 'Tats' Taylor. Their first release was Ruby Winters on 1 Aug 2022.

The L.R. Superstars rose to prominence from a 1989 12" "I Just Can't Say It" on Budweiser Showdown which was a label formed from a talent show to highlight upcoming artists who had won the competitions. The 12" came to the attention of UK Rare Grooves label who released a full album by them, "Sayin' It", under the name L.R. Superstars as they came from Little Rock, AK. The track featured in the playlist was released as a single on their own label T.A.P.S., Inc as Superstars in 1989 and was included on the album.

DJ Kool Keith has two shows per week, his Soulful Vibes show Sun 12:00-14:00 (BST/UK Time) on Soul Groove Radio and his Soulful Slow Jams show on Soul Radio Coast 2 Coast 22:00 PDT (Tue 06:00 BST in UK).

All DJ Kool Keith podcast are available to listen/download from Podomatic.

Playlist:

Nathan Heathman - Until We Meet Again [2001]

SWV - It's About Time [1992]

Melvin Gentry - My Feelings [2022]

Barbara Mason - If You Don't [1968]

Maverick Neal - Pick Up The Phone (Gedi Edit) [2022]

Lindsey Webster - Twin Flame [2022]

Gary - Rockin' You Tonite [1995]

L.R. Superstars - Come To Me [1990]

Kim Tibbs - Over Again (Radio Edit) [2022]

Kim Tibbs - Loving You Makes Life So Easy (Radio Edit) [2022]

Minority Band - When You're Crying [1980]

Joslyn Chanell - Callin' My Phone [2022]

Music Machine - Imitation Of Life [1974]

The Continental IV - Running Away (From Love) [1972]

Don Bryant - It Was Jealousy [2017]

Arnie's Love - Natural High [1986]

Foreign Blue Renaisance - Oh, Yes I Do [2020]

Oscar Harris & Billy Jones and the Twinkle Stars - I'm So Glad [1972]

H'Atina - Elements Of A Real Man [2022]

Eddie Holman - You Make My Life Complete [1977]

Full Fource - (We've Come) A Long Way Together [1980]

Shock - Why Should I Forgive You [1976]

Phil Perry - Closer To Heaven [2000]

Rick Webb - A Fork In The Road []

Hard Tymes With The Hard Tymes Band - I Ask A Question "Answer Simply" [1977]

Truth - Come Back Home [1976]