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Sunday 29 January 2023

R.I.P. - Barrett Strong (5 Feb 1941 - 29 Jan 2023)


US sites are reporting that Motown's first hitmaker Barrett Strong has died aged 81 just days before his 82nd birthday. Strong recorded "Money (That's What I Want)" in 1959 whilst still a student at Central High School in Detroit aged 19. The song was written by Berry Gordy and Motown receptionist Janie Bradford, but Strong claims he was also one of the writers and later had his copyright included. It was first issued as his second single on Tamla (Motown's first label) in Aug 1959 and later on Anna for national distribution in Dec 1959 and reached #2 R&B hit #23 Hot 100 becoming Motown's first hit in June 1960. 

It has been covered hundreds of times and several Liverpool beat groups had a go at it, first The Searchers and later of course The Beatles as well as several other British groups including The Rolling Stones. A new wave version was recorded by The Flying Lizards in 1979 and was an unexpected hit reaching #5 on the UK pop chart.
Strong was born in West Point, Mississippi on 5 Feb 1941 moving to Detroit at the age of 4. He was one of Motown's first signings and his debut single was Tamla's third release which he followed with "Money", both in 1959. He left Motown in 1962 and cut two singles, one for Atco and another Chicago's Vee-Jay subsidiary Tollie.

However, he achieved no more hits as a recording artists in the 60s and had to wait until 1973 for his next "Stand Up And Cheer Your Preacher" (#78 R&B) and "Is It True" (#41 R&B) in 1975. 

He re-joined Motown in 1966 and became a lyrics writer teaming up with Norman Whitfield. His name is on writing credits for many songs held dear to the UK Northern Soul scene in particular by such acts as The Artistics, Mary Wells, The Dells, Marvin Smith, Gene Chandler, Dee Dee Sharp, Jimmy James, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, Gladys Knight & The Pips and Isley Brothers, as well as many established  Motown artists, The Temptations in particular.
His biggest hits include "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "War", "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)", "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and songs by the Temptations: "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Psychedelic Shack", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" for which he received a Grammy in 1973 to join Motown's first Grammy for "Cloud Nine" in 1969.

Strong left Motown when the company relocated to L.A. signing with Epic where he released just one a single before moving on to Capitol where he rekindled his recording career releasing two albums "Stronghold" (1975) and "Live & Love" (1976). Another album arrived in 1980 "Love Is You" and his last, "Stronghold 2" in 2001 on his own label Blarritt which saw a digital release in 2008 as "Stronghold II".

All three of his Capitol singles in 1975-76, "Is It True" (not available on Spotify), "Surrender" and "Man Up In The Sky", have been long time favourites on the UK modern soul scene. The latter being covered by Johnny Bristol in 1989 on Ian Levine's Motorcity label. Expansion reissued "Man Up In The Sky" along with "Is It True" on vinyl in 2020.

Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.


Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


San Francisco TKO's [2023] - Make Up Your Mind / Ooh Baby Baby [Kent #TOWN 176]


First played at the 100 Club in the 90s, the San Francisco T.K.O.'s "Make Up Your Mind" has been packing the dance floor since. Its first vinyl release was on the 100 Club's 19th anniversary single in 1998 which is long sold out.

Kent has decided to reissue it along with their take on The Miracles' 1965 classic "Ooo Baby Baby" (they titled "Oh Baby,Baby") from the B side to their first single "Herm" on Golden Soul in 1972 which appears to be their only, official, listed release. A bootleg of "Make Up Your Mind", along with a nice version of Freddie Hughes' "Send My Baby Back", appeared on a counterfeit Golden State label which is dated 2001.

Golden Soul and Golden State were bonafide labels for the Golden State Recorders studio in San Francisco owned by the late Leo De Gar Kulka who had acts such as Greatful Dead, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin passing through its doors.

All three songs were included on a Kent CD compilation "Golden State Soul" in 2000, which is possibly where the Golden State single was bootlegged from?

Their single on Golden Soul is sought after by funk collectors for the funky instrumental "Herm" presumably named after the song's writer, horn player and  band leader Hermon Henry. Other members included Penny Lewis who is credited as lead vocalist on "Oh Baby, Baby", James Aaron and guitarist Robert Emerson, who played with Henry on Warren Donell Hickman & The San Francisco Inspirational Choir's "God Is Love" album in 1972.

Oddly, "Herm" was released in New Zealand in 1973 with a different B side, "Acid Lady", which is another one sought after by funk collectors and has featured on a 2007 compilation "Golden State Funk" released by BGP along with "Herm" and another track by the group "Devil's Got Your Mind".

Available to pre-order from Ace/Kent for release on 24 Feb 2023.

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: 8.7
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Northern Soul / Sweet Soul Harmony
Format: Single
Media: 7" Vinyl
Label: Kent
Cat No: TOWN 176
Date: 24/02/2023
Key/BPM: 3B/127 / 9B/74 / 11B/80
Price: £8.99
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


Warren Raye & The Infernal Blues Machine [2023] - It's The Feeling I Get / I Can't Turn You Down [Kent Select #CITY 086]


The second Kent Select forthcoming vinyl release is from Warren Raye & The Infernal Blues Machine who have featured on the blog with their superb "If You Wanna Love Me" from 1976 along with "Ain't That Love" from the preceding year which both appeared on their solitary album "Adios Amigo" on London 1975.

The two sides offered by Kent are both previously unreleased recordings, although "It's The Feeling I Get" did feature on another 100 Club anniversary single, the last one from Sep 2022 which was paired with  the unreleased "Without Your Sweet Lovin'".  However, the flip side served up with "It's The Feeling I Get" is "I Can't Turn You Down", for which there is no sound file available for so have linked to the Ace/Kent website sample. However, a version appeared on Kent's "Masterpieces of Modern Soul Volume 6" last year by Melanie Brooks (also included below).

Damion & Denita covered "It's The Feeling I Get" in 1980 on their self-titled, and only, album (which has been posted HERE previously). Denita is Denita James who was a member of Hodges, James & Smith (& Crawford), and later The Natura'elles on Venture, and was Kim Weston's cousin. So there's the connection to the previous Kent Select release by Classic Example i.e. Stevenson and Weston (who were married) and Hodges, James & Smith & Crawford featured on backing vocals. Both releases have been licensed from Stevenson.

This one is also available to pre-order from Ace/Kent now for release on 27 Feb 2023.
s
Details
Rating: 8.8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Modern Soul
Format: Single
Media: 7" Vinyl
Label: Kent Select
Cat No: CITY 086
Date: 27/02/2023
Key/BPM: N/A
Price: £10.88
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


The Classic Example [2023] - Right On / I Found Me A Girl [Kent Select #CITY 083]


Having posted three new 7" vinyl reissues from Ace/Kent on Friday, another couple have just been announced.

The first consists of two sides by Los Angeles duo The Classic Example (Curtis Colbert and Harriet Hurst) who provided four of the songs on their only, self-titled, album released on GSF in 1972. Another of their songs, "Right On", was left off the album and never got a release, but Kent released it as one side of a 100 Club 42nd anniversary single in 2021.  As with most of the limited edition 100 Club anniversary singles, it now sells for silly money, so now you can acquire it at a reasonable price.

Only two tracks from the album made it to a single release, also on GSF in 1972. The A side "That's Groovy" was co-written by William 'Mickey' Stevenson with Vicki Basemore and Tom Nixon and recorded by Kim Weston on M.G.M. in 1967. Interestingly, Stevenson's name doesn't feature on writing credits for that release.

The album featured some top class musicians such as Wilton Felder (bass) and Joe Sample (piano) from The Crusaders, Arthur Adams (guitar)  and Paul Humphrey on drums and Hodges, James & Smith & Crawford on backing vocals. Willie Hutch contributes a song "We Got A Thing Going On".

The B side is a harmony ballad "I Found Me A Girl" from their album.

The single is available to pre-order now from Ace/Kent for release on 24 Feb '23.

Details
Rating: 8.8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Northern Soul / Sweet Soul Harmony
Format: Single
Media: 7" Vinyl
Label: Kent Select
Cat No: CITY 083
Date: 24/02/2023
Key/BPM: N/A
Price: £10.88
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


Gia J [2023] - I Love It [Self Released]


Gia J (Jessica Ruffolo) is from Toronto who released her third single "I Love It" on Friday (27 Jan). Prior to that she has released just two singles in 2021, however she has more, presumably unreleased, material on her Soundcloud.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

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Details
Rating: 7.8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 27/01/2023
Key/BPM: 4A/62
Price: £1
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


Soul Music Radio - A new 24/7 soul radio station launches Wed, 1st Feb 2023


Launching on Wednesday, 1 Feb 2023 is a brand new soul radio station, Soul Music Radio (SMR), playing the finest classic soul, funk, northern soul, jazz, 80s groove, jazz funk, rare groove, disco, house, hip hop, lovers rock, brit funk, re-edits, & 80s electro along with many specialist shows.
The station will broadcast music of black origin 24/7, across the board, regardless of the flava, to appeal to a broader age range than just the traditional soul boys and girls who are now 50+. Live shows will be aired from 7 a.m. through to 11 p.m. with "The Music Box" through the night.

The station is the brainchild of Riggsy (Paul Wrigglesworth), born out of the success of the inaugural Cyprus Soul event held in Paphos 7-13 Nov 2022, who has got the station up and running within a matter of only seven weeks.

This year's event is being held on 4-11 Nov 2023 at the 5 star Venus Beach hotel in Paphos and is selling fast, so further details head over to Cyprus Soul website. DJ's already lined up include: Dennis O'Brien (Solar Radio & ex-Kiss FM), Tony Mac, Andy Edwards (Solar Radio), Nigel Fox (Starpoint Radio), Riggsy & Brandon Block (Zero Radio), Robbie J (SMR), Martin Gray, Paul Fawsitt and Eric Owenson.

Riggsy has 40+ years of experience spinning tunes, working for Capital Radio & Kiss FM on their outside broadcasts and being a resident at some of the biggest clubs in the UK. 

Soul Music Radio's USP is that they will be offering free advertising for artists and labels to help promote their music to a wide audience. Let's face it, if these artists can't get their music promoted and heard then they don't make money (and may even lose money) and we won't have fresh new music to listen to and radio will become a staple of oldies around the clock.

The website Soul Music Radio is live now, currently programming "The Music Box" until it launches fully on Wednesday, 1st Feb. 

So far 27 presenters have been recruited and if you think you have what it takes and can add value and want to join the station then send an email to soulmusicradiouk@gmail.com

The schedule is shaping up as follows (subject to change):
For up-to-date details check Schedule


Mon
07-09 - Riggsy - "The Breakfast Show" 
09-11 - DJ Fish - "Soul Therapy" 
11-01 - GTs -  " Brunch to Lunch"
01-03 - Craig Jardine -  "Soul Directions"
03-05 - Gary James - " Back Trax 1"
05-07 - Gary Moore - "Classic Disco"
07-09 - Mark Johns  "Footprints" 
09-11 - DJ ALI
11-07 - "The Music Box

Tue
07-09 - Riggsy - "The Breakfast Show" 
09-11 - DJ Fish - "Soul Therapy" 
11-01 - GTs -  " Brunch to Lunch"
01-03 - Craig Jardine -  "Soul Directions"
03-05 - Terri Green - "The Terri Green Project"
05-07 - Riggsy - "The Re-Edit Show"
07-09 - Robbie J - "House Nation" 
09-11 - Malcolm Aubrey - "Soulful Vibes"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Wed
07-09 - Riggsy - "The Breakfast Show" 
09-11 - DJ Fish - "Soul Therapy" 
11-01 - Elaine Saunders - "Lainey's Boutique"
01-03 - TBC
03-05 - Nigel Waymark - "The Network Show"
05-07 - Mogsy - "Neo Soul To Gospel & R&B"
07-09 - DJ Confirmed Awaiting Details
09-11 - Gary James -" Back Trax 2"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Thu
07-09 - Riggsy - "The Breakfast Show" 
09-11 - Rob Lynch
11-01 - TBC
01-03 - TBC
03-05 - Angie 'D" - "Solitary Soul"
05-07 - Mike Russo - " La Dolce Vita"
07-09 - Rochie One - "Soul Food To Go"
09-11 - Angel Faye Russell - "Southern Soul Breakout"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Fri
07-09 - Riggsy - "The Breakfast Show" 
09-11 - Rob Lynch
11-01 - Bob Christie -" Elements of Soul "
01-03 - TBC
03-05 - Gary James (TBC)
05-07 - Robbie J - "Friday Drive Time" 
07-09 - Vinny Ryan - " Groove Addiction" 
09-11 - Steve Aggasild  - "Jazz, Funk & Soul"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Sat
07-09 - TBC
09-11 - Kevin O'Brien - The Saturday Morning Cafe" 
11-01 - Rochie One -  "Soul Food To Go"
01-03 - DJ Confirmed Awaiting Details
03-05 - DJ Robbie J  - Soul Motion" 
05-07 - "The Tricksta Mix Show"
07-09 - Bob Christie -  Elements of Soul " 
09-11 - Mick Fuller - " Soul Shyne"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Sun
07-09 - DJ Fish - "Sunday Soul Revival"
09-11 - DJ Confirmed Awaiting Details
11-01 - Mogsy & Mel - "The Gospel R&B Show"
01-03 - Angela D  N Crowe - " Reggae & Lovers Rock Show"
03-05 - Mick T - "Too Darn Soulful"
05-07 - "Sarah Jane Rundel - "Groove Candi"
07-09 - Riggsy - "Dance Anthems"  
09-11 - Craig Jardine - "Up Club Soul"
11-07 - "The Music Box

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


JeRonelle [2023] - Stuck ... plus A Song For You (Live) [Self Released


JeRonelle McGhee is an English singer, now resident between Omaha and L.A., who appeared on the second season of the music talent show, The Four, in spring 2018.

He has a new single "Stuck", released on 13 Jan 2023, but what really drew my attention to him was a outstanding live performance of Leon Russell's "A Song For You" (re-posted on facebook by Down To Earth's Stevie Paul (thanks Stevie)) included below.

He recorded the song on James Dawkins' "Phenomenon" album in 2018, which, unfortunately, seems to no longer be available on digital platforms.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

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Details
Rating: 8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: New Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 13/01/2023
Key/BPM: 11A/65
Price: £1
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


DJ Kool Keith [2023-01-28] - Soulful Slow Jams [Soul Radio Coast2Coast]


The Soul Emperor's Soulful Slow Jams show broadcast on L.A. station Soul Radio Coast 2 Coast Sat/Sun (27 Jan / 28 Jan 2023).


DJ Kool Keith has two shows per week, his Soulful Slow Jams show on Soul Radio Coast 2 Coast Sat 23:00 PST (Sun 07:00 GMT in UK) and his Soulful Vibes show Tue 16:00-18:00 (GMT/UK Time) on Soul Groove Radio

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


Playlist:
Billy Griffin - So Many Ways [1983]
West Love feat. King George - The Mac [2022]
Incomparable Reggie Boone - Lord Thank You [2013]
TK Soul feat. Willie Clayton  - Miss Independent [2023]
Garry Glenn - Feels Good To Feel Good (feat. Sheila Hutchinson) [1987]
Gavin Christopher - Love Don't Get No Better (feat. Brenda J. Nelson) [1988]
The Cheers - (I'm Not Ready To) Settle Down [1967]
Chantay Savage - Come Around [1999]
Chantay Savage - I'm Willing [1996]
The Manhattans - Don't Say No (feat. Brenda J. Nelson) [1985]
Z.Z. Hill - Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It [1978]
Z.Z. Hill - This Time They Told The Truth [1978]
Rebbie Jackson - This Love Is Forever [1988]
Tower Of Power - Some Days Were Meant For Rain [1988]
Ronnie Walker - Guess I'll Never [2020]
LV - Rain (feat. 5 Young Men) [2000]
Billy Stewart - What Have I Done? [1968]
Howard Hewett - Is This True Love [2007]
The Impressions - Soulful Love [1969]
William Hart (of The Delfonics) - A Thousand Miles Away [1982]
Ledisi - I Need To Know [2023]
Soul Collective - When The Love Is Gone [2023]
WRLDFMS Tony Williams - UBUBU [2023]
Aaron Frazer - Heart Full Of Love [2022]
Danny Boy - Crazy [2023]
Methrone - Slip & Slide [2023]
Methrone - When Love Calls [2023]
The Edge Of Daybreak - Let Us [1979]
The Edge Of Daybreak - Our Love [1979]

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved