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Thursday 2 February 2023

Larry Braggs [2023] - For Crying Out Loud [Self Released]


A new tweaked and remastered mix of a Larry Braggs album track from 2005, "For Crying Out Loud", is due for imminent release upon the suggestion of Terri Green. It's taken from his debut solo album "Places". Both versions have been posted below for 'spot the difference' purposes.

Larry Braggs was one of nine siblings born in Chicago to parents from Mississippi . He was the first in his family to attend college graduating with a major in Music from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Braggs was always into funk music and cited George Clinton, The Bar-Kays and The Gap Band's Charlie Wilson as his inspiration. He became the lead and backing vocalist with Tower of Power between 2000-2013. He then replaced Bruce Williamson in The Temptations in 2015 (Williamson had earlier replaced G.C. Cameron) and was a member of the group until Oct 2019.  Whilst recovering from gall bladder surgery, Williamson contracted Covid-19 and died on 6 Sep 2020 barely three weeks before his 50th birthday. The Temptations performed as a quartet until his replacement Mario Corbino was found in 2020 who was then replaced by Tony Grant in 2021.

Braggs had a side hustle as he released two solo albums "Places" in 2005 (which includes a cover of one of my favourite ToP songs, originally sung Lenny Williams "Willing To Learn" (written by ToP founders Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka) which he takes even deeper and also  "For Cryin' Out Loud") followed by "Jus' Sangin'" in 2011. He also provided vocals for The Winans, George Duke, David Sanborn, Bob James, and Marcus Miller.

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:8.2
Explicit:N
Genre/Style:New Soul / Reissue / Re-Edit
Format:Single
Media:Digital
Label:Self Released
Cat No:None
Date:27/01/2023
Key/BPM:8A/105
Price:£1
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


Mike Maurro & Various Artists [2022] - The Mike Maurro Remix Vault [Sony] (Full Album)


Native New Yorker Mike Maurro was born in Brooklyn in 1973 moving to Queens at the age of 7 where his passion for music was sparked. Inspired by the movie "Beat Street" in 1984 he became aware of DJ's and producers such as Arthur Baker, John Robie, Afrika Bambaataa, John "Jellybean" Benitez, The Latin Rascals & "Little" Louie Vega who fuelled his desire to become a DJ. 

Mike is now regarded as one of the finest remix producers and is up there with the best. Initially we used to get treated to a Mike Maurro mix that surfaced occasionally on Soundcloud for a short time. Among the early supporters was Ian Dewhirst who followed his progress and eventually did a deal with Mike to release his album "The Mike Maurro Peak Hour Remixes" through the BBC's label Harmless (part of the Demon Group). It reached #1 on the Amazon chart and even charted nationally in the UK album chart. 

He began his DJ career in 1986 learning to mix with a handful of 12" records and a pair of mismatched turntables to learn the art of beat mixing.  He cut his teeth working as a mobile jock at weddings, birthdays, and block parties with a neighbourhood DJ company "All Night Long DJ's" before he was even old enough to drive.

By 1991 he owned his own DJ company 'DJ's In Control' and got his first real break a year later at The Harbor Club in Queens when the regular DJ was unable to perform. Mike was working as a bus boy at the time and was called upon to replace him. He began spinning there from time to time, but left the night club in 1993 when he was passed up for a regular position. He didn't return to the scene until 1998 when he submitted his mixes to 'Brooklyn's Own' Joe Causi for his WKTU "Studio 54 Clubhouse" show. Causi was impressed at the skill level of the tracks, and placed Mike into rotation with other popular NY area DJ's. Not long after Mike began doing a once a week midday mix for 103.5 WKTU, as well as classic dance mixes for 102.7 Mixx FM.

Mike entered the remix world in 2010 with only a modest desktop computer, a copy of Ableton Live, and a handful of multi tracks downloaded from the internet and he began to practice dissecting a song looking for the best combinations of instruments, creating breaks, lengthening intro's etc. After meeting the great Tom Moulton in 2011, he began to understand the true art of the remix. Under the guidance of Tom, Mike began to discover his own style of remixing. With the tips from other legends in the remix game, Mike has created a signature sound with unconventional methods of mixing. His extra long drumless intro's and acappella endings have been widely accepted and praised by artists, DJ's and dancers all over the globe. He now owns a powerful Pro Tools based digital studio and is equipped for all types of remix work.

Mike's latest project "The Mike Maurro Remix Vault" includes his mixes of seventeen 70s & 80s dance classic. Just take a scan down the playlist, there are some stone cold classics amongst them, a superb selection of songs and one or two surprises i.e. a few downtempo songs such as the lovely Hall & Oates ballad "Sara Smile" and Deniece Williams' "Free" and  one of Teddy Pendergrass' (many) signature songs "Close The Door". Over two and a half hours of music with only two tracks shorter than the 'obligatory' 12" length of 7 minutes! His new mix of Phyllis Hyman's "You Know How To Love Me" runs for 12:13 .. long enough for DJ's to do a triple P ... a pee, a poo and a pint!

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: 8.8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Classic Soul / Remixes
Format:     Album / Compilation
Media: Digital
Label: Sony
Cat No: None
Date: 09/12/2023
Price: £12.99
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


DJ Kool Keith [2022-01-31] - Soulful Vibes [Soul Groove Radio]


The Soul Emperor's selections of the latest releases broadcast on Tue 31s Jan 2023 on Soul Groove Radio. 

His Soulful Vibes show, in which he showcases new releases whether that be brand new music or reissues, has now moved from its previous Sunday slot to Tuesdays between 16:00-18:00 GMT.


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

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


Playlist:

Joey & Omar - Starlight (Grant Nelson Remix)
Funkmaster, John Khan, Paul Lyons, Leighton Jones - Start A Fire (Original Mix)
Birdee feat. Kelli Sae - Best There Ever Was 
Avant - Nothing Without You (Terry Hunter Remix)
Sharon Redd - Never Give You Up (Michael Gray Remix)
Beat Soul, Brian Moshesh - My Love
Steven Russell Harts - Bring It Back
Steven Russell Harts - Dance All Night
Soul Collective - The Love Of My Life
Soul Collective - The Real Thing
Sir Spencer - Maybe (Radio Edit)
Demetrius - If You Want To Fool Around (Remix)
Lee McDonald - Let's Play Luck (Extended Version)
Kloud 9 - When We're Together
Claire Davis - Intuition
Carlos Budd Ford - You Wanted Out
Centric - Treat It Right (feat. Yona Marie)
Ashlee White - The Deal
T Marvin & DJ Fuji - Swing Dance
Rina Chanel - Je Ne Sais Quoi
Centaura feat. Jewel Bass - I Need Love
Gene Moore feat. India.Arie - Beautiful
Get To Know & Andre Espeut - Nowhere Plans 
RnB Pooh feat. TK Soul - Wanna Dance With You
Norman Hutchins - I Really Love You (Extended Version)
Jane Handcock - I Wanna Thank Me 2.0 (with Snoop Dogg)
Danielle Glisper - Picking Up The Pieces
Kyle Jason - Your Smile (feat. Jahzara)
Kyle Jason - Lay Back (And Love)
Magic One - Hen Pecked
Adi Oasis - Multiply
Lotus De' - Eyez (Come Around)
Bahja Rodriguez - Down

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


R.I.P. - John E. Davis (31 Aug 1947 - 27 Jan 2023)


We are belatedly hearing news that Philly disco producer, arranger, conductor, bandleader, songwriter, TV score composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Edward Davis died on 27 Jan 2023 aged 75. 

To the mainstream he may be best known for the 1977 disco hit "Up Jumped The Devil" by The John Davis Monster Orchestra who also had a minor UK  pop hit (#70) with "Ain't That Enough For You" in 1979. He should not be confused with another artist of the same name who was also active in Philadelphia and a member of MFSB around the same time.
Davis graduated from Frankfort High School in PA then enlisted in the US Naval Academy with the Naval Academy Band. After leaving the Navy he went on to graduate with honours from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts in 1973.

He was a member of Philadelphia International's session group MFSB during its hey-day in the late 1960s and early to mid-1970s, appearing on many Philadelphia International recordings.

In 1975 he formed The John Davis Monster Orchestra which was predominantly a studio band which included Bobby Eli, The Sweethearts (Barbara Ingram & Carla Benson & Yvette Benton) and Don Renaldo Strings & Horns amongst others. They released four albums between 1976-79. The first album is mainly disco versions of many standards. They were awarded Billboard Magazine Award as best disco orchestra in 1979 and 1980.

In 1981, John relocated with his family to Los Angeles, CA, where he met producer Aaron Spelling and began a long career of scoring many well-known television shows. John won an ASCAP award for seven seasons of having written the most music for a television series. He won an ASCAP award and gold album award for his Beverly Hills 90210 theme song. 

He has performed as a musician on albums by The Stylistics, William DeVaughn, Carol Douglas, Arthur Prysock, Touch Of Class, Grace Jones, Silver Convention, Ashford & Simpson, First Choice, Teddy Pendergrass, Shanice, Diana Ross, George Clinton

In addition he has also been involved in many hit records in a production/ arrangement capacity such as William DeVaughn "Be Thankful For What You Got" album, Three Degrees "Get Your Love Back" / "I Like Being A Woman". He has worked with Teddy Penergrass (TP / This One's For You album), Diana Ross (It's My House / The Boss), Phyllis Hyman, Ashford & Simpson (Is It Still Good To You / Stay Free albums), Collins & Collins (self titled album), Kool & The Gang, Scherrie Payne, Arthur Prysock, Touch Of Class, Carol Douglas, Benny Troy, Barbara & The Tabulations, Doris Troy, Grace Jones, Silver Convention and so many others.

Some of the recordings he has been involved with in some capacity either writing, arranging, producing or performing which have had exposure on the UK rare soul scene include:
 
Billy Harner - "What About The Children"
Rosey Jones - "Have Love Will Travel"
Charen Cotton - "A Little Bit Of Love"
Philly Devotions - "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" / "Hurt So Bad"
High & Mighty - "You Gave Me A Brand New Start"
Spice - "Sweet Norma Jones"
The Philadelphia Society - "100 South Of Broadway"
William DeVaughn - "Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand" / "Blood Is Thicker Than Water"
Ann Byers / Prince Johnny Robinson - "This/That Man/Girl Is Rated X"
Tapestry - "Life Is What You Make It"
Touch Of Class - "I'm In Heaven" / "I Just Can't Say Goodbye"
Arthur Prysock - "When Love Is New" / "All My Life"
Vaneese & Carolyn - "Let Me In" / "I'm Losing You"
Ray Dahrouge - "I Can See Him Makin' Love To You, Baby"
Collins & Collins - "Top Of The Stairs" / "You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good" 
... and many more.

So whilst, his disco output many not be to many soul lovers' taste, he has contributed to much music emanating from the city of brotherly love and beyond.

Here's just a selection:


Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved


Edna Wright (aka Sandy Wynns) (The Honey Cone) - A Profile


Edna Wright (2 Feb 1945 - 12 Sep 2020) was born in Los Angeles and had most success as the founder and lead singer of a girl group trio, Honey Cone, formed in L.A. in 1968 who were signed by Holland, Dozier, Holland to their Hot Wax label of which Eddie Holland was the president and sole shareholder.
They had a Hot 100 and R&B #1 hit with "Want Ads" and a R&B #1 with the follow up "Stick Up" in 1971. The trio achieved a total of nine R&B Top 40 hits, five of them Top 10, between 1969-1972. In that time they released four albums and another ("When Will It End") that remained unreleased.
Wright was the younger sister of Darlene Wright (who used the stage name Darlene Love) and began singing aged 15 for The COGIC (Church of God in Christ) Singers which included amongst its members Gloria Jones, Billy Preston, Sondra Williams (aka Blinky) and Andraé Crouch.  She made her recording debut through her sister who introduced her to Phil Spector and she sang on a single "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" by Hale and the Hushabyes which was an alias for Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Sonny & Cher and Jackie DeShannon.

She released five singles as Sandy Wynns. Her first "The Touch Of Venus" (initially released on Doc and then Champion, bootlegged on O.O.T.P. and even got a UK issue on Fontana and an Australian issue on Phillips) has been regarded as a Northern Soul classic 'forever'. It was recorded, but not released, by Marvin Gaye until it appeared on the "Motown Unreleased 1964" compilation and another previously unreleased version by Patrice Holloway surfaced on a 2002 compilation. Patrice was the younger sister of Brenda Holloway and was an in-demand session singer in L.A. and released a handful of singles mainly on Capitol between 1966-72, although she did have an earlier one on Motown's V.I.P. in 1963 after a release on Taste the same year when she was just 12 years old. She also recorded as part of trio Josie & The Pussycats which included Charlie's Angels actress Cheryl Ladd and also as The Belles on Mirwood, with her sister Brenda and Sherlie Matthews, as well as The Sequins on Renfro and a few others.

The song was written by Ed Cobb and arranged by Lincoln Mayorga and the backing track has some connection to the Motown's west coast operation as it was published by Jobete Music (Motown's publishing company) produced by Hal Davis and Marc Gordon. 

An unissued 8" Gold Star Recording Studios acetate by Charlotte O'Hara was unearthed in Oct 2020 when her daughter was sorting through her mother's musical artefacts. Thanks to Anthony Reichardt who posted it on his excellent YouTube channel which specialises in Gold Star recordings (video below).  Charlotte's real name was Charlotte Ann Matheny who was Bonnie in Bonnie & The Treasures, a trio of Bonnie (Charlotte), Sherlie Matthews and Clydie King who released just two singles, one on Phi-Dan in 1965 and another on Pablo in 1966. By the second single Matthews and King were replaced by Marva Holiday and Nancy Padròn as their services were in demand as session singers. Charlotte recorded under various other aliases. You can find a good article about her on SpectroPop if interested  in finding out more.

Also, a Doc acetate instrumental version credited to Lincoln Mayorga & His Orchestra turned up, Anthony says in 2013, but I'm sure I have a CDR with it on given to me by the late UK rare soul DJ Tony Warot around 2000, so it may have been known about long before.

She also recorded one single, "Meet Me At Midnight" / "Sir Galahad", for Era subsidiary In-Sound as Cindy Lynn & The In-Sounds in Oct 1967. It was reissued by Outta Sight in 2014 paired with another In-Sound recording "I Get A Feeling" by Bonnie & Clyde who Discogs states was Brenda Holloway and Robert D. Jackson who was Gloria Jones' brother. They recorded the song in 1963 on Era as The Soul-Mates but is a slightly different to be a different mix. (Thanks to the anonymous comment as we originally missed this one). 

Edna then became a backing vocalist for the Righteous Brothers, Johnny Rivers and Ray Charles with Charles asking her to join his resident backing group The Raelettes which included many notable members over the years including Minnie Riperton, Merry Clayton, Clydie King, Marilyn McCoo and Mable John to name a few.

Fate was in her favour when she stood in for sister Darlene who wasn't able to make an appearance on an Andy Williams TV special in 1968. She asked friends Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark to join her and invited Holland, Dozier and Holland to watch the show. They were impressed and asked her to sign to Hot Wax as a solo artist but she preferred to be in a group so all three were signed and became The Honey Cone.

Whilst at Hot Wax she met Greg Perry, who co-wrote and produced many of The Honey Cone's recordings with General Johnson (Chairmen Of The Board), and they married.

Willis left The Honey Cone in 1973 and they tried to replace her but none of the new members fitted in well enough so they disbanded the same year. Hot Wax was in financial difficulty and folded not long afterwards although there was an effort to resurrect the label in 1976 and they released a single by The Honey Cone in 1977 with none of the original members.

The same year Wright released her only solo album "Oops! Here I Go Again" on RCA Victor. Husband Perry co-wrote all of the songs, mainly with Angelo Bond, and also arranged and produced the album which included some of Detroit's well know faces such as H.B. Barnum, McKinley Jackson, Ray Parker Jr., Sidney Barnes. Only one single materialised from the album, "You Can't See The Forest (For The Trees)" / "Nothing Comes To A Sleeper (But A Dream)", although the title track has long been played on the UK modern soul scene. 

In the 80s and 90s she reverted to session work. She had previously lent her voice in the 60s and 70s to artists such as Righteous Brothers, Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, Peggy Lee, Weather Report, Funk Inc. Nancy Wilson, Z.Z. Hill , Cher, Betty Everett, Stanley Turrentine to name a few. After her album she sang on recordings by Elkie Brooks, Robert John, Andraé Crouch, Scherrie Payne, her sister Darlene Love, U2, Kim Carnes and Aaron Neville .

Sadly she suffered from COPD and died suddenly of a heart attack on 12 Sep 2020 aged 75. Her family musical legacy continues through her daugther Melodye Perry, now Melodye Perry-Teamer since she married another musician Alex Teamer. Husband Greg Perry is one of five brothers Dennis, Zachary, Leonard and Jeff Perry (aka Jeffree), all involved with music. I'm not sure if Greg is still living, I haven't found anything to the contrary, and he did appear at the 6Ts Soul Weekender in 2014 with Edna.

Album Discography

The COGIC Singers
1966 - It's a Blessing [Exodus #EX 54]

Honey Cone
1970 - Take Me with You
1970 - When Will It End (unreleased)
1971 - Sweet Replies
1971 - Soulful Tapestry
1972 - Love, Peace & Soul

Edna Wright
1977 - Oops! Here I Go Again [RCA Victor #APL1-1912]

Single  Discography

Sandy Wynns
1964-12 - Touch Of Venus / A Lover's Quarrel [Doc #DC-103]
1965-01 - The Touch Of Venus / A Lover's Quarrel [Champion #14001]
1965-05 - Love Belongs To Everyone / Yes I Really Love You 
                [Champion #14002]
1966-04 - I'll Give That To You / You Turned Your Back On Me 
                [Simco #30,001]
1967-12 - How Can Something Be So Wrong (And Always Feel So 
                Good) / Love's Like Quicksand [Canterbury #C-520]

Cindy & The In-Sounds
1967-10 - Meet Me At Midnight / Sir Galahad [In-Sound #402]

Honey Cone
1969-05 - While You're Out Looking For Sugar? / The Feeling's Gone 
                [Hot Wax #HS 6901]
1969-09 - Girls It Ain't Easy / The Feeling's Gone [Hot Wax #HS 6903]
1970-03 - Take Me With You / Take My Love [Hot Wax #HS 7001]
1971-03 - When Will It End / Take Me With You [Hot Wax #HS 7005]
1971-03 - Want Ads / We Belong Together [Hot Wax #HS 7011]
1971-07 - Stick-Up / V.I.P. [Hot Wax #HS 7106]
1971-11 - One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - Part I  / One Monkey 
                Don't Stop No Show - Part II [Hot Wax #HS 7110]
1972-02 - The Day I Found Myself / When Will It End 
                 [Hot Wax #HS 7113]
1972-07 - Sittin' On A Time Bomb (Waitin' For The Hurt To Come) 
                / It's Better To Have Loved And Lost [Hot Wax #HS 7205]
1972-09 - Innocent Til Proven Guilty / Don't Send Me An Invitation
                [Hot Wax #HS 7208]
1972-11 - Ace In The Hole / O-o-o Baby, Baby [Hot Wax #HS 7212]
1973-03 - If I Can't Fly / Woman Can't Live By Bread Alone 
                [Hot Wax #HS 7301]

Honey Cone Featuring Sharon Cash (No original members in group)
1977-07 - Somebody Is Always Messing Up A Good Thing / 
                The Truth Will Come Out [Hot Wax #ZS8 9255]

Edna Wright
1977 - You Can't See The Forest (For The Trees) / Nothing Comes To 
           A Sleeper (But A Dream) [RCA victor #JH-11014]


Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved