Originally released in Feb 2012 as Robert Glasper Experiment, "Black Radio" was also issued a wek later as a Deluxe Edition with an
additional twelve tracks, some remixes and some new songs. It has been
reissued on the heels of "Black Radio III (Supreme Edition)" three weeks ago.
As is par for the course, the Spotify playlist isn't displaying the
featured guest artists, so for full track listing click on cover
image.
Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
Pete Belasco is a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, synths,
vibes, saxophone and flute) from New York who and began his career in
1993
He signed to Verve and released his first album "Get It Together" in 1997. After moving to Florida he was involved in a boating accident in
which he injured his hands, and wasn't able to play instruments for several
moths, he turned his hand (no pun) to singing and composing.
He has released a further three albums "Deeper" (2003), "Lights On" (2012) and "Strong And Able" (2019).
The focus of this latest Jai Alai vinyl release are two tracks from his
third album "Lights On", "One" and "Sweeter", which he released on his own Eaak label after a nine year hiatus and
appear on vinyl for the first time.
Both tracks are laid back, almost smooth jazz, songs on which his light
falsetto vocals have been compared to Curtis Mayfield in particular with
hints of Smokey and Marvin. They are the antithesis of the
other Jai Alai release contrasting with
Willie Walker's raw and gritty southern soul vocals.
Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
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artist.
Another Record Store Day 2022 release out of New Orleans is yet
another crossover classic. this time from Willie Tee. (aka Wilson Turbington)
There are 2 versions of "The First Taste Of Hurt" released on 3 different 45s:
1/ Gatur 557 Green label organ version c/w I'm Having So Much Fun
2/ Gatur 509 Green label
organ version (same as 1/ 557)c/w Funky, Funky Twist
3/ Gatur 509 Blue label
piano version c/w Funky, Funky Twist
Dates are a bit sketchy with 45Cat stating 1968 for Gatur 557 and
1970 for the other two releases, with Discogs stating 1969 and 1972
respectively.
The hardest version to find is the piano version on blue 509,
followed by the 557 version with the different flip which is also
in-demand. The more 'common' issue is the green 509 which
are currently selling at around £350+.
The RSD 2022 release is a reissue of the first release on Gatur
557 which is now commanding around £2k. It's a shame they didn't
reissue the Gatur 509 piano version along with "I'm Having So Much Fun"! It's another that has been reissued by Grapevine, in 2002 and these are selling for almost £100.
You may or may not be aware that Joss Stone recorded a version in 2012 on her "Soul Sessions Volume 2" album, It was included a a bonus track.
RareSoulMan, renown rare soul record dealer John Manship, waxed lyrical about the piano
version:
"THE VERSION TO OWN - Not only because it is significantly
rarer than the green label release, more importantly a totally
different version to the green label release even though the
labelling carries the same release number 509 release number
and oddly master number 1005 also . This release is even more unimaginably brilliant,
thoughtfully considered, a softer take, with a different
vocal, than the muscular Hammond organ propelled version on
the later green label release; was preceded by mesmerising
piano and horn alchemy, brought down into an awesome flood of
beseeching Northern Soul, sublimely filled with warnings of
impending "hurt". Preeminent New Orleans Northern Soul with few comparisons;
Willie knew he had written something very special, indeed
lyrically remarkable, unadulterated Soul poetry drenched in
the irony of karma. One of the greatest records ever to emerge
out of The Crescent City, we think inexplicably revamped and
re-promoted by Willie Tee. But he knew he had written a gem
but he didn't feel it carried enough "funk" to capture the
public's attention. So he abandoned his first draft and
re-recorded it for release on the more familiar green Gatur
label take. Leaving the original "session" adrift, to be
discovered by dedicated European Soul Scholars and DJ's who
still swoon in its soulful purity today. For me no superlative is too strong, to clothe this record
in, utterly brilliant, frustratingly rare and seldom if ever
encountered in anything but poor condition."
Willie Tee recorded some fine tune. His Discography was posted in 2020 check it out.
Willie Tee [1972] - The First Taste Of Hurt [Gatur 509] Blue
Willie Tee [1972] - The First Taste Of Hurt [Gatur G-557]
Willie Tee [1972] - I'm Having So Much Fun [Gatur G-557]
Joss Stone [2012] - First Taste Of Hurt [S-Curve] Joss Stone recorded a version for her Soul Sessions Vol. 2 album
in 2012 - it was included as a bonus track.
I came across this 'novelty' Christmas single from
J. Anthony Brown
who is an American comedian/actor, which I'm sure you've already guessed
is a (p*ss) take on Billy Paul's 1972 Philly gem, released in 2012.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
I've only recently become aware of Joss Stones's version of Willie Tee's crossover gem. I've posted Wilie Tee's version before in the
Willie Tee Discography
and on a
specific post
on the record itself as there are a few different variants of the
recording, but any excuse to re-post Willie Tee's best recording, and that's saying something as he has recorded some incredible tunes.
Joss Stone [2012] - First Taste Of Hurt [S-Curve #0731521011]
Released only on Deluxe Editions of 'The Soul Sessions. Vol. 2' with 4 bonus tracks in 2012 and only the US got a limited edition vinyl release which is now selling for over £200!
Live in Sau Paulo 2012
Gatur #509 Blue label
The 1005 mix GR-1672-B with Funky, Funky Twist on the
flip
A 'softer' version piano rather than organ, the rarest and best
version.
Gatur #509
The 1005 mix with Funky, Funky Twist on the flip
GR-1672-B-R / 1005-2
Gatur #G-557
The 1003 mix with I'm Having So Much Fun on the flip.
An uptempo southern soul groover from 2012 album 'Grown & Sexy' which was also released as a single.
It appears that this is her only album (so far) which is surprising as listening to the samples (click album cover image) it's a pretty good contemporary southern soul set.
Jordin Sparks was the winner of American Idol season 6 in 2007 aged only
17. This track is taken from the remake of the 1976 move
Sparkle, loosley based on the birth and rise of The Supremes, which was released in
2012.
I've always loved the music of Darrow Fletcher. His 'What Good Am I Without You' on Jacklyn was one of the very first records I bought when I first got into Northern Soul many moons ago! His work has been criminally neglected until the UK soul scene fell in love with him and he has visited these shores several time to perform, but for whatever reason I've never actually managed to see him perform live ... until now, as Karl 'Chalky' White has just uploaded footage from a gig he did in Nov. 2012 at The Wilton Ballroom, Castleford, Yorkshire (along with footage from other gigs e.g. Richard Caiton). The Wilton evens were run by Dave Box and his wife Val, Sadly Dave is no longer with us but he posted a detailed interview with Darrow Fletcher on Soul Source in Aug. 2012 Darrow Fletcher - The Interview - The Full Story.
I did a post on Darrow some time ago (Aug 2009), it was originally on my Modern Soul blog which is no longer maintained but is still live.
The sound quality is not brilliant as it captures a lot of the background noise, so if you want to hear the recorded versions here's the track list.
Honey Can I - great track which is pretty hard to find as it's only on the issue of Rising Cost Of Love [Atlantic] and most copies are same sided promos! I can find only 3 ever listed on Popsike and needless to say latest price is around £200.
After listening to Leela James' latest album 'Did It For Love' released in 2017 it prompted me to visit her recording history. She has to date since 2005, released 6 albums, the biggest seller was 'My Soul' reaching #37 in US charts. All her others were outside the top 50 with one not even charting (Loving You More... In The Spirit Of Etta James) All made top 50 R&B with My Soul reaching #7. The 6 albums have spawned 20 single releases which have all failed to make a dent on even the US RB charts, except 'Tell Me You Love Me' which reached the heady heights of #72! However, 9 have entered the US Adult R&B charts, with 'Don't Want You Back' from her latest album reaching #1.
This surprised me as I thought that she was a 'more established' artist. Her latest album, I feel, is her best to date.
I have posted all her material chronologically embedding links to all her single releases from each album and added any other tracks that are 'worthy'. I've provided YouTube links to the remaining tracks at the bottom of each album.
2005 - A Change Is Gonna Come [Warner Bros. 48027-2]
Debut album from 2005 with 19 tracks, 5 of which were released as singles.
2005 - Music
Her first single taken from her first album
2005 - Don't Speak
The second single from her debut album.
2005 - Good Time
The third single from her debut album - a driving neo/modern soul dancer.
2005 - My Joy
The fourth single from her debut album - a deep and bluesy number.
2005 - When You Love Somebody
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.85
The fifth and final single from her debut album - another deep soul cut - to me she sounds like Joss Stone on this track.
2005 - Mistreating You
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
Album only - deep soul
2005 - It's Alright
Album track only - deep soul stepper
2005 - A Change Is Gonna Come
'Surprisingly' an album track only - cover of Sam Cooke's classic.
Her second album released 4 years after her debut on Shanachie, which is an album of 11 cover versions. Only 2 tracks were released as singles.
2008 - It's A Man's Man's World
The first single from Let's Do It Again was a cover of James Brown's 1966 classic. She again sounds very like Joss Stone to me on this track.
2008 - Baby I'm Scared Of You
Second single from Let's Do It Again was a cover of Womack & Womack.
2009 - You Know How To Love Me
Album track only - A reasonable cover of Phyllis Hyman's 1979 classic, but hard act to follow to beat the original. Sounds a bit fast and sparse i.e. lacking the lush Philly orchestral backing that Hyman's original had. For a better cover version try Regina Belle's from her latest album The Day Life Begins from 2016 on Shanachie (which prompts me to put some of her material up in future) or even Lisa Stansfield's from the eponymous album from 1997
2009 - Clean Up Woman
Album track only - A competent and faithful reproduction of Betty Wright's classic. Album track only.
2009 - Miss You
Album track only - A cover of the Rolling Stones. Album track only.
2012 - Loving You More... In The Spirit Of Etta James [Shanachie SH 5802]
Her fourth album and back to Shanachie for this one containing several covers of Etta James songs. Of the 11 tracks only 2 were released as singles.
2012 - Something's Got A Hold On Me Cover of Etta James 1962 45 on Argo was 1st single from album.
2012 - I'm Loving You More Everyday
I think this is a song from the Etta James vault that was unreleased until put on a Chess/Charly compilation Tell Mama in the 80s. If anyone knows more please leave a comment. It was the 2nd track release as a single from album.
2012 - Damn Your Eyes
Album track only. Another Etta James cover from her Seven Year Itch album from 1988.
2012 - I'd Rather Go Blind
Deep soul album track only cover of Etta James classic.
2012 - At Last
Deep soul album track only cover of Etta James classic.
The fifth album on yet another label, J&T, which I think 'may' be her own label as only this album and her last are on the label. The album contains 10 tracks of which 3 were released as singles.
2013 - Say That Feat. Anthony Hamilton
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
Neo/modern soul dancer with a hint of Philly. 1st single from album)
2014 - Fall For You MORish ballad. (2nd single from album)
2015 - Set Me Free Neo soul stepper (3rd single from album)
Her latest album which I highly recommend. Five tracks 9of 11) already released as singles and several (better tracks in my view) which should have been, that I've embedded and the remaining tracks are linked to.
2016 - Don't Want You Back
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75
Neo soul ballad/stepper (1st single from album)
2017 - Hard For Me
Neo deep soul ballad. (2nd single from alum)
2017 - All Over Again
MORish Ballad(3rd single from album)
2017 - I Remember
Deep neo soul ballad/stepper (4th single from album)
2017 - Don't Mean A Thang
Neo soul stepper (5th single from album)
2017 - Good To Love You Feat. Dave Hollister
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.8
Neo soul dancer - album track only
2017 - There 4 U
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75
Neo/modern soul dancer - album track only.
Great driving, dance track not released as a single. This is perfect for UK dance floors.
Ray Charles & Leela James [2005] - Compared To What [Rhino /ATlantic]
A bonus track for the Northern Soulers - here's Ray Charles & Leela James - Compared To What a monster on the scene by Mr. Flood's Party. This is a slower more jazzy/bluesy version. It's from Ray Charles Genius & Friends album from 2005 on Rhino/Atlantic.
Robert Randolph Feat. Leela James [2006] - Stronger [Warner Bros. 44393-2]
I've included this track for 'completeness'. I find it rather nondescript.
