BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS »

Monday 25 March 2013

Lina

Washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea is this week's guest castaway, Lina... International singer, songwriter, recording artist, producer and record label owner.

We live in an age where everyone appears to have 'got talent'. When applied to Lina, however, the word talent really has true meaning.

Her music incorporates many different elements, defying any attempt to be pigeonholed whilst remaining truly soulful.

The theme of self-empowerment permeates through Lina's work and she explained this in an interview given prior to the release of her second studio album 'The Inner Beauty Movement' : "My plan is to get people to realize themselves, focus on who they are and love that person."

'The Love Chronicles of a Lady Songbird - A tribute to Soul' released in September 2012 is Lina's fourth studio album.  It is packed full of great tracks, with 'I Won't Go Down' as the standout. In my opinion, 'I Won't Go Down' is one of the best soul tracks to have been recorded in a long, long time.

When asked to be a guest on Deserted Island Discs, Lina responded "OK, fun !"

Betty Wright - My Love Is

"I like this song simply because of its message plus it has those ol' school gospel harmonies and Betty Wright knows she was slanging that song!"

Roberta Flack - Feel Like Making Love

"I love the first three words of this song, they stick with you. The melody is infectious. Roberta's voice is therapeutic... its all smooth n' warm. 

What great concept for a song"

Diana Ross - Love Hangover

"It's the sexiest song ever written... that bass line is so Hott!"

Marvin Gaye - I Want You

"I like it because its a very honest song. I love the lyrics and arrangement... it's so colorful n' exciting it gives me an eargasm. 

Most of Marvin Gaye's music just does it for me : He was outstanding. 

He was a super hero to me"

Miguel - Adorn

“I'm feeling this new kid on the block. 

The song has a message we women love... I want a man to sing that song to me with conviction! 

Edify me Miguel! 

Actually, I wouldn't mind if Miguel sang it to me himself, he's kinda cute and he can sing and he's singing about a woman n' not some money or a chain. 

Winner!”

****

 

Get this now !

 


Monday 18 March 2013

Frank Ryle

My guest castaway this week is Frank Ryle of Cool Million.

Apart from being a soul music fan, I am one half of the producer-group Cool Million. So far we have produced 3 albums and have produced tracks with people such as Keni Burke, Jean Carne, Leroy Burgess, Eugene Wilde, Noel Mckoy, Light Of The World, Melissa Morgan, Rena Scott, Yvonne Gage, Kenny Thomas and Peggi Blu to name a few.

Over the years I’ve spread my taste to include Jazz-Soul, 60-70’s Soul, Northern Soul, Funk, Modern-Crossover, Rare Groove, Pop, Bebop, early Rap music, Deep House and Soulful House in my music collection. I love vinyl, and still buy some, but most of the new music I get as digital.  

Here’s my 5 choices… I have decided to focus on the boogie-soul side of music from the early to mid 80’s, because that was the time I started to grow my love for soul music. 

All 5 tracks have a special place for me and all the tricks always sounding great – uplifting soul music suitable for both the dance and the foot stomping.

Cool Million ft. Eugene Wilde - Back For More
(Music clip - the full version is on Frank's 5 Track Mixtape below)

"First off I have chosen one of my own productions, because in so many ways it’s the sum of my love and appreciation for the 80’s soul-boogie sound. 

Over the past four years I’ve been listening so much to this track and I never find it boring (I tend to find some music boring over time). So this one is deffo music I want to take with me."

Intrigue - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
(Music clip - the full version is on Frank's 5 Track Mixtape below)

"Back in 1984 I was 16 years old. Every Saturday I was listening to a Swedish local radio station by the name Radio Öresund and a guy named Bjørn Allquist who ran this ûber cool Soul Show. He played at lot of music i didn’t know – but loved. 

After each show I had a list of music I wanted… sometimes I got lucky and was able to find the music in record stores in Copenhagen or, if a friend went to the UK, I could get them to stop by a record shop in London.  That’s how I got this record. 

I have played this vinyl so much and cherish it every time I hear it. It always does give me a big smile and a urge to dance and shout when it goes into the hook… It maybe best to 'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie'  "

Fat Larry's Band - Be My Lady
(Music clip - the full version is on Frank's 5 Track Mixtape below)

"A very good friend of mine (who also is a soul boy and vinyl/cd junkie) had this album and we listen a lot to 'Act Like You Know'... which I guess is this album most famous cut. 

However I always had a soft spot for this particular track and many years later than 1982 I found a nearly mint copy in a record exchange store. 

What I really like about this song is the intro : It really gets me into to the groove and just builds on me.. great bassline, funky horns, wicked guitar and again never bores me and the hook is catchy.. 'Uh ah I got you girl, so come on… Be My Lady!' "

D-Train - Music
 (Music clip - the full version is on Frank's 5 Track Mixtape below)

"When this came out I was already high on 'You’re The One For Me', but it was not easy to get a hold on the album nor the 12”. I managed to find a European copy with 'Keep On' on the A Side and 'Walk On By' + 'You’re The One For Me' Dub Version on the flip... so when I saw this track on 12” I just knew that I had to buy it. 

Shortly after I picked up the album in Amsterdam on Rams Horn Records… I still have that copy and it just blows me away every time I hear it. I think its a masterpiece. 

This summer, at a soul carnival in Margate, I was privileged to be on stage with D-Train where he performed this song. It was a bit surreal for me, but at the same time awesome, to be a part of the band for living legend."

Janet Kay - Eternally Grateful 
(Music clip - the full version is on Frank's 5 Track Mixtape below)

"I found this 12” vinyl in a record shop (Street Dance) in Copenhagen in 1984 and it got under my skin at first listen. I was told that usually Local Records was a reggae label… and I believe that you can actually hear a bit of reggae rhythm in this track. 

Personally I think its a killer dance record with a nice hookline and a groovy bassline essential stuff for a great boogie tune.

It’s a record I am really happy to have in my vinyl collection and whenever I hear it I feel good. Also this tune sums up my love for the UK soul scene alongside artist/groups like Loose Ends, Cool Notes, Second Image, Central Line, Hi Tension, Light Of The World and Freeze."

Frank Ryle
Deserted Island Disc Mixtape 


The Best Soul-Funk album of 2012
Check it out 




Friday 8 March 2013

Lady Mamalade

Washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea, this week's guest castaway is soul music fan and radio presenter Lady Mamalade.

Based in Germany, Lady M presents her 'Mamalade4Soul' show as part of 'Soulful Sunday' on US based Regina Records Radio.

 

"When given the opportunity to take part in 'Deserted Island Discs' I was so excited.

Then when getting on to find only five songs ... Oh boy !  What a hard task this is !

I tried my best and still thinking it's far too less, but here are my all time favorites :"

Barry White - I Found Love

"Barry White is a must ! 

As many (women) do, I love his deep voice. Barry was a great Maestro, he learned from the best (Holland, Gamble & Huff) and loved a huge orchestra. 

Pure listening pleasure."

The Dells - We Got To Get Our Thing Together  

"What great voices are united in The Dells... a voice for every liking. 

These Gentlemen have the lyrics true and deep.  

Everyone can relate."

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody

"What a reflection on the things going on... back then right up until today. 

This song never grows old and holds the message. 

Listen ! "

Kindred The Family Soul - Magic Happen

"When you listen to Kindred ... you hear and feel LOVE. 

You'll be loved up instantly." 

John Legend - Save Room

"John's voice has something I just can't explain. 

To me this song shows how important time is and that it is a gift not to be wasted."

*** 
Join Lady Mamalade on the 'Mamalade4Soul' Show


***

Monday 4 March 2013

the selecter dj kirk

This week's guest castaway is the unofficial mayor of San Francisco, Kirk Michael Harper... the selecter dj kirk.
Born and raised in S.F., Kirk is recognized for his all-embracing knowledge of soul music through the decades, his extensive record collection and for producing events like 'Soul It's the Real Thing'.

Kirk is also part of the Sweater Funk crew at 'The Knockout' and 
with Julius Papp at 'The Revival  : Luxury Soul'.

"I've whittled down the selections... Man, that was tough !"

Tony Clarke - The Entertainer 


"As a young kid that was inspired by the early 80s mod revival, I wanted to learn everything I could about soul music beyond my mom’s pop-soul collection. 

Around 1980, I bought a Chess Records comp for Sugar Pie DeSanto’s 'Soulful Dress' (after all she was a local from San Francisco) but the track that changed it all was 'The Entertainer'. 

I must have played it ten times that first night in my room with the headphones on and ten more times with my penny loafers on. 

It was so different from the up-tempo soul we gravitated towards at the time. It was mid-tempo and we could break out moves, pauses and slides that we learned from 70s Soul Train between the beat. 

Best of all, it opened me up to more styles of soul… mod style soul didn’t have to be limited to 100 miles per hour burners, a Motown beat or a Stax track. 

In addition, as the guy that always played records for friends, the lyrics spoke to me directly : If you’re going to play, perform or dj… the show must go on.

Just gave it a listen. It still inspires me… T.C. forever!"

Patti & The Emblems - I’m Gonna Love You A Long Long Time

"In 1982-85, the influence of Ady Croasdell’s Kent Records compilations was massive in California. Our favorite record shops carried them and they seemed to come out every other month. 

Beginning with, ”For Dancers Only” we eagerly anticipated each release, gave it a listen and settled on our favorites... the next step was to scour dusty old record stores and try and locate some of these gems on 45. We didn’t find very many but our search for rare singles would never be the same.

My favorite comp was “Floorshakers” which contained two of my all-time faves : Margaret Mandolph’s 'Something Beautiful' and Patti & The Emblems 'I’m Gonna Love You A Long Long Time'. 

Patti’s track, in particular, had everything : A super horn intro, a Gladys Knight style call and response and, most importantly, that driving northern beat."

The Impressions - I Loved And I Lost

"No list would be complete without a song from the one and only Curtis Mayfield. As a child, my mom had an 8-track soul tape and whenever “I’m So Proud” would come on, I would sing all the lyrics not realizing that he would become my favorite artist of all time.

During the Bruce Lee-Superfly era in SF, Curtis was our Martin Luther King Jr. of soul, especially the kids of color. He often performed on Soul Train, his message was powerful and his falsetto was tight. He was super smooth, super cool, super fly.

In addition, our older relatives rocked his stuff in their Camaros and Mustangs….nothing was cooler than that. With our Levis wide bell cords, double knits and platform kicks with horseshoe taps, he gave us a bounce in our step…in a word he made us feel like winners.

I chose, “I Loved and I Lost” because of it’s simplicity, his song writing style and the focus on his beautiful voice... plus I needed to include a heartbreaker, slow jam to round out the list and the fact that it’s from Chicago, my music capital of the world,  is just the cherry on top."

G.C. Cameron - You’re What’s Missing In My Life

"When it comes to my favorite era of soul, 70s modern soul, what I most like about the period is the exciting coming together of modern production + super voices + legendary composers. Whether it’s David Ruffin, Levi Stubbs, Gladys Knight or Gerald Alston, matching these artists with the strings, the overdubs, the super producers and composers led the way to crisp and clean recordings…beautiful symphonic soul!

Although I only got turned onto this song in the late 90s, it takes me back to that time of beautiful flowing things…for many it’s just disco, for us it was S-O-U-L with a Don Cornelius accent and it was everything. In San Francisco, KSOL & KDIA were our stations and voices like G.C. Cameron, the former lead singer of the Spinners, ruled. 

'You’re What’s Missing In My Life' has the mid-tempo feel that I love to dance to, the heartache–style vocals that I tend to gravitate towards and it remains one of my favorite modern soul songs... plus it’s credited to two of the Holland Brothers. The pedigree does not get any better than that.

Since we’re talking about being on a deserted island, I am sure I’d be missing a lot of things in my life. If we include talking about fantasy and projecting oneself, then the LP photo seems very apropo : G.C. shirtless, jogging on the beach. I guess I could envision myself waiting to get rescued and hoping folks see me as more like G.C. and less like Michael Henderson’s 'Slingshot'. "

La Voyage - Never Lookin' Back


"Rounding out the list is a soulful boogie track with a special shout out to my Sweater-Funk DJ family. Every Sunday night for 5+ years we share our favorite boogie, steppers and modern soul originals and this track remains one of our favorites and has become one of our anthems. 
La Voyage was an all family group comprised of siblings: Aaron, Al, Vince, Ron and their sister Dee Dee : A perfect combination of voices, musicianship and song writing ability. 'Never LookIn’ Back', released in ’82 was composed by Ronald Broomfield, who is best known for his rare groove classic, 'Gotta Get You Home Tonight' recorded under his later stage name, Eugene Wilde.
With it’s punchy horn intro, soaring synths and Nile Rodgers style guitar it just keeps building yet never seems rushed…boogie perfection!
In many ways, this song epitomizes why we love boogie.  If disco was racing along at a high pace, pushing 130bpm and always four on the floor…boogie came along and said, let’s slow it down a bit, let’s add some funk and bring back the soul. 
Where the late disco era tended to be hedonistic and white-bread…. boogie tended to be more aspirational, more grounded in funk and the focus was back to African-American voice. Even the attire reflected the change in style : Gone are the over the top spacesuits, glitter everything and soft focus covers…..the era of Sweater-Funk had arrived…still very polished but with a casual confidence….for soul fans we loved the Restoration."
"I hope you enjoy my selections. It was so much fun picking and choosing, thanks for including me on this project…cheers Bill and keep the fire burning!"
...
I betcha' loved Kirk's choices... so try these for size :
...