Little Things Radio ep.12 Oct 2011

  It's that time of year again... Cork Jazz Festival is back and the line-up this year doesn't disappoint. The highlight for me has to be the Honest Jon's Chop Up. I have no idea what kind of music will come out of throwing all those creative souls together but on paper it looks like music history in the making. I'm excited.

  I could waffle on and on about all the artists performing in Cork over the weekend, but to be honest it sounds a little too much like work. Go check out the full line-up here and save me the bother. http://guinnessjazzfestival.com

  No theme to this months mix really, just over an hour of decent 7"s. A lot of funk, breaks, some disco, blues and so on. Regular listeners will be heart broken to hear I didnt bother with the mic this month. It's a bit of a chore to set up and pretty much everything I want to say about the records gets written on the blog anyway. The whole exercise has felt a bit pointless lately. So, for now at least, the golden voice is off the air!

  Be sure to check back next month as we'll be celebrating a full year of LittleThingsRadio. wayhey! I suppose I should do something different to mark the occasion, haven't decided exactly what that'll be yet, but it'll be good... I think. 

Tracklist...

The Mystic Moods - Midnight Snack (Sound Bird)

Black Heat - Chip's Funk (Atlantic)

Timmy Thomas - People Are Changin' (Glades)

Johnny Copeland - I Wish I Was Single (Wet Soul)

Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Deram)

Minnie Ripperton with Rotary Connection (Janus)

Barbara McNair - Here I Am Baby (Motown)

Mable John - It's Catching (Stax)

The Dells - Wear It On Our Face (Cadet)

Dramatics - The Devil Is Dope (Volt)

The Lost Generation - Talking The Teenage Language (Brunswick)

The People's Choice - Let Me Do My Thing (Phil L.A. Of Soul)

Ann Peebles - If This Is Heaven (Hi)

The Nite-Liters - Down And Dirty (RCA)

Mandrill - Fencewalk (Polydor)

Mandrill - Mandrill (Polydor)

Alvin Cash and the Scott Bros Orch - Keep On Dancing (Toddlin Town)

The Chevelles - The Gallop (Flaming Arrow)

Kool and the Gang - The Frog (DeLite)

Mongo Santamaria - Cold Sweat (Columbia)

Jimmy McGriff - The Worm (Solid State)

Rogier Van Otterloo - Let's Go To Randstad (Randstad Uitzendbureau)

Miami feat. Robert Moore - Party Freaks (Drive) 

Shadow - Hot City (Elektra)

First Choice - Guilty (Philly Groove)

Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn The Beat Around (RCA)

Download Link...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0EZEFYW1

Miami feat. Robert Moore - Party Freaks 

  As the house band for T.K. Records Miami played many classic sessions with artists such as Betty Wright, George and Gwen McCrae, Little Beaver and more. They also released three very decent albums of disco funk themselves. 

Jimmy McGriff - The Worm

  Jimmy Mcgriff was one of the masters of the Hammond B3 organ. Over his long career he recorded over 50 albums for labels such as Blue Note, Groove Merchant, Sue and Solid State. "The Worm", one of McGriff's funkier moments, includes a nice opening drum break that has been sampled extensively. 

Mongo Santamaria - Cold Sweat 

  Mongo Santamaria was a highly influential Cuban percussionist who has recorded over 30 albums of his own and played on countless others. His fusion of Latin percussion sounds with American Soul and R&B would be an important influence on the Boogaloo sound of the late 60's. 

  "Cold Sweat" is of course a cover of the James Brown classic. The b-side features nice version of Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay"

Rogier Van Otterloo - Let's Go To Randstad 

  This one is 70's Dutch pop music with some really nice drum breaks. I picked this up a few years back in Amsterdam. Me and a friend of mine were walking around the city and ended up browsing in one of those headshops. I saw a small box of records at the back of the and had a quick look through them. There wasn't much there I was interested in except for a copy of Lee Dorsey's "Every Thing I Do Gohn Be Funky". When I went to pay for it the guy behind the counter pulled out a bunch of 7"s he thought I might be interested in. Ended up leaving with a small stack of really nice funk records. He threw in this Roger Van Otterloo 7" for free. I asked him what type of music was on it. "Kinda hard to explain" he said. "I think you'll like it. It's got breaks." Good enough for me. 

Kool and the Gang - The Frog

  Tribe Called Quest must have loved a bit of Kool and the Gang. "N.T.", "Who's Gonna Take The Weight", "Soul Vibration's" all found their way into Tribe productions. "The Frog" was one of the records used for "Mr. Mohammed" from Tribe's classic debut LP, "People's Instinctive Paths Of Rhythm"

Alvin Cash and the Scott Bros Orch - Keep On Dancing

   Alvin Cash is probably best known for his song "Twine Time" with the Crawlers. He released quite a few decent singles in the 60's and 70's and acted in several blaxpioitation films. 

The Chevelles - The Gallop 

  Heavy instrumental funk. This can be found on the b-side of Gloria Walker and the Chevelles' "Talking About My Baby".  

Mandrill - Fencewalk 

  Mandrill's music had it all. Funk, Latin, Rock, Afrobeat, Jazz... Their fanbase crossed all genres and racial barriers. They felt equally at home playing shows with James Brown or Miles Davis or Deep Purple. It didn't matter. They'd play with anyone, and would often be the band people left the show talking about. For more info check out this in depth interview on the Midnight Soulstice Podcast
http://midnightsoulstice.podbean.com/2010/12/06/live-interview-with-mandrill-february-27th-2009

The Nite-Liters - Down And Dirty

  70's funk outfit The Nite-Liters released 5 very solid albums in the early seventies and were involved in the making of two albums by Love, Peace and Happiness. Some members were also part of the successful soul group New Birth.

Shadow - Hot City

  Shadow was made up of former members of the Ohio Players in 1979. By the time they split ways 1982 they had released three albums, which included some minor hits, but they would never match commercial success they enjoyed as the Ohio Players.  

Black Heat - Chip's Funk

  This was one of the singles from Black Heat's excellent self titled debut on Atlantic records. The b-side features "Street Of Tears" which was sampled to great effect by 9th Wonder for his Murs collaboration "3:16"  

Johnny Copeland - I Wish I Was Single 

   Blues singer and guitarist Copeland signed his first recording contract with Duke records way back in 1957. Throughout his long career he played with many of the greats including Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Mamma Thornton and Freddy King. 

   "I Wish I Was Single" is one of Copelands later recordings (1981). While many Blues legends found it difficult to find their place in the changing music industry of the 80's, Copeland managed to thrive. He recorded several critically acclaimed albums and even won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his work on the "Showdown!" LP recorded with Robert Clay and Albert Collins.  

Mable John - It's Catching  

  Mable John was the first female artist signed to Tamala/Motown Records. She recorded a few Blues singles for the label that sold poorly. At this time Berry Gordy was beginning to have a lot of success with the type of Soul acts the label is generally associated with, such as the Miracles and the Marvelettes, and most of the Blues artists (Mable included) were dropped. 

  After her spell at Motown she spent several years as a backing singer for Ray Charles. In 1966 she signed with Stax records (making her one of the few artists to be signed to both Motown and Stax) where she released a string of excellent 45's that these days are all too often overlooked. 

Barbara McNair - Here I Am Baby

  McNair's career began to take off when she won Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" tv show which I guess was something like a 50's version of X Factor. From there she became a regular guest on shows like the "Steve Allen Show", "Hullabaloo" and "The Bell Telephone Hour".

   She went on to have a successful acting career featuring on television shows such as "Mission Impossible" and "The Eleventh Hour" and many feature films such as "If He Hollers Let Him Go", Elvis Presley's "Change Of Habit" and "They Call Me Mister Tibbs" (which features a kick ass Quincy Jones soundtrack that's well worth tracking down).

   In the early 70's McNair married manager Rick Manzie who allegedly had mob ties. In 1976 Manzie was murdered in their Las Vegas home. Later Mafia Boss turned Government informer Jimmy Fratianno claimed in his book "The Last Mafioso" that Manzie was murdered because he tried to have a mob associated lawyer killed. The truth of this has been challenged and chances are we'll never know the full story.

   McNair remarried and lived out the rest of her life in Los Angeles. She died of throat cancer in 2007.

Little Things Radio Ep.11 Sept 2011

Tracklist...

Lee Perry - Roast Fish And Corn Bread (Orchid)

The Heptones - We're In The Mood (Coxsone)

Sidney Owens and North and South Connection - Sputnik (Scorpio Sounds)

Mystiques - So Good To Have You Home Again (Numero Group)

Billy Garner - I Got Some (Fryers)

The Invaders - Latin Lips (Jazzman)

Mary Lou Williams - Credo (Jazzman)

Lee Moses - Reach Out I'll Be There (Jazzman)

Syl Johnson - I Resign From Your Love (Federal)

Ebony Rhythm Band - Soul Heart Transplant (Now and Again)

Connie Price and the Keystones feat. Soul Sister D'Mya - Time To Kill (Now and Again)

Smokey Brooks - Spin-It Jig (Now) 

Otis Lee - Hard Row To Hoe (Soul Magic)

We The People - Break Down (Davel)

Cojo - Play It By Ear (Lotus Land)

Darwin's Theory - Keep On Smiling (Lotus Land)

John and Ernest - Super Fly Meets Shaft (Rainy Wednesday)

WQLJ - Nothin' Doin' But Waitin' On Leon (WQLJ)

Mack Rice - Three People In Love (Capitol)

Ed Robinson - Hey Blackman (GM)

The Pack - Harlem Shuffle (Lucky Eleven)

Donald Austin - Crazy Eleven (Eastbound)

Firebirds - Soul Sonata (Excello)

The Chi-Lites - We Need Order (Brunswick)

C-Brand - Shake Your A-S-S-E-T-S (Detroit International)

Magic Disco Machine - Scratchin (Motown)

Hypnotic Brass Ensamble - Brass In Africa (Handcuts)

Bobby McFerrin - Don't  Worry Be Happy (EMI)

Download Link...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TIIWAOUT

  The whole original vs re-press argument is something I try my best not to get bogged down in. Sure, there's something nice about owning an original, but I'm not one of those types that will refuse to play a record simply because it's a reissue. There's just too much incredible music out there that I'm never going to realistically be abel to find or afford without the help of labels like Now And Again and Jazzman. I'm not willing to spend big money on any record and I don't live in a part of the world where rares turn up in bargain bins very often, so if I'm left with the choice of losing my rent money on an original or picking up that 10 euro repress, well... there's no choice at all.

   I'm also more than happy to give my money to the labels out there doing it right. Some are just looking to bootleg old records for a quick buck, but others make every effort to license the music legally in the hope that the original artists are compensated. 

  Most of the 45's I've been playing on these podcasts have been original pressings. They aren't rare records (most of the stuff I play can be found for less than a tenner with a little patience) but until now I've avoided playing re-presses for the most part. This month I decided was as good a time as any to break out a few. So the first half of this show will focus on some of those rare records that I haven't as of yet been abel to find original copies of. The search continues... 

Ebony Rhythm Band - Soul Heart Transplant 

  

   This is an incredible piece of psychedelic funk that was discovered and reissued on 7" by the Stones Throw subsidiary Now and Again back in 2003. "Soul Heart Transplant" b/w "Drugs Ain't Cool" was the Ebony Rhythm Band's only solo release, but they did work as a backing band for other artists. Some of the unused tracks from those studio sessions ended up being compiled and released on "The Lamp Sessions" LP in 2004. 

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Brass In Africa

   

   The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are one of my favorite live acts. The energy they bring to the stage is incredible. They're back in Cork for the Jazz Festival next month where they'll be doing a show in the Pav, as well as taking part in the Honest Jon's Chop Up show in the Savoy. A week before that the boys are in Dublin doing a special Sun Ra inspired set for the Choice Cuts Rhythm Weekender.

   I'm sure by now anyone in Ireland with any interest has probably seen them at least a couple times (It seems like they spend more time in Ireland than they do in the states) but that's no reason to not go and see them again. 

Magic Disco Machine - Scratchin 

   

   One of those classic breaks that seemed to get sampled by just about everybody in the late 80's. N.W.A., Slick Rick, Stetsasonic, Run DMC, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, etc, etc.. the drums and horn stabs are everywhere.

John and Ernest - Super Fly Meets Shaft 

   Weird novelty record that uses snippets of random songs to tell a ridiculous story about Super Fly and Shaft. Steinski style sample fodder.

Mack Rice - Three People In Love

  Yet another legend of soul music who is far too often overlooked. Throughout his long career Rice has written over 400 songs, many of which are classics. His compositions have been performed by The Staple Singers, Johnny Taylor, Wilson Pickett, Otis Clay, Albert King, Rufus Thomas, Ike and Tina Turner, Etta James, and many, many more. 

  He got his first big break in the late 50's with the Falcons, a group that included Eddie Floyd, Joe Stubbs and Wilson Pickett. They had several hits in the late 50's and early 60's before eventually splitting ways in 1963.

   In 1965 he wrote and recorded what is probably his best known song, "Mustang Sally".  Originally titled "Mustang Mama", it was the one and only Aretha Franklin who suggested he change it to Sally. Mack's version did quite well but it's Wilson Pickett's version that is remembered by most today.

   Mack worked as an in-house songwriter for Stax records from 1967 straight through to the end when Stax eventually closed in 1978. At that point he invested some of his money in an asphalt company and left the music industry entirely until 1992 when he finally released a solo album titled "Right Now" on the Blue Suit label. He now lives in Detroit and is still performing. 

   This record can be a tricky find these days. It often sells for over 50 euro, partially because of it's use on Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow's Brain Freeze mix. Cut Chemist will be back in Cork next month alongside JRocc for the Rhythm Weekender. Not to be missed.

Firebirds - Soul Sonata

   Firebirds were a group of Detroit session musicians. It's believed this track was probably an unused song from a previous studio session that Excello decided to release as an instrumental. Open drums + pleasant piano + funky bassline = Keeper. 

The Pack - Harlem Shuffle

   The Pack we're a garage rock band from Michigan who had several regional hits in the second half of the 60's. The group was originally a soul and funk cover band called The Jazz Masters until they were discovered by radio D.J. Terry Knight. At the time Knight was growing tired of radio and wanted to start making music of his own. He recruited the Jazz Masters as his band and renamed them The Pack. 

   With Knight as lead singer and songwriter, the Pack released a string of 45's and one album before Knight left the group to pursue a solo career in 1967. This cover of the Bob and Earl classic was the groups first release without Knight. A couple more 45's followed before the band split ways in 1968. Don Brewer (drums) and Mark Farmer (bass) would go on to form the hugely successful Grand Funk Railroad. 

   Meanwhile Knight was having some success with a group called the Terry Knight Revue. This however was short lived. He was eventually reunited with his old band mates when he became producer and manager for Grand Funk Railroad. Despite the huge success Grand Funk enjoyed while under Knight, the band claimed they weren't getting the money they were owed and eventually sacked him. Not one to go quietly, Knight sued the band for breach of contract. Legal battles dragged on for over two years before Grand Funk eventually won their freedom from Knight, but at a heavy price. 

   After the Grand Funk days, Knight started the Brown Bag Records label which he ran for a year or two before retiring from the music business permanently in late 1973. Knight disappeared from the public eye for over 30 years until his bizarre and tragic death brought him back into the spotlight.

   In November of 2004 Knight was murdered in a domestic dispute. He was stabbed 17 times while trying to protect his daughter from her abusive boyfriend. His killer was convicted and is now serving a life sentence.

The Chi-Lites - We Need Order 

  I've had this record for years, somehow it was only recently that I realised this song was the sample source for one of my favorite Hip Hop tracks from the late 90's, All City's "The Actual".

Little Things Radio ep10 Aug 2011 (Stevie Wonder Special)

Tracklist...

Stevie Wonder - Visions (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - As (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - I'd Be A Fool Right Now (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - I Don't Know Why (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - I'm More Than Happy, I'm Satisfied (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - Living For The City (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - All I Do (Tamala/Motown)

Stevie Wonder - Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer (Tamala/Motown)

The Meters - Hand Clapping Song (Josie)

Chakachas - Stories?? (AVCO)

Pigmeat Markham - Here Comes The Judge (Chess)

Andre Williams - Cadillac Jack (Checker)

Young Holt Unlimited - Hot Pants (Cotillion)

Isaac Hayes - Hung Up On My Baby (Enterprise)

The Javells feat. Nosmo King - Goodbye, Nothin' To Say (PYE)

The Nite-Liters - K-Jee (RCA)

Herman Kelly & Life - Dance To The Drummer Beat (Electric Cat)

Brick - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Bang)

Moments - With You (Stang)

Busy - Ecliptic Armilla (Rush Hour)

Onra - Shhhhhh (All City)

Download Link...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KUQFCFPJ

  The story has been told again and again and chances are that if you have even a passing interest in soul music you know it well. Blind from just after birth, signed with Motown at just 11 years of age, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, producer, one of the best and most influential run of albums in the history of music, continues to record and tour to this day... 

   I had the honor of seeing him live the last time he played in Dublin. I'd be completely incapable of describing exactly how amazing this show was, but it affected me on a level that could really only be described as spiritual. The man is a genius. I don't normally attach that word to musicians, but it's really the only word I can think of that could begin to do the man justice. 

   On top of his musical achievements he seems like a truly humble and giving human being who has dedicated much of his time over the years to social and political activism. 

   This month I'll be paying tribute to the legendary music of Stevie Wonder. 

Brick - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody

  Brick formed in 1972 but didn't release their first record until 1976. They had quite a bit of success throughout the second half of the 70's with funky disco tracks like "Dazz", "Southern Sunset", "Dusic", and "Happy". Great party music.

Herman Kelly and Life - Dance To The Drummer Beat

  This is one of those classic breaks that every self respecting hip hop DJ should have a couple copies of. Oddly, the track was released on three labels in 1978, Electric Cat, Alston, and TK Disco, (Electric Cat being the first pressing). For some reason the Electric Cat issues are titled "Dance to the Drummer Beat". Later pressings added the s to the end of drummer. That fact really shouldn't interest anyone but for some ridiculous reason it interests me. 

Busy - Ecliptic Armilla

  Nice forward thinking beat music off of the Rush Hour compilation "Beat Dimensions Vol.2". Busy aka Bradford Johnson Jr. has been making beats for around 10 years. He's got some musical training under his belt too (sax, bass, and keys). He released his debut E.P. "m0ths" last year and is currently working on a full length album for the Tasteful Licks label. 

The Meters - Hand Clapping Song

   Greatest funk band of all time? Not quite. Parliament/Funkadelic or the JB's probably wear that crown, but after that there are very few groups that can hold a torch to the Meters.

   "The Hand Clapping Song" is a bit of a classic in Hip Hop circles and is a great example of why Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste is still so highly influential to drummers worldwide. 

Isaac Hayes - Hung Up On My Baby

   The Geto Boys "Mind's Playin Tricks On Me" was a childhood favorite of mine. I still remember how excited I was when I finally discovered the Isaac Hayes sample. After all these years the track still does it for me.  

Andre Williams - Cadillac Jack

   Born in Alabama in 1936, Andre Williams moved while he was still a toddler to a Chicago Housing project where he was raised  by his mother until she sadly died when Andre was just 6 years of age. His aunts took on the job of raising the boy untill he left for Detroit when he was 16. It was here Williams started his music career with a group called The Don Juans. 

   Feeling like he couldn't compete vocally with most of the other singers on the label he decided to try a spoken word style that could be considered a pre-curser to hip hop. "Bacon Fat" was the first song in which Williams tried this new vocal technique. Almost everyone who witnessed the session thought he was wasting time and money by just talking over the record, but they were proved wrong when "Bacon Fat" went on to become one of Fortune Records biggest selling singles. 

   In 1961 Williams signed with Motown. He would work with the label as a songwriter and producer until 1965, but he clashed often with Berry Gordy who sacked and rehired him several times during that period. While with Motown Williams co-wrote Stevie Wonder's first single "Thank You For Loving Me" as well as songs for Mary Wells, Eddie Holland, Marvin Gaye, and Henry Lumpkin.

   Around this time he also wrote some hits for artists outside of Motown including "Twine Time" by Alvin Cash and the Crawlers and "Shake a Tail Feather" by the Five Dutones. 

   In 1965 Williams signed with Chess Records where he released several 45's including the song featured here. He also continued to write and produce for many artists including Parliament/Funkadelic.

   In the early 70's Williams was asked to produce an album for Ike Turner but sadly this was the beginning of a very hard time for him. While working with Turner, Williams developed a serious coke addiction. He returned to Chicago where he would struggle with his drug problems for many years. He was often homeless and could be found begging on bridges and street corners. 

   It wasn't until the mid 90's that Williams would start to get his career back on track. In 1996 he released an album with new versions of some of his classics from his time on Fortune records. In 1998 he released the sleaze rock album "Silky". With songs like "Pussy Stank" and "Bonin" the LP earned the title of "the worlds sleaziest album". Williams went on to release many albums over the following 10 years. He continues to record and tour to this day. 

   A documentary released in 2007 titled "Agile, Mobile, Hostile: A Year With Andre Williams" tells the story of his music career, his troubles with addiction, and his return to the stage. 

The Chakachas - Stories??

  The Chakachas were a group of Belgium based session musicians that were formed in the late 1950's. The early releases were soul records with a heavy latin influence but they adopted a funkier sound in the 70's that can be heard here or on their chart topping hit "Jungle Fever".

Pigmeat Markham - Here Comes The Judge

   This one is considered by many to be one of the first "rap" records. Starting his career in the 1920's Pigmeat Markham was mainly known as a comedian but he also found time to act, dance, and release some very funky music. An all around entertainer you might call him. "Here Comes the Judge" was a popular piece of his comedy act that can be heard on the b-side of this 7".

Little Things Radio ep9 July 2011 (Fonse Mizell/Michael Jackson Tribute)

Tracklist....

The Blackbyrds - The Baby (Fantasy)

Donald Byrd - Black Byrd (Blue Note)

A Taste Of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie (Capitol)

The Jackson 5 - ABC (Motown)

The Jackson 5 - The Love You Save (Motown)

The Jackson 5 -  I Want You Back (Motown)

The Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine (Motown)

Michael Jackson - Get On The Floor (Epic)

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (Epic)

Michael Jackson - Rock With You (Epic)

Michael Jackson - I Can't Help It (Epic)

The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye (Motown)

Reuben Bell - I Hear You Knocking (it's too late) (DeLuxe)

Eddie Kendricks - Can I (Tamala)

Curtis Mayfield - Sweet Exorcist (Curtom)

The Chambers Brothers - People Get Ready (Columbia)

Betty Wright - Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do (Alston)

The Ray Charles Orchestra - Booty Butt (Tangerine)

Poquito Soul - One G Plus Three (Gordo)

Little Milton - Poor Man (Checker)

The Chubukos - Witch Doctor Bump (Mainstream)

Ohio Players - Funky Worm (Westbound)

Breakout - Planet Rock pt.1 (Melting Pot)

Tony Camillo's Bazuka - Dynomite pt.1 (A&M)

Club Nouveau - Why You Treat Me So Bad (Warner Bros)

Diana Ross - Love Hangover (Motown)

Madlib feat. Guilty Simpson - Go! (BBE)

Dangerdoom feat. Talib Kweli - Old School (Lex)

 

Download Link.....

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ENYOQZ8A

Alphonso "Fonse" Mizell

   Greats of the music era I love are falling fast these days. This month saw the loss of another true legend, Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell of the untouchable production team, The Mizell Brothers. If you don't know about the Mizells you need get the fuck off my blog and go do some homework. Donald Byrd, The Jackson 5, Gary Bartz, Marvin Gaye, Bobbi Humphrey, L.T.D., Taste Of Honey... the Mizells worked with them all. I wish I could have given the man a more appropriate tribute than just these few songs but unfortunately my Mizell 7" game is pretty weak. I was tempted to break out the LPs but we've got rules around here.. 

   RIP to one of the greats.

Michael Jackson

   It was two years ago last month that MJ passed. The media circus that followed his death ended up putting me off listening to his music for a while. Two years on I can go back to these songs with fresh ears and appreciate them for the absolute classics they are. RIP to another great. 

Betty Wright - Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do

  Betty Wright signed her first record deal when she was just 12 years of age. She released her debut LP two years later which included this Judy White cover. She went on to have huge success throughout the 70's and 80's and continues to make music to this day. She was even nominated for a Grammy in 2005 for her production work on Joss Stone's "Mind Body and Soul" LP. 

   Hip Hop and R&B artists have sampled the shit out of her catalogue. Afrika Bambaattaa, Beyonce, RJD2, DJ Quick, and Mary J Blige have all taken pieces. 

   Betty released her last album "Fit For A King" in 2001 but earlier this year announced plans to record new material. 

Tony Camillo's Bazuka - Dynomite pt.1

   Bazuka was the brain child of legandary producer and arranger Tony Camillo. Before forming the band, Camillo worked with many legendary soul artists such as Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Millie Jackson, Freda Payne, the Supremes... the list goes on. 

    While Camillo was known for his soul production, "Dynomite" is more of a disco record that I'm sure sounded ahead of it's time in 1975.

Breakout - Planet Rock pt.1 

  

    Incredible heavy funk version of Afrika Bambaattaa's electro classic. This got quite a bit of attention from some of the worlds best DJ's when it came out in 2006. Bambaattaa himself was an outspoken fan. A 12" was later released which included a full 9 minute version. 

    The band decided to split ways in 2007. I'm not sure what the individual members are doing now but I'd be interested to know. They're some amazingly funky musicians.

The Chubukos - Witch Doctor Bump

    The Chubukos (aka Afrique) are probably best known for their version of Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa". This 13 member funk big band included legendary guitarist David T. Walker and bass player Chuck Rainey. They released several 45's and one album in the 70's. 

    Unfortunately this is the promo release of this 45 which has "Witch Doctor Bump" on both sides. The commercial release was backed with "House Of The Rising Funk", which has a great opening drum break that earned the song a place in the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series.

Club Nouveau - Why You Treat Me So Bad

   Almost every time I play this track out I get someone coming up to the decks asking what it is. Usually this is followed by me trying to pronounce the name of the band and them looking at me confused. After another couple attempts I usually ask them to stick around untill the songs over so I can just show them the record. This little ritual can be frustrating but its a sure sign the song is working. 

   

EDIT.. My wife has just been schooling me on the pronunciation of Club Nouveau, a lot of this confusion has probably been my fault ;)

Ohio Players - Funky Worm  

    This has to be one of the most sampled songs in hip hop history. The opening drums, bass groove and of course the classic "worm" synth sound have all been used to death. The song was basically a blueprint for 90's west coast hip hop. 

Little Milton - Poor Man

  Legendary blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter Little Milton had a long and successful career beginning in the early 50's when he was discovered by Ike Turner, and lasting right up to his death in 2006. Over the years he released many classic records for labels such as Sun, Chess, Stax, Malaco, and Bobbin. Milton's career deserves a lot more attention from music lovers outside of blues circles.

    

  

   The Ray Charles Orchestra - Booty Butt 

This is a funky little tune from Ray Charles' 1971 album "My Kind Of Jazz" that you should recognise as the sample for De La Soul's "Brain Washed Follower" from their classic "3 Feet Hight and Rising" LP. 

Amy Winehouse

It wouldn't be right to do a tribute show this month without mentioning Amy Winehouse. She was one of the most interesting and talented soul singers of the last 10 years. Another great loss to music. RIP. 

Little Things Radio ep8 June 2011

Tracklist...

Cannonball Adderley - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Capitol)

Soul Survivors - Explosion In Your Soul (Crimson)

Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Band - I've Got Love (Warner Brothers)

Eddie Floyd - Bring It On Home To Me (Stax)

Senor Soul - It's Your Thing (Whiz)

Rimshots - Save That Thing (A1)

Wisdom - Nefertiti (Adelia)

The Esquires - Girls In The City (Lamarr)

The Incredibles - Crying Heart (Audio Arts)

The Fantastic Four - Ain't Love Wonderful (Ric-Tic)

Bettye Swann - Lonely Love (Money)

The Dells - There Is (Cadet)

Marvin Gaye - Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got (Tamala)

Betty Wright - I Love The Way You Love (Alston)

The Fuzz - I Love You For All Seasons (Calla)

The Continental 4 - Day By Day (Jay-Walking)

Brothers Of Soul - Guess That Don't Make Me A Loser (Boo)

Johnny and the Expressions - Now That You're Mine (Josie)

Kim Weston - Nobody (MGM)

Bobby Bland - Rockin' In The Same Old Boat (Duke)

Kendra Lou and the Miracles - Be Kind To Your Mind (Red Astaire Remix) (Wah Wah 45's)

Tour Eiffel vs Wu Tang Clan - Le Hipe Hope (Tour Eiffel)

Sonny J - Disastro (EMI)

Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes - The Love I Lost pt1 (Philadelphia International)

The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama (Gamble) 

Skyy - Here's To You (Salsoul)

 

Download Link...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5D5A35SL

The Incredibles - Crying Heart

   Writer, producer and singer Cal Wayman got his start in music singing folk songs in the legendary Grenwich Village coffee houses of the 1960's. He returned to his native Los Angeles in 1966 and formed the soul vocal group The Incredibles with Carl Gilbert and Jean Smith. Alda Denise Erwin later joined the group but didn't appear on this single. Don Rae Simpson was another later member.

  "I'll Make It Easy (if you'll come on home)" was a moderate success (no.39 in the R&B charts) they followed this up with another ballad "Heart and Soul" which also sold fairly well. They released several other singles like "Miss Treatment" and "There's Nothing Left To Say" which didn't do as well commercially but are now sought after collectors items.

Brothers Of Soul - Guess That Don't Make Me A Loser

   I knew nothing about the Brothers Of Soul before I started researching them for the blog. I was shocked to find out how many of my favorite soul records were written, produced, or featured vocals by this legendary trio. Fred Bridges, Richard Knight and Robert Eaton began working together in 1967. Over a four year period they would collaborate on over 50 tracks. They wrote songs for many legends of soul such as Ruby Andrews, The Chairmen Of The Board, Darrell Banks, Sandra Phillips, Little Carl Carlton, J.J. Barnes, Johnny Taylor etc.  Labels they worked for include Stax, Zodiac, La Beat, Groovesville, Epic, Volt, Invictus, Aquarious, Back Beat, Duo, Mutt, Drew, Okeh, and many more. 

   Brothers of Soul was the name they chose to release their own material under. They came up with the name during the 67 riots in Detroit. Many local business owners wrote "soul brother" on their shop fronts in the hope that looters wouldn't rob or vandalise their premises. Fred Bridges played with the words and came up with the Brothers Of Soul.

   They released several 45's on the Boo imprint, a label that was set up by Ricardo Williams (owner of the Zodiac label) specifically to showcase the groups work. "I Guess That Don't Make Me A Loser" was the groups best selling record hitting no.32 in the R&B charts. 

    Bridges, Knight, and Eaton's song writing talent left a huge stamp on the soul of the late 60's. It's a shame they don't get the recognition they deserve.

Johnny and the Expressions - Now That You're Mine   

    Not a lot of info about these guys online, and the info that is there seems dodgy and unconfirmed. Some websites claim lead singer Johnny Mathews was actually Johnny Wyatt of Rochell and the Candles, while others say this is unlikely. 

    What we do know is the group released three very decent 45's for the Josie label over a 2 year period in the mid 60's before fading into obscurity. 

   "Now That You're Mine" is a moody ballad that I'm almost positive has been sampled in Hip Hop but I'm drawing a blank on the artist. If any of you have any idea leave a comment below, it's driving me nuts! The b-side "Shy Girl" is a nice mid-tempo tune that wouldn't sound out of place in a Northern set.

The Fuzz - I Love You For All Seasons

   The Fuzz were an all girl trio out of Washington D.C. Originally called The Passionettes, the group released two singles under that name before they signed with the New York based Calla label in 1971 and changed the name to The Fuzz. "I Love You For All Seasons" was their first single on the label and sold quite well. Another 7" and an album followed. 

  The group split ways in 1972 which is a shame as I'm sure they had plenty of great music left in them. Everything they released as The Fuzz or as The Passionettes was of a very high quality. The group wrote all their own material (Sheila Young being the main songwriter) and they weren't bad to look at either! They ticked all the boxes but for whatever reason things just didn't work out. 

Kim Weston - Nobody

   While Kim Weston is mostly known for her work on Motown, she also released some excellent material on labels such as MGM and Volt after she and her producer husband left Motown in a dispute over royalties. She never reached the same levels of success that she enjoyed with Berry Gordy and co but she did have a couple hits including "Lift Every Voice And Sing" which was adopted as the black national anthem. Profits from the single were donated to the United Negro College Fund. 

  These days she works as a DJ for a Michigan radio station and continues to tour occasionally (usually with former Motown labelmates like Brenda Holloway and Martha Reeves).

   Another fun Kim Weston fact... In 1964 she was offered the song "Dancing In The Streets" but she turned it down.. Oops.

Bettye Swann - Lonely Love

   Following the old cliche of country girl moves to L.A. in search of fame and fortune, Bettye Swann left for California from Louisiana in 1963 while she was still a teenager to pursue a career in music. Within a year of arriving she had managed to secure a deal with the Hollywood based Money label where she released a string of great 45's and an LP over a four year period. Her years on Money were her most successful commercially (and arguably artistically). "Make Me Yours" was her first big hit (no.1 in the R&B charts) but it's the b-side "I Will Not Cry" that gets all the plays around here.  

   In 1968 she moved to Georgia where she signed with Capitol records. Two albums followed. Honest Jon's put out a great compilation a few years back which focussed on her Capitol years. 

   Bettye then signed with Atlantic in 1972 where she finished out the rest of her career. She's been retired from the music industry since 1980.  

   

The Fantastic Four - Ain't Love Wonderful

   Although the Ric-Tic label was home to artists such as Edwin Starr, J.J. Barnes and the Detroit Emeralds, It was the Fantastic Four who were actually the labels best selling artists. They released their first single "Girl Have Pity"/"Live Up To What She Thinks" in 1966. "Girls Have Pity" was a pleasant enough soul ballad but its "Live Up.." that does it for me. The record didn't do well commercially but their subsequent releases sold quite well (Apart from "Can't Stop Looking For My Baby" which is pretty rare and commands a hefty price tag among northern soul collectors). 

   "The Whole World Is A Stage" was the groups biggest hit (no.6 on the R&B charts), but once again, the b-side wins. "Ain't Love Wonderful" is a classic piece of northern soul that absolutely kills on the dance floor.    

    In 1968 Berry Gordy bought out the Ric-Tic imprint, which was how the Fantastic Four ended up on the Motown subsidiary label Soul where they released a few new 45's and an LP (which was basically a collection of their older Ric-Tic singles). They left the label in 1970. 

   Things were quiet for the group until 1975 when they signed a deal with Westbound and found a new following with the disco crowd through songs like "Alvin Stone(Birth and Death of a Gangster)" and "B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Funk)".

Tour Eiffel vs Wu Tang Clan - Le Hipe Hope

   French producer Minimatic dropped this nice little mash up back in 2008. A Wu Tang accapella over uptempo boogaloo beats may seem like a strange fit but this works really well. Great party record. Bonus points for the 70's boobage on the cover too.

   If you didn't know Wu Tang are coming to Cork on the 30th of this month. The big question is how many of them will actually show up. Rza isn't involved in this tour and videos of recent shows are missing Raekwon and Inspektah Deck too. While it would be nice to have a full line up, realistically, that was never going to happen. I'm happy enough to see Ghostface, Meth, Gza and crew, anything more is a bonus.

The Rimshots - Save That Thing 

   The Rimshots worked as a house band for Joe and Sylvia Robinson's All Platinum label as well as related labels like Stang and Vibration. The group provided tracks for artists like Hank Ballard, Chuck Jackson and the Moments, while also recording their own material such as this funky interpretation of the Isley Brother's classic, "It's Your Thing". They also released some great disco in the late 70's. 

   

Senor Soul - It's Your Thing

   This is another version of the Isley Brothers classic with a heavy latin touch. 

   Senor Soul was basically War before they were called War. They released several singles and a couple albums under that name before hooking up with Eric Burden and becoming one of the most successful and influential funk bands of the 70's.