soul that has been missed (main page)...
• Barbara Mason - Lady Love & Give Me Your Love / Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson - Bridges & Secrets / Mandrill - New Worlds & Gettin' In The Mood
Soul Brother Records, as many of you will already know, are a retailer based in South West London. In fact, their shop is just up the road from my first workplace on the Upper Richmond Road in Putney, South West London. Their retail outlet is a godsend to any Soul collector anyplace in the U.K. You can actually find albums in this shop, which you hear on the radio! Outrage! LOL The place is run by the Prangell Brothers, Laurence and Malcolm, who, with their team, are the first emergency Soul service in the South of the U.K.! LOL. As one of the many strings to their Soul bow, Soul Brother pick up albums released at a huge price in the Far Eastern market, which have seen original releases Stateside, and release them in the U.K. at a price we can all finally afford over here. Soul Brother right many aspects of Soul Music such as this, and here are 5 excellent examples illustrating my point. These albums have been collectors items for many years, and this is the first time they have been issued on CD outside of Japan as I mentioned. The Brothers blurb came in with the CD's and reads as follows:
'Barbara Mason recorded these two classic soul albums in Philadelphia at Sigma studios, and they feature many of the Philly greats. Barbara was sent to Chicago to
work with Curtis Mayfield on his 'Give Me your Love' which he had written for his Superfly
soundtrack. Barbara's version became the hit reaching the R&B top ten. On Give Me
Your Love , Barbara covered her 60's hit 'Yes I'm Ready' and extended it to a 9 minute opus.
The follow up 'Lady Love' from 1973 includes her great answer back 'Me And Mr Jones' to
Billy Pauls' hit. Barbara would later recorded replies to other songs, most famously
Shirley Brown's 'Woman To Woman' and Richard Dimples Fields 'She's Got Papers on Me'.Gil Scott Heron is justifiably recognised as one of the most unique black music artists of all
time. His music transgresses all musical barriers in the same way that Stevie Wonder, Bob
Marley and Marvin Gaye did. Along with his song writing partner, MD and co-producer Brian
Jackson he recorded some of the most memorable songs of the 1970's, songs which combined a message with powerful rhythms. 'Bridges' their 1977 album is one of their best , yet one that is often overlooked. Bridges takes you on a journey it is both lyrically and musically on point throughout and is an album that you can revisit time and time again and be informed, inspired and uplifted by. 'Secrets' their 1978 album continues the journey started in the 'Bridges' album of 1977 and is another of their best albums. Secrets again features Brian Jackson on Synthesiser Bass which along with Harvey Mason's drums underpins the deep sound. As with all their albums the lyrics are poignant and informative of society in the 1970's.'This is the way accompanying texts ought to be written. You can tell that they were written by folks who understand the music completely. Much of the material which comes with some CD's tell us of the artists aspirations, what their favourite food and colour is, with only a footnote relating to the music. Promoters ought to take note.
The music on these albums is part of the fabric of Soul Music. Most of you will know these albums well, so I won't patronise you. Suffice to say, they are essential. For this scribe, Gil Scott and Brian's songs 'Race Track In France' and 'Angola Louisiana' are classics. Barbara's magnificent 'Bed and Board' and 'Yes, I'm Ready' are wonderful slices of Soul. If you don't have either of the Mandrill albums, well they are worth the price of the CD alone for 'Too Late'. Brilliant music. Barbara's albums contain bonus tracks, in the form of a different take on 'Yes I'm Ready' and 'Child Of Tomorrow'. All told, essential music from a retailer who really knows it's music.
• Lou Bond - Lou Bond / Naoya Matsuoka - A Farewell To The Seashore
Two albums that are both ends of the musical spectrum featured at this website.
Lou Bond's 1974 self titled release still sounds as fresh as the day it was initially released on the Stax Records subsidiary We Produce. This album I have seen featured on a few websites now. Quite a collectable set, and quite rightly so, mainly for the wonderful social awareness song 'Why Must Our Eyes Always Be Turned Backwards'. There are only six tracks on the album, with this moment being the only melody that could be described as 'uptempo'. In fact the song is set just above mid-tempo, and features Lou's concerns as to where the World was headed some thirty four years ago. Troubles in the Middle East and Northern Ireland are all given Lou's very own 'What's Going On' attention. I think that the album is worth tracking down just for this track, although I do know that many folks are also searching for this set for the Carly Simon cover of 'That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be'. The Soul heads will want the album for the former song, which is just about the best retrospective song I have come across in the last 5 years. Lovely stuff. Lou is still about thesedays. Wonder if he is aware of the new lease of life this set is seeing after so many years? Check this link:
http://staxrecords.free.fr/lbond.htm
This copy of the album I picked up from a guy called Bert, who runs this E-Bay store. His price was the best price I could find online. What I didn't know was Bert was a visitor to the site, so I told him I would add a link to his store (without any finances exchanged, by the way). Just wanted to support the man in these troubled retail times. Very interesting store.
http://stores.ebay.com/wattsjazz
lou bond in '74
Naoya Matsuoka's album was released nine years after Lou's, way back in 1983. Back in those days Japanese releases were highly sought after. Fusion and Soul musicians would travel from the West to the Far East and begin to heavily influence many an album release and artist. These records would cost the purchaser a small fortune at the time, and this was the case with this release. I know I have mentioned the album at the site previously, however, having rediscovered the set again recently, I thought the album deserved another run out musically. The album I picked up after hearing Robbie Vincent play the track 'Free Voyage' back in the day. This is a very strange tune. Electronic with several layers of phasing, which, really, ought not to be to the taste of any discerning Soul Fan, however, there is something weird and wonderful about this instrumental. I can't compare the tune to any other track out there, and that was what led me to go pay £17 for an album way back in '83. To add insult to an empty wallet, this set is a one track album (in my humble...), but the one track is so unusual, it warrants closer scrutiny. Be nice to see this tune make a compliation fusion release today. I think that Naoya doesn't own a copy of this album himself, judging by his website ( I may be wrong), so getting these particular 'coals back to Newcastle' might be a nice gesture. Incidentally, 'Free Voyage' was utilised by the Chinese as part of their promotional package for the recent Olympic Games. Definitely one of those 'they don't make them like this anymore' melodies. All I can add is I don't think they ever made tracks like this! LOL. As I said, very much a one off tune. Quite inspirational.
• j.r.bailey - just me n'you / bobby taylor - taylor made soul / john valenti - anything you want / the futures - past, present and....
I must apologise for not working harder on this page at the site. As time has passed, so many new artists need support that the 'time on my hands' days of 5 years ago, are well past. I aim to put things right via these four gems, which have meant that I haven't eaten at times in order to give these beauties a home here! LOL.
The J.R.Bailey set I have reviewed here following several re-releases of this old gem, all of which are thoroughly deserved as this is one of the best Soul albums released over the last 40 years or so. This set I bought from a guy in the States, who wanted a pretty penny for the set, however it wasn't the 12" remix of a price hike we see in the U.K. for the original MAM / London release from 1974. This is that album. When it first arrived in the house, I didn't play the thing. I just looked at it! Here was an album that is as near to perfection, that it stands proudly alongside the 'What's Going On's' and 'Innervisions' of this genre. These albums have no filler tracks, they simply don't make them like this anymore. I carefully cleaned the vinyl and played and CDR'd the set directly from the original pressing.....and then sat and stared at that! LOL. J.R.'s son Gregory got in touch with me a couple of years back. Thanked me for his Dad's page at the site, probably unaware of the dizzy heights his father reached when he was a twinkle in his fathers eye. Do get Soul Brothers fine re-release of this album. Pointless looking at any single track. All recordings are fabulous.
Travel back a few years and Bobby Taylor released this state of the art in 1969. This album saw a new lease of life with Richard Searlings inclusion of the Modern Soul classic, 'Don't Be Afraid' on his excellent Motown Connoisseurs' release from a few years back. Back in the late Sixties, there would, following a 45 release, see the release of an album of cover songs containing hits from that period. This set is pure quality from start to finish. 'Out In The Country' is part penned by the excellent Ronn 'I Can't Forget About You' Matlock. There are melodies penned by Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, The Beatles and Ivory Joe Hunter. 'It Should Have Been Me Loving Her' was a forty five taken from this set back in the day. A solid album, well worth tracking down.
John Valenti's Ariola album from 1976, was very much a sleeper. In fact it wasn't until the Modern Soul Scene picked up on the albums title track and 'Why Don't We Fall In Love', which made its way on to one of the early 'Soul Togetherness' compilations, and quite rightly so. The album is mainly set at a fairly high tempo, which suits John's Blue Eyed vocal stylings. Side One here definitely shades side two for these old ears. My personal favourite melody here is 'Morning Song'. That is a simply beautiful piece of songwriting. So what does the bloke look like? Here is is in the late Seventies:
Last, and certainly not least, are the fabulous Futures. This is the final piece in the Futures jigsaw of vinyl here, so it was a pleasure to finally get my hands on this set, which is probably the pick of the bunch regarding all this band's releases. On Philadelphia, this has all the hallmarks of that classic 1978 period in the label's archives. 'Ain't No Time Fa Nothing' has a lot to answer for in this house! If it wasn't for the fact that I had a 45 from this set here for the last couple of decades, I would have pursued this album with more vigour. That tune embodies all that is the finest in the representation of Rare Groove. It put the 'R' in that particular genre. If you feel a little down, I defy you not to feel on top of the World after you have listened to 'Party Time Man'. Lovely uplifting dancer. Those are the elements you know....of those you don't, well classic Philly needs no description. It is what it is and we, as Soul Music followers, all know what we mean by the term. 'Deep Inside of Me' is a glorious mid tempo, part Cynthia Biggs penned, piece of perfection. 'You Got It (The Love I Need)' moves along in a 'Used Ta Be My Girl' kind of vibe, '(You're The One) So Special' is very Spinners-esque, all of which mean.....watch out for the odd original or reissue in your bargain bins! From a time when music and melody were paramount over looks and fads. Lovely album.
• the soul searchers - we the people / salt of the earth
One of the matters, that mostly I am asked about at the site, is where a Soul Fan can find a record. In most cases I send folks off to www.gemm.com, even though they are a catalyst for several retailers, who are all things to all people musicwise. In the U.K. there are some good retailers, one of whom is the Soul specific shop, Soul Brother. The Prangell Brothers, who run the establishment, are workaholics (for want of a better description). Not only do they retail stock, picked up largely in the States, they have their own label that releases older material, much of which appears on many punters 'wants lists'. Thank heavens for retailers such as these. They are part of the adhesive that binds this music together and allows us to listen to the music that many of the majors will not allow us to (for reasons of their own). A very good illustration of their efforts is this fine double header of two early releases from Chuck Brown's Soul Searchers ensemble.
The initial release, 'We The People', hit the streets in 1972, followed 2 years later by the excellent 'Salt Of The Earth'. Most folks know Chuck Brown via the early Eighties Go Go scene. Tunes such as 'Money', were huge at the time. These albums show his activities prior to that musical movement.
CarrCee Productions produced and arranged both of these albums and kick-started Chuck Brown and the Soulsearchers' career on Sussex Records with Clarence Avant.
'We The People' is the first reissue on CD and vinyl. Their second album from 1974, was originally released on the Sussex label.
Chuck Brown had begun his musical career in the early 60’s playing guitar with Jerry Butler and The Earls of Rhythm, joining Los Latinos in 1965.
These two releases contain several songs that have been sampled over the years, which has, subsequently, led to the original vinyl becoming highly collectable and expensive.
Soul Brother were also responsible for the re-issue of probably one of the greatest Soul sets from the last 50 years. That being J.R. Bailey's 'Just Me & You' album. If you haven't bought that album, do go treat yourself. It is worth every fraction of every penny of your hard earned salary. This is a label that really does deserve the support of any discerning Soul Fan. Two recommended releases here.
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