0 Powerhouse Radio Year In Review

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/02/2024

Here are some of our 2023 memories in thirty seconds beginning with an appearance on Blackman (Chris Fraley's) Nodcast the Podcast at the Black Label Comicon in Philly. He's on the left. Peace Moore is in the center.  We drift into Vampire Bobby P. at Tapped in Berlin, NJ. Andre' Gardner at WMGK FM Philadelphia's Sweetwater Marina event in NJ is the next pic. I'm with Olivia Burton at the Philly Odunde Festival followed by Superwoman at the Black Label Comicon. The next frame features Darren Palmer who owns L'Ouverture Books in Pleasantville, NJ. Wrapping up is his honor the Mayor Eric Adams who strikes a pose at the Harlem Book Fair, NYC. Mayor Adams wrote me a nice letter via postal mail expressing his gratitude for my book that I gave him! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Summer of Soul…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/25/2022

The movie Summer of Soul was exclusively offered on streaming services until February 8, 2022. The DVD is now released. Summer of Soul…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised is a Black History gem filmed in 1969. It is amazing that the master tapes of this cultural slice of America sat for over 50 years only to be recently rediscovered. 300,000 people attended The Harlem Cultural Festival in Mount Morris Park (renamed Marcus Garvey Park in 1973). Artists entertained over six consecutive weekends. Music, history and culture came together on the performance stage for all to see. The DVD is directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots fame. Held in the same year as the Woodstock Festival, film (movie) rights for The Harlem Cultural Festival generated zero interest in 1969 from entrepreneurs. Restoration of the master film is outstanding. We give the technical clarity of the cinematography an A+. The sound mix is also excellent. General Foods was one of the few corporate sponsors. The festival budget was so slim that lights for evening performances were not rented. We learn in the film that the stage was positioned to face west to capture the setting sun. The Black Panthers helped with security as there were questions about whether the New York City police would be there. Questlove does a brilliant job presenting this story in just under two hours. You’ll see tremendous performances by Stevie Wonder, The Chambers Brothers, B.B. King, Herbie Mann, and The 5th Dimension. The star parade continued with The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Staple Singers, Professor Herman Stevens & The Voices of Faith, Clara Walker & The Gospel Redeemers, Mahalia Jackson, and some spiritual - cultural inspiration from The Reverend Jesse Jackson. Also seen in the DVD giving their best efforts are David Ruffin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, drummer Max Roach with singer Abbey Lincoln, and trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Dinzulu and his African Dancers and Drummers supply syncopated foot stompin' steps and beats to entertain the crowds. Comedians Moms Mabley and Willie Tyler & Lester (ventriloquist) contribute some laughs. Nina Simone really brings the house down with her songs. “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” is a highlight. The innovative Sly & The Family Stone also entertained Harlem with a whole new musical thing. What you’ll like most about Summer of Soul is the way cultural realities are integrated into the music story telling. Artists who were there in 1969 give their 2022 reflections on and off camera. We get an accurate Black perspective about a turbulent decade during which cutting edge music tried to push the activism of social change forward. We’ve spent a lot of time with 1) Summer of Soul. Four more movies are also recommended for a historic view about 20th Century classic soul music. 2) Soul Power (DVD released in 2010): Three nights of music in Zaire. It’s 1974. The boxing rumble in the jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman is scheduled (they did fight 6 weeks later). Like Summer of Soul, this is more than just a concert film. It’s a slice of 1974 African American - Black African culture. Performances include The Spinners, B.B. King, The Fania All Stars featuring Celia Cruz, Bill Withers, Miriam Makeba, The Crusaders, conga player Big Black, and headliner James Brown. In a deleted scene you'll see Sister Sledge singing "On and On" (the Gladys Knight song from the Claudine Soundtrack). Other DVD deleted scenes offer insight into the culture of Kinshasa, Zaire. There are great segments of classic Muhammad Ali rhyming along with his signature catch phrases promoting the coming George Foreman fight. 3) The Blues Brothers and 4) Blues Brothers 2000. Worth it because Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and a master’s class worth of R&B and blues folks perform. Many of them are no longer with us. Tolerate the antics of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and John Goodman and watch the real musical stars shine. 5) Soul Men (honorable mention). This movie is clearly entertainment and not presented in any historic context. You might say that similarities exist between the Soul Men story and the career of Atlantic recording artists Sam & Dave. In Soul Men, lead actors Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac meander their way through a love hate relationship. Nice cameos too from Isaac Hayes and John Legend. Samuel L. sings great! Soul Men is worth your comedic time. Leave your comments if you've seen any of these 5 movies. I would say from a historic perspective our top 'must see pick' is Summer of Soul. Watch my video, then listen to what Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. have to say about the Summer of Soul in their audio interview. Listen to The 5th Dimension's Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis Jr. reminisce about 1969's 'Summer Of Soul' and talk about their Beatles cover album Blackbird by visiting: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/06/29/summer-of-soul-documentary Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sheila E. Jams With Morris Day And The Time

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/25/2019

Sheila E. opens up a powerful 2019 evening featuring Morris Day & The Time in Atlantic City, NJ. In 1981, who were the original Time from Minneapolis, Minnesota? Morris Day (vocals), Jesse Johnson (guitar), Jimmy "Jam" Harris (keyboards), Monte Moir (keyboards), Terry Lewis (bass), and Jellybean Johnson (drums). Enjoy! Here's a two minute video package I shot at the show. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Charles Bradley And Sharon Jones

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/15/2017

We lost Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in 2016 and Charles Bradley earlier this year. There are always new trailblazers who prove that talent with luck will rise to the top. Who says today's classic soul can't be as good as the songs from "the golden age." Both Jones and Bradley are late bloomers in the music business if one brands success by age. However, they are not overnight sensations by a long shot. Check out "Sail On," one of the last tracks recorded by Sharon Jones. After that, listen to Charles Bradley belt out Neil Young's "Heart of Gold." It's the "official" audio from Daptone Records. Enjoy them both! Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Queen of Sugar Hill Records: Sylvia Robinson

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/15/2017

It's good to be "The Queen" when you have the reputation of being one in the music business! Sylvia "Vanderpool" (1936 – 2011) had her first number one R&B song ("Love Is Strange") in 1956 as part of the vocal duo Mickey and Sylvia. She became singer/songwriter/producer Mrs. Sylvia Robinson after marrying Joe Robinson, owner of All-Platinum/Vibration Records. All Platinum eventually became Sugar Hill Records. Sylvia had another number one R&B hit in 1973 with "Pillow Talk." In 1974 her "Sweet Stuff" song peaked at number 4 on the R&B charts. By the end of the decade, Sylvia concentrated on harvesting the fresh young sound of the exploding, hip-hopping, street beat rap pioneers. These impresarios put Sugar Hill Records on the map. 1979's "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugar Hill Gang peaked at number 4 R&B giving the label an early hip-hop hit. In the video below you’ll see a few more noteworthy records by Sugar Hill artists. 60 seconds of Sylvia's "It's Good To Be The Queen" is featured in the label montage. "The Queen" throws down some amusing bougie lyrics. You know it's worth a laugh, so enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Miss Sharon Jones!

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/25/2016

I was so sad to learn about the passing of Sharon Jones. It wasn't a long timespan between my discovery of her as a new rising star and her untimely demise from cancer. Her gritty soulful songs have the bite of emotion you just can't ignore. Here's the the trailer from the new documentary about her life: Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth, Wind & Fire - Chicago

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/19/2015

Earth, Wind & Fire together with Chicago Saturday, August 15, 2015 on the Heart and Soul tour in Camden, NJ segue from "September" into Chicago's "Free." Enjoy 18 seconds of both groups playing together! Previous Post | Next Post

0 How Students Remix Classic Soul

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/21/2015

Drexel University in Philadelphia is known for teaching technology. A fortunate group of students taking Uncovering the Philly Groove course at Drexel are embracing tech to remix a bunch of unreleased City of Brotherly Love tracks never heard by the public. Watch the video and learn how the students add different elements to the old classic soul songs mixing up something fresh. If the embedded video doesn't play, you can follow the direct link below to the story on 6abc Philadelphia. Students at Drexel University get to remix old R&B, soul songs Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Retreat

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/19/2013

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Listen to "Retreat!" from the new album: Give The People What They Want. I'm not crazy about the animation but the song is strong enough to grab and hold you. Previous Post | Next Post

0 President Obama sings Sweet Home Chicago

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/21/2012

President Obama sings "Sweet Home Chicago." Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post