0 Tavares Supercharged

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/12/2017

Tavares, five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts were hard working harmony kings featuring a halo of heavyweight hits glowing from their song crown resume. Arthur, Ralph Vierra, Perry Lee, Antone, and Feliciano are the Tavares brothers. In the late 1960s they performed as Chubby (who is Antone) & The Turnpikes. "Check It Out" was their first R&B hit in 1973. For the album Hard Core Poetry in 1974, Tavares hooked up with producers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter who had revived the career of The Four Tops. The Tavares - Lambert  & Potter team found success off of Hard Core Poetry with these hits:  "Too Late" #10 R&B in 1974 "Remember What I Told You To Forget" #4 R&B in 1975 "She's Gone" (see below) Claiming territory at the top of the R&B charts, they had three #1 hits: "She's Gone" 1974 (written by Hall & Oates who didn't have a hit with the song until 1976) "It Only Takes A Minute" 1975 "Whodunit" 1977 In The City (1975 album below) contains "It Only Takes A Minute," "The Love I Never Had," and "Free Ride."    "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel" (below) was a #3 R&B hit in 1976. It's from the album Sky-High produced by hit maker Freddie Perren (Peaches and Herb, The Sylvers, The Miracles, Jackson 5, Gloria Gaynor and others). The hits kept coming for Tavares by the end of the 1970s. The Bee Gees wrote "More Than A Woman" from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (December 1977) for Tavares. Here are two more Tavares albums. From 1982's New Directions you'll find two songs that made it to the R&B top 25, "Got To Find My Way Back To You" #24 in 1983, and the lovely "A Penny For Your Thoughts" #16 in 1982. Listen to 34 seconds of "A Penny For Your Thoughts" written by Kenny Nolan and co-produced with Jay Senter.  Your browser does not support the audio element.   The title track from Words And Music (below) reached #29 R&B in late 1983.    In 1979, Tavares teamed up with producer Bobby Colomby (drummer for Blood, Sweat & Tears) for the stylish, jazzy, and somewhat hypnotic rhythm track on the #10 R&B hit "Bad Times." Colomby also worked with keyboard guy Bob James who may be playing on this song. Tavares delivers a lyric with a message on "Bad Times." The vocals shine on the track. The score is a fusion of soulful pop orchestration.   Hats off to Tavares who were able to change with the times, update their style, and stay relevant across the musical landscape. As hitmakers their track record is undeniable. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Mercy Mercy Me: Carlos Santana and The Isley Brothers

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/23/2017

Back to 1969, the year both of these albums Santana and The Brothers Isley were dropped into the market! I've stacked them on top of each other before taking this shot. On The Brothers Isley you see left to right Rudolph, O'Kelly, and lead vocalist Ronald. Fast forward forty-eight years later, and now we experience Santana and the surviving brother of the original trio Ronald Isley (with Ernie Isley) teaming up to sing Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me." Their version is different and contemporary with a close that tips the hat to Marvin. Listen to Carlos Santana & The Isley Brothers sing Mercy Mercy Me from their album Power of Peace as featured by NPR. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Leon Ware: Motown Producer - Artist R.I.P.

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/01/2017

Marvin Gaye's passionate "I Want You" and propositional "After The Dance" were major hits produced by the talented tune weaver Leon Ware. He co-wrote/produced Michael Jackson's 1972 #2 R&B hit "I Wanna Be Where You Are." Ware passed away on February 23 at age 77. When you orchestrate Motown hits, you get a chance to record your own records. Ware got the chance and had quite a few albums released. None of them were stand-outs. The one you see below is favorably rated among his solo catalog. Sonically Ware's voice lacked the sensuous primal passion of Marvin Gaye who Ware helped guide to the top. However, as a singer, Leon gave it his best. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 88 seconds of "Learning How To Love You" from Leon Ware's rare 1976 Gordy label album "Musical Massage." It's the only Leon Ware album I have in our archive. This was a promotional copy given to me by Motown. Below is a photo of Ware from the back of the album, along with the front cover. "Musical Massage" featured Ware's version of "Body Heat," a song he co-wrote with Quincy Jones. "Turn Out The Light," the final song on the record was co-written by Ware, Minnie Riperton, and Richard Rudolph. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Curtis Mayfield Story

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/24/2017

From the Powerhouse Radio Archive Listen to the PowerhouseRadio.com production of The Curtis Mayfield Story featuring Curtis that I wrote, narrated, produced, and edited. 10 minutes, 13 seconds Your browser does not support the audio element. You can also read much more about Curtis Mayfield in the archive courtesy of The Buddah Group. It is an excellent synopsis of his early career. 2022 Bonus: In the video below I reveal the original "Superfly" Press Kit from our library. Check it out! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chris Jasper Does Everything

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/31/2011

Chris Jasper refined the famous Isley Brothers sound in the 1970s and 1980s. The classically trained musician incorporated his mastery of keyboards and synthesizer to clearly brand the signature Isley guys groove. I enjoyed the last Jasper solo release in 2007. You can read my comments in the article Chris Jasper's Journey from the Isley Brothers to Invincible. Before Christmas of 2010, I received both his new CD, Everything I Do, plus Addictive, a dance/pop/techno album by his 17 year old son Michael. Even though I listened to these releases right away, both have been sitting on the shelf for weeks because of personal distractions. Sick family members and friends, a fire that destroyed our office building, and two computer server moves by the powerhouseradio.com web hosting company really complicated the last 7 weeks. Life goes on. One thing on the immediate to do list was to spotlight the new Chris Jasper CD. This album is stronger than 2007's Invincible. You'll find more funk in the grooves. Spiritual themes that dominated the songs of Invincible are muted on Everything I Do. An acknowledgment of a higher spiritual power is still present in many of these new tracks. The tone of these songs: less preachy and more secular. "Everything I Do" "Doing My Thing" "In Your Face" "Nobody But My Baby" "Earthquake" "Stand Up" "He's The Judge" "One Time Love" "Don't Take Your Love Away" "Superbad" Isley Brothers fans will be interested in this new Chris Jasper effort. "He's the Judge" and "One Time Love" are 2 of my favorites. Listen to 60 seconds of "He's the Judge" by Chris Jasper. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Dells Are Harmony

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/25/2010

Chicago's Dells, kings of harmony, formed in 1953, and recorded for Chess and Vee-Jay Records. By the 1970's, The Dells moved to Mercury Records, ABC, and Chi-Sound. The Dells had hits in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Listen to just over 60 seconds of The Dells singing "A Heart Is A House For Love," featured in the soundtrack from The Five Hearbeats movie, (song produced by George Duke, 1991). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Time Tested Alexander O'Neal Takes a New Journey

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/28/2010

Alexander O'Neal teamed up with Cherrelle in 1986 to score with the hit duet "Saturday Love." O'Neal, a Minneapolis, Minnesota native now hangs his hat in the UK. Has Great Britain changed Alexander's musical approach? The answer lies in 5 Questions the New Journey, O'Neal's first new album since 2002. As an original member of the Time, he parted ways with the band before the group achieved their biggest success. Listen to 30 seconds of "My House," and see if Alexander O'Neal is keeping time to a new groove. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson Tribute by the Commodores

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/09/2010

"Nightshift," the haunting tribute hit by the Commodores memorializing Marvin Gaye, among others, was released in 1984. The song won a Grammy Award in 1985. 25 years later in 2010, the Commodores have re-recorded "Nightshift" with their original production team (Dennis Lambert & Peter Wolf) as a tribute to Michael Jackson. They've done a nice job updating this classic soul gem. Listen to 45 seconds of "Nightshift," a tribute to Michael Jackson. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bettye LaVette Sings the Real Deal

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/03/2010

Bettye LaVette is the legendary female classic soul lady who's career is repeatedly described as invisible anonymity. She's not a household name. How can this be? In 1962, she had a top 10 R&B hit with her very first recording, "My Man-He's A Lovin' Man." Through the years, Bettye has teased the R&B charts, never quite breaking through to big time fame. Despite this stigma, she's earned an iconic reputation as one of the most gifted song interpreters you'll ever hear. Enter Bettye LaVette's May, 2010 release Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. Classic soul invades the classic rock play book to sprout 13 re-groomed tunes. The album concept reverses the 1960's trend of British bands covering the songs of American blues artists. LaVette recasts the formula weaving rock hits into fresh, mellow, torch songs fueled by soul-to-the-bone emotion. These chestnuts are not the usual overexposed suspects. Even If you've never heard of the original songs, and don't know who recorded them, this collection could easily stand on it's own as a quality introduction to Bettye LaVette. I have been following the hype about this album for months, and I'm happy to say it delivers. One personal criticism is LaVette's choice to sing some of what were original uptempo classics as ballads this time around, however she creates inspired renderings with clear, understood lyrics. Who says you can't have a renaissance in the music business after kickin' it for over 40 years! Check out Bettye LaVette Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook "The Word" (Lennon & McCartney) "No Time To Live" (Capaldi & Winwood) "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (Benny Benjamin) "All My Love" (John Paul Jones & Robert Plant) "Isn't It A Pity" (George Harrison) "Wish You Were Here" (Roger Waters) "It Don't Come Easy" (Richard Starkey) "Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney) "Salt of the Earth" (Mick Jagger & Keith Richards) "Nights In White Satin" (Justin Hayward) "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad" (Eric Clapton) "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (Elton John) "Love Reign O'er Me" (Pete Townshend) Track 13 is a bonus track recorded live at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, December, 2008. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Isn't It A Pity" sung by Bettye LaVette. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jimmy Castor Bunch Funk Jammin'

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/26/2010

From underground cool to comedic novelty, Jimmy Castor covers all the bases displaying musical versatility as his calling card. Will he sing, swing with saxophone, or stomp all night long in the funk? The New York City native has the expressive multicultural Big Apple as his foundation. Latin-soul, Afro-Cuban, pop, R&B, funk. It's all in The Jimmy Castor Bunch, his showcase group. This picture is from the cover of his 'best of' 2002 CD, The Jimmy Castor Bunch 16 Slabs of Funk. Released on the BMG label, I wouldn't say that this is the definitive greatest hits collection, as some good stuff from Castor's Atlantic Records days are missing. Track one is an edited version of the funk classic "It's Just Begun," a song sampled by numerous hip hop heavies. The famous 10 second sax solo that opens the song has be cut out. Novelty tunes "Say Leroy" and "Troglodyte (Cave Man)" are here. His instrumental saxophone virtuosity shines on Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." "Tribute to Jimi: Purple Haze/Foxey Lady" introduces Hendrix's music to Castor's fan base, but this medley doesn't soar like the original tracks. "Bad," an unappreciated short 2-minute message song, has the hook, rhythm, and lyric to make it all work. Listen to 40 seconds of "Bad" below. Of the 16 songs on this album, the ones I have mentioned present the essence of Jimmy Castor. His Atlantic album catalogue has been reissued. Perhaps there is a definite best of Jimmy Castor in the future. I would include the excellent full version of "Potential," and "Soul Travelin'," a song The Jimmy Castor Bunch recorded with New York City deejay Gary Byrd. Read his official biography and listen to my 10 minute conversation with Jimmy Castor and Gerry Thomas (from a longer interview I did back in the day). But first, listen to 44 seconds of The Jimmy Castor Bunch get funky with "Bad." Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post