0 Tower of Funk Power

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/10/2010

After all these years, Oakland, California's Tower of Power just doesn't seem to want to slow down. This is a band at their best when they're jammin' live. Take a look at the Tower of Power 2010 tour schedule. New Jersey, Milan, Italy, Switzerland, Las Vegas: the guys are pumped to deliver the funk. I've checked them out a couple of times live and they rock. Enjoy this video from 2006 featuring their classic, "Soul Vaccination," all across the nation! Connect to Tower of Power on Facebook. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Roberta Flack Keeps Her Song Soft and Mellow

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/08/2010

Always the master of timeless R&B, Roberta Flack continues to serenade audiences with her elegant mixture of toned down pop, soul, and jazz. Roberta's official biography tells the story... "Classically trained on the piano from an early age, Ms. Flack received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend Howard University." "She was "discovered while singing at the Washington, DC nightclub Mr. Henry's by musician Les McCann, and promptly signed to Atlantic Records resulting in the release of a string of big Roberta Flack hits." An interpretive album of Beatles' classics is occupying lots of Roberta's time, even as she sings to audiences during her 2010 tour. Her Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, New York, provides inspiring music education to underprivileged students free of charge. That's Roberta giving back to the community. Roberta Flack live features the following dates: Saturday, June 12, 2010, DC Jazz Festival, Washington, DC Saturday, June 19, McDonald's Gospelfest, Prudential Center Arena, Newark, NJ Friday, July 9, Vancouver Island Music Fest, British Columbia, Canada Saturday, July 17, BFLO Jazz Festival, Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY Sunday, July 25, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary, Canada Saturday, September 4, Tokyo Jazz Festival, Tokyo, Japan Saturday, September 18, Mayo Civic Center Theater, Rochester, MN 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 4 More Concerts for Soulful Summer Sounds

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/01/2010

Here are 4 more (international) concert picks for classic soul fans to enjoy. Smokey Robinson Saturday, June 12, 2010 Avalon Ballroom Theatre Fallsview Casino Resort Niagara Falls, ON, Canada 9:00 pm Lionel Richie Friday, June 25 Salle Wilfrid- Pelletier / Place Des Arts Montreal, QC, Canada 7:00 pm Angelique Kidjo Thursday, July 1 Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square Toronto, ON, Canada 8:00 pm Erykah Badu Tuesday, July 13 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam, Netherlands 8:00 pm Previous Post | Next Post

0 4 Concerts for Soulful Summer Sounds

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/27/2010

Summertime will be here in just a few short weeks. Here are 4 USA concert picks for classic soul fans in each region around the country. Next time, 4 international picks. Jill Scott / Maxwell Friday, June 4, 2010 Oracle Arena Oakland, CA 7:00 pm Patti LaBelle Saturday, June 12 Miller Stage Milwaukee, WI 10:00 pm Erykah Badu Monday, June 14 Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX 7:30 pm Earth, Wind & Fire Thursday, June 24 Uptown Ampitheatre at The Music Factory Charlotte, NC 7:30 pm 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

0 Your Super Soul Revival is Back for 2010

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/20/2010

Who says there's nothing new or compelling under the sun from straight ahead rhythm & blues! Have you picked up on some of today's fresh contemporary jams? Yes, the golden age of classic soul is long gone, but? Rather than lament about today's music as 2nd best, one has to dig a little bit deeper. Since the beginning of Powerhouse Radio online in 2001, we've always included a handful of carefully selected new tracks fitting the style of the vintage classic soul that you love. We received a 2010 promotional copy of Soul Revival, part of the Discover Songs series curated by NPR with help from Shout Factory. This is an example of digging deep. Soul Revival includes several great tracks that we already play. I can't imagine anyone not liking this compilation. Ryan Shaw kicks things off with "Do The 45," a tip of the hat to Jr. Walker & the All-Stars that really cooks. Contributions from Raphael Saadiq, Ann Peebles, Candi Staton, Bettye Lavette, Thelma Houston, and others all complement the old school theme of this mostly new or recent music collection. Check this one out. You'll be glad you did. "Do The 45" - Ryan Shaw "Am I Wasting My time?" - Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Lovers "100 Yard Dash" - Raphael Saadiq "Disrespectful" - Chaka Khan with Mary J. Blige "100 Days, 100 Nights" - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings "No Smoke Without Fire" - James Hunter "Love and Happiness" - Thelma Houston "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" - Ann Peebles "Love Comes and Goes" - Lee Fields & The Expressions "I Still Want To Be Your Baby" - Bettye Lavette "If It Wasn't For Loving You" - Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere "How Do I Tell Him" - The Revelations featuring Tre Williams "His Hands" - Candi Staton Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Do The 45" by Ryan Shaw. He also does a great version of the much recorded classic "Memphis Train" as featured on the Soul Men movie soundtrack. Previous Post | Next Post

0 10 Parliament - Funkadelic Freeze Frames

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/19/2010

Some music artists get really creative commissioning expressive cover art on their albums. Just look during the height of the vinyl record era for some of the most memorable masterpieces. From classic soul, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Ohio Players, and Parliament - Funkadelic are 3 great examples. Watch the one minute slide show featuring some of leader George Clinton's most memorable Funkadelic cover-branding visuals to promote these well received albums. There is no audio in the slide show. As a special bonus, grab the Funkadelic "Electric Spanking of War Babies" wallpaper from our sister website, PictureSleevePop.com. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stevie Wonder Celebrates 60

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/13/2010

Just in time for the celebration of Stevie Wonder's 60th birthday on May 13, 2010, pop culture writer Mark Ribowsky has put the Motown legend under the literary microscope in a new book. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder meticulously chronicles his compelling story from child prodigy to international super star. Ribowsky doesn't sweep some of the negative parts of the Wonder odyssey under the rug. He keeps the story real by taking an honest look at how Stevie grew up within the Motown family driven by his positive inner talent (accompanied by some external negative demons along for the ride). Through the pen of the author, this is an entertaining, fun story, which in many was reflects the zany personality of Stevie Wonder. The details in Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder are thoroughly intense. Ribowsky is gifted in documenting the elaborate minutiae of Stevie's story in a way that sometimes reads more like a novel than a biography. After the first third of the book you'll discover how dysfunctional elements of Wonder's family influenced relocation to Detroit, Michigan. Mark Ribowsky uses many quick anecdotes from supporting Wonder sources including quotes from books by Supreme Mary Wilson, music critic Nelson George, and Stevie's mother, Lula Mae Wright (Hardaway). If you have always been confused about what Stevie Wonder's real name is, here is a brief excerpt from Signed, Sealed, and Delivered that explores this topic: There's so much in this story that I haven't even scratched the surface, so next time, we'll get to Ribowsky's narration about Stevie Wonder's wild days at Motown when he began producing memorable music. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth Wind & Fire Cover Art

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/12/2010

Here's a 60 second Earth, Wind & Fire slide-show video featuring their provocative album cover art.   Previous Post | Next Post