0 War and Mandrill Connect Together in Concert

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/21/2007

War and Mandrill connect together for a live concert event in Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, August 25th, 2007, at the Mann Music Center. Lou, Ric, Carlos, and Wilfredo: the Wilson Brothers, formed Mandrill in Brooklyn, New York. Their first album was released in February, 1971. Today, the Wilson Brothers keep the Mandrill beat pumping. Mandrill continues to be sampled by a new generation of performers. From "Fencewalk" to "Can You Get It (Suzie Caesar)," the distinctive Mandrill sound serves up a progressive gumbo of classic soul. Another unique musical powerhouse with a similarly eclectic yet highly successful track record is War. They've been creating memorable street beats even longer than Mandrill. Get the complete War and Mandrill stories on their official websites. War is also appearing... Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Hampton, Virginia Monday, September 10, 2007 - Albuquerque, New Mexico, State Fair Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Irvine, California, Verizon Amphitheatre Friday, September 28, 2007 - Huntsville, Alabama, Big Spring Park Jam Saturday, September 29, 2007 - San Antonio, Texas, City Festival Catch Mandrill on Monday, August 27th, at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, (right outside of Washington, DC). Previous Post | Next Post

0 13 Powerhouse Radio Summertime Favorites

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/16/2007

With two weeks left, there's still time to plug into these lucky 13 Powerhouse Radio summertime favorites, just waiting to share space on the digital music player close to your heart. "Hot Fun in the Summertime" - Sly & the Family Stone "Indian Summer Love "- Con Funk Shun "Long Hot Summer" - Jimi Hendrix Experience "My Sweet Summer" Suite - Love Unlimited Orchestra (Barry White) "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer"- Stevie Wonder "Summer" - War "Summer Breeze" - Isley Brothers "Summer Madness" - Kool and the Gang "Summer Snow" - Blue Magic "Summertime" - Billy Stewart "Summertime" - Sam Cooke "Summertime" - Will Smith "Summertime" - Janis Joplin with Big Brother & the Holding Company Previous Post | Next Post  

0 Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx Reunion Album

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/14/2007

Patti LaBelle is currently working on a reunion album with former LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx. LaBelle, the group, was an early 1970's trendsetter during "the decade of funk." Their blended voices were dominated by the soaring sonics of Patti LaBelle, and lyrically energized by the excellent songwriting of Nona Hendryx. Dash, Hendryx, and LaBelle created a unique songfest mixing up musical genres in an unpredictable way. LaBelle Albums: LaBelle - 1971 Moonshadow - 1972 Pressure Cookin' - 1973 Nightbirds - 1974 Phoenix - 1975 Chameleion - 1976 3 LaBelle Picks: "Lady Marmalade" "Isn't It A Shame" "Come Into My Life" Patti LaBelle is negotiating to sign a new record deal with Island/Def Jam soon. 2021 Update: Here is a brief Tribute to Sarah Dash from Quikthinking.com. Sarah passed away in September, 2021. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Ronald Isley's Brothers, Sisters, and Fans Shout for a Presidential Pardon

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/09/2007

According to the Isley Brothers website, The White House has received thousands of telephone calls in support of a pardon for Ronald Isley who was due to begin serving a 3 year sentence for non-payment of taxes on August 7, 2007. In the "News" section of the website, all kinds of telephone numbers and links are provided to mobilize fans to rescue Ron "Mr. Biggs" Isley from the big house. 2021 Update: The Isley Brothers official website is sunset. Follow the Isley Brothers on Facebook. Previous Post | Next Post

2 Thelma Houston Celebrates Her New CD: A Woman's Touch

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/06/2007

Scheduled for a Tuesday, August 14, 2007 release, Thelma Houston is back with her first album in 17 years: A Woman's Touch. Every song is a winner. There's not a weak track. She's put together a great collection of songs based upon her favorite melodies from some gallant hit making gentlemen you know. In the tradition of Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, and Barry White, Thelma launches a few selections with a quick monologue talking directly to us about her personal observations. It's a nice touch serving to reinforce the themes of the songs. She calls these brief introductions "preludes." Peitor Angell has contributed to writing three of them, while Thelma has co-written one. The "Don't Leave Me This Way" diva sounds as good as ever. She's crafted a solid CD, featuring a strong supporting cast of musicians. Valerie Pinkerton, Myrna Smith, Portia Griffin, Pat Hodges and Denita James are the talented background singers supporting Ms. Houston. (Hodges & James were formerly of the girl group Hodges, James & Smith). The CD starts off with a chant to introduce a perky version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes "Wake Up Everybody." Luther Vandross' anthem, "Never Too Much," is the 2nd track, which really gets my attention. "Never Too Much" showcases Houston's strong voice inside of a skillfully crafted, well arranged, dance track. Here are the songs: "Wake Up Everybody" "Never Too Much" "Brand New Day" "Ain't That Peculiar" "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" "Distant Lover" "Love and Happiness" "Dance (Disco Heat) / You Make Be Feel (Mighty Real)" "That's The Way of the World" "Please Send Me Someone To Love" "Brand New Day" from Sting gets an uptempo bluesy, gospel, revival. Thelma testifies with a touch of praise. Terrific. You may not recognize Smokey Robinson's "Ain't That Peculiar" at first listen. The Marvin Gaye hit has been turned into a compelling torch song with some big band embellishments. Thelma captures an enjoyable reading of "By the Time I Get To Phoenix," songwriter Jim Webb's classic, a hit for both Isaac Hayes and Glen Campbell. Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover" is produced with a real retro 1950's - 1960's feel. This one is also tastefully done. Al Green's original phrasing on "Love and Happiness" is quite unique. Thelma Houston throws her soul into this one too, and the results are very satisfying. The Sylvester hits "Disco Heat" and "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" get real clever arrangements, freshening up these songs, driven along by Houston's powerful and clear voice. "That's The Way of the World" keeps the Earth, Wind, & Fire spirit alive as Thelma captures the fulfilling essence of this song. She throws her soul into Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone To Love," closing out the CD with a nice bluesy vamp. A Woman's Touch by Thelma Houston offers powerful classic soul favorites, sung with inspiration, creativity, and energy. She?s having fun, and you can hear it. Her band is excellent too. Technically, the CD is well produced and mixed, with Thelma's voice positioned just right so you can clearly hear and appreciate all of the words. Thelma Houston's biography has more about her Grammy winning history. Discover more Thelma Houston highlights at her official website. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stax Records Story Salutes Memphis Soulsville

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/04/2007

The two hour television special Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story is excellent. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the story captures the saga of Stax in Memphis in the late 1960's through early 1970's. Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, and Mavis Staples highlight the video story about the rise and fall of the legendary Memphis music making machine. Updates about the story run through late 2006, so the very latest elements of Stax history are included. This is "don't miss" classic soul entertainment. The focus is on the biographical chain of events that lead to phenomenal success for the record label. Some amazing rare video is included of Sam & Dave, The Bar-Kays, Otis Redding, Mel & Tim, The Staple Singers, and others. Congratulations to PBS for putting this on public television. Watch for replays. Here are 6 number one R&B songs from the Stax family of artists... "Green Onions" Booker T. & the M.G.'s - 1962 "Knock On Wood" Eddie Floyd - 1966 "Hold On I'm Comin'" Sam & Dave - 1966 "Soul Man" Sam & Dave - 1967 "Who's Making Love" Johnnie Taylor - 1968 "I'll Take You There" Staple Singers - 1972 Final word (trivia tidbit)...M.G.'s stands for "Memphis Group." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Quincy Jones Opens Up the Q Vault

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/31/2007

Quincy Jones is opening up his archive. The 27-time Grammy Award winner is scheduled to launch QuincyJones.com in the Fall of 2007. A big feature will be access to previously unreleased audio and video of Quincy and legendary performers he?s worked with. Music professionals can look forward to a virtual Quincy Jones academy for networking opportunities. Video podcasts will be a big part of QuincyJones.com. In 1953, Quincy Jones was the first arranger/conductor to utilize the newly-invented Fender electric bass in audio recordings. He used one of the first synthesizers on his Ironside TV series theme music, which brought electronic music into the mainstream in the late 1960?s. Q has worked beside the legends: Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Bono, Celine Dion, Will Smith, Oprah and dozens more. He has an Emmy Award, seven Oscar nominations, and an honorary Oscar to go along with those 27 Grammys. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stevie Wonder & Aretha Franklin to Headline the King Dream Concert

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/26/2007

With another $20 million needed to finish the Martin Luther King Jr. Washington, DC National Memorial, the race is on to capture more support for the project. Radio City Music Hall in New York City will host the Dream Concert on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at 8pm to benefit the DC King Memorial. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Jessye Norman, Bebe & Cece Winans, and Robin Thicke will perform. Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Joss Stone, and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds will also share the stage. Whoopi Goldberg will be a guest presenter for the evening. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 30th, at 9am, and are priced at $250, $500 and $1,000. The Martin Luther King Jr. Washington DC National Memorial project is running out of time to secure the rest of the money needed to finish construction. Groundbreaking took place on November 13, 2006 for the $100 million project. Muhammad Ali, Angela Bassett, Jamie Foxx, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kerry Washington, Ben Affleck, Shaquille O'Neal, LaDanian Tomlinson, and former New York City Mayor David Dinkins are on the host committee. Previous Post | Next Post

2 Main Ingredient Cuba Gooding Sr. Votes for Politics

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/24/2007

35 years ago this July, Tony Silvester, Luther Simmons Jr., and lead singer Cuba Gooding Sr.'s "Everybody Plays the Fool" became the Main Ingredient's biggest chart hit. Anchored by Gooding's vocal charm in the early 1970's, the group had 20 songs glide into the R&B charts through 1990 with various personnel changes along the way. While his Academy Award winning son Cuba Gooding Jr. has been getting most of the recent family attention, the senior Gooding has several projects in the works. Cuba Gooding Sr. is scheduled to release a new vocal track in September 2007, called "Politics." Everybody Plays the Fool: The Cuba Gooding Story is coming to film too. It's a cinema anthology that tells of tragedy and success in three generations of the Gooding Family. History buffs and classic soul fans should enjoy it. "Everybody Plays the Fool," and "Just Don't Want to be Lonely," top the Main Ingredient hit list." Their cover of Brian Auger's "Happiness is Just Around the Bend" is another one of my personal Main Ingredient favorites. Previous Post | Next Post

0 5th Dimension Catalog to be Reissued

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/18/2007

Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson were the original 5th Dimension. On August 7, 2007, their entire Soul City/Bell Records catalogue will be reissued by Collectors' Choice Music on 7 CD's. The 5th Dimension started making soul and pop hits 40 years ago during "the Summer of love" in 1967. Songwriters Laura Nyro and Jimmy Webb contributed to the early success of the group by authoring many of their hits. The smooth harmonies of McCoo, Davis, and the rest of the group are responsible for their classic signature sound. A walk down 5th Dimension memory lane includes: "Aquarius (Let The Sunshine In)" "Stoned Soul Picnic" "Up-Up And Away" "One Less Bell To Answer" "Sweet Blindness" "Puppet Man" "Go Where You Wanna Go" "The Worst That Could Happen / Wedding Bell Blues" "I Didn't Get To Sleep At All, (Last Night) " "Love's Lines, Angles And Rhymes" "California Soul" "Workin' On A Groovy Thing" One of the best 5th Dimension anthology CD's you'll find is Ultimate 5th Dimension, on the BMG Heritage label, released in 2004. I highly recommend it. Previous Post | Next Post