Powerhouse Radio Blog

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/02/2009

In 1967, The Jackson 5 won an amateur night contest at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, when Michael Jackson was only 8 years old. The Apollo honored the King of Pop this week. Listen to this short, excellent audio report (2 minutes 42 seconds) as featured on NPR: Harlem's Apollo Theater Honors 'King of Pop' Previous Post | Next Post

0 Soul Men Mac and Jackson Spread Boogie Flu

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/14/2009

Now out on DVD, Soul Men, the 2008 movie, with the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson, (pictured here with the late Isaac Hayes), is a raunchy, entertaining, musical laugh fest. Surprise, surprise, these Hollywood guys not only have the gift of gab, but they can bust a classic soul vocal move! Here's what I call a genre buster..."Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)," a track featured in both the movie, and on the Original Soul Men Soundtrack. Listen to my 60 second remix of "Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)" performed by Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 McFadden and Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' The Phillies

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/27/2008

Here's the actual 45 RPM vinyl record label (center only without the baseball) of the McFadden & Whitehead collector's item from the PowerhouseRadio.com archive: "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (The Philadelphia Phillies Version)" from 1980. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to my 90 second edited version of this special classic soul anthem, adapted by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, and Ron Hunter for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Although their 2008 opponents are the Tampa Bay Rays rather than the (1980) Kansas City Royals, this 'Sound of Philadelphia' flashback 'rally cry' still has the pulsating Philly-soul energy to inspire today's team. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Kindred the Family Soul's House of Love

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/23/2008

City of brotherly love Philadelphia husband and wife team Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler are Kindred the Family Soul. Don't let their dour looks fool you. Kindred's music will lift your spirits. The Arrival, their 3rd album, was just released (October 21, 2008). Kindred's first CD, Surrender To Love in 2003 produced the hit "Far Away," a mellow retro-sounding mid-tempo ballad highlighting a strong vocal performance (in the best tradition of great classic soul). "House of Love" from The Arrival offers a valuable message about the strength of family. Listen to 45 seconds of "House of Love" from Kindred the Family Soul. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Cymande Rhythms from the Caribbean

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
09/25/2008

Cymande has to be included in a long list of Caribbean music makers who have had their brief 15 minutes of fame. Some of the others include T-Connection "At Midnight," Beginning of the End "Funky Nassau," and Dave & Ansel Collins "Double Barrel." These groups hit the scene in the 1970's, but were never able to break through in a big way in the USA. Cymande, like Osibisa, does a good job of weaving Afro-Caribbean rhythms with jazz and R&B. This picture of Cymande is from their Second Time Round album. The guys in the band hail from such diverse ports of call as St. Vincent, Guyana, and Jamaica. Listen to 75 seconds of "Bra" from Cymande's debut album, Cymande. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Osibisa Rhythms from Africa

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
09/23/2008

Long before the term "World Music" became popular, a band from Africa, Osibisa, carved out a slice of classic soul history by mixing Ghanaian rhythms, R&B, jazz, and rock. Since 1971, and over 20 albums later, Osibisa continues to please their international audience of fans. Listen to 2 minutes 13 seconds of "Sweet America," from Osibisa's 3rd release, Heads (this is the cover photo from the album in my collection). You'll hear Osibisa span the melodic bridge from Mandrill to Jethro Tull. Next time, we'll be check out Cymande, another band chock full of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

3 Labelle is Back to Now with Roll Out

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
09/18/2008

Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, and Patti LaBelle (left to right) are back in the game with Back To Now, a new Labelle album to be released on October 21, 2008. Lenny Kravitz, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, and Wyclef Jean share producing chores for the reunited songbirds. Nona notes that "working with both Lenny and Kenny & Leon was meant to be. I really think the music led us to the people who would understand the new Labelle credo 'back to now'." This new chapter of the Labelle story promises to deliver more of what the group is famous for: strong voices, provocative songs, and feminist themes. Nona adds "our new album is like going home and eating your Mom's cooking, if your Mom was a good cook, that is!" Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real," also reincarnated on Thelma Houston's A Woman's Touch from 2007, is back one more time featuring the mark of LaBelle. Sarah says "It ain't nothin' but a jam. It's gonna make you dance like a fool." Back to Now also features the Gamble & Huff 'message in the music' inspired "Tears For The World," of which Patti LaBelle says "it talks about all the things we want to change." It looks like the return of this pioneering trio will be a definite hit. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Roll Out," the Wyclef Jean produced first single from Back To Now. 2021 Update: Poll removed. Thank you for voting! Please cast your vote from a low of 1 to a high of 5 (no page reload is necessary) and/or leave a comment with your thoughts about the track. I'll let you know what I think when I review the entire album. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Brass Construction Skyy Connection

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
09/16/2008

Many of the 1970's era classic soul bands were bulging with bodies, and the 9 man ensemble of Brass Construction is no exception. Keyboard, flute, timbale, percussion, and vocalist group member Randy Muller arranged the songs on their 1975 debut album, Brass Construction. Horns dominated much of soul during the golden age of R&B. Brass Construction is a great example of power funk blending guitars, brass, and percussion. "Movin'" and "Changin'" are perhaps the best Brass Construction tracks ever, both from their very first release. Brooklyn, New York's B.T. Express was influential in inspiring the sound of their New York City Borough brethren, Brass Construction. When the 1980's rolled around, Randy Muller continued to influence the sound of the new decade, producing and arranging several tracks for Skyy, (shown here), including their 1983 album, SkyyLight. Skyy's biggest hit was 1981's, "Call Me." Listen to 90 seconds plus of Brass Construction's "Peekin'," followed by "Show Me The Way" from Skyy. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Timmy Thomas and Steve Winwood Roll Together

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/28/2008

Timmy Thomas had a terrific classic soul hit, his biggest, "Why Can't We Live Together," back in 1973. The optimistic song speaks of hope, harmony, and a more peaceful world. In 2003, Steve Winwood captured the essence of the original song and added some lively organ on his CD, About Time. Both versions offer gritty organ solos showcasing the virtuosity of Thomas and Winwood on their keyboards. Thomas wrote the song. His full length original is 4 minutes, 40 seconds. Winwood clocks in at 6 minutes, 39 seconds. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to both Thomas and Winwood in this short, 48 second Classic Soul R&B Music Jam Blog mix by yours truly. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jimmy Castor, Flying Saucers, & Convention 72'

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/25/2008

If you look closely inside of the pimpmobile included in the cover art of our featured LP, you can spot some tricky characters on their way to the political conventions back in 1972. Producer Dickie Goodman was one of the original creators of the "Flying Saucer," a record that told a storyline using sections of current hits to answer questions from a narrator. Just like the people who claimed to see real ones, "Flying Saucers" were popular in the 1950's, then disappeared in the 1960's. They made a short return in the 1970's. "Convention 72'" below is from the vinyl album, The Original Flying Saucers, on IX Chain Records. The Original Flying Saucers album features: "Watergrate" "Superfly meets Shaft" "Convention 72'" "Flying Saucer Part 1" "Flying Saucer Part 2" "The Touchables" "Flying Saucer The Second" "Ben Crazy" "On Trial" "Santa & The Satellite Part 1" "Santa & The Satellite Part 2" I'm waiting for flying saucers to make their big new millennium return! Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 60 seconds of the original 5 minute "Convention 72," featuring quite a bit of The Jimmy Castor Bunch and a pinch of Joe Tex! Previous Post | Next Post