2 Donna Summer Lights New Fire with Hotter Stuff

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/15/2008

After a 17 year absence, Donna Summer is back in the game with a new release due on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Her studio album is called Crayons. Listen to (and rate) 30 seconds of "I'm A Fire," a track from the new collection (below). The full 7 minute album version of "I'm A Fire" contains world music elements. It's a danceable track with a shifting arrangement that keeps things interesting including a short Latin influenced segment sung in Spanish. Donna Summer joins Thelma Houston, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, and a few other "mature" classic soul divas to release new material within the past couple of years. Listen to 30 seconds of the excellent "I'm A Fire." Your browser does not support the audio element. For a snapshot of her great career, read my review of Donna Summer's autobiography, Ordinary Girl, written in June, 2004. What can we expect on the new album? Donna says the record will contain "a menagerie of colors and styles, with hints of different ethnic traditions and sounds." She continues, "My dream is that when people hear the music it will remind them of their youth, their childhood and the joy and wonderment they felt exploring their first pack of Crayons." Huh? OK. I haven't played with crayons in ages, but I get the metaphor. Donna Summer always carried the excess baggage of "The Queen of Disco" label, despite her versatility. Many missed the fact that she's a very talented singer. Just listen to the Quincy Jones' produced song "State of Independence" for an example of Donna's distinctive depth of style. She gets the last laugh as a survivor with the power of Sony BMG & Burgundy Records behind this new release. Here are my 5 Donna Summer Favorites. What are yours? "Bad Girls" "Love To Love You Baby" "No More Tears" (duet with Barbra Streisand) "Hot Stuff" "Could This Be Magic" Get reacquainted with an old friend. Previous Post | Next Post

1 The Three Degrees Touch Angelic Harmony

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/11/2008

Valerie Holiday, Helen Scott, and Cynthia Garrison are the golden voices of The Three Degrees. The ladies have 2008 tour plans with possible touch-downs in Hawaii, Japan, and Europe. You have to go all the way back to Philadelphia, PA in 1963 for the genesis of the original group: Fayette Pinckney, Linda Turner, and Shirley Poole. There have been plenty of personnel changes through the years, although Helen and Valerie have been with the group since 1976. Helen was a late 1963 addition who left close to 1966, but returned a decade later. You'll probably remember "When Will I See You Again" as their biggest hit. Before success on Philadelphia International Records, The Three Degrees released songs on 5 different labels. When you graze through The Three Degrees Biography at their official web site, you'll discover the British icon who named these ladies as his favorite group. I'll recommend these 4 tracks from the Three Degrees catalog: "Love Is The Message" (with MFSB) "When Will I See You Again" "Maybe" (excellent cover of the Chantels hit with a rap to boot) "We're All Alone" (heavenly harmonies expanding the Boz Scaggs song) Previous Post | Next Post

0 7 Cameo Classics

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/09/2008

Cameo took several years to develop their style of funk and finally differentiate themselves from the Parliament-Funkadelic conglomerate; (to whom they are often compared). When their album Cardiac Arrest featuring "Rigor Mortis" came on the scene in 1977, group leader Larry Blackmon and company were building up their funk portfolio in the Big Apple, New York City. New Cameo albums hit the streets every year between 1977 through 1986, with Word Up! in 86' generating 3 big hit singles (#2, #3, & #7 on my list). In the 1980's, robotic electronic elements began to sterilize the raw funk sound of many classic soul groups. Cameo survived this industry change, using it to their advantage, by giving their catchy songs multiple hooks, gritty grooves, and levity laced lyrics. I saw Cameo perform live at the Missouri Black Expo in St. Louis in 1998. They were spectacular. When the final history of funk is written, Cameo will have a prominent chapter. Even Mariah Carey jumped on the Cameo bandwagon in 2001 (with Larry Blackmon along for the ride), sampling "Candy" on her song "Loverboy," albeit a weakly implemented cover at that. 7 Cameo Classics: "She's Strange" "Candy" "Word Up!" "Single Life" "Shake Your Pants" "I Just Want To Be" "Back and Forth" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Aquarian Dream's Flight of the Phoenix

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/07/2008

You can never be sure what the exact formula is for success. Unlike the mythical bird reincarnated from its ashes, not everyone can reinvent themselves like the Phoenix. Aquarian Dream is one R&B group from the 1970s that had a well known personality promoting them to go along with their talent, but they never quite clicked with music fans. According to music critic Alex Henderson, none of Aquarian Dream's three albums have ever been reissued on CD. The ensemble recorded for the Buddah and Elektra labels, with limited success, releasing Norman Connors Presents Aquarian Dream, Fantasy, and Chance To Dance. Norman Connors attached his name to the debut Aquarian Dream album, a promotional technique often used to break new acts during this period. Think Motown when Diana Ross presented The Jackson 5 on their first release. You don't see this gimmick happening today, as there are many more ways for artists to expose their music in non-traditional ways. Listen to a little over 1 minute of Aquarian Dream singing their 1977 song "Phoenix." You might be reminded of the classic soul of Rufus & Chaka Khan or Atlantic Starr. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Night James Brown Saved Boston

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/04/2008

The Night James Brown Saved Boston, a new VH1 documentary, is an amazing story about how the Godfather of Soul saved an American city from disaster in the immediate aftermath of the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rare concert footage from his performance at the Boston Garden, plus personal recollections from band members, highlight this VH1 television special, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at 9 pm Eastern, with a replay on Monday, April 7, at 10 pm Eastern. Previous Post | Next Post

2 50 Years of Motown Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/31/2008

Berry Gordy received an $800 loan on January 12, 1959, and used the proceeds to create "Hitsville, USA - The Sound of Young America," better known as Motown Records. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we've pulled out all the stops to create an entertaining new video tribute from PowerhouseRadio.com: "50 Years of Motown." Right away, you'll see "the 5 Motown families" represented on the revolving wheels of steel. All of the images were pulled from my personal archive of recordings and Motown memorabilia. It's amazing the number of artists who have passed through Berry Gordy's empire. Turn on your computer's sound and enjoy the 3 mintue 21 second video production. Leave a comment and tell me who I've missed. Two suspects are quite obvious! Congratulations from PowerhouseRadio.com to the amazing artists who have shared their classic soul as part of "50 Years of Motown." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Classic Soul Cassette Widget in Tune with Technology

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/27/2008

December 18, 2008 update: Like many online projects, Mixwit did not last. They shut down operations on December 31, 2008, so the link to their site and the related audio is gone. ------------------- It's not April 1st yet, and this is not a joke. Here's a really cool flashback to the golden days of those cassette based songs, now reincarnated inside of a contemporary web based music player. I skipped over both music cassettes and 8-track tapes back in the day and went right from vinyl to CD, so finding this retro music widget reminded me of friends who always had their cassette tapes eaten by their car cassette players. This widget has lots of personality! The particular song I found and placed in the widget is "Funky Mule," written by Buddy Miles, performed by an unidentified band. If you know who the band is, please let us know. Mouse-over the picture to see the pause and stop buttons (after you press the start button). You can check the widget out from Mixwit. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Mariah Carey Mixes Fusion on E=MC2

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/26/2008

Now billing herself as the best selling female artist of all time, Mariah Carey has her sights set on topping 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi. Her new atom splitting E=MC2 album puts some quantum mechanics behind the Mariah Carey musical formula, lead by "Touch My Body," the first song promoted from the April 15, 2008 release. Look for Mariah to do lots of interviews and personal appearances to support her new album. She's been adding to her record resume since 1990. When you hear Mariah Carey, you feel the sonic vibrations of a voice powered by impressive passion. Discover every chapter of the Mariah Carey story on her official web site. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Heatwave Hits

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/24/2008

Brothers Johnnie and Keith Wilder were the core of Heatwave, the "Always And Forever" crew, who put together a team of gifted international musicians to deliver some jammin' grooves. Johnnie and Keith, Dayton, Ohio natives, fine-tuned their classic soul funk in Germany, following a tour of Army duty in the U.S. military. Positive club exposure in London captured for Heatwave their first record deal. 1976's Too Hot To Handle album, Heatwave's first release, included both "Always And Forever," and the dance classic "Boogie Nights." Tragically, Johnnie Wilder Jr. passed away in 2006 at age 56, closing a long chapter of success for the original group. Here's a photo courtesy of announcer DJ Cleo Rowe with Heatwave at radio station WNJR, Newark, New Jersey taken in 1978. The picture is from Cleo's radio archive. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Betty Wright Knocks Out the Clean Up Woman

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/20/2008

When 19 year old Betty Wright released the classic soul hit "Clean Up Woman" in 1972, the song launched an expressive career for the Miami, Florida teenager. With over 18 albums to her credit, Betty continues to belt out the tracks today. She was only 15 when her first album, "My First Time Around," was released on Atlantic's Atco record label. The majority of Miss Wright's success came with a string of hits following "Clean Up Woman." Betty's voice projected playfulness, confidence, wisdom, and maturity beyond her years. Singing with a tone of innocence to compliment a touch of raw vocal power, her musical stories stood out with entertaining and believable themes. Betty Wright is one of the best representing the "Florida" soul sound. Here are my top 4 Betty Wright songs: "Clean Up Woman" "Where Is The Love" "Tonight Is The Night" "Baby Sitter" Previous Post | Next Post