Powerhouse Radio Blog

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

0 DeBarge Family Motown Melodies

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/18/2008

1985. El, Bunny, Mark, James, and Randy DeBarge, cast in the media image of the Jackson 5, continue to crank out a string of classic soul hits for Motown. The DeBarge family released their first album in 1981, finding most of their success in the mid 1980's. Some of their well publicized mis-steps along with personal problems of particular group members probably contributed to a compressed period for their 15 mintues of fame. Happily, the DeBarge clan are survivors. Second generation additions, along with founders Bunny, Randy, Mark, Anita, Alice, El, James, Chico, Chantal, Young, Peaches, Mama D., and Switch's Bobby and Tommy continue to receive attention. Mama, El, and Chico all have individual web sites. Several fan web sites also keep track of the entire family. Here are the lyrics to their hit "Who's Holding Donna Now," written by David Foster, Jay Graydon, and Randy Goodrum featuring El DeBarge on the lead vocal: Sometimes a love won't let go Hard as I try I know it shows Everybody's telling me You'll be over her eventually But how am I supposed to feel so secure. When I keep wonderin'Who's holding Donna nowAnd I keep wonderin'Who's heart she's knocking aroundThere's nothing I wouldn't doTo be in his shoes somehowAnd I keep wonderin'Who's holding Donna nowAnd I keep wonderin'What magic can be foundTo turn me back to the worldWho's holding Donna now. The letter started with goodbyeI've read it half a million timesTell me this is just a dreamWhen I wake up she'll be here next to meTell me it will be just the way it was, oh When I keep wonderin'Who's holding Donna nowAnd I keep wonderin'Who's heart she's knocking aroundThere's nothing I wouldn't doTo be in his shoes right nowAnd I keep wonderin'Who's holding Donna nowAnd I Keep wonderin'What magic can be foundTo turn me back to the worldWho's holding Donna now Those Temptations vs. Four Tops tours were always fun. Is there any chance of a future Jacksons vs. DeBarge tour? Anything is possible! Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Who's Holding Donna Now" by DeBarge. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marvin Gaye's Magnificent Medley

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/13/2008

When was the last time you heard Marvin Gaye's magnificent medley in it's entirety from the song collection What's Going On? (the album considered by many as the best classic soul record of all time). The 6 tracks on side one of the original 1971 album are tightly edited together without silence between the songs, enhancing the impact of Marvin's topical social commentary and humane visionary themes. When the CD was finally released many years later, some listeners may have missed the ground breaking technique of a continuous medley: absent from most early R&B albums. With the CD, now all 9 tracks were available for the expected continuous play from start to finish. So a medley? No big deal. 2) "What's Happening Brother" 3) "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)" 4) "Save The Children" 5) "God Is Love" 6) "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" By the way, track 1 is "What's Going On." Two bonus tracks were added to the remastered CD edition released in 2003 giving the record a total of 11 songs. Side one of the vinyl album is a masterpiece, and it's a treat to hear it today. I'm lucky to still have the original vinyl album in excellent condition. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Gamble & Huff Earn their Philly-Soul Hall of Fame Ticket

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/10/2008

Philadelphia International Records label founders Kenny Gamble (left), and Leon Huff (right), will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2008. The two songwriter-producers will be honored by receiving the first Ahmet Ertegun award for non-performers, Monday evening, March 10, in New York City. "Love Train," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," "When Will I See You Again," and scores of hits have driven the Philadelphia International express to global fame. Gamble and Huff piloted the last of the great classic soul record labels, building on the legacy of Motown, Stax, and Atlantic. The Philly International catalogue has been mined to death with CD song reissues over the years. Surprise, two new ones are hitting the marketplace now. The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff's Greatest Hits is a new release featuring all of those memorable smashes: "Me & Mrs. Jones, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," and many more. Very few producers could get away with this ego strokin' title, but Gamble & Huff can. Then we have Conquer the World: The Lost Soul of Philadelphia International Records, the 2nd new release. A treasure chest of obscure tracks are featured, from the talented Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, producer-artist Bunny Sigler, Johnny Williams, and many other performers. Here are some of the original Philadelphia International Records vinyl album covers... Your browser does not support the audio element. Johnny Williams had one minor hit back in 1973 on Philadelphia International called "Slow Motion." Listen to 39 seconds of "Slow Motion" (from the original 45 RPM record). Congratulations to Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff on their well deserved honor. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet & Michael Jackson Share #1 at Billboard

Commentary
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/06/2008

While I've been listening to Janet Jackson's new CD Discipline, trying to decide what if any of the collection I like, the release has quickly skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard 200. It's been a long time since Janet rose to #1. Then, I tried to figure out, when was the last time, if any, both Janet and Michael Jackson had #1 Billboard albums at the same time. Thriller 25, just released with plenty of remixes, is also slotted at #1 in the pop category for the Billboard publication issue of March 15, 2008. Superstition says beware of the Ides of March! That's the day Emperor Julius Caesar met his doom (March 15). For Janet and Michael however, it looks like this is their lucky day. Now known in the music biz as classic soul "legacy artists," Michael and Janet don't get as much airplay as in the past. # 1 chart positions for both of these records simultaneously in 2008 is quite a feat. I'll have much Janet's Jackson's Discipline soon. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sister Kathy Sledge is Family

Biography
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/04/2008

Sister Sledge lead singer Kathy Sledge recently launched a new web site featuring audio, video, and historical highlights of her own solo career. Kathy is pictured here with her 10 piece band. Tag along with this Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, and get busy inside the wonderful world of Kathy Sledge. We Are Family! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Buddy Miles Tribute

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
02/28/2008

Drummer Buddy Miles passed away Wednesday, February 27, at the relatively young age of 60. Caught in the middle between the musical implementation of pure soul and progressive rock, Miles in his heyday never received the credit he deserved as a creative solo artist. Radio programmers back in the day could never figure out if his music was appropriate to play for their particular audiences. Buddy Miles was all about fusing soul, blues, pop, and rock into a unique blend of driving hardcore rhythms. In 1967, Buddy, working his way up the musical ladder, joined "Wicked" Wilson Pickett's touring band as the drummer. Soon after, guitarist Mike Bloomfield recruited Miles for the seminal horn-funk-blues group, The Electric Flag. The Buddy Miles Express debuted in 1968 with the album, Expressway to Your Skull. I used the instrumental track "Funky Mule" from that album as my first and only theme song for a few years when I first started out in radio. Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Miles had quite a few collaborations together, beginning in 1968 - 1969. Hendrix wrote the liner notes on Expressway to Your Skull, and produced "Miss Lady" from the 2nd Miles album Electric Church. Hendrix also produced the unreleased version of the instrumental "69 Freedom Special," (that does appear on The Best of Buddy Miles) CD. Miles continued to experiment as he moved on to Band of Gypsys with Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox. I saw their only Madison Square Garden New York City performance live on January 28, 1970. Unfortunately, what I remember was not positive, as Miles, Hendrix, and Cox only performed a couple of songs. Hendrix "went on strike" after a couple of songs and stormed off the stage because of some disagreement. Miles and Hendrix recorded the classic jazz-rock "Rainy Day Dream Away" and "Still Raining Still Dreaming" from Hendrix's historic double LP Electric Ladyland. I genuinely enjoyed Buddy's solo albums, as they always contained several stand out tracks. The PowerhouseRadio.com music vault contains 7 of his solo vinyl albums, plus A Long Time Comin' by The Electric Flag. I suppose I should mention that Buddy Miles was the voice of the California Raisins, an animated cartoon used to promote the raisin industry in the 1970's. Miles was a very good singer - as soulful as the best of his day. In 1994, Buddy Miles reformed the Express and recorded an album for Rykodisc. I was asked if I wanted to interview Buddy in 2007. Unfortunately, we could not sync-up our schedules, so I ultimately passed. Now I'm sorry I missed the opportunity. Luckily, I did have the chance many years ago to talk with Buddy Miles live at The Bottom Line club in New York City and record the conversation when I was a student at New York University. Below is 90 seconds of the longer instrumental "Funky Mule" from the Buddy Miles Express album Expressway To Your Skull recorded in October, 1968 and released later that year. Featured on guitar, Jim McCarty (who previously played with Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels). Your browser does not support the audio element. If you are not familiar with Buddy Miles, a great place to start is the CD, The Best of Buddy Miles. It includes his only bonafide hit, "Them Changes." Take a listen to 90 seconds of the much longer "Funky Mule," and enjoy the Buddy Miles groove. Check out his relentless percussive persuasion. Here are my picks for the top 5 songs that showcase Buddy Miles: "Runaway Child" "Power of Soul" (Band of Gypsys) "Rainy Day, Dream Away" & "Still Raining, Still Dreaming" (guest with The Jimi Hendrix Experience) "69 Freedom Special" "Take It Off Him and Put It On Me" Although the original album version is better (same version on The Best of), here's a great showcase of the powerful "brassy" horn sound of the Buddy Miles Band doing "Runaway Child" live on Finland television in 1971! The Finn fans are shy. Buddy tries to get them to party! Previous Post | Next Post

2 Keith Sweat Sings Just Me 2008

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
02/25/2008

Keith Sweat releases his first new studio album since 2002 on March 18, 2008. Just Me comes on the heels of his solid 2007 Christmas album, A Christmas of Love. Sweat has been crooning mellow hits for 20 years. On his new album, Keyshia Cole and Athena Cage are two of the featured guest artists. Keith says his new album is not trendy, but is true to the sound his fans have come to expect. "Suga Suga Suga," the initial single from the album featuring Keith and Paisley Bettis will get early attention. Sweat rose to the top with the # 1 classic soul hit "I Want Her" in 1987. He hosts The Keith Sweat Hotel, a syndicated nationwide USA radio show. Previous Post | Next Post