Floyd Lawson & The Hearts Of Stone were essentially unknown when they signed to Motown's VIP label in 1970. Despite other far more established artists not being honoured with an album release they received one which was was eventually produced by Henry Cosby. After achieving limited success with the release entitled, Stop The World: We Wanna Get Off they soon parted company with Motown. This Track is taken from a far more obscure 2nd album called 'Coming Out', which was originally released as a limited press of only 1000, but fortunately has only recently seen a re-release on Afro Kats records.

The record has a much grittier rawer funk sound as compared to the 50's/60's r&b/soul feel of the first album. Entitled 'Only Takes A Minute' the track was written and produced by 70's production team Lambert and Potter, and the original was a top ten hit on the billboard 100 singles chart in the US for Tavares, peaking at number ten, as well as reaching number one on the US R&B Chart. It would also rather unusually go on to be covered by British boy band Take That in 1992 and featured on their debut album 'Take That & Party'. It recently saw a 7 inch re-release on K-Gee records along with another track from the album entitled 'Air I Breathe'. Click To Listen, or follow the link for more info.

Born Dalton Sinclair Bishop in 1938 in Barbados 'Jackie Opel' was a Bajan soul singer, composer, arranger and instrumentalist. Although Opels' Career was tragically cut short at the young age of 32 he was the composer of 700 known songs, an innovator in musical styles & an arranger who helped create the early ska sound. He frequently played and also toured with Jamaican Reggae/Ska Legends Alton Ellis & The Skatalites. Unlike many of the Jamaican singers and musicians of the time he never came to England which some feel has meant his genius has never been widely acknowledged outside of his homeland or in the historical context of Jamaican music. This track is a cover of Jackie Wilson's 'Higher and Higher' and featured on a collection of songs entitled ‘The Memorable Jackie Opel’, which unfortunately is out of print. An incredible voice who, like many, deserves the titles of 'genius 'and 'soul legend' despite his obscurity. For more info about Jackie Opel please read this great article linked below. I have also included a link to where to buy Jackie Opel recordings.

In my honest opinion Bill Withers is one of (if not) the greatest, song writers of all time as well as one of my favourite artists of all time. The thing I love most about Withers is I can relate to so much of what he is saying in his records, more so than almost any artist I have ever come across. Even artists closer to home or closer to my own age can't seem to speak to me like Bill can. His ability to capture and translate raw human emotion and put it on record is unbelievable. No ego, no gimmicks, no computers, no MTV, no cameras, no smoke, no mirrors. The man has got so much soul that if you look up soul in the dictionary I reckon you should just find a picture of Bill's face instead.

As well as his back catalogue of timeless classics I would recommend checking out some of his lesser known recordings. This tune entitled 'Ruby Lee' is taken from his 3rd studio album, Justments from 1974. This along with the song 'Can We Pretend' which features Jose Felliciano on Guitar are two of my favourite songs from the album. Be sure to also check out his live album 'Live At Carnegie Hall' too, one of the best live albums I have ever heard. Click the link to find out more about the Genius.

I have decided to start a new section called 'Sweet Soul' as I felt like I wasn't showing soul music the love it deserves. So to open we have a tune by Jose Feliciano. Jose Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer and guitarist. He was left permanently blind at birth due to congenital glaucoma, nevertheless he over came the effects of the impairment and went on to achieve critical acclaim around the world having many hit singles through out his long career. This tune is a cover version of the Mamas & Papas classic 'California Dreamin'' taken from his 1968 album 'Feliciano!' which features a selection of cover versions of classic 1960's hits. This is in my opinion one of the best versions ever made, he takes it to a completely different level. Also watch out for his cover version of Stevie Wonder's 'Golden lady' another unbelievable rendition. Click to listen:


Jose Feliciano - Official Web Site
Jose Feliciano - Golden Lady (Live on Soul Train)

Cedric Marszewski, aka Pilooski, must certainly have had to take responsibility for a few torched rooves last summer when his twisted re-edit of Frankie Valli’s ‘Beggin’ blazed a trial of destruction up music charts world wide. However the french magicians golden touch had already been well documented on the ongoing D*I*R*T*Y Edits and Dark & Lovely 12" series. While he doesn't align himself with any genre in particular, he has become somewhat famed for his re-edits of psychedelic disco and northern soul rarities. Often classed in the genre of 'electronica' the thing I like about Pilooski is that while he fuses electronic elements with organic sounds he manages to retain the integrity of the original tracks yet somehow gives them a whole new energy and lease of life, making them more accessible to a wider audience. One of my favourite tracks has to be this re-edit of a lesser known Pointer Sisters B-side entitled 'Send Him Back'...this one is venomous. Also look out for his remix of Nina Simones 'Take Care Of Business' which is featured on Volume 4 of the Verve Remixed compilation series. Head on over to the MySpace for more tunes & info.


Pilooski - MySpace

(Info Via SugarTax)

Soul Legend Isaac hayes died on Sunday at the age of 65. Amazing producer, composer, song writer and singer. He will be sorely missed. Be sure to check out 2 of his best known works, 'Hot Buttered Soul' & 'Theme From Shaft' both of them are classics.

When Legendary production team Holland/Dozier/Holland left Motown in 1967 to establish their own Invictus/Hot Wax group of record labels , they teamed General Norman Johnson (previously lead vocalist in a group called ' The Showmen' during the 1960's) up with Eddie Custis, Danny Woods and Canadian born Harrison Kennedy as the new company's flagship act, under the appropriate name "Chairmen of the Board". As well as achieving mainstream success with a string of singles during the early 1970's, a cover of one of their songs entitled "Patches", would go on to win a Grammy Award when later covered with great success by Clarence Carter. The following tune entitled 'Hanging On (To) A Memory' is taken from the now out of print complilation entitled 'Salute the General'. It also featured on the live album 'In Session' and reached no.28 in the US R&B chart in 1971. Some of you may recognise the twisted electric guitar sample which was used on a tune off of rapper Lupe Fiasco's debut album 'Food & Liquor' entitled 'Real' which features vocals by Sarah Greene. Ripped straight from the vinyl for your listening pleasure.....this ones raw.

The original recording is in my mind one of the greatest songs ever written. Heres a special live performance of the Rev from 2007 for VH1 Classic. 62 years old and still untouchable. One of the greatest to ever do it.

Although Blu & Exiles Debut LP 'Below The Heavens' was released last year to critical acclaim, I felt I had to spread the word as it appears that many people here in the UK still have not heard about this little gem. I won't go into too much detail but to put it simply this was in my opinion without a doubt the best hip hop album of 2007 and one of the best hip hop albums I have heard in years. Hailing form the west coast and raised on a steady diet of classic hip hop Blu's early influences include N.W.A, Public Enemy, Common, Black Star & The Roots. Producer 'Exile' who forms the other half of the duo originally formed one half of Hip Hop duo Emanon and produces every track on the album.

It has almost become a cliche to talk about Exile's 'soul drenched' production and Blu's heartfelt and deeply personal lyrics, but the truth is that this describes exactly what you can expect from this album. While Blu is clearly an incredibly talented MC on every level, he also maintains a certain integrity as well as a soulful, humble and honest nature to his words which in my opinion is a very rare thing in rap these days. This is the defining element in Blu's lyrics...a normal person can actually relate to them. Exile's production is reminiscent of that true classic 90's sound that people so often whine about missing and frequently claim is 'non existent'. Think Pete Rock meets Hi-Tek meets 9th Wonder. Highlights for me include 'Dancing In The Rain' which features an infectious jazzy guitar loop executed to perfection and 'Blu Colla Workers' an ode to the struggles of the daily grind.

If you are looking for ego rap, big unsubstantiated talk or inflated characters who claim to be living the ultimate hedonistic criminal lifestyle, this album is not for you. If you have an unhealthy obsession with 'multis' and 'punches' again this won't hit the spot. If on the other hand you like your production soulful and you prefer rap from the heart instead of from the penis, this one will blow you away. 99% of reviews I have read agree. Available at amazon and most good independent hip hop stores.

ooooo

Blu - MySpace Page

At a time when a whole heap of jokers seem to be jumping on the soul revival band wagon and coming out with 'soul' (offensive toilet pop) albums (*cough* Duffy, Sharleen Spiterri *cough*) heres a man who seems to be making a proper attempt at actually recreating the pionnering soul sound of the 1960's. While Raphael Saadiq, (of 'Tone Tony Tone' fame) has been known to enter that 'R Kelly zone' on a few occassions, his latest effort is certainly no 'Bump & Grind' business. And just in case you had any doubts, guess who pops up on harmonica to stamp the golden seal of authenticity? None other than the man himself, Stevie (you're a bloody genius) Wonder. CJ Hilton also provides vocal support. If that wasn't enough Saadiq has also called in the son of legendary motown bass player James Jamerson (James Jamerson Jnr) to deal with the bottom end duties. The icing on the cake comes in the form of Paul Riser, legendary Motown string arranger who also turns his sparkling hand to the soon to be released new album, which will be enititled 'The Way I See It'. There might still be hope yet...Click to listen.


(Via Soulbounce)