Mike

Sonny Knight & The Lakers have just announced that they're taking pre-orders for their sophomore studio album, "Sooner or Later". With the first 200 LPs being hand-numbered and pressed on clear wax and available for pre-order through the Secret Stash records online store (the link is at the bottom of the page). The album 'Sooner Or Later' isdue out 18th Nov 2016 Sooner or Later - The official youtube music video Sooner Or Later Track List - Read and Play Sooner Or Later Your browser does not support the audio element. How Long Until Someday Your browser does not support the audio element. Stronger In The End Your browser does not support the audio element. Help Me Your browser does not support the audio element. I Could Never Get Tired Your browser does not support the audio element. It's Over Your browser does not support the audio element. The Cry Your browser does not support the audio element. It Had To Change Your browser does not support the audio element. Why? Your browser does not support the audio element. Oh, Mary Your browser does not support the audio element. 'Sooner Or Later' Press Release Sonny Knight And The Lakers to release sophomore studio album, “Sooner Or Later,” via Secret Stash Records on November 18, 2016 Vitality is defined as the power to live or grow, and perseverance pertains to the qualities of moving forward when an obstacle stands in your way. The music of soul man Sonny Knight brims with these essential life traits because he exudes them. Along with his 7-piece powerhouse band, The Lakers, the 68 year-old retired truck driver has created a sound that extends much deeper than throwback soul. After the band's 2014 debut album, I'm Still Here, which came to fruition much sooner than anyone expected, Sonny Knight and The Laker's released a live double album the following year. Now, the band’s sophomore studio set, Sooner Or Later, explores themes of overcoming adversity, love found, love lost, and societal observation. Where their debut might be likened to steering a bike before turning the pedals, considering how they wrote and recorded it before road testing their songs and individual strengths, their latest effort sees the wheels fully in motion. With performances across the US and Europe in theaters, performing arts centers, festivals and night clubs, Sonny and the band have tightened their unity and discovered what each member brings to the table that can further the collective’s playing. By doing so, the group was able to gain a greater understanding of what their best material was through performing it on the road night after night. What results on Sooner Or Later is a rarity by today’s recording standards. Of the 10 songs that were taken into Secret Stash’s brand new studio, all made the final cut. Rather than track a bunch of material and pick out the best parts later, Sonny and the band hit the studio knowing exactly what the record would be, perfectly encapsulating a snapshot in time for the artist. By focusing less on so-called groove makers and more on the songwriting process, Knight and company harnessed the power of the different genres that came together to shape what we have come to know as soul music over the last 50+ years. Gospel, country, and blues were all melded into a record that takes you on a journey through life’s questions and emotions via nine originals and a cover of Lonnie Mack’s “Why.” From the opening wail of Cole Pulice’s sax to Eric Foss’ syncopated drums, the title track is a pure party jam. Sonny Knight soon owns the stage, however, with his trademark guttural punches that land somewhere just this side of a Wilson Pickett shouter. Knight’s vocal abilities to command a track extend to more plaintive numbers like “Stronger In The End” as well. Singing with a much more tender tone early in the song before exploding midway, the recording also possesses the backing of a band that effortlessly combines elements of the Muscle Shoals Horns with the sound of 1960s gospel music to further advance its message. The Muscle Shoals influence is even more prevalent on keyboardist Sam Harvey-Carlson’s penned “The Cry” with its triplet-laden guitar and understated but beautifully arranged horns. Expanding their palette, the Lakers enter a blues-oriented R&B with “Why” that showcases a brooding, stirring sentiment thanks to Knight’s loose jazz-like phrasing on the verses and forlorn howl on the choruses. It also serves as a platform for the best individual instrumental performance in the band’s catalog thus far with Blair Krivanek’s passionate guitar solo drenched in a mournful, heartbroken tone. Album closer “Oh, Mary” recalls the spiritual “Mary Don’t You Weep” that has morphed into a gospel standard throughout the years. What starts as a simmer increasingly builds as a reverb-soaked horn section masterfully release a reflective cry that soon leads to an emotional boil of expelled tension, creating the perfect backdrop for Knight’s poignant vocal which is undoubtedly the linchpin of the song. While not intended to be an overt political statement, he instead wrote “Oh, Mary” to focus on the human emotions connected to unnecessary violence. When asked about the murder ballad written from the perspective of the victim, Knight responds, “It’s in your face right now. All you gotta do is turn on the TV, and there it is. All this killing needs to stop.” In the wake of recent events, the song has forged a powerful connection with many of those who have seen its performance live. During one performance in a New England bar, the band watched two young women in the front row with tears streaming down their faces as they worked their way through the heart-wrenching song. Knight’s vast array of life experiences inform a worldview that give him a unique perspective on the song writing, expressive, and storytelling process. While he was enamored with gospel music during his youth, which eventually led him to recording his first single in 1965, he soon found himself exploring other opportunities. From a deployment in Vietnam to a job as a long haul trucker, that it hasn’t been a linear path has made him a more attuned performer. Combining this hard-earned experience with a vivacious band whose members are half his age, the songs and performances are a perfect blending of observation, promise, and energy, thanks in some part to their collective globetrotting adventures playing for audiences of many different backgrounds. Sooner Or Later will be available on CD, vinyl, and cassette at your favorite retailers as well as through digital outlets. As Secret Stash has done for most releases from their catalog, a limited edition coloured version of the LP will be available for pre-order through their online store. Sure to grab a hold of a public yearning for a deeply riveting musical experience, the album releases on November 18, 2016. Press Inquiries/Interview Request: Leslie Inocian | Secret Stash Records | 612-466-2224 | leslie.inocian.a@gmail.com Pre-Order Now http://shop.secretstashrecords.com/collections/frontpage/products/sonny-knight-and-the-lakers-sooner-or-later

All over - yep its all over now, the Soul Source competition to win three Secret Stash Record vouchers (each voucher valid for one issue copy of any future Secret Stash release) has just ended The correct answer was as many got correct... 'Chicago' The 3 winners have just been drawn out and they are listed below @Soulmate60 @Man from Soul @spook Congrats to you three! You now need to get in touch with @Mark Bicknell via pm with your real world address and he should sort you out with your competition prize - a Secret Stash Record Voucher valid for one issue copy of any future Secret Stash release! Thanks to all who entered and better luck next time. Thanks of course to Mark B and Secret Stash records! Watch out for the next Soul Source competition, it be coming real soon!

Soultracks reporting the sad news of Double Exposure Co-founder and Lead singer Jimmy Williams passing on. Double Exposure's great Ten Per Cent track certainly touched my days of youth back then in 1976 RIP Jimmy Williams Info The group formed in 1961 with Leonard "Butch" Davis, Chuck Whittington, Jimmy Williams and Joe Harris. They were originally known as the United Image and released two singles, "Love's Creeping Up on Me" on Stax Records in 1971 and "The African Bump" on Branding Iron Records in 1972. They were signed to Salsoul Records in 1975 and released their debut album, Ten Percent in 1976. The album featured the title track, which was remixed by Walter Gibbons and reached No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the dance/disco charts. The tracks "Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight) and "My Love Is Free" were also popular club songs. Soultracks article can be viewed here http://www.soultracks.com/story-jimmy-williams-dies

The Edinburgh Reporter this weekend featured a review of The Edinburgh University Theatre Company’s recent production of the well known 'Once Upon A Time' play by Mick Martin.The production ended this weekend, and while the review does make interesting reading, given the remarks about the audience and cast it would perhaps be good to have a view more from that viewpoint. So did anyone out there go ? Anyway here's the opening lines of the review followed by a link to the full review by Ricky Brown. The Edinburgh University Theatre Company’s Once Upon a Time in Wigan has a lot going for it. An enthusiastic young cast, an audience of students keen to enjoy the night, and that sweet, sweet, Northern Soul music. The Northern Soul scene was defined by a search for neglected, should’ve-been soul classics, and as the show begins, Maxine, Suzanne, and Danny are lost in music on the floor of the legendary Wigan Casino... http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2016/10/theatre-review-once-upon-a-time-in-wigan/

Details of a ew ep 'Party Of One' that has just been pushed out followed by November 2016 tour dates Party Of One Mayer Hawthorne is excited to announce the surprise release of his new EP, “Party of One.” As an addendum to his latest album, Man About Town, “Party of One” expands on the themes of loneliness and the search for love. “Party of One” is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play, and streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. Tracklist 1. Someone Like you 2. A New Love 3. Time For Love Mayer Hawthorne Tour Dates: November 3 – Paris, France @ Elysee Montmartre 5 – Rotterdam, Netherlands @ REC Festival 6 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso 8 – Berlin, Germany @ Astra Kulturhaus 9 – Hamburg, Germany @ Mojo Club 10 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Stahlwerk 13 – Vienna, Austria @ Ottakringer Braurei 14 – Linz, Austria @ Posthof 15 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Plaza 16 – Mannheim, Germany @ Alte Feuerwache 18 – Manchester, U.K. @ Band on the Wall 19 – London, U.K. @ Brooklyn Bowl

Here we go this months releases from Ace Records... A Woman's Way - The Complete 1961-1975 Southern Soul Rozetta Johnson CD £11.50 The 60s and 70s recordings of a supremely talented southern soul singer. Super Duper Love - Mainstream Hits & Rarities 1973-76 70s Soul Various Artists (Mainstream Records) CD £11.50 Top-notch overview of this feisty New York indie’s 70s soul catalogues. Includes 10 Billboard R&B Chart hits. Ricordare - The Songs Of Ennio Morricone Pop Various Artists (Songwriter Series) CD £12.92 Artists from around the world perform songs by the celebrated Italian maestro. Boppin' By The Bayou - Drives-Ins & Baby Dolls Louisiana/New Orleans Various Artists (By the Bayou) CD £11.50 Time to roll up the carpet and put on your dancing shoes: 28 killer-diller Louisiana tracks. The Girls Want The Boys! Sweden's Beat Girls 1966-1970 Girls Various Artists (Beat Girls) LP £21.70 A smörgåsbord of groovy 60s she-pop from Sweden. Pressed on snow-white 180g vinyl in heavy duty sleeve, with inner bag featuring a 4,000-word track commentary and a plethora of superb photos. The Girls Want The Boys! Sweden's Beat Girls 1964-1970 Girls Various Artists (Beat Girls) CD £12.92 A smörgåsbord of groovy 60s she-pop from Sweden. With 5,000-word track commentary and extra photographic content. I'm Not Talkin' - The Song Stylings Of 1957-1971 Vocal Jazz Mose Allison CD £11.50 Mose Allison is the cool voice of jazz and blues who influenced a generation of British musicians. Here are the definitive performances of the songs that made his name for the first time on a single CD. More details and purchase options via Ace Records Website https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

The Olympians have a new self-titled album out and about via Daptone Records available via vinyl, cd, digital and streaming services This debut instrumental soul album from The Olympians features Daptone's superlative stable of musicians for a funk-filled landscape, lush with orchestration, and ripe with soul. Can purchase it right now via the Daptone Shop, Bandcamp, Digital, or if logged into Deezer or Spotify can stream it directly right now below Deezer player Spotify Player Tracklist Side 1 1. "Sirens Of Jupiter" (3:37) 2. "Venus" (3:57) 3. "Apollo's Mood" (4:30) 4. "Mars" (3:35) 5. "Neptune" (3:48) Side 2 1. "Saturn" 2. "Diana By My Side" 3. "Pluto's Lament" 4. "Mercury's Odyssey" 5. "Europa & The Bull" 6. "Sagittarius By Moonlight" After repeatedly being visited by a strange messenger in his dreams while on tour in the islands of Greece, Toby Pazner became consumed with a vision to tell the stories of The Olympians through music. Chosen by the gods as a messenger for not only his musical gifts, but for his unique position at the center of the Daptone family, Toby built a home studio from scratch and employed some of the top soul musicians in the world to help him breath life into this album. The result is a dramatic and cinematic journey to the outer limits of instrumental soul music, built on a foundation laid by the same craftsmen whose bricks built the legacies of Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, The Budos Band, and Menahan Street Band, and painted with lush strings, harpsichord, harp, and horns. The Olympians is destined to be the instrumental gem of the year. Includes download card. released October 28, 2016