Mike

Being reported is the sad news that we have just lost a great unique soul artist Gil Scott-Heron passed away on the afternoon of May 27th 2011 in a New York hospital aged 62 The below quotes are from the website komplicated.com A friend who answered the telephone listed for his Manhattan recording company confirms he died Friday afternoon at a hospital. Doris C. Nolan says he died after becoming sick upon returning from a European trip promoting the rerelease of "I'm New Here" with additional production by British remix guru Jamie XX. As is so often the case these days, the news broke via Twitter, with Scott-Heron's UK publisher Jamie Byng posting tweets saying ... Just heard the very sad news that my dear friend and one of the most inspiring people I've ever met, the great Gil Scott-Heron, died today. sad news RIP Gil Scott-Heron - The Needles Eye - Flying Dutchman [rs]57545[/rs]

Today May 21st 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album. While there could be a case made that the over-promotion of such minor anniversary's in the mainstream media actually lessens the significance of the more notable ones, I suspect that such a viewpoint is more of a generation based one. The reaction of one younger member of my household (who has only recently 'discovered' this album) to the news of the 40 year mark and the below release certainly differed from my own. Anyway to mark this event two notable events to pass on One - The forthcoming release of a "super deluxe box set" by motown/universal to mark the occasion. This 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition contains 2 CDs + Vinyl LP + Gatefold Booklet with Rare Photos, Lyrics and New Essays. Highlights include: * A remastered version of the album plus 28 bonus tracks - 16 unreleased. * Original mono versions of the LP's hit singles. * A previously unreleased original `Quality Control test mix' of "What's Going On," mixed before Marvin had added strings, horns and additional vocals. * Several pre-album outtakes, recorded while Marvin was "on strike," waiting for his single to be released, including "Head Title," now in unedited form for the first time. * Several post-album instrumental jams with local musicians who included Ray Parker Jr. - a series of recordings made in Detroit before Marvin followed Motown to Los Angeles. * The original single version of a sequel to the album, "You're The Man," as well as two alternate versions. * The album's rare, original "Detroit Mix," previously issued on CD for the 30th anniversary, now on vinyl for the first time. The original announced release date was said to be during this month May 2011, however amazon are now running a june 7th date. amazon us link @ $45 (the uk has a very high price tag ?) Two - BBC world service show are broadcasting a radio show presented by Smokey Robinson (which am fairly sure was broadcast earlier as part of a series) What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade To mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most influential albums ever released, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On - which was released in May 1971 - Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of this classic album and explains why Marvin's masterpiece still has resonance today. Link to info and show times, also states will be available as a free podcast/download (you can subscribe now so will automatically get it delivered) http://www.bbc.co.uk...rammes/p00gnxvs

James Power has been in touch and passed on word of a great online video interview he carried out with Maxine Brown. Featuring a total of almost two hours in all, this lengthy interview is split into 4 equal parts (each one approx 25 mins in length) and can view below via the embedded links from the Vimeo site (so all in hd as well) Talking With Maxine Brown by James Power My interview with Soul Music legend Maxine Brown recorded April 9, 2011. In Part 1, Maxine discusses her early years, coming to New York from Kingstree, South Carolina, her violent father, her beginnings in Gospel, Professor Charles Taylor, playing the Apollo, switching to secular Soul music, writing & recording 'All In My Mind' which went to #2 on the R&B charts. In Part 2, Maxine discusses working as a medical stenographer when 'All In My Mind' hit the top 10, working with Sam Taylor, Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions, her follow-up hit 'Funny', teaching Sam Cooke to do The Twist, signing with Scepter/Wand Records, Florence Greenberg, filling in for Tammi Terrell & singing with Marvin Gaye, Motown, British appreciation, Carole King, 'Oh No, Not My Baby', Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Bacharach & David's 'I'll Cry Alone', and Big Maybelle. In Part 3, Maxine discusses Racism, Civil Rights era, Working with Otis Redding, Ashford & Simpson, Cissy Houston & The Sweet Inspirations, Central Park Music Festival with Lou Rawls in 1967, leaving Scepter/Wand, British Invasion, Producer/Arranger Mike Terry, Norman Whitfield, Changes in the music world, "We'll Cry Together", and Van McCoy. In Part 4, Maxine discusses meeting Jimi Hendrix, songs released in the UK only (I Want A Guarantee, It's Torture), working with Van McCoy, Luther Vandross, Avco Records, 'Picked Up, Packed, and Put Away', Broadway musical 'Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope (in New York City)', Learning acting and dancing, Ruth Brown, Ben E King, releasing first album in 35 years 'From the Heart', working with Beverly Crosby & Ella Garrett (AKA The Wild Women), Maxine sings in Spanish (Do That To Me One More Time, Yesterday I Heard the Rain), the name 'Ella Brown', receiving the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. related links http://www.maxinebrown.com http://www.jamespower.net