Mike

A change for the respected long running modern soul discussion list One of the longest running and respected web soul discussion lists has just changed from an email based discussion list to a forum based format. Yes Essential Modern Soul is now available in a new fresh forum style format. Worthy of a mention on here as a fair few years ago it had a effect on this site, it was the inspiration for the move of the soul source news list to the soul talk discussion list, which happenend after seeing ems prove that it was possible for internet soul lists to be friendly, worthwhile and enjoyable. Anyway enough past times, a quick good luck to them on change and here's a brief word from the site on how they see themselves to Essential Modern Soul, a free UK based open discussion forum that welcomes soul fans from all over our planet - membership is global. The forum is private and requires registration apart from the What's On section. the topic at this corner of the world is modern soulful sounds from the seventies and on into the future... and all else inbetween... and here's the link

RON HENDERSON & CHOICE OF COLOUR GEMINI LADY SJCD 6001 When a new CD arrives in the house, the chances of me actually listening to it immediately are almost nil. John snaffles the said disc for the car, and that’s the last I hear of it until the weekend. However, with the Ron Henderson/Choice of Colour CD I put my foot down and insisted that I be allowed to enjoy the music too….and subsequently the “Gemini Lady” release is one that’s been on the headphones almost constantly. A selection of very diverse and listenable tracks, many previously unreleased, that will hit the spot with lovers of seventies soul. There’s a dollop of doo-wop, a glimpse of gospel, a nugget of Neo-Northern, more than a smidgen of sweet soul (and a few gracious nods in the direction of Marvin) and much more on offer from this excellent new offering from the new Grapevine subsidiary, Soul Junction. Not only does Ron Henderson have a very pleasing, smooth and adaptable voice, this material showcases an extremely talented songwriter, penning 14 of the 20 tracks on this album. Many of you will already be very familiar with the opening track, Your Love – it’s a smart programming decision slotting this number on first. Whatever your favoured genre, Your Love has a broad appeal, and of course has become an extremely popular spin in both Northern and crossover rooms in recent years. One of those records that works as well on the sound system at home as it does with a dancefloor underfoot. Don’t Take Her For Granted, with the spoken intro so beloved of it’s era, was a near hit for Ron Henderson & The Choice of Colour, promising them a rosy future in the music industry that never truly materialised. The lack of exposure that their recording suffered is a travesty. Like many of the respected artists known to the aficionados of 60’s and 70’s soul – the group were to suffer at the hands of poor distribution and business practice, an overcrowded market and unreleased recordings. Track Three – Nobody Will Ever Take Your Love From Me is the number that seems to have been almost universally picked as “the chosen one” by the DJ’s. This has been getting regular play ever since the first copies of this were first available and is already a guaranteed floor-filler at venues such as the Orwell. An instantly catchy melody and great group harmony makes it the most obvious tune that stands out on first play. Hooked On Your Love is also enjoying some success in the venues – although it’s not such an accomplished or complete song to Mrs Nightingale’s ears, some friends and arbiters of taste often select this bass driven number as their immediate favourite. On a more Modern tip Sunshine has all the ingredients for the making of a happy and full dance floor; perfect weekender material. Love Is Gone is slightly more subtle than some of the other tunes, but the gentle strings and delicate orchestration that backs the vocal is right on the money and I have a feeling that this is going to be the real ‘grower’ for me. However if I were to pick one track that I instantly adored above all others then “I’ll Be Around” ……(think something along the lines of Mercy Mercy Me, but with choppy punctuation from the horns behind it). Baby I Wanna Be Yours is another almost Marvin-esque arrangement that I will no doubt be playing on a loop – it’s gorgeous. And finally a mention for the title track from the early 80’s – Gemini Lady, a long time Modern soul anthem (and a very collectable and pricey slab of vinyl). For those of you that know and appreciate this number – there’s far more to Ron Henderson and Choice of Colour, and it will be a more than a satisfying surprise for you. There isn’t really a duff track on this CD – not all will make you want to fling your arms in the air or throw yourself at the dance floor, but that isn’t the beauty of these recordings – they are simply a very pleasing selection of 70’s and early 80’s soul tracks that just exude class, and are performed by a very accomplished group and lead vocalist. As the informative sleeve notes, written by John Ridley, pronounce “This collection will do a lot to restore the morale of soul group freaks everywhere”. My sentiments exactly – and there’s a hint that there will be more where these came from. Good news indeed. All hail the masters at work. Grapevine continues to impress me, big time, with their supremely tasteful output. Available from www.grapevine-soul.com as well as the usual outlets. Alison

a article from website in Louisville Kentucky on studio tapes Stumble upon on travels round the web, suppose at times must be guilty of re-cycling well known tat, but as work on a "if its first I heard about it, slight chance someone else may not be aware" .....will continue Here's news of an article from The Courier-Journal, a website from Louisville, Kentucky all about a find of studio tapes a few brief clips from the article below Louisville's music history The tale of the tapes Decades of music wait to be unraveled, heard By Jeffrey Lee Puckett ............sit several decades of Louisville music, waiting to be heard. The boxes of tape are cracked and splitting. Some of the tape is threatening to crumble. The great Harvey Fuqua is stacked on top of the Bluegrass Alliance. There's also gospel music by former boxer Jimmy Ellis, Midnight Star, Bodeco, Abraham Rush, Nick Clooney and Gary Burbank.On a shelf against the wall are Wayne Young, the Dynamic Invaders, Bob Braun, the Fanatics, Billy Paul, Kenny and the Accents, Dorothy Boy, the Aristocrats....................... ..........Smith is a soul singer from Cincinnati who did well regionally and became a cult figure in England, where the Northern Soul scene often embraced minor American performers. Cincinnati's Chris Burgen, 27, is a music historian who has been helping Cincy's soul veterans re-release their music. "The significance (of the tapes), at least to someone who's interested in quality soul music from the time period, cannot be overstated," Burgen wrote in an e-mail. "Kenny Smith is a bit of a minor legend in some parts of the world. … Full article can be found at the Courier Journal website http://www.courier-journal.com

Latest info from New Century website Hi All After last months little disaster with the license we have checked and double checked and are now pleased to announce that everything is in place for what should be a cracking Allnighter. This Saturday in the Main Hall upstairs at the CIS building Corporation Street Manchester 9pm till 7am with Pat Brady, Soul Sam, Kiddo, Neil Rushton, Mick H, Karl Rhodes, Steve Thomas, Des Parker, Andy Whitmore and this months Guests Paul Sadot and Pete French £10 otd NUS £8 Not The Flower But The Root Soul Club New Century Soul Warm up at The Ducie Bridge hosted by Carl and Maria Willingham with guest DJ's Geoff Buckley, Fred Krol and Carol Fortey from 7pm till 10pm entrance FREE Regards New Century Soul http://www.newcenturysoul.co.uk

friday 1st july Gwen McCrae @ the welly club hull check out www.backinstride.co.uk .. thanx Ricky

A new url and fresh photos... Well known soul photographer Dave Leedham site has now a new url http://www.daveleedham.co.uk Also has a batch of fresh photos up including photos from Prestatyn pictures including the artists from the weekender and pictures from The Ritz Brighouse, June 2005 & Luton Rugby Club June 2005.

New name for the monthly Cork Night other day had a right shocking phone call! Out of the blue old mucker Jimmy Small phoned up, wont go down the "all our yesterdays" road (save it for later bit maybe) but was one of those knock you over phonecalls, (ta to Danny for passing on number) But anyway after a hour or so of catch up he asked me to pass on details of next soul nite So without further ado..... Leeside Soul Club Sat 25 June 9- late free entry its at phoenix bar (upstairs) union quay cork city regular djs and guests 4th saturday of every month Northern - rare and classic Jimmy assures me its a kicking night, and so good was his hard sell, that have definite plans to get over there in next month or so Jimmy Small and Martin Goggin are just two of the team behind it all more info mgoggin@eircom.net Jimmy assures me its a kicking night, and so good was his hard sell, that have definite plans to get over there in next month or so Jimmy Small and Martin Goggin are just two of the team behind it all more info mgoggin@eircom.net

Classic lp gets a cd outing Smile on my face seeing this classic lp finally geting a cd release, (now wondering where my old copy is stashed) Ronnie Laws- Every Generation Saxophonist Ronnie Laws held high profile gigs with Quincy Jones and Earth, Wind And Fire before signing with Blue Note in 1975 where his first album Pressure Sensitive yielded the hit “Always There” which is still a staple in dance clubs around the world. By Every Generation, his fourth album, Laws’s writing and production was getting so sophisticated and R&B-oriented, that he was moved to United Artists Records. With writing and producing partner William Jeffrey, Ronnie produced state-of-the-art R&B gems with this album, using his own band plus siblings Hubert and Eloise Laws and guests Larry Dunn, Joe Sample and Patrice Rushen. samples at http://www.bluenote.com/detail.asp?SelectionID=10433 1 Young Child 2 Never Get Back To Houston 3 Every Generation 4 Tomorrow 5 O. T. B. A. Law (Outta Be A Law) 6 Love’s Victory 7 Thoughts & Memories 8 As One Every Generation, now a sought after collectors’ item for DJs and club habitués, appears on CD for the first time.