Daved

We just happened to bump into each other at Jean Carne Jo. It was the "You're A Part Of Me" promo tour. I remember she asked the audiencefor requests and someone shouted "Early Morning Love". She said the band don't know it but I'll sing it anyway - off she went on an accapella version note perfect. Wonderful!!

I saw Regina Belle at that time too. Brilliant! Pieces of A Dream, Will Downing, Lillo Thomas, Jean Carne at the Dominion on a Sunday (eh, Jo?), Freddie Jackson - it was all good.

The short answer to your question is no Simon. We're all individuals and decide to go where we want (and buy music on whatever format we want lol)

Excellent. I also like the Gary Des-Etages song that sampled it a few years ago. Never flipped it over - I'll give it a go.

Well I'd say of course she is. Personally, I'm not a fan and most of her stuff doesn't do a great deal for me. However, she is definitely a very good (soul) singer. I didn't think she made much of an effort on Later With Jools Holland on Friday night but the natural ability is still there.

I guess jazz funk is really funk made by jazz artists e.g. Charles Earland, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Listin Smith, etc. However, there was so much other stuff that was popular at the time that wasn't vastly different that it just got put under the same banner. It's all good, innit?

Still love this record. Nice one Jo.

I don't think I've ever seen such a one sided battle on this forum. Smokey is a legend in so many ways - with such a great soulful voice. I was listening to Tell Me Tomorrow on the way to work this morning - excelelnt! Even Being With You is a wonderful song

Yay

He's also done a remix of The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" but it's not come out yet.

Thanks. He's one of my heros!

It was my first allnighter. I went in 1996 for Chris King's 40th birthday do with Tommy Hunt and Ivy Jo Hunter singing. I loved it and rekindled my love for soul music. I also remember going back in August the following year and waiting outside for a wedding reception to finish before we could get in - chatting away on the grass on a lovely summer's night, very nice.

Simon, whilst I agree with most of what you say in the first 5 paragraphs, I struggle to find the link to the last 2. The lack of major record label support for good artists is a completely separate issue to what a tiny minority of over 30s (40s!) dance to in grotty bars in the UK. Even if there wasn't this big chase for the next exclusive, it wouldn't make any difference to the major record label's attitude. The modern soul scene constitutes very, very small sales.

Personally I think John Legend is a real talent. His first CD is a classic. It may not be instant but it's great material. Granted, he isn't as good as Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway and I don't really think his trying to copy them. He has his own unique style for this decade and I'm looking forward to the new CD.

Geoff, Keith at Soulsearcher has one for sale now at half price.

I've heard a snip of it. It didn't seem to be that good to my ears but will reserve judgement until I hear the whole thing properly.

Thelma Houston - classic!!!! Would you've played it These Old shoes Paul?

You can't beat the Stevie Wonder version imo. With Betty Wright and a young Michael Jackson on backing vocals, it sounds wonderful. It still amazes me that he finally decided to record himself some 15 years later - what prompted him to do that?

I didn't like either of them I'm afraid. Production a bit too cheap and messy.

Anita Baker - Rapture

Agreed. Too many positives come out of this site and far outweigh the negatives (although I appreciate how frustrating thry must be.) Keep it up Mike & team

Oh how I love reading the endless debates on here about northern vs. modern, what is modern?, it's all disco, etc. Whilst browsing through some old Blues & Soul magazines last weekend, I came across this interesting article by Simon Dunmore in 1990. He's making a distinction between modern and real soul. Anyone remember that term? I thought the music I liked in the 80s was called real soul. He's also slating the modern soul scene for being stuck in a 70s time warp and not embracing new releases. The article brought a lot of response. One fella from Blackpool wrote a particularly vitriolic letter in reply and the debate went on for ages. Sound familiar?

You can't beat a bit of 80s disco lol!!!! I had the Glenn Jones LP nearby as I was reading this and gave "You're The Only One I Love" a play for the first time in ages. Great record.

Just browsing through some old Blues & Soul mags last weekend and came across this, which some people may find interesting. Searling_1990_B_S_.doc

The Channel was officially released last year with The Crusaders sample. https://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProduct...&sku=433139