Daved

Now that was a classic!

Eh! Not only has it got to be on a Motown label, it has to have been recorded in a Motown studio and have a typical 60s Motown sound. I didn't see those rules at the beginning. Those Motown folks - they may as well have packed up all together when they left Detroit! Apparantly, Marvin Gaye isn't that good either lol!!!

Stevie Wonder - Innervisions. Have it!!

You can't beat a bit of My Favourite Person imo - also Let Life Flow is tremendous. And more recently Imagination from 2 years ago is up there with their best.

It's on The Wants List 2 CD on Soul Brother.

Just dug out the CD. It's satin soul by Barry White.

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.