Heikki

Hi "Manny"... nice hearing from you after a long time. I too have always enjoyed Thom's work, ever since the 60s. The good news is that most probably they'll publish a biography sometime in the future. Best regards Heikki

Hi! My recent update with Thom is available, along with an interview with Lavel "Memphis" Jackson, some new CD reviews - including a great retro compilation of Z.Z. Hill - and my top-10 of 2017. https://www.soulexpress.net/deep1_2018.htm Best regards Heikki

Bettye talks about her upcoming CD, Things Have Changed, https://www.soulexpress.net/bettyelavette_2018.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! Two new ones from Ace/Kent: https://www.soulexpress.net/va_northernsoulrarities.htm https://www.soulexpress.net/va_bayou_vol19.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! While waiting for his new CD, please read the history with interviews at https://www.soulexpress.net/williehightower.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! A few words from Nellie and reviews of the CDs by James Carr, Clarence Carter, Will Downing and Uvee Hayes at https://www.soulexpress.net/deep7_2017.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! With Ricky we went through his singing and acting career: https://www.soulexpress.net/rickyfante.htm Best regards Heikki

She is one "miss firecracker"; please read my interview with her at https://www.soulexpress.net/falisa.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! Please read my review at https://www.soulexpress.net/deep6_2017.htm There's also a review of the recent Undisputed Truth compilation. Best regards Heikki

Hi! William Bell performed here recently. Please find my interview with him at https://www.soulexpress.net/deep5_2017.htm + a couple of Ace compilations. Best regards Heikki

Hi Snakepit! The group took part in a big radio station talent show they had every year at the Fox Theater in Detroit with the winner getting a contract with Motown Records. Ron Banks: "We went to Motown and auditioned for them. The guy told us we were pretty good, but they already had enough five-men vocal groups ovar there. And we were too young. 'Just keep at it, and maybe one day we'll get you.' Maybe that made us a little more hungry and determined to be a successful act." (Soul Express: The Dramatics Story, part 1). That was prior to Bingo on Wingate in 1966. Unfortunately, I don't know who that "guy" was. Best regards Heikki

Hi! Please read my report, which includes interviews with Wee Willie Walker and the leader of the house orchestra, Anthony Paule, at https://www.soulexpress.net/porrettasoul2017.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! Sorry, only now did I realise that I should have specified the time: at about 2h 57min (onwards). Best regards Heikki

Hi! Please find the ceremony at

Hi! They are both interviewed on the basis of their good new CDs. There's also a review of a new biography on Otis Redding at https://www.soulexpress.net/deep4_2017.htm Best regards Heikki

Anybody for a beautiful country girl, who sings soul... also together with Joe Tex Junior? https://www.soulexpress.net/sharnette.htm Best regards Heikki

I love this group and I already congratulated them. https://www.soulexpress.net/masqueraders_story.htm

Thank you, "Enrico" and "ThinkSmart"! Now we're trying to wheedle him into coming to perform over here this fall. Best regards Heikki

Hi! We discussed his great new CD and his whole career at https://www.soulexpress.net/donbryant_interview.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi Mickey! Thank you for your very good comments. When I reviewed that Jackson book in 2004 I also talked to some Philly music masters about it, and here are some of their answers: Bobby Eli: "It is a very well written book. I think that maybe they could have hit on a few more topics... They could have touched technical things like who did what and how certain things were done in the studio... There were some inconsistencies in there" (meaning WMOT and Young Professionals). Weldon A. Mcdougal III: "I think it's done well... I was impressed, when I was reading about Kenny Gamble's family. I know Kenny Gamble's mother, but I never knew her name was Ruby." On Gamble & Huff not granting the interviews for the book (which is a big minus, I think), Weldon says that "the way Kenny told me they're getting ready to write their own book. They keep saying it, but it never comes out, because they're doing other work..." Thom Bell: "A lot of times they want to keep things to themselves. They might be planning to do a motion picrture on the sound of Philadelphia..." You have a point, Mickey, but I like the book because there are a lot of things I didn't know and to which I can come back for research. I'll be in touch with Bruce about this, too. Best regards Heikki

Hi! Ace/Kent have released two interesting CDs. Please find my review of the late 1960s/early 1970s Philly sounds compilation at https://www.soulexpress.net/birthofphillysound.htm and Reggie Young's first-ever solo album at https://www.soulexpress.net/reggieyoung_foreveryoung.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! I recently had a short chat with him https://www.soulexpress.net/deep3_2017.htm There are also reviews of new retrospect and southern soul CDs. Best regards Heikki

You're welcome. Soultaker. She really put up a great show, pleasing also old-schoolers, so don't hesitate to attend one should there be one close to you. Best regards Heikki

Hi! Tasha is Johnnie's daughter, and her career is covered at https://www.soulexpress.net/tashataylor_interview.htm Best regards Heikki

Hi! Please find my review of a new CD on early 60s Detroit sounds at https://www.soulexpress.net/va_birthofsoul.htm and 60s Stax singles b-sides at https://www.soulexpress.net/va_otherside.htm Best regards Heikki