Mickey Finn

An obituary published here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/feb/23/chuck-jackson-obituary

In Finland the media providers are all doing this. Two of the big 3 are doing it Ryanair-style, adding charges to services that can be opted out of following a short grace period. No doubt this is because the regulators force them to do this, but considering the monthly subs they get for packages they design to suit themselves anyway, it's a bit rich. Would be interested to know if this is a more general trend. I can see why higher electricity prices would force media firms to up prices, but wholesale gas prices are now at their lowest for some time: https://www.catalyst-commercial.co.uk/wholesale-gas-prices/ Sorry for the off topic digression.

Age gets us all and his recording days were already sadly long gone. If we have been deprived of extra records it's because record executives decided he was too old or too out of style to fit with the times when he was still at his peak. More fool them. He leaves an amazing legacy that will continue to feed the souls of those who listen and move the feet of dancers everywhere. RIP.

Amazon used to have this problem with sellers there posting nonsense prices. I guess for chancers one sucker makes it all worthwhile. In a just world it's the kind of sucker who is speculating to accumulate.

Superb compilation produced to the very highest standards of Kent, and a great complement to this:

A short obituary here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/30/barrett-strong-obituary

Another one gone. Much much more to Anita and her sisters than the commercially successful Richard Perry productions, as this obituary makes clear: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/02/anita-pointer-obituary

Indeed ... fingers crossed for volume 2

A decent obit in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/29/thom-bell-obituary

Many thanks to all who make this site what it is - organisers, moderators, tech support, contributors, punters, promoters, dealers, grumpy old gits, and everyone else. A peaceful Christmas and all the best to everyone in 2023.

Terribly sad news. What an amazing contribution to the world of music, and as one of the Mighty Three an absolute giant of soul. One of the highlights of last summer was listening to Derek Mead play this at the Blackpool and Whitby weekenders. A fantastic arrangement and wonderful to hear played out over a proper sound system. RIP and thank you for the music.

That's quite a collection you've got there!

I collect the music that I like, although I can get sidetracked by special series or issues or reissues. Not sure that makes me a "collector", but there seems to be enough music cluttering the house. I buy almost exclusively cds, ranging across various styles of soul and jazz. If forced to I will purchase vinyl or downloads if there's no other way of having the music.

Way too young, and a real loss to music-making and performance. My first encounter with him was his vocal on JTQ's Love the life, which after 30+ years still raises the spirit. Another one of those who would have been a bigger star in a world where real talent is properly valued.

Does anyone know the story of Van McCoy's original regular writing partner? The trail goes cold around 1972, after which there isn't any collaboration except on reissues, etc. According to Discogs, somebody called Joe (Youngblood) Cobb released a 2-sided single in collaboration with Chicago producer Otis Brown in 1972: https://www.discogs.com/master/433319-Joe-Youngblood-Cobb-Its-LB-Time Is this the same Joe Cobb? Did he have connections with Chicago? Sorry if all this has been dug up before but I'd appreciate any pointers. Van went on to collaborate closely with Charles H Kipps, who later became a novelist and film/tv scriptwriter, but who wrote some great songs for the Choice Four and David Ruffin, among others.

Peter, first of all it's great to know you are still with us. And thanks for letting us know. So sorry to learn of your troubles, but no stigma here, mate. Just appreciation for your honesty and effort to keep it together. One day I hope our paths cross and we can put the world to rights. Until then, stay safe and keep in touch. Mickey

Worth trying here: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/sandy-barber-i-think-ill-do-some/897969-01/

Could be much worse, Chalky:

The Guardian has published this decent obituary: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/02/inez-foxx-obituary

Not sure that many Springsteen fans will warm to this project, while most fans of the originals won't either. It's therefore unlikely to be one of his bigger sellers, but if it stimulates interest in the originals in what is still a very racially divided industry in the USA, and generates some income for the writers and their families, then hard to see what's wrong with it. Hearing it will likely be a different story

Another decent obituary from Malcolm at Soul Brother: https://soulbrother.com/feature/ramsey-lewis-an-obituary/

The Guardian has a decent evaluation of his contribution here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/14/ramsey-lewis-butt-shakers-toe-tappers-jazz-people

What an amazing contribution to soul and jazz. Rest in peace, sir.

Changing for you (1983) was a popular spin for a while in modern rooms and on the jazz funk scene in its later years

Her obituary in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/02/mable-john-obituary