Djmelismo

I will keep my eyes peeled. From time to time I am out and about trawling through piles of records, I´ll see if it surfaces, wish me luck (LOL). Blue-eyed soul seems to be having a revival with Richard Stepp - "Caught Up In A Whirlwind" being one prime example, a previously relatively unknown record that started fetching big money and finally was reissued, don´t know whether the value of the original copy increased or decreased because of that, the track gained lots of exposure and lots of people wanted to have a copy, many of course still wanted to possess the original, kick myself to this very day, used to have the LP, but sold it many moons ago, dead cheap of course, not knowing that it would ever become valuable. Have noticed that among my podcasts, the blue-eyed soul mixes seem to be the most popular ones judging by the number of downloads and the messages I´ve received. Thinking of doing another one soon, since I may have just discovered a few other lost treasures I believe, probably overlooked in soul cirlces partly because of the fact that they are white acts, although they have enough soul and musical credibility to justify inclusion in any soul set alongside more obvious items. And they don´t all have to be belters vocally, there are some soft-voiced black soul singers too you know Best, Melismo

Definitely worth reading IMO. Came out more than a year ago. Got it for Christmas (2009, so not even two months ago) from a family member who knew I wanted it, but remember that it was THE Christmas gift of 2008 for many people on here. If you check back there are some old threads about this book where you can get lots of information about it and people´s views on the actual content of the book. Mel

You are right of course, nevertheless I also do believe that for those artists that are still alive and well and ambitious there would be ways of somehow capitalising on their "new-found" fame by doing reissues or selling original copies or acetates for big money, making new recordings, setting up websites (possibly with certain sections being password protected and one has to pay to get access to certain exclusive content or services), doing interviews, writing articles, touring (there are soul venues all over the world), getting together with other oldies acts and former label mates to set something up, or why not sue people who have used their material without permission. Some/many of the artists that we herald as heroes aren´t even alive today, and in some cases though alive and well may not actually be aware of the fact that they are big in for instance the UK due to a couple of low-budget 45s they recorded locally 45 years ago. Just doing a bit of `stream of consciousness" writing here, inspired by your original post, hope you don´t mind, you obviously spawned something here...LOL...

Frankie Gaye´s stories from combat in the Vietnam war was fundamental in his brother Marvin coming up with the idea for the song and album What´s Going On.

Reading your post just reminds me how much I am looking forward to reading the book that you are working on! Please let me be the first one to know when it´s about to hit the presses, Ian. This is a very interesting thread and in particular when we get to see it from both the UK and the US perspective. Best, Mel

AND NOW IT´S HERE - MIX #27: LOUISIANA PURCHASE - When You're Not There (1981) THE MAJESTIC ARROWS - We Love Together (1973) LOUISTINE - I Don't Wanna Love Nobody But You (1987) 1619 BAD ASS BAND - Where Do I Go From Here (1976) ANDRUS, BLACKWOOD & COMPANY - The Other Side (1981) DERRICK BRINKLEY - The Race (1986) LIM TAYLOR - Baffled (1973) ARTHUR ADAMS - We've Got An Understanding (1975) ZAN - Why Don't You Call (1989) ANSWERED QUESTIONS - Let's Make Love Always (1990) 4U - Never Let It Go (1996) BFD (BOYS FROM DETROIT) - Love Should Be So Simple (1993) VINCE DURRELL AKA VINTEGE - The One That Got Away (2004) TWELVE A.M. - You Are My Love (1995) BRIAN MOORE - Somebody Told Me (2004) XL - You Ain't Gotta Worry (2003) CHASE MARTIN - Good Lovin' (2004) AR°LE - Seven Day Lover (1996) BEAR - Don't Leave (2006) Listen/download: https://www.zshare.net/audio/718843338cbd175c/ https://www.divshare.com/download/10324449-ea2 Hope there´s something in there for YOU Best, Melismo

Must have been very tired when I wrote that, got the timeline wrong of course. To clarify, Black Ivory´s Leroy Burgess later teamed up with Prana People´s Aleem twins (Talib and Zayeed Aleem) to form electro-soul act Aleem. More on Prana People, here are some details from the album that I have: PRANA PEOPLE: Self-titled LP on Pretty Pearl/Prelude Records from 1977 All songs written by Talib Aleem and Zayeed Aleem Produced by Wade Marcus Songs: Pranian Man Is Your Life A Party? Wishful Thinking Time, Weave Your Spell Angels Say Flee Rainbow All Around My World Disco-Mania Other musicians on the album apart from the Aleem brothers are: Curtis Robinson Jr. Warren McLean Neftali Santiago Cornell "Corky" Hodges Mike Mandel Abdul Lateef Seifullah Bill Summers and vocals by Fatima Halim Tommy Lockhart Taro Meyer On the front cover you find four faces in the photo, but the backside photo shows only the Aleem twins If you need more info please let me know. I am primarily a collector of LPs (which probably won´t give me much credibility in Soul-Source circles...LOL...), although I have a fair share of 45s too. I have been told by a fellow collector that the Prana People LP is a rare one, but don´t know how hard it is to find?! I found my copy at a record fair over here in Sweden some 15-20 years ago. Best regards, Melismo

Hi Bob! Great music show, so many wonderful tunes, my personal favourites: UST Topaze - Check it out Southern Productions - Disco Dancing Message Untold - I can feel the change in love Witch Doctor - All I know, I love you Majestic Arrows - Magic of your love Fragile: Handle With Care - Loving (Sweet Thing) Spectrum - If you change your mind Johnny September and Princess Edward - The love I had is gone (not absolutely sure about the title, since I think you gave a slightly different title on the show) Frankie Davis and Marion James - Our Little Love Song Movin' - Start all over again Prana People - All around my world Lovelites - Fall in love Esquires - Things gonna be alright BTW, seeing your playlist prompted me to send you a PM... That Prana People track was also in a previous set of mine. One of my all time favourite soul tunes that one. I guess that Prana People LP is rather hard to find? Featuring the two twins (Aleem) that later formed Black Ivory (and later Aleem) together with Leroy Burgess. Always get a bit excited when I spot things on your show that I actually have in my collection, I´ve never really specialized in rare records, just picked up along the way all the good soul LPs and 45s that I have been able to buy over here in Sweden where I live. Best regards, Melismo

Hi there! Brilliant mix - thanks for posting!!! Delilah Moore - It Takes Love Jeanie Tracy - Making new friends Reggie Soul - My World Of Ecstasy Cynthia Sheeler - I'll Cry Over You Continental Showstoppers - Not Too Young Eboney Essence - Let Me In - Goodie Train The Harmonics - Be Your Man Chappells - You're Acting Kind Of Strange The Sweet & Innocent - Cry Love were my top favourites, but the other tracks are great too of course...LOL... Cheers, Melismo

Be careful if you´re buying the album over the net, because I believe there are several different VA vinyl comps out there entitled Soul Explosion. I´m pretty sure I have three or four with totally different tracklistings...LOL...

Hi there! This is a rare album, have seen it go for everything between 100-500 EURO on the few occasions when it has cropped up. It´s been a long time now since I actually listened to the album, but from memory I´d say (IMVHO of course) that it isn´t that impressive, not to merit the price anyway?! The obvious highlight of course is the wonderful "Love Me Anyway", otherwise I am not really sure if it is a must have album to be honest, there are many superior albums from the same era and style that you can buy extremely cheap at a car boot sale...LOL... Hope this helps, and probably somebody will post soon and contradict what I have just written....ha-ha-ha... Best, Melismo

Hi Karl! Thanks for the link, a very interesting blog indeed. Must confess, I didn´t know you were part of the Record Mania staff. But I take it you don´t work in the physical store, since you do not currently live in Sweden, right? Enjoyed your 2-step mix, which was featured on the blog, quality tuneage all the way!!! BTW, would you (Record Mania) be interested in adding any of my podcast/blog pages to the "links" section. I have noticed that most of the tunes I play are up for sale on the site, so maybe those mixes can actually boost sales even further...LOL... Once again thanks for the link, will take a closer look at the overall content now, after having listened to your modern soul mix Cheers, Melismo

Hi Bob! Been listening to the latest downloads this evening. Thanks as ever for bringing us those interviews and music shows, always very educational and enjoyable. I think I have asked you before, but here we go again: have you ever done an interview with members of the group Windy City? They are definitely one of my favourite groups of all time. I have their LP (a superb set with strong material, great production, amazing vocal harmonies and lead vocals to die for) and a few 45s, one of them being a straight up funk tune, not on the album, if memory serves it´s entitled "Spank". Regards, Melismo

Hi Barry! Another wonderful show! My "Top 3" would be: Spring: Talk To The Rain, Sensational Friendly Six: So Wonderful, and Dynamic Walter B & The New Breed: A Man´s Way Of Life. Best regards, Melismo

Hi Bob! A respectful tribute to Teddy Pendergrass Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - I miss you - Phil.adelphia International Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - To be true - Philadelphia International Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - Wake up everybody - Philadelphia International Brilliant recordings, one of the most potent and powerful voices in soul music! Also enjoyed the rest of the show with socially conscious tunes, as I have enjoyed your shows in the past with that same theme. My top picks this time would be: King Diamond - A message to the Black woman Four Shades - My World Sensations - It's a new day Exits - Another Sundown in Watts Rotations - We need Freedown Final Solutions - We can work it out Infinity - Get on the case Ferguson Davis and Jones - Right on Best regards, Melismo

Hi Barry! Great show as always, and these in particular stood out for me this time: Dusty Springfield - All The King's Horses George Jackson - If You Never See Me Bester Singers of Slidell, LA - I'd Like To Recommend You To The Lord Corey Glover - Hot Buttered Soul Music City Gospelaires - Step By Step Earl Gaines - The Best Of Luck To You Southern Jubilee - Time Has Made A Change James & Bobby Purify - A Change Is Gonna Come Odia Coates - Don't Leave Me In The Morning Sad to learn about the passing of Earl Gaines, wasn´t aware, always been a great fan of his. What are the details for the Bester Singers recording please, really liked that one, and would like to know where it´s from please! Another "stupid" question...LOL...when you write "unissued", does that always mean that the track is still unissued or that it´s "previously unissued", in other words "unissued at the time of recording, but now commercially available"? Best regards Melismo

Hi Bob! Wonderful show as always, lots of favourites: Devilles, Ultimates, Mojoba, Cheers, Image, 5 Stepping Stars, Lenny Frierson, O. Stanford J. Vaughn, Precision... and in particular # Sharp - My Turn to Shine! I always love the tunes you play, but the sound quality 16kb/s of the downloadable file is very low, so hard to fully enjoy the tunes, is it possible to improve bitrate a little bit? Hope you don´t mind me asking. As always, thank you for caring about my musical education Best regards, Melismo

Hi all! Thanks for your support in 2009, hope you will all have a wonderful 2010, folks!!! After celebrating new year and perhaps partying hard, it´s time to chill to some smooth soul, here´s MIX #26: 3D - Mr. Radio (2004) Intro TOGETHER - Lord Please Hear My Plea (1980) CADENCE - Get Started (1984) THE WATERS - Welcome Home (1988) THE JONES GIRLS - Getting On With My Own Life (1992) WINNERS - Love Is Free (1978) KASHMERE STAGE BAND - Angel (1974) CHANNEL 2 - You Send Me (1988) MARCUS JOHNSON PROJECT - Won't You Let Me Love You (2000) VAN JONES - Take To The Light And Wind (1981) XPLICIT - Henndonesia (1996) POSITIVE EXPRESS - Not On The Outside (1982) 1 PLUS 1 - Cry (2002) 9T9 PERCENT - Cloudy (2000) ON-POINT - I Need You (2002) LANIKO - My Girl (2003) WALTER McCARTY - Alright (2003) DEVANT° - A Woman´s Love (2007) GIO - Missing You (2005) Links to download/listen: https://www.zshare.net/audio/70622098d7a8b56c/ https://www.divshare.com/download/9984924-725 All the best, Melismo

Hi Barry Great show as expected, my top faves being: Choice Four - Keep In Touch Corey Glover - Little Girl(Trying To Make Sense Of It All) Chicago Gangsters - I Choose You Al Green - In The Name Of Jesus Ollie & The Nightingales - You're Leaving Me Swanee Quintet(Mahalia Jackson & Johnny Jones) - The Upper Room Rick Thompson - We All Make Mistakes Sometimes Terry Collins - The Show Must Go On Johnny Jones - In My Heart Sarah Simpson - All Of A Sudden Hope you had a nice and relaxing Christmas, wishing you and yours the best for 2010! Melismo

Hi Bob! Normally not overly excited about Christmas music, but very much enjoyed your selections, in particular: Emotions - Black Christmas Stridells - I remember Christmas Poets - Merry Christmas Baby Emotions - What do the lonely do? Manhattans - It's that time again C-Quents - Merry Christmas Baby Playboys - The night before Christmas Manhattans - All alone on new years eve Emulations - My Christmas Tree O'Jays - Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Hope you had a nice Christmas and wishing you all the best for the new year. Melismo

Hi there! Enjoyed your latest show. Have missed some of the previous interviews, so have some backtracking to do, will download the ones I missed out on the first time around. Do you publish the show playlists also on the Right Track website? Best, Melismo

Hi Pete! Quality tunes Love these: THE DEL-CORDS - YOUR MOMMY LIED TO YOUR DADDY JOHNNY MAESTRO - I'M STEPPING OUT OF THE PICTURE JIMMY BEAUMONT - I NEVER LOVED HER ANYWAY WILLIAM HUNT - WOULD YOU BELIEVE ROSALIND MADISON - NEIGHBOURHOOD GIRL LYDIA PENSE - I'LL FORGIVE YOU THEN FORGET YOU THE RHYTHM RASCALS - WHY DO YOU HAVE TO GO GEORGE & SONNY SANDS - DOWN BY THE OCEAN THE WANDERERS - YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM ME THE MANHATTANS - THE ONE THAT LOVE FORGOT FAYE CRAWFORD - WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG GAYLE HARRIS - I AIN'T GONNA LET IT GET ME DOWN Best, Melismo

Hi Barry! Wonderful show again, my picks (almost the entire playlist as usual...LOL...): Jo Armstead - A Stone Good Lover Roscoe Robinson - My Pride Won't Let Me Jackie Moore - Make Me Yours Raw Spitt - Put A Little Love In Your Heart Hardway Connection - Dirty O' Man Highway QC's - Nobody Knows Johnny Jones - Lost In The World Of Sin Chuck Edwards - I Need You Ollie Nightingagle - That's What You Are To Me Wee Willie Walker - From Warm To Cool To Cold Sandra Phillips - Heaven Must Be Like This Gospel Clouds of Joy - Take Me Through Modettes - I Won't Be Such A Fool Anymore Webs - It's So Hard to Break a Habit Regards Melismo

Do you have a full tracklist for this one, please? Thanks in advance, Melismo

Some wonderful tunes in there, Jason, that Cottonmouth from 1977 surely is a modern classic Best, Melismo