Harold McNair was a Jamaican born saxophonist and flautist who like many other West Indian jazz musicians of the day (Harry Beckett, Dizzy Reece and Joe Harriott) moved to London in the early 1960’s. Prior to his move, McNair completed a European tour as part of Quincy Jones’ band and worked on film scores in Paris before taking the plunge and permanently relocating from the West Indies. McNair made an instant impact on the London scene, cementing himself as a highly regarded tenor, alto and flute player, the latter an instrument that he largely had taught himself and had minimal...
Keni Burke and his brothers Clarence Jr, Dennis and James aka The Stairsteps recorded this beautiful album '2nd Resurrection' for George Harrison's Dark Horse label in 1976, Resurrection referring to their five year gap from the previous album . The group had started their career in 1967 and were best known for their hit 'Ooh Child'. The brothers are in great form as singers and musicians throughout. Co-producer Billy Preston plays keyboards and Ricardo Marrero percussion, and Malcolm Cecil programs T.O.N.T.O . 'From Us To you' is a nice upper mid tempo track. 'Pasado' is a lovely slice of mid...
We look forward to welcoming many of you to Soul Brother Records for Record Store Day tomorrow Sat 22 April. We will be open from 8am to 6pm. You can see the titles separated by genre here. Please can you download the PDF HERE and tick the items that you would like. We will start coming out into the queue from about 7.30 collecting your lists and numbering them. They will be picked in strict order of where you are in the queue. This enables us to pick them and have records ready for when you enter the store, as...
United Souls, in conjunction with Legacy Recordings, is delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records with Love Is The Message – The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Volume 3. Following on from the huge acclaim for the first two volumes, Love Is The Message contains eight albums on CD and an exclusive 12” vinyl disc. Presented in a deluxe package with a booklet telling the story of how this iconic label evolved in Philadelphia to become truly international. The notes this time around feature a personal account from writer Tony Cummings who recalls his fascinating visit to the City Of...
Brick Lane Jazz Festival takes place over a three day weekend across seven music venues at the Truman Brewery and Village Underground, offering an unforgettable gig-hopping experience with all participating venues within a few minutes’ walk of each other. This year’s lineup boasts some of London’s jazz-scene heavyweights, including Steam Down, Lex Amor, Ashley Henry, Reuben James, Jas Kayser, Bel Cobain, Sarathy Korwar, Tenderlonious, Seed., Jasmine Myra, Camilla George, Kay Young, Colectiva, Chelsea Carmichael, Coco Maria, Tim Garcia, Andrew Ashong + many more. Rated the #1 Best UK Festival 2023 by Timeout, head on down and enjoy vintage markets, record...
The ever reliable Soul On The Realside CD series returns with its 15th volume. Packed with 16 modern soul gems from the 70s emanating from the Capitol group of labels. Highlights included the modern soul dancers Corey Blake 'How Can I Go On Without You', Cornelious Brothers & Sister Rose 'Big Time Lover' , Rance Allen 'Reasons To Survive' and Freddie Terrell 'You Had It Made' . George Soule all time great 'Get Involved' sits alongside the excellent but lesser known Brown Sugar 'The Game Is Over' and Charles Williams 'Standing In The Way'. There are some nice mid tempo...
Thrust – McNeal & Niles McNeal and Niles initially recorded their first album—limited to 500 copies—in Akron Ohio in the makeshift Man-Ray studios, which also happened to double up as a car wash. Barrels of soap and detergent were rolled out of the way to make space for the band and their equipment, an unknown assortment of names from the American Midwest, and Niles’ then girlfriend Machelle McNeal recording vocals and synthesisers. Thrust exists in the blurred space between jazz, funk, soul and R&B in which many homemade recordings from the late seventies occupied, the overall sound signature not too...
To coincide with the relaunch of Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman label Dean Rudland has compiled for BGP 'This Is Flying Dutchman 1969-75. It contains 16 tracks from this epic label, featuring not only its main stars Gil Scott Heron, Lonnie Liston Smith and Leon Thomas but many lesser known artists. Gil Scott Heron 'Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and 'Whitey On The Moon' perfectly illustrate his spoken word style. Leon Thomas 'Just in Time To See the Sun' is a fantastic uptempo Funky Jazz stormer, whilst 'Echoes' is a beautiful mid tempo track. Cesar 'See Saw Affair' is a vocal...
Vaneese & Carolyn - The Goodbye Song / Just A Little Smile Vaneese & Carolyn are Vaneese Thomas (daughter of Rufus Thomas) and Carolyn Mitchell who recorded two singles together at Polydor in 1977 and 1978. From these, the 1978 collaboration has been reissued here, the sides reversed. Original copies have exchanged hands for over £300. Both singers had recorded with Disco producer John Davis and his Monster Orchestra the same year on his album “Ain’t That Enough For You”, but both these songs are more sophisticated classic soul stylings with incredible vocal performances. Buy standard dinked copy HERE Buy...
The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will Downing returns with a new 7 track CD. Will is in fine voice throughout, supported by some fine musicians including Hubert Eaves IV on bass,John 'Lil' Roberts on drums and David P Stevens on guitar and his wife Audrey Wheeler Downing on backing vocals on certain tracks' Love On You' , 'Make You Mine Again' , 'You Deserve Better', 'Dammit I Want You' and 'Kinda Guy' are good mid tempo soul tracks. There is a nice cover of Barry White's rare groove classic 'Early Years'. 'What I Gotta Do' has a little more tempo...
