The (Detroit) Spinners

Happy Birthday Music Master

Cecil Morris, PCRL Radio's founder celebrated his 66th. Birthday on Saturday and we all wish him good heath and happiness. Shown here in this photograph getting hundreds of people to sign a birthday card for Nelson Mandela in 1987, that was later presented to him by DJ Chicken George when he visited the UK after his release from Robben Island prison in South Africa.  We are all thinking about Madiba as well this moment in time as he is very ill in hospital in Pretoria.

Nolan Porter featured in a recent Soul film shown at the MAC in Birmingham last week: Keep On Keeping On, Nolan also appeared on Midlands Today TV. While in the UK he recorded two songs for songwriter  Bill Randle at Mickey Nold's Studio 37. He can be found at about 'one minute in', below..

Sad news in the last weeks of June with the losses of singers Mary Love (69) and Bobby Bland (83), Bobby was the more successful but both made wonderful music. Earth, Wind & Fire are about to release the first album in 8 years and Gregory Porter is to release his third album on September the 9th. 2013, his second for Blue Note Records. An excellent new album is to be released by Joe (Thomas) on Tuesday next week along with an album from Nathan Adams entitled: Audio Therapy.  Nile Rodgers' set was an absolute stunner at Glastonbury this week-end, a full 90 minute show, If you missed it do watch it on the BBC iplayer.

That's it for now on to this weeks show...

Playlist for Sunday 30th June 2013



Hour One
[first 20mins missing - studio problems]
Amazonics - Redemption Song (Inst / vocal)
Sanchez - Amazing Grace
Aretha Franklin - Giving Him Something He Can Feel
The Sounds of Blacknuss - He Took Away All My Pain
Whitney Houston - For The Love Of You
Aaliyah - Rock The Boat / Rock The Boat (remix)
Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Away
Deluxe - I'Ve Got A Feeling

Hour Two
Three-Inna-Row: The (Detroit) Spinners
1 Just To Be With You
2 You Go Your Way
3 Toni My Love

Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire's Burning
Curtis Hairston - The Morning After
Alexander O'Neal - You Were Meant To Be My Lady
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Lionel Richie -Love Will Find Away
Perri - Upside down
Solo - Blowing My Mind (remix)
The Two Tons - Never Like This Before

Detroit Spinners Biography:

The group is also listed as the Detroit Spinners, and the Motown Spinners (for their 1960s recordings with the Detroit label). These group names were used in the UK to avoid confusion with a British folk group also called The Spinners.

In 1954, a group of friends who grew up together in Ferndale, Michigan, a northern suburb bordering Detroit, came together to make music. For a time, several of the band members resided in Detroit's Herman Gardens public housing projects. Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, C. P. Spencer, and James Edwards called themselves The Domingoes. However James Edwards lasted only a few weeks. He was replaced by Bobby Smith, who sang lead on most of the Spinners' early records (and many of their biggest Atlantic hits). C. P. Spencer left the group shortly afterwards, and later went on to be a member of the Voice Masters and The Originals. He was replaced by George Dixon. The group renamed themselves The Spinners in 1961. This name was chosen after looking at popular car hubcaps and noting how they spun around on a car's wheel.

The Spinners is an American soul music vocal group, active for over 50 years, and with a long run of classic Pop and R&B hits especially during the 1970s. The group, originating from Detroit, still tours regularly as of 2013 although Henry Fambrough is the only original member.

(wiki)

Ne-Yo

Omar obe

In the news...Camden's Jazz Cafe has some big names upcoming. Amongst those set to play the iconic venue are the UK's finest progressive soul singer, Omar and the ever-lovely Candi Staton. Omar (whose latest album contains a remake of 'There's Nothing Like This') graces the Jazz Cafe on 27th and 28th June while Ms Staton follows him on 29th and 30th June.

Attractions in July include Reel People, The Blind Boys Of Alabama and Beggar and Co. (soulandjazzandfunk.com)

Go to www.mamacolive.com/thejazzcafe/ for more details

Aretha & Dad

Rochelle Riley: Aretha Franklin reflects on dad's role in '63 Detroit Walk to Freedom.The June 1963 Detroit Walk To Freedom almost didn’t happen.That spring, as the Rev. C.L. Franklin worked to convince the city’s traditional community and religious leaders to embrace his idea of a massive demonstration to bring national attention to racial discrimination, most of the preachers — and the NAACP — didn’t want him to plan or lead it.“Many pastors whom he invited to our home to discuss it were not on board,” his daughter, the singer Aretha Franklin, said in an interview this week. “They didn’t think it was such a good idea.” Full story Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20130621/COL10/306210017/1001/news

Soul Singer Joss Stone feels safe again. Yesterday said she was feeling fine again after the “odd” plot by two men to rob her of £1million, decapitate her and throw her body in a river. The star was targeted by “cannabis- smoking layabouts” Kevin Liverpool and Junior Bradshaw, who were convicted of the bizarre conspiracy at their trial in April. But Joss, 26, has put the ordeal behind her. She said: “My doggies keep me safe. It was a bit harsh and a little bid odd."It’s something to add to my tapestry of life. ­Something to tell my grandchildren. "I do want to be able to live my life. I love my life.” Liverpool, 35, and Bradshaw, 32, from Manchester, had a Samurai sword, knives, hammers and a large metal spike when they were arrested in Devon near Joss’s home. Full story

This weeks playlist for Sunday 23rd. June 2013

Hour One

Dylan Janet Collins - Could It Be (- intro.)

Mike Winans - You Desereve A Break
Gabor Szabo/Bobby Womack - Breezin' [hi-bed]
Rick Clarke/Don-E - One Dance
William DeVaughan -
               - Be Thankful For What You Got
Phil Perry - You Send Me
Wendell B - When I Don't Make Sense
Milton Wright - Keep It Up
The Jacksons - Blues Away
The Gap Band - Keep Holding On
Winans/Phase 2 - It's Alright (Send Me)

Hour Two
'Thee-inna-Row': Ne-Yo
1 Mad
2 When Your Mad
3 Know Your Name

Collage - Get In Touch
L.J. Reynolds - Key The The World
Ashford & Simpson - Love Or Physical
The Sisters Sledge - Easier To Love
Ronnie McNeir - Everybody Is In A Hurry
Teddy Pendergrass - When Somebody Loves You Back
The Four Tops - That's The Way Nature Planned It
The Emotions - The Feeling Is
Miles Jaye - Let's Start Over
Melba Moore Hard Not To Like You

Ne-Yo Biography:

 Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18, 1979) better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is a Grammy Award winning American R&B recording artist, record producer, dancer, and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario. The single's successful release in the United States prompted an informal meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam's label head, and the signing of a recording contract.

In 2006, he released his debut album, In My Own Words, which contained the US number one hit "So Sick", as well as the top 10 hit "Sexy Love". In 2007, he released his second album, Because of You, which contained the US top 3 hit of the same name. In 2008, he released his third album, Year of the Gentleman, which contained the top 10 hits "Closer", "Mad" and "Miss Independent". His fourth studio album, Libra Scale, was released on November 22, 2010. It received critical acclaim from music critics, but was a commercial disappointment, debuting at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling less than all of his previous three studio albums. In November 2012, Ne-Yo released his fifth studio album R.E.D. to favorable reviews and mild chart success. The album's debut single "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)", became his first solo song to reach the top 10. In 2009, Billboard ranked him as the 57th Artist of the 2000s decade. In 2012, Ne-Yo was awarded the Hal David Starlight Award of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame which honors gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs. (Wiki)

Father's Day Tribute

 Soul and funk singer and guitarist, Darondo died from heart failure on Sunday, June 9th. Darondo, whose real name was William Daran Pulliam, was born and in Berkeley, California in 1946 and he first played professionally at the age of 18 as a guitarist in The Witnesses. In the early 70s he struck out as a solo performer peddling an idiosyncratic guitar/vocal style that mixed elements of his favourite artists – Al Green and The Dells. In the late 1970s Darondo quit the music business and began a bizarre career odyssey that took in – cable video presentation, cruise ship entertaining and unorthodox therapies before reappearing as a cult performer in the late 2000s.

His recording activity was sporadic. In 1973 he was signed briefly to music biz hustler Ray Dobard's Music City label and officially just three self-penned singles, 'How I Got Over,' 'Legs' and 'Didn't I' were ever released. Much later, knowing crate diggers discovered his 'Didn't I' which subsequently was heavily sampled and featured on a number of soundtracks. In 2008, music writer and archivist Alec Palao Palao uncovered the tapes for two albums worth of material recorded by Darondo during his tenure at Music City. The music was subsequently assembled as 'Listen To My Song: The Music City Sessions' and released on Ace/BGP (Omnivore in the States) in 2011. Excited by the reissue, Darondo was enjoying something of a renaissance on the soul underground prior to his death. (soulandjazzandfunk.com)

Charles Bradley

BBC4 Television channel are continuing their great Soul music series, this week we were treated to; Marvin Gaye Story, Barry White & Love Unlimited at the Royal Albert Hall (Circa. 1973) and wonderful documentary about the 62-year-old singer Charles Bradley. Bradley who only found fame after a lifetime of doing tribute performances to Jame Brown and caring for his elderly Mother. His career changed when the boys at Daptone Records discovered him about seven years back. Watch out for more stuff next week Friday 9pm onwards.

A Happy Fathers Day goes out the Fathers out there from Mr. Merry and myself. We put together some music for our loved ones in todays radio show. Hope you all enjoy.....

Today's playlist, Sunday 16th June 2013



Hour One
Jill Scott - Family Reunion
Billy Paul - Bring The Family Back
Rick Braun - Dance With My Fathers [welcolme bed]
Mary J Blige - Father In You
Sade - Baby Father
Tashan - Thank You Father
Jahiem - Daddy Thing
O.C. Smith - Colour Him Father
Springfield Smooth Group - Dance With My Father (inst)
Luther VanDross - Dance With My Father
The Heptones - Daddies Home
BeBe & Brian McKnight - Coming Back Home
Angie Stone - Brotha

Hour Two
Kool & The Gang - Father, Father
Jennifer Jones & Hugh Masekela
- Father Of Our Nation
Jessy Dixon - Father Me
Charlie Wilson - There Goes My Baby
Dizabone Family - Real Love (Zolo mix)
Sounds Of Blackness - I Believe
Mary J. Blige - Your Child / Before I Let Go
Betty Wright - I Like Your Loving
Rock My World
Luther VanDross - For You To Love

Ledisi

Babyface & Toni Braxton

 In the music news...Toni Braxton  records again. During the season finale of her WE tv show “Braxton Family Values,” the 45-year-old singer revealed that she is working on a duets album with her longtime friend and collaborator Babyface. “I think I’ve made the right decision to get back involved with songwriting and working with Kenny,” she said during the episode. “I can’t be afraid anymore. I have to live life. It’s OK to fail as long as you try, so I’m gonna try.” The album is due on Motown in September, according to Toni. “September 2013 @KennyEdmonds @Motown,” she tweeted. The two have already shot promo photos for the project. “The whole perspective is guy and girl, Mars vs. Venus. Even if you’re in love, you’re in love for different reasons,” explained Babyface. Braxton added, “I think because Babyface and I have both gone through divorces, we can relate and we can collaborate together on this topic and make it so others who have gone through this situation can relate.” Babyface executive produced Braxton’s first three albums on LaFace including Toni Braxton, Secrets, and The Heat. (thisisr&b)

 

Chrisette Michele puts her heart on the line after struggling with a breakup on “Love Won’t Leave Me Out.” The cinematic track, produced by Carvin & Ivan, is off her new album Better, which hits stores next week on June 11. The soulful songstress encourages continuing the quest for love, even after having your heart broken, and feeling like you’ll never find the right one. The fourth studio album from Chrisette is preceded by the singles “A Couple of Forevers” and “Let Me Win,” and boasts features from Wale, 2 Chainz, Bilal and more. She will be holding a special concert cruise in NYC for the album release. (thisisr&b)

Sharon Jones

Singer Sharon Jones has to put a halt on artistic endeavours for the moment as she has been diagnosed with cancer. The frontwoman of the Dap-Kings revealed the news on the group's website. As a result of her stage 1 bile duct cancer diagnosis, she must delay working on "Give the People What They Want," her sixth album with the group, which was scheduled for an Aug. 6 release. "Over the last few weeks I haven't felt good and I didn't know what was going on," Jones wrote in her message to fans. "We sadly had to cancel shows while I went through a series of tests and short hospital stays. We just found out that I have a stage-one tumor on my bile duct." Jones seemed optimistic, sharing news that she will fully recover from the cancer. "Luckily we caught it really early and fast and the doctors say it's operable and curable!" she disclosed. "I will be having surgery very soon and will have to rest and recover. I'll be staying in touch and keeping my fans and friends updated on my progress. I'm looking forward to getting back on the road to give the people what they want!"  She will also postpone touring plans until her medical condition improves.

Mr. Merry has a UK exclusive first play for you with a new version of the song: 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'. You may remember the Soul classic by Issac Hayes (some 44 yeas-ago!),  well this new one has been recorded by the same team at Tera Shirma Studio's that mixed Hayes classic 18 minute one. Raph Terrena sent Mickey the track to review and with help from Mike Willcocks he's made a Blog. Today the song is performed by Teddie Morrow and has a nice driving funky guitar and a smooth Stepper feel to it, give it a listen I think you'll like it. More about it at: www.mickeynold.blogspot.com

This Sunday's playlist 9th. June 2013

Hour One
Isley-Jasper-Isley - I Wish
Eric Benet - Love The Hurt Away
Gabor Szabo - Breezin' [welcome bed]
Stephen Bishop - On And On
Maxwell - Pretty Wings
Maze feat: Frankie Beverly - Joy & Pain
Brandy - Almost Didn't Count
Foxy - Mademoiselle
Barry White - I Wanna Do It Good To You
Cee-Lo Green - My Kinda People
Teddie Morrow - By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Hour Two
Three-Inna-Row: Ledisi
1 Goin' Thru Changes
2 So Into You
3 Higher Than This

Sherick - Just Call
Glen Goldsmith - Dreamin'
Shabazz - Glad Your In My Life
People, People - Are You Spoken For
Quincy Jones - I'll Be Good To You
Jodeci - Get On Up
Phylis Hyman - You Know How To Love Me

Biography for Ledisi:

Ledisi Anibade Young (born March 28, 1972) is an eight-time Grammy-nominated American singer–songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Along with her group Anibade, Ledisi released an album titled Take Time. The album gained major airplay from local radio stations.

In 2000, Ledisi released her first album, titled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001, performing various shows. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won her an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2007, Ledisi signed a major record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album in August of that year, titled Lost & Found, which sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas.

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose, which earned her 2 Grammy nominations. (wiki)

Case

RIP Marvin Jr (Dells)

His husky, mahogany instrument was the inspiration for Teddy Pendergrass and countless other male singers who emulated his grit, power and conviction, the very personification of a masculine voiced soul singer. When baritone Marvin Junior sang, you believed every word. As one of two long-time lead singers for the Dells (we lost the falsetto lead Johnny Carter in 2009), Marvin helped define for a generation what a male soul singer was expected to be, soulful, declarative, unwaveringly sure in his desires and love, the kind women wanted and men respected. An inductee in both The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame along with his fellow Dells, Marvin Junior will be greatly missed. (soultracks)

Kelly Rowland

Desiny's Child reunite......Destiny's Child is back! First they reunited at the Superbowl, and now.........well.... not really.... It's not an official Destiny's Child reunion but instead, a new track on Kelly Rowland's upcoming album "Talk A Good Game." Kelly tells Billboard "It's not a Destiny's Child track, it's me featuring Beyoncé and Michelle." This track will be produced by Pharrell Williams and feature a verse from Wiz Khalifa.

Kelly has been quite busy in the studio. She says: "I think I recorded around 70-something songs for this album. I had to narrow it down to 12 -- you know hard that is? Especially when you're in love, like your heart pumps for 35 of them... You just get so passionate and excited about these songs, you lived with them, you birthed them along with the producers... You become so attached." We wish Kelly the best in her upcoming June release and look forward to hearing and reviewing her album.(soulmusicjunkie)

Clarence Burke Jr. RIP

Clarence Burke Jr, the lead singer of US group the Five Stairsteps who were best known for their 1970 hit O-o-h Child, has died aged 64. Friend and manager Joe Marno said the musician died on Sunday in Marietta, Georgia, where he lived. The cause of death was not given. The Five Stairsteps were dubbed the "first family of soul" after scoring a five-year run of chart hits. Their other songs included World of Fantasy and Don't Change Your Love. Formed in Chicago in 1965, the group was made up of Burke, three of his brothers and a sister.Their mother gave them their name after saying they looked like stairsteps when they stood beside each other in order of age. (bbc)

Playist for Sunday 2nd June 2013



Hour One
The Independents - Baby I've Been Missing You
Van McCoy - Let Me Down Easy
Monday Michiru - No Woman No Cry
Le'Jit - No Woman
Positive Flow/Col. Red - Hold On
Betty Wright -I Miss Ya
Bilal - Soul Sista
Wedell B. - When It Makes Sense!
Ryan Leslie - Rescue
Erykah Badu - Back In The Day
Barry White - Sha La La Means I Love You

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-Row': Case
1 Wishful Thinking
2 Love 2 Love
3 Faded Pictures (Feat: Joe)

R-Kelly - Single Ladies (remix)
Rahsaan Patterson - I'll Go
The Gapp Band - Keep Hold On
Randy Brown - We Ought To Be Doin' It
Luther VanDross - Better Love
The Chi-Lites - Running Around
Kim Walter - Step In The name Of Love

Case Biography: 

After stints with R&B group 'Future' and a duo called 'Black', Case got work co-writing and singing background for artists including Usher, Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure. Case finally felt close to achieving his dream of becoming a solo artist, and he was. Armed with a song written by Faith Evans, Case was discovered by Russell Simmons who signed him to Def Jam Records. “Everything changed with this deal,” says Case, “I was in heaven, on cloud nine.”

Case’s solo career took off in 1996 with the release of "Touch Me, Tease Me" (with rapper Foxy Brown and R&B singer Mary J. Blige) from The Nutty Professor soundtrack, going gold and reaching #4 on the R&B charts and #14 on the Hot 100. His self-titled debut Case soon followed along with the minor R&B hit singles "More to Love" and "I Gotcha."

Case followed the success of his first album with the release of Personal Conversation in 1999. The album featured the hits "Happily Ever After" (which reached #3 on the R&B charts and #15 on the Hot 100) and "Faded Pictures," (released April 20, 1999), which featured R&B singer Joe and reached #3 on the R&B charts and #10 on the Hot 100. "Happily Ever After" featured Beyoncé in the video as Case's love interest. The album's third single, "Think Of You" failed to do well, managing to only reach #50 on the R&B charts. Personal Conversation achieved platinum status.

In 2001, as the first artist on the new Def Soul imprint, Case released his third album Open Letter and topped the charts with the Tim & Bob produced hit song "Missing You." Open Letter, Case's most well-known album went gold. "Missing You" is Case's only #1 single to date as it topped the R&B charts and reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year, Case also appeared on rapper Ja Rule's hit "Livin' It Up," as well as releasing one more single from his album, "Not Your Friend."

After the success of Open Letter, Case moved to Atlanta to be closer to his children and later suffered a critical accident. On February 5, 2002, Case was moving his cousin's registered handgun, when it accidentally discharged striking him in the throat nearly missing his spine by a half inch. Case suffered no vocal damage. He remembers looking at his throat in a mirror and trying to sing. The bullet, that went in through his throat, came out the back of his neck and was miraculously less than a centimeter away from paralyzing and killing him. To the shock of everyone around, Case was out of the hospital in four hours with just bandages around his neck.

Case's success has been partly due to his appearance on movie soundtracks. Many of Case's most popular tracks appear on the soundtracks for Nutty Professor, Rush Hour, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and The Best Man. These singles were "Touch Me Tease Me" (Nutty Professor), "Faded Pictures" (Rush Hour), "Best Man I Can Be" (The Best Man) and "Missing You" (Nutty Professor II). Case's single, "Shoulda Known Betta" (featuring Ghostface), reached #87 on the R&B charts in 2004. The single appeared on the Johnson Family Vacation soundtrack, and was produced by The Neptunes.

After a few years away from the music industry, Case reappeared in 2008 on the track "Face to Face" (a duet with singer Coko) which was included the soundtrack of Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (film). His fourth studio album, The Rose Experience which had undergone various title changes and a label shift (from Def Jam to his own indie imprint, Indigo Blue) was released on March 24, 2009. It was preceded by a single, "Lovely" which reached #72 on the R&B chart.

Here, My Love, his fifth studio album was released on June 15, 2010, through Real Talk Entertainment. (wiki)