Jimmy Ruffin (RIP)

A witness to the barbaric murder of a Birmingham businessman, butchered and left to rot under the sun beating down on a Jamaican sugar cane plantation, has pleaded: “I want these killers caught, they have ruined my life, too.” Leroy “Randy” Thompson was behind the wheel of the hire car ferrying Keith Murrain when the three killers struck, pouncing as the Edgbaston dad answered a call of nature at the roadside. The terrified victim was stripped of belongings before kidnappers slit his throat and flung the mutilated body into a shallow grave. Mr Thompson, who says he was pistol-whipped and left for dead, said he had been “interrogated” by paradise island detectives, but stressed: “I am clean.“I had nothing to do with this  More at Mail

Kenya boys invention works!  Richard Turere, 13, doesn't like lions. In fact, he hates them. Yet this bright Maasai boy has devised an innovative solution that's helping the survival of these magnificent beasts -- by keeping them away from humans. Living on the edge of Nairobi National Park, in Kenya, Turere first became responsible for herding and safeguarding his family's cattle when he was just nine. But often, his valuable livestock would be raided by the lions roaming the park's sweet savannah grasses, leaving him to count the losses. "I grew up hating lions very much," says Turere, who is from Kitengela, just south of the capital Nairobi. "They used to come at night and feed on our cattle when we were sleeping." More here

This weeks playlist Sunday 30-11-2014



Van McCoy - Let Me Down Easy
Bobby Brown - Girlfriend
Art Porter - Undercover (Inst)
Chucki Booker - Games
William Devaughn - Be Thankful.. (rmx)
Idris Elba/Maverick Sabre - You Give Me Love
Jon B - They Don't Know
Papik - Let The Music Play
Eric Benet - Why You Follow Me
Marques Houstn - Always & Forever
Nu Life - Now That I Found U
Vivian Green - Sweet Memory
Lucy Pearl - Lala

Jimmy Ruffin x3 (1936-2014)
1 Falling In Love With You 2 Family Affair
3 Tell Me What You Want

Funk Brothers - What..
... Becomes Of The Broken Hearted (inst)
Drizabone - Brightest Star
Latoya London - Scandalous
Dangerfield Newbies - Heaven Sent
Black Grass - So Many Ways
Maze - Call On Me
Curtis Mayfield - It's Alright (alt)
Lin Roundtree - Rock My World (Inst)
Shirley Brown - After A Night Like This
Stevie Wonder - All I Do
Co-Ed - Sumthin On U
Alex Latimore - Rising To The Top (Inst)

Jimmy Ruffin's Biography:

Passed 17-11-14. Jimmy Ruffin was born in Collinsville, Mississippi to Eli, a sharecropper, and Ophelia Ruffin. He was approaching his fifth birthday when his younger brother David was born. As children, the brothers began singing with a gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales.

In 1961, Jimmy became a singer as part of the Motown stable, mostly on sessions but also recording singles for its subsidiary Miracle label, but was then drafted for national service. After leaving the Army in 1964, he returned to Motown, where he was offered the opportunity to join the Temptations to replace Elbridge Bryant. However, after hearing his brother David, they hired him for the job instead so Jimmy decided to resume his solo career. Ruffin recorded for Motown's subsidiary Soul label, but with little success. More @ Wiki

after 10 years PCRL back for a day!

Tank

Idris Elba steps onto the music scene with new album, 'mi Mandela,' scheduled to drop on November 24th. During 2013, Idris had the prestigious opportunity to play the role of Nelson Mandela in the film, ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.’ Throughout the course of learning the role of Mandela, Elba was instantly inspired by the idea of ‘mi Mandela’ in Johannesburg.
"South Africa has numerous different tribes and each one has a musical expression, and each one has a very unique, different sound style," he explains. "At the time I had my studio at the apartment I was staying in while I was making Mandela - a little keyboard, a laptop - and as an experiment to myself, I vowed to keep making music." 
It took the influence of another great man to bring the concept to fruition. Idris premiered the film for his father, who then encouraged him to bring the musical album to life. With tracks recorded between trips to Johannesburg, London and Mali, the album has a variety of contributors including Mumford & Sons, James Blake and George The Poet. More at Singersroom

Lifetime’s Controversial Aaliyah Movie Receives Huge Ratings Lifetime may have faced backlash over its life story of singer Aaliyah, but the biopic, ‘Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B,’ pulled in huge ratings for the network with over 3.2 million viewers tuning in. Billboard reveals the effort ranks as the No. 2 television movie of the year. Of the 3.2 million viewers who tuned into the Nov. 15 premiere, 1.7 million were in the 18-49 demographic. The film’s executive producer, Wendy Williams, defended the movie from criticism by standing behind her ratings. “Everybody got an opinion!” the comedienne laughed on her talk show earlier this week. “Whether you loved or hate, you watched.”  Everyone from fans to the ‘Try Again’ chanteuse’s former producer Timbaland chimed in on how disappointed they were in the overall casting and storyline. He felt the movie “wasn’t done right.” “I don’t want to just diss this lady [Wendy Williams] like that, I want to know the full details, before I really, really go in,” Timbaland said. “The only thing that I know is that you are showing a mockery on TV.” More at Boombox

Mr. Merry went to a fundraising evening at Birmingham's Hyatt Hotel on Friday. It was an Awareness Night for Prostrate Cancer: 'It's A Man Thing', which is more prevalent in the black population apparently! Also present was Prof. Nick James, John Hoo, Courtney Pine & The late Andy Hamilton's family. John Hoo was recently treated for cancer by the excellent staff at  the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, he once played for Andy Hamilton's Jazz band.  The Professor of Clinical Oncology specialising in urological cancer gave an excellent oratory to a soon quite listening audience. A low cost fundraising CD was also released on the day which can be obtained from iTunes, etc,. (see flier) Guys get yourself s checked now! (see video below)

Prof. Nick James, John Hoo & Courtney Pine

Playlist for 23-11-2014

Stevie Wonder/Ngicuelela - Es Una Historia (I Am Singing)
Joe - Baby
St. Germaine - Sure Thing
El Debarge - Lay With You
Maysa - Sophisticated Lover
Groove Association - Do You Remember
Atlantic Starr - Touch A Four Leaf Clover
Victor Haynes - Feel
Gap Band - Keep Holdin' On
Don-E - Unbreakable
Collage - When You Smile
Lisa Stansfield - You Can't Deny It

Tank x3
1 You're My Star 2 My Body
3 I Can't Make You Love Me


Prostate Cancer Aware - It's A Man Thing
Curtis Mayfield - She Don't Tell Nobody
Jacksons - Heartbreak Hotel
Attitudes - Sweet Music
Jermaine Jackson - Paradise In You Eyes
Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl
Al Wilson - Show & Tell
Barry White - It's Only Love Doing it's Thing
David Ruffin - Walk Away From Love

Biography for Tank:

Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college football. However, Tank decided to focus on music and his talent eventually led him to an opportunity to sing background vocals for Ginuwine during one of Ginuwine's tours. In 2001, following Ginuwine's successful tour, Tank released his debut album Force of Nature which spawned the R&B Top Ten single "Maybe I Deserve". In 2002, Tank released his second album One Man and a single of the same name. Tank released his third solo album entitled Sex, Love & Pain on May 15, 2007. The lead single was intended to be "I Luv Dem Girls", but for unknown reasons the song was given to Marques Houston who renamed it "Strip Club" (intending to place it on his third solo album Veteran). However, "Strip Club" did not make Veteran so the final single was theTimbaland remix to "I Luv Dem Girls". The second single was "Please Don't Go". Later in the year Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese Gibson formed a group called TGT. Their first single was a remix of "Please Don't Go." The group was put on hold due to contractional issues, but made it official by signing a contract with Atlantic Records in September 2012. Tank released his fourth studio album, Now or Never, on December 14, 2010. Tank collaborated with other artists on this project like Chris Brown, Drake, Letoya Luckett and many other artists. The singles were "Sex Music", "I Can't Make You Love Me", and "Emergency". More at Wiki

Joe Sample

While on the promotional tour for her new children's book, "Blue Moon: From the Journals of MaMa Mae and LeeLee," Alicia Keys made a pit stop on 'The Wendy Williams Show.' This past Wednesday, the R&B singer spoke to Wendy about her marriage to famed Producer, Swizz Beats, being a mother of two and the children’s book. Informing fans that the new book is based on the relationship between her grandmother and herself, she says: “It’s such an important thing, the relationship between child, mother and grandparent, and this [book] really shows that,” she explained. Walking on stage with a timeless glow, Alicia also spoke some truth to Wendy about influencing the children. “It’s about the kids, and so when everybody is able to be an adult, which we all are able to be, there’s actually a beautiful value about the way we can influence each other’s lives and the lives of the kids,” she said. singersroom

The Queen of R&B met the Queen of daytime TV on Thursday as Mary J. Blige brought The London Sessions stateside. For her first televised performance in promotion of the new album, Mary graced the stage of the “Ellen” show with a hair-raising performance of “Right Now,” written and produced by Disclosure, Sam Smith, and Jimmy Napes. She also sat down to discuss the project, which Ellen called her favorite Mary album. In anticipation of the December 2 release, Mary will perform at the American Music Awards on Nov. 23, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Dec. 1, and “A Very GRAMMY Christmas,” which airs Dec. 5.  This Is R&B.com

Playlist for Sunday 15-11-2014



Kenny G - If I Aint Get You
Alicia Keys - If I Ain't Got You
Grover Washington Jr - Jamming
Dionne Warwick - Move Me No Mountain
Betty Wright - Make Me Love The Rain
Don-E - You're Special
Kindred Family Soul - Call Me Crazy
Alex O'Neal - Look At It Now
Deniese Williams - 'cus You Love Me Baby
Natasha Watts - Go Slow
Angie Stone - Brotha
Barry White - Early Years

Joe Sample x3
1 Snowflake 2 The Road Less Traveled
3 In My Wildest Dreams

Glen Goldsmith - So At Ease
Next - Look After Love
Pam & Dodi - Gatta Give It Up
Dwele - I Know Your Name
Dramatics - Key To The World
William DeVaughn - Figures Can't Calculate
Loretta Wood - Do It Right
Bobby Nunn - Don't Knock It..
Rhythm Jazz - Just In Case

Joe Sample's Biography:

Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (February 1, 1939 – September 12, 2014) was an American pianist, keyboard player, and composer. He was one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, the band which became simply the Crusaders in 1971, and remained a part of the group until its final album in 1991 (not including the 2003 reunion album Rural Renewal). Beginning in the early 1980s, he enjoyed a successful solo career and guested on many recordings by other performers and groups, including Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, B. B. King, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, and the Supremes. Sample incorporated jazz, gospel, blues, Latin, and classical forms into his music.

On September 12, 2014, Sample died in Houston, Texas, of lung cancer at age 75. More: Wipipedia

Brook Benton

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. The day, specifically designated by King George V on 7 November 1919, or alternative dates, are also recognised as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919. More

Well done to Jacque, it's official, we can trust her! Photo: Cat Hayward, Chief Executive of Age UK Birmingham, and Jacque Henry of Jacque of all trades (Property Maintenance Company). Age UK Birmingham recently launched its business directory of trustworthy local traders and businesses. All of the local businesses involved in the project have been checked and agree to abide by a customer charter to ensure they offer excellent customer service. By offering this service, Age UK Birmingham hopes to be able to protect older people from rogue traders and doorstep callers, presenting them an alternative and safer way to select traders and businesses. More at Mail

Playlist for Sunday 07-11-2014



Angie Stone - Sisters
Bilal -Soul Sista
George Howard - I Want You For Myself
Syleena Johnson - Another Relationship
Aaliyah - Rock The Boat (Remix)
Calvin Richardson - - We Gon' Love Tonight
Mike Winans - You Deserve A Break
Dianne Reeves - Dreams
Brian Culbertson/K.Lattimore - Another Love
Taheesha Renee - Loves Taken Over
Gwen Guthrie - Send Me Somebody

Brook Benton x3
1 It's All In The Game 2 Endlessly
3 Rainy Night In Georgia

Blue Zone - Big Thing
Venus Malone - Inhale Exhale
Luther Vandross - Get It Right
Gerry Woo - Help Yourself
Algebra Blessett - U Do It For Me
Faith Evans - I Just Can't
Michael Cooper - Steppin To A Love Song
Fried - Sugar Water Days
Tracy Carter - Everyday
Davina - So Good

Brook Benton's Biography:

Brook Benton, born Benjamin Franklin Peay, (September 19, 1931 – April 9, 1988) was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote. He made a comeback in 1970 with the ballad "Rainy Night in Georgia." Benton scored over 50 Billboard chart hits as an artist, and also wrote hits for other performers. More at wiki

Maurice Norton 1925-2014 (He loved his radio)

Angela Bofill

Cecil Morris & Beji from Observer Sound are putting together a '30 years in the business' dance with tributes to parted PCRL DJ's and Reggae legend singers like John Holt. It's been 10 years since PCRL was forced off air after consortium of local radio stations threatened to serve a writ against the station.

Having just lost a court case against the government, it was unlikely that they could have survived the large writ and legal costs, so was forced off the air after decades of broadcasting! Mr Merry's radio station and dozens more around the country owe there existence thanks to the the fight these guys stood up for! So if you have fond memories of the old station or just enjoy revival music please come along and join us at this celebration.



Play list for Sunday 1-11-2014



Dru Hill - Tell Me
Mica Paris - Six Street
Vincent Ingala - Just Imagine
Anthony Hamilton - I Tried
Brian McKnight - U Turn
Carmen Lundy - Everything I Need
Angela Johnson - I Promise (M.O.N.E.Y)
Cie - When I Think
Ty Macklin - Soul Lover
Deborah Cox - On Wish
Lorretta - Miss You
Heatwave - Mind Blowing Decisions

Angela Bofill x3
1 Gotta Make It Up To Yo
2 Something About You
3 Baby I Need Your Love

Victor Haynes - Feel
Zanye - Crazy Love
William Bell - Headline News
Groove Assn - Somethings Changed
 "           "       - Old Skool Magic
Terri Wells - Just Like Dreamin'
Lisa Stansfield - Whan Are You Coming Back?
Roy Ayers - Love Will Bring Us Back Together

Angela Bofill's Biography:

Angela Bofill was born to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother. She performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus prior to being introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen (of the jazz label GRP Records) by her friend, the jazz flautist Dave Valentin.  Grusin and Rosen signed Bofill and produced her first album, Angie, in 1978. Angie was well received both critically and commercially and included the chart single "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" (co-written by Gwen Guthrie), as well as Bofill's sprawling jazz composition, "Under the Moon and Over the Sky". Less than a year later, a second album, Angel of the Night was released and outperformed its predecessor. The album included the chart singles "What I Wouldn't Do (For the Love of You)" and the up tempo title track, as well as the self-written song "I Try" (covered by Will Downing in 1991). The reception of these albums positioned Bofill as one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B and jazz markets. More at Wiki