Little Milton

New book about Marvin Gaye .... Jan Gaye is either the luckiest woman in the world, having married Motown heartthrob Marvin Gaye, or she's a woman who's led a very challenging life. Actually, after you read Gaye's memoir "After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye" (Harper Collins), written with David Ritz, it's clear that both things are true. The highs of her life were very high, and the lows almost as extreme. She paints a vivid picture of herself as a pretty, adventurous teenager, meeting and then quickly moving in with the handsome, older Motown superstar against the backdrop of the drug-fueled, sexually free music scene of the 1970s. Marvin was entranced, and almost obsessed with her, but that turned into paranoia later. He would push her into compromising situations, then rush to check to see if she'd betrayed him. She was 17, and he was 34, the same 17-year age difference between Marvin and his older wife, Anna Gordy Gaye. (more @ detroit news)


Harold Raymond Battiste, Jr., the composer, arranger and performer, has died. Harold was 83. He had undergone a period of declining health. Harold will, probably, be best remembered for his arrangements on the late Sam Cooke’s evergreen ‘You Send Me’ in 1957. Born in New Orleans, Harold attended the Dillard University, where be became accomplished as a saxophonist, pianist, and arranger. After forming his own group at the time, Harold, in 1961, set up the first African American musician-owned record label. All For One Records, was also known as AFO Records. The imprint released Barbara George’s ‘I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)’, and the first album by Ellis Marsalis, ‘The Monkey Puzzle’. As a producer and arranger, Harold’s work included Joe Jones' ‘You Talk Too Much’, Lee Dorsey's ‘Ya Ya’, and Sonny and Cher's ‘I Got You Babe’. (more at soulwalking)

Cecil Morris (Cam/Music Master) celebrates his birthday today. He founded PCRL radio in Birmingham and other radio stations prior to that from the early 1980's. His talent agency Rising Star helped launch the careers of people like Steel Pulse and UB40. Later his efforts along with over 250 volunteers let to the Government giving City's in the UK many SLR broadcasting licenses, New Style being just one of them. We wish him a peaceful Sunday!

Playlist for Sunday 28-06-15



Hour One
Shirley Jones - Because You Love Me
Gladys Knight - Soon
Vincent Ingala - Just Imagine
Cool Million/PACE - Type Of Woman
Jermaine Jackson - There's No Better Way
Joss Stone - Senimlla
Bobbye 'Doll' Johnson - True To You
Derrick Lucas - Realize
Luther Vandross - Lovely Day Party
Leroy Allen - What Is Love
Valentine Bros - Lonely Nights

Mittle Milton x3
1 Misty Blue 2 That's The Way I Feel About You
3 Mr & Mrs Untrue

Patti Austin - Heat Of Heat
Dante - 7 Days A Week
Mary J Blige - Baggage
Kashif - Help Yourself
Gerry Woo Help Yourself
Maze/Frank Beverly - Before I Let Go
Phyllis Hyman - Don't Tell Me, Tell Her

Little Milton biography:

Milton was born James Milton Campbell, Jr., in the Mississippi Delta town of Inverness and raised in Greenville by a farmer and local blues musician. By age twelve he had learned the guitar and was a street musician, chiefly influenced by T-Bone Walker and his blues and rock and roll contemporaries. In 1952, while still a teenager playing in local bars, he caught the attention of Ike Turner, who was at that time a talent scout for Sam Phillips' Sun Records. He signed a contract with the label and recorded a number of singles. None of them broke through onto radio or sold well at record stores, however, and Milton left the Sun label by 1955.

After trying several labels without notable success, including Trumpet Records, Milton set up the St. Louis based Bobbin Records label, which ultimately scored a distribution deal with Leonard Chess' Chess Records. As a record producer, Milton helped bring artists such as Albert King and Fontella Bass to fame, while experiencing his own success for the first time. After a number of small format and regional hits, his 1962 single, "So Mean to Me," broke onto the Billboard R&B chart, eventually peaking at #14. (more at wiki)

Peaches & Herb

Playlist for Sunday 21-06-2015



Hour One
Zara McFarlane - Police & Thieves
Isley Bros. - Between The Sheets
Kim Waters - 'above'
Kenya - Makeusmile
Joe - Come Get To This
D. Jones & Robert Brooks - Way U Make Me Feel
Tracy Carter - Everyday
Sheree Brown - Your Love Lift Me Higher
Tashan - Thank You Father
Nine Yards - Always Find Away
Cookers Quintet - They Say Its Wonderful
Amos Wilburn - One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer

Hour Two

Peaches & Herb x3

1 I Pledge My Love 2 We've Got The Love

3 We'll Be United (ext. version)

Porches - Make You Feel Real Good

Luther Vandross - Better Love

Calvin Richards - Home In A Minute

Charlie Wilson - Hey Lover

Groove Assn. - Old Skool Magic

Lin Roundtree - Rock My World

Justin Timberlake - Worth Of

Peaches & Herb's biography:

Herb Fame (born Herbert Feemster, October 1, 1942, in Anacostia, Washington, D.C.), sang in church and neighborhood groups as a child. After graduation from high school, he worked in a local record store where he met record producer Van McCoy and was signed to Columbia subsidiary Date Records by McCoy and A&R executive Dave Kapralik. Francine "Peaches" Barker (born Francine Edna Hurd, April 28, 1947, in Washington, D.C.), using the stage name Francine Day,  started a singing trio initially dubbed The Darlettes and later renamed The Sweet Things after a change of record label to Date Records. Having produced two releases for the trio, McCoy decided to record Feemster/Fame and Hurd/Day together at Kapralik's suggestion. The resulting single, "We're in This Thing Together," was distributed to radio stations but went nowhere for months until December 1966, when a St. Louis disc jockey broadcast the single's B-side, a revival of the 1934 hit "Let's Fall in Love." (more @ wiki)

Aston Manor School Reunion 20-06-2015

The reunion of old skool pals took place at the Drum this year with great success and lots of smiling faces and grinning people. Newstyle radio DJ Paul Rueben was the DJ on the night. Mr. Merry enjoyed the evening so much he has included many photos that he too himself on the night. If anybody has one they took of him, please email it to us, and if you want to add your name the the list here, just send it as a comment below and I'll add it (include photo number and you position in it)

Alterman & Alice	Deborah Carter
Shirley, Deborah & Poly Carter
Peter Foster & Ivena
Pat Hermons & My Sister (C)	Shirley, Deborah & Polly
Sharon Huggins	Peter Mailer (L)

Camera man: Mr. Merry

Sir Charles Jones

In the news this week ... The tragic story of Kalief Browder, the 22-year-old New York man who became the symbol of America’s broken criminal justice system, has touched people all over the world, including singer John Legend. In his thought-provoking essay, the piano man offered his thoughts on the untimely death of Browder, who committed suicide on June 6. Browder’s story began over five years ago, when he spent three years at the notorious Rikers Island jail, mostly in solitary confinement. He was accused of stealing a backpack at age 16 — a crime he never committed. While he was incarcerated, Browder suffered horrendous torture from both guards and inmates. In 2013, he was released from jail, but apparently, the experience had scarred him. Browder suffered years of severe paranoia and other mental issues. In early June, he took his own life. In his commentary, Legend states that Browder “died because our system is broken.” More @ boombox

The jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer, Ornette Coleman, has died. He was 85.  Ornette passed away following a cardiac arrest in New York City. Ornette Coleman was an integral part of the free jazz movement of the Sixties.  Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Ornette attended the I.M. Terrell High School, after which, in 1949, he toured with a traveling show. Whilst in Louisiana, Ornette was attacked and his saxophone was destroyed. He began playing on the alto saxophone, joining the Pee Wee Crayton band. Ornette worked in a non musical role as an elevator operator. More at soulwalking

Comedian and actor Lenny Henry looks set to become Sir Lenny after confirming he will receive a knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours. The star said he was "very chuffed" about the honour, which was first reported in the press at the weekend. Speaking to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday, he said he had not expected the accolade. "It's not something you think about really when you grow up in Dudley. But it's a fantastic thing," he said.  Henry said: "I'm being pummelled from all sides by my family, saying, 'Do we get some land? Do we get a castle now? Do we get 100 men in plate armour following us around Dudley?'  "I'm very pleased. And my mum would have loved it.
"It is a wonderful thing and my family are really, really chuffed. My friends have not stopped ringing up and saying congratulations. It is an extraordinary thing and I'm very chuffed." (BBC)

Play list for Sunday 14-06-2015

Helen Baylor - Oasis (rmx)

JP Cooper - I Wish I Didn't Miss You (Live)
Grover Washington Jr - Jamming
Saun & Starr - Sunshine (Is Blowing My Cool)
Kenny Lattimore - Still Good
Cool Million/PACE - Type Of Woman
Stevie Wonder - I Am Singing
James Taylor Quartet - A good Thing
Jaheim - Looking For Love
Samuel D Saunders - Think Out Loud
Truth Hurts - Real
Gwen McCrae - For Your LOve
George Howard - No, No

Sir Charles Jones x3

1 Do You Feel (with Willie Clayton)
2 Take Care Of Mama 3 Independent Ladies

Dangerfield Newbies - Heaven Sent
Ledisi My Sensistivity (rmx)
Dw3 - Hold Me
LaToya London - Scandalous
Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
Roberta Gilliam - All I Want Is My Baby
MC Lyte - It's All Yours

Biography of Sir Charles Jones:
“The Love of music is the most important reason for being a performer,” states the talented Sir Charles Jones. Born in Akron Ohio, yet raised in Birmingham, Alabama where is actual singing career begun. This self taught writer, arranger, producer and engineer has embraced a genuine passion for music, ranging from jazz to fusion; Gospel to blues. Sir Charles Jones is the epitome of a recording artist / performer; but is this music really known as “Blues?”
Now releasing his Fourth album entitled “Never Miss A Good Thang” on the independent label Jumpin Records (Atlanta based) Charles admits to having more fun making this latest CD than others; “I’ve become more versatile in my style of writing and it makes me proud to know that my music appeals to all types of audiences young and old, when you attend one of my performances you might see a 19 year old sitting next to an 80 year old… People of all ages love Sir Charles Jones.” More here

Brenton Wood

So much of the current debate around dementia focuses on carers and the financial time bomb facing the NHS, that it can seem as if we lose sight of those actually suffering it. So it was good to see the start of Channel 4’s new three-part series Dementiaville put the focus back on patients, exploring both how they are affected and new treatment methods that ameliorate the sense of anxiety that can accompany the condition. More @ telegraph


Serena Williams won her 20th Grand Slam title when she claimed the French Open crown today with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 success over Lucie Safarova. Suffering from illness all week, the American showed her technical and battling qualities to quell an opponent who showed her own guts at Roland Garros. It had been a difficult fortnight for Williams, yet she still proved her class. The French Open was her third and she is now just two behind the legendary Steffi Graf in terms of Grand Slam singles titles. Czech-born Safarova, playing her first Grand Slam final, led by a break in the deciding set but Williams won the last six games. The 33-year-old Williams becomes the third player - male or female - to win 20 major singles titles. Victory at Wimbledon in July would see Williams hold all four major titles at once, having managed the feat already in 2003. (voice)

Play list for Sunday 7-05-2015 (sorry in mono)



Curtis Mayfield - It's alright (remake)
Randy Crawford - Endlessly
Coptic - Steel Pan Pump Me Up
Will Downing - This Song Is For You
Phil Perry - A Better Man
Whitney Houston - For The Love Of You
D'Angelo - Higher
Joyce Elaine Yuille - Follow The Sun
Donell Jones - I'll Go
Charlie Wilson - Hey Lover
Harold Melvin - I Really Love You

Brenton Wood x3
1 Me and You 2 I Want Love
3 Gimme Little Sign


Quincy Jones - I'll Be Good To You
Dianna Ross - I'm Coming Out
J T Taylor - Feel The need
Womack & Womack - Life Is Just A Ballgame
Sounds Of Blackness - I Believe
Omar ft. Angie Stone - Be Thankful
Joe - Future Teller
Teddy Pendergrass - Believe In Love
Rhythm'n Jazz - Just In Case

Brenton Wood's biography:

Brenton Wood (born Alfred Jesse Smith, July 26, 1941, Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American singer and songwriter known for his two 1967 hit singles, "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign".Early singles for Brent Records and Wand Records failed to chart. Wood signed with Double Shot Records, and his "The Oogum Boogum Song" reached #19 on the US Billboard R&B chart and #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1967. In Southern California, "The Oogum Boogum Song" hit the top 10 on KGB-FM and #1 on KHJ. Wood's biggest hit came a few months later, as "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart, #19 on the R&B charts, #2 on KHJ, and #8 in the UK Singles Chart; sold over one million copies; and was awarded a gold disc. The title is actually only sung once in the song, right at the beginning of the first verse "If you do want me, gimme little sign, girl..."; the chorus instead repeats "Give Me Some Kind of Sign." Wood's "Baby You Got It" peaked at #34 on the Hot 100 during the last week of 1967 and #3 on KHJ on 31 January 1968.  Wood recorded a duet with Shirley Goodman. His next song to reach the charts was "Come Softly to Me" in 1977. More @ wiki