James Brown

Cecil & DJ Frenchie

First off this week although I helped promote the book launch for Masters Of The Airways last Sunday I was quite embarrassed to find that the book does not include any contributions from Cecil Morris, although he was invited to speak at the book launch. For those that don't know Cecil is the reason that Birmingham and other cities around the UK (not including London incidentally) now have Black run radio stations. His work from the late 70's until 2003 (when he was forced to stop broadcasting by a court injunction) in Birmingham with Radio Star/PCRL and help from Anthony Jeffers (Daddy Pilot) and many presenters (over 250) including myself and Mickey Nold, proved to the UK Government the need for this type of radio license. So I do hope their next book will include some mention of this! - Merry (visit PCRL's site: www.pcrlfm.co.uk )

Onto the music news this week.... Ron Isley is more than just a great singer; he's an R&B legend, with over a half century as one of the most lauded singers in the world. The Isley Brothers lead singer and, more recently, Mr. Biggs, is getting ready to release a new solo album on EOne Music, and we have a sneak peek with a brand new soulful song called "Dinner and a Movie." click me to listen

For those that like a bit of sax, Boney James is back with Concord Records and with a dynamic, genre-busting album called The Beat. One of the most successful instrumental artists of our time with sales totaling over 3 million records, James’ new project fuses his R&B/Jazz roots with Latin rhythm and percussion. “This record was born of my love for both Latin and R&B music and became a mash-up of the two genres.  The initial inspiration for the record was Sergio Mendes’ “Batucada (The Beat),” which I re-imagined as a funk tune.” “Batucada (The Beat)” reunites Boney with trumpet great Rick Braun. “Rick and I have a wonderful history. There is a certain edge and energy that comes out when we play together that creates a really cool vibe.” Other special guests on the project include eclectic R&B soul singer Raheem DeVaughn and spoken word phenom The Floacist. The first Urban AC single, going for adds in mid-February, is “Maker of Love,” a sexy, soulful song featuring DeVaughn. “Raheem is an artist I’ve wanted to work with for a long time and we actually met by following each other on Twitter! I sent him the track and he came back with an incredible lyric and finished vocal,” says James
.

Cee Cee Winans

Motown Records takes a giant step into the ever-expanding Gospel music field as the result of a joint venture partnership with EMI Gospel, creating a new label Motown Gospel. The first signed was Cee Cee Winans. The announcement was made by Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO, UMG East Coast Label Group and Bill Hearn, President & CEO, Capitol Christian Music Group.  "UMG's acquisition of EMI music offered the ideal opportunity to merge the EMI Gospel label with the strength of the newly revitalized Motown Records," said Mr. Weiss.  "The new Motown Gospel label will offer broader Urban AC crossover potential and further opportunities and synergy between Motown Gospel artists and the Motown and Island Def Jam urban roster."  Motown Gospel was officially launched tonight, with a gala press reception and artist showcase at the Arc Theatre in Los Angeles. The evening featured performances by Gospel best sellers Smokie Norful, Tasha Cobbs, Tye Tribbett, and Kierra Sheard.  In addition to the artists who performed at the showcase, the Motown Gospel roster includes multiple Stellar Award winning artists VaShawn Mitchell, Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago and Grammy nominee Anita Wilson, among others. (soultracks)

This Weeks Playlist for Sunday 3rd April 2013


 Hour One 
Art Madison -  Moon Lite Lover
Lala - There 4 You
George Benson - Breezin' [welcome bed]
Pati LaBelle - When You've been Blessed
Aretha Franklin - It Only Happens
Brandy - Missing You
The Impressions - I'm So Proud
Ms Monique - ooh baby
Dawlins & Dawkins - Miracle
Luther VanDross - For You To Love
Anita Baker - Feel The Need

 Hour Two 
 'Three-Ina-Row': James Brown
Hot Pants / King Heroin / Cold Sweat (more info:)
Greg Willis - Give Her What She Wants (She's A Lady)
The Futures - Ain't Got Time Fa Nothin'
The Gap Band - Keep Holding On
The Chi-Lites - Running Around
The Jacksons - Blues Away
The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt
The Valentine Brothers - This Kind Of Love
? - Rock My World (Inst - Trumpet)

James Brown 'King Heroin' lyric:

full page add in Blues & Soul 1972

Ladies and Gentlemen
Fellow Americans
Lady Americans
This is James Brown
I wanna talk to you about one of our
Most deadly
Killers in the country today
I had a dream the other night, and I
Was sittin' in my living room
Dozed off to sleep
So I start to dreamin'
I dreamed I walked in a place and
I saw a real strange, weird object
Standin' up talkin' to the people
And I found out it was Heroin
That deadly drug that go in your veins
He says:
I came to this country without a passport
Ever since then I've been hunted and sought
My little white grains are nothin' but waste
Soft and deadly and bitter to taste
I'm a world of power and all know it's true
Use me once and you'll know it, too
I can make a mere schoolboy forget his books
I can make a world-famous beauty neglect her looks
I can make a good man forsake his wife
Send a greedy man to prison for the rest of his life
I can make a man forsake his country and flag
Make a girl sell her body for a five-dollar bag
Some think my adventure's a joy and a thrill
But I'll put a gun in your hand and make you kill
In cellophane bags I've found my way
To heads of state and children at play
I'm financed in China, ran in Japan
I'm respected in Turkey and I'm legal in Siam
I take my addicts and make 'em steal, borrow, beg
Then they search for a vein in their arm or their leg
So, be you Italian, Jewish, Black or Mex
I can make the most virile of men forget their sex
So now, no, my man, you must (you know) do your best
To keep up your habit until your arrest
Now the police have taken you from under my wing
Do you think they dare defy me, I who am king?
Now, you must lie in that county jail
Where I can't get to you by visit or mail
So squirm - with discomfort - wiggle and cough (hack!)
Six days of madness, hah! You might throw me off
Curse me in name! Defy me in speech!
But you'd pick me up right no if I were in your reach
All through your sentence you've become resolved to your fate
Hear now! younng man and woman, I'll be waitin' at the gate
Don't be afraid, don't run! I'm not chased
Sure my name is Heroin! You'll be back for a taste
Behold, you're hooked!
Your foot is in the stirrup
And make -- haste!
Mount the steed!
And ride him well
For the white horse of heroin
Will ride you to Hell!
To Hell!
Will ride you to Hell!
Until you are dead!
Dead, brother! Dead!
This is a revolution of the mind
Get your mind together
And get away from drugs!
That's the man!
Back! Back

John Legend

In the news....Veteran reggae superstar Freddie McGregor, and reggae princess Etana will host the 32nd staging of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), making its fifth return to South Florida since 1993. The star-studded event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at the prestigious Coral Springs Center for the Arts, in Coral Springs, Florida. The celebrity red carpet arrival and reception begins at 6 p.m. and the awards showcase at 8 p.m. This year's top nominee, Mr Vegas, and other leading reggae and world music entertainers, will perform live on the awards showcase. Saxophonist Dean Fraser, IRAWMA's musical director, will lead the The Dean Fraser All Star Band in providing musical backing for performers.Top nominees for IRAWMA are Mr Vegas with six, Damian Marley five, and Sean Paul, Konshens, Romain Virgo and Third World with four. Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley and Busy Signal have three nominations.(gleaner)

Aretha Franklin marks 71st birthday with Motown musical in N.Y. Nobody can deny that Aretha Franklin knows how to celebrate her birthday. This year, the Queen of Soul was in one of her favorite cities — New York — and according to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411, a swanky party was planned for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Central Park South. But first, Franklin and a party of friends attended a performance of "Motown: The Musical" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Franklin had seen a brief preview of the musical last fall, and enjoyed it immensely. As she told The News, although she never worked directly with Motown, she grew up nearby and was friends with Gordy and many of the Motown stars.  The Musical" premiers April 15; preview performances are ongoing until then. (detroit news)

Beyoncé Knowles and Madonna led a red ‘revolution’ across social networks this week when they joined the fight for equal marriage across the US. The Single Ladies singer joined thousands of users on the sites by changing her Facebook profile pictures to a red and pink version of the Human Rights Campaign equal-sign logo that has been taken up by campaigners to back two cases challenging the same-sex marriage ban in the US Supreme Court.  (elle)

Motown songwriter, producer and arranger Deke Richards, who logged his biggest successes with the Jackson 5 and the Supremes in the ’60s and ’70s, died on March 24 in Bellingham, Wash., after suffering from esophageal cancer. He was 68. A member of Motown hitmaker groups the Clan and the Corporation, Richards co-wrote the breakout Jackson 5 singles “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “The Love You Save,” as well as hits for the Supremes, Diana Ross and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. (Variety)

Keith Sweat interview on-line

Check out the new album by Kat Web out soon!

Playlist Sunday 31st. March 2013 (Easter Sunday)


Hour One

R-Kelly - Slow Dance
Norman Connors - Easy Livin' [welcolme bed]
Jade - One Woman
Glenn Jones - Can We Try Again
The Jones Girls - This Feeling Killing Me
Freddie Jackson - Calling
Bobby Nunn - Do You Look That Good In The Morning
Men Of Vision - Mase keeper

'Masters book co-writer'

Hour Two
John Legend - Refuge When It's Cold Outside /
                       Humanity (Love The Way It Should Be)
PDA - We Just Don't Care
Leon Ware - What's Your Name
The Whispers - Home Made Lovin'
Gerald Levert - Greater Later
Benny Golson - I'm Always Dancin' To The Music
Randy Brown - We Oughta Be Getting It On

Masters of the Air Waves: The Rise & Rise of Underground Radio from Masters of the Air Waves on Vimeo.

John Legend Biography:

 John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He has won nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists. Stephens added his voice to those of other artists, assisting in them reaching chart-topper hits. He lent his voice to Magnetic Man's "Getting Nowhere," Kanye West's "All of the Lights", on Slum Village's "Selfish" and Dilated Peoples' "This Way". Other artists included Jay-Z's "Encore", and he sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys' 2003 song "You Don't Know My Name" and Fort Minor's "High Road". Stephens played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything". (more at wikipedia)

Bobby Smith

In this weeks news ... Alicia Keys is the new Creative Director for Blackberry. You know that already. But maybe you don't know just how much work goes into creating Alicia Keys. The people, places and things that inspire her and just how she goes about putting it all together to turn out something truly amazing for her fans To that end, she's starring in a short two-part docu-series called "Keep Moving," which details the aforementioned as well as how she's attacking her Set The World on Fire tour. Also, she discusses her plans for incorporating you -- yes you, reading this -- into her stage show. You can upload photos of yourself to blackberry.com/keepmoving and she'll be performing a special song each night wherein the photos are incorporated into a unique and exclusive music video. You can check out what one of the videos looks like here. Pretty awesome.(boombox)

Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian writer seen by millions as the father of African literature, has died at the age of 82. Achebe won the Commonwealth poetry prize for his collection Christmas in Biafra. He was a finalist for the 1987 Booker prize for his novel Anthills of the Savannah, and in 2007 won the Man Booker international prize. Simon Winder, publishing director at Penguin, called him an "utterly remarkable man", adding: “Chinua Achebe is the greatest of African writers and we are all desolate to hear of his death," he said. His family requested privacy, and paid tribute to "one of the great literary voices of all time. He was also a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, whose wisdom and courage are an inspiration to all who knew him." His first novel Things Fall Apart, was published in 1958 and tells the story of the Igbo warrior Okonkwo. "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one," says Okonkwo's friend, Obierika, in the novel. The poet Jackie Kay hailed Achebe as "the grandfather of African fiction" who "lit up a path for many others", adding that she had read Things Fall Apart "countless times”. She added: "It is a book that keeps changing with the times, as he did." (contactnews) On with this weeks show...

The weeks playlist Sunday 24th March 2013
 Hour One 
Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further
Sunshine Anderson - Heard It All Before
Norman Connors - Easy Livin' [welcome bed]
AC Black - Emotional Feeling
Bobby Womack - That's The Way I Feel 'bout You
The O'Jays - Close To You
Seek - Talk About It
The Kazu Matsui Project - Let's Pretend
Angie Stone - Time Of The Month
Hil St Soul - Don't Forget The Ghetto

 Hour Two 
The late Bobby Smith (The Spinners) 
 1  If You Can't Be In Love  2  You Go Your Way  3  Love Is In Season   
Loose Ends - Love Controversy
Rock My World (Instumental jazzy track)
Jahiem - Looking For Love
Liz Hogue - Dream Lover
Glenn Jones - At Last
Simply Red - Angel
Gwen Guthrie - Love In Moderation

Gweneth Paltrow/Babyface - Just My Imagination
Maze - We Are One 

* Sorry due to the weather conditions the track listing is a bit of a mess -Merry

The Spinners (Bobbie 2nd)

DETROIT — Bobby Smith, longtime lead singer of The Spinners (Detroit Spinners, UK), died Saturday in Orlando of complications from pneumonia and the flu, his family said. He was 76. Smith had been diagnosed with lung cancer in November. The funeral will take place Monday in Detroit, where Smith will be interred, said the group's Jessie Peck. Smith's final performance came in mid-February during the Soul Train Cruise, said Peck. Smith, who had missed several gigs since his cancer diagnosis, was present on the cruise but not expected to perform during The Spinners' set. Then the group began to perform its 1974 hit Then Came You. "Like something out of a movie, Bobby shoots right out onstage and, showman that he is, grabs a mike and sings right on cue," Peck recounted. "The audience went bananas." Smith joined the group in 1956 when it was known as the Domingoes. Frustrated with frequent misspellings, group members soon sought a new name, and it was the suggestion of Smith, a lifelong car buff, that won the day: "Spinners" was a nickname for high-end hubcaps. Smith, whose first name was periodically spelled Bobbie, was lead voice on the group's first hit, 1961's That's What Girls Are Made For, produced with Harvey Fuqua, a link that led the group to Motown Records two years later. Smith and the Spinners enjoyed only minimal success during their Motown tenure, but broke big after signing with Atlantic Records in 1971 at the suggestion of Aretha Franklin. A stream of hits followed with Smith's prominent vocals: I'll Be Around, Could It Be I'm Falling in Love, One of a Kind (Love Affair), Then Came You, Games People Play. As the group maintained a busy touring and recording schedule, Smith left Detroit for New Jersey in the 1980s, later settling in Florida. (usa today)

 

Eric Roberson

A nice new album out  this week is from Nicola Willis and The Soul Investigators. The American singer, songwriter and painter who now lives and works in Finland! The stand-out Stepper track is best Days Of Our Life, nice retro soul sound production with stings and kitchen sink thrown in, the lyrics deal with how things always better when you look back at them. I'll just Sit And Daydream has a nice Chicago type production that would fit-in as a Week-ender type spin. Overall lots of variation in styles with good old fashioned production techniques. (mn) 

Also picking up a little interest is the new album by Lady entitled 'Lady', again good old-fashioned soul seems to be working for a lot of R&B outfits at this present time. The stand-out track for me is 'Sweet Mother' a song that would have not been out of place in last weeks Mothers Day Special. The catchy title track with it's piano riff is another Stepper to delight. I think having a good road band these days hold you in good sted for touring and also reproducing your own song live, unlike many so-called contemporary 'superstars' these days.

We have received several reports that Bobby Smith, co-founder and longtime lead singer of the Spinners, has died at age 76. Smith sang lead or co-lead on many of the group's biggest hits, including "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" and "Games People Play," and remained part of the legendary group for nearly 60 years. (souttrax)

Unsung (Documentary) - The Spinners... by GENERATIONDISCOFUNK

 Don't forget the free concert with Mr Merry's friends: The Notebenders, shown below.  Onto this weeks show.

This weeks playlist Sunday 17th March 2013

Hour One

Whitney Houston - Why Does It Hurt So Bad
The Escoffery's - Soul Searching
George Howard - I Apologise [welcome bed]
Melissa Young - Rock With Me
Ms Monique - Mr Do-Right
Lola - Let's All Call It A Day
Anthony David - Body Language
Bigg Robb - Macaroni & Cheese Song
Karyn White - Sista Sista
J. Blackfoot - Taxi
L.J Reynolds - Say You Will
Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon
Luther VanDross - My Sensitivity

Hour Two
Eric Roberson: '3-Ina-Row'
 1  How Could She Do It 2  Been In Love 3  Right Back To You

Alfonzo Hunter - Girlfriends
A Few Good Men - Tonight
Curtis Mayfield - Only You Babe
T.S Monk - Can't Keep My Hands To Myself
Paulino De Costa - DeJavu
Jeffrey Valentine - You Stayed Still
Stevie Wonder - All I Do
Matt Covington - We Got Love
Charlie Wilson - I Still Have You

Eric Roberson biography

Eric Roberson (born September 25, 1976) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Rahway, New Jersey, United States. He is sometimes referred to simply as Erro. Roberson started his journey as a high school actor, landing prominent roles in "The Tap dance Kid", Grease", and "Anything Goes". In 1990, he won "Mr. Black teen Universe, winning a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC. His first single, "The Moon", was released through Warner Bros. records in 1994. Roberson recorded an album for that label, which remained unreleased. He subsequently returned to Howard University to complete his studies in Musical Theatre. After performing in a number of musicals and plays, he landed a songwriting deal through the EMI label, and went on to collaborate with Philadelphia-based artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and most extensively, DJ Jazzy Jeff. As a member of Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz production company, Roberson made contributions to Jeff's debut album, The Magnificent in 2002. He continues songwriting work as well as releasing his own material through his Blue Erro Soul imprint. He also appeared on DJ Spinna's Intergalactic Soul LP in 2006. It was rumored in 2009, that Eric was going to team up with recording artist sensation One_Over with his debut album "In Loving Memory of J Dilla". (wikipedia)

Mothers Day 2013

In this weeks music news...Great new album out by the ex-Montclairs singer Phil Perry this week entitled 'Say Yes'. Contains the killer  quiet storm track "Peel The Veil". Two other storm songs feature saxophonist Najee and other guests include Chante Moore. Perry was also in the Group, Perry & Sanlin with great tracks too. He has now released over eleven solo albums and overall this is a fine addition to his unbroken series of  fine albums, don't hesitate to purchase. (MN)


If you haven't caught the TV series 'Unsung' yet, you must. It's broadcast in the States by TVOne it makes fabulous one-hour programs about forgotten soul heroes. The latest episode is about the Whispers, who incidentally are celebrating their 50th year in the music business this year, well done guys. Oh you can watch old shows on YouTube, new ones here: tvoneonline.com

By now you will all have heard about the Hagley Road murder in the week near Five Ways, Birmingham of Christina Edkins. The police have arrested a man but are still looking for the the murder weapon. This is a photo of the suspected murderer as he got off the bus. If anybody can help further, then please do so. He was wearing a distinctive jacket seen here.  A book of remembrance has been opened at nearby St Peter's Church, in Lapal, Halesowen, where people can go to light a candle. Several supermarkets in Halesowen have started collections for Christina's family.

This weeks radio program is devoted to our Mothers everywhere! Thank you for the love you give us. Please enjoy some music that was made for you today...


This weeks playlist for Sunday 10th  March 2013

Hour One

Ms Monique - A Single Mother
Dennis Edwards - Mothers Love
Gerall Albright - So Amaizing [welcome bed]
The Impressions - That's What Mama Say
Cheryl Pepsii Riley - Thanks For My Child
Jaheim - Back Together Again
Jamie Foxx - Wish You Were Here
Sanchez - Amazing Grace
Terry Garman - Any Way
Spice Girls - Mama
Jill Scott - Family Reunion (edit)

Hour Two
Betty Wright - Thank You
Sizzla -Thank You Mama
Maze feat Frankie Beverly - Lady Of Magic
The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama
2-Pac - Mama
Kandice - Mama Was Right
Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
Natalie Cole - This Will Be
Barbara Acklin - Love Makes A Woman
Jean Knight Mr. Big Stuff
Candi Staton - Yourg Hearts Run Free
The Emotions - The Best Of My Love
Jill Scott - Family Reunion

Chantay Savage

Richard Street (far left) Damon Harris (right)

More departures in the Soul news this week...Richard Street, a member of legendary Motown Records group The Temptations, died early Wednesday morning (Feb. 27) at a hospital in Las Vegas. He was 70. "He was really fighting for his life," his wife Cindy told CNN. "He's a fighter. They're dancing up there in heaven, him and Damon. I'm in disbelief right now." She's referring to Damon Harris, another member of The Temps, who passed away last week. Street officially joined the group in 1971, replacing Paul Williams, for whom he was already singing vocals for from off-stage, while Williams lip-synched. Prior to that, he worked in Motown's quality control department and also sang in other groups like the Distants and the Monitors, which included future members of the Temptations.

"He was part of black history," said his wife. "He was always proud of that. He sang on a lot of those classic songs: 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,' 'Hey Girl,' 'Heavenly,' 'Superstar,' 'Masterpiece.'" According to his wife, Street was troubled by back pain and had difficulty breathing last Friday (Feb. 22). Once in the hospital, doctors found a clot in his lung. Though he left the Temptations in the early 90s, Street continued on stage, reportedly performing 45 dates in Europe just last Fall. (Boombox)

 Zoe Saldana is playing Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic on the late singer, but she's not letting criticism of her being cast in the role get her down. "I guess what kept me from being hurt by the negative comments was that I'm doing it for my sisters and my brothers," she said in an interview with Hip Hollywood. "And I don't care who tells me I'm not this or I'm not that. I know who I am, and I know what Nina Simone means to me." She went on to explain that even if the film is met with a negative reaction, she'll keep her chin up. "Nina was like that too," she explained. "I did it all out of love. Out of love for Nina. Out of love for my people and who I am. And my pride of being a black woman and a Latina woman and an American woman, and that's my truth." (boombox)

Playlist for Sunday 3rd March 2013
 Hour One 

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Neither One Of Us 
Curtis Mayfield - Only You Babe
Art Porter - Under Cover [welcome bed]
Gweneth Paltrow & Babyface - Just My Imagination
Ledisi & Jaheim - Stay Together
Sounds Of Blackness - He Took Away All My Pain
Eddie Towns (ET) - Magic In The Air
Black Street - Falling In Love Again
Sunfire - Young, Free & Single  
Barbara Mason - On And Off
Candy Brown - Since I Found You
Shirley Brown - After A Night Like This

 Hour Two 
Chantey Savage: 'Three in a Row'
 1  All Of My Love 2  Round & Around  3  Let's Do It Right
Eric Benet - Why You Follow Me
Brian Cuthbertson/Kenny Lattimore - Another Love
Chaka - Everywhere
Dwele Who Knows Your Name?
The Manhattans - Crazy 
Eric Benet - Don't Let Go

George Benson - Turn Your Love Around
Gwen Guthrie - Love In Moderation
Foxy - Mademoiselle

Chantay Savage Biography:

 Before Savage signed a recording contract, she parlayed success into gigs as a session musician, singer, and songwriter with artists such as CeCe Peniston and Tanya Blount, she co-wrote Peniston's number one Dance single "We Got a Love Thang". In 1993 she released her first single "If You Believe" from her debut album Here We Go..., her follow-up "Betcha'll Never Find" became a top twenty dance and R&B hit on the Billboard chart. She also released the singles "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" and "Give It to Ya".

In 1995 she teamed up with Aaliyah, En Vogue, BlackGirl, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Williams, SWV, and others for the single "Freedom" from the movie Panther.

Savage took two years off before she returned in 1996 with "I Will Survive" from her second album I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way). The lead single became a moderate smash in the U.S., where it reached #5 on Billboard's R&B chart, and number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. The single was also certified gold by the RIAA for US single sales of over 500,000 units. In 1997 she, along with Deborah Cox, Heavy D, and Brownstone performed Janet Jackson's #1 single "That's the Way Love Goes" at the Soul Train Music Awards tribute to the popular icon. In 1998 Savage scored another minor hit with "Reminding Me (Of Self)", performed by Common. It was a top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot Rap chart.

In 1999 she released her third album This Time, its first single "Come Around" which peaked at number 62. Savage wrote all the lyrics and played piano and drums. In 2003, she collaborated with spoken word artist Malik Yusef on the song "Auto-Eroticism" on his album The Great Chicago Fire: A Cold Day In Hell. Three years later, she appeared on a remake of the Earth Wind & Fire hit "September" for Full Flava's Music is Our Way of Life album. Also that year, she recorded the theme song for BellaNutri titled "Always Beautiful" as well as an additional track "Shine" which was released on a CD for the company.

In 2012, she collaborated with another spoken word artist, Quill, on his track "Everything Must Change." (wiki) 

Joss Stone

In the news this week... Jermaine Jackson's name change approved. Michael Jackson's older brother filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court in November (12), requesting to legally alter his surname to Jacksun for "artistic reasons". A decision was postponed until this year and on Friday (22Feb13), a judge approved his petition, according to Tmz.com. The 58 year old was not present for the hearing as he is currently on tour in Europe with his brothers as The Jackson's. They will be appearing at the N.I.A. in Birmingham on Tuesday 26th. February, tickets are £50.00 each

photo c/o Bill Randle

Damon Harris dies. The singer passed away at the Joseph Richey Hospice in Baltimore, Maryland last Monday (18Feb13) after a 14-year battle with prostate cancer. Harris joined the hit R&B group The Temptations  in 1971, aged 21, following the departure of original member Eddie Kendricks, and sang lead vocals on some of the band's biggest tracks, including Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are), Take a Look Around, Masterpiece and Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, which won The Temptations three Grammy Awards. He left the band in 1975, and went on to release several disco songs with his group Impact before retiring from music. After he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the 1990s, he set up the The Damon Harris Cancer Foundation in 2001 to raise awareness of the disease among African-American men. On Bill Randle's home page is a interview/show he made in 1992 for PCRL radio.

Cleotha Staples, the eldest sibling in the influential gospel/soul group The Staple Singers, has died. She was 78. Staples died Thursday at her Chicago home after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past decade, said family friend and music publicist Bill Carpenter. The family's music career had its roots with Roebuck "Pops" Staples, a manual laborer who strummed a $10 guitar while teaching his children gospel songs to keep them entertained in the evenings. They sang in church one Sunday morning in 1948, and three encores and a heavy church offering basket convinced Pops that music was in the family's future. The Staple Singers was born.

Rihanna's house broken into. What is it with Rihanna and random incidents these days? First she has a bottle thrown at her by a fan angry about her reconciliation with Chris Brown, and now someone is arrested for trying to break into her house. TMZ reports that neighbors spotted a man angling around RiRi's home in the Pacific Palisades and apprehended him.

According to law enforcement sources, the unidentified man told police that another person gave him instructions -- via email, no less -- on how to break into her house.

"Prince Charles said, 'Do drop off your new album when it's finished!' Will do Omar said!" It looks like this could just be Brighton based UK soul star Omar's year - having been recently signed by leading independent label Freestyle and now awarded an O.B.E for his contribution to the cultural life of the United Kingdom (thoroughly deserved) to boot! ...Life surely can't get much better ...or can it? With 20 years of music to his name and a seventh album "The Man" on the horizon, 2013 is set to mark both personal and creative milestones in the career of this master of the soul groove. With past collaborations coming thick and fast from a plethora of quality musical adversaries, inc; Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Common, Estelle, JC Bentley, Zed Bias, Rodney P, Ashman and Canitbe to name a few - we can't wait to hear who will be next on this esteemed list. Last word from the man himself... "To all my fans I say a big thank you! I’m a person that likes to do things differently and without your reassurance that I’m doing something right I’d just be some nutta making up beats and grooves in his mum’s basement! As long as I have music to put fire in my belly, I will keep on keeping on.” (Blues&Soul)


This Weeks Playlist Sunday 24th February 2013

Hour One
Marvin Gaye - After The Dance
Whitney Houston - For The Love Of You
Euge Groove - Sneak A Peak [welcome bed]
Mike Winans - You Deserve A Break
Shirley Brown - This Used To Be Your House

Charlie Wilson - I Still Have You
Plush - We've Got The Love
The Impressions - Minstrel & Queen
R-Kelly - Single ladies (feeling single rmx)
Antroine Dunn - I Just Want To Say
The Isley Brothers - I Once Had Your Love
The William Brothers - Still Here

Hour Two
Joss Stone - Three-in-a-row (trk3 with Betty Wright)
1 Jet Lag 2  Super Duper Love 3 Whisper In The Wind
Leroy Hutson - Paradise
Gray & Hanks - How Can You Live Without Love
Phyliss Hyman - You Know How To Love Me
Thelma Houston - Saturday Nite, Sunday Morning
RJ's Latest Arival - Please Stay
Charlie Wilson - There Goes My Baby
Case And Joe - Faded Pictures
Mary J Blige - Before I Let Go
Maze - Before I Let Go

Joss Stone Biography

Born Joscelyn Eve Stoker, 11 April 1987, Dover, Kent, England. This precociously talented white soul singer made a notable impact with her 2003 debut album, The Soul Sessions, released when she was only 16 years old. Stone grew up in the rural village of Ashill, Devon. She began singing in her early teens, making her first public performance at Uffculme Comprehensive School with a version of Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite". In 2001, Stone won a local audition to perform on a junior version of the BBC talent show Star For A Night. Her appearance on Junior Star For A Night (singing Donna Summer's "On The Radio") helped launch a career in music, with the teenage singer hiring a management team that brought her to the attention of London-based production team the Boiler House Boys. The latter passed the word on to US record company executive Steve Greenberg who flew Stone to New York for an audition, following which he signed the 14-year old singer to his S-Curve label. Greenberg introduced Stone to veteran soul artist Betty Wright, with the original intention being to co-write an album of contemporary material. The direction of the album took a different turn when Greenberg and Wright suggested bringing in some well-known names from the 70s soul scene, including keyboard players Latimore and Timmy Thomas, and guitarist Little Beaver.

Mainly produced at the Hit Factory in Miami by Greenberg, the album evolved as a "live in the studio" set-up which saw Stone tackling a wide range of classic soul and pop material, including Carla Thomas' "I've Fallen In Love With You", Harlan Howard's "The Chokin' Kind", John Sebastian's "I Had A Dream", Aretha Franklin's "All The King's Horses", and the Isley Brothers' "For The Love Of You". Two further tracks were cut in New York with Mike Mangini, while a cover version of the White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl" (retitled "Fell In Love With A Boy") was recorded in Philadelphia with the Roots' ?uestlove.

Released in September 2003, The Soul Sessions earned rapturous acclaim from critics on both sides of the Atlantic. Stone's raw, passionate singing was trumpeted as a welcome antidote to both the glut of reality television stars and the overly slick style of much contemporary R&Born The album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in July 2004, and though it failed to win the attendant publicity helped raise expectations for the singer's new album. Stone co-wrote all the material on Mind, Body & Soul, on which she dabbled in a number of musical styles including pop and reggae. Predictably enough, the singer sounded most at ease on retro soul numbers such as "Right To Be Wrong" and "Spoiled". The album topped the UK charts and broke into the US Top 20. (music.us/photo:contactnews)

After 7

 In the news this week .... Justin Timberlake's official "Suit & Tie" video is here! The "SexyBack" singer's musical hiatus is over and he's getting a little help from directer David Fincher. The classic black and white clip features JT and pal Jay-Z hanging around the studio, and performing in front of a dapper audience.Timberlake met the Oscar-nominated Fincher while filming "The Social Network" in 2010. The singer played Napster creator and extravagant Facebook co-founder Sean Parker to great acclaim.Since the film, JT has starred in several blockbusters, and hosted "SNL" numerous times. Fans have been worried that the singer had left music behind, making acting a full-time career. Thankfully, Justin delivered this past January by announcing his collaboration with Timbaland and Jay-Z on The 20/20 Experience, his first full length album in seven years. Check out the brand new "Suit & Tie" video below. The album comes out on the 18th February.

Adele has cleared up rumors of a Grammy Awards fight between herself and Chris Brown. The 'Skyfall' singer said on her Twitter account that the two were actually exchanging compliments during the February 10 event. Adele and Chris Brown at the Grammys Although Adele looked to be shouting at Brown in a photograph taken at the ceremony, she wrote: "Chris Brown and I were complimenting each other in that photo actually!" The singer's explanation comes after speculation of a fight between the two artists based on the photograph. Adele glances at Chris Brown when he fails to stand for Frank Ocean at the Grammy. (RNBNews)

Future And Lil Wayne Remix Pulled Over Emmett Till Reference. Record label bosses have issued a public apology following the accidental leak of a Future and Lil Wayne track containing a controversial reference to assassinated African-American teen Emmett Till. The unauthorised remix of Karate Chop, by hip-hop star Future, features a verse by Lil Wayne in which he raps about 14-year-old Till, who was beaten and shot to death in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly flirting with a white woman.

Emmett Till

On Wednesday (Feb13), Epic Records executives apologised and vowed to remove the song from the Internet. A statement from Epic reads, "We regret the unauthorised remix version of Future's Karate Chop, which was leaked online and contained hurtful lyrics. Out of respect for the legacy of Emmett Till and his family... we are going through great efforts to take down the unauthorised version." According to a message posted on the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation's Facebook.com page, Epic CEO Antonio 'L.A.' Reid also personally reached out to the family to extend his apologies. The post from the charity, named after Emmett's mum, reads, "Mr. Reid stated the song was leaked out and he had not heard the lyrics. He is a man of integrity that values our family's legacy and wouldn't allow such heinous usage of Emmett Till's name or dishonor his memory." (contactmusic.com) On to this weeks tunes....



Sunday 17th February 2013 playlist

Hour One
Keni Stevens - You

Keith Barrow - If It's Love Your Looking For 
Norman Connors - Easy Living [welcome bed]
Anita Baker - Will Be Mine
The Emotions - Eternally
Will Downing - Love We Share
Freddie Jackson - Tasty Love
Keith Sweat - How Deep Is Your Love
Luther Vandross - Think About You
Midnight Star - Love Song
Angie Stone - Do What Cha Gotta Do
Babyface/Gweneth Paltrow - Just My Imagination

Hour Two
After 7 - 1 Truly Something Special 2 How Did He Love You 3 One Night
Rahsaan Patterson - Where Are You
Jon B - They Don't Know
Maxwell - Don't Ever Wonder / Sumthin' Sumthin'
The Staple Singers - Let's Do It Again
Betty Wright - Keep Love New
Barry White - September
Kim Waters - In The Name Of Love

After 7 Biography

After 7 is an R&B group founded in 1987 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop and R&B singer-songwriter-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds" (Melvin is older, and Kevon - born Kevin - is younger). Mitchell was long thought to be the cousin of Babyface's then-partner, songwriter-producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, however, this was actually set up as a marketing tool for the group and was actually incorrect.

Virgin Records released their self-titled debut album in autumn 1989, which included the hits "Heat of the Moment", "Can't Stop" and the quiet-storm staple "Ready or Not". After promoting the album and seeing it go platinum, they scored a hit with the Motown-influenced "Nights Like This" on 1991's The Five Heartbeats soundtrack. The trio returned with Takin' My Time in 1992, which included the hit cover of The Originals' "Baby I'm For Real". The trio released their last album, Reflections in 1995, which included the hit "'Til You Do Me Right".

The group members went their separate ways after leaving Virgin Records due to creative differences and silently broke up. Despite this, in 1997, the Edmonds brothers released a cover of Hall & Oates' "Sara Smile" as a single (and sole new track) from the career retrospective The Very Best of After 7 before completely stopping releases under the group's name.

Following the group's split, Kevon released a solo album, 24/7, in October 1999 which included the hit single "24/7". Keith went on to manage white rapper Sarai and is working today on a solo gospel album.

The Edmonds brothers occasionally reunite for the odd show here and there. Both Kevon and Melvin Edmonds appeared with Babyface in the film Soul Food as members of the R&B group Milestone, performing the song "I Care About You". In 2006 the group minus Melvin Edmonds appeared on the New Jack Reunion Tour with Kevon Edmonds, Keith Mitchell, and Jason Edmonds who happens to be the son of Melvin Edmonds and the nephew of Babyface and Kevon Edmonds. However Mitchell briefly left the group again to pursue other interests was replaced by Keith Floyd . Throughout 2007–2008, Kevon Edmonds, Jason Edmonds, & Keith Floyd toured the US as After 7. In 2009 Keith Mitchell returned to the group & currently the group consists of Kevon Edmonds, Keith Mitchell & Jason Edmonds. There is no word of why Melvin is no longer performing with the group. (wiki)

Lauren Hill

Soul legend Smokey Robinson will launch his new clothing line with a fashion show on the eve of the Oscars. The dapper singer has teamed up with late boxer Joe Frazier's tailor, James Andrew, to create a signature collection of suits and casual sportswear and the items will be modeled at a pre-Oscar, red carpet event in Los Angeles. Andrew tells Wenn, "Men and women's suiting and sportswear dominate the collection and are intended for today's fashion conscious urbanites." The fashion show will be held at Couture on 23 February (13). The Smokey Robinson Collection will be exclusively available online at: www.JamesAndrewClothing.com.

Alicia Dixon

The Britain's Got Talent judges arrived in Birmingham to scour the cream of what the midlands has to offer. Will there be the next big dance troop? Another top-dog ready to charm its way to the top? Or are we just round the corner from the next big pop star? That's what Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon were there to find out. Music mogul, Simon Cowell was sporting a near full-length blue jacket and grey v-neck while eager autograph hunters jostled for his signature. In addition to his significant musical exploits, Simon is apparently considering launching a cooking show. We're not sure about that one, Mr Cowell. David Walliams - in a jovial mood as ever - was joking around with Stephen Mulhern, signing a picture of himself for the BGT host, while genuine fans had to wait their turn! An ever present on Twitter, Walliams used the social networking site to poke fun at his colleague. “I am in Birmingham, the final city of the BGT audition tour. Fingers crossed we find some talent or my Simon may have to downsize his yacht,” he posted to the usual drove of re-tweets. Amanda Holden can now be considered a stalwart of the show, having been a judge since 2007. Alesha Dixon is known for her honest words on the show. So will she be able to find any talent in Birmingham? Will they, as she loves to put it, 'bring it?' (ContactNews)

The time Bob Marley played New Zealand has been turned into a family drama starring singer Stan Walker and Temuera Morrison. Writer and director Tearepa Kahi tells Tom Cardy about his own journey to make Mt Zion. 

The kernel for what can grow into a movie can come from anywhere - and sometimes it's from out of the blue.

For new Kiwi feature film Mt Zion, the idea of setting a film in 1979 when Bob Marley and the Wailers played in New Zealand came to writer and director Tearepa Kahi by accident.

Kahi was directing a series for Television New Zealand when one day he was nosing around in an archive room during his lunch break. Kahi spotted a VHS videotape.

"It was totally random. It really was a stab in the dark," he says. Curious to know what was on it, he popped it into a VCR and pushed play. It was an old news clip by television journalist Dylan Taite called Good Morning, Come a Long Way. It showed Marley in 1979 at a powhiri, which included a wero or challenge.

Up until he viewed the video, Kahi was only vaguely aware that a powhiri had been given for Marley, who died in 1981, before his 1979 show in Auckland. More:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/8277960/Bob-Marley-and-me

Jazz-man Donald Byrd dies.  The news was announced by the trumpeter's nephew Alex Bugnon, who told AmoebaMusic.com that certain family members were trying to keep the death under "an unnecessary shroud of secrecy."

Byrd reportedly passed away on Monday, but details of his death have not been released.

The jazz man launched his career with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 1950s and performed alongside the likes of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock.

His Blue Note Records album "Black Byrd" became a bestseller for the iconic company and led to the trumpeter forming a group called The Blackbyrds in the 1970s.

Byrd's work has been sampled by hip-hop artists including Public Enemy, Nas and the Pharcyde.

A statement from his nephew reads: "Let's remember Donald as a one of a kind pioneer of the trumpet, of the many styles of music he took on, of music education. In sum, Donald was an avid, eternal student of music, until his death." (MSN) Also departed last week was singer Cecil Womack, brother of Bobby and husband to daughter of Sam Cooke, Linda Cooke. Onto this weeks show...


 
Sunday 10th February 2013's playlist

 Hour One 
Ray, Goodman & Brown - Where Did You Get That Body?
Lalah Hathaway - Breathe
Kenny G - G-Bop [welcome bed]
Tania Marie - Come Go With Me
Alexander O'Neal - Look At Us Now
Teddy Pendergrass - When Somebody Loves U Back
Marcus Miller - Much To Much
Teena Marie - Marie Banita
Luther Vandross - Better Love
RJ's Latest Arival - Please Stay
Daving - So Good

 Hour Two 
'Three-Inna-Row' Lauren Hill:
1 Tell Him 2 Nothing Ever Matters 3 Can't Take My Eyes Of You
Gap Band - Keep Holding On
Steve Parks - Moving In The Right Direction
Micia Paris - I Should've Known better
Roberta Gilliam - All I Want Is My Baby
Billy Paul - Bring The Family Back
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Maze feat: Franlie Beverly - Joy & Pain

Lauren Hill Biography

Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress. Early in her career, she established her reputation as an actress in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and then as the front woman of the hip-hop group Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the critically successful album and the 19m-seller, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album earned Hill five Grammy Awards, including the coveted Album of the Year and Best New Artist. To date, she has won a total of eight Grammys.

Following the success of her debut album, Hill co-produced the commercially successful Supernatural for Carlos Santana, in 1999, for which she won another grammy for album of the year. This made her the only female artist to win two album of the year grammys consecutively, which set a record for most album of the year wins by a female artist (tied with Norah Jones). Shortly after this she mainly dropped out of public view, in part due to her displeasure with fame and the music industry. After a four-year hiatus, she released MTV Unplugged No. 2.0, a live recording of "deeply personal songs" performed mostly solo with an acoustic guitar.

In more recent years, she has recorded songs for soundtracks and mixtapes, as well as performing live at several music festivals, such as Coachella. She has also collaborated with artists, such as Ronald Isley, and Joss Stone. She has six children, five of whom are with Rohan Marley, son of reggae musician Bob Marley.