lundi 17 novembre 2008

Barbara Mason - Lady Love ( Soul )


1. Me & Mr. Jones
2. Bed and Board
3. Who'd Ever Think
4. World War Three
5. Caught In The Middle
6. I Miss You Gordon
7. All In Love Is Fair


Barbara Mason (born 9 August 1947, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American R&B/soul singer best known for her 1965 hit song, "Yes, I'm Ready". In the early and mid 1970s, Mason toughened her persona considerably, singing about sexual love and infidelity with a frankness that was uncommon for a female soul singer in songs like "Bed and Board," "From His Woman to You," and "Shackin' Up." Sweet soul continued to be her groove, and she continued to write some of her material. But the production, as it was throughout soul in the '70s, was more funk-oriented, and at times Mason would interrupt her singing to deliver some straight-talkin' raps about romance.

Aquarian Dream - Fantasy ( Jazz, Funk )


1. You're A Star
2. Friends
3. It Ain't Whatcha Say
4. Yesterday (Was So Nice Today)
5. Play It For Me (One More Time)
6. Fantasy
7. Gentle Thoughts
8. Do You Realize

The second LP for Aquarian Dream, again produced by Norman Connors. The stand-out track on this LP is "You're a Star", which was also released on 12 inch single, and even made the lower reaches of the UK pop charts. The music varies between funk (Play It For Me..), disco and jazz-funk.

Billy Ocean - Nights Feel Like Getting Down ( Funk )


1. Are You Ready
2. Don't Say Stop
3. Whatever Turns You On
4. Another Day Won't Matter
5. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)
6. Who's Gonna Rock You
7. Stay the Night
8. Everlasting Love
9. Taking Chances


Billy Ocean (born 21 January 1950) is a Grammy Award-winning British-based popular music performer who had a string of rhythm and blues-tinged international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the top British-based R&B singer / songwriter of the 1980s. He waited seven years after scoring his first four UK top 20 hits, before accumulating an impressive run of transatlantic successes, including three U.S. number ones.

vendredi 14 novembre 2008

Maxi Anderson - Maxi ( Soul, Funk )


1. Let Him In
2. Dancin' To Keep From Cryin'
3. Walk Softly
4. The Perfect Day
5. This One's For You
6. Delta Road
7. Lover To Lover
8. Glory, Glory
9. By Your Side
10. Music On My Mind


Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love Is Back ( Soul )


1. I'm So Glad That I'm A Woman
2. High Steppin', Hip Dressin' Fella
3. When I'm In Your Arms, Everything's Okay
4. If You Want Me, Say It" 5:41
5. I'm Givin' You A Love Every Man Is Searchin' For
6. Gotta Be Where You Are
7. I'm His Woman

 

Love Unlimited Orchestra have been described as Barry White’s songstresses. Formed in 1969, this three-girl group included Barry White’s future wife, Glodean James, her sister Linda James and Diane Taylor. Their very first hit, “Walking in the Rain with the One I Love”, may be considered their best record but ‘Love’s Theme’ might also come a close second.
Their music has been described as champagne soul, including the strings and luscious melodies which Barry White put behind their tracks. "Love Is Back" is the fifth studio album by Love Unlimited Orchestra.

jeudi 13 novembre 2008

The Originals - The Very Best Of ( Soul )


1. Baby, I'm For Real
2. You're The One
3. I'll Wait For You
4. The Bells
5. We Can Make It Baby
6. Just To Keep You Satisfied
7. God Bless Whoever Sent You
8. I Like Your Style
9. Suspicion
10. I'm Someone Who Cares
11. Down To Love Town
12. Good Lovin' Is Just A Dime Away
13. Game Called Love
14. Once I Have You (I Will Never Let You Go)
15. Keep Me

 

The Originals languished on Motown's roster until Marvin Gaye took an interest in their career in 1968. Soon he'd produced and cowritten two Top 5 soul hits for the smooth quartet. The doo-wop-influenced "Baby I'm for Real" and "The Bells" are hardly the only highlights of this compilation, though--"God Bless Whoever Sent You" and the later disco smash "Down to Love Town" are near classics that deserve the new light that falls on them here. Most rewarding for Gaye fans will be an early, unreleased version of "Just to Keep You Satisfied," a song he later rewrote for Let's Get It On.

lundi 3 novembre 2008

The Joneses – The Joneses ( Soul )

1. Who Loves You 
2. In Love Again 
3. (If I Could Have) Your Love For A Song 
4. All The Little Pieces 
5. Music To My Ears 
6. Lies 
7. Groovin On Ya 
8. Merry Go Round 
9. Universal Love 
10. Rat Race



The New Birth - It's Been A Long Time ( Soul, Funk )

8. It's Been a Long Time
9. Keep on Doin' It
10. Wild Flower  
11. Ain't No Change
12. I'd Spend My Whole Life Loving You  
13. Pains of Love  
14. Heaven Says  
15. Come on and Dream Some Paradise 

New Birth (originally The Nite-Liters) is an American funk and R&B band formed in Detroit, Michigan by former Motown songwriters and producers Vernon Bullock and Harvey Fuqua and music industry veteran Tony Churchill. The group is most notable for the hits "I Can Understand It", "It's Been a Long Time", "Wildflower" and "Dream Merchant" featured the Wilson brothers Melvin and Leslie, who sung lead on the group's most famed material

vendredi 31 octobre 2008

Sun - Wanna Make Love ( Funk )


1. Live On, Dream On
2. Tell The People
3. My Woman
4. They're Calling For Me
5. Wanna Make Love
6. Love Is Never Sure
7. Show Is Over
8. It's Killing Me
9. Give Your Love To Me


One of the greatest records ever cut by Sun -- the late 70s funk group who some excellent albums for Capitol Records -- a group whose records never made the charts as strongly as their contemporaries, but not for lack of quality! This set's a great batch of heavy ensemble funk with an edge that's not always heard on other Sun records -- lots of razor-sharp guitars riffing away in saw-cut modes, striking hard at the grooves of the record, and chilling out nicely for the mellower cuts. The blend is wonderful -- totally tight, and totally top-shelf all the way through -- yet never in a commercial way at all. Titles include "Wanna Make Love", "My Woman", "Live On Dream On", "The Show Is Over", "Love Is Never Sure", and "They're Calling For Me".

John Coltrane - Giant Steps ( Jazz )


1. Giant Steps
2. Cousin Mary
3. Countdown
4. Spiral
5. Syeeda's Song Flute
6. Naima
7. Mr. P.C.
8. Giant Steps
9. Naima
10. Cousin Mary
11. Countdown
12. Syeeda's Song Flute

 

Easily one of the best Trane cd's...and greatest jazz recordings of the 20th century. At this point in his career, Trane was moving away from his 'sheets of sound' years where he would spend hours before a set, working out harmonies from the chord changes to come up with the 'perfect solo'. With the help of working with Miles Davis on KIND OF BLUE, Trane was shown the light in using modes in his recordings. While 'Giant Steps' isn't as musically free as 'A Love Supreme' or 'Interstellar Space' it is still technically efficient as far as its place within a more structured jazz model. My favorite tracks are the hard swinging 'Spiral' and 'Mr. P.C.', reminiscent of big-band Mingus recordings of the era. Other highlights are the two most popular songs - 'Cousin Mary' and 'Naima,' the latter of which is a tribute to his first wife. He also has another tribute to her after they split called 'Wise One' and can be found on the album CRESCENT. While any fan of good jazz would love this album, it's still a great introduction to those new to jazz. I believe this album is much more accessible than KIND OF BLUE, as it is much more upbeat - you want to dance or snap your fingers to it.

mercredi 29 octobre 2008

Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers ( Reggae )


1. Rockers Dub
2. Up Warrika Hill
3. Cassava Piece
4. Tubby's Dub Song
5. Jah Dread
6. Brace A Boy
7. Thunder Clap
8. Park Lane Special
9. New Style
10. AP Special
11. Tubby's Dub Song (dub version 2)
12. Brace A Boy (dub version 2)

 

In retrospect, it's difficult to believe that this remarkable dub recording dates from 1979. Augustus Pablo, a musician of undervalued imagination and talent, lays down some eerie and hauntingly beautiful dub on this project, which came during the peak of his creative and commercial success. Accented by his thin, arching melodica, Pablo's dub is deep and heady, barely giving way to the percolating vocals that only suggest melodies and lyrics, rather than stating them outright. Original Rockers was recorded at the legendary studio of the great reggae producer King Tubby, and though the recording quality varies wildly, the thoughtful, quiet dub moves forward without hesitation.

lundi 27 octobre 2008

Ismael Miranda - Asi Se Compone un Son ( Salsa )


1. Asi Se Compone Un Son
2. Nicolas
3. Salvame
4. Mulence
5. Me Voy Pa Colombia
6. Cuidate Bien
7. Ahora Si
8. Las Cuarentas
9. Sonerito
10. Ahora Es Que Estoy Sabroso

 

With the musical training he picked up from various bands and sextets, Ismael Miranda built the foundation of his future professional career. He was only 19 years old when he joined the talented Fania Records family. The intense pressure exerted by the label to release a weekly production suited Ismael, who participated in these performances as a member of the chorus. It didn't take long for Larry Harlow to discover the young artist's talent and potential. He approached Ismael and offered to officially introduce him to the music world with the album "Orquesta Harlow Presenta a Ismael Miranda" ("The Harlow Orchestra Presents Ismael Miranda"). From then on, Ismael collaborated with the orchestra on successive recordings, making a name for himself as a composer. Many of the songs he wrote had a long-lasting impact, and became wildly successful with fans. By 1973, he was an established musician. He burst onto the scene with the album "Así se compone un son," which launched a new stage of his career. Now, he fronted his own band, and went on to break sales and popularity records, taking Latin America, Europe, and the United States by storm.

dimanche 26 octobre 2008

Glen Brown & King Tubby - Termination Dub ( Reggae )




1. Wicked Tumbling Version
2. Termination Dub
3. Save Our Dub
4. Leggo The Herbman Dub
5. World Dub: Away With The Bad
6. Dub Universal
7. Wicked Can't Run This
8. Assack Lawn No.1 Dub Version 1
9. Assack Lawn No.1 Dub Version 2
10. Father For The Living Dubwise
11. There's Dub
12. Version 78 Style
13. Lambs Bread Dubwise
14. Melodica International

 


A combination of Rhythm Master Glen Brown and Dubmaster King Tubby that just can't miss! Glen's superheavy rhythms, raw and melodic at the same time, are dubbed to perfection by the master. Several cuts prominently feature the tenor sax of Richard 'Dirty Harry' Hall, most notably the title track, a previously unreleased Tubby dub of Glen's famous 'Dirty Harry' rhythm

jeudi 23 octobre 2008

DeBarge - In A Special Way ( Soul, Funk, RnB )



1. Be My Lady
2. Stay With Me
3. Time Will Reveal
4. Need Somebody
5. Love Me In A Special Way
6. Queen Of My Heart
7. Baby, Won't Cha Come Quick 4:35 $0.99
8. I Give Up On You 3:46 $0.99
9. A Dream

 

In A Special Way is a 1983 album released by family singing group DeBarge released on the Gordy label.
Produced, by El DeBarge and the writing credits varying from El, Marty, James and Bunny, the album reached gold after the releases of the following singles "Time Will Reveal" and "Love Me In a Special Way", which hit number one on the Billboard R&B and adult contemporary singles chart respectively.
The album is most memorable for not only its singles but album tracks such as "Stay with Me" (led by El DeBarge) and "A Dream" (sung and penned by sister Bunny). The album has been regarded by some critics as a "classic" in the family group's catalog.

mercredi 22 octobre 2008

The Blackbyrds - Flying Start (Funk, Soul )



1. I Need You
2. Baby
3. Love Is Love
4. Blackbyrds' Theme
5. Walking in Rhythm
6. Future Children, Future Hopes
7. April Showers
8. Spaced Out

 

The Blackbyrds is a former rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973.
The group was led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination.

vendredi 17 octobre 2008

Dennis Brown - The Best Of The Joe Gibbs Years ( Reggae )

1. Deliverance Will Come
2. Black Liberation Time
3. Money In My Pocket
4. Malcolm X
5. Oh Mother
6. Ain't That Loving You
7. Rasta Children
8. Coming Home Tonight
9. So Jah Say
10. Sitting And Watching
11. The World Is Troubled
12. Hold On To What You Got
13. A Little Bit More
14. Lovelight


One of Brown's biggest hits, "Money In My Pocket," was a product of the collaboration, and that tune is featured here in its 12-inch ... Full Description version, along with other roots and lovers rock classics.

lundi 13 octobre 2008

Willie Rosario - Selecciones Fania ( Salsa )


1. El Bravo De Siempre
2. No Llores Corazon
3. La Esencia Del Guaguanco
4. De Barrio Obrero A La 15
5. La RealidaD
6. La Cuesta De La Fama
7. Consorte
8. Antonia
9. Yo Se De Mi
10. La Vida



Conocido alrededor del mundo como “Mr. Afinque” el gran percusionista y líder de orquesta Willie Rosario se enamoro de los timbales tras presenciar un concierto del legendario Tito Puente en el famoso Palladium Ballroom en la ciudad de Nueva York.
Después de estudiar los timbales con el prestigioso Herry Adler, el joven Willie Rosario fundo su primera orquesta en 1959, e inmediatamente difundió su espectáculos en el legendario Caborrojeño en la Gran Manzana. Alcanzando una reputación sólida como un timbalero versátil, Rosario también se destaco como locutor de radio.
En 1962 las puertas se abren para Willie Rosario cuando Al Santiago—fundador de la disquera Alegre Records—lo invita a ser parte de su nueva empresa. Como parte de Alegre, Rosario viajo a través de América Latina, cementando su leyenda artística.
Hoy en día Rosario es reconocido por sus éxitos “ Too Too Much” y “El Barrio Obrero La Quince.” Su legendaria orquesta ha servido como una “universidad musical” para varias generaciones de músicos y hoy en día, Rosario se consagra como uno de los artistas más vitales en la música latina.

Willie Rosario a.k.a. "Mr. Afinque" (born May 6, 1930 in Coamo, Puerto Rico) is a musician, composer and bandleader of salsa music.

samedi 11 octobre 2008

Yellowman - Just Cool ( Reggae )


1. Getting Divorce
2. No Mention
3. Ain't No Donna But You
4. In a Dis
5. Life Story
6. Woman a No Something Fi You Ramp Wid
7. Jamaica a Fi Wi Country
8. Sometime a Lie
9. Build a Roof Over Your Head
10. The Rat
11. Rub a Dub a Play
12. Hold On To Your Woman
 

The title may be misleading as it is in fact a Yellowman & Fathead combination. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic set.they have done a good job in mastering this release. A must have.

jeudi 9 octobre 2008

Musiq - Juslisen ( Soul, RnB )



1. Intro
2. Newness
3. Caughtup
4. Stopplayin
5. Religious
6. Babygirl
7. Halfcrazy
8. Time
9. Future
10. Intermission
11. Realove
12. Onenight
13. Previouscats
14. Solong
15. Bestfriend
16. Dontchange
17. Motherfather
18. Something

 

Taalib Johnson (born September 16, 1977) better known by his stage name Musiq Soulchild or Musiq is a soul artist whose style blends contemporary R&B, soul, funk, alternative, blues, jazz and hip hop.
The second album from Philadelphia's Musiq keeps the quality level high, mixing equal parts Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and D'Angelo to good effect. Musiq's voice has noticeably matured--the puppy edge of Aijuswanaseing is gone--resulting in a rich tone that reflects a stylistic progression in his music. He's also expanded into new areas, including a slight touch of bossa nova on the excellent "Half Crazy." Meanwhile, "Caught Up" and "Religious" have a late-'80s Big Daddy Kane and Public Enemy feel, heralding a tougher hip-hop sound than the spangle-eyed, jelly-kneed love paeans Musiq included on the first album (such as "Girl Next Door" and "143"). Having said that, Aijuswanaseing remains the essential Musiq starting point, as there's little here that matches the genius of "Speechless" or "You Be Alright." But for those who want to hear the sound of an artist growing up, Juslisen is required listening.
Musiq states “I like to make music that means something to people, nowadays there are so many categories and labels, I just wanna make music that matters!”

mardi 7 octobre 2008

Norman Connors - Invitation ( Soul, Jazz )



1. Your Love
2. Handle Me Gently
3. Be There In The Morning
4. Invitation
5. Together
6. Disco Land
7. I Have A Dream
8. Beijo Partido

 

Norman Connors (born March 1, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American jazz drummer.
Norman Connors became interested in jazz as a child, and began playing drums early, once sitting in for Elvin Jones at a John Coltrane performance he attended while in middle school. Connors studied music at Temple University and Juilliard; his first recording was on Archie Shepp's 1967 release, Magic of JuJu. He played with Pharaoh Sanders for the next few years until signing with Cobblestone Records in 1972 and releasing his first record as a bandleader. In the mid-1970s, Connors began focusing more on R&B tunes, and had several US hits with songs featuring vocalists such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, and Phyllis Hyman. The most successful of these was "You Are My Starship". His more recent work has seen him operating more in the vein of smooth jazz and urban crossover music.

samedi 4 octobre 2008

Johnny Osbourne - Greensleeves Most Wanted ( Reggae )


1. Fally Ranking
2. Trench Town School
3. Ice Cream Love
4. Back Off
5. Trying To Turn Me On
6. Give A Little Love
7. Angel In My Arms
8. Water Pumping
9. Rewind
10. In The Area
11. Buddy Bye Bye
12. No Sound Like We
13. Dub Plate Playing
14. Struggle Ha Fi Gwan
15. Trickster

 

Following on from the very successful series of compilations entitled `Most Wanted’, which featured albums from Wailing Souls, Yellowman, Ranking Dread and Eek-a Mouse, comes the next installment from Johnny Osbourne which puts the superb singer under the spotlight with a collection of essential tracks from the Greensleeves vaults.
Includes full-length extended versions of tracks previously only available on 12” such as `Fally Ranking’, `Back Off’ and `Trickster’ appearing on CD here for the first time.
Produced by Prince Jammy, Linval Thompson and Gussie Clarke.

jeudi 2 octobre 2008

Revelation - Revelation LP ( Soul )



01 - Get Ready For This
02 - Where It's Warm
03 - We've Gotta Survive
04 - Just Too Many People
05 - Haven't Got ALover To My Name
06 - What Good Am I (Without You)
07 - I Can't Move No Mountains
08 - You're Sure To Find Me (Waiting For You)
09 - Sweet Talk And Memories




mardi 30 septembre 2008

Leroy Brown - Color barrier ( Reggae )


01 - What a Fire (Disaster)
02 - Color barrier (album version)
03 - Don’t give up
04 - Rulers of Babylon
05 - Money barrier (Skully version)
06 - Stand up strong
07 - Mind how you walk
08 - African Roots (Mam Bu Ya)
09 - Time of decision
10 - Money Barrier (7’ horn version)
11 - Gone Gone feat. Captain Charghand
12 - Metro Pigs
13 - Prayer of Peace
14 - Color Barrier feat. Clint Eastwood
15 - Money Barrier (7’ Dub version)

 

All tracks recorded between 1974 & 1980 at Channel One, King Tubby’s, Treasure Isle, Sound Canada, Kink…

lundi 29 septembre 2008

Bilal - 1st Born Second ( Neo Soul )



1. Intro
2. For U
3. Fast Lane
4. Reminisce
5. All That I Am
6. Sally
7. Sometimes
8. Love It
9. C'mere
10. Soul Sista
11. When Will U Call
12. Queen Sanity
13. Love Poems
14. You Are
15. Home
16. Slyde
17. Second Child

 

Riding in on a D'Angelo-spawned wave of shivery voodoo groove, 22-year-old Bilal Oliver tries to flip the neo-soul script on his long-awaited, oft-delayed debut. It's an ambitious effort, a collection of 17 tracks on which this latest inductee into the Soulquarians collective (who's made appearances on Common's Like Water for Chocolate and Guru's Streetsoul, and produced tracks on Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun) proves he's worth his salt in hype. A host of A-list producers--Mike City, James Poyser, Dr. Dre (who rolls out a fine slice of funk on "Fast Lane"), and the ubiquitous Raphael Saadiq (behind the slinky "Soul Sista," which first appeared on the Love and Basketball soundtrack)--provide backing tracks that show off the young singer-songwriter's depth and range. Equally at home in reggae riddims ("Home"), anguished balladry ("When Will You Call"), and carnivalesque, Busta Rhymes-style sardonics ("Sally"), Bilal wants to show us he can do it all, and winds up spreading himself a bit thin at times. The best moments on the album happen when the classically trained vocalist lands on solid, soulful hooks (as on the sweetly aching melody of "All That I Am" or the haunting hum of "Love Poems") that allow his limber pipes to swoop gorgeously from gravelly basso to full-bodied falsetto, evoking shades of Prince and Marvin Gaye along the way.

dimanche 28 septembre 2008

The Whispers - This Kind Of Lovin' ( Funk, Soul )



1. This Kind of Lovin'
2. World of a Thousand Dreams
3. I'm the One for You
4. Got to Get Away
5. I'm Gonna Love You More
6. Can't Stop Loving You Baby
7. What Will I Do
8. Bright Lights and You Girl


 

The Whispers are a long-established Soul/ dance vocal group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s. The Whispers formed in 1964 in Watts, California. The original members included the twin brothers, Scotty (Wallace) and Walter Scott, along with Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson and Nicholas Caldwell. In 1973, Harmon was replaced by former Friends of Distinction member Leaveil Degree. Scotty Scott's fluid, melodic voice is featured on virtually all of their hits.
The group scored many hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1980 with "And the Beat Goes On" (not to be confused with Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On") / "Can You Do the Boogie" / "Out the Box". In 1987, they enjoyed a brief tenure in the Top 40 when "Rock Steady" became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100 (it reached #7) while also capturing the #1 spot on the R&B chart.
Although they recorded mainly in Philadelphia in the early to mid 70s, most of their studio work has been in Los Angeles. Their most successful period was in the 1980s with Solar Records (Sound Of Los Angeles Records), run by their manager at the time, Dick Griffey. The Whispers later founded their own Black Tie record label.
Marcus Hutson left the group in 1992 due to illness. According to the Whispers' website, when Hutson died in 2000 they vowed to never replace him, and now perform as a quartet.

vendredi 26 septembre 2008

The Jones Girls - The Jones Girls ( Soul, Funk )



1. This Feeling's Killing Me
2. You Made Me Love You
3. Show Love Today
4. You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else
5. Life Goes On
6. Who Can I Run To
7. We're a Melody
8. I'm At Your Mercy

 

The Jones Girls were a female R&B trio of sisters from Detroit, Michigan. They first recorded for GM Records in 1968.The Jones Girls consisted of sisters Brenda, Valorie and Shirley Jones. They served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, and Le Pamplemousse. They worked with Diana Ross from 1975-78 and were the backup singers on Linda Clifford's 1978 album If My Friends Could See Me Now.
Their biggest hit was "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else". The song broke the Billboard Magazine Top 40 at #38 in May 1979. The song was also a Top 5 R&B hit.
An additional hit followed in 1980, with the single "I Just Love The Man", charting at #9 in January 1981. The less successful, "Nights Over Egypt", (released in 1981, charting at R&B #23 in 1982) is currently a cult classic that receives more airplay on urban radio stations than their previous bigger hits.

The Softones - The Softones ( Soul )



01 - The First Time
02 - Everybody Knew But Me
03 - Can't Help Falling In Love
04 - Extra Ordinary People
05 - I'm Gonna Prove It
06 - Why Why Baby
07 - And I Remember Your Face
08 - Never Let A Woman Like That Go By
09 - My Dream

 

The Softones are a "sweet soul" group from the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Their biggest hits were: "My Dream", "Can't Help Falling in Love", "I'm Gonna Prove It", "Carla My Love", and "That Old Black Magic".
They recorded for the Avco Records record label, in the early to mid 1970s. They were a very underrated singing group, whose initial breakout recordings were blessed with superb production. A single listen to the lush production of "My Dream" transforms you to another place, a magical kingdom, with the majestic use of strings and French horns that is this tune's opening signature... in the same fashion as Thom Bell's early arrangements for The Delfonics, the song "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" as an example. Lead singer Marvin Brown's high falsetto, similar to that of Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey, only higher and smoother and almost as instantly recognizable. Also in the group are Steven Jackson and Elton Lynch. To this date, they are still together and still singing.
Like The Stylistics, The Softones were also produced by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, Joseph E. Levine, and the late Van McCoy, whose orchestra, comprising the top New York session players of the era, served as the house band for many of these Avco recordings.

Héctor Lavoe - Two Exellents Best Of, From The Legend ( Salsa )


1. El Cantante
2. Mi Gente
3. Che Che Colé
4. Periódico De Ayer
5. El Dia De Suerte
6. Qué Lío
7. Aguanile
8. Todo Tiene Su Final
9. Tú Bien Lo Sabes
10. Plato De Segunda Mesa
11. No Hay Quién Te Aguante
12. Paraíso de Dulzura
13. Lloré
14. Mi Gente (Louie Vega EOL Remix-Radio Edit)




Disc 1
1. Aguanile
2. La Banda
3. Ah-Ah/O-No
4. Te Conozco
5. Abuelita
6. Qué Bien Te Ves
7. Barrunto
8. Piraña
9. La Murga
10. Juana Peña
11. Che Che Colé
12. Triste Y Vacía
13. Timbalero
14. Mi Gente
15. Todo Tiene Su Final


 

Disc 2
1. El Todopoderoso
2. Períodico De Ayer
3. Isla Del Encanto
4. El Cantante
5. El Sabio
6. Hacha Y Machete
7. Vamos A Reír Un Poco
8. El Rey De La Puntualidad
9. Ublabadú
10. Aléjate
11. La Fama
12. Mi Gente


Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez (September 30, 1946 – June 29, 1993)was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe was born and raised in the Machuelito sector of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Early in his life, he attended a local music school and developed an interest inspired by Jesús Sánchez Erazo. He moved to New York City when he was seventeen years old.[3] On his first week living in the city, he worked as the vocalist of a sextet formed by Roberto García.[3] During this period, he performed with several other groups, including Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, and the Johnny Pacheco band.
In 1967, Lavoe joined Willie Colón's band and performed as the band vocalist.With the Willie Colón band, Lavoe recorded several hit songs, including El malo and Canto a Borinquen. While working with the Willie Colón band, Lavoe became addicted to drugs and began to habitually be late when scheduled to perform with the band. Colón eventually decided to not work with Hector on stage but they still remained good friends and made music in the studio together. Lavoe moved on to become a soloist and formed his own band, where he performed as lead vocalist. As a soloist Lavoe recorded several hits including El cantante, Bandolera and El periódico de ayer ('El Cantante' was composed by Ruben Blades, 'Bandolera' by Colón and 'Periódico' by Tite Curet Alonso.) During this period he was frequently featured as an invited vocalist in the Fania All Stars, and recorded numerous tracks with the band.
In 1979, Lavoe underwent a deep depression and sought the help of a high priest (of the Santeria faith) to attend to his drug addiction. After a short rehabilitation, he relapsed following the deaths of his father, son and mother in law. These events, along with being diagnosed with HIV, affected Lavoe to the point of attempting suicide by jumping off the balcony of a hotel room.Lavoe survived and recorded an album before his health began failing. Lavoe died in June 29, 1993, from a complication of AIDS.

There is nothing better in music than to have an original product of one of the best salsa singers of the salsa music. Every song is beautiful and is awesome to sit down with good friends or family to remember "The Good Old Days"...


Héctor Lavoe (30 septembre 1946-29 juin 1993), né Héctor Juan Pérez Martinez à Ponce (Porto Rico), était un chanteur salsa très connu dans les années 1970 et les années 1980.
Son nom est fréquemment associé à celui du tromboniste Willie Colón. Grâce à sa voix perchée (qui ressemblait à celle d'un jeune homme), son excellent sens du timing et son phrasé, Lavoe est considéré par beaucoup de fans de musique latine comme un des meilleurs chanteurs salsa de tout les temps, et il est surnommé El cantante de los cantantes (Le chanteur des chanteurs).
Son père, Luis Pérez, a chanté et joué de la guitare avec des orchestres et trios locaux et a donné ses premières leçons de musique au jeune Héctor. Plus tard il a suivi l'École Libre (gratuite) de Musique de Ponce. À 14 ans, Héctor a commencé à chanter professionnellement avec un orchestre de 10 musiciens dans un club local.
En 1963, à 17 ans, Lavoe part à New York, où il a trouvé du travail avec un sextet. Lavoe a rencontré Willie Colón en juin 1966 et est devenu le chanteur principal du groupe de ce dernier. Leur partenariat était très réussi; entre 1967 et 1975, les deux ont enregistré une douzaine d'albums, produisant beaucoup de chansons à succès devenues des classiques de la salsa. Après que l'orchestre se soit séparé, Colón a produit un certain nombre d'albums couronnés de succès de Lavoe : "La voz" (1975) (l'impresario Arturo Francis a surnommé Hector La voz (La voix) "Lavoe", en s'inspirant du surnom de Felipe "La Voz" Rodriguez), "Recordando a Felipe Pirela"(1979),"El Sabio"(1980),"Que sentimiento"(1981)et "Vigilante" (1983), "Strikes back" (1987).
Lavoe était aussi un membre de la Fania All-Stars et il a enregistré avec eux entre 1968 et 1988. Il est mort du SIDA le 29 juin 1993, à 46 ans seulement

Hector Lavoe - Triste y Vacia



Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe - Barrunto

mardi 23 septembre 2008

Request : The Stylistics - The Stylistics ( Soul )



1. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
2. Point of No Return
3. Betcha by Golly, Wow
4. Country Living
5. You're a Big Girl Now
6. You Are Everything
7. People Make the World Go Round
8. Ebony Eyes
9. If I Love You

 

The Stylistics were one of the best-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. They formed in 1968, and comprised lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love (second lead on "You Make Me Feel Brand New"), James Smith, and James Dunn.