Soul Togetherness
The annual ‘Soul Togetherness’ release heads this editions new release reviews. As usual the 2004 album keeps up the high quality of both Modern and cross – over soul featured on previous releases. Stand out tracks include the in – demand ‘Am I Cold, Am I Hot’ from Bill Harris and John Gary Williams gem of ‘The Whole Damned World’s Going Crazy’ which has recently been recorded by Jaqui Williams for Real side records and ‘Making My Daydream Real’ from We The People, making it a trio of 70’s Northern favourites.
Along with that the album features the cream of 2004’s new release sides such as The Sunburst Band with ‘Everyday’, Stacye Branch ‘Inside Me’ and to top it all of a track from the tragic final album of Rick James. ‘Taste’ the opening track from the album epitomizes the struggle of Rick James throughout his life and with a strange yet tragic twist of fate he laid down the record of his life straight only to pass away a few weeks after recording it. The track is set to become one of the biggest this year and is a fitting tribute to a very under – rated Motown artist.
All in all another fantastic album from the guys at Expansion with a release, which rates highly among previous releases.
Made It Back
Gives the new Ojays album ‘Imagination’ a powerful opening and with the newly launched Music World Music label behind them it is great to see that this legendary group has in fact made it back. The Ojays a settled trio of Eddie Levert SR, Walter Williams SR and Eric Nolan Grant continue the trend of classic acts releasing viable and on the whole very successful albums. ‘Imagination’ is packed full of dance floor goodies along with a few heart- wrenching ballads such as ‘Separate Ways’ and ‘Settle For Less’. This certainly does rank high in my top 10 for 2004 and if you haven’t yet picked up this album go out today and pick it up, I assure you it won’t disappoint.
Cooly’s Hot Box
Dome Records capped a fantastic year of great new release Soul music with the highly anticipated second release from Cooly’s Hot Box (Angela Johnson & John – Christian Urich). Once again another good effort from two of Soul music’s rising stars with tracks such as ‘Motions’, ‘Get On’ and ‘Time 2B In Love’ this is an essential album for this year.
Smile
Also released with the Dome theme in mind, this year is ‘Smile’ the best of Dennis Taylor. A fantastic compilation in every sense of the word with the best of his recent albums including the likes of ‘Enough Is Enough’, ‘Don’t Wanna Give Up’, ‘In The Mood’, ‘At The Place’ and his magical duet with Beverlei Brown ‘Could Be You’ along with so many more stand out tracks from New Jersey’s number one soul man. Check out http://www.jazzfm.com/dennistaylor/ for more details.
Sadness
October was a sad month for all concerned within the Northern Soul scene when one of Black music’s strongest pioneers passed away. I won’t use pages of this magazine to say what Dave Godin was like because the stark truth is I never knew the man let alone met him. But it is fair to say his contribution to Soul music is un-deniable, the fact that he coined the phrase Northern Soul is testament enough to his efforts for Soul music. But people forget his other achievements within Soul music. During the 60’s Dave Godin began the Tamla – Motown appreciation society and went a long way to convincing Berry Gordy that the UK was a viable out let for the ever-growing Motown product.
His series of ‘Deep Soul Treasures’ for Kent records stand up there with some of the most popular and well thought out compilations of all time. Dave Godin was a pioneer of fine American black music and Iam sure his legacy will not be forgotten.
More sad news emerged later on in the month with the deaths of Nathan Heathman and C.P Spencer.
Nathan Heathman was a highly acclaimed vocalist, keyboard player and song – writer who had recently been Jean Carne’s musical director. His work is packed with talent as his 2003 release for Expansion ‘Right Here All Along’ demonstrated. Nathan had recently appeared at the Blackpool Hilton Weekender in January along with Jean Carne and his death is a true loss to the world of Soul music.
Finally October was tinged with further sadness as C.P Spencer formerly of The Originals passed away at his Detroit home. C.P (real name Crathman) was a former member of Motown’s premier backing vocalists and had made his name with stints among many of Detroit’s rising groups in the 60’s such as The Voice-masters were he performed along side Melvin Franklin and David Ruffin. He joined The Originals for an audition at Motown along with Freddie Gorman, Hank Dixon and Walter Gaines in 1964 and was part of the group through some of their most successful times. He left the group in the early 70’s to be replaced by Ty Hunter only to return once again in the 80’s.
He left the group for a final time in the late 90’s when Terrie Dixon replaced him. May he rest in peace.
Fleetwood 2004
Contrary to popular rumours this year’s weekender at the Cala Gran was not the final one at the venue and it emerged that Togetherness would still be promoting the fantastic weekenders there each November. In addition to this there will be a second weekender taking place next year in September at The Norbreck Castle hotel and conference center in Blackpool (As featured on a recent I.T.V package holiday show). More details to follow in our March issue.
It’s fair to say I did have reservations about a weekender on the coast during mid November, mainly because I’m a home comforts boy and didn’t really look forward to the prospect of spending my weekend in a converted freezer.
But guess what as per usual I was wrong and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable weekenders I have attended over recent years and I’m sure Kev Roberts & Richard Searling will agree with me when I say they have the formula just about right now.
The Tent is going from strength to strength and is certainly a permanent feature at the weekender’s, along with that the Northern & Modern rooms are continuing to keep the high quality associated with these events a key feature.
Due to a rather forgetful Archie Bell not keeping up with his Child Support fee’s U.S Immigration would not allow the man to travel out of the country. So after a frantic few phone calls it was agreed that another Philadelphia legend would take the place of Archie Bell. Bunny Sigler stepped into the breach and performed a show of his 60’s and 70’s releases for which the majority he has never performed before. But in my opinion Garland Green stole the show his vocal quality hasn’t lost any of its shine from his days in the 60’s and 70’s and after meeting the man in Los Angeles it was great to hear him perform live.
The next Cala Gran takes place over the second weekend in November 2005 more on that will be available for our March issue.
Kev Roberts being at the forefront of the UK soul scene a fantastic read is ensured. All for the low price of £4.95 For more information follow the link: GOLDSOUL