Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid

 

Released on Columbia album Secrets of Flying, 1988

"Just got paid; it's Friday night

Party hunting, the bass is right"

Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1989.

Kemp performed a version of the Reading Rainbow theme song (and other songs for that series) that was broadcast on PBS for a few years between the Tina Fabrique and Chaka Khan versions.

Kemp was found dead on April 16, 2015, off the coast of Montego Bay.  The St James Police believed he was walking on some rocks, lost his balance, fell, hit his head, and then drowned.

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Joe Strummer’s all-time favourite soul songs

"With his leg-shaking fury and unshakable sense of political activism, Joe Strummer was among the brightest sparks of the punk revolution, but his personal listening habits expanded far beyond a penchant for buzzsaw guitars and bondage trousers." - article by Ben Forrest on FAR OUT MAGAZINE

James Brown and opera legend Pavarotti thrillingly revamped a soul classic live in 2002

"The King of the High Cs" and "The Godfather of Soul"—they were both in the realm of music royalty, even where nicknames are concerned. But it probably didn’t seem like an obvious pairing for operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti to share his stage with funk legend James Brown. They were speaking different languages, both literally and musically. - article by Ryan Reed on UPWORTHY

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A Soul Train dancer reminiscing!

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A Day Without Music

Is Just Cruel !

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now

 

Released on Philadelphia International Records album I Miss You, 1972

(later reissued with the title Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes after success of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" 45 rpm single)

"'Cause we only act like children

When we argue and fight"

Lead singer Teddy Pendergrass was originally the drummer when joining the group in 1970.  After lead John Atkins left, Pendergrass assumed the role.

Song was written for the group Labelle who passed on recording it.

The actual background vocals done by producers/songwriters Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff, with Carl Helm, and Bunny Sigler.

Simply Red, an English pop and soul band, took their cover of this song to #1 on the Billboard charts in 1989.

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Is R&B Still Rhythm and Blues?

"R&B has never stayed in one lane - from Mary J. Blige's hip-hop soul to today's alternative sounds, it's a story of evolution, experimentation, and breaking boundaries." - article by Natelege Whaley on OKAYPLAYER

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Tributes paid after death of reggae and soul legend Jimmy Cliff: “A true legend of the genre”

"News of the reggae legend’s passing was shared earlier today (Monday November 24) on his official Facebook page. In a new statement, his family shared that the singer and actor died “due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.” He was aged 81." - article by Liberty Dunworth on NME

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‘Interzone’: The riff Joy Division stole from northern soul

"Although details on Joy Division’s pre-Factory days are fairly sketchy, it seems as though the cover was commissioned by Grapevine Records, who were responsible for many of the UK reissues of northern soul classics and were distributed by RCA." - article by Ben Forrest on FAR OUT MAGAZINE

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Jellybean Johnson, funk pioneer who played in Prince band, dies at 69

"The only drummer The Time ever had from inception to the current day. Jellybean loved his family, his friends and the city of Minneapolis." - obituary by Edward Segarra on USA TODAY

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’80s Funk Icon Chaka Khan ‘Marks a Historic Moment’ in New Release With Rock Legend

“The pairing of the powerhouse vocalist & guitar legend marks a historic moment within B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, bringing together two of the most influential artists ever to interpret King’s timeless classic." - article by Yasmine Coleman on PARADE

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A short interview of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes from Soul Train

Enjoy!

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A Day Without Music

Is Just Cruel !

Bootsy Collins - The Power Of The One

 

Released on Sweetwater Studios album The Power Of The One, 2020

"It's the Power Of The One

You know this funk has just begun"

This funky bass player is a veteran of The J.B.'s, GrooveGrass Boyz, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Funkadelic, and Parliament groups. 

The Power Of The One was his 16th studio album.

Collins is the voice of Jimi Hendrix in the 2010 documentary, Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child.

Album includes collaborations with George Benson, Dr. Cornell West, Branford Marsalis, Snoops Dogg, Christian McBride, Johnny Davis, Rod Castro, and others.

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A 1976 clip of Bootsy Collins explaining the #1 rule of funk.

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Articles of note:

Sheila E. Pays Tribute to Prince Associate Jellybean Johnson Following His Death: ‘We Are Devastated’

New Album - Wanda Felicia with Cold Diamond & Mink - Timmion Records

First Listen: Sam Somebody and HG Soul team on touching “You Are”

Mavis Staples’ Sad And Beautiful World finds the legendary singer channeling decades of soul, faith, and strength...

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A Day Without Music

Is Just Cruel !

Ann Peebles - Steal Away

 

Released on Hi Records album Part Time Love (1970)

Born in Kinloch, Missouri.

Peebles began performing in St. Louis clubs and was quickly offered a Hi Records contract in 1968.  

Many hits such as "I Can't Stand the Rain" and "Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love" in the 1970s.

In 2010 sang with Cyndi Lauper on "Rollin' and Tumblin'" on Lauper's album Memphis Blues.

Retired from performing in 2012 after suffering a stroke.

A very fine cover of Jimmy Hughes' 1964 hit.

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Some articles of interest:

The artist who made Stevie Wonder believe that melodies were “angels from heaven”

Retro Review:  ‘Heat Wave’ Album: Martha & Vandellas Set The Soul Temperature At 33RPM

London, 1968: When Motown Royalty The Supremes Met British Royalty

The 10 most underrated northern soul songs

Minneapolis Sound legend Jellybean Johnson passes at 69

The Story Behind the Song: Sly Stone and his breakout hit ‘Dance to the Music’

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A Day Without Music

Is Just Cruel !

Wilson Pickett - You Can't Stand Alone

 

Released on Atlantic Records album The Sound of Wilson Pickett, 1967

"Love brought you heartaches sometime, so wrong, yeah

Don't let it turn your heart into stone"

Former NYC mailman, songwriter Rudy Clark wrote/cowrote the hits "Everybody Plays the Fool", "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)", "Got My Mind Set On You", "Good Lovin'", "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", and 245 others.  He collaborated on some with Bobby Darin.

Artists on the album, under the direction of Jerry Wexler:

Baritone Saxophone – Floyd Newman

Bass – Junior Lowe, Tommy Cogbill

Drums – Roger Hawkins

Guitar – Tommy Cogbill

Lead Guitar – Chips Moman

Organ – Spooner Oldham

Piano – Spooner Oldham

Rhythm Guitar – Jimmy R. Johnson

Tenor Saxophone – Andrew Love, Charles Chambers, James Mitchell

Trumpet – Gene Miller, Wayne Jackson

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Wilson Pickett Schlitz Malt Liquor commercial:

Look out for the bull!

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A Day Without Music

Is Just Cruel !