Soul Flotsam
with
Dean Johnson
I recently was privileged to guest on Mick O’Donnell’s legendry Soul Discovery electric radio programme, y’know the place where you discover soul, and select a few little popular recordings by beat combos of a soulful nature. If you missed this three hour extravaganza of moist naughtiness then I thought I would mention a couple of tracks that got ‘on air’ reaction via the inter-web.
ANTHONY LOCKETT “Sit down and listen”
(from the various artist album ‘McTrax’ (US McDonalds undated 80’s LP)
Many serious eighties soul collectors will be aware of the sort after limited edition Budweiser releases provided by local talent contest winners in the states. The fact that McDonalds did the same thing is perhaps less well known. While this album contains tracks from indie soul heroes likeHarold Daniels and Heywood Tucker, the stand out cut, a searing churchified organ backed ballad, is by Charisma member Anthony Lockett. Well worth seeking out if you like meat balls in your gravy though I haven’t seen one for sale in a long, long time.
SIDE EFFECT “She’s a lady” (Fantasy) LP called “Rainbow Visions”
Another meaty ballad though perhaps with a more refined ‘quiet storm’ production and a trombone solo! I love the idea of a soul ballad with a trombone solo: it makes me feel silly yet sad at the same time. Hard to find in good condition I’m afraid.
JERRY BELL “Tell me you’ll stay” (MCA) LP called “Winter love affair”
The best known and most very dancefloor friendly track under discussion which received a good response on the radio though probably more to do with nostalgia than discovery. A jazzy soul summer groover that to us rough yet sophisticated northerners bring back happy memories of the legendry Tuesday nights at Berlin in Manchester in the early eighties. A tune to make you smile whenever you hear it I promise my little love stoats.
TIMO LASSY “The more I look at you” (Ricky Tic 45)
Retro sounding big band bossa vocal jazz: You either love this kind of stuff or don’t but if you’re like to haunt jazz dancefloors, then this is a mighty righteous piece of work. Made in Finland, purchased in Japan, this is not a 45 to save the planet with.
RICHARD STOUTE “What bag I’m in” (Sticky 45)
If you like that Terry Callier/Jon Lucian soul-jazz groove then this is for you. Available on the web at a stupid low price from the sticky records web site it also has the funky soul Malaco rarity Jewel Bass ‘I tried it and I like it’ on the flip. While on the site check out this labels other very interesting releases.
Of course you can’t miss the Luxury soul Weekender at the Blackpool Hilton Jan. 8-10 can you? A reformed Chapter 8? “Tie me down missus before I have another schooner of sherry”.
Another event that should enlighten the soul world is a series of three room soul-fests planned for Bury Town Hall. Great venue, late bar, later finish, modern, northern, Orwellian spaces: something for every one. Dates to follow as soon as the promoter leaves his hammock…
Jazz fans, who seemed to have been awakened from an Egyptian curse in recent times, might prefer the new Freestylin’ event in Manchester fronted by the venerable sage Colin Curtis. First one was jolly and dates will undoubtedly follow like dogs after sausages.
If your bored on Boxing Day Saturday December 26th I’m playing soulful records of all types in The Lantern Pike Pub, Little Hayfield, SK22 2NG. It’s on the main A624 about 19 miles southeast of Manchester and the beer is fantastical!
I’m going now….
DEAN JOHNSON
