The History of Paul Tilman Smith, so far…

A lot of people don’t realize why myself and drummer record producer Norman Connors are dear friends today. Firstly, he was with me on my gig when he met his first wife. His self don’t even remember. I remember cause he was lucky to catch her,lol. I was sitting back with nobody.  Also, we were the youngest drummers on the New York Jazz scene right after John Coltrane died. I knew all of John’s drummers and was gonna try and steal their job if John hadn’t died.

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The Janice Lakers Quintet

“He Loves You”/”Shaker Song”

Label: Super Disco Edits Records / Brushed Up
Catalogue Number: SDE71
Release Date: March 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

Recorded in 1979 this demo by The Janice Lakers Quintet was just i guess 5 people having FUN! The Quintet consisted of Janice Lakers – vocals; Dick Cady – piano; Mike Edwards – woodwinds; Larry Turner – bass; Fred Taylor – drums.

They chose to do two covers versions, the first being Seawind’s now classic Jazz Dance Rare Groove track “He Loves You”. The group give it a much different feel where its not quite as funky as the original but with the whisking Fred Taylors drums and Larry’s Bass it floats along like a Seagull riding a thermal without a care in the world. Mid way into the song Mike Edawards and Dick Cady kick the song into gear with some accomplished Clarinet and Piano playing.

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Johnny Adams “It’s You Baby, It’s You” / “Think About You (S4R45)

Kim Tolliver “Can’t Get Into You” / “The Show Must Go On” (S4R46)

Johnny Adams
New Orleans has always spawned a potpourri of musical styles. Native Johnny Adams, fondly nicknamed “The Tan Canary” due to his multi-octave range, epitomised the soul/blues ballad genre. However, he is probably best remembered for his late 1960s country-oriented hits “Release Me” and “Reconsider Me”, the latter of which demonstrated his stratospheric falsetto.

Adams’ recording career commenced a decade earlier on Joe Ruffino’s Ric set-up, for which he released several 45s including “A Losing Battle”, a Top 30 R&B chart entry. It culminated with a series of excellent Rounder albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including the much-acclaimed One Foot In The Blues.

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Beres Hammond 

“Don’t Wait Too Long” / “You Don’t Have to Lie”

Label: At Home of The Good Groove Records
 Catalogue Number: GG002
Release Date: March 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

At Home of The Good Groove Records HQ, we are absolutely delighted to present our
second release – a pair of sublime tracks making their long-awaited debut on 7-inch
vinyl.

Jamaican music legend Beres Hammond has captivated audiences for over 40 years
with his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, earning him the title “King of Lovers Rock”,
with a loyal global fan base. Influenced by the American soul and jazz records his fathercollected – featuring icons like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke – as well as the rich
sounds of ska and rocksteady, Beres crafted a sound that remains timeless.

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John Lamkin

“Jazz Room Records kicks off 2025 with a massive scorcher.
welcomed reissue of trumpeter John Lamkin’s extremely rare 1984 jazz-funk album appropriately titled, Hot”

Label: JazzRoom Records
Catalogue Number: JAZZR041
Release Date: Digital album releases March 7, 2025
Format: LP Vinyl / Digital

Brilliant from start to finish, this 6-track recording incorporates everything from heavy blend of funky jazz grooves and soaring trumpet solos, to Latin rhythms, and boogie-inspired bass lines. Standout tracks include the jazz dance heater “Ticket”, the Brazilian-tinged “722”, the laid-back jazz-funk bopper “Aiya”, and the soulful “Flower” to name a few. With original copies now going for $200-300, it’s great to see this incredible recording receiving a proper reissue release. Don’t walk, run to snatch up a copy when this one hits the record

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PHYREWORK

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZPLP06
Release Date: 28th February 2025
Format: LP Vinyl

Texas jazz, funk and soul group PHYREWORK were signed to Mercury Records in 1978 releasing an acclaimed self titled album. They measure up to the bands that inspired them: Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power – to name a few.

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Julian Jonah Featuring Robbie Love

“Let’s Not Say Goodnight” / “Just Can Wait”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP-109
Release Date: 31st January 2025
Format: 7’ Vinyl

Excited to announce Julian Jonah’s JULIAN JONAH’s latest creations, Let’s Not Say Goodnight”and “Just Can’t Wait “We are blessed to feature American powerhouse singer – the truly fabulous Robbie Love (daughter of the late great Mary Love).

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Sharon Shares 

Extracts From The Last Note By Sharon McMahan

A Budding Songwriter
As I was growing up, I Started to take notice of the songs coming from the radio. One day when I came home from school, I was listening to the radio and one of the songs I liked came on. It was called Mother-in-law by Ernie K. Doe. I was twelve years old. I remember sitting at the piano and really talking time to concentrate on the beat and how the singing came in.
The more I listened, I began to think to myself that I should be able to copy that beat on to the piano. I started out by finding the note in bas and I began to play it with the left hand, to the beat. After playing the bass for a few bars, I tried to find the cord that would match with the right hand.Once I had both the bass and the chord, I started playing them back and forth like a drum and I was able to get the rhythm going as I played along with the song on the radio.

After the song was over, I sat there and thought about what I had just done. I was very surprised. I asked myself, “what just happened” ? After thinking about it for a minute or two, I concluded that I should be able to make up my own songs.

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Joel Semper Brockman talking with Mr Ron Thatch

One such artist is Mr. Ron Thatch. A timeless and largely unsung Talent in his elder years, everybit of the Star he was in his youth. Ron, from Cleveland, Ohio was a child prodigy who went on to be the lead singer in the original incarnation of the Dazz Band. As destiny would have it the path to Ron’s MoJo recordings began with the lifelong collaborations of Semper and Jimmy Smith.

MoJo Records began in 1974 as a conduit for Jimmy Smiths solo and collaborative projects alongside recordings with BlueNote, Verve and other labels.

Releasing several 45s and LPs in the 70s MoJo laid dormant until their last recordings in 1987. George returned to San Diego his hometown for Family matters in 1983. Ever the music entrepreneur Semper connected with his old Friend Jimmy Smith and manager Wife Lola to reactivate the MoJo label. Joining as Vice President Semper A&Rd several up and coming local artists and recommendations. Nathaniel “Basey” Johnson founded and produced the band Pure Funk in 1976 with Ron on lead vocals. Basey recommended Thatch to George based on his unique R&B voice, writing ability and dynamic performances.

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OPAZ 

“To Be Loved” / “Holding You Tight” 

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP107
Release Date: October 2024
Format: 7’ Vinyl

zipho Soul Records are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Ray Hayden’s OPAZ. To Be Loved reawakens the soulful sounds of the 70s with a classic rare groove revival. This gem of a tune promises to transport listeners back to an era where music was defined by deep grooves, rich instrumentation and soulful vocals. 

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Finding The First Copy with Ady Croasdell

The 6Ts Rhythm and Soul Society was co-founded in August 1979 by Randy Cozens and Ady Croasdell. The first dance was held in a function room called Henri’s at the Bedford Head pub in Maiden Lane in London’s Covent Garden. The first night was a great success with soul records, dancing, carousing and debauchery.

​One more equally splendid night was held there before the management rebuilt the pub and kicked us out. ​By then we had a solid following and with the help of one of the first club mailing lists that we had established, sent out slightly amusing newsletters before each dance and got the crowd to follow us to our next venue. At this stage, Ian Clark’s graphics for the newsletter and membership card were very much a part of the set-up.

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Finding The First Copy with Ady Croasdell

Bernadine or Berna-Dean Washington recorded seven singles for producer Dave Bartholomew in New Orleans in the early 60s. A protégée of Earl King, her final single was released on Los Angeles’ GNP Crescendo label in 1964 and is stylistically similar to her previous Imperial and Post 45s. ‘Don’t Try To Tell Me’ and ‘Laughing On The Outside’ were cut for GNP but the company never followed up on her ‘This Is The City’ single.

Both tracks are in a more soulful style than her released sides and are attracting much attention on the current retro R&B scene and with the rare soul crowd also. This is their first public hearing.

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Emilia Sisco’s debut album on Timmion Records, “Introducing Emilia Sisco”, takes you on a smooth ride in the world of vintage soul, featuring 10 beautifully crafted original songs written by Sisco in collaboration with the renowned Cold Diamond & Mink band. The album showcases this young talent’s unique ability to blend classic soul influences with contemporary flair, building mesmerizing harmonies by layering her voice, and through these channeling a sound that is both timeless and fresh. From the opening track “Say Yes” – grooving like an independent gospel soul jam that somebody discovered in dank Midwest cellar – to the closing “Secretly,” each song is a testament to Sisco’s deep connection to the emotional core of soul music. 

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