All posts by Mick

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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New and Jazzy Releases for October 2024

Jazz First by Tony Poole

Teen Town by Gil Evans Remembered from ‘Live at the Cutting Room, NYC (Dot Time Legends)
The classic Jaco Pastorious / Weather Report recording from their 1977 album Heavy Weather is given the live big band jazz treatment from a one-nighter recorded in 2014. Gil Evans is famously quoted as saying “let’s see where the music can go!”… This version goes straight into the stratosphere.

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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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The Decisions

“Color Me Blue” (The York & Sussex Sessions)

Label: Soul Direction Records
Catalogue Number: SDLP1001
Release Date: 25th October 2024
Format: LP Vinyl

The relationship with the Decisions and Soul Direction Records continues with our first venture into the world of the 12” album. However, this is something special for us. Over 2021 to 2023, we have covered the journey of the Atlanta group from the early recordings as the Decisions, making their way in the music world with some almost lost unreleased recordings, to their later metamorphosis to Unity in the early 70s. From group harmony soul to sweet soul, and yet seamlessly either side of their time at Clarence Avant’s Sussex label in Hollywood CA.

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The History of Paul Tilman Smith, so far…

The Bay Area Jazz Society Presents “Higher Power Project”, featuring American Idol finalist Donnie Williams.

THIS IS A PHENOMENAL CD BUT NOT ONE PERSON HAS PURCHASED IT FROM MY HOMETOWN OF OAKLAND AND LIKE THE MUSIC WRITER FROM EUROPE SAID” Most records he has ever heard that a hundred percent of the money goes into a fund to help struggling ARTISTS is usually the most raggedy record you could ever find. Then he turned and stated in his article “The Higher Power Project is a collectors item”.

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Shonda English

“There Wouldn’t Be A Me” / “Feels Good”

Label: Home Of The Good Groove Records
Catalogue Number: GG001
Release Date: 25th October 2024
Format: 7’ Vinyl 45rpm

Home of The Good Groove Records would like to introduce Psalmist Shonda L. English , otherwise known as “The Gospel Diva”.

Every once in a while, an exceptional and incredible talent impacts the music industry and leaves an indelible impression. Shonda is one of those rapidly expanding outstanding musical virtuosos who has done just that in the gospel arena. Home of The Good Groove Records are more than jubilant to be able to announce that the label’s first release will also be Shonda’s first 7-inch vinyl single release.

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New and Jazzy Releases for September 2024

Jazz First by Tony Poole

So Tender / Games (instrumental) by The Medium Wave Band 45 (Mr Bongo)Rare UK jazz funk unearthed by Gary from Mr Bongo. The Birmingham-based band line-up was Elliot Browne on guitar (lead & rhythm), Ron Lyseight on guitar (rhythm), Andrew Proverbs on keyboards, Tony Peart on drums, Paul Snook on bass, Linton Levy on saxophone, and the vocals of Jaki Graham. Private pressing with only 200 pressed and has never appeared on Discogs. It was sold mostly in Birmingham at Summit Records by the band’s friend DJ Frenchi. They played live shows across the country, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, and supported both Shakatak and Weapon of Peace in Birmingham. Available to pre-order on limited edition 7in single, released on Nov 29.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/so-tender-games-instrumental

Nao Sei by Marcos Valle from Tunel Acoustico (Far Out Recordings)A fabulous model-waltz like (think ‘Golden Brown’) MPB Marcos composition that features two members of the renowned Brazilian jazz-funk group Azymuth: Alex Malheiros on bass and Renato Massa on drums plus some nice trumpet c/o Jessé Sadoc. Percussion by Ian Moreira.

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Xxception To The Rule

“The Sweeter The Juice” / “Angel In Disguise”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP-106
Release Date: Friday 11th October 2024
Format: 7’ Vinyl

Daxwood Records out of North Carolina owned by music maestro Doyle Wood have recorded some real gems over the years. From the Daxwood Studios, Izipho Soul Records are proud to present Xxception To The Rule, a female duo consisting of Vanessia Mathis Holland and Daniela Curry.

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Paul Murphy – Jazz Room

PAUL MURPHY PRESENTS:COPA SALVO コパサルーヴォ

JAZZ ROOM RECORDS – JAZZR 040 RELEASED 23/11/2024

I took a trip to the If Music Store, 2nd Floor, above the paint shop and that got me hooked on the sound of COPA SALVO.

“You NEED this!” said Jean-Claude. “They’re an amazing and unique Jazzy Combo from Japan!” But at the time I was stuck in some dead end Gulag job getting things together for the launch of a record label idea I’d been working on and the bobs were just not in abundance. Especially in the part of the wallet marked “Japanese Vinyl Import Department”. But he gave it a spin and I was pretty much hooked from that day on.

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Chuck Overton

Chuck Overton’s remarkable 50-year career in the music and recording industry showcases his deep-rooted passion and talent, beginning at the age of five in Mexico, Missouri, in 1948. His early musical journey included studying the saxophone under the guidance of John Larry Johnson, a former saxophonist with the Lawrence band, in Vandalia, Missouri. Additionally, Dr. Levine from New York provided saxophone lessons at Overton’s home, further honing his skills.

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Marshall & Jones / Herbie Ross

“Sometime Maybe” / Don’t Try To Change Me”

Label: North Broad St. Records
Catalogue Number: NBS0010BL
Release Date: Thursday 19th September 2024
Format: 7’ Vinyl

We finally made it to NBS0010BL. and what a release two wonderful unissued tracks from our Detroit renaissance series the masters of both tracks came back sounding amazing.

Release date Thursday 19th September limited edition 1/50 white promos one per customer of the promos only , and its as always first come first bags a copy, these tend to go in min so be on it please, issues sold at same time. on the site www.northbroadst.co.uk

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