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3rd August 2013
Posted by Neil Matthew
I’ve had a busy old year what with one thing and another.
So far in 2013, and most weeks when it comes to writing my blog, I’ve either had a good experience to share with you or something to moan about – with a gentle reminder at the bottom that I have a soul show on the radio each Monday at 7pm!
Just ahead of this week’s “repeat play” at 5pm this Saturday, I thought I’d point out one or two of the musical highlights you can look forward to hearing today…
Jerry Butler, along with the great Curtis Mayfield, was one of the founding members of acclaimed soul group the Impressions in the early ’60s, but both guys had long left the group by the mid ’70s when the solo track you’ll hear by Mr Butler was released on Philadelphia Records. By chance, I’d also lined up a track by the rest of the group which dates back to 1981 and was their most recent recorded output – until I heard a remarkable brand new cut on the radio by them called Rhythm which appeared last month!
Syl Johnson was a noted blues man in the ’60s & ’70s, but by 1982, like everyone and their dog, he’d dabbled in disco and came up with a storming funky dance tune which we all loved back in the day – especially the sleeve it came in! I will try and make that the cover photo if Mr Cameron’s censorship will allow it…
My “Unknown Soul Tune” this week comes out of New York City circa 1980 and is a very impressive track indeed that you may not have heard before (I hadn’t!) but it has a good pedigree the song being co-written by The O’Jays in 1975…
And finally, if like me you love the Philly sound, check out “Picnic In The Park” by MFSB, ideal for a summer weekend! There’s a riff running through which I couldn’t quite place last Monday, but I cracked it the other day – Inner Circle nicked it obviously for their disco hit “Everything Is Great” in 1979, I’ll have to add that to my ever growing list of top tunes to revive too…
Enjoy the show, full playlist & recommended gigs are below:
The Tunes
Coffee – Casanova Jerry Butler – (I’m Just Thinking About) Cooling OutFreeez – IOU
Supremes & Four Tops – River Deep Mountain High
The Impressions – Fan The Fire
Change – The Very Best In You Ronnie Dyson – When You Get Right Down To It Ray Parker Jr – A Woman Needs Love
Syl Johnson – Ms Fine Brown Frame
Bobby Thurston – You Got What It Takes Orquesta La Palabra – Lady Tyrone Davis – Is It Something You Got Frantique – Strut Your Funky Stuff Al Matthews – Fool Avery Sunshine – I Got Sunshine Brian McKnight – Stay The Night Instant Funk – So Glad I’m The One Sophisticated Ladies – This Ain’t Really Love MFSB – Picnic In The Park
Earl Klugh – Walk In The Sun
The Gigs:
Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th August “Margate Soul Weekend 2013” Three nights & two days of fabulous music ! Live Sets by: LOOSE ENDS, JULIET ROBERTS, BAH SAMBA, THE DOGGETT BROTHERS, SMOOVE & TURRELL & CHIDI Full details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/119690018218311/?fref=ts www.margatesoulweekend.co.uk Sunday 4th August “Woodmans Soul All Dayer!” The Woodmans Arms, Thundersley, Rayleigh Road, SS7 3TA “Soul Funk Boogie Weekender Anthems & Much More” DJs: Bully & MJ with guests Nick Gunn & Merv Griffiths 3pm – 11pm — BBQ ! Children Welcome ! https://www.facebook.com/events/154741844709336/?fref=ts Saturday 10th August “Soulsations!” The Ink Bar, King Street, Maidstone, ME14 1BA DJs: Nick Aravis, James Anthony & Aadil Rasheed “Music from the likes of The O’Jays, Cameo, Chic & Marvin Gaye” 9pm – 2am ; Admission £5 https://www.facebook.com/events/278236542321391/?fref=ts Sunday 11th August “Soul By The Sea – Carnival Weekend Special!” The Divers Arms, Herne Bay, Kent DJs: Tom Edgar & Carl Hyde plus guests 7.30pm – 1am – Free Entry Friday 16th August (Every 3rd Friday Of The Month) “Friday Night Soul” The Curlew Pub, Gandalfs Ride, South Woodham Ferrers DJs: Ricky Oatham & Pete Smugger Smith “Soul, Jazz-Funk, Motown, Old School, Northern, RnB… ..and everything in between !” 9pm start – Admission Free Saturday 17th August (Every 3rd Saturday of the month) “Soul Night” The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, CM2 0JT Chelmsford DJ: Paul Eve (Caister) 7.30pm start – Free Entry Saturday 17th August “Revenge Of The Soulboy presents Summer Madness” Halfway House, A127, Brentwood “Nu Soul, Club Classics & Anthems, Modern Soul, Jazz-Funk, Soulful House, etc” DJs Include: Jeff Young, Garry Dennis, Jonny Layton, Bob Masters Tickets £15 In Advance or £20 On The Door 1pm – 1am – All Dayer ! BBQ ! Outside / Marquee Event ! https://www.facebook.com/events/258949034251855/?fref=ts Saturday 24th August “Potty Stomp” Runwell Sports & Social Club, Runwell Chase, Wickford, SS11 7QA “Heavy Soul DJs!” Gavin Page, Grumpy Brown, Martin Lippross Scott James, Mark “Gurcha” Collins, David White, Simon Petts 4pm – 1am ; £5 Admission https://www.facebook.com/events/138553169677159/?fref=ts Saturday 24th August “Soul & Motown Night” The Green Man, Herongate, A128, Brentwood, CM13 3PZ “Soul, Jazz Funk, Classic Disco & Motown” DJ : JB – Free Entry – 7.30pm onwards https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200233815194411&set=a.4444708362181.1073741826.1423546932&type=1&theater Sunday 25th August (Every Last Sunday Of The Month) “Sunday Soul Sessions” The Victoria, Victoria Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 2PA DJs: Tricia Butler, Peter P, Richard Brown, Sandra C Plus Guests: TBC “Club Classics, Soulful House, Jaff-Funk, Reggae” 3pm – Midnight – soulful family atmosphere Supervised children over 5 years old welcome before 7pm ! Saturday 31st August “Soul By The Jetty – The Beach Party!” The Lobster Smack Inn, Haven Road, Canvey Island DJs: Johnny Layton, Mr Messy, Brian Kelly Plus Guest: Les Knott Entry by advance wristband only – always a sell out ! £7 from (07989) 591399 or [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/events/157397814447440/ Saturday 31st August “Soul On The Edge” The Edge Nightclub, High Pavement, Basildon DJs: Frostie, Scott James, Tony Fernandez & Marky Mark “70s – 00s Soul & Boogie Anthems” 9pm – 3am ; £10 On The Door https://www.facebook.com/events/200418650107060/?fref=ts Saturday 31st August (Every Last Saturday) “Disco Stomp” Jacksons Wharf, Ramsgate DJs: John Herbert & Tommy Gun “70s & 80s Disco Classics” 8pm – 1am ; Free Entry Friday 6th September 2013 (Every First Friday Of The Month) “The Big Zero Soul Night” Marco’s, 30 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, SS67JQ DJ Bully plus guest “The Bish” “Soul, Funk Disco & Dance From The 70s Upwards” “Weekender Anthems All The Way!” Free Entry – 8.30pm – 1am Friday 6th September (Every First Friday Of The Month) “Shaft” Waikiki, 33.Crouch Street, Colchester, CO3 8ES DJ Chaz J & Jimmi Dixon https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waikiki-Sunshine/372810316166823 Saturday 7th September (Every First Saturday) “Soul On The Harbour ” Jacksons Wharf, York Street, Ramsgate DJs: John Herbert, Paul Spickett plus guests “70s 80s & 90s Soul & Jazz-Funk Anthems” Free Admission – 8pm – 1am
Saturday14th September
“Soul Power!”
Sidneys Bar & Lounge, 545 Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill, IG2 6HE
DJs: Frostie Original, Scott James, Ricky Oatham,
Tony Fernandez, Tricia Butler, Richard Brown
8pm – 3am ; £8 All Night
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002841427497
Saturday 21st September
“Handbags & Gladrags”
Bar Plazma, High Street, Wickford
DJs: Scott James, Chris Alexander & Euan Bass
“Quality Soul, Funk , RnB & Soulful House”
£5 Entry –
https://www.facebook.com/events/177138952463496/?fref=ts
Sunday 22nd September
“Superstars Of Soul”
Ben & King plus Jimmy James & The Vagabonds live !
The Towngate Theatre, Basildon
7.30pm – £20 – (01268)465465
http://www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3965
Do you know of any soulful, jazzy, funky gigs taking place in 2013 ? Let me know the details whether you are a DJ or a punter and I can spread the word to fellow “Old Gits” in this space!
E-mail: [email protected] or send a text message to (01268)833978
The Old Gits Soul Show is on Gateway 97.8 in Basildon & East Thurrock and also around the world via www.gateway978.com from 7pm – 9pm every Monday – plus you can catch it again Saturday evening from 5pm – 7pm.