News Archives

WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT BIG MAN RECORDS NEW RELEASE - BMR 1012 JIMMY RADCLIFFE - 'BIG CITY BLUES B/W 'YOU CAN'T LOSE SOMETHING YOU NEVER HAD' WHICH SOME PEOPLE WILL RECOGNISE FROM DAY'S GONE BY (TWO PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED RECORDINGS) BIG CITY SOUL OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, 'BIG CITY BLUES' IS SUBLIME DOWN TEMPO SOUL TO MATCH THE  LIKES OF ROY HAMILTON & RAY POLLARD, HEARTBREAKER OF A TRACK FROM THE ICONIC JIMMY RADCLIFFE, UNDER LICENCE FROM BLACK PATCH PRODUCTIONS TO BIG MAN RECOR

WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE ANOTHER NEW RELEASE FROM BIG MAN RECORDS BMR 1013 DUE FOR RELEASE EARLY 2023, ONE SONG TWO SUBLIME VERSIONS 'TASTE SOUR DON'T IT' FROM JIMMY RADCLIFFE AND BARBARA JEAN ENGLISH, UNDER LICENCE FROM BLACK PATCH PRODUCTIONS TO BIG MAN RECORDS WITH THE BLESSING AND KIND PERMISSION FROM CHRISTOPHER RADCLIFFE. THE SONG WAS RECORDED AND RELEASED BACK IN 1966 AN OBSCURE 'B' SIDE BY BILLIE (DAVIS) AND KEITH (POWELL) ON UK PICADILLY RECORDS, THE RADCLIFFE/ENGLISH VERSIONS A

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BIG MAN RECORDS Since 2018 we have released 16 records which have caught the imagination of people which is so rewarding. The process of putting records out is full on, involving a tremendous amount of hard work, from obtaining licences, mastering, production of records, promotion, processing orders, shipping and so on. We need some time out to work on securing future releases and have decided to take a break for the remainder of this year. We have some e

BIG MAN RECORDS ARE HONOURED AND PROUD TO ANNOUNCE WITH KIND PERMISSON OF MR ERIC MERCURY THE FIRST TIME OFFICIAL REISSUE OF HIS ICONIC NORTHERN SOUL MASTERPIECE 'LONELY GIRL' PART 1 & 2 BIG MAN BMR - 1006, DIGITALLY REMASTERED BY PHIL DICK, SOUL INTENTION RECORDS. THE RECORD WILL COME IN A BLACK CARD SLEEVE, STICKER IDENT, COLEECTORS CARD PERSONALLY SIGNED BY ERIC MERCURY IN A POLY SLEEVE, THERE WILL BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF WHITE/RED TEXT 'DJ COPIES' @ £30.00 EACH (WHICH ARE FLYING OUT

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT BMR 1007 FREDDIE HOUSTON B/W THE FIESTAS WILL BE READY AND AVAILABLE AT THE END OF NOVEMBER MUCH QUICKER THAN WE WERE ORIGINALLY TOLD, TO PRE ORDER PM HERE OR EMAIL bicknellmark@aol.com  BMR 1008 HAS ALSO BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE END OF JANUARY 2022 AGAIN MUCH QUICKER THAN WE THOUGHT. UNDER LICENCE FROM THE EMBASSY MUSIC CORPORATION (BMI) TO BIG MAN RECORDS, FROM OLD TOWN MASTERS, BOTH OF THESE RELEASES WILL NOW COME IN A CUSTOM SLEEVE WITH REGULAR COLLECT

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEXT BIG MAN RECORDS RELEASE BMR 1008 JESSE JOHNSON - LEFT OUT B/W YVONNE AND THE VIOLETS - CROSS MY HEART BOTH RECORDED BACK IN 1966 FOR OLD TOWN & BARRY RECORDS, UNDER LICENCE FROM EMBASSY MUSIC CORPORATION (BMI) TO BIG MAN RECORDS, THIS RELEASE WILL COME IN A CUSTOM SLEEVE,  COLLECTORS CARD IN A POLY SLEEVE. TAKEN FROM OLD TOWN/BARRY MASTER FILES.  LEAD TIMES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY ARE STILL A LITTLE CRAZY BUT THIS RELEASE IS NOW IN PRODUCTION AND WILL BE

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEXT BIG MAN RECORDS RELEASE FROM HY WEISS'S NEW YORK BASED OLD TOWN RECORDS, A SUBLIME DOUBLE HEADER WITH THE 1964  FREDDIE HOUSTON - IF I HAD KNOWN B/W THE 1965 STREET CORNER TO SOUL GEM FROM THE FIESTAS - THINK SMART, UNDER LICENCE FROM EMBASSY MUSIC CORPORATION (BMI) TO BIG MAN RECORDS, TAKEN FROM OLD TOWN MASTERS.  FIRST TIME 45RPM UK VINYL RELEASE, WILL COME IN A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM SLEEVE, COLLECTORS CARD IN A POLY BAG, LEAD TIMES ARE AT A PREMIUM RIGHT NO

A New release from Athens Of The North the blurb goes like this... Bill Brown - Bip Bam  (Part 1) - Athens Of The North Bill Browns super rare Brownstone release is one for the deep heads, less well known than label mate 'Everyday People' but just as rare and collectible. Shuffling sunshine soul its all about the groove and feeling. 500 copies only. One for the heads. Bill Brown and Al Hall jr met around 1971, they were both in south central L.A and shared the same apartment buildin

Some of you may have heard that the musician and songwriter, Bill Bush, died this week after falling at his home. He was 70. Bill recorded 'Velvet Touch / I'm Waiting' on Ronn in the mid 60s and played with the Fabulous Carousels, a.k.a Little Johnny Clark, prior to forming his own combo.   I'd known Bill for exactly a decade this year since I traced him through a contact at the local newspaper. I brought his band over to the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 2005 and two years later I visited him at his

Already been causing a stir in the forum on its pre-release rounds, this previously unreleased 45 from Soul Junctions is unleashed this Monday 14th Feb 2010 Press Release: Bill Spoon I Can't Wait (Until The Weekend) / The One Who Really Loves You Soul Junction 506. Release Date: Monday 15th February Soul Junction's first 45 release of 2010 will feature Bill Spoon's previously unissued "I Can't Wait (Until The Weekend)" a excellent 70's dance track that was discovered by Mr Da

Sadly Bill Spoon the former lead singer of the Soul Notes passed away today.   He had been ill for awhile with Kidney and Diabetes problems, but he suffered a massive stroke last wednesday. Bill was probably one of the most humble guys you could ever meet a true gentleman.   R.I.P Bill   Dave & John   Soul Junction       Bill Spoon and the Soul Notes by JR Smith   https://www.soul-source.co.uk/soul-articles/bill-spoon-and-the-soul-notes-by-jr-smith-r236

The US Billboard Top 50 Soul Singles Chart published 21st Feb 1970. Lots of big names you would expect to see and some iconic soul classics too!

Billy Nicks Passed recently Nicks and “The Rhythm Rockers” came into their own on the summer of 1954 (still existing and lead by Nicks). The original Rhythm Rockers line up consisted of: Billy “Stix” Nicks (drums, vocals, band leader), Junior Walker (saxophone) and Fred Patton (piano, vocals).  Billy “Stix” Nicks played and recorded on Motown with “Jr. Walker and The All Stars” for the 1965 LP release, “Roadrunner”, on songs: “How Sweet Is To Be Loved By You”, “Pucker Up Buttercup” and

So sad to have to report that Billy passed away 1am Chicago time this morning. Thanks for the music Billy, Mandy and I are proud to have known you   Paul Woosnam

Tom Moulton has reported on Facebook that Billy Jackson (philly producer / writer) has passed. Billy had been very ill for a while and it seems he failed to recover. R I P.  Billy worked with the likes of Chubby Checker, the Orlons, the Tymes, Frankie Beverly & Butlers, Damon Fox, Reffa, Ronnie Dyson & many more. 

Jerry Zolten recently passed on the sad news to the site regarding Billy Sha-Rae passing on earlier this month. Jerry Z has posted a detailed entry on this sad news via a facebook page which can be read via the link below Preview clips follow below... A remembrance of BILLY SHA-RAE who passed away on November 5, 2015. In the 1960s Billy made his name performing R&B in the Pittsburgh area. I knew him as Billy Wilson from Uniontown, PA. In those days I was spinning records

Billy Valentine - one half of the Valentine Brothers of ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ fame -  and Bob Thiele Jr have been working together for some time, writing songs for amongst others Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Axwell from the Swedish House Mafia. During the 2020 - lockdown and the protests around George Floyd and on behalf of BLM - the pair started working on an album of politically relevant covers from soul music’s past. The first fruits were this stunning version of Curtis Mayfield’

A morning stroll on fleamarketfunk.com led to this recent release...   The blurb from the menu...   With their premier Cherries release, Biología brings two four-on-the-floor jams, created within the musical minds of this brother & sister led band. The A-side ‘Nite Lite’, is a bassline driven night groove, with the gospel style harmonies of Mama Kat, sung over the magical guitar licks of Jomeo. ‘Too Bad”, the uptempo B-side, has you struttin’ away from that no-good lover, with swelling synth

This Friday the 21st of November see's the opening night of a 10 week exhibition featuring the northern soul related works of David Barow RA at the St Pauls Gallery Press release along with some images follow BIRMINGHAM PLAYS HOST TO THE SIGHTS, THE SOUNDS, AND THE EXCITEMENT OF NORTHERN SOUL St Paul’s gallery will open its doors to  a new exhibition by virtually recreating the sights and sounds of the famous Wigan Ca

Out today a new release from Kent Records titled... Birth Of Soul - Special Detroit Edition 1961-64 Its the latest in a long running series of 'Birth Of Soul' themed cds and takes in the period 1961-64 Detroit As always with Kent Records the release is accompanied by a quality booklet of 8000 word no less by Graham Finch. A selection of 24 tracks by some very familiar names.connections with most of the tracks showing up on cd for the first time, and five are in fact first time rel

De Wolfe Music to Launch Series of Commercial Releases   London – 07th October 2007: The world’s largest independent production music library, de Wolfe Music, is set to release its first commercial album. De Wolfe will re-issue some of the finest tracks from the depths of its back-catalogue as a series of collectable compilations. The albums will each be themed and will group sought-after film cues and production music into similar respective genres and styles.  

BROTHERS OF SOUL to launch BKE RECORDS in 2019. Hayley Records to distribute in UK and Europe. After some delays and several hiccups The Brothers of Soul – Fred Bridges, Richard Knight and Robert Eaton are to launch their own label in UK and Europe.  BKE Records, named after their surnames, will feature material either written or performed by the trio during their illustrious performing and writing careers beginning in the early 1960s and progressing into the later 1970s. Group me

Word about a recent comp release which has picked up some good reviews. As the title says the main focus of this album is featuring Chess related tracks that have been sampled over the years. Double Cd with 42 tracks  at what appears to be an affordable price Words and preview clips follow Black Gold: Samples, Breaks & Rare Grooves From The Chess Records Archives Featuring a wealth of irresistible funky floorshakers and sumptuous, sought-after sample cuts,including certified clas

Ian Snowball has been in touch with a word about an upcoming book, titled Black Music White Britain written by Pete McKenna and Ian Snowball Planned for a Dec 2013 launch, this books approach seems to be along the lines of a journey through the heritage of black music in Britain Here's the blurb from the website... BLACK MUSIC WHITE BRITAIN is exactly what it says on the album sleeve. A journey through the constantly changing heritage of black music in Britain that began on the tw

Out now! Epsilon 016 BLACK SMOKE BAND: I'LL KEEP SEARCHING  / GET'N OFF - EPSILON RECORD CO.    The Black Smoke Band were comprised of five members Norwell McNeill on lead vocals (and songwriting duties) Bobby Moore on bass guitarJames Jacobs on lead guitar Joe McLaughlin on keyboards Ronnie Brewington on drums. Joe was also the man behind the band’s resources, financing both the musical kit and studio time.All of the members hail from the town o

Another fine release from Kent this month - for this release the focus is on Jerry Williams... Blame It on the Dogg: the Swamp Dogg Anthology 1968-1978 CATALOGUE NUMBER CDKEND 293 A few clips from the ace records site article... Over the years, soul music has thrown up its share of characters and one such, definitely larger than life and indeed than his physical stature, is Jerry Williams Jr, better known as Swamp Dogg. Outrageous, outsp

BMR 1005 THE SENSATIONS - DEMANDING MAN B/W JESSE FISHER - YOU'RE NOT LOVING A BEGINNER BIG MAN RECORDS UNDER LICENCE FROM NUMERO GROUP TO BIG MAN RECORDS FROM  MASTERS, TWO WAY OUT RECORDS SUBLIME SOUL BACK TO BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK, RELEASED THIS WEEK 5/8/2021, COMES IN BLACK CARD SLEEVE, STICKER IDENT, COLLECTORS CARD IN A HIGH GRADE POLY BAG. £20.00 EACH PLUS £4.00 UK POSTAGE & £9.00 REST OF THE WORLD, PAY PAL AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO AVOID FEES INCLUDE ADDRESS PLEASE PAY

Following on from BMR 1007 we are pleased to announce the release of BMR 1008 Jesse Johnson - Left Out B/W Yvonne & The Violets - Cross My Heart - Big Man Records, under licence from Embassy Music Corporation from Old Town/Barry Masters, comes in a mini custom album sleeve, collectors card in a poly sleeve & includes a 75mm Big Man Records sticker. To order pm here or email bicknellmark@aol.com will be available in the Soul Source store, directly from Big Man records and various rec

BMR 1009 TOPICS/METRICS DUE DATE FOR RELEASE IS ON OR AROUND OCTOBER 21ST, RESERVE LIST IS STRONG ON THIS RELEASE AND WE HAVE NOW OPENED PRE ORDERS, CUSTOMER OPTION AND CHOICE TO RESERVE OR PRE ORDER NOW.   DUE DATE FOR RELEASE ON OR AROUND OCTOBER 21ST QUIK_20220615_190939.mp4     UNDER LICENCE FROM ACE RECORDS TO BIG MAN RECORDS, COMES IN A CUSTOM PICTURE SLEEVE, A6 COLLECTORS CARD IN A POLY SLEEVE, LARGE FULL SIZE LABELS DEMO AND ISSUE OPTIONS, ALL FREE OF C

WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE MISSPRESS LABEL'S REVERSED ERROR HAS NOW BEEN RECTIFIED, THE NEW PRODUCTION RUN IS DUE TO BR SHIPPED TO US ON DECEMBER 13TH WITH AN ETA OF DECEMBER 20TH, SOON AS THE RECORDS ARRIVE ALL PRE ORDERS AND WHOLESALE WILL BE PROCESSED AND SHIPPED. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY WORRYING TIME BUT NOW RESOLVED, JUST LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE REGARDING THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.

WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF BMR 1014 JIMMY RADCLIFFE- 'THE THRILL OF LOVING YOU' B/W 'YOU MADE A MAN OF ME' DUE OUT FIRST WEEK IN MAY 2023, TWO PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED TRACKS REMASTERED, SLEEVE NOTES BY ANDY RIX, COMES IN A CUSTOM CARD PICTURE SLEEVE, A6 COLLECTORS CARD IN A POLY OUTER SLEEVE. TWO SUBLIME RECORDINGS FROM JIMMY RADCLIFFE, TOP SIDE IS A FABULOUS DOWN TO MID TEMPO MASTER CLASS IN THE BIG CITY SOUL STYLE WITH AN OUT AND OUT SLAB OF NORTHERN SOUL ON THE FLIP. ORIGINAL

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEXT RELEASE BMR 1018 - THE EMBERS - 'FIRST TIME'/'I WANNA BE (YOUR EVERYTHING)' FOLLOWING ON FROM BMR 1017  - 'JUST CRAZY 'BOUT YOU BABY/'AWARE OF LOVE' CONTINUING WITH THE SOUND OF THE EMBERS, THIS JCP NORTHERN SOUL MONSTER FIRST CHAMPIONED ON THE SCENE BY THE LIKES OF GUY HENNIGAN, AN EMBERS ORIGINAL SONG WRITTEN BY JACKIE GORE HAS BECOME A BIG COLLECTABLE ON IT'S USA ORIGINAL,  WITH THEIR FABULOUS COVER OF THE MANHATTANS CARNIVAL CLASSIC 'I WANNA BE (YOUR EV

The follow on says it all really... From Daptone recent news of a remastered pressing of the ever so fine lp If This World Were Mine Ten years ago we were excited to release an archival collection of the sweetest soul from upstate New York in the 1960s; Bob & Gene's If This World Were Mine.... The beautifully packaged LP sold out quickly and has remained out-of-print ever since. It’s stature has grown over the years and is, these days, a desirable but hard-to-find record for fans

Interesting pre-release news from Daptone on another 'collaboration between  2017 The Inversions and 1971 Bob and Gene Bob & Gene ft. The Inversions - It's Not What You Know (It's Who You Know) Here are... the blurb and track Producer Victor “Ticklah” Axelrod is back with another supple Reggae delight. After the success of The Inversions' last collaboration with Bob & Gene, Axelrod once again takes a seat in the Producer’s chair, this time with a tune a little deeper in th

“The Stax Museum of American Soul Music announced today that it has acquired one of the world’s most prestigious and storied collections of soul music records comprised mainly of rare records by lesser-known artists from Chicago’s culturally rich South Side community from the 1960s and 1970s. The collection is from the estate of famed record collector, disc jockey, and oral historian Bob Abrahamian of Chicago, who died by suicide in 2014 at age 35.” Full story here: https://www.goldmin

A story that appeared in my Facebook feed this morning. It's a very fitting tribute to a man who was so devoted to this wonderful music.   Story here: https://blogs.colum.edu/cbmr/2018/10/30/sweet-soul/

Here's a tasty slice of summer pie from Daptones Ever Soul imprint... Bob and Gene -: "It's Not What You Know (It's Who You Know)" - "Lonely Nights" below form the daptone site Tweezed from the beautiful MO DO tape boondoggle, back in '05-6, this un-released single has been a planned release for some time and an office favorite for too long. At the tail end of the "Bob & Gene" era, say about 1970-'71, the duo was a little frustrated. Despite the time and effort the young men wer

Bob Holmes' Nashville Soul  The latest releases from Kent have just hit the streets running this weekend. First off word about a 'tie in release'.... Bob Holmes' Nashville Soul CDKEND 463 As always an informative booklet accompanies, 18 pages of photos and hard core soul info. Release Notes Preview 'In the 60s and 70s, Nashville was a hothouse of R&B, soul and jazz. Bob Holmes was a central character. With the publication of E Mark Windle’s book House Of Br

Just had an unconfirmed report that the great Bobby 'Blue' Bland passed away this afternoon. The great man was a blues and soul legend, known for his classic "Call On Me" amongst others on the Northern Soul scene and many more amongst the Blues/Soul fraternity.   So glad I got to see the great man perform on a couple of occasions.   Rest In Peace Mr Bland   Sean       added by site   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Bland       http://news.yahoo.com/blues-singer-bobby-blue-bland-dies-83-033144

The death of the Spinners Bobby (Bobbie) Smith has been flagged up on his page on Wiki. It states there that he passed last Wednesday (March 13th)   Surely such a major happening on the soul music scene should have registered in the music press ? added by site Seems that this sad news has now been confirmed via various soul sites out there Title photo (l to r) Philippe Wynne, Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, Bobbie Smith and Henry Fambrough Wikipeda Link h

Released today on Streetsoul Records.The Ultimate 45!! Bobby Boyd "Why Are You Crying" from the ultra rare 1976 album b/w the previously unreleased "I Went Along With Your Program" Killer real soul! First time on a 45 for this. Go to www.streetsoulrecords.com Listen to this at http://www.streetsou....com/page44.htm Also available from Crazy Beat, Simpl

Bobby Byrd - Help For My Brother - The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-68  A most recent release from the BGP label, this album concerns itself with the works of Bobby Byrd before his later groundbreaking funk singles bringing together for the first time the tracks he recorded for Federal, Smash and King A preview of the cd release notes by Dean Rudland follow, the full notes can be read via the Ace records site (link below) Without Bobby Byrd there would have been no James Brown, whose who

Fantastic new download album from Mr Bobby Cutchins. Includes quality re-edits of his 'known' tracks 'I Did It Again' & 'Leaving'. Also love 'Next To Me' that also features Cool Million. Listen to all the tracks below. http://bobbycutchins.../album/timeless

Just had the sad news highlighted by member @Rick Cooper that Bobby Freeman passed on 28th January 2017 in Anson, Texas, U.S.A.  Robert Thomas "Bobby" Freeman (June 13, 1940 – January 2017) Freeman was born in Alameda County and raised in San Francisco, California.He attended Mission High School.[4] He started singing in a doo-wop group, the Romancers, in his early teens, and first recorded with them for Dootone Records in 1956. Their recordings included "House Cat", included on severa

On Friday in San Diego. A hugely talented man and a vital part of Philly soul and the Philly Sound     added by site   From The Philly Post   The Philadelphia Sound is weeping today at the passing of classic R&B producer and composer Bobby Martin, who passed away Friday at a San Diego, Calif. hospital. He was 83.   Best known for his arrangement of Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones” and his work on the Soul Train theme song, Martin started his long-running career right here in Philly in 1959.

From Bobby Moore & the Rhythm Aces $1000-rated 'Dedication of Love' LP, here's one of the best tracks! Previously unreleased on 45, licensed from the late Bobby's Moore's son.   Available on our website NOW, otherwise in the shops in a week or two:   http://www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk/bobby-moore-the-rhythm-aces-what-is-that-you-got-loves-got-a-hold-on-me     highlight grab from above link added by site   He gained fame and fortune with his million-selling Checker 45 'Searching for My Love', ye

Bobby Oroza. His sophomore album, Get On The Otherside, is out worldwide today.  Get On The Otherside updates the soulful musical formula that Bobby introduced on his first record, This Love, alongside the production of frequent collaborators Cold Diamond & Mink. Lyrically though, the album steps further into unflinching reflections on himself than he ever has before, after being drawn back into construction work during the pandemic to provide for his family. Confronted with a lack of s

Out last month from  Timmion Records sub - label Stylart. Described as deep with a beat, this recent released track does have shades of the Bobby Sansom about it. Flip is a part 2 which adds something to the main version and works well Can read and listen below 1 Bobby Oroza - This Love, Pt. 1 [Timmion] 2 Bobby Oroza - This Love, Pt. 2 [Timmion] Timmion sub-label rolls out another deep with a beat beauty with singer Bobby Oroza. Bobby's own story in soul music

Bobby Parker - Soul Of The Blues - Cd and Lp The below links will take you to the site of Rhythm and Blues Records who have just made available the wonderful recordings that Bobby Parker left behind. Bobby died seven years ago now and did not leave us that many recordings. Not only was he under-recorded, but most of what he did went unreleased in the UK.   http://rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk/?product=bobby-parker-soul-of-the-blues-2cd http://rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk/?product=bob

Just had a message that Philly legendary guitarist Bobby Parker has passed. Bobby's guitar riff from his 1961 single ""Watch Your Step" which was released on Bobby Caldwell's V Tone label was an iconic slice of music that was used by many groups/song writers for the next decade. Haven't too many details yet but will add them as I find out more. .   Regards,   Dave