The Sly...the Slick...& He Is Wicked....!x

[Sooty]

Morning folks...X Just read up on all since i;ve been away and have to say first and foremost...happy birthday Russ Vickers...X....welcome Adey Pierce whom I did business with back in the 90's and it was always a pleasure!x The other point that I feel the need to make is to say great news to hear Keb is ok too....X

For those 'regulars' who read all.....then Abs has calmed down....she protects me and luvs me init!!!x I thank all who gave us their good wishes for various reasons...and.......erm....how come she can tell you all I may have a maintenance payment to consider yet I just get Vagara to come home too??? Wot's that all about?!x.....no....really?!x

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There is much I can tell you based on recent days of finding out the reality over there. However....most ain't nice. Do not look at the nice pics around the periphery as shown by media with reporters in nice clean shirts. They ain't been beyond 'safety'. I have considered seriously what to share with you that would be useful....and it is this....

 

The Philippines have cornered the market of 'telesales' over recent years here in the UK. Many Energy/Telecoms Company's have based their call centres out there. You have also all had calls from Company's proporting to be from 'The Internet' suggesting they have found problems in your computer....and all kinds of other 'scams'. Well...the Philippines is a corrupt State....always has been. These call centres are all 'paying' some Govt Official somewhere to be able to trade and scam you.....end of. Those 'established' connections....were also being mobilised to co-ordinate YOUR charitable donations. Part of the 'security' Charity's require are the logistics to funnel any donations. It may please you to know that 7 of these 'rogue' outfits who had had around £1/2 million between them in 2 days.....have been 'taken out' of any loop channeling funds for the disatster 'officially'. As a consequence....some have taken it upon themselves to go 'independent' as of yesterday. My advice to all of you is.....DO NOT give money to anyone calling you from the Philippines with any cry for help. Any cash you may want to give then give it through British recognised Charity's or Govt initiatives. I can't say their systems are perfect either but certainly the majority of that money reaches the affected.

 

Like a fellow Soulie has witnessed with his collection disappearing....which I feel for (X)....whenever there is adversity.,....there is opportunity too.

That trait in humanity reaches the absolute sewer in disasters such as the Philippines as shown above...but...it also produces the best in us too. As an independent Journalist I have met many men and women around the World providing 'private' security for all kinds of conflict/war zones and disaster hit Country's out there. Indeed at present there are more of these folk left operating in Iraq/Kuwait and Afghanistan than any Governments armed forces! This is what I found out.....up to 20 'hard core' 'vets' who up until 3 months ago were in Afghanistan supporting Charity's in the nether regions to try and encourage farmers to try alternative crops to poppy's......as that initiative has finished and Charity's ending their thankless task.....these folk have turned up in the Philippines...for free.......to answer a genuine humanitarian need. In context....they are on £5k a week out there doing their jobs usually. I know of at least 20....who have offered their services from their heart to assist Charity's. That....'hidden' story....is one i;m proud to share with you all....not all guys and gals with guns are baddies.....lest we forget!!x

 

So...that's 'serious' stuff outta the way....it could be considered the sly.....who have been rounded by slicker operatives...which would be wicked.....but....those descriptions are reserved for happier things....like this!x

 

Several weeks ago my producer mate Pete and I put some 'feelers' out there about some of our music projects. We had numerous responses from the world of Soul....which has resulted in several 'interviews' and meeting some modern singers who have had chart toppers in recent years. Out of that search....has come summink 'wicked'!x

 

....errr....yep....About 7 hours ago The Zoots Collective have added another 'quality' singer for future and current projects......and all I needed was to hear his voice! Then he tells me Edwin Starr was his best man at his wedding....and I knew I was bang on with my decision!x I have put this info here because you lot will know more than me......i'm sure!!x

 

 

Ronnie Canada....is his name......and comes with much 'cred' too!! But personally...his past is irrelevant....he can sing...like Edwin could...end of.

In our first proper meet 'today' he shared soooo much 'history' with me that to be honest....i've forgotten most already!!! Whether it was Wild Cherry....or The O'Jays...Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes....S.O.U.L....George McCrae.....Lou Ragland......Lou Rawls.....Teddy Pendergrass and looooads more like that...he grew up with them all....and I have been given information overload....which.....I needed.....a super distraction to come home too...init!x I'm playing the....Play That Funky Music Wild guitar......and I look forward to sharing with you 'privately' as to the story told us behind it....!!!!x

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Here is a link to his profile as such...

 

https://www.dicore.nl/ronnie-canada/

 

I have listened to his Utube clips from Atlantic soul  live covers to modern Garage/dance tracks which hit the heights of Judge Jules show 30 years after he was 'wicked'...in this....aged 25....and from the record sales/SS old threads....appears to have had exposure on the Soul Scene...?!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjH2iSH60x0

He said he was supposed to have taken the lead on the track instead of backing....but....the lead was more 'white' sounding and suited the suits at the time from a 'commercial' perspective. It's his 1 regret....and to be honest......his voice woulda 'rocked' it methinks!x We is 'on it' to make him happy!!!x This track features on the Soul Togetherness 2005 compilation.....which he knows nowt about either!!!!

 

 

He was the lead in a modern group called 'Caviar'...and sung this which he knows nowt about as far as its impact on the Northern scene...if any!!?!!! Willing to be educated we is!!!x

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDbC6ES6WIs

 

So...some excitement to return too.....and hope you didn't mind me sharing my genuine excitement at working with such a 'quality' singer with such 'pedigree'....X I am off to kip now but am meeting him again for some local media stuff and will have some 'quality' time before he jets off.....so if anyone has any questions I can ask him.......nowt to do wiv the Lou Ragland tune/vinyl..........beeeehaaaave......hehe....but....any questions that you would be interested in the answer then i would gladly report back later on his reply!x He sez it as it is too...so feel free!!x

 

Thanx for reading....and for all you posters who expressed a feeling....and PMers....thanx for caring......I appreciate it sincerely...X

 

LUV
SOOTY
X

 

This is me fav track he's done from my modern perspective.....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIF9OWYePxU

 

 

..and the reason he came to us????.......he liked our no time for bo**ox approach to music and the industry.....and has been blown away with what we've done with some Soul tracks.....like I was when first hearing Pete's genius!!!!!!x

Ooops....he also said he has tracks him and Edwin recorded 'privately'......in his possession!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He sings quite often when talking........and i'll tell you this.....i've stood as close to Edwin to know....and the man has got it...!x Angelo...Edwin's brother...has Ronnie involved in recording some of Edwin's tracks both established and unreleased stuff for albums being compiled.....and....given their relationship over the years...and his natural talent.......Angelo knows best methinks!!!x

PM with Q's or leave them here and if it's ok with Mike to do that i'll answer 'em later....if there is any!!!x We will be together from lunchtime till 3pmish today.....or from when i get up.....so any Q's I can get answered before that as we is on line at the studio!x

Tis good to be 'ome'.....X

 

.....awwww jeeez.....who left a box of Jaffa cakes in me bed........wot??........eh?........good to be innocent on occasion....I reckon!x

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Edited November 14, 2013 by SOOTY

[Sooty]

"The other point that I feel the need to make is to say great news to hear Keb is ok too....X"

 

Further to PM's....I took this to be the case based on the thread I read in here which suggested he was fine as at 7.30pm last night. Nobody had countered it....but....i've been told his close family have heard nothing up until 5pm last night.  So...sorry to be presumptuous based on comment in here...X My intentions were sincere and I have offered practical help if indeed it may be required to try and get more accurate news if none is where it is required...X

 

LUV
SOOTY
X

 

p.s...looking to the future positively....Ronnie is coming to the 100 Club with us to learn more about Northern/Rare Soul of which he said Edwin always spoke well of....in fact he went as far to say....'you all treated him better than Motown......'....which told me we spoke the same language....X

 

[Steve G]

Ronnie Canada - wow - best soul piece you have ever posted on here Sooty.

 

SS&W is the best version of "All I want is you" by far, and Caviar solid bass line dancer! Bring it on....

 

 

 

 

 

PS: Welcome back to UK

Edited November 14, 2013 by Steve G

[Sooty]

Ronnie Canada - wow - best soul piece you have ever posted on here Sooty.

 

SS&W is the best version of "All I want is you" by far, and Caviar solid bass line dancer! Bring it on....

 

 

 

 

 

PS: Welcome back to UK

 

....part of me ever increasing interest in decent soul music mate!!x We have the same interests obviously.....!x He wants to do some 'chunky' RnB/gritty feel stuff......and luvs our ability to fuse generations and genres together.....him and Pete have been 'on it' for 2 days solid including today!!! I know noooofink until I get to hear bits at the studio later today!!x I just popped in for the happy snaps yesterday......i'm a mooosic mogul now init!!!!x

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LUV

SOOTY

X

 

I'll show him this thread and he will be pleased with your comments for definite Steve...thanx....X