jazzyjas

That's a good idea. I'll have a look around the DC Soul recordings web site. SEVILLE-Got the scan now! Thank you Gareth Donovan! -J.

Well folks, I'm deep in the thick of putting the Al Johnson story together and just a handful of images are proving elusive. If anybody has: 1. Show Me the Way-Seville-Kayo-VERY IMPORTANT 2. CJ's Uptown Crew ('Forever On My Mind')-Washington Hit Makers-1990 3. Damion and Denita-MCA-LP cover preferrably and 45 label (if it's Al's work) 4. Love Is the Answer by Jay Player-Bevnik-VERY IMPORTANT 5. Back For More-Columbia-WHITE DEMO ONLY 6. 45 label for "School of the Groove" 7. Symba 45-Venture-Calling Dave Fleming 8. Positive Change-proper label scans I would love to get high resolution scans/digital images as JPEG files of all those records. Feel free to e-mail the files to: jazzyjas@bellsouth.net Credit will be given in the next issue and a complimentary copy to those who supply me with final images. Also, if there are any serious AL Johnson fans with oddball items that might be overlooked, feel free to speak up. I just did a comprehensive story about the Unifics and I'm also looking to do Al up big style. Thanks in advance Soul Sourcers! -Jason

How about: Shirley Bassey-Don't Take the Lovers From the World-UA I've got to disagree on Clara Ward. The fuzz guitars definitely pull her out of the church straight away but her voice still sounds very rootsy. Verve really had access to some amazing musicians to play on all those sessions. Some of the top jazz guys are playing on Howard Tate's LP, Howard Guyton's single and so many others. Tight musicianship on all that Verve stuff. Creed Taylor at work. But for white sounding black vocals, my all time favorite is Jesse Davis "Gonna Hang on in There Girl" on Era. I love the way he sings "I'm well prepayrrred for the task!" I must crank that song up in my car at least three to four times a week. Absolutely can't get enough of that track. -J. But to illustrate the point of the thread-you MUST watch this: ">

If money was no object, the real thrill would be having the means to go on the hunt for as long as you want or as long as it takes-just keep filling up a truck with records everywhere the road takes you. I've dreamed for many years about travelling cross country in the States or going to other countries and just snatching up all sorts of things on vinyl in many different genres. One thrill would be to buy out a massive load of records and just pick through every little piece and find something that no one has ever heard. The possibility of new sounds is such a good motivating factor for me. Some of the best records I've ever owned were paid for with small amounts of money and found in such strange and amazing circumstances. Those memories of finding the record for 50 cents or $1.00 are just as exciting for me. But you've got to admit, you'd love to just roll up to someone like Manship and just say "I'll take that....that...that...oh and that one, too!" Admit it folks-the whole reason we want money is so we can get more records! I've been collecting for 30 years and I'm only about to turn 37. It's all I've been thinking about the whole time and I've got years ahead of me. I'm definitely a lifer! Let's go get a lottery ticket! -J.

That guy that came into Val Shively's...WAS IT "THE COUNT"? anybody with me, here? -J.

I've spoken to Mike Terry on various occasions about interviewing and/or meeting the great man in person, but sadly, this never materialized. I'm deeply regretting this now and it goes without saying that he's a major loss to the music World in general, not just NS. I echo Dave's sentiments that we've got a duty to fulfill to celebrate his life's work. Just sad that it will be done posthumously. -Jas

Tell you what Russ...can't help you with the venue, but you can use my microphone! I'll also talk to the guy over at the Best Western and ship that snap-together dancefloor to you pronto! Just like Hitsville 2006! -J.

All Sold Out-Apollas-Loma Love You So Bad-Empires-Candi Let Love Be True-Naturals-Smash I Have Searched-Robby Lawson-Kyser Won't You Please Be My Girl-Soulville All Stars-Soulville Everybody's Gotta Lose Someday-Del Cords-Mr. Genius Baby Baby All the Time (later version)-Superbs-Dore Electrified Love-Ernie Hines-We Produce Confessin' a Feeling-Tony Ownes-Soulin' Man Loves Two-Chuck Corby-Sound I Wanna Chance-Vows-Markay Under the Street Lamp-Exits-Gemini That's the Price You Have to Pay-Brenda/Tabs-Dionn Gotta Find My Way Back Home-Jaggerz-Gamble and this absolute KILLER: Let's Prove Them Wrong-Debbie Taylor-GWP So many great slow sounds! -Jas

I suspected who the "Denita" was but I can ask Al himself who Damion is. I'd like to hear the music, so if you could post it, that would be great. I'm going to have to pick that record up, but label scans would also be nice. By the way, the Symba LP turned up yesterday and it definitely does not disappoint. There are loads of great tracks on it and the arrangements by Al are top notch of course. Side 2 is especially good. I also dug out my Bloodstone "Don't Stop" LP on Motown from 1978 that Al worked on. That LP is mostly ballads, but there's a really nice track called "Just Want to Get the Feel of it" that might appeal to modern soul fans. If it weren't so long, it would probably work on the dancefloor. -Jas The Al Johnson 45 on Marina is also in transit.

I'm no poetry expert, but that was absolutely brilliant in my opinion. It sort of makes you see it all in slow motion in a dreamlike state. I haven't experienced all of that, but the visuals were extremely vivid with every line I read. I can't relate to any of the drug references, but I can fully relate to being in the moment, lost in the music, soaking up every little bit of it while it's happening, and feeling that special feeling the music gives you. It's a spiritual high that you chase once you're hooked as a soul fan. It makes you do crazy things "go to great lengths, spend money, make sacrifices, etc. I've never been to any soul event outside of the US and even I can relate. Apart from where you were, where you went or any of that-it's the music. The music is at the very core of it all. It has something magical about it that can't be denied. Without it...no NS, no SS, no poem or anything! It doesn't matter what age you are or where you are in the World or what language you speak. The music hits you, something clicks inside your brain...and that's it-you're hooked. And you're right...outsiders will never understand no matter how hard they try. That guy Swish has talent and passion "so much that he needed to put it to poetry. That says a lot. -Jas

Dickey Doo is none other than famous producer of many a great Northern Soul record-Mr. Gerry Granahan. -Jason

Nooney Rickett, since someone already beat me to Marion Sodd. Pee Wee Shuck and Huey's a good one too. I've heard all those Val Shively records and they're great. Excellent doo wop acapellas. Their version of "Stormy Weather" is my favorite. -J.

Excellent! Thanks very much! -J.

Yes-I'll take a scan of that 45 for sure! send to: jazzyjas@bellsouth.net Thanks! -Jason

Peaceful got a second CD release in the past few years with a mini hard LP cover. Back in 1999 or thereabouts, there was a short lived CD reissue of both LPs on one disc. You never see that. My Symba LP should drop on my doorstep tomorrow. Looking forward to listening to it. -Jas

Well that would make sense because neither the Burt or the South Camp releases sound like anything that the Carnival Time Al Johnson would do. That thing on South Camp is dynamite, though. Yes, Al Johnson told me that he was working as a bandleader for a review that involved Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler and Lloyd. Seems he's always got some sort of musical project on the boil. -Jas

The US has had one of the most consistent Jazz-Funk scenes ever since 1974. It was David Mancuso who influenced hundreds of DJs and music lovers in NYC and eventually around the World. We don't use the term "Jazz Funk". We say "that's a Loft record" or that's a "Garage" record, referring to Paradise Garage or David Mancuso's "Loft". But for the purposes of UK music fans, it's some of the finest Jazz Funk ever. Some of it is spacey Disco and other styles. Just a short list: 1. Home is Where the Hatred is-Gil Scott Heron 2. Movin'-Brass Construction 3. Shakara-Fela 4. Light On the Path-Brian Auger's Oblivion Express 5. New York City-Miroslav Vitous 6. Whistle Bump-Deodato 7. Love Money-TW Funkmasters 8. Sun Palace-Rude Movements 9. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now-Risco Connections 10. Life On Mars-Dexter Wansel 11. Funk-A-Nova-Wood Brass & Steel 12. Mysteries of the World-MFSB 13. Expansions-Lonnie Liston Smith 14. Rock Creek Park-Blackbyrds 15. SOS-Matsubara 16. Dancing In Outer Space-Atmosfear 17. Feelin' Good/Delerium-Francine McGhee 18. Soul Makossa-Manu Dibango 19. Woman-Barrabas 20. Just In Time and Space-Raw Silk Tons more like that. A lot of this stuff is still really popular in places like NYC especially because the Loft memories still resonate with so many people. If you look at my list, you'll see similarities to the UK Jazz Funk scene. I think there are people all over the World that are up for this type of stuff. Some of them might even be hiding on Soul Source... -Jas

Ahh right. The one on Burt is a different Al Johnson. There's also a wicked Al Johnson record on South Camp that is fantastic but I believe it's a different guy as well. I'll be sure to get that clarified, but both records came out during the time the Unifics were putting things out. One or both records might be by the famous Al "Carnival Time" Johnson from New Orleans. Might be three of these guys! Yes-I've seen that French 12" and I'm definitely looking to get one, as well as the US white label 12". "School of the Groove" is tremendous when you hear it out loud in a club. I played it once back in Baltimore. You should have heard it... -Jas

Natural Impulse-She Went Away Timeless Legend-I Was Born to Love You I've Got It-Tolbert I've Got My Second Wind-Al Johnson (Peaceful LP Version) I'm Back For More-Al Johnson and Jean Carne I Don't Need Nobody Else-Norman Connors (Al Johnson on vocals) We Got One-Matt Covington I'm Gonna Miss Ya-Aaron Broomfield I could go on forever! -Jas

Thanks for the information and the clips. Just bought the Symba LP a few days ago. I'm also onto the other stuff you mentioned. Gonna do my best to put all the pieces of the puzzle together! Thanks again! -Jas

Yes Dave-Tom Fauntleroy remembers meeting you and Bev in NJ for the SoulTrip weekend. These guys are great and it's a shame that they didn't get to perform. They would have gained some new fans for sure. I also want to thank John Reed for sending me a scan of the Al Johnson discography from Voices From the Shadows magazine. I'd like to get two copies of that mag so I can have one and send one to Al himself. It's the one with Jesse James on the cover. I found a few things missing from that discography like a later Terry Huff single, an obscure duet from 1973 and an LP called Symba from 1982. If anyone's got some info on some of Al's more obscure projects, let me know. I'm also after high resolution 300DPI JPEG scans of the Jay Player record on Bevnik and the 45 by Seville "Show Me the Way" (what a great track). Send to: jazzyjas@bellsouth.net Any Unifics foreign issues/demos as well as US white demos on Kapp, trade ads, etc. are also welcome. It's all going to find its way onto the pages of a future issue of There's That Beat! so any help would be appreciated. I'd also like to invite all Soul Sourcers to speak up if they have any questions for Al and the Unifics. Dave and Bev and I get the magazine out there into circulation, but it's really a collaboration of Soul fans all over the World-that means all of you as well. Thanks for the continued support! -Jason

Gonna go with Marvin Gaye. For me, his voice practically defines the whole genre and his ability to convey emotion can't be beat. Pulling off socially conscious songs just as well as sensual ballads is no easy feat but he did it effortlessly. -J.

Such an amazing thread! Thanks so much for sharing these inside stories with all of us! It's hard to imagine all the behind the scenes stuff that went on to make some of these records. So great to hear the real stories from those involved. You've unearthed another chapter in musical history and I can say on behalf of soul and musical fans in general, that we truly appreciate you coming on here and showing us your World. -Jason

EXCELLENT...been looking around the site. THANKS SWIFTY! -Jas PS. Also-thank you John Reed for offering scans!

Looked for "Voices From the Shadows" but couldn't find a web site or back issues on eBay. I found a reference to an article on Soulwalking.co.uk but that's about it. Michael Stokes, Al Johnson...sounds like my cup of tea for sure. Either way, I'd like to get my hands on some of these issues. Is the mag still in print or long since defunkt? I've heard of it, but have never seen one. Back to work on my mag and Dave Moore's...There's That Beat! -Jas