Triode

REVIEW - RARE SOUL BIBLE VOLUME 2. BY DAVE RIMMER Dave Rimmer is a well-known and respected figure in Northern Soul circles and in his 25+ years on the scene has DJ'd just about the full length of the U.K. As well as Europe so clearly he knows his onions, His second instalment of his "Rare Soul Bible" series is a welcome source of reference for artists & label info such as release dates, label release numbers as well as those very useful flip side titles, so for this type of reference this bible is essential. Interspersed within the listings are Dave's personnel recollections & photographs from the many live appearances & events that he as attended over his many years on the circuit. Comprehensive listings of a vast number of artists, plus many listing individual group members’ names as well, thus makes this my type of reference book, quite why so many of us soul lovers like this sort of detail is a mystery but the fact is we do! A number of artists within the book have been selected for in depth coverage, with a detailed biography & discography listing some fascinating tales & recollections, likewise selected label imprints & owners are given similar in depth features, one particular one that caught my interest was Don Robey`s Peacock record stable that included Back Beat, Sure Shot & Duke from all accounts Mr Robey sounds a larger than life character who’s business operations often stretched the limits of legality! From Artic, Arock imprints all the way through to Zell’s & Zodiac & I certainly didn't spot any gaps, a number of interesting topics are also dealt with such has "Don't become a D.J.!", "So you want to run an All-Nighter?"........ A true labour of love just like his acclaimed website http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net this has understandably taken Dave some fourteen years to produce & that is not at all surprising when you consider the shear mass of detailed information included, as stated in his mission statement it is his aim "to produce the most complete discography section of sixties soul artists possible, and to set them out in a clear and easily understood format." Well the book delivers in full, my only criticism would be that all the photographs are reproduced in black and, but this may well have been out of Dave`s control nonetheless this is a recommended purchase and worthy of a 4-star rating. Paul Johnson May 2016

California Soul - Funk & Soul from the Golden State 1967-1976 CD BGPD 298 First of all, I'm probably not the best individual to review this album, as my knowledge of the Funk genre is at its best limited - perhaps this will give a more balanced review let's see! A varied selection of tempos from the West Coast spanning the period of 1967 - 1976, as you would probably, there is a fair degree of funk orientated tunes from a selection of respected Californian purveyors such as Dore, Money & Pzazz amongst others. I admit that well over half of the content is new to myself…… Let's kick off with the product I am familiar with; The Ballads had a relatively long 20-year career by West Coast standards having first formed in 1965 and originally cutting product for Vee-Jay. This time featuring their song "Butterfly" AKA "I wish I knew,"- the problem is, as a long standing fan of the original take on Mickey Stevenson's Venture imprint, I'm afraid for me the rerecording featuring a new lead and a faster tempo doesn't quite match up, especially considering the original vocal is very reminiscent of the wonderful David Ruffin. In fact, very similar indeed - none the less a good version of a song, penned by Leon Ware & Susaye Green, this later version has slightly diluted lead vocal and an over complicated music track that tries too hard and detracts from the song. But I am unashamedly biased towards the original Venture version, clearly the group felt differently releasing this version on at least two further occasions on Music City and later on the Balja imprint. The next track I am familiar with – ‘Warm Excursion’ - "Hang Up" on Paul Gayton's Pzzaz imprint. Being a fan of the Hammond organ, this appeals to me and although I don't recall hearing this played to a dance floor, I would be surprised if it hadn't been featured in the past and would probably appeal to the newer funk biased soul venues without upsetting the "4 beats to the bar" traditionalists, in a similar groove to Frankie Crocker's "Ton of Dynamite." Apparently a number of groups recorded under the Choice of Colour moniker "If she wants to go" was recorded for Money records in 1974. This is one of choice cuts from this collection and sounds just right for now even with its tricky tempo. The Entertainers IV will be known by many fans of their Dore releases such as "My Garden of Eden" & "Don't Look Back" but this time we focus on "Just ain't my day." As you would expect, its well up to their usual high standard and will appeal to group collectors along with the dancers, with its less obvious tempo & great backing vocals they certainly could deliver the goods. Juno Records Player Brenda George's Kent recording of "What you see is what you’re gonna get," again sounds just right for the funk edged northern soul crowd, with pleading vocals on a super backing track- it's an up tempo West Coast winner. ZZ Hills "Think People" is your typical song with a message from the early 1970's - pleasant but not ground-breaking. I have been a fan of Little Johnny Hamilton since first hearing his epic "Oh how I love you" (Dore). Therefore, I was looking forward to hearing the two tracks (A & B sides) on this album but was frankly left cold by these recordings for the Watts Way label "The Git Down Parts" 1 & 2 when I am afraid part one would have been more than enough! It's probably ultra-rare & there's a very good reason for that. Other tracks including The Calif. Soul Explosion & Jesse & Anita fared no better to my senses I'm afraid. The Soul Sensations Music City recording from 1973, got things back on track with "When I had my baby" a really nice ballad, with sparse backing, a committed, if young sounding vocal with the tempo slightly increasing momentarily towards the end…. before returning to its former - excellent stuff! The Natural Resources "Funky with my stuff"(Dore) is pleasant enough without achieving the desired effect. Although I'm familiar with the recordings of Eddie Horan is "I'm gonna speak out" is new to me and maybe a little left field but none the worse for that and has gone straight on the wants list.... anybody? Eleanor Rigby- "Is it worth it all" is a pleasant vocal on lightweight almost demo-like backing track that as grown on me over a number of listening sessions. In summary a game of two halves, one soulful, melodic & polished, with the other half sometimes messy with an overabundance of wah wah self-indulgence… perhaps I'm just not funky enough! Star rating 3 Paul Johnson May 2016 Video Ad Tracks 1. If she wants to go - Choice of Colour 2. Just ain't my day - The Entertainers IV 3. What you see is what you get - Brenda George 4. Strike - Union 5. Think People - Z.Z. Hill 6. The Git Down part 1 - Little Johnny Hamilton & the Soul Pack 7. The Git Down part 2 - Little Johnny Hamilton & the Soul Pack 8. The Feeling - Calif. Soul Explosion 9. The Man (Y'all keep on watching you) - Jesse & Anita 10. Thank you for the party - Chuck Thurman 11. When I had you, baby - The Soul Sensations 12. Butterfly aka I wish I knew - The Ballads 13. Funky with my stuff - The Natural Resources Unpolluted 14. I'm gonna speak out - Eddie Horan 15. Check me out - Little Denise 16. Hang Up (part 1) - Warm Excursion (Terrible Three) 17. Pickin' Cotton - Johnny Talbot & the De-Thangs 18. Tuned in & Turned on - Alvin Robinson 19. Is it worth it all - Eleanor Rigby 20. The Sneak - The Douzer 21. You don't know - Vernon Green & the Medallions 22. Earthquake - Rulie Garcia Test Deezer More info via http://acerecords.co.uk/california-soul-funk-soul-from-the-golden-state-1967-1976