Kesalocasoul

I am sure we both, and many others, would look forward to that. I have the vinyl, if the masters can't be found...

Here is Tyrone's take on events and his recordings at Sack, ABC and then at Ray Charles' studio in California, published in Blues and Soul #36 (June 1970, so not so long after events). I've always thought that these were: Sack Recordings - Tyrone Davis (The Wonder Boy) US Sack single 4359 A I Tried It Over (And Over Again) (but also uncredited as "Let's Try It Over" on UK LP Doris Duke and Friends - Funk Fox Manhattan 5033) US Sack single 4359 B I'm Running A Losing Race (but also uncredited as "Losing Race" on UK LP Doris Duke and Friends - Funky Fox Manhattan 5033) ABC Recordings - Tyrone Davis ABC 11030 (US 45) What If A Man/Bet You Win Ray Charles Studio recordings Can I Change My Mind (unreleased except on UK LP Probe Soul Bible Volume 1). The first of at least five recordings of the song by Tyrone. How Can You Call That Love (unreleased except uncredited on UK LP Doris Duke and Friends - Funky Fox Manhattan 5033) Don't Fight The Feeling (unreleased except uncredited on UK LP Doris Duke and Friends - Funky Fox Manhattan 5033) So perhaps we are still missing one, if Tyrone thought there were four? Anyway I look forward to the King Errison release, which just might encourage Charly to dig a little deeper into the vaults of Sack/Canyon and associated labels, giving credit where credit is due.

Good to see Heikki back on here. His in-depth interviews articles and interviews on Soul Express are always so informative. There is a lot for Heikki to scan over the six issues covering the Dramatics story (I think all of the magazines are still available from Soul Express), but the critical paragraphs seems to be part of the interview with Ron Banks about the break up of the original group and the arrival of L.J. Reynolds and then L.J.'s own recollections. (Soul Express 1/2000 page 20 and 21). See also: https://www.soulexpress.net/dramatics_discography.htm

Since retiring in 2015, I try to donate three or four times each year. I shall reach 50 donations on my next visit in early September, a few days after my 70th birthday. It has taken me a while to reach that figure because we spent most of our working lives working overseas, including in countries that then had no facilities for collecting/storing blood (e.g. in Africa, Asia), or that refused to take my blood because I had lived in Africa (e.g. Germany). As a O Neg. blood group, I'll keep donating here in Chester as long as I can, but may never reach Kathryn's impressive total...

That's a really impressive total Kathryn, so well done to you. If just one person reads this and makes a donation, it will be a worthwhile post.

Just back from donating blood and they tell me they are desperately short at the moment. There is no upper age limit, so if you are in good health why not donate and help someone that is in need. https://www.blood.co.uk/ David Ruffin was on the case

Sad news and again sincere condolences to family and friends. Sly certainly had me dancin' to the music, back in the day. But here is a track from the earlier "A Whole New Thing" album (1967).

(At the) Top of the Stairs, depending on your preference for Modern or Northern Soul

I watched a steady stream of these films at the drive-in cinema in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in the late 1970s (about five years after they were originally released in the US). I particularly remember Five On The Black Hand Side (title song by long-time Frederick Knight collaborator, Kesia Brown) and Cornbread, Earl and Me (music by Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds). In Feb 1976, Roy Stanton (of Black Wax record shop in Streatham and Black Wax Magazine), made a bold effort to list all films that contained black American music. A number of the Blaxploitation films are included in this extract from the list (published in Shout #107). Hats off to Roy and other researchers, listers and discographers who worked so tirelessly in those pre-internet days to chronicle all aspects of our music.

Sad news. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. The 1996 Kent Careful Man compilation is just about my favourite CD, with one great song after another (even Danny Boy at the end). Thank you to John Edwards (and Adrian Croasdell) for bringing this music into my life. A hard choice, but my favourite is his version of "The Look On Your Face".

There was a brief discussion about the Black experience at Northern Soul clubs, including at Wigan Casino, on Start the Week on BBC Radio 4 at just after 09.00 this morning. It was part of a discussion with journalist Lanre Bakare, whose book We Were There: How Black Culture, Resistance and Community Shaped Modern Britain, has just been published. The whole programme is worth a listen, but Lanre's discussion starts at about 31 minutes and 30 seconds. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c2c1

As well as the Mighty Clouds, Rance Allen, the Winans, Sound of Blackness, Marvin Sapp, Smokie Norful and Donnie McClurkin also merit a mention. Maybe too modern for many on here, but I have always enjoyed this slow-stepper, "Til I Met Thee", from Cody ChestnuTT, which comes with a well made short film, too.

So sad that Randy has died at a comparatively young age; sincere condolences to his close family and friends. Such a great voice with a series of first rate songs and albums, including my all time favourite "I'd Rather Hurt Myself (Than Hurt You)", cited by Shinehead and Jaco above. A close second is appropriately "The Next Best Thing To Being There", here in its full glory.

A couple of steppers from Prince Gideon (aka Carter Cornelius of Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose)

A tragic weekend for soul fans, but mainly for the surviving family and friends of three giants of our music. First heard Jerry Butler's voice when singing For Your Precious Love with the Impressions (Falcon 1013 - 1958) on a Vee Jay album released in 1963. Particular favourites are Giving Up on Love (cited by two others), Hey, Western Union Man and Let's Make Love on Phil Int from 1978.