A TRIBUTE TO CARL DAVIS: JACKIE WILSON - (I CAN FEEL THOSE VIBRATIONS) THIS LOVE IS REAL

It's no secret how much I love Chicago soul.

One of the prime ground breakers of the "Chicago Sound", Carl Davis, has died.

When a record has Davis' name on the label, it is practically guaranteed to be excellent. In collaboration with Gene Chandler, Curtis Mayfield, Jackie Wilson, The Chi-Lites/ Eugene Record, and so many more,  Davis worked incredible magic in producing tracks that were the sound of high steps and the arrival of black men and women as PEOPLE. These records were the peaceful sound of the civil rights movement, with rhythms that sound like walking tall and proud.
 
This music is a sound that I will never tire of, and always find inspiration. I thank you, Carl Davis, for providing so much happiness in my life.

Here's a later period, lesser known Jackie Wilson track that shows that, while tastes were changing, Davis was still working his genius producing records with great songs and a heart full of soul.

from 1970...

 JACKIE WILSON - (I CAN FEEL THOSE VIBRATIONS) THIS LOVE IS REAL

DJ Derek See in Stockholm: Friday August 10th

I will be DJ'ing @ legendary bar/ restaraunt Riche ( 22-03, Lilla baren) w/ Elena SMON Wolay from 10:00 til 2:00 for your dining and dancing pleasure....

GENE PITNEY - SHE'S A HEARTBREAKER

Who would have ever guessed that Gene Pitney, purveyor of such melodrama as "A Town Without Pity" had an out and out soul JAM in him like this track??? I'm certainly not taking anything away from the man's talents, it's just that this is in a whole other country than "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", for instance.

This was actually the first thing I ever heard by Gene; in the mid-80's, there was a program that aired on TV in L.A that showed all these fantastic clips from German TV ("The Beat Club") which they called "Visions- Vintage Videos" to try and cash in some ratings from then-massive MTV. There was Gene, in a very dapper suit miming to this storming track! Just take a listen to that MASSIVE electric sitar performance!!! Producer and co-writer Charlie Foxx (brother of Inez) coaxed a phenomenal performance out of Gene on this track; too bad this particular brand of lightning only struck once.

from 1968...

GENE PITNEY - SHE'S A HEARTBREAKER

VICKY CLAY - OH IT'S ALRIGHT

The lyrics of this song turned out to be quite autobiographical, as this is seemingly the only release from Vicky Clay.

There was no shortage of clear voiced ladies of soul in 1960's Chicago, and sadly Vicky got lost in the shuffle. However, at1:15 in, this groovy mixture of Chi-town soul and Tin Pan Alley SOARS when Vicky holds on and stretches out her "It's alright" vocal line, which was so good she had to repeat again at 2:13 to take the song home. This is one of those tracks that I find may take a while to grow on you, as the brilliance is more subtle. Simply a great feeling track!

from 1966...

VICKY CLAY - OH IT'S ALRIGHT

Great Record Stores: Berlin & Colmar, France!

Back with another installment! It's touring season and I've had a chance to dig in some different cities this summer.

Being such a center for the arts, I was surprised to learn of only one record store in Berlin that sold the type of records that I collect. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, as I had plenty of other things to do in this amazing city. However, I wasn't disappointed with Da Capo Records which was recommended by a friend who lives in Berlin; a fantastic shop ( Kastanienallee 96, 10435)! The 45's were a bit tricky to get thru, but it wasn't difficult either. Found some cool picture sleeves. Da Capo is best for CLEAN copies of LP's, and I picked up a few killers for decent prices. There's also plenty of cafe's and such in the neighborhood.

 Colmar, France (in the German-influenced Alsace district) is a charming little gingerbread town full of great things to see. Luckily for the vinyl traveller, Le Discobole Records (7 Rue Porte Neuve  68000) is located downtown among the other amazing things to see. This tidy store is run by a very friendly chap, and I found some incredible records- among them, a French only 6" Stax sampler from 1967 that I've never seen in person. WOW and WOW! Highly recommended.

LOS GATOS NEGROS - HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE

Blink and you'll miss this raver by Spain's Los Gatos Negros (The Black Cats to us gringos). I love how this record epitomizes the energy of Spain in such a way that I have been lucky enough to experience; when it comes to music, there's nothing like the wild reaction one gets from a Spanish crowd.

Revved up and ready to explode at any second, the group delivers the wildest version of Chan Romero's classic on what is the shortest side (1:28) I've ever featured on this site.

from 1964...

LOS GATOS NEGROS - HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE

THE CONSERVATIVES - THAT'S ALL

Hello from Katowice, Poland where I'm currently on tour. As I started writing this, it struck me as a child of the cold war that not only  how truly amazing it is that people all around the planet every day view this site,  but also the fact that we are able to visit former Eastern Bloc countries freely and folks can hear live music that they couldn't only 20 years ago. For all its problems, our world is pretty damn cool.

 It's not easy to find any info about this Chicago sweet soul group on the internet, thanks the the fact that the group name is "The Conservatives" on Ebonic Records; all I get is political you know what (a word that starts with "bull" and ends with a "t"). 

Regardless of whatever political affiliation this group may or may not have had, they deliver an indescribably beautiful vocal performance on this stellar record.

from 1969...

THE CONSERVATIVES - THAT'S ALL

ROSCOE ROBINSON - WHAT MAKES A MAN DO WRONG

Starting out in as a gospel recording artist in the 1950's, Arkansas born Roscoe Robinson made a smooth transition into the secular field with a massive, powerful voice which is heard to great effect here, on this excellent r&b track.

from 1963...

ROSCOE ROBINSON - WHAT MAKES A MAN DO WRONG

LEE ROGERS - YOU'RE THE CREAM OF THE CROP

The first thing I'll say about this side is the first thing we hear; the LONGEST solo guitar intro that I've ever heard on a soul track. This incredibly gutsy move practically insured that this record wasn't a hit for Lee Rogers (a Detroit singer who released oodles of great records but never broke through), but it sure sounds fantastic and gutsy today. Not to mention that the guitar intro is plain and simply BAD ASS in its aggressive twang and assertiveness.

After the intro, the group comes in already accelerated into 4th gear for a fantastic ride in what feels like a fresh off the assembly line '65 Mustang. Yeah, it's a corker!

from 1965...

LEE ROGERS - YOU'RE THE CREAM OF THE CROP

THE GEMS - CAN'T YOU TAKE A HINT

While the other side ("I Can't Help Myself") was the plugged a-side, to this listener, the b-side is where it's at.

The Gems were formed while the girls were still in high school, and they were originally known as The Lovettes. By the time of this release, Minnie Ripperton was one of the vocalists (and it sure sounds like her taking the lead here, in a similar style as her pseudonymous release "You Gave Me Soul" as Andrea Davis, released a few years after this one).

from 1964...




THE GEMS - CAN'T YOU TAKE A HINT

RUBY ANDREWS - DIDN'T I FOOL YOU

From 1967 until the release of this record, Ruby Andrews worked consistently with the Brothers Of Soul (who we heard from a few days ago), and while Ruby certainly had her way around a ballad that can break your heart, this SLAMMING funk track shows that Ruby could LAY IT DOWN THICK when needed, with one of the tightest backing tracks in all of Detroit funk (yes, the band certainly gives Funkadelic some "Let's Take It To The Stage" competition here).Ruby's vocal SOARS, and the bass player is grooving so hard it HURTS, but this is one instance where I'm happy to take the punishment.

Amazing stuff.

from 1973...

RUBY ANDREWS - DIDN'T I FOOL YOU


RUBY ANDREWS - DIDN'T I FOOL YOU