Hypnotic Brass Ensemble* – Black Boy (NAT)
This is one of the freshest tracks I have heard in a while. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are a Chicago-based family brass band (oh, the interesting journeys this blog has taken me on). I love how rich the sound is, also the vocal is strong, wise and wistful.
RjK
*Artist #381
Betty Wright – Clean up woman
Betty Wright is a hero. She is a favourite mine and I how sassy she is here. Also, what a killer bass line! She came into my mind when I noticed she was playing live on Jools Holland’s show on New Year’s Eve and I have wanted to post this since.
RjK
Brooks and Jerry* – I got what it takes
This is a perfect, upbeat northern soul stomper. It is impish and infectious, and puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. What more could you ask from a song on a Saturday night?
RjK
*Artist #377
Etta James – At last
What a tragic life and what an amazing voice; Etta James sadly passed away yesterday. She was an enigmic and troubled genius. Her voice is classic and iconic, when I think of an archetypal soul singer it is her’s that comes my mind’s ear.
This is so wonderful; ephermeral yet powerful with some great strings thrown in. A perfect soul track.
/RjK
Marvin Gaye – Mercy, Mercy me (the ecology)
Short post today, feeling a bit harried this week.
This is taken from the sublime What’s going on? album. It came on the radio on my way home and reminded me of just how fantastic it is. Well played radio 2.
Random fact about Marvin – he added the “e” to the end of his birth name not because of any homophobia but because he wanted to emulate his hero the late, great Sam Cooke.
RjK
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – Jimmy Mack
I spent a really fun evening shooting the breeze with two very old friends last night, one of whom has been know to give me some ‘constructive criticism’ over the years. He pointed to a lack of soul music in my 30 favourite songs of 2011, given my affection for the genre so I thought I thought I would post some today for him.
This is CLASSIC motown. I am not sure it gets much better than this, right down to the Beehive haricuts. Martha and The Vandellas, along with The Supremes are right at the top of my list of favourite motown artists.
RjK
Aretha Franklin – (Sweet sweet baby) Since you’ve been gone
Aretha annouced this week that is she to get married again in the summer at the ripe old age of 70. She is a complete hero. Her voice is probably the greatest ever and is certainly the most powerful I have ever heard.
RjK
Otis Redding – (Sittin’ on) The dock of the bay
I got there!!
It feels right to have begun with Curtis Mayfield and ended up with Otis Redding. Two soul icons and heroes of mine to bookend my meanering year in youtube. This is fitting as it is with soul music that my musical infatuation began in earnest. I am equally glad that there was much variety in the music in between.
Thanks very much for coming on the journey with me. I hope you all have a great new year’s and that 2012 treats you well.
I intend to continue with the blog into next year but I may be slightly less rigorous about posting a new artist everyday (the research involved began to take it’s toll!). I will try some different things and see how they go. Look out for a few things over the coming days that I have been working on, such as my top 30 songs of the year.
RjK
I can’t live without your love, why can’t we make it like it was?
RjK
Gene Chandler – Duke of Earl
This is classic early soul with something of a doo wop sound. The vocal is remarkably good.
RjK