Friday 23 October 2009

SOUNDS OF SOUL MIXSHOW UPDATE


Hi guys
Just an update for the sound of Soul Mixshow on Starpoint Radio.
This Show was broadcast on Thursday 22nd October presented of course by
Mark Jordan who I interviewed on this blog.You can have a read if you click on the menu
to give you some insight into this talented guy.
Playlist
The Sounds Of Soul Mixshow 221009:
Jonny Montana Ft Stephanie Cooke - I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love
Anto Vitale Ft Tamara Wellons - Out Of This World (J.Carretas)
Sajida - G (SOS)
Vick Lavender Ft Peter Jericho - The L.O.V.E. Song
Ian Martin Ft Robin McKelle - Movin On (SOS)
Diplomats Of Soul - Someday
Soul Interlude 1:
Faith Evans - Fall In Love
Raheem DeVaughn - I'm Open
Shaila Prospere - How Much

Know - Graffitti In America
Melchyor Ft MJ White - The Real Thing (L.Benedetti)
Tarek - Desabafo (Guy Robin)

MJ In The Mix

Darien Brockington - Think It Over (Reel Soul)
Black Magic - Give It Up (F.Feliciano)
Stevie Wonder - My Love Is On Fire (Spinna)
L.Benedetti Ft Andricka Hall - Life Is Good
EOL Ft Lisa Fischer - Into My Life
Soulfeenix Ft Monday Michiru - Brazilian Love Affair
Manchildblack - Live 4 Love (Reel Soul)

SO
Soul Interlude 2:

MLU - Wasn't Here
Trish Andrews - Comfort Zone
Q Harper - Hey You

Drea Rhenee - Let The Sonshine In (SOS)
DJ Gomi Ft Blaze - I Miss You
Dunneasy Ft KB - Summer Nights
Justify Full

Another quality selection of music across the range of beats.
Don't forget Mark will be dj'ing live at the Soul Underground
Xmas Party on Saturday December 19th along with his Starpoint
Radio stablemate Paul Goldsmith.Mark also informs me that he has
Chicago favourite Sounds Of Joy dj Mario Romay lined up for a future show.
Watch this space.
Mark Jordan Sounds Of Soul Mix Show is on Starpoint Radio every Thursday
night UK Time 21.00 - 23.00.Thats 9pm to 11 pm for the non metric amongst us :-)
Don't miss that !

Sunday 18 October 2009

BLAXPLOITAION MIXES 90'S STYLE

Playlist Volume 2

Blaxploitation 90's Style Volume 2
Queen Latifah It's Alright Nothing To Lose
Donell Jones Do What I Gotta Do Shaft
Glenn Lewis,Amel Larrieux What's Come Over Me Barbershop
Darcus Rain Falls Eddie
Something For The People R.U. Down Caught Up
Aaries Come Inside Johnson Family Vacation
D'Angelo Girl You Need A Change Of Mind Get On The Bus
Usher I Swear I'm In Love Kazaam
Kenny Latimore Can't Get Enough Love Jones
Al B. Sure I'm Still In Love With You Above The Rim
Black Men United U Will Know Jason's Lyric
Raja-Nee Turn It Up A Low Down Dirty Shame
Lisa Taylor Don't Waste Time The Meteor Man
Jully Black You Changed Brown Sugar
K.Fox Haven't You Heard Johnson Family Vacation
Lisa Stansfield The Real Thing Money Talks
Joe Ghetto Girl The Good Life
Donell Jones I'll Go Love & Basketball
Labelle The Right Kinda Lover Beverly Hills Cop 3
R.Kelly Up and Outta Here Shaft

(Edited by ColinC)
Thread: COLIN CURTIS All Mixes! Gospel Soul Jazz House! | Forum: Mixes and Podcasts | Posted by: ColinC | Date: 22nd August 2009 03:16 PM
Playlist for Volume 4

Blaxploitation 90's Style Volume 4
Anthony Hamilton,Terri Robinson I Will Go New York Undercover
Keith Washington Is It Just Too Much The Meteor Man
Montrel Darrett Rain Boycott
Ann Nesby I'm Getting Ready Fighting Temptations
Chante Moore Mood Beverly Hills Cop 3
Angie Stone Every Day Money Talks
Groove Theory Never Enough Love Jones
Ronald Isley Deeper Bebe's Kids
Phil Perry,Renee Diggs All My Love Bebe's Kids
Emotions I Want to Thank You For Your Love Bebe's Kids
Joey Diggs Your Love Keeps Working On Me Bebe's Kids
L.J.Reynolds So Good Foster Babies
Sounds Of Blackness Don't Let Nothing Keep You Down Down In The Delta
Aretha Franklin Standing on the Rock of Love Bebe's Kids
Kelis 80's Joint Step Up
Mario,Drew Sidora For the Love Step Up
Gina Rene U Must Be Step Up
Chante Moore Wey U Waiting To Exhale
D'Angelo Heaven Must Be Like This Down In The Delta
Thread: COLIN CURTIS All Mixes! Gospel Soul Jazz House! | Forum: Mixes and Podcasts | Posted by: ColinC | Date: 22nd August 2009 12:24 PM
Volume 3 Playlist

Blaxploitation 90's Style Volume 3
Jason Weaver Dance Wit Me Kazaam
Darwin Hobbs King Boycott
KJ,Topic Keep It Groovin Two Can Play That Game
Dawn Robinson Set It Off The Good Life
Groove Theory It's Alright Sunset Park
Be Be Winans Jesus Children Of America Boycott
Pam & Dodi Don't Have To Two Can Play That Game
Angie Stone,Eddie Levert Rain Down The Fighting Temptations
Damozel Everyday's A Party Two Can Play That Game
Elaine Stepter Good Love The Meteor Man
Portrait Do You Wanna Get Down Blankman
Oliver Cheatham,Ken Norris Just Another Lonely Night Funky Cops
Keyshia Cole,Eve Never Barber Shop 2
H-Town A Thin Line Between Love and Hate A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Gerald Levert Hold That Thought Booty Call
Joe U Should Know Me Caught Up
Johnny Gill All He's Supposed To Be The Sixth Man
Deborah Cox Thing's Just Ain't The Same Money Talks
K-Ci If You Think You're Lonely Know Jason's Lyric
Thread: COLIN CURTIS All Mixes! Gospel Soul Jazz House! | Forum: Mixes and Podcasts | Posted by: ColinC | Date: 22nd August 2009 11:59 AM
Playlist Volume 1


Blaxploitation 90's Style Volume 1
Gerald Levert Dream With No Love Bamboozled
Sam Salter,Nicci Gilbert Call Me NFL Jams
Brian Mcknight Find Myself In You Madea's Family Reunion
Johnny Britt In The Meantime City Teacher
Montrell Darrett Issues Boycott
Will Downing I'll Be Madea's Family Reunion
Trina Broussard Inside My Love Love Jones
Rahsaan Patterson You Make Life So Good Brown Sugar
Island Inspirational Allstars Don't Give Up Don't Be A Menace
Jade Keep On Risin' The 6th Man
Amerie Think Of You Honey
Chante Moore Inside My Love New York Undercover
Barry White,Faith Evans My Everything Money Talks
Backstreet Boys If You Stay Booty Call
Freda Payne Welcome To The Human Race City Teacher
Portrait Be Thankful For What You've Got Addams Family Values
A.S.K. Me Never Forget Drop Squad
Gina Breedlove Free To Be Me Steel

To promote some great tunes from the ninetiesHere are some Soul Mixes

That were on movie soundtracks.

Blaxploitation Phase 2 Mixes

Volume 1

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4008M1WJ

Volume 2

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MOLTY6X2

Volume 3

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9D22Q2L0

Volume 4

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=63IYRKW5


Enjoy !

Andrews Mix August 2009

Here is a link to a mix I did back in August
dedicated to my brother.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9C7NZQEQ


Dedicated to Andrew my youngest brother.
Sept 22 1962 - July 30 2009
R.I.P.

Friday 16 October 2009

CHICAGO CONNECTION UPDATE October 2009




Hey just checking in with our Chicago Underground Connection
leading lights Vick Lavender and Mario Romay.
Firstly Vick,here is his current Top 10 dancefloor winners as featured on his Traxsource Chart.
1. Vick Lavender feat Pete Jericho
The L.O.V.E. Song ( from Chicago To New York )
All Soul Dub Mix "That Live Feel Is For Me !! "
2.Ralf Gum & Monique Bingham
Little W 12th Street
Ralph Gum Main Mix "Serious heat Ralf did a great job on this record"
3.Melchyor A & MJ White
Real Thing
Louis Benedetti Extended Vox "This track gets a lot of play time from me "
4.Anthony Nicholson pres Imani
Forbidden Fruit
Anthony Nicholson Vox Mix
"Another heater from the Circular Motion Camp"
5.Jihad Muhammad
The Rush
Roots Urban Jazz Remix "This track is a real banger"
6.DJ Celeste Alaxandar feat The T.S.O.C.
Good For Tha Soul
Full Disco Mix " Let's Go Let's Go !"
7.Windimoto feat Victor St Clair
Don't Let Me Leave Alone
Pirahnahead Remix "Wonderful Remix By Pirahnahead"
8.Dasoul & Fabry Diglio feat Nadine Navarre
Direction
Reelsoul SOLE Channel Mix "Will does it again "
9.Alton Miller
Time On 2 / Play the Game
Time On 2 Original Mix "Sexy Record"
10.North End
Kind Of Life
MAW's Theme " Been loving this record for a long time "

And here is a link to the latest Vick Lavender soulful mix


And Mario has his latest installment of Sounds Of Joy Vol 7

Source: soundcloud.com
"Mario Romay | Sounds of Joy 07" by grooveparlor. Hosted on SoundCloud.com

Click here for link

FiVE cORNERS qUINTET lIvE !! Band On The Wall Manchester.




Five Corners Quintet Live!

Band On The Wall Manchester

Wednesday October 14th

Another Jazz adventure begins on a school night, my how the world has changed. No rain, coupled with decent temperatures, we were travelling in this surreal October English landscape toward jazz central the “all new” Band On The Wall Manchester.

This time it was to witness “live” five guys who have been at the forefront of the rise of the modern jazz movement in Finland. They emerged via the Nuspirit Helsinki project produced by the driving force of Tuomas Kallio. Any band in the jazz arena that attracts the talent of uber jazz vocalist Mark Murphy must have something to say. The sound from their recorded works takes its influence from the golden jazz era of Blue Note

In the 50’s and 60’s such luminaries as Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Stanley Turrentine, Duke Pearson, Kenny Dorham and Jimmy Smith add in a Latin/Swing tinge and Five Corners produce something modern for the future from the past. Nicola Conte emphasises their Jazz Dance floor credentials in his mixes. They must have hit on a winning formula from their inception in 2003 as they have already sold in excess of 50,000 records before this current UK tour.

Hailing from Helsinki the Five Corners Quintet encapsulate all aspects of modern dance floor jazz bringing an energy and vibrancy that takes the listener on a fantastic ride as they hark back to the golden era of modern jazz but represent it in a new and exciting fashion. This is also taken into account as they present themselves in immaculate 60’s suited and booted style on their arrival on stage.

First the players Timo Lassy Tenor Saxaphone, Jukka Eskola Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Mikael Jakobsson Piano, Antti Lotjonen Double Bass and Teppo Makynen drums/bandleader.

Following the opening number Teppo the drummer stood to welcome us all in a wonderfully reluctant English tone delivered by a true Finn. His humour and humble approach won the enthusiastic crowd over and I think we knew we were in good hands with these guys. As it would prove Timo Lassy and Jukka Eskola led the centre stage attack Timo on tenor sax and Jukka fluctuating between trumpet and Flugelhorn with Mikael on Piano to the left and Bass player Antti at the rear, but the engine room and driving force bringing excitement, energy and no little talent was the dynamo on drums Teppo his smile, exuberance and drive kept this quintet rolling and on fire!

It was a show of two halves with a short interval for breath; unlike a lot of modern football this show had two quality halves. The first half the guys covered a lot of the first album Chasin' The Jazz Gone By (a very appropriate and respectful title). This included” live” renditions that included Three Corners, Unsquare Bossa, Lighthouse, Trading Eights and Straight Up.

The second half once again the very likeable Teppo Makynen explained in his own inimitable style of broken Finnglish that we were in for “more music” J

This time most of the set was drawn mainly from their current “Hot Corners” album including the swinging Hot Rod, Skinny Dipping, the atmospheric Midnight In Trieste, and the vibrant Shake It.

The final number allowed all five members to shine individually and following a rousing audience response and much stamping of feet Teppo and his men returned triumphantly for a single encore !

All in all a most enjoyable live set, we were entertained by a very talented set of jazz musicians who proved that you don’t have to compromise to all the latest studio gadgetry available today to drive forward the modern jazz dance movement. All soloists were given chance to shine but inevitably Timo, Jukka were outstanding and the star of the show Teppo on his “Argos” drum kit shone through with his vibrancy, technique and overall charismatic excitement!

If you have never heard their music or seen them live then I would urge you to give them a try, Five Corner Quintet from Finland have something to say and offer a future for Modern Jazz making it accessible to everyone. You won’t be disappointed!

I would highly recommend their two albums to date “Chasing Jazz Gone By” and “Hot Corner”.

Also seek out Timo Lassy “The Soul and Jazz Of Timo Lassy” which takes you on a ride through boogaloo, soul,latin,spiritual to the rousing dance floor winner “African Rumble” and Jukka Eskola’s first self titled album containing the thunderous 1974 written incidentally by Teppo “Teddy Rok” Makynen who really is the hardest working drummer in showbiz as well as producing this album and his Quintet album Hub Up which pays much respect to Freddie Hubbard but in particular a killer version of Gibraltar.

The plaudits on this night must also go to The Band On The Wall now proving once again what a great new venue this is foe Manchester going forward with live music.

And of course a big shout for the man behind this drive to bring us these quality acts as well as provide some top jazzy grooves on the night is MC Mike Chadwick!!

The new in house sound system/ mixing desk once again proving its value in live and dj’ing capacities.

What was also nice to see in Manchester were the north west and beyond soul/jazz heads from the scene out in force enjoying this experience and even Manchester’s very own Mr Scruff offering his support!

What followed in the The Picture House Bar meet and greet area was just that! A chance to talk to the band members. Mike whisked away Teppo for a radio interview but I got chance to speak with Timo and Jukka who were very nice guys indeed and certainly appreciated the support given all over the world, in fact they mentioned they had had some communcation with one of my old dj pals Paul Murphy who now resides in Budapest. So I would say watch out in the Future Five Corners will keep this Modern Jazz Dance vibe rolling!

Ps. Don’t ignore Timo’s latest 7” release “The More I Look at You” co written and performed with Josie James it’s a killer and remember Josie James is “live” at The Band On The Wall Thursday 5th November 7:30. Followed by Azymuth on the following Tuesday 10th November 7:30.

Don’t Sleep!

See You There!

Colin Curtis 2009

Sunday 11 October 2009

DARNELL KENDRICKS INTERVIEW from the "SMOOTH SOUL CAFE"

This is an interview to introduce you to yet another emerging soulful talent,this time from California.He had his first album released in 2007 called Strawberry Lemonade which I can highly recommend.He continues his journey in 2009 on a new project "Smooth Soul Cafe". I first came across Darnell back in 2007 and was keen to catch up with him and share with you guys where he is at today ! Enjoy !


Darnell Kendricks The Strawberry Lemonade Man !

Hey Darnell

Hey Colin, Strawberry Lemonade man huh?? J I have been called that a time or two since the release of my first cd.

Where were born ? I was born in Sacramento California

How Old Are You ! I am still in my 3o's :)

What musical influences stuck with you as you were growing up ?

definitely Twinkie Clark of the Clark Sisters, she had a major impact on how I listened to music and what great, rehearsed vocals were and she was always so soulfully effective and the emotionshe gives still inspires me. I love Marvin Gaye. Twinkie and Marvin are my 2 biggestinspirations. I also loved Switch,DeBarge,and The Manhattan Tranfers to name a few.

Are you in a musical family ?

My mother sings , I have a brother that plays the piano and another brother that plays the saxophone and I had an uncle that played the sax as well, I have a couple of very talented nephews that play keyboards, bass, and guitar, so I guess you can say that I come from a musical family although I was the first to pursue a career in music professionally.

Which Radio Stations did you listen to back in the day ?

I grew up In Sacramento, I always had such an insatiable appetite for soul, Sacramento did nothave a platform for Soul music therefore I don't remember listening to a lot of radio.However I do recall catching a couple of the College Radio stations, one in particular that playeda lot of soulful type r&b. when I was a little older and moved to Oakland,California I listened to the Jazz station there.

How tuff is it to get your music heard in today’s internet society ?

The internet has changed the game, the internet has made it easier not tougher at all. I believe it’s a great thing to be able to send MP3 files and direct listeners to MySpace etc.

Do you think that the changes in the record industry have been a good or bad thing

for the upcoming artist !

I believe that ultimately the changes with the record industry will be a good thing, it’s like the record industry is attempting to adjust, trying to find a way to continue to make big money through the old archaic music business system. With the internet and artist and producers etc having the ability to create Great music without including A Corporate Record Industry Machine it creates golden oppurtutunites for independent artist to be heard and appreciated and make a great living and I believe it makes for a more pure and organic music, a pure sound that’s not laced with a corporate agenda. If artist are courageous enough to take the chance to be true to themselves. I see the record industry in turmoil now, but when the dust settles I believe that the music over all will be better for it!

Do you write your own songs ?

Yes, I write a lot of my songs. I wrote or co/wrote 7 of the 10 tracks on my first project (Strawberry Lemonade) and The New Project (Smooth Soul Café) I wrote or co/wrote the majority of the songs however I Love working with and callobrating with other writers and singers, I did that a lot with the Smooth Soul project and solicited vocal arrangements production and production from those that I admired and respected here in Detroit. Detroit has some incredibly talented musicans! I mean they are incredible.

On the Strawberry Lemonade album Willing,Yours Truly and Jones In My Bones all received house remixes who did these and how did they come about ?

“”Willing”” was remixed by Ian Friday, DJ Genesis, and DJ Minx on West End Records out of New York. “”Your Truly””was remixed by Terrance Parker and released on Superb Records of The UK. “”Jones in My Bones”” was recently signed to Mixed Signals Records out of Toronto Canada , remixed by DJ Genetix and I am currently in negotiations with Shelter Records regarding another soulful house mix.
It’s really interesting how the mixes came about, I was not very familiar with the whole house/dance music scene but a mutual friend introduced me to Monica (DJ Genesis) she loved the song “”Willing”” and requested to do a house mix ,we provided her the vocals and that put me in the house music arena, that’s when I started getting calls and requesting for other songs. It’s been fun, its interesting to hear my vocals placed with the House Music Style.

Strawberry Lemonade album came out in Japan how was it received and how did that come about ?

Strawberry Lemonade was released in 2007 with BMFN Records out of Japan, we actually included a couple of bonus tracks on that project including “”good love-the Darrin Simpson Remix”” which will be included on the Smooth Soul Café project as a bonus track. The album was well received in Japan, MySpace and FaceBook have allowed me to be in contact with some of my friends there that supported the project and I have been getting Japan inquires as to when the new project will be released etcc so I’m really excited to get the new project to Japan as well. The record company had heard my music from an internet site out of the UK and contacted me about the release.

Have you been over to the UK before ? If so what are your thoughts on the UK ?You had a radio show back in 2007 tell us about that and do you think you may again go back to radio at some point ?

I have never been to the UK , I cannot wait to get there. My father was in the service, my mother and father were stationed in the UK before I was born and I have an older brother and sister that were actually born there. My grandmother had friends there, so growing up she had all of these calendars from the UK, I mean every year her friend from the UK sent her a calendar that she had hung up downstairs so growing up there were these images and stories of the UK that always endeared me to the UK. My uncleSonny played the saxophone in the 60’s and traveled to the UK and played there many times with various bands. So my thoughts of the UK have always been warm and felt like home.

Yes I had a radio show called The Soul Café back in 2007 Aja and Marky Mark had JazzSyndicateRadio , I did a radio drop for Aja, he liked my “”Radio Voice”” and offered me a slot with their radio station.
I had a 2 hour slot and played a lot of my favorite tunes, songs that inspired me over the years and new artist that I appreciated as well. It was a Great experiencing and I would certainly do it again if the opportunity presented itself, it felt strangely natural that experience was very rewarding.

What is the name of the new project you are working on ? Is it the same guys who worked with you on Strawberry lemonade ?Tell us about the development of this project and when you hope it will be complete for release.

The name of the new project is Smooth Soul Café. The main producer I’m working with is Darrin Simpson who was the producer of The Strawberry Lemonade project, an incredibly talented musician who also happens to be one of my closest friends. The brother is simply amazing, I marvel at musicianship and the way he is able to capture exactly what I feel and take that to another level. There is a brother by the name of Daniel Young who produced the song “”Strawberry Lemonade”” on the last project who has produced a song titled “”After Dinner”” (A Taste For You) on the new project and another talented drummer vocalist from here in Detroit Jeff Canaday who I call JCandy who co wrote a song on this project and has done a lot of vocal production as well. I’m really excited about this project I was able to hand select the songs, the musicians, the cowritters, the vocal production etc as a well prepare the collection of songs that I felt best described Smooth Soul.
Smooth Soul Café is very much a collaborative effort and a lot of love went into this project from beginning to end. There are so many songs that I love on this project and I believe that it will be a blessing an inspiration to those that appreciate good organic soul music. There is much that I can say about this project and how it all developed in short, it was a lot of love and passion that birthed Smooth Soul Café and my prayer is that the same love and passion is felt for years to come.
The project will be released by the end of October, no later than the beginning of November. Just a few more minor details and it will be fresh out of the oven for all to hear.

Which ten records have influenced your life most?

The ten records that have influenced my life the most, whoa Colin, you really making a brother think here : ) but let’s see, I will try and narrow it down.

Marvin Gaye- I Want You (The Deluxe Edition)

Marvin Gaye-Bedroom Ballads

The Best of Switch

The Best of DeBarge

The Best of The Emotions

Twinkie Clark – Power

The Clark Sisters- Sincerely

Basia-Sweetest Illusion

Michael Franks-DragonFly Summer and Sleeping Gypsy

Donald Fagan - Nightfly



What are your current 10 favorite tracks?

Current 10 favorite tracks, I find myself listening to older classic soul type music however, there are a few recent artist that I really appreciate;

Chrisette Michelle – I’m Ok

Joe-why just be friends

Joe-Can’t get over you (from the Maze tribute album)

Raphael Saadiq-Never Give You Up

Clark Sister- Thank You (From the Maze Tribute Album)

Sheri Jones Moffet- Grace of God

I am a big Eric Roberson fan, he is a singer’s singer! (anything he sings I appreciate)

Mint Condition-Nothing Left To Say

I am a fan of Lalah Hathaway

What are your thoughts on President Obama now that he is over the first 100 days in office?

President Obama is an awesome human being, I think he has done some courageous things to date.
I believe that a lot of Americans who were not neccarily into politics, like myself, are now a lot more astute and engaged as it relates to political things. It’s still surreal to know that we actually have an african american president, never in my lifetime would I have believed that it could happen. It’s extremely inspiring and empowering to see the world changing for the better. That’s a blessing. There is much work to do, however the landscape of world politics will forever be changed and we have new images to include in our thought process because of President Obama.

Is it possible you could get over to the UK and Europe to promote the new project?
Yes, It is very Possible for me to come to The UK to promote the New Project, I believe it’s possible, necessary and fitting for me to do so. It is still so incredible that the UK has such a sincere love and appreciation for Soul music, it’s really a big deal for artist in the US to have the validation and support from our Over Seas soul music aficionado’s. I have met so many friends through The Strawberry Lemonade Project, through the house mixes, and even with the single from the new cd
“”Lets Run Away””, so the plan is to get to the UK to promote this project at the top of 2010.

Looking forward what are your hopes for the future Darnell?

I hope to continue to build upon this music career that I have been blessed with , I want to continue to write and fill the air with smooth soul music.
I am so enjoying this journey, I wouldn’t trade anything for this pathway.
The new project is titled Smooth Soul Café because I enjoy cooking as well, I often have friends who hire me to prepare meals 3 or 4 course meals for special occasion and I feature dishes that I have created, the cd was titled Smooth Soul Café to embrace those two loves (music and good food).
I am also working on a Smooth Soul Café/Recipie book with some of my specialities, that I plan on completing and releasing in 2010.
Good Food and Good Music are so intertwined, if prepared well and with great ingredients and love they both have the ability to bring good feelings ,sensuality,and satisfy the soul.
Im looking forward to continuing this soulful journey of life and become a better human being and being able to express lovingly through my music, that’s Smooth Soul.

Thanks Darnell for spending some time to go through this interview.I am really looking forward to the release of your new album.Hopefully this will help you attain the recognition you deserve and are able to move on again to keep bringing us some of your unique “Smooth Soul” sound.We can go forward and rename you the “Smooth Soul Café” man J

Wednesday 7 October 2009

MICK O'DONNELLS JAZZ SPECIAL SOUL DISCOVERY


Sunday morning saw us(Mark & Me) driving down to Cambridge to appear on Mick O'Donnells
excellent Soul Discovery Radio Show on Cambridge 209 Radio.As this is a local radio station Mick always puts the show up for download via podcast.Also appearing on the show were Mark "Snowboy" Cotgrove and Dr.Bob Jones as we all participated in a Jazz Special as a follow on to a previous Jazz Special that Mick had done with SnowBoy to promote his excellent book "From Jazz Fusion To Acid Jazz"
The idea was basically to coversome of the tunes from that U.K. Jazz Dance era covered in Snowboy's Book between the late 70's into the 80's The Music the Dance Styles and some general Jazz Chat between the 4 of us.
I have posted a link to the podcast below.
We had an eventful journey down there on the motorway acting as an extra in a remake of Stephen Spielbergs "Duel" as one of our friendly lorry drivers decided we were the target.Having negotiated that we arrived to hook up with Bob and Mick in a local eatery for some Cambridge toasty hospitality.We then headed for the radio station to do the 3 hour show and were met there by Snowboy fresh from the beginning of his late summer holiday at the UK's finest Centre Parks :-) So it was a kinda "Central Park @ Centre Parks moment :-) Bob continuing the theme on the show.Many thanks to Mick for his hospitality and the guys for making it an enjoyable experience. Hopefully some of you will enjoy listening to the podcast.


Janet Lawson " Dindi "

Thanks to Colin for inviting me to share these memories with everyone , reading Bob Jones posting of Janet Lawsons " Dindi on Facebook took me right back in time ......
in the early 80's i was with Richard Searling looking for records in a barn belonging to ex Blackpool Mecca Face - Berni Goulding . Bernie had bought the remains of Ian Levines
Record Collection and there were thousands and thousands of records all over the place . Bernie was living in a caravan while renovating a Farmhouse with 3 dogs and god knows how many cats all turning feral ..... including Bernie !!!!!! the barn was in a right mess but we found two copies of this record , Richard kept one and i took the other to a club in Manchester Colin Curtis was doing at the time called " Berlin " i gave my copy to Colin and he turned it into a monster tune ..... probably the biggest Jazz Vocal at the club and when you consider the quality of the music played at Berlin thats really saying something !!!!

Ian Gillibrand

[ Baad-Vibes , King Georges Hall Blackburn ]

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Berlin.jpg

JAZZANOVA LIVE ! BAND ON THE WALL MANCHESTER



Jazzanova

Band On The Wall

Live Review

Tuesday 6th October 2009

We enter the futuristic almost “Bladerunner esque “Manchester landscape

in 2009.As with long held tradition it is absolutely pissing down with almost

a pre written scripting, bad weather and Manchester go hand in hand. This thriving nightime metropolis seems a long way from my 70’s and 80’s club roots in the city.

The Band On the Wall has undergone a serious refurbishment and stands proud and repainted outside with a carpeted inner concert area complete with stage, balcony, bar and mixing desk/studio inside. An atmospheric ornate arena that is complemented by an incredible new sound system and lighting facility.

As you enter you glide into a bar area called The PictureHouse this acts as a reception area for the main arena with a bar and seating area, a great meeting place before the concert. This area filled up very quickly and as we took our seats up on the balcony affording a great view of the stage the concert arena filled up to create a great atmosphere as we anticipated Jazzanova’s second and final night at the venue.

Proceedings got underway as their very charismatic and humorous Tour Manager got things underway by introducing the band, as well as promoting his T-Shirt and cd bar in the Picture House foyer J

It was immediately obvious that this was a very tight outfit consisting of keyboards, congas, applemacs, drums,trombone,saxophone,bass guitar and rhythm guitar assisted with a variety of percussion instruments spread between the players.

The nine piece group was complete when the very confident and talented Paul Randolph from Detroit took the stage and took care of Vocals, extra bass guitar and sirens/megaphones. From behind his “superstar Bootsy Collins style” shades and flashing white teeth evoked some great vocals dance moves and was the drive behind the band’s stage presence keeping the crowd in the palm of his hand and taking us through all the emotions with his singing and stageplay.Paul joined the Jazzanova guys who are of course based in Berlin after meeting them just over 3 years ago having previously worked with both Amp Fiddler and Moodyman an impressive remit. His influence through his writing, playing and singing talents are there to behold on Jazzanovas 2008 cd “Of All The Things”.

The show explored all the avenues that Jazzanova has covered over the last ten years providing a sound that was very close to their studio recorded work and as the night developed the musicians came and left the stage throughout giving us a variety of styles and formats to delight in. Each member of the group was given their own opportunity to highlight their particular prowess the bass player at one point leaving the stage to return with a full size Double Bass and provide a rendition that brought the house down, the rhythm guitar picked away frenetically throughout the set. This variety of styles and skills continued to ebb and flow through the whole show the keyboard player donning a sultry trumpet for one number, the drummer Thomas shone with his pistol like precision and Sebastian the sax player took his moment to shine. Throughout various instrumental and vocal grooves lead man Paul Randolph knitted it all together as he used his voice, bass guitar and dancing to mesmerise and entertain the very Jazzanova clued up crowd. The crowd themselves dancing, nodding band singing their heroes approval. The show ran through Jazzanova classics such as L.O.V.E. ,Theme from Belle et Fou-Bow,Lucky Girl(loving this tune),the timeless Let Me Show Ya,Look what you’re doing to me, Little Bird, You and I,I Can See and some great instrumental back catalogue.

You can ascertain from the quality dj/musianship why so many acts have gone to Jazzanova to remix and collaborate on their own material. At the end of the set our friend the Tour Manager reappeared to ask us if we would like some more Jazzanova and the crowds answer was a resounding yes, even at the end of a 48 date tour this German based dj/musician collective returned to the stage with a storming encore as our friendly Tour Manager donned his tambourine and dancing skills with them on stage.

This was well worth a night out for anyone a very good and well presented set the wove it’s way through all things Jazzanova to a very appreciative crowd in the newly refurbished and greatly missed Band On The Wall venue that is now back with a vengeance under the guidance of Mike Chadwick who deserves the plaudits for booking bands of this quality at the venue. Roll on the rest of 2009 which brings us, Eric Roberson Sunday October 11th, Five Corners Quintet featuring Timo Lassy on Wednesday October 15th, Jose James Thursday 5th November, Azymuth Tuesday 10th November, Breakestra & D.J.’s Friday November 20th.

If you have never seen Jazzanova live I urge you to do so in the future and hopefully we’ll see you soon supporting this venue Band On The Wall as it brings back the Jazz, Funk @ Soul to Manchester!

Colin Curtis





















Saturday 3 October 2009

MILANO JAZZ DANCE COMBO & SOUL DISCOVERY



Hi

Tomorrow Sunday October 4th 2009 between the hours of 12 Midday and 3pm I will be appearing live on Mick O'Donnell's great Soul Discovery Radio Show doing a jazz special along with Snowboy and Bob Jones.This airs on the internet @ Cambridge Radio 209 www.209radio.co.uk/ you can listen live or follow the links to download the podcast later.


We will be playing music and discussing the jazz dance scene in the UK from back in the late 70's and 80's as covered in Snowboy's superb new book From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz: The History of the UK Jazz Dance Scene by Mark Cotgrove (Paperback ).


I am also taking this opportunity to unashamedly promote the release of a great new Jazz Dance cd from the Milano Jazz Dance Combo.This was inspired by this particular Jazz Dance era in the UK.It also just happens to be a quality cd that will get you out of your armchair to dance,no fillers top cd every track hits the spot !! Dig deep and and put this in your collection !



Milano Jazz-Dance Combo - out october 12th, 2009 on Record Kicks
14 Aug 2009
13:08
By Djouls
Upcoming Music
JAZZ AND JAMBANDS,
Milano Jazz-Dance Combo,
RECORD KICKS
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Milano Jazz-Dance Combo - s/t(CD/LP/Digital) Record Kicks RKX027, 2009-10-12Produced by Lo Greco bros (Soulstance / Schema Records) together with Nick Recordkicks, Milano Jazz-Dance Combo is a new project heavily inspired by the great UK Jazz-dance scene of the early 80s and by all the real dancefloor jazz movements of the past 3 decades. On the album you'll find 13 tracks of hot, fast and furious jazz-dance madness, full of rhythm, horns, percussions and groove. This is dancefloor jazz for true music lovers.
Milano Jazz-Dance Combo - s/t(CD/LP/Digital) Record Kicks RKX027, 2009-10-12Tracklisting :01. Much More feat. Colonel Red02. Don't Cry feat. Dionne Charles03. Feelin Good feat. Katherine Ruestow04. Just In Time feat. Alice Ricciardi05. Sam Blues06. Goodbye feat. Felix07. Broken Rose feat. Roxie Ray08. Iperbole09. Please Don't Go feat. Katherine Ruestow10. Turn Up The Heat11. Sweet Love feat. Dionne Charles12. Beat Under My Skin feat. Roxie Ray13. Changes feat. Colonel RedLinks :
myspace.com/milanojazzdancerecordkicks.commyspace.com/freestylerecordsukPress Release :Produced by Lo Greco bros (Soulstance / Schema Records) together with Nick Recordkicks, Milano Jazz-Dance Combo is a new project heavily inspired by the great UK Jazz-dance scene of the early 80s and by all the real dancefloor jazz movements of the past 3 decades. Gianni & Enzo LoGreco (aka Lo Greco bros) are prominent figures of Milano's new jazz scene. As Soulstance and Quintetto Lo Greco they've released 5 albums on Schema Records, produced 3 albums for Gerardo Frisina, worked amongs the others with Nicola Conte, Rosalia De Souza, produced Mario Biondi's smash single This is what you are as well as collaborated with international acts like Jobim and Lalo Shifrin. For this new project Gianni & Enzo brought together in their Milan studio, located in the fancy Isola neighbourhood 50 mt from the legendary Blue Note club, some of the best musicians from the city's jazz scene. On vocals we're pleased to welcome some truly talents of today's funk & soul scene like Colonel Red (Bugz in The Attik / Flowriders), Dionne Charles (Baby Charles), Alice Ricciardi (Nicola Conte), Roxie Ray (Dojo Cuts), Katherine Ruestow (The Diplomettes) and Felix. On the album you'll find 13 tracks of hot, fast and furious jazz-dance madness, full of rhythm, horns, percussions and groove. This is dancefloor jazz for true music lovers.Sales Points· From the producers of Gerardo Frisina and many more Schema records acts.· It feat. On vocals Colonel Red, Dionne Charles, Alice Ricciardi and many more.Feedback :"Every track is fantastic and a sure-fire winner". DJ Snowboy"Great drums and brass with a very live feel .....this is club nu jazz for dancin feet!" Nik Weston"Dance floor jazz is BACK!! Did it ever go away? The Milano Jazz-Dance Combo combine timeless, sophisticated jazz for the feet with stirring soulful vocals to create something that feels classic yet exciting and brand new all at the same time. I'm in!!!" Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s / Shook)"It is so great to see Jazz dance truly alive in Italy via this Combo, highly recommended for the floor by the floor. Fantastico.." Perry Luis (JazzCotech / Messin around)"yes yes . jazzdance is back . most definitely. great album". Michael Ruetten (Soulsearching / Compost)"Jazz! the Milano Jazz Dance Combo is a classic masterpiece for all dj..s - collectors and just people with a good taste! The warm piano sound brings you direct in the mood of listen to more good music like Ramsey Lewis! Can..t wait to play this out - from vinyl! Just good!" Henry Storch (Unique rec)"Milan 'takes five' from fashion to bring effortless style to jazz. A Lush, deep and awfully groovy album" Diesler (Tru Thoughts / Freestyle rec)"Fingerpoppin.. timeless sounds for the dancefloor and well worth listening. A headnod towards classic 60..s jazz but with a twist of today..s sound and production". Oliver Korthals (Mojo club)"Superb - I'm delighted and relieved that an album of dance-floor jazz has been done properly. A winner from start to finish." Lack Of Afro (Freestyle rec)"Milano Jazz-Dance Combo truly swing! Effortless, beautiful and atmospheric songs that have 1 foot in the 60s and 1 foot firmly in the here and now. Liking this a lot." Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz, Phonic FM)"a great album from beginning to end,perfect soundtrack for the summer! my personal favourite song is 'don't cry' featuring an inspired performance from dionne charles sounding like a proper jazz diva from another era" Dj Format"Deep! Proper Jazz Dance music! Great stuff. Has that super laid back tight feel, takes you right there; straight in the club with a Cohiba in one hand and a girl in the other. And the drums are killin! Get on it!" TM Juke"A classic slice of two step jazz dance paying tribute to the 80s jazz scene but also looking further back to greats such as Gil Scott Heron." Lois Wilson (Mojo magazine)