2009 WHERE DID THAT GO? PART ONE
Well that’s it for another year. Although this was a bad year for me personally, I have once again experienced some great new music in all areas and genres. As Traxsource ploughs it’s continuing furrow it offers everyone an unprecedented catalogue of everything that is great about House Music. All styles and both New and Back Catalogue are covered,it is in fact The Aladdin’s Cave for dance music lovers as we enter the next millennium.
Some of the highlights for me included product from VickLavender,Native,Quasimode,Ledisi,Alessandro Magnanini,Anthony Nicholson,Stephanie Cooke,Jeff Ramsey,Soul Purpose,John Oudo,Reel People,Jose Carretas,SoulPersona,Milano Jazz Dance Combo,Stefania Rava,King Ellis,Nicola Conte,Gianni Basso,Makoto,Jazztronik and many many more.
I was also lucky to do some great gigs in 2009 in Manchester(great to be back in my old home),Nottingham,Birmingham,Blackpool,Blackburn,Sheffield,Preston,Whitby,Brough,Shrewsbury,Derby to name a few.Highlights include two appearances at Soul Underground as well as attending other nights their,top vibe top crowd,SoulBuggin in Nottingham @ Moog was a blast,Mecca Revival in Blackpool and some great nights at the Tower.Freestylin @The Mark Addy in Manchester was hopefully the start of something good.
For independent Soul music CDBaby still continues to to lead the field but Digstation, Amazon, EMusic and I Tunes have certainly upped their game to include and unearth plenty of future talent for this most important genre SOUL MUSIC essentially the heart of what we all love.
Also a good year for the progress of Jazz in all it’s guises NuJazz,Broken,Italian,Brazilian,Scandinavian and one of my personal favourites Japanese with acts like Quasimode,Jazztronik,Native,Soil&Pimp and Sleepwalker leading the long awaited resurgence.The interest in the UK phenomena of Jazz Dance has once again been thrown into the spotlight with the long awaited publication of Mark “Snowboy” Cotgrove’s book “From Jazz Fusion to Acid Jazz” http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mark+cotgrove&x=0&y=0which documents the music and the characters that formed the Jazz Dance movement that became active in the 70’s and 80’s in the more discerning British Underground Clubs from London to Scotland taking in strongholds such as Birmingham,Manchester and Nottingham on the way. Another big plus for Jazz lovers in Manchester was the refurbishment thanks to lottery money to the tune of £3million plus of the Band On The Wall Live venuehttp://bandonthewall.org/ under the directive of one of Manchester favourite jazz son’s Mike Chadwick,already we have witnessed Jazzanova,Five Corners Quintet,Azymuth and Josie James. For me personally the reintroduction of our Jazzy Vibe night with Freestylin’@The Mark Addy was a good feeling with some genuine support for this night in a great venue by the River Irwell. Next date here is Sunday February 21st 2010 with a warm welcome back to everyone who supported us on the opening night and a big open armed welcome to new faces to come along and feel the vibe of this unique venue and crowd.
On the Modern Soul Scene the leading lights are still Soul Underground @The Rainbow Birmingham http://su-soulunderground.blogspot.com/ Lin, Jamie & Tait continue to supply a high class gig with open music policy and a unique crowd and vibe ,Soul Purpose@Sketchley GrangeHinckley http://www.soulpurpose.piczo.com/?cr=1, testimony indeed to the hard work put in by Mark Randall,Mark Goddard and Sam Evans to lift this event to another level and opening the doors to a wider selection of guest dj’s as well as a great venue,SoulFusion@Gloucester http://www.soulfusion-soulnites.co.uk/SF/DJs.htm big shout here for Neil Self for providing a quality soul night in 3 rooms and a top selection of guest dj’s the modern room here is outstanding with a very up for it crowd,Soulful Dance @ Lytham http://www.soulfuldance.co.uk/ promoted and nurtured by mecca mafia members Pete,Steve,Andy & Julia plus the Sound Professor Stuart.Rehoused in a new venue at The Langdales Hotel in Lytham .Great musical mix for the dancers featuring House through Jazz and Eclectic Beats played with passion.All these nights are run with enthusiasm and professionalism to give the paying folks total value for money all having their own individual mix of music and people,warranting a visit from anyone looking for a top night out !
For me Blackburn King Georges Hall continued to provide the goods and the crowds (1500+) for the Modern Soul and Jazz Funk dancers.The cream of the Weekenders remained with The Blackpool Luxury event held annually in January and as usual got the year off to a flying start with Rahsaan Patterson and Trina Broussard. Added highlights were Richard and Dean’s Parker’s set in the early hours of Sunday morning showing some seriously soulful Manchester heritage.The Frodisia Jazz Session on the Saturday afternoon with Tony Cooney Mark Grice and myself was a real winner too hitting everything from bossa to bebop.Now here we are just a few days away from the 2010 Blackpool Luxury Weekender with Chapter 8 Live and we are bringing in west coast US soul singer Darnell Kendricks with his world exclusive set from his brand new Smooth Soul Cafe cd in the Lounge on Frday at The Hilton.
Outside of this box I have come across various nights up and down the country that warrant your attention.The advent of Jazzifunk put together by promoter George Powell ably supported by dj Bruce Q in Birmingham @ The Hare andHounds http://jazzifunk.moonfruit.com/ producing a great mixed crowd from the heritage of Birmingham clubbing and enthusiastic new faces.JazziFunk also provided a session in Nottingham with Johnathon and Bruce Q and an excellent Rafters Revival in the original venue in Manchester that produced a top night with a good turn out of original faces from back in the day.I loved it that much I played a 5 hour set as the vibe in the room was like being with Family.SoulBuggin@Moog in Nottingham http://soulbuggin.blogspot.com/was another night with a unique vibe offering black music entertainment across the board,and superbly held together by the resident dj/promotion team of Mark A ,Steve Wrighty and Beane Noodler who also puts together a great radio show called Beane Noodlers Hotpot a fantastic musical pot pourie.
Continuing on nights that deserve your attention I can recommend DeepPromtions@ Poppyred in Birmingham that is put together as a collaboration between one of Birminghams Old Skoolers Malcolm “Stretch”Patrick and Poppyred, it describes itself as “Bringing together, 2 different generations of DJs, some of
Birminghams young, up and coming dJs/production artist playing the latest "Broken Beats", Soulful House & Samples And "Back in the Dayl" DJs playing original: Raregroove, Fusion Jazz, Gutter Funk, Jazz and Jazz Funk from the late 70s,80, 90s and beyond......Together they are known as the "0121" Fusion Collective !!! I can certainly verify that claim after working with 3 of their dj’s at Poppyred on New Years eve.These guys Lord Byron,Kwai and DJ IMD ALL merit your attention each having great musical knowledge and some obvious passion about their performances ! More on these guys later as I will endeavour to interview them for the blog.This gig using Birminghams dance history and modern outlook does exactly what it says on the can.
Soul Radio shows continue to thrive on the internet stations with again Solar & Starpoint leading the way with notable contributions from Stomp and Soul Connection.The continued popularity of Podcasts also allows more potential listeners to join in at a time that is suitable for them,for me this is a vital lifeline for people to keep in touch with the music we all love.
The shows themselves for me just get better in all the genres.Soulsorts presented by Roger Williams on Solar Radiohttp://www.soulsorts.co.uk/ still leads the way as it trail blazes the exposure of new independent soul music,this ststion also offering quality Dance/House/Soul Shows by Paul Phillips,Raj Selli,Ginger Tony,Kev Beadle,Ralph Tee.
Starpoint Radio also punches its weight in all the genres with quality shows from Paul Goldsmith with Select Soul,Mark Jordan with his top Soul Mix Show,Phil Levene and his fabulous Eclectic Jazz Show,Mark Randle,Gary Lee as well as a nice debut daytime show from DimitrySoul.
Sadly we lost Richard Searlings Saturday Show on Smooth FM Radio,hopefully Richard will be back on air sooner rather than later in 2010.
Mick O’Donnells Soul Discovery Show on Cambridge 209 http://www.souldiscovery.co.uk/ also goes from strength to strength continuing to promote some superb independent and traditional soul in 2009.Had the pleasure of getting over there in the late summer to hook up with Bob Jones, Snowboy and Mick himself for a Jazz Special that was very enjoyable and an indirect promotion for Centrepark holidays J along with Mark and I’s appearance in a remake of Stephen Spielberg’s Duel on the journey down there J
Podcasts worth a listen are Mark Merrys Soul Sermon Mixes http://soulsermonmixup.podomatic.com/entry/2009-12-20T04_40_46-08_00and Greg Cliffords Son Of Soul Podcasts http://thesonofsoul.podomatic.com/.
Roger Williams Soulsorts Top 20 2009
Soulsorts Top 100 Independent Soul Tracks 2009
1. King Ellis - Next 2 U (Album: Timeless Vol 1)
2. Tracy Hamlin - You've Got To Let Go (Album: Better Days)
3. Ellis Phelps & William Swann - Best Friends (Album: I'm Still Here)
4. Soulpersona - So Natural feat Kia Bennett (Album: Soulacoaster)
5. Danielle Haynes - I Want to Be Close (Album: Love's Never Lost)
6. Ted Winn - Balance (Album: Balance)
7. Noah Feat. Blu - Just Relax (Quasimode Remix) (Album: Golden Works)
8. Rad - Packed My Bags (Album: Getting Down Is Free)
9. Clark Sisters, Kiki Sheard, J. Moss - I Wanna Thank You (Album: Silky Soul Music ... An All-star Tribute to Maze)
10. Will Downing - Love Suggestions (Album: Classique)
11. Ledisi - Bring It To Me (Album: Shades Of A Woman)
12. Yomi - Why Oh Why - (Digital EP: From Me to You)
13. Aaron Marcellus & The Will Band - Say You Love Me (Album: Aaron Marcellus & The Will Band)
14. MLU - Wasn't There (Download: Crazy Love)
15. Ruben Studdard - Just Because (Album: Love Is)
16. Gary Beals - Excuse Me (Downlaod: The Rebirth Of...)
17. Tim Terry Experience - Ooowee (Download: Born II Live)
18. Guiltypleasures ft. Mychah Chevalier - Meaningless Affair (Album: Lovestories)
19. April Rucker - Here I Stand (Album: Here I Stand)
20. Shayna Steele - Different This Time (Album: I'll Be Anything)
Tony Cooney Freestylin’ & Frodisia Lucky 13 from 2009
1.Quasimode - `afrodisia`, `sayonara blues`
2.Santucci scoppa - `rollin stars`, `walking fast`
3.Sinto - `man on the banks` (a re release cheat)
4.Dalindeo - `vintage voyage`
5.Timo lassy `the more I look at you`
6.Ceasar`s salad `manteca`
7.Quantic and his combo barbaro `undelivered letter` `new morning`
8.Flat three `sesso brilante` mooon remix
9.Soil & pimp `paraiso`
10.24 carat `cafe bahia`
11.Ltc `easy does it`
12.Papik `happy rhymes`
13.Giles peterson havana cultura – rezando
Paul GoldSmith Select Soul Radio Show Starpoint Radio
Top 10 For 2009
1 Joe - Wanna Be Your Lover [ Signature]
2.Ruben Studdard - Just Because [ Love Is]
3 Maze Ft. Frankie Beverly & The Clark Sisters, Kiki Sheard, J. Moss - I Wanna Thank You [ Silky Soul Music... An All-star Tribute To Maze]
4 Brian Courtney Wilson - Just Love [ Just Love]
5 Ledisi - Goin' Thru Changes [ Turn Me Loose]
6 Danielle Haynes - I Want To Be Close [ Love's Never Lost]
7 76 Degrees West Band Ft. Gordon Chambers - Can't Keep Runnin' [ 76 Degrees West]
8 LaKisha Jones - Memories (Fade Away) [ So Glad I'm Me]
9 Ted Winn - Balance [ Balance]
10 45 AKA Swing-O Ft. Jimmy Abney - Nothing Feels Better Than You [ The Revenge Of Soul]
Greg Clifford Son Of Soul Podcast
Happy New Year!!
Here are 20 of my favourite songs from 2009 all wrapped up in one podcast. Hope you enjoy it!
Playlist
Deborah Jordan - Home feat. Replife
Soulpersona - So Natural feat Kia Bennett
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Run Away
Innosphere - Everlasting Love
Leon King - Knowingness
DJ Spinna - Melody feat. Shabaam Sahdeeq & Erik Rico
Shafiq Husayn - Dust & Kisses feat. Noni Limar
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - My Star feat. Erika Rose
Root Soul - On & On feat. Shea Soul
Guynamite - Set Free feat. Shea Soul
Phlash & Friends - Think About It feat. Zansika
Rob Van De Wouw - Common Ground feat. Ivar
DJ Mitsu The Beats - Dim Skyline feat. Mark de Clive-Lowe
DâM-FunK - Hood Pass Intact
Emanative - Low Motion
HEAVy - Change
Stefon Harris & Blackout - For You feat. Casey Benjamin
The Robert Glasper Experiment - All Matter feat. Bilal
Maxwell - Stop The World
Van Hunt - Tingle
Listen/Download from my podomatic website.
http://thesonofsoul.podomatic.com/
David Hulmes DJ
21st Century Soul - Best Of 2009
1. Sterling Ensemble feat. Carlene Graham - Push It - Hernan Cronner's Soulcom Remix
2. DJ Asparagus – Ur Daddy Loves You
3. Gregory Del Piero feat Paris Brightledge - Each Other - Del Mix
4. M-Swift feat Marcus Begg - A Beautiful World
5. DJN Project - Take You Away – Louie Vega Main Mix
6. Dawn Tallman - Who Can I Run To - Bams Main Vocal
7. The Jinks feat Lady Alma - Wake Up Running - Main
8. Tyron Dixon feat. John Davis - Bring It Back - Tyron Dixon's Original Mix
9. Jose Burgos feat. Kenny Bobien - For Your Love - Extended Mix
10. Jay-J feat. Big Brooklyn Red – Decide - Ethan White's EasyTracks Mix
11. Inaya Day & Ralf Gum- Reap - Ralf Gum Original Mix
12. Musical Solution feat Pete Simpson - Superhero - Main Mix
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