Sandra Phillips - She didn't know

From her only album "Too many people in one bed", here's one more "wife talks to lover" - song by Sandra Phillips. The whole album would deserve more attention and certainly a better review on allmusic.com.

Abbey Lincoln - Strong Man

Abbey Lincoln was 27 when she recorded Strong Man, the first track of a very fine record she made in the mid 50's with Sonny Rollins, Kenny Dorham, Wynton Kelly and Max Roach. What a band for a "supper club singer" as Allmusic.com described her earlier career. I always liked those early recordings much more than her protest era or her later recordings with her old, broken voice.

Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers - Just the two of us

"Just the two of us" was on the radio yesterday.

In 1980 we listened to that, taped from a dutch radio station with too many people crammed into a little Volkswagen and a keg of beer to have an improvised party  in the flat of one of the guys. It became a habit, every week for some months. Always that tape with the dutch DJ and then party.

Sam Brown - Stop

A great song from the 80's, probably the only one remembered by a bigger audience. Sam Brown had deserved better. Check out her appearance in the concert for George Harrison with a very energetic "Horse to the water".

Father and daughter Johnson

Syleena Johnson is the daughter of underrated soul singer Syl Johnson. In 2005 she issued her CD Chapter 3 with the appropriately titled "Slowly". The album cover says it all.






Compare with Syl Johnson's "Is it because I'm black". The track is an all-time favourite, but the cover is definitely not as attractive.

Adrian Younge - Turn down the Sound

I had difficulties finding an appropriate label for this mix of sounds. Is it Sergio Leonish or Tarantino-Soul? It is probably just very good pop music.

Diana Ross - Reach out and Touch

One of the great hymns, on her first solo album. The cover is quite a contrast to the diva-role she assumed pretty soon later. A boyish child looking up for what the future may bring.

Ruth Brown - Sweet Baby of Mine

Lesser known, but great record by Ruth Brown who gave Atlantic Records a string of hits in the 50's.

Clifford Brown - George's Dilemma

Clifford Brown and Max Roach from 1955. Probably my favourite of "A study in Brown" with a wonderful rhythm.


 

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers - At the Birdland

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at the Birdland from February 1954, now 60 years ago. I had the chance to see Art Blakey performing live in Cologne Germany in the long closed jazz club Subway on Aachener Strasse. To my amazement, after the show, Blakey sat in an aisle, splitting the box office revenue with the club owner. That was probably what he'd done his whole lifetime. Quite unthinkable nowadays.

Anyway, the track is great and the famous announcement by Pee Wee Marquette alike (remember Cantaloop by us3?). Horrible though is the cover, but Spotify doesn't offer the original record to listen to and therefore not the cover art. Find it here.

Major Harris - Love won't let me wait

In the summer of '75, Major Harris landed a hit with the ballad "Love won't let me wait". Formerly a member of the Delfonics, he later joined them again when his solo career lacked success. Notorious backing vocals were provided by Barbara Ingram.

Candi Staton - Here I am

Candi Staton will release a new CD, Life Happens, in May this year. From 40 years ago, 1974, comes her  "Here I am again" .

Oscar Brown Jr.- Dat dere

Oscar Brown's debut record, sin & soul from 61 "is a true classic" says allmusic.com. What else can I say.


 

Betty Everett and Jerry Butler - Let it be me

I just learned that this beautiful song is a cover of a song by french chansonnier Gilbert Bécaud, "J'appartiens" from the mid-50's. Also covered by the Everly Brothers, the Everett/Butler version however is THE definitive version.

Miles Davis - Ascenseur pour L'échaffaud (Générique)

That was the first jazz record I ever bought after watching Louis Malles film on TV and liking its soundtrack. The record was backed with a soundtrack for Les femmes disparaissent featuring Art Blakey and I liked that stuff too.

Will Downing - Turn off the lights

First track from the new album Euphoria by Will Downing.  Excellent track for those who like Quiet Storm stuff.



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Babs Gonzales - Professor Bop

From the end of the 40's, Professor Bop by Babs Gonzales, which allaboutjazz describes asthe consummate hipster. He is supposed to have worked with Sonny Rollins, Wynton Kelly, Art Pepper during that time. Professor Bop was used by now famous German TV-Entertainer Dr. Goetz Alsmann as a radio show theme song.

Bobby Bland - 36-22-36

Bobby Bland as a starting point. 36 - 22 - 36 is from the early 60's and has a fantastic groove. A true five star song.