Soul and Jazz and Funk Latest

DONNA SUMMER has died at the age of 63. She'd been fighting a long and private battle with cancer. Her family announced the sad news today – Thursday 17 May.

Born LADONNA ADRIAN GAINES, SUMMER broke into the music business in her early 20s as a backing singer for THREE DOG NIGHT. Her first hit, the controversial 'Love To Love You Baby', reached the No 2 spot on the Billboard charts in 1976. Then, through the rest of the 70s and into the 80s she was a regular visitor to the charts in the US and throughout Europe. Her music was aimed squarely at the disco floor but her committed delivery ensured she had a large fan base in the soul community too.

In her career Ms SUMMER won five Grammy and six American Music Awards and had three multi-platinum albums.

SUMMER had recently been living in Nashville, Tennessee. She had three daughters and four grandchildren. Her family released a statement saying they were "at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy".

Tributes to the singer have been fulsome. Amongst those paying their respects was DIONNE WARWICK who expressed her sadness at losing a great performer and "dear friend." WARWICK said in a statement: "My heart goes out to her husband and her children. Prayers will be said to keep them strong."

IVY JO HUNTER, working with MICKEY STEVENSON, was part of one of Motown's most important song writing teams in the 60s. His writing credits include 'Just Ask The Lonely', 'I'll Always Love You', 'I'll Keep On Holding On' and, of course, 'Dancing In The Street'. Motown connoisseurs know that HUNTER was an artist too –recording stuff like 'I'd Still Love You' and 'I Remember When (Dedicated To Beverly)' for the VIP imprint.

After leaving Motown HUNTER formed the Probe 1 Production company in Detroit and through the 70s and 80s he produced a clutch of collectable recordings. He continued to make his own recordings too and he was also the lead vocalist on North By Northeast's 'Pain Of City Living'. You can catch the flavour of IVY JO'S post-Motown work on a brand new vinyl single from SOUL JUNCTION RECORDS. The 7" pairs the ultra catchy 1979 waxing 'See You Around' with a pleasing ballad, 'Yea, Yea, Yea'. Vocals throughout are soulfully superb, begging the question as to why he didn't really make that breakthrough at Motown. Still, 'See You Around' might compensate.... fitting the modern soul bill perfectly and destined to be a classic. Find out more @ www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk

When you're called CHAKA FRANKLIN there can only be one career path – soul music. Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina CHAKA began treading that path at an early age singing in choirs and at school from the age of 4. After attending East Carolina university (where she was part of a vocal ensemble, ASHANTI) she began a career in Respiratory Therapy but continued to make music.

In 2011 she met producer DAVID ZIGGBYBLUE WATKINS at an Atlanta Talent showcase and he took Ms. FRANKLIN straight into the studio to record the dramatic ballad 'I'm 2 Good 4 U'. Featuring a guest vocal from AHMAL PARKER, it's a mix of old school soul sensitivities and new wave R&B. The single is currently available via all the usual internet outlets and you can learn more @ www.codeblueentertainment.com

Last Updated on Sunday, 13 May 2012 10:20

Most proper soul fans have a penchant for mod music; indeed, it's true to say that many veteran soulsters were original mods, getting their first taste and continued love of soul in that golden age. The good news for all the above is that RPM Records (a Cherry Red imprint) have just issued a tremendous three CD box set of 60's mod music.

'Looking Back' contains a massive 80 cuts of what the set's subtitle calls 'Mod, Freakbeat and Swinging London Nuggets'. All the featured artists were British (or British based) and what you get is their unique sixties take on soul and original R&B. Amongst the featured artists are the SPENCER DAVIS GROUP (Mark II, sans STEVIE WINWOOD), THE ARTHUR BROWN SET, JOHN LEE'S GROUNDHOGS, THE IN CROWD, TONY RIVERS, EPISODE SIX and JOHN'S CHILDREN - MARC BOLAN'S first group. There's also an appearance from the self-styled "King Of Ska", LAUREL AITKEN (with a rough and rustic 'Bongo Jerk') and great cut from Bronx-born soul man, J J JACKSON ('Come See Me').

You also get lots of great soul covers like 'Daddy Rolling Stone' from Merseybeat band EARL PRESTON'S REALMS and a take on the MAR-KEY'S 'Last Night' from the aforementioned LAUREL AITKEN and his band, THE SOULMEN. Lots of modern bands and artists aspire to create an authentic 60s sound but never quite get it right. With this wonderful collection as a primer they would, I'm sure, have much more success. Find out more @ www.cherryred.co.uk

Last Updated on Saturday, 12 May 2012 19:14

Jazz-funk-soul doyenne, PATRICE RUSHEN, is due to appear with a star-studded band (billed as 'Patrice Rushen & Friends') at the Southport Weekender on Saturday 12th May. In the run up to her small UK tour (she's also due to appear at Ronnie Scott's alongside drummer NDUGU CHANCLER for two consecutive nights beginning Monday May 14th) SJF is publishing the second part of an extensive and fascinating interview with the California-born musician. Here, she talks about her formative years, how she got into jazz, and also tells us how she got her first record deal...

Last Updated on Friday, 11 May 2012 13:09