Soul-Patrol: Black Music, Black History, Classic Soul Music, 2010 Best In Black Music, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Funk Music, Southern Soul Music, Neo Soul, Motown, Stax, Black Rock, Black Radio, RRHOF, Music, Doo Wop, Disco, CLASSIC HIP HOP, NuSoul, Rare Grooves, Slow Jams, Nu Soul, RnB,RADIOIO.COM, Rhythm and Blues, R&B Foundation, Johnny Otis, Etta James, Jimmy Castor, Tre Williams, Irene Cara, Betty Wright, Black Ivory, Lee Fields, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Sly Stone, Heavy D, Joe Frazier, Charles Wright, Herman Cain, Garland Jeffreys, Mandrill, Syleena Johnson, Gil Scott-Heron, Mick Jagger, Chuck D, Fdeluxe, Teena Marie, Jaye Q, Sonnyboy, Gwen McCrae, Derrick Bell, Jimi Hendrix, Lauryn Hill, Sammy Davis Jr, John Legend, Alexander O'Neal, Elizabeth Withers, Sandra St Victor, Rob Jon, SonnyBoy, Frank Sinatra, Dells, Calvin Richardson, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Stephanie McKay, Stanley Clarke, Esperanza Spalding, Teena Marie, Keith Sweat, War, Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO), LMarvin Sapp & Winans, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill & Ralph Tresvant, George Clinton and P-Funk All Stars, Con-funk-shun, The BarKays, The Ohio Players, The Dazz Band, Slave, Teena Marie, Unison TV/Motown Revue Project, Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E, Zoe, Al Goodman (Ray, Goodman & Brown), Ohio Players, BB King, Larry Graham, Mint Condition, Ledisi, Shirley Sherrod, Lee Atwater, Obama, Wooten, BET, Revelations, Tre Williams, Sonnyboy, Bettye LaVette, Ali Woodson, Lena Horne, Dorothy Height, Pat Cooley, Grover Washington Jr, Jaye q, SXSW, Christian Scott, Black Joe Louis, Marva Wright, Ron Banks/Dramatics, Chrisette Michelle, SXSW, Clarence Burke/Five Stairsteps, Angie Stone, Chi-Lites, Teddy Pendergrass, Each One Teach One 2nd Music and Radio Conference, David Mills, Willie Mitchell/Al Green, WAR, Impressions, Elgins, Evolution of American Popular Music, Rod Stewart, Soulbook, NDambi, Latimore, Teena Marie, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Chuck D/Public Enemy, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Delfonics, SoundExchange Royalties, Ray Charles, Berks Jazz Festival, Smokey Robinson, Miracles, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Lenny White, Desi, Me'Na, Donnie C, Sly Stone, Playing for Change, Darren Rahn, Motown 50, Culture War In Black Music/Culture, Freddie Hubbard, Jimi Hendrix, President Barrack Obama, Nikka Costa, Levi Stubbs, Four Tops, Leon Ware, George Duke, Chante Moore, Maysa, Norman Whitfield, Temptations, SMV, Marcus Miller/Victor Wooten, Keb Mo, Robert Cray, Rick Braun/Richard Elliot, Nadir, Blues and Spirit, Spinners, Isaac Hayes, Chip Shelton, Hil St Soul, Gamble and Huff, Marvin Gaye, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Bergen PAC, Keswick, Buddy Miles, Jason Miles, Norman Kelsey, Bob Baldwin, Will Downing, Madonna, Donna Summer, Chic, Ike Turner, Sly Stone, Angie Stone, Queen Latifah, Temptations, Bobby Byrd, Max Roach, Billy Jones, Ledisi, Soulive, Marc Broussard, Kyle Jason, Dell East, Bo Diddley, Doug Carn, Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin, Vernon Reid, John Popper, Cyro Baptista, Bernie Worrell, Karl Denson, Christian Scott, Persuaders, James Brown, Anthony Hamilton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chick Willis, Jr Walker, Black Music Compilation, Maysa, Jason Miles, Marvin Gaye Birthday, Frank McComb, Stylistics, Chi-Lites, Delfonics, Emotions, Manhattans, Blue Magic, Prince, Super Bowl, Best of 2008, James Brown, Great Black Music, Laura Nyro, What It Is, Funk, Allison Crockett, Angela Johnson, Marlon Saunders, Tony Silvester/The Main Ingredient, Ruth Brown, Gerald Levert, Ed Bradley, Natalie Cole, Micheal Henderson, Gladys Knight, Ray Parker, Charles Wright, Buddy Miles, Jessie Stone, Nadir, Sonny Boy, 5 Royales, P-Funk, Diana Ross, R&B Foundation, Black Culture, Mandrill, Rick James, Gamble and Huff, George Clinton, Fred Wesley, Berry Gordy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Charles,Wright, Bill Cosby, Traciana Graves, Ledisi, Archie Bell, Billy Griffin, Candi Staton, James Brown, Micheal Jackson, Ojays, Bettye LaVette, Frankie Beverly, Patti LaBelle, Barbara Mason, Supremes, Billy Preston, Will Hart, Delfonics/Delphonics, Sly and the Family Stone, Manhattans, Black History Month, Billy Paul, Ted Mills, Black Music History, Chairmen of the Board, Miles Davis, Chip Shelton, Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Al Bell/Stax, Jimmy Castor, Wilson Pickett, Susaye Greene, Persuaders, Gordon Chambers, Lou Rawls, Sam Cooke, Richard Pryor, Sonny Boy, MFSB, Stephanie McKay, Johnny Guitar Watson, Leon Ware, Herbie Hancock, Nadir, Susaye Greene, P-Funk All Stars, Chi-Lites, Eugene Record, Luther Vandross, Four Tops, Will Wheaton, Angela Johnson, Victor Wooten, Julie Dexter, Lyn Collins, RRHOF, Bo Diddley, Candi Staton, Cathy Hughes, Louise Perryman, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Dells, Barbara Mason, Supremes, Billy Cobham, Mighty Sam McClain, Barry White, Billy Paul

History Lesson - Vernon Reid

In Africa, music is not an art form as much as it is a means of communication.
A Negro has got no name. Quite often, the words of the song are meaningless.
A Negro has got no name We are wearing the name of our master

SOUL-PATROL NEWSLETTER INDEX

RIP - Johnny Otis, Etta James, Jimmy Castor, Bobby Purify, John Levy

Editor's Note - This past week was a rough one if you are a fan of Black music. Johnny Otis, Etta James, Jimmy Castor, Bobby Purify, John Levy. Last week I was interviewed on WRKS (Bob Slade, Bob Pickett, Mtume - NYC), WRNB (Dyana Williams - Philly), Davey D (KPFA - Oakland), WRTC (Kevin Amos - Pittsburgh) and the American Urban Radio Network, to discuss the passing of these giants of Black music, with their listeners. I'd like to thank those folks for allowing me to come on their airways and talk with their listeners.

yeah....we have a LOT of artists passing away. This is a trend that ncan only accelerate, and there isn't verymuch that we can do about itb ut be sad, right?

Well, maybe not, here is an idea, that I would like you to try out...

DO ME A FAVA.....PROMISE YOURSELF THAT YOU WILL GO AND SEE YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST, PERFORM LIVE IN 2012, AND THAT WHEN YOU DO, TAKE A YOUNGER PERSON ALONG WITH YOU!!!! (I did it, as you will read in my concert review later, it will make you feel a whole lot better about things)

(& IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST, CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL AND i WILL SUGGEST ONE THAT YOU CAN ADOPT...)

Now take a look at this excellent essay by our friend ELP about the passing of these artists...(Bob Davis)

I know...I know....but...why is it important to say that the late and oh-so-great Johnny Otis was white? It seems to me that Mediterranean (Greek) is more a person of color (i.e. East Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, Afghani etc...NOT Mediterranean I know) than not. If he were black there wouldn't be ANY mention at all. I'm jes sayin...the man's greatness had little to do with his heritage as he was basically a non-white person anyhow. He swung with black folk and identified that way. I had no idea how much he touched and influenced. He's right up there with Baby Ray, Richard Penniman, Louis Jordan and Chuck Berry as the progenitors, the architects if you will of R&B/ Rock n Roll. Hope he's in the RRHOF! Peace go with you brother.

His passing is accompanied by the equally sad passing of one of his protege's Ms. Etta James. I heard Bob say that she's his fave singer of all time. While she's not mine there ARE some very unique and special aspects of her voice and singing style that are her signature and hers alone! She growls, groans and grunts completely 'out' of key, time and everything else whenever she wants. You see this woman REALLY expressed herself in and through her voice and her music. Her expressiveness gave her music a certain personality that only Re-Re came close to emulating but NEVER duplicated. Where Aretha and Gladys had a way of layin yo ass out Etta EMOTED alla dat in her various ad libs and voice inflections. The lyric was the lyric but she had free rein all around that. Drawing notes out for effect. Lettin other tones sweetly linger and ring in your ears so melodically as if lullabye-in you to sleep. Try as she did Janis Joplin never could do what Etta did with Take "Another Little Piece of My Heart." Both led tortured lives but Etta always seemed to stand over the nuked rubble as if to say: Here I stand MF!!!!! I HAVE SURVIVED!!!! Janis was more content to wallow in it and succumb to it. RIP Miss James!!!!!

And then Jimmy Castor earlier this week. A really deep brutha. What I knew of him initially was that he was part of that hip black-latin-conga-bongo thing that was happnin in the mid 60's that served as the springboard for the likes of Santana and that whole West Coast African/Spanish wave that swept the country into the 70's. See it all started with Joe Bataan. It was called Latin Soul or Boogaloo (Boogalu). It combined the most primal elements of doo-wop and R&B and married them to the African rhythms of the barrios and the ghettoes of Harlem and Newark and North Philly. Jimmy Castor did EXACTLY the same sort of thing with his work with Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers subbing for Frankie and serving as understudy. He wrote one of their biggest hits in Promise To Remember. But this Latin Soul thing was something else. No Mandrill, Osibisa, Cymande or any other early funk/roots acts would have been possible without this small but hugely significant piece of musical culture. No Salsa either. New Yorkers more than anyone remember the days when Puerto Ricans and Blacks gang warred and fought like dogs back in the day. But then like nowhere else these two subdivisions of basically the same ethnicity began to come together. First musically and then socially and politically. The music was as greasy as anything JB made but it also moved with a lil bit mo syncopation with that clave underscoring everything. Cornbread, hawgmaws and chit-ta-lins became a battle cry that was equaled only by 'I'll Never Go Back To Gawgia'! Jimmy Castor and Hey Leroy was smack dab in the middle of this. Cats like Joe Bataan, Joe Cuba, TNT Band and Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers all made this music that was basically born on the stoop. When I was a kid cats used to do the doo-wop but many also got bongos and congas (the cheap studded head kind) that had to be tuned by heating over the burners on the stove or a can of sterno. This gave em that 'teacup' sound. Cats played sambas, guaguancoes and mozambiques (basic African hand drumming rhythms) on my steps until late or until the cops shooed em away. This is what made Jimmy Castor so special to me. The 1st place I saw him was at the Apollo and he tore the house up! He could've stopped right there and made a career out of that but instead he used the concept of ancient times, Genesis and the dawning of civilization to spawn a novelty act that HAD to be very influential to the Troutman clan. From Troglodyte through Bertha Butt and all of the slick, hard driving funk in-between Jimmy Castor became a monster in his own right. How bout Groove Gon Make You Move? It's Only Just Begun? Potential? These are all funk workouts SUPREME!!!!! If you were in a band one or all were worthy of your playlist just as much as Kool or JB or Sly.

The fact that he used FUNK as the vehicle for ALL of his crossover hits just verifies my argument that in order TO crossover you gotta take care of home FIRST. In other words you've got to DESTROY every living breathing thing around you and yours before anybody even cares that you're alive. That's how the BEST did it. Otis, JB, Kool, Wilson, Aretha had long since slain and left black folk for dead before the general populace even knew they were on the radar. Johnny Otis knew this and acted accordingly with self then Hank Ballard, Etta and Jackie Wilson.

Mr. Castor 'The E-Man' knew this as well and he milked it to DEATH. Really interesting cat. Job well done sir You go haid and rest now....we love you and will be missed dearly. Dat black hole gets deeper and wider...and we aint eeem a month into 2012! *flash*...just got mo sad news as Bobby Purify of James and Bobby/ I'm Your Puppet fame and Mr. John Levy has also passed away RIP all!

Hire A Band
Peace
LP

http://www.radioio.com/channels/classic-hip-hop/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

(RIP) I can't really tell you how much Jimmy Castor Means To Me

(RIP) I can't really tell you how much Jimmy Castor Means To Me

I was hoping that Jimmy Castor would have emailed me back and told me something like; "Bob, the reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated..."

But of course that hasn't happened. In fact what has happened is that I have gotten several phone calls & emails confirming his passing.

Of course I became aware of Jimmy Castor first because of the song "Hey Leroy," on WWRL (1600 AM) back when I was a little kid in the 1960's. I had no clue at that point in time, that he would later grow to become so important to me as a person.

Of course I have written a whole lot on the internet about the music and influence of Jimmy Castor. But that is only a part of the story....

I first met Jimmy Castor in 2005 at a party in Las Vegas. Our friend John Wilson (Sly, Slick & Wicked) was about to introduce me to Jimmy Castor and Jimmy interrupted John and said;

"you don't have to introduce me to Bob Davis, I already know Bob Davis, because I read the Soul-Patrol. He is my biggest fan, he is from New York, knows what THE REAL DEAL IS, and he is the ONLY writer out there who is willing to tell THE TRUTH about my career from DOO WOP to HIP HOP. I already know Bob Davis, he is my brotha...."

Then Jimmy introduced me to his wife, who was standing right next to him, and she said; "Bob next time you come out to Vegas, you don't have to stay in a hotel, just let us know when your coming, you can stay out at the house..."

Of course I never made it back out to Las Vegas to take up on her offer...

But Jimmy certainly made it to Philadelphia in 2007 for the Soul-Patrol Convention and many of you got a chance to meet him there.

Since 2005 I have probably spent over 100 hours on the phone talking with Jimmy Castor, sometimes about music, but mostly about life.

I last spoke with him about 2 weeks before the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention. He wanted to apologize to me for being unable to travel to Philly for the Convention, but wanted to show his support by buying 4 tickets. That's when he told me how sick he was. He told me about his battle with cancer and what it had done to his body. However he also told me that he was unwilling to let the disease take away his spirit. I also told him about the similar battle my mother was then waging. Jimmy said to me; "I don't even have to worry about it, I am certain that you and Mike are making absolutely certain that your mom is enjoying a good quality of life..."

A few moments after I hung up the phone, I went to check my email and there was a message from PayPal stating that Jimmy Castor had just purchased 4 tickets to the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention...

Right now I am listening to an internet radio special I did a few years ago as a tribute to Jimmy Castor: http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/jimmycastor.htm
I think that I need to move some of this material to the main page of the site...

RIP
JIMMY CASTOR
THE EVERYTHING MAN

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Album Review: Revelations Featuring Tre Williams - Concrete Blues

The last time I saw a torch get passed so obviously and willingly it was when MJ presented JB BET's Lifetime Achievement (Vanguard/Sammy Davis Jr.?) Award a couple years ago. Like Ali frail and wobbly making his way through in that Olympic Torch lighting ceremony, Brown was waaaay ready to give it up but there was seemingly no takers. Enter MJ and the deal was sealed in one of the most memorable moments (TV or otherwise) ever.

So now we see Lattimore, the bad black lion passing the torch of Southern Soul to a not-so-young-but-young-enough-for-government-work (and the purposes necessary therein) Tre Williams. The new album is called Concrete Blues.

The irony here is that all of that in-studio wizadry (trickery?) is conspicuous by it's absence here. No sound gates, gone are the hokey horn patches and it's all replaced by the sparest of spare rhythm section (replete with a nice greasy Hammond b3 organ), bari and tenor saxes and a trumpet player. Horns are only on a couple tunes but their presence is so effective that it's another one of it's great selling points. Due to Mr. Williams' age the subject matter and delivery while very similar in some ways to Lattimore's is informed instead by the reality of black male life TODAY!

It also borrows heavily from the PEAK days of this genre. Luther Ingram, Johnny Taylor, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, Otis Redding along with the guitar playing of a Curtis Mayfield or Steve Cropper are all invoked. Anthony Hamilton comes to mind as well as his soul emits the exact same kind of emotionally charged maturity through the vagaries of the life experience. Jaheim got it too but those two are a lil more 'caught up' in 'today-isms' to matter as much as they could. By 'today-isms' I mean the 'hot' 'happenin' studio stuff.

One of the things that always endeared Tre Williams to me was his totally organic approach to music making. It's authentic, honest, traditional and fresh all at the same time. What Lattimore sang on the Ladies Man CD (All Said And Done) that "there aint nuthin new under the sun when it's all said and done" he had to be channeling this guy.

Maybe because of the sadly deteriorating aspects of our culture through broken dysfunctional nuclear families and the subsequent impairment of the black community, so many of today's young artists lack the continuum of tradition necessary to move forward. I believe that this is the main contributing factor informing this need for 'the next hot thing'. Cats acknowledge the presence of the Masters and all of their groundbreaking pioneering efforts only to abandon the same in search of this ever elusive 'Eldorado' of relevance.

Forget it! Just stop, NOW!.....(continued here)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Album Review: Betty Wright & The Roots - Betty Wright: The Movie

Please allow me to share with all of you another great find that came out recently - the latest from Betty Wright.

We all know the output of Miami-based soul legend Betty Wright, known for such classics as "Clean Up Woman", "Tonight Is The Night", "No Pain, No Gain", and "After The Pain". She did a song with Angie Stone back in 2006 or 2007 titled "Baby".

Well, she's back with a brand new CD titled "Betty Wright: The Movie". The music is provided by Philly's own The Roots and, let me tell you, the CD is SLAMMING!!!

Just like Full Force did for James Brown back in 1988 for his album "I'm Real", The Roots are doing for Betty Wright on her latest CD. Fourteen songs of pure, unadulterated, gut wrenching soul and funk! The CD is solid from start to finish - there is not one single filler cut, on the whole CD. A solid listen from beginning to end.

She is still the storyteller that she has always been with her lyrics and her singing is still as soulful and solid as ever. The Roots understand her style very well and provide solid instrumentation with REAL INSTRUMENTS and REAL SOUL! No hip-hopped soul here. Granted, three of the songs do feature very brief raps in the middle (one from Snoop Dogg). However, even the raps fit in perfectly and are unobtrusive. Again, all involved understand the lady and they allow her to do her thing without getting in the way.....(review continued)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Album Review: Irene Cara presents Hot Caramel

Irene Cara presents Hot Caramel
(Rock, Neo Soul, Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Slow Jams, Southern Soul, Pop, Disco, Latin, Spoken Word/Rap)

Irene Cara - vocals, acoustic piano, synths
Audrey Martells - vocals
Chanda Leigh Bailey - keyboards, synths/FX, vocals
Errica Poindexter - bass
Reina Yvonne Poindexter - vocals
Donna Hairston - bass
Lafrae Olivia SCI - drums
Sheryl Bailey - guitar

(please note ..."an all girl band")

Here is what I will write on Twitter about this album, if I ever log on to my account there again: "Irene Cara presents Hot Caramel is the best album that I have heard released in 2011"

(I think that is fewer than 140 characters?)

Irene Cara; huh?

A few months ago I was contacted by a publicist, asking me if I would like to have a copy of the new release by Irene Cara, for potential airplay on RadioIO.com. Of course I am well aware of who Irene Cara is.....(review continued)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Album Review: Black Ivory - Continuum

Some 40 years ago (damn! has it been that long?), I added, BLACK IVORY as one of the groups I came to enjoy in style and substance. "I'll Find Away" is among my all-time favorites of 'ALL' of the songs I like to listen to even today. The 'Industry' can be cruel to recording artists and thus, cruel to the fans of recording artists. They set their own criteria for what they are willing to support, I suppose, based on a bigger picture. I'm being kind. They kick to the curb what 'they' don't want or think is viable to their business 'objectives'. We have seen it repeatedly.So BLACK IVORY was yet another casualty of this 'process'. But NOW....

"CONTINUUM by BLACK IVORY" has come into being. A 'reunion' of sorts of the three young men, Stuart Bascombe, Leroy Burgess and Russell Paterson we embraced some 40 years ago. They have come a long way from, "Don't Turn Around", but in many ways, this album is reminiscent of the style of vocals and harmony that their followers and fans were drawn to.....(review continued)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Concert Review: Lee Fields + Sugar Pie DeSanto @ The Bell House New Years Eve Brooklyn, NY (12/31)

This long overdue review from New Year's Eve December 31, 2011 /January 1, 2012, is going to end up being more of a "stream of consciousness," than a typical concert review. As many of you already know, 2011 was just about the worst year of my life, with the passing of my mother on Thanksgiving day, among other things that you don't know. So as you might well imagine, I was quite happy to see the year end and for a new one to begin.

As a general rule, I don't go out at all on New Year's Eve at all. I stopped doing that many years ago, for all of the obvious reasons why the best place to be on New Years Eve is right at home, in front of the TV set watching the ball drop along with Dick Clark.

However the idea of bringing in the New Year with our good friends, Lee Fields and Sugar Pie DeSanto, was inspirational for me. I knew that not only would the show be ultra phunky, but I also knew that it would be just the type of "attitude adjustment," for me on a personal level that would enable me to start of 2012 on a positive tip.

Both are longtime members of Soul-Patrol, over 10 years in fact.
--In fact Lee Fields had attended the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention this past summer in Philadelphia.
--And back in 2008 we were quite honored to have been in attendance when Sugar Pie DeSanto was presented with her R&B Foundation Pioneer Award.

And of course, this was Sugar Pie's first NYC appearance in many, many years.
(Later we were to learn that she had just recently discovered that she had been born in Brooklyn.)

As "mrs. earthjuce' and I were preparing to make the journey from New Jersey to Brooklyn for the show, something occurred that perfectly set the tone for the evening. My daughter, home from college for the Holiday break, who had previously told us that she would ge going to Philly to hang out with her friends, informs me that those plans had fallen through and wants to know if she can hang out with mom & dad for New Years Eve? Although I would never have suggested it, nothing could have made me smile more :)

Anyhow, the rest of this is the "stream of consciousness" that I tweeted that evening from the Bell House nightclub in Brooklyn on New Year's Eve December 31, 2011 /January 1, 2012...

@kozmicfunk: Im sitting here in the super hip/super slick Bell House nightclub in Brooklyn with my two best girls (mrs earthjuice & rachel).
@kozmicfunk: We are waiting for the supa phunky Mr. Lee Fields and the legendary Ms. Sugar Pie DeSanto (the inspiration for Amy Winehouse) to to hit the stage.
@kozmicfunk: The instruments are on the stage, there is a huge dance floor and I am ready to throw down :-)
@kozmicfunk: I sure as hell will be quite happy to see 2011 come to an end. Stay tuned. I've got some big plans for 2012.
@kozmicfunk: Be safe and just be sure to keep it FUNKY, wherever you are tonight...a seven piece band including a horn section.
@kozmicfunk: Here comes Ms. Sugar Pie...
@kozmicfunk: She has already lept off of the stage several time to dance with the audience
@kozmicfunk: She brought someone up on stage to do a real nasty slow drag with her.......LOL
@kozmicfunk: This place is SOLD OUT PACKED (and she is driving them nuts)
@kozmicfunk: In The Basement (Sugar Pie Live)......Like being in a discotheque (circa 1965)

Sugar Pie DeSanto (http://www.jasmanrecords.com)

--Life Goes On
--Soulful Days
--Use Whatcha Got
--Slip In Mules
--Go Go Power
--Hello San Francisco
--In the Basement
--Let's tear it Up
@kozmicfunk: Ball just dropped and now waiting on Lee Fields...
@kozmicfunk: while we are waiting, the DJ has been rockin some Betty Davis.
@kozmicfunk: Sugar Pie was awesome....
@kozmicfunk: We hooked up with our boy Lee (http://whoislee.com) and his lady earlier. Lee always comes out to support
@kozmicfunk: Lee Fields and the expresions just took the stage....
@kozmicfunk: If y'all miss James Brown....("there it is")....then ya need ta check out brotha Lee Fields
@kozmicfunk: ...they are starting off with some mellow and phunky Hugh Masakela type stuff
@kozmicfunk: Horn driven and very cool.
@kozmicfunk: I think that the "Expressions" are actually the "Dap Kings?")
@kozmicfunk: Crowd is goin wild...
@kozmicfunk: The promoter tells me there are about 600 people here in this room tonite.
@kozmicfunk: Bro Lee is doin his thang.....
@kozmicfunk: Remember the song....."SUNNY?"
@kozmicfunk: Lee Fields just did a MONSTER cover version.....
@kozmicfunk: Brotha Lee is done....but back for an encore...........and soundin like Bobby Womack ;-)
@kozmicfunk: ....but he's dancin like.....JB.......
@kozmicfunk: (splits n twists and everythang to some badd azz sh*t that is some kinda bizarre cross between James Brown and Bobby Womack
@kozmicfunk: .....(totally ...."wild and peaceful")

Lee Fields & the Expressions (http://www.leefieldsmusic.com)

--Expressions Theme
--Two Timer
--Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
--Money is King
--J.B.
--Love Comes and Goes
--Ladies
--Could Have Been
--Sunny
--What Can a Man Do
--You're The Kind of Girl
--All Your Goodies are Gone
--Bewildered
--Riot
--My World

So we left the club, located in a kind of no man's land warehouse district between Red Hook, Park Slope, Gowanus and the BQE, currently undergoing gentrification, I was told. As we drove back to NJ, thru Manhattan (to avoid the unbelievable $18.00 toll on the Verazzano Bridge,) my family was quite happy that we had gone to see Lee Fields and Sugar Pie DeSanto and that we had all gone together.

We danced
We screamed
We had a couple of drinks
I got to introduce my family to the artists.

But more importantly I got to expose my daughter to some fantastic live music. It was the cold blooded Black Music of the 1960's (Sugar Pie DeSanto) and 1970's (Lee Fields.) It was the REAL THING, as performed by REAL ARTISTS.

It was music whose best days some will claim, is best viewed thru the "rear view mirror of time."
But try telling that to the 600 or so folks between the ages of 20 - 35, at the 'sweatbox" called "Bell House" (http://www.thebellhouseny.com) who were there dancing their azzes off from start to finish, that this kind of cold blooded soul/funk is best viewed thru the "rear view mirror of time?"

Something tells me that my music does indeed have a future.
And it is a future that I am even able to share with my daughter.

How's that for a cool way to start off the year?

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Etta James, is terminally ill

Sorry to have to report this news.
Many times I have been asked the question; "Who do you think is better, Aretha Franklin or Gladys Knight?" My answer to that question has always been:

ETTA JAMES
----------

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - "At Last" and "Tell Mama" blues singer Etta James, whose health has been fading in recent years, is now terminally ill, and her live-in doctor is asking for prayers.

Dr. Elaine James, who isn't related to the 73-year-old entertainer, tells the Riverside Press-Enterprise that the singer's chronic leukemia was declared incurable two weeks ago.

The doctor has cared for Etta James at the singer's Riverside, Calif., area home since March 2010.

Elaine James says she's spreading word of the singer's ailments so people will pray for her. She says fans know Etta James has been sick "but not how sick."

Court records in the singer's probate case show she also suffers from dementia and kidney failure.

Elaine James made her comments outside a Riverside conservatorship hearing over the singer's $1-million estate. The singer's son, Donto James, wants a conservator rather than the singer's husband, Artis Mills.
----------

As I mentioned earlier, Etta James is probably by favorite female vocalist. So quite naturally I have spent the day immersed in her music. I went into my playlists from the RadioIO.com Blues and Classic RnB channels to compile the following playlist of 77 Etta James songs that I have been listening to all day today.

However as strange as this might sound, I have never really written much about her. After listening to these 77 songs, I have finally figured out why that is. You see, there really isn't much for me to say about Etta James. For me, she really does say it all with her music. I couldn't possibly have anything to add.

However I will add the following. Many people have written to me over the years asking me to give them a sort of definitive list of R&B songs that they should have in their collection. Of course my response is usually two fold:

1. I don't believe in lists.
2. I don't collect music, so I have no idea what to tell you that you should collect.

However I will break my rule today, just for Etta James :)

I would suggest that if you are a person who is trying to compile a serious collection of "Black music," that if you don't have at least half of the songs in the following list, then you have probably missed the point and you should probably rethink your "Black music collection."

I suppose that some of you might be getting one of those new tablets from Amazon during this holiday season? You might want to give this list of songs to whomever is getting you that device and ask them to fill up the device with these songs before then deliver your device....

Etta James (I Don't Need Nobody To Tell Me) How To Treat My Baby
Etta James A Sunday Kind of Love
Etta James All I Could Do Is Cry
Etta James All the Way Down
Etta James Almost Persuaded
Etta James At Last
Etta James At Last (Live)
Etta James Baby What You Want Me To Do (Live)
Etta James Born On The Bayou
Etta James Born Under a Bad Sign
Etta James Cheatin' in the Next Room
Etta James Come Back Baby
Etta James Damn Your Eyes
Etta James Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
Etta James Don't Cry Baby
Etta James Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Etta James Don't Let My Baby Ride
Etta James Don't Lose Your Good Thing
Etta James Fire
Etta James Good Rockin' Daddy
Etta James Gotta Serve Somebody
Etta James Hawg For Ya
Etta James Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Etta James Hoochie Coochie Gal
Etta James Hound Dog
Etta James I Don't Want It
Etta James I Got You Babe
Etta James I Just Want to Make Love To You
Etta James I Want to Be Loved (But Only By You)
Etta James I Want to Ta-Ta You Baby
Etta James I Worship The Ground You Walk On
Etta James I'd Rather Go Blind
Etta James If I Can't Have You
Etta James If You Want Me to Stay
Etta James I'll Take Care of You
Etta James I'm Gonna Take What He's Got
Etta James Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
Etta James It Hurts Me So Much
Etta James I've Been Loving You Too Long
Etta James I've Gone Too Far
Etta James Just A Little Bit
Etta James Let's Straighten It Out
Etta James Life, Love & the Blues
Etta James Lover Man (Oh, Where Can He Be?)
Etta James Miss You
Etta James Misty
Etta James My Dearest Darling
Etta James My Mother in Law
Etta James Prisoner of Love
Etta James Pushover
Etta James Rhymes
Etta James Running Out of Lies
Etta James Security
Etta James Slow and Easy
Etta James Something's Got a Hold On Me
Etta James Sookie Sookie
Etta James Spoonful
Etta James Steal Away
Etta James Stop The Wedding
Etta James Stormy Weather
Etta James Take It To The Limit
Etta James Tell Mama
Etta James The Love Of My Man
Etta James The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)
Etta James The Man I Love
Etta James The Same Rope
Etta James The Sky Is Crying
Etta James The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)
Etta James Trust In Me
Etta James Try A Little Tenderness
Etta James Walking The Back Streets
Etta James Watch Dog
Etta James Whatever Gets You Through The Night
Etta James W-O-M-A-N
Etta James You Got It
Etta James You Took It
Etta James You're Gonna Make Me C

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Ralph MacDonald Passes (1944-2011)

Apparently Ralph McDonald passed away on December 18th. I had not really heard. One of you alerted me to his passing.

All of us who were fans of CTI Jazz, know the work of Ralph MacDonald. It seems like he was the percussionist on every album that the label released in the 70's. We also knew from the liner notes that he wrote the song "Mr. Magic." Also during the 70's for a hot moment he was the king of Disco with the song "Calypso Breakdown."

Anyhow, I went to his website (http://www.ralphmacdonald.com) for more info about his passing and although there wasn't much there about his passing, I found that the website was quite extensive in it's documentation about the life & career of Ralph MacDonald. The bio that appears below is taken from his website.

There is a lesson here for artists.
Every one of you out there who feels that you have created a musical legacy, that is worth other people remembering, should take not only a visit, but also take a lesson from the website of Ralph MacDonald.

Please do not leave it to others to document your legacy and then complain that your legacy has not been properly documented, or that you haven't been given props or that the whole world is out to get you.

Please take it upon yourself to make absolutely certain that YOU have documented exactly what you want documented about yourself. And please do so in such a manner that the documentation will speak for itself.

It isn't the responsibility of anyone else to make absolutely certain that this is done except for Y-O-U.

Bio courtesy of Ralph MacDonald's website: http://www.ralphmacdonald.com

Grammy-award winning percussionist, songwriter and producer Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, NY in 1944. As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer "Macbeth The Great," Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City. The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drums for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.

At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte. The friend got the gig, and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals. When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late for a rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play, and wound up getting the job.

Thus began a 10 year stint with Belafonte that schooled MacDonald in the music business. It also introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, and the two began writing together to fill time on the road.

At one point, young MacDonald had the nerve to tell Harry Belafonte that despite all the gold records on the wall, Belafonte didn't really know what Calypso was. Belafonte said "Fine kid - if you know so much because your father was a Calypso singer, then you write me a song."

MacDonald delivered an album of songs: 1966's critically-acclaimed 'Calypso Carnival.'

At 27, MacDonald, Bill Salter and William Eaton started their own publishing company, Antisia Music. Everyone told him he was crazy, but Ralph was determined to do it on his own. The partners opened a modest office in New York City and kept the door locked. When asked why, MacDonald explained that it was a publishing company, and that songs were meant to go out the door, not in. He gave himself two years to get the company going.

One year and eleven months later and wondering if Antisia Music would survive, Ralph happened to begin working with Roberta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called "Where Is The Love," and in a studio session, he pitched it to Roberta. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donnie Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music.

From there the success kept on coming. Ralph began recording with legends like James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana Ross and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington Jr. hit "Mr. Magic" and Antisia Music placed a song called "Calypso Breakdown" on the BeeGees 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack. That album went on to sell 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys of his own, as a performer and a producer. Riding high on the disco craze, Ralph released two albums of his own, gaining commercial success and international recognition.

In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington Jr.'s classic album "Winelight." Among the MacDonald compositions were hits like "Winelight," "In The Name Of Love," and a song destined to become an American standard: "Just The Two Of Us." That song alone has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith's 1999 adaptation of the song. Today MacDonald still spends his time writing and recording for Antisia Publishing when he's not out on the road touring with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. He also continues to release new albums of smooth, percussive jazz and pop. Now firmly established as a successful songwriter, a legendary percussion player, and an international star, it would seem that the kid from Harlem who dreamed of nothing more than achieving what his father had has succeeded in a big way.

http://www.ralphmacdonald.com

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

PRESS RELEASE: Frankie Lons "Do The Frankie Leg"

TV Credits: BET Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is; Frankie and Neffe; Vh1 Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew

Reality TV star Frankie Lavern Lons better known as Frankie, successfully completed a detoxification treatment along with model Janice Dickerson, the infamous nightclub host Rachel Uchitel, musician Leif Garrett, "The Hills" Jason Wahler, "Party of Five," Jeremy Landon, Hollywood actor Eric Roberts and socialite Jason Davis as part of the upcoming "Vh1 Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew."

Frankie quickly rose to stardom as a reality TV favorite on her music star daughter's show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Now Frankie, has co-starred in three reality TV series "Frankie and Neffe" with another daughter and "Vh1 Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew."

After learning of her story of drug addiction, the subsequent loss of all seven of her children, and her recent dedication to sobriety, fans are excited to see Frankie take the reins of her own life and share her personal makeover.

On Vh1's "Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew" scheduled to premiere on October 11, 2010, Frankie will reveal the pain and struggles of being a recovering addict and ex-prostitute turned celebrity. Viewers can expect to be moved to tears, shaken by laughter and inspired as they get to see first-hand the life of one of America's favorite reality TV star. "I'm gonna keep it real. I'm the queen of ReaLity. Sometimes people aren't real about it. I was a street celebrity before any of this," says Frankie, widely known for yelling "Man Down" and "Code 10 Situation." "It's not my publicist or manager, it's me. It's stepping up to the plate. This is my life. I'm gonna start having to take it a lil' more serious."

Check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VNEjxv09XQ&list=UUVfAanJX-I-vQduU7MhjEFQ&index=1&feature=plcp

To book appearances or endorsement opportunities, contact Manager Leroy McMath at 770-256-8852 or leroy@power-entertainment.com

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

RIP - Smokin Joe Frazier & Heavy D (Death & Taxes)

Editor's Note: We can't let this week pass without saying what a terrible week it has been for Black males. We have seen the conviction of Dr. Conrad Murray (he surely is not the only person guilty?), We have seen the mis-adventures of Repuli_Coon Herman Cain, We have seen the the exposure of what I will call "Pat-er-no Isim" at Penn State University (How much ya wanna make a bet that most of the victums will turn out to be little Black boys?) and then finally the passing of Smokin' Joe Frazier and Heavy D. Read ELP's essay below...(Bob Davis)

What with alla da political content round dese heah parts I'm thinking we might be missing the point in some ways. First of all my condolences to the families of Joe Fraizer (whom I know pretty well) and Heavy 'D' (Dwight Myers- whom I don't). Both had very deep musical backgrounds. Smokin Joe aside from being THE boxing icon of Philly (don't get it twisted...most REAL Philly folk love, worship,adore and idolize 'The Champ'), Mr. Fraizer ALWAYS had a band and a latent interest in being somewhat of a soul singer.

Remember Joe Fraizer and The Knockouts? To some that was a joke which included the old Miller Lite commercial using him as it's living punch line .Personally I used to think it was swingin (no pun intended). All black. All Philly. REAL ROCKY stuff. The iniquities and improprieties of 'Rocky', that damned statue and Rock as icon that represents all it does in light of Frasier, Monroe, Shavers, Watts and so many REAL examples of the inimitable persevering-against-all-odds spirit are subjects for another day, place and time. What many don't know is that this was a very serious band that worked consistently and were paid well.

I've had sporadic encounters this way with Mr. Fraizer over the years. I can tell you that he loved to sing Mustang Sally. He used to tear that and many tunes like it UP! Nobody ever mistook him for the next coming of Wilson Pickett or anything but he was beloved in Philly. He's right up there with if not at the head of the Iverson, Barkely, Dr. J, Cunningham, Chamberlain, Hopkins class of Philly sports superheroes. I'm not going to get into the political interracial psychobabble here. Let's just let this marinate for a minute. Smokin Joe will be missed.

Dwight 'Heavy D' Myers is the 2nd death in these 24 hrs. I'm sure there will be a third. Isn't there always? Mr. Myers is significant because he capitalized on and in so doing utilized BEST the sub-hip-hoppian genre/niche called New Jack Swing.

Originated by Teddy Riley by combining certain elements of James Brown funk (what else?), much percolating yet driving grooves and most notably an emphasis on lyrical rhythm. In short this was some of the best of rapping on the beat. JB was king naturally but in this newly manufactured funk re-imagining nobody did it better. It got so his signature became 'bun-diddly-diddly-dee...the overweight lover in the house...Heavyyyyyyy D d-d-d-d (repeated infinitely to fade). He danced and he rap/sang. He often used a band and was in my opinion one of the best at what he did. He made rap fun and most importantly danceable. The Jacksons among others loved him! Janet's It's Alright With Me is THAT much mo happnin because of 'D's rap in the middle.

Anyway I really dug this cat, his style and presentation. His class and overall sensitivity made his transition into acting smooth and his work enjoyable. Cider House Rules and a recurring role on Boston Public immediately come to mind .I followed him on Twitter and amidst all of the flotsam and jetsom of cyber chatter his was a calm voice of reason, highly developed consciousness, spirituality and love. A good brother indeed.

You'll git yo brain shook
to money took
an yo name in the undertaka's book.
-Joe Frasier.

Peaces go with you brothers.

--ELP56

One more note on the brotha from "Money Earnin Mt. Vernon"
I dug his music.

On Classic Hip Hop @ RadioIO.com we have 17 songs by Heavy D & the Boyz in the rotation...
http://www.radioio.com/channels/classic-hip-hop/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul

Heavy D & the Boyz - The Overweight Lovers in the House
Heavy D & the Boyz - Mr. Big Stuff
Heavy D & the Boyz - Don't you Know
Heavy D & the Boyz - We Got Our Own Thang
Heavy D & the Boyz - Somebody For Me
Heavy D & the Boyz - Truthful (Untouchable Mix)
Heavy D & the Boyz - Gyrlz, They Love Me
Heavy D & the Boyz - Who's the Man? [Jeep Bass]
Heavy D & the Boyz - Is it Good to you
Heavy D & the Boyz - You Can't See What I Can See
Heavy D & the Boyz - Got Me Waiting
Heavy D & the Boyz - Now That We Found Love
Heavy D & the Boyz - Nuttin' But Love
Heavy D & the Boyz - Black Coffee
Heavy D & the Boyz - Big Daddy
Heavy D & the Boyz - On Point
Heavy D & the Boyz - Just Coolin' (With Levert)

RIP
Check it out...

http://www.radioio.com/channels/classic-hip-hop/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

PRESS RELEASE: "Blood Is Thicker Than The Mud; Little Sister From The Inside Out" (www.vetstone.com)

Editor's Note: I am very pleased to send out this press release.

It's a sneak preview of a new book that has been a long time in coming. It's called "Blood Is Thicker Than The Mud; Little Sister From The Inside Out." And it's by our friend Vet Stone, the "Little Sister." www.vetstone.com

I have been privileged enough to have been an observer over the course of the past 10 years of much of this story, and I will tell you right up front that this book is NOT for everyone:

--It is NOT for people who are interested in gossip about Sly & the Family Stone.

--It is NOT for people who "think" that they know the history of Sly & the Family Stone and who don't want their opinions to be confronted by the truth, about that history.

--It is for people who are interested in actually understanding what the cultural & human dynamics are behind what was (and in some ways still is) one of the most compelling musical phenomena's of the second half of the 20th Century.

The press release is from our friend Tee Watts, who many of you here know. Go to the site, check out the sample chapter and contact the author directly with your thoughts & questions, directly from the site: www.vetstone.com

(we will have more lata....Bob Davis)
-------

November 12, 2011
FOR IMMEDIDATE RELEASE

Blood Is Thicker Than The Mud;
Little Sister From The Inside Out

www.vetstone.com - Let's see. I believe it was Sly's running buddy, George Clinton who gave us the Pinocchio theory which stated, Fake the funk and your nose will grow. The point is, many author's have tried to chronicle the annals of Funk from the perspective of Sly & The Family Stone. There was Joel Selvin's Sly & The Family Stone-An Oral History, There's A Riot Goin' On by Miles Marshall Lewis, Sly-The Lives Of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone by Danny Santiago and I Want To Take You Higher-The Life and Times of Sly & The Family Stone by Jeff Kaliss. Yet to be seen is the much hyped and over-heralded, Thank You-The Story Of Sly & The Family Stone by the Nether-Twins, Edwin & Arno Konings.

Much of the afore mentioned titles are simply, to quote George Clinton, one mo gin', Biological Speculation, i.e., on the part of the collective authors. Shoot, one of them interviewed no one connected to the band or the family to write his book. Like uh, suspend that creative license, will ya?

Vet Stone, Commandress of the Sly produced group, Little Sister and Co-Engineer with Skyler Jett of Sly's 13 gig, 2007 European tour, has authored a very credible work, which allows the reader a glimpse into not only her life, but also into the inner workings of the Stewart family, specifically their spiritual and musical evolution. Blood Is Thicker Than The Mud takes you back to the childhood of the Stewart siblings and brings the reader to the present, inclusive of Sly Stone's reentry into rehab in October of 2011. Heavy emphasis is placed on what really went down in 2007.

This is the Stone family from the inside out. It is not a nasty, dirty Sly Stone tell all. This the story of a proud woman who loves her family and perceives her direction from on High. A must read for any historical funkster. The book will be released on 1/1/12. Advance orders are being taken at www.vetstone.com starting 11/12/11

T. Watts
www.soul-patrol.com
West Coast Correspondent

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Tidbits, Random Thoughts, Trivial Pursuits

We are living in some incredible times. I am not certain at all how it's all going to end up, but I sure am glad that I am here to witness it all. Even with all that is going on, it is the dedication of the King Memorial that I find to be most inspirational.

1. Music Recommendation: Philly Gumbo - Come & Get It - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00545KNIA/prodigymusiccomm (NAWLLINS FUNK)

2. Doesn't Michelle Bachman remind you of a Kindergarten Teacher when she speaks?

3. Music Recommendation: Supremes - Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol. 2: 1974-1977 - The Final Sessions - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004ORHX00/prodigymusiccomm (CLASSIC SOUL/DISCO/FUNK/HISTORY)

4. Isn't Herman Cain starting to remind you just a little bit of George Jefferson?

5. Music Recommendation: Charles Wright - That Funky Thang by - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005BAF5W2/prodigymusiccomm (FUNK/RETRO SOUL)

6. Forget Jay-Z, Kayne and the rest of these idiots, the future of hip hop has nothing to do with the "music industry." Go here and be certain to watch the video: The Rap That Sparked a Revolution: El General (Tunisia) http://hiphopdiplomacy.org/2011/01/31/the-rap-that-sparked-a-revolution-el-general-tunisia/

7. Doesn't Ron Paul look like he needs to take a nap?

8. Music Recommendation: Syleena Johnson - Chapter 5: Underrated - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005EYP8IG/prodigymusiccomm (R&B)

9. I have a feeling that a Mitt Romney Presidency would include a new health care law, special favors to the Wall Street crowd, and expanded wars in the Middle East. (sounds like the Obama Presidency, doesn't it?)

10. Music Recommendation: Fdeluxe (AKA The Family) - Gaslight - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005HI7NOQ/prodigymusiccomm (MINNEAPOLIS FUNK)

11. I wonder if Rick Perry will invite Herman Cain to his N*****HEAD RANCH for the weekend?

12. Music Recommendation: Garland Jeffreys - The King of In Between - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00550NL92/prodigymusiccomm (ROCK/BLUES/REAL REGGAE)

13. Don't sleep on new music coming soon from Gina Brown & Big Daddy Stallings

14. RIP Dr. Derrick Bell, author of "Cosmic Slop" http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/us/derrick-bell-pioneering-harvard-law-professor-dies-at-80.html

15. Music Recommendation: Mighty Sam Mcclain & Knut Reiersrud - One Drop Is Plenty - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0055IU42Q/prodigymusiccomm (SOUL/BLUES)

16. I hope that I am wrong, but I have a feeling that #OCCUPY WALL STREET is going to end as soon as the weather gets cold. I hope that I am wrong, because history tells us that when white kids start protesting, that means things are going to change.

17. Music Recommendation: Lee Fields - Treacherous - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0051OJBVE/prodigymusiccomm (SOUL/FUNK)

18. If America can make an iPad, how come America can't make Black boys pull up their pants?

19. In the meanwhile I wanna see if there is an artist here badd enough to rent a flatbed truck and roll up to #OCCUPY WALL STREET with their band and play for the crowd till the cops come. Whoever does that has a chance to become the "El General" of the Unites States.

20. Music Recommendation: Global Noize - Prayer for the Planet - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005CAAYY0/prodigymusiccomm (JAZZ/FUNK/WORLD)

21. I was driving down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and caught my first glimpse of the new Barclays Center. What an abomination!

22. President Obama could have made this whole thing a whole lot simpler, if he had started doing what he is doing right now on Jan 20th 2009. So now that he has had almost 3 years of "on the job training," he now seems to know what his next moves should be, it will be interesting too see if the American people will give him the chance to demonstrate it or if he will be traded in for a "new model?"

John Lee Hooker is still what I wanna be like whenever I grow up.

(boom, boom, boom, boom)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Album Review - Charles Wright "That Funky Thang" ("Old Soul and New Soul")

I just did something that I haven't done in a while. I just posted the following two reviews of Charles Wright "That Funky Thang" on my Twitter feed (@kozmicfunk) at about 9:30 am est.

REVIEW 1 - @kozmicfunk ChasWright "That Funky Thang" FUNKBANGER http://www.expressyourself.net #houseparty #invitefriends #BrownLiquor #JAM #4am #BlackPeople #RNB #FUNK RT

REVIEW 2 - @kozmicfunk ChasWright "That Funky Thang" GROOVE http://www.expressyourself.net #bestthingtoday #RachelMaddow #retrosoul #DapKings #bqemusic #fitz&tantrums RT

If you go visit my page on Twitter @kozmicunk you can view these two reviews if you like. According to Twitter I have 769 "followers." Despite that I doubt if many of those followers will "retweet," either of the two reviews for two reasons.

1. It's been 3-4 months since I posted anything on Twitter, so I doubt if any of those 769 "followers" are paying attention to anything that I have to say.

2. Very few of those 769 "followers" are even awake at 9:30 am est on a Sunday morning.

Of course I knew all of this in advance, but I still wanted to post these two very different reviews, targeted at two completely different demographic groups that I feel strongly would fall in love with the album Charles Wright "That Funky Thang", for a reason.

If you look closely at the #hashtags" contained in the two reviews, the two different demographic groups are easily apparent, given the 140 character limitations of Twitter.....(review continued here)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Garland Jeffreys - The King of In Between

As a former Fortune 500 Strategic Planner, one of the key items that I was trained to look for is something called "convergence." That is to say, analyzing a whole series of internal/external business, technology and operational factors and looking for natural patterns of "convergence" between those factors. Doing this type of analysis on the natural patterns of convergence, would lead me to draw certain conclusions about the potential "future state" of these factors, leading me to begin to structure a strategy that would enhance/create business opportunities around certain 'converged factors." The implementation of that strategy is left to others to figure out.

The title of Garland Jeffreys new album is "The King Of In Between" and that title suggests a kind of "convergence." And that convergence is a reflection of the various 'factors' that seemingly make up the sum total of what I will refer to here as the "Garland Jeffreys Experience."

In the case of the album, some of these factors are obvious and we have certainly seen them displayed in the past both from Garland as well as by other artists. For example, there are songs on this album that are about existing in a world that never quite accepts the fact that you are a person of "bi-racial origins." There are songs that celebrate the uniqness of being from NYC, and take that even one step further by celebrating being from Brooklyn......(continued here)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

SCHOOL IS BACK IN FOR NU @ RADIOIO.COM (LISTEN ONLIVE OR VIA SMARTPHONE TO BRAND NEW - Classic Soul, Neo Soul, Jazz, Black Rock, Funk, Southern Soul, Rap)

Here is some recent feedback on the NuSoul @ RadioIO channel..

"Just found Nu Soul on iTunes Radio and the office is loving it - every track a winner! Keep up the great work Bob."

Cheers ~ Mike
News Magazines
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

I know that some of yall may think that I haven't been paying attention to any new music over the past few months, because I have been so involved with the Soul-Patrol Convention. However that is hardly the case.

Take a listen at:
http://www.radioio.com/channels/nu-soul/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul
And let me know what cha think (also listen via your smartphone, dowload the mobile app @ radioio.com or listen via iTunes)

In fact I recently added some new music, which is listed below. In addition to adding some new music to the channel, I am breaking some of my own programming rules to give some additional exposure to the indie artists who who were a part of the 2011 Convention. After all it is the music of those artists that inspired the creation of the station in the first place!!! (& remember, you can also listen on the go via you smartphone)

That means GREAT NEW MUSIC from artists like Julie Dexter, Melanie Charles, Marshall Thompson, Bleu Lights, Mint Condition, Morris Mills, Chantels, Angel Rissoff, Mandrill, Susaye Greene, Gary Lee, Chantels, The One Sun Lion Ra, Ke-Ke Wyatt, Chyp Davis, Stephanie McKay, etc will be poping up more frequently in the song rotation then they were a few weeks ago :)

In fact here is what just played in the last 1/2 hour or so....

Recently Played
- Eric Daniels - Old Sax, Nu Soul
- Chico Debarge - Oh No
- Chante Moore - Guess Who I Saw Today
- The Bleu Lights - Come Over
- Tiger Roberts - Since You Been Gone
-- Susaye Greene - Children of the ghetto
- Ryan Shaw - In Between
- Conya Doss - Message
- D. Alexander - Tender Heart
- Theodis Ealey - House of the Rising Sun
- George Clinton, Bobby Taylor, Kathy Sledge, Ollie Woodson and Kim Weston - When The World Is At Peace
" Erykah Badu - Window Seat

Take a listen at:
http://www.radioio.com/channels/nu-soul/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul
And let me know what cha think (also listen via your smartphone, dowload the mobile app @ radioio.com or listen via iTunes)

Here are some recent adds....

- Terry Lynn Carrington - I Got Lost In His Arms
- Brian McKnight - Fall 5.0
- Guitar Sallye and Tamah - Some Body Watching U
- Guitar Sallye and Tamah - Stand Tall
- Willie Clayton - Be With Me
- Global Noize - RIOS (A Riot in Outer Space)
- Global Noize - Viva La Femme
- Global Noize - A Prayer for the Planet
- Tasha Taylor - Who's Making Love
- Jill Scott - Lovely Day
- Erykah Badu - Window Seat
- Tre Williams & The Revelations - How Could You Walk Away
- Betty Wright - Go
- Cynthia Jones - Unconditional
- Cynthia Jones - Journey Of Soul
- Cynthia Jones - Got To Be There
- Cynthia Jones - Lord I Need You Now
- Lee Fields - Here To Turn It Out
- Lee Fields - Dance Like Your Naked
- Lee Fields - At The End Of The Day
- Ledisi - Pieces Of Me
- Theodis Ealey - House of the Rising Sun

Take a listen at:
http://www.radioio.com/channels/nu-soul/?rp=genre/hip-hop-soul
And let me know what cha think (also listen via your smartphone, dowload the mobile app @ radioio.com or listen via iTunes)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

RIP - Vesta, Sylvia Robinson and now Marv Tarplin! Wow!

Editor's Note: They say that "it comes in three's." We have lost 3 major figures in the history of Black music in the past few weeks and we certainly want to make note of that. Sylvia Robinson and Marv Tarplin both should have been inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame during their lifetimes. How ironic that their passing occurs during the same week that this years nomanie's for the RRHOF are announced and once again the names of Sylvia Robinson and Marv Tarplin are excluded. Hopefully that will be rectified soon. Vesta will perhaps be best remembered most by "what, coulda, shoulda been." Read ELP's essay below...(Bob Davis)

Vesta, Sylvia Robinson and now Marv Tarplin! Wow!

Vesta a bad girl in her own right made her transition last week and it sure seemed weird. My two faves were Once Bitten Twice Shy and Sweet, Sweet Love. Aside from the obvious Chaka Khan references she really was a witty and talented individual. I believe she suffers with or from Larry Holmes syndrome...the eternal numero DOS, following Muhammad Ali. Somehow her stars got a little crossed with Chaka but once she kicked into her own things got great real fast. A GREAT singer and easily one of the last of her ilk.

Sylvia? She co-invented hip-hop for God's sakes! And to be honest HER version was much more musical than Russell Simmons. Russell was into the 'sonic boom theory' school of thought. That noise you hear behind Run DMC is really how he wanted to do it all. When hip-hop first jumped off it actually was hip-hop MUSIC and rap. The Sequence (feat. Angie Stone), Kurtis Blow, Sugar Hill Gang all sang over band recorded music. Run DMC, The Beasties and a couple others employed the 'sonic boom' thing. Later on she overlaid it into their JB samples. At any rate Sylvia's was more musical and thankfully then has enough nostalgic content that it might save hip-hop somewhat from the desolateness of the black hole we've been kickin around lately. That stuff actually could be placed right beside Rick James and the best of 80's funk. See? THAT'S what was SUPPOSED to happen with hip-hop...ushering in a BETTER Neo Soul but it didn't really happen that way. Anyway Ms. Robinson was to me gorgeous and the combination of her lusty, bawdy, rubenesque figure and the sighing and cooing of Pillow Talk always took me very close to the edge. By the time Donna came along we were more than ready because of Sylvia and that other recorded screw-fest J'taime. Yall forgot that one eh? Janet Jackson also has a whole career's worth of this for which to thank Sylvia. But Pillow Talk (like Sexy Mama) holds a whole new interest for me today. The groove on this thing is UNSTOPPABLE! That pounding Lets-stay-together-Al Jackson-Native-American rolling drum pattern and the chords layered in such lovely fashion make this tune good eatin indeed! I LOVED me some her. Great pioneer of GREAT Black music. Peace To Her and Vesta.

Marv Tarplin is really the sound of America all by himself. He too is the co-creator of a whole genre and style of music. His guitar playing became the standard AND trademark of the Motown Sound. He was in but also above and beyond the Funk Brothers. He was like a Thom Bell. He was a pioneer, co-creator, musician, composer, producer and any and everything both Smokey AND Berry did as far as the recorded music was concerned. This cat was a genius. I trust that his family and descendants are well taken care of and that those who are in that charge properly maintain his legacy for years to come. Ditto for Sylvia and Vesta.

--ELP56

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Concert Review - Mandrill in NYC @ BB Kings (8/11/2011)

I have seen and written about Mandrill in concert so many times, it often feels as if anything that I might have to say at this point is redundant. So I will be brief. However it must be stated that there is an element to seeing them live, which simply can not be overstated...

SEEING MANDRILL LIVE
WILL CAUSE YOU
TO HAVE
A
SPIRITUAL RE-AWAKENING
WITHIN YOUR OWN
MIND
BODY
AND SOUL

In 2011 given the current state of the world (daily financial market crashes, riots on the streets in Europe, 20 percent unemployment in the United States, Home foreclosures at all time levels, Domestic violence on the rise, and more) I know that there are many people (myself included) who are in need of a spiritual re-awakening of the mind, body & soul. If you are such a person, you need to attend this show, for medicinal purposes. And even if you are a person who doesn't think that they are in need of such treatment, you need to attend, if for no other reason to help you to remember, just what Black music was supposed to be all about in the first place.

And if you can remember that, then you will begin to understand that the roadblocks that cause Black music to NOT be that way anymore, need to be knocked down, if our children are going to have much of a chance to have the awakening of the mind, body & soul that they so richly deserve. In fact it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ELIMINATE ALL SUCH ROADBLOCKS!!!

Here is the set list

Out of Da Bush
Mandrill
Rolling On
Positive Thing
Cohelo
Suzie Caesar
Folks on a Hill
Aqua Magic
Symphonic Revolution
I Refused To Smile
House of Wood
Black Woman
Hang Loose
Mango Meat
Fencewalk
Get It All
Ape is High

Okay.....so now you know what songs were played.
And if you have read this far, no doubt you are either already or you are interested in them for some reason.
Either way you have probably already heard the recordings of most of these songs. So just seeing a song list may not do much for you.

I am here to let you know, that despite how familiar you might be with the recordings of these songs, in no way do those recordings enable you to experience the true value of Mandrill.

That is because the true value of Mandrill to you is the journey that they are going to take you thru. It is something that is VERY personal, and can not be duplicated by ANY audio/visual recording device.

It is a mind blowing spiritual adventure that all of us should want to secure for ourselves and for those that we care about. We should all want our lives to be enhanced, after all, isn't that the reason why we all became music fans in the first place?

However Mandrill goes far beyond just that. They are quite able at telling a story that we all know quite well, and they tell that story with only their music, they make no announcements or pronouncements in doing so. Their concerts are simply a re-telling of the story of mankind itself, both at a meta level (all of mankind) and at a micro level (a single individual.)

Of course the music is ultra funky, as the self-contained musical group known as Mandrill uses most every single musical instrument, under the sun, from the most simple Afrikan percussion instruments to electric guitars to a full blown horn section, to create a wicked "wall of sound," that sounds as if it is "created by satan." But it is the harmonic convergence of the voices of the 4 Wilson Brothers (Ric, Lou, Wilfredo, & Carlos) on top of their world class instrumental performances, that take things to another level.

People often use the term "doo wop" to describe the vocal harmony style that the Wilson brothers put on display in concert. However since they are brothers and their voices can almost sound the same, as the "blend" together, the level of "vocal harmony" that they have is actually something that approaches something that I might describe as "heavenly."

So what happens when you put together:

--A "satanic" instrumental performance
--A "heavenly" lyrical performance

You get something that is so intensely emotional, so spiritual, so personal and so inspirational, that I have just realized, that I have to stop writing about it at this point.

(because text can't possibly do it any justice)

http://www.mandrillis.com

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

2011 Soul-Patrol Convention Rewind

Right now I am sitting here eating a bagel w/cream cheese & lox. There are relatively few things that I enjoy more in life than doing that. It is probably on my top ten list of things to do.

This past weekend at the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention, in Philadelphia at a German-American multi-purpose facility called Cannstaters, originally built as a haven for a group of people who were outcast from "normal society," I got a chance to do most of the other 9 things in life that I enjoy doing all squeezed into a relatively compressed 24 hour time period, I wanted to throw a birthday party for an entity called Soul-Patrol that I created 15 years ago by doing much the same thing that I am doing right now. I created it by sitting in this chair, in the middle of the night, just writing down my thoughts about music/culture. I wrote what I wrote without caring if anyone else would ever read what i wrote or if they were to read it, if they would care about anything that I would have to say.

Nevertheless I was compelled to put my thoughts down on paper about a subject matter that I have been obsessed with, since I was about 10 years old. I have been obsessed with the topics of music/culture since I was a child. However as an adult I have gone beyond a simplistic obsession with the collection of factual information. I have moved to the larger obsession of just how all of that factual information just might be connected to each other and what conclusions that having an understanding of those connections will lead me to.

.....(continued here: http://www.soul-patrol.com/convention)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Lee Fields.....and "The Bizzaro World of MusicStyles/Audiences"

One of the nicest things about the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention for me personally was the participation of the legendary Soul/Funk artist Lee Fields. www.leefieldsmusic.com

Lee Fields has been a member of Soul-Patrol for well over 10 years and he has made his mark in the world of music fans who want the "real deal," in terms of Black music. When I say that, I mean the real "roots" of Black music. Today he draws huge numbers of concert goers all over the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond. He has traveled quite a long ways from when he first sent me a homemade CD back in the late 1990's of what could best be described as "Southern Soul."

However most of those music fans are NOT who we might think that they either are or should be. Over the past 10 years or so, I have observed a very strange phenomenon in effect. I call that phenomena "The Bizzaro World of Music Styles/Audiences."

Some of you may recall the term "Bizzaro World," from the Superman comic strips of the past. In the "Bizzaro World," everything was the opposite of the way that Superman thought that it should be. For example n the "Bizzaro World," "left was right," "up was down," "good was bad," etc.

Over the past 10 years or so, the phenomena that I have observed is that the closer an artists music was to being firmly rooted in the historical legacy of Black music, the more non-Black fans that artist tended to have. While on the other hand, the less rooted in the historical legacy of Black music the artist was, the more Black fans they tended to have.

Thus..."The Bizzaro World of Music Styles/Audiences."
(For reference, see the Mighty Sam McClain file)

Today you can go to a sold out Lee Fields show at Central Park Summerstage and hardly see any Black folks in the audience. That's because in the year 2011, Lee Fields straight outta Plainfield, NJ, "home of tha P," a young man who sorta dresses and looks like James Brown and has a real flair for the style of both Little Richard, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, etc. onstage.

Does that sound like an artist who would be smack in the middle of the hearts and minds of Black America in 2011? (absolutely not)

However this is the type of an artist who would be smack in the middle of the hearts and minds of www.Soul-Patrol.com in 2011?

That's because we know that an artist like Lee Fields represents a pretty good look at where the future of Black music is going, to be in the not too distant future. In fact some might argue that it's already there (ex: look at the worldwide success of the music of Amy Winehouse.)

"In fact I would suggest that the type of music that we discuss here on Soul-Patrol is the most popular music in the world today. That's because we now live in a world that is electronically interconnected on a global basis. We can wax nostalgic all we want to about "the good old days," where Black music existed only on the far right hand side of the dial on low powered AM radio stations or inside of long shuttered ghetto based "chitlin circuit," nightclubs and theatres. But to do so would be living in the past. In fact, based on my statistics, Lee Fields is HUGE in the United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Canada, and France."

In July of 2011 hardcore Black music lovers on a global basis can listen to three songs from the brand new Lee Fields album called "Treacherous" on the Nu Soul Channel @ RadioIO.com (http://www.radioio.com/genre/hip-hop-soul)

Lee Fields - Here To Turn It Out
Lee Fields - Dance Like Your Naked
Lee Fields - At The End Of The Day

(on their smart phones)

You see, the audience for great Black music has changed, over the past 10 years. It is now global and that audience is able to listen to the music on a multitude of devices, from a multitude of places. I find it quite interesting to get a huge volume of email from people all over the United States as well as from places like Poland, Israel, Toronto, Indonesia, Brazil, etc, describing to me how much they dig the music that we play on RadioIO.com on a 24/7 basis. They like the convenience of discovering "the real deal in Black music," from the convenience of their smart phone while riding in their car, on their bike, in the subway or anyplace they can get an internet connection. Listeners are no longer "brainwashed" by corrupt radio networks, corrupt music charting services, corrupt music magazines, corrupt TV stations, etc. In today's global electronically interconnected world they now have choices and they choose to listen to the very best music available. In my humble opinion, the best music available, is Black music and Lee Fields today represents one of Black music's premier "ambassadors." www.leefieldsmusic.com

So it was good to re-connect with Lee Fields at the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention. I am happy for the success that he is garnering on a worldwide basis. And it's good to see that he is allowing his own music to evolve as well. On "Treacherous" he still does the "hardcore" stuff, but he also expands into another part of the historical legacy of Black music. There are several "dance tracks," on the "Treacherous," that may at first appear to be out of place. And in 2011 they are quite out of place for Black Americans, who seem to have completely forgotten how to dance (have you been to a Hip Hop club lately and observed that nobody in the club dances?)
www.leefieldsmusic.com

However despite the reluctance of Black Americans to "shake their booty" anymore, the rest of the world needs to dance in 2011, cuz things are just that bad. To paraphrase Smokey Robinson, in 2011, things are sooo bad that "the world need to dance...to keep from crying." Black Americans on the other hand instead of dancing, feel that a better way of analyzing the state of things in 2011 would be to "stick their heads in the ground," and pretend that all is well....(The "The Bizzaro World of Music Styles/Audiences")

(but that is another topic for another day!!!)

In the meanwhile check out the new album from Lee Fields "Treacherous"
www.leefieldsmusic.com

(and of course look for him on the Soul-Patrol.com website, where we are quite proud to feature our longtime friend)

Scroll down for more...LEE FIELDS

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

RANDOM NOTES: - Calvin Richardson, Eric Benet, Raphael Saadiq, Sade

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here is a guest commentary from our friend and longtime Soul-Patroller Martin Bergqvist over in Europe. By the way for those of you who think that it's too far to travel to Philadelphia to attend the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention, you should all know that Martin is making it his business to attend....(Bob Davis)

I remember seeing Calvin Richardson on Soul-Patrols best of 2010 list but I have to admit that I didn�t know much about the guy. That is until now! I finally got around to purchasing the album "America�s most wanted", and I am sure glad that I did! I always try to find great albums that I can listen to when I�m in the car, since I spend a lot of time on the road, and this album has been on constant rotation for the last couple of weeks. The reason is that it puts a big smile on my face every time I put it on! Mr Richardson is an extremely gifted musician and singer that knows how to combine the sounds of today with the unrivaled magic of classic soul. A great example of that is displayed on my favorite song "Monday Morning". It got that type of laid back Staple Singers groove that you�d here on "Let�s do it again" that's designed to make you feel really good! The constant inclination to hit the repeat button on this one should not be denied! The same can be said for the slow burning grit of "Adore you". Each time I listen to it I get drawn in by the intensity that keeps building throughout the song. Musically it�s almost like a midtempo gospel song in it�s execution. It even got some good ol� fashioned organ to spice things up! Other favorites on the album are "You're so amazing", with it�s Martin Luther King inspired lyrics, and the title track that serves up a piece of modern soul at it's best. You really can�t go wrong with this album!

The second album that makes me really happy right now is "Lost in Time" by Eric Benet. I cant remember if there has been any discussion about it on the mailing list but it is without a doubt one of the best releases from last year. I lost track of Benet after "A day in the life", that came out in 1999, and I was really surprised when I heard "Lost in time". From the opening tune "Never want to live without you", and it�s Delfonics sounding sitar, to the great duet with Eddie Levert on "Paid" it is clear that this is actually a declaration of love to the city of Philadelphia and it�s rich musical legacy. Proof of that is the heavenly "Always a reason". Rarely have I heard a modern day soul artist channel Blue Magic the way that Eric does on this song. I was floored the first time I heard it cause I didn�t know he had it in him! If that was Ted Mills singing instead this would be a classic Blue Magic song! Unbelievable! I could go on and on about this album but it suffices to say that almost every track is a winner and you can listen to it straight through without growing tired. A pretty rare treat these days!

Last but not least I gotta give props to Raphael Saadiq. This guy has been on fire for the last couple of years and his new album "Stone Rollin�" is no exception. I thought he peaked with "The way I see it" but this new collection of songs is just as strong. I just dig the way he puts his own touch on the music from the 50�s and 60�s and filters it through his own experiences. The title track especially is one bad mutha of a song! Raw and gritty, it just gets to you from the first listen with that Little Walter type of harmonica wailin� in the background. And when it comes to dance music the latest single "Radio" is a hit in my book as well as the JB influenced slab of funk that is "Heart Attack". Great stuff from a great artist!

Since I�m talking about music that makes me happy right now I also gotta make a quick mention of the Sade concert I attended in Copenhagen, Denmark, this past Monday. A mind-blowing experience to say the least! After all these years her voice is still intact and it sends shivers through your spine! You could hear a pin drop in that place when she sang "Jezebel" and "Pearls". Some beautiful stuff indeed! Add to that a band that is on point each and every song and you get an unforgettable show. But I would strongly urge all guys that are planning to attend one of the shows to get a medical check up before you go. Cause believe me, this woman still looks like a goddess, and will take your breath away! I can guarantee that!!

--Martin Bergqvist

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

2010 Best Black Music Albums, Tracks & Live Shows
(Classic Soul, Jazz, Southern Soul & Blues, Funk, Neo Soul, Rap & Rock n' Roll)

At the outset I need to explain the purpose of these various lists. We have been producing them since the inception of Soul-Patrol.com in 1996, using various formats. The original name of Soul-Patrol.com was something called "The P*Funk Review." It was a kind of play on the idea that we were primarily a Funk music site combined with our roots on the now defunct Prodigy Online Service (abbreviation = "P*") where I was the music director. Of course we ceased covering just "funk music," long ago and expanded to covering Classic Soul, Jazz, Southern Soul & Blues, Funk, Neo Soul, Rap & Rock n' Roll.

However the "Review" portion of the original name remains true to this day. Here at Soul-Patrol.com we consider it our obligation to identify excellence in Black music, and that is the reason why we create these lists (which you are free to disagree with if you like.)

The other purpose that these lists serve is that to a large extent we use them to define what the content of the Soul-Patrol Convention will be. In 2011 we will in fact have a Soul-Patrol Convention at a time and location yet to be determined and as has always been our custom all of the folks that appear on these lists are automaticly invited to participate in the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention.

However since this year we are going to utilizing the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention to highlight what is the 15th Anniversary of Soul-Patrol.com itself, all previous Soul-Patrol.com "Best of" awardees from all 15 previous years are also invited to participate in this year's Soul-Patrol Convention.

Stay tuned for more information about the date and location of the 2011 Soul-Patrol Convention...

I really do hate making lists. Which means that something is going to get left off, and no doubt I have left something out? The other thing about making lists is that they are "vertical" in nature as opposed to being "horizontal." This means that by definition a list will only tell you "half of the story." To get the entire story, you must also do the horizontal piece, by connecting the dots together. And of course that is what we do during the course of the year in all of the music/concert reviews that we do on the www.soul-patrol.com website and in all of the hand selected playlists on www.radioio.com.

And for Black music, an entity that seems so intent on destroying itself, knowing the entire story is absolutely critical. And telling that entire story is something that I feel quite strongly about. Fortunately I am in a position to do so, simply because I get to actually hear everything from the mainstream crap to the under the radar gems that the mainstream media is trying to keep hidden from us.

View the the Soul-Patrol.com Best of 2010 2010 Best Black Music Albums, Tracks & Live Shows
(Classic Soul, Jazz, Southern Soul & Blues, Funk, Neo Soul, Rap & Rock n' Roll) lists at this link...

Bob Davis - Soul-Patrol.com/RadioIO.com
798 Woodlane Rd
Suite 10264
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
earthjuice@prodigy.net

GUEST EDITORIAL: Chuck D - Never have so many been pimped by so few

As most of yall know, Soul-Patrol has stood front and center not only against mediocrity in Black music, but also against those who claim that we should be accepting of it. We think that OUR CULTURE is far too important to the future of OUR CHILDREN to be willing to "accept less than the best." Plain & simple, "that ain't how we were raised."

The following essay comes from someone who was raised with me. All of you know that Chuck D is not only a member of Soul-Patrol (He is pictured with Soul-Patrollers Kevin Amos, Tee Watts and He is pictured with Soul-Patrollers Kevin Amos, Tee Watts and Divinah Payne-Shantefeire) and the two of us grew up right around the corner from each other in New York. So the following commentary should come as no surprise to you�

I don't have much to add to this, except to say; read it and pass it along. Especially to someone who is younger than you. And ask them to pass it along to someone even younger...

--Bob Davis
------

[Note: Chuck D wrote this essay as a letter to Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur (AllHipHop.com) and Davey D (DaveyD.com). With permission, the message by the Public Enemy leader, has been edited slightly into a scathing editorial about the media, Hip-Hop and the how the culture has been pimped by a mere few.]

Chuck D:

I really don't know what constitutes for "relevant" coverage in HIP-HOP news in America these days, but I really want to give you all a heads up. As you know I've been through three passports, 76 countries on the regular in the name of Hip-Hop since 1987 and in 2010, although I've never stopped traveling the earth this year, I've seen, heard and felt some new things.

As far as RAP and HIP-HOP, it's like USA Olympic basketball, the world has parity now and have surpassed the USA in ALL of the basic fundamentals of HIP-HOP - TURNTABLISM, BREAKING, GRAFFITI, and now EMCEEING with succinct mission , meaning and skill. Skill-wise rappers spitting three languages, have created super rappers to move the crowd with intensity and passion. The "arrogant" American comes in blackface, but if there was a HIP-HOP or Rap Olympics, I really don't think the United States would get Gold, Silver or Brass or even ass for that sake.

The 20th year anniversary of FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET has become into a year and a half celebration of eights legs and five continents. All the while, looking at a HIP-HOP Planet across 25 countries while still somewhat supportive of American rap, the rest of the world has surpassed the U.S. in skill, in fundamentals and commitment to their communities. Public Enemy's mission is to set the path, pave the road for cats to do their thing for a long time as long as they do it right.

Because of the lack of support from local radio, television and community in the United States, the ability for "local" acts to thrive in their own radius has killed the ability to connect and grow into a proper development as a performer, entertainer and artist. Rappers trying to get put on to a national contract hustle from a NEW YORK or LOS ANGELES corporation has caused the art-form to atrophy from the bottom, while never getting signed to a top echelon that really doesn't exist, but to a very few.

HIP-HOP NEWS spreads like any other mainstream NEWS in America. The garbage that's unfit to print has now floated on websites and blogs like sh*t. For example a rapper working in the community gets obscured while if that same rapper robbed a gas station he'd get top coverage and be label a "rapper" while getting his upcoming or current music somewhat put on blast, regardless of its quality which of course is subjective like any other art. RAP sites and blogs are mimicking the New York POST.

This is not mere complaint , this is truth and its coming down on Americans like rain without a raincoat with cats screaming how they ain't wet. This is real. The other night upon finishing groundbreaking concert performances in Johannesburg we followed a special free concert in Soweto. To make a point that our agenda was to "show? and encourage the Hip-Hop community to be comfortable in its mind and skin without chasing valueless Amerikkkan values.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

Read the rest of this essay here....

-----------------
Bob Davis
earthjuice@prodigy.net
609-351-0154
------------------
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com

Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com
-------------------

BLUES @ RADIOIO.COM UPDATE

Here is the link, go and check it out:
http://www.radioio.com/genre/hip-hop-soul

I really love programming the Blues @ RadioIO.com channel. For those of you who haven't checked it out yet it is truly an eclectic presentation of Blues music, past, present & future. If you tune in you will hear:

--Classic Blues (Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, BB King, etc)
--Blues/Rock (Hendrix, Clapton, Allman Brothers, etc)
--80's Blues Revival (Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, etc)
--Contemporary Blues (Boo Boo Davis, Government Mule, Keb Mo, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, Mighty Sam, Bettye LaVette, Teeny Tucker, Rebirth Brass Band, etc)
--Contemporary Soul/Blues (Latimore, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Otis Clay, Pat Cooley, Shirley Johnson, etc.)
--Really Ancient Blues (Leadbelly, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, etc)

I am really pleased to present some exciting new music from both some expected and unexpected sources.

1. The outstanding soundtrack from the outstanding TV show TREME

2. The outstanding new 4 CD release called "West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology," containing previously unreleased blues/r&b/rock n' roll live & studio tracks from Jimi Hendrix

3. New releases from some of our favorite Blues artists (old friends & new friends) from around the country

Listeners from all over seem to love this eclectic mix of BLUES....

Here is a comment/question from a listener:
"You played a real catchy blues tune at around 8:00pm EST on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010. Please tell me the name of it and who sang it (or band). Whatever it was, it was a GREAT tune!!!"

My reply:
Most likely the song that you heard was: Jimi Hendrix - "Lonely Avenue," which played at 8:06 pm est last night. The song comes from the soon to be released (next tuesday) album called West Coast Seattle Boy - Jimi Hendrix Anthology Disc 4. This box set contains 4 CD's of previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix studio material. "Lonely Avenue" is one of the gems from the 4 CD collections and you are correct, it's an "up tempo" blues/rock/funk smoker, and clearly an influence on artists like the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and others who would later emerge as masters of "blues/rock."

Anyhow, here are the new add's:

Charles Wright - Going To The Party
Charles Wright - Rock This Joint
Charles Wright - Unseen Dirt
Free Agents Brass Band - We Made It Through That Water
Gwen McCrae - Please Dont Go
Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint - Time Is On my Side
John Boutte - The Treme Song Latimore - Mr right now
Lil Queenie and Percolators - My Darlin' New Orleans
Lubriphonic - Dope Man
Lubriphonic - If There's a Hell Below (We're All Gonna Go)
Lubriphonic - Under The Line
Lubriphonic - Whatever You Do Don't Stop
Mellow-D - Selfish One
Michiel Huisman Lucia Micarell and Wendell Pierce - I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance
Mr X - Make It Do What It Do
Pat Cooley - Cougar
Pat Cooley - Hungry Woman
Rebirth Brass Band - Feel Like Funkin It Up
Reggie Sears- You Betrayed Me
ronnie gene bryant - Father One More Day
ronnie gene bryant - That's The Way Love Is
Sharnette Hyter - 1LoveGlow
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - Better Things
Solomon Burke - Everything About You
Solomon Burke - Nothings Impossible
Steve Cropper and Felix Cavaliere - Do It Like This
Steve Cropper and Felix Cavaliere - I Can_t Stand It
Steve Zahn and Friends - Shame Shame Shame
Teeny Tucker - Make Room For Teeny
Teeny Tucker - Daughter To the Blues
Teeny Tucker - I Got My Mojo Workin'
Teeny Tucker - I Live Alone
Teeny Tucker - I Wish We Could Go Back
Teeny Tucker - Keep the Blues Alive
Teeny Tucker - Old Man Magnet
Tom McDermott and Lucia Micarelli - New Orleans Blues
Trombone Shorty and James Andrews - Ooh Poo Pah Doo

From the new West Coast Seattle Boy - Jimi Hendrix Anthology

Rosa Lee Brooks - My Diary
Isley Brothers - Testify
Jimi Hendrix - Calling All The Devil's Children
Jimi Hendrix - My Friend
Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin
Jimi Hendrix - Tears Of Rage
Jimi Hendrix - Cat Talking To Me
Jimi Hendrix - Mr. Bad Luck
Jimi Hendrix - Red House [Live]
Jimi Hendrix - All God's Children
Jimi Hendrix - Lonely Avenue
Jimi Hendrix - Burning Desire
Jimi Hendrix - Message To Love
Jimi Hendrix - Mastermind
Jimi Hendrix - Young-Hendrix [Alternate Take]
Jimi Hendrix - Messenger

Here is the link, go and check it out:
http://www.radioio.com/genre/hip-hop-soul

Take a listen and let me know what yall think?
And don't be scared, it's just the BLUES and it's not gonna hurt cha
http://www.radioio.com/genre/hip-hop-soul

When you get there, just scroll down and click on "BLUES"...Let me know what cha think!!!

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net

PRESS RELEASE: Jacques Schwarz-Bart - "RISE ABOVE" (featuring Stephanie McKay)

EDITORS NOTE: I wanted to make you all aware of the following press release, but before I do I would like to add a few items...

1. The new album from Jacques Schwarz-Bart called "RISE ABOVE" (featuring Stephanie McKay) was released yesterday. Check it out at the following link: www.brotherjacques.com

2. Of course many of you will recall Stephanie McKay and her fantastic song "RAINBOW" from the Soul-Patrol Digital/Virtual Album back in 2007. You will also recall that song was named by VIBE Magazine (Mark Anthony Neal) as one of the top 10 releases of 2007. (http://www.soul-patrol.com/newsletter/in/view1.php?id=202) and of course has been featured on the Nu Soul @ RadioIO channel

3. Well the song RAINBOW - STEPHANIE MCKAY gets it's official/official release on the album "RISE ABOVE" by Jacques Schwarz-Bart (and we are extremely happy about that!!!) In fact Stephanie can be heard singing on most of the songs on the album. www.brotherjacques.com

4. As a part of the celebration of the release of "RISE ABOVE" Jacques Schwarz-Bart & Stephanie McKay will be doing a residency during the month of September @ the NuBlu club in NYC at 62 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009-6916.

5. And to top it all off, tomorrow (9/2) is my brother Mike's birthday. We will be at the NuBlu club tomorrow night to check out Jacques Schwarz-Bart & Stephanie McKay LIVE. Come on out and join us if you are in the NYC area & if you can't, check out some of the other September dates in NYC.

5. I have listened to the album "RISE ABOVE" and I like it quite a bit. If you loved the song "RAINBOW" then you are going to dig this album as well. It's just about as perfect a blend of Jazz/Soul/Funk as we can possibly ask for in 2010. www.brotherjacques.com

Anyhow, enough of my ramblings.
Here is the press release...
(Bob Davis)

Jacques Schwarz-Bart
"RISE ABOVE"
www.brotherjacques.com

Soulful sax man Jacques Schwarz-Bart makes his Dreyfus Jazz recording debut with Rise Above, an eclectic blend of jazz and neo-soul with the earthy rhythms of the Gwoka music from his native Guadeloupe. featuring the stirring vocal stylings of former Brooklyn Funk Essentials singer Stephanie McKay. Rise Above is an epic culmination of this son of a Black Guadeloupean mother and a French Jewish father's diverse experiences. "The great common denominator between all the styles I love, being Gwoka, Jazz, or Soul, is that the music starts with the drums. It is all about the feel," he says. "Each of these musical forms offers me an opportunity to express my personal feelings and unique story. I always felt that they needed to come together".

Following his arrival in New York a decade ago, Schwarz-Bart first received widespread exposure as a member of Roy Hargrove's AfroCuban big band Crisol. He was later an important part of the trumpeter's groundbreaking RH Factorband - one of the first and most successful jazz/urban crossovers. Schwarz-Bart's tune "Forget Regret," featuring McKay's vocal, became a hit single from the band's much acclaimed Hard Groove album. Succeeding Hargrove as leader of the horn section for neo-soul god D'angelo, the saxist began writing tunes based on a mixture of soul and jazz with gwoka flavors. After connecting with soulmate Stephanie McKay, he started writing the songs with lyrics that would come together on Rise Above: "Adding her vocal presence completed the concept, allowing me to embrace a wide range of emotions, and find an artistic balance between simplicity and abstraction," says Jacques.

The sound of Rise Above reflects Schwarz-Bart's impressive resume which includes work with such popular music luminaries as Erykah Badu, Meshell Ndegeocello, Eric Benet, and Soulive, as well as jazz barrier breakers James Hurt, Danilo Perez and David Gilmore, but it's concept is distinctively the leader's own, reflect his unique background and heritage. "This is my oldest project, and yet the one that took the longest to achieve, he says. "I was waiting to have enough experience before taking on this complex musical chemistry." Rise Above is a concept album where each tune is whole and complete while at the same time taking a crucial part in the overall balance, like a planet in a galaxy. First and foremost it is a melodic album where every theme can be sung, which is done beautifully by both McKay vocally and Schwarz-Bart instrumentally.

Each of the ten tracks on Rise Above blend the different earthy rhythms of gwoka with jazzy harmonies and chosen nuggets of soul and funk that "thicken the sauce," giving a modern dimension to the sound that is sure to appeal to hip audiences. In addition to the proven hit "Forget Regret," other notable tracks include lead single "Feel So Free" (see video at http://vimeo.com/11641706), "Rainbow" and the closing "Home," co-written with Meshell Ndegeocello.

Jacques Schwarz-Bart
"RISE ABOVE"
www.brotherjacques.com

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

Concert Review: BB King @ Keswick in Philly (July 5th, 2010)

A day late and a dollar short I'm here to review the B.B. King concert of July 5th, 2010 @ The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pa.. The Keswick is fast becoming the venue for seeing a concert featuring a wide, almost Ed Sullivanian array of artists.

The crowd, their antics and opinions often equal the main attraction for provocative ness and entertainment value. More about that later.

The opening act for Mr. King was a band named for it's leader: Lukas Nelson. The irony is not lost on me that as Willie Nelson's cousin, Lukas and band represent a new generation of blues. As representative of his family we all know how famously Willie loves to straddle that thinnest of lines that exists between bluegrass/C&W/Country-Rock and the blues and rhythm and blues.

Willie Nelson's recordings with Ray Charles are legendary and Ray himself made a short but prosperous living dabbling in C&W. Lukas Nelson did not disappoint as he and his four band mates (drums, percussion, bass and keys) tore through a set that was reminiscent of the Big Brother and the Holding Company/Elvin Bishop/Hot Tuna sort of sound as well as the percussive Latin tinged rhythms of Carlos Santana.

You see if you don't know now you know. ALL IS THE BLUES! Everything or mostly everything you hear and dig has some sort of connection no matter how oblique to the blues. The fact that Lukas Nelson learned his lessons well and applied his teachings appropriately with such a young group of cats indicates that there IS hope!

Now if some of my more melanin enhanced brethren could turn away from the pro-tools, vocoders, autotunes and other various 'perfect-beat providers' and pick up and instrument we might really see some hell raised but for now we have Lukas Nelson and band to provide for us the very best in diverse blues.

The main act Mr. B.B. King himself came on after a brief intermission. At 84 years old Mr. King eased onto the stage after the band- review-style- tore up a couple of unidentifiable but really funky tunes. At this point folk like B.B King, Herbie Hancock, Willie Nelson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin are slices of what is called Americana. They are icons and it really doesn't matter what they do...(review continued).

Concert Review: Sugarfoot's Ohio Players, (Masters Of Funk) @ Dell Music Center in Philly (July 5th, 2010)

I now will get into a masterful yet truncated Sugarfoot's Ohio Players set. First of all let it be said here that Leroy 'Sugarfoot' Bonner is easily one of the great soul/funk icons of all time and as it turns out a wonderfully honest and loving human being. His awareness of all around him and his need to include that into the context of his compositions both musically and spiritually make him one of my funk heroes. We interviewed Mr.Bonner and it should be up on the Soul Patrol site by week's end. I wont say anything else personally about the man because I don't want to take away from this beautifully conducted interview involving myself, Bob Davis and Mr. Bonner.

There's always a headliner of the actual Masters themselves. This band is the only band that shows up in complete and they take the stage as a band unto themselves. Other Masters Of Funk may perform with them but mostly it's just that band's set. This occurred before with The SOS Band and tonight this role was reserved for Sugarfoot's Ohio Players.

Weaving in and out of the Master's set smoothly, this version of the Ohio Players is soooooo good that it makes one wonder if we can get a Night with Sugarfoot's Ohio Players-all to themselves playing ALL of the hits.

As George Clinton, Stanley Clarke and Charlie (Uncle Charlie) Wilson have done previously Mr. Bonner has assembled some fine YOUNG (clearly no one over thirty) musicians. He's trained em, taken all of their chops and finely honed them to fit laser-like through the eye of a needle and in so doing has created a musical entity that comes as close to any of their recordings LIVE as any of the older Ohio Players groups have EVER done.....(review continued)

INTERVIEW: Larry Graham
(BY: "Dr G": Darden and DJ Mike Hall)

"Dr G": The best known up and coming rapper known as Drake says you are his uncle. Are you Drake's uncle?

Larry Graham: I have not met him yet to verify this. I have read it but I don't know. My daughter responded to his MySpace so we have reached out to him but they have not yet responded. We could be related but I don't know yet.

"Dr G": The first time I saw GCS was at a small club in Atlanta in 1973. I was a poor Morehouse student and you walked me into the club with your arm around me. I had no money but you and Hershall Happiness made sure I saw the show. This was your first show in Atlanta as GCS. How are Hershall and Chocolate doing and how is her funk box?

Larry Graham: Chocolate is living in LA. She toured with us a little while back and she is on the "Live in London" video soon to be available for you to see. Hershall is also on that video. I heard from him in the last 2 weeks. David Dynamite is no longer with us and Willie Wild came to a show recently. I talked to Butch a couple weeks ago.

DJ Mike Hall: The group we saw at The Birchmere the other night was very tight. When I imagine Larry Graham today, I envision a musician living his dream. You work at your own pace, enjoying family & friends, enjoying the benefits of your successes. You are not a slave to the music. You seem to be on top of things. How do you achieve that and what would you say to the young musicians about how to achieve that?

Larry Graham: Put spiritual things first and like Jesus said, you can't serve two masters. If spirituality is first and you love the music it's much more enjoyable and you are not so concerned about material things. You don't want to be a slave to the music and strive after those things like King Soloman did in the Bible. They don't know who their real friend is. We put spiritual things first and music is always a joy. I don't have a bunch of bills so it becomes a joy and I can work when I want to.

"Dr G": You want to speak on your spirituality and how it affects Brother Nelson (Prince) and your beautiful wife Tina.

Larry Graham: I had heard about Tina braiding hair. On the first GCS album cover you see everybody's hair braided except David Dynamite. She breaded everybody's hair.
"Dr G": People ask you everywhere?
Larry Graham: It took her 8 hours to braid my hair. The whole time we talked about the Bible and God. Then Tina's mom was baptized as a Jehovah Witness in 1974. Tina attended and contacted me and we both started studying. I was baptized a year later. I met Prince 12 years ago. GCS played the amphi-theater in Nashville while Prince was at the arena. He asked me to jam with him at a small club in Nashville. I didn't know he was raised on my music from Sly to GCS. He had tons of questions about the Bible and eventually asked me to move to Minnesota to teach him the Bible. We were going to move from Jamaica anyway, so we moved to Minnesota to help Prince study the Bible.

DJ Mike Hall: I just want to say that the tour with you and Prince was the last time I remember you being in the DC area and that conversation on stage between you and Prince was one of the most amazing moments that I have seen on stage. That just lives with me. What's coming up next?

Go here for the rest of the review: http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/graham.htm

"Dr G": Darden and DJ Mike Hall
Soul-Patrol.com
June 21, 2010

Commentary - Memo From The Grave of Lee Atwater: "When In Doubt Always Employ Race Baiting, It's a Winning Strategy"

Who in the hell is Lee Atwater?

(and why am I wasting time writing about him, instead of an album review?)

Well Lee Atwater is an "old family friend" of the Soul-Patrol.com website. In fact the very first award that we ever got was because of Lee Atwater.

Back in 1997 I wrote an essay entitled:
"Lee Atwater and the Destruction of Black Music"
http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/lee_at.htm

In 1998 Yahoo Internet Magazine (at that time a print publication) named Soul-Patrol.com as the Best Soul/R&B website on the entire internet. As a part of doing so, they also wrote a detailed review of the website where they sited Soul-Patrol.com as being a place that explored music on a much deeper level than just track listings, discographies, artist biographies, etc. And they said that essays like "Lee Atwater and the Destruction of Black Music," were a big part of the reason why it was a required destination for music fans who wanted to know more than simply chart information or record industry propaganda. And of course, today we still continue along that same path (much to the displeasure of some of you)

Lee Atwater was a young political consultant from South Carolina who was the prot�g� of Mr. Harry S. Dent. In 1968 Harry Dent devised something called the "southern strategy" for the Presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. Of course the 'southern strategy" was indeed a winning strategy for Nixon. While Harry Dent created the "southern strategy," it was Lee Atwater who perfected it.

Lee Atwater was a person who was extremely knowledgeable about Black culture, in fact he was not only a big fan of Black culture, he was even a Blues musician. Some of you may even remember Lee Atwater playing the guitar alongside BB King, back in 1980's. He was able to use his knowledge of Black culture to refine the "southern strategy" into the science that propelled the winning elections of Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush in 1980, 1984 & 1988. Using his knowledge of Black culture, Lee Atwater developed the brilliant "Welfare Queen," "Willie Horton," and other ad's that scared the hell out of white voters. Lee Atwater passed away in the early 1990's. On his deathbed he is said to have asked Black Americans for their forgiveness in using them as a "pawn" to attract white voters to the candidates that had hired him.

As you might well imagine, that essay I wrote about Lee Atwater over a decade ago has generated a whole lot of feedback over the years. I have gotten email from the KKK to Lee Atwater's children about that essay. Of course if you read the essay (it's still in it's raw form, written in a burst of energy at 3am with lots of typos & mis-spellings,) you will see that I am in firm agreement with Nelson George and his book; In the book, Nelson George says, that "R&B ended around 1980." I go one step further and suggest that the fact that R&B ended was no accident and for that we have Lee Atwater to thank....(Continued here)

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

WHERE DOES GREAT BLACK MUSIC COME FROM IN 2010?

Bob Davis (Soul-Patrol.com/RadioIO.com), Dave Marsh (XM/Sirus/Rolling Stone/ect), Judy Tint (R&B Foundation), Claudette Robinson (Miracles/R&B Foundation), and Rhymefest (Rapper/Activist)

The picture above is of the panel "Meet the New Soul - Same as the Old Soul?" that I participated in @ SXSW/2010 this on March 20th 2010. Pictured from left to right; Bob Davis (Soul-Patrol.com/RadioIO.com), Dave Marsh (XM/Sirus/Rolling Stone/etc), Judy Tint (R&B Foundation), Claudette Robinson (Miracles/R&B Foundation), and Rhymefest (Rapper/Activist). My thanks to Judy Tint (our moderator) for inviting me to participate.

I thought that SXSW was pretty interesting. I'm not sure if I would go back again or not because things are so disorganized it's difficult to figure out how best to spend your time there.

Here is a link to an article from the Austin Chronicle that was writen about the "Meet the New Soul - Same as the Old Soul?" panel: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:983193

Obviously the author of the article didn't quite understand the panel. His big gripe was that none of the panelists used the term "retro soul." What the panelists did instead was to connect the historical legacy of Soul music to some of the current day music. This was done in order to illustrate the point, that there really isn't anything new. But the issue instead is one of lack of mainstream exposure for much of the great soul music being produced in today's environment and that issue may well be an opportunity (ie; not to be tied into the network of established record labels and corrupt knee-gro radio stations)

My reply is kinda chopped up into different sections because the Austin Chronicle system wouldn't allow me to post the entire thing as a single comment..

Quite a few Soul-Patrol.com readers & RadioIO.com listeners from around the country showed up to see/hear the panel so it was nice to meet those folks in person for the first time. In addition to those folks I got to meet a whole bunch of indie blues, jazz, & soul artists/journalists/label managers, etc. The pictures below (taken by Soul-Patroller Chip Barnett) are from a concert I attended featuring Mayer Hawthorne, Black Joe Louis, Raphael Saadiq, Smokey Robinson and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (not pictured). The concert was fantastic, not only was it like seeing the NUSOUL @ RADIOIO station come to life right before my eyes, it was also kinda like seeing a modern day version of the TAMI Show, right before my eyes. In short it was a show that contained many of the elements that a Soul music fan would drool over; Mayer Hawthorne (Philly Soul), Black Joe Louis (James Brown/Ike Turner/Jimi Hendrix), Raphael Saadiq (60's Motown), Smokey Robinson and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (Funk/Chicago Soul). But with a slammin 2010 presentation!!!

Mayer Hawthorne (Philly Soul), Black Joe Louis (James Brown/Ike Turner/Jimi Hendrix), Raphael Saadiq (60's Motown), Smokey Robinson and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (Funk/Chicago Soul)

I also saw a whole lotta really awful rock & hip hop performances...

One thing for sure, SXSW has shown to be an excellent source for new music for me to present both here on Soul-Patrol.com and on RadioIO.com. I came away with lots of excellent music, some of which you will see represented in the updates below for NU SOUL @ RADIOIO and BLUES @ RADIOIO. For example, I was walking down 6th Street in Austin and the manager of UK Blues artist Marcus Bonfanti, literally chasing me down the street and begging me to come & see his artist perform. I took the bait, loved his show and now his music is in the BLUES @ RADIOIO playlist. Mayer Hawthorne & Black Joe Louis got on my RadioIO.com playlist as a result of me seeing them perform live in Austin as well.

However there are many sources for some of the great Soul Music being produced today. A week after I got back from SXSW I was asked to do a presentation for an event in NYC called the Indie Soul Mixer. This was a yearly gathering of the local NYC "neo soul artists." I did a presentation wi8th covered the topic of "economic survival of independent artists. Unfortunately I had to leave as soon as I finished delivering the presentation in order to attend the Christian Scott concert that I reviewed here on Soul-Patrol a week ago. As I was about to leave an absolutely gourgous young woman ran up to me and said; "I enjoyed your presentation very much Mr. Davis. Please take a copy of my CD and if you like it, let me know." I said; "I'll do even better than that. If I don't like it, I'll let you know that as well." Needless to say, as soon as I listened to the first song, I was hooked. Her voice reminds me of Valerie Simpson and she's got an entire album of "compelling music." Her name is Chidi and as you will see there are two of her songs now in the playlist for NU SOUL @ RADIOIO.

Sometimes it comes from the recommendation of friends; Myron Ruffin (Leela James), Rickey Vincent (Steve Arrington), Rio Vergini (Jaye Q), Iris Smith (Dramatics), Jason Miles (Grover Washington Jr. Live), etc. Sometimes it comes from the artists themselves, (ex; Archie Bell, Billy Jones, Sugar Stick, Patafunk, DigiDonz, etc)And yes, sometimes it comes from record labels, who give me GREAT BLACK MUSIC MUSIC THAT WOULD NEVER GET PLAYED ON KNEE-GRO RADIO STATIONS (ex; James Hunter, Macy Grey, Global Noize, Karl Denson, Swing Out Sister, Calvin Richardson, Maysa, Lee Shot Williams, N'Dambi, etc)

Anyhow, scroll down to see the recent add's for NUSOUL @ RADIOIO and BLUES @ RADIOIO. But don't just stop at reading the lists, take a moment to actually tune in and listen, even if you don't recognize some of the artist/song names. If you have read this far, it's because you are a fan of GREAT BLACK MUSIC.

Rest assured that if you thought that the days of GREAT BLACK MUSSIC are over & done with, you are sadly mistaken.

The whole point of this issue of the Soul-Patrol Newsletter is to show you the lengths that we go to to make GREAT BLACK MUSIC in 2010 easily available to you in a radio format that is easy for you to digest, right here online.

::::GO AHEAD & BE BOLD::::
::::IGNORE KNEE-GRO RADIO:::
::::GET OFF THEIR PLANTATION::::
:::::SUPPORT GREAT BLACK MUSIC::::

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC (SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU DARE)

NUSOUL @ RADIOIO and BLUES @ RADIOIO

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Co-Founder www.soul-patrol.com
Blues, Hip Hop and Soul Music Director www.radioio.com

PRESS RELEASE: Bob Davis Presents American Popular Music Evolution @ Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA (12/1/2009)

PRESS RELEASE: Bob Davis Presents American Popular Music Evolution @ Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA (12/1/2009)
(http://www.keswicktheatre.com)

"A most unique, constructive and instructive approach to hold a class on American Popular Music, its history, its innovators and its social/political impact over the past 100 years�"

I want to let all of you know about this upcoming seminar/presentation that I will be giving in Philadelphia on 12/1/2009. If you are an educational institution in the area, I would strongly advise you to contact the Keswick for information on how your students can participate. If you are outside of the Philadelphia area or can't make the date, and are interested in this seminar contact me directly at 609-351-0854 for information on how to bring this educational program to your area. I have delivered this program to elementry schools thru universitys and to community organizations. This interactive session highlights the most influential artists, producers, record labels, entrepreneurs across American Popular Music Styles (Blues, Country, R&B, Rock, Jazz, and Hip Hop) and cross references the two way impact across American History. It combines historical data with analysis/commentary, and multimedia capabilities, this fast paced overview a leaves the student with a clear understanding of the tapestry of the American Music Art Form and it's intersection with American Cultural/Social/Political History.

The session is easily adapted/targeted for diverse audiences and has been presented to both small and large groups from the elementary school level to high schools, universities, community organization and seniors.

Brooklyn native Bob Davis, the creator/instructor of this class, holds degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. After a successful career on Wall Street, he co-founded Soul-Patrol.com as a "hub" for gathering music and information. This site, one of the largest and oldest of it's type offers many different music industry types, across multiple genres including, performers, executives and owners, writers, producers, radio and club DJs, historians and of course music fans. Mr. Davis is also a Music Director at RadioIO.com on of the Internet's largest radio networks, where he is responsible for programming 8 different types of R&B, Rock, Hip Hop and Blues stations for a worldwide audience.

Bob Davis has consulted with entities such as Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, R&B Foundation, Future of Music Coalition, STAX Museum, Black Rock Coalition, Universal Music, Concord Music, Chiltin Circuit Magazine, Rhino Music, Philadelphia Black Heritage Festival, Purpose Records, Shanachie Records, Wake Forest University, and others. Bob consults with artists/labels and small businesses on Internet strategy and technology deployment. Soul-Patrol is also engaged in software development and innovative content distribution projects (ex: Soul-Patrol Virtual Album) focused on improving the deployment of music/culture on the internet.

With all of this information archived, Bob has "connected the dots" to establish not only a time line, but the connection between the various "styles" of music. The obvious and not so obvious interrelationships between Blues, Country, Rock n' Roll, Jazz, Blues, R&B. and Hip Hop, showing a virtual "tree" and the branches of that same "tree" and the interconnection of the styles that have been the uniqueness of American Music.

The student gets an elaborate account of the evolution of these musical styles and the corresponding impact of American history. The course will compel the participants to dig even deeper.

CONTACT: Bob Davis, 609-351-0154 earthjuice@prodigy.net

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net

ALBUM REVIEW: Mighty Sam McClain - Betcha Didn't Know

I was introduced to Mighty Sam's music on Soul Patrol many years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting Mighty Sam and his wife a few years ago, along with a few of my SP friends from Chicago. (and he's a very nice person)

He has a new CD out entitled "Betcha Didn't Know". 13 tracks that I'm sure you will enjoy.

What I like about Mighty Sam's music is that it's real, and he uses a real band. (no keyboards, drum machines, etc; REAL MUSICIANS and a kick ass horn section!) Plus, Mighty Sam sounds like he's having a great time in the studio.

From the opening track "I Can't Stop The Funk", is exactly what the title of the song says. A nice funky groove that will get you on your feet dancin'....(review continued here)

--Gary Tyson

Radio Daze (online, offline & otherwise)

Clearly internet radio represents the future of radio. And one of the reasons for this is because of the phenomenal amount of choice and diversity that is available.

For example, in preparation for my interview a few weeks ago w/Chuck D's AirAmerica Radio show I did a little bit of research (cuz I always like to have a few stats.....lol) over on Shoutcast, which is a server that aggregates some internet radio traffic.

On a Sunday afternoon at about 3pm Shoutcast showed that there were 500,000 + listeners streaming about 29,000 different radio stations. In my opinion these numbers are phenomenal. It's a clear demonstration that internet radio fills the listening needs of a large segment & ever increasing segment of the population and it shows that there is a wealth of diversity in listening choices. This past week I discussed this same topic among others on the Our Common Ground with Janice Graham show on the USA Talk Network as well.

Of course I am extremely biased and I think that the internet radio that I am personally involved in both here at Soul-Patrol.Net (podcasting) and at RadioIO.com (continuous stream) represents just that type of diversity & relevancy as well.

The listenrship numbers continue to grow. For example the podcast that we did the other day on Soul-Patrol.Net radio for the artist Donnie C's new album, had 4,000 listeners on a single day (pretty good exposure in one day for an "unknown artist"). At the same time the RnB Mix Channel (continuous stream) over on RadioIO.com gets hundreds of thousands of tune ins per month.

-- Soul-Patrol's audio outlet at www.Soul-Patrol.Net averages 70,000 + listeners each month.

-- The 8 stations I run on www.RadioIO.com (Classic RnB, Nu Soul, Classic Hip Hop, RnB Mix, Blues, Today's RnB, Top 20 HipHop & Top 20 RnB) total millions of tune ins each month. And these people don't just tune in. They stay and leave the station on all day long at work or at home, regardless of what "segment" of the Black music marketplace each one of those stations represent. I know this because they email me all day long with running commentaries on what they are hearing.

These numbers continue to grow month after month, especially with the increasing adoption of mobile devices that are capable to tuning in these stations. Much of my email & feedback related to internet radio is coming from folks listening on Blackberry's, iPhones & other mobile devices. And the good news is that many of these mobile users are plugging their devices into their car stereo systems and listening in their vehicles, as Chuck D told us that he does during the interview.

So clearly lots of folks are listening and more importantly, finding what they are looking for and listening from whatever devices suits their lifestyle. And that is really the whole point, being able to find what you are looking for and consuming the content in the manner that you want to consume it.

And truth be told, this is what the terrestrial broadcasters (Clear Channel, Cathy Hughes, etc.) fear even more than the passage of a bill that required them to pay the very same performance royalties to artists that internet radio has been paying for years.

As far as Black Radio is concerned, that ended in the 1980's, when Black radio stations abandoned the communities that had made them successful and decided to go "corporate." When you stopped hearing commercials for "Pookie's Funeral Parlor on 119th & Malcolm X Blvd." and started hearing commercials instead for "Enormous Corporate Scottish Brand Name Generic/Unhealthy Hamburgers", that was the end of Black radio. These stations lost their "community focus", because the person paying the bills (the advertisers), were no longer a part of nor did they care about the community. As a result the stations became just as bland & predictable as the "generic hamburgers" they advertised.

PREDICTION: Old skool Black radio oddly enough in the technologically advanced age we are in now has a chance to return. Black owned businesses (large & small) will now be in a position to sponsor both internet radio/tv programming. As the sponsor, they will be instrumental in insuring the voice of the community is heard.

(stay toooned....)

NP: "Give The People What They Want"
--O'Jays

--Bob Davis
609-351-0154
earthjuice@prodigy.net

2008 Best Black Music Albums, Tracks & Live Shows (Classic Soul, Jazz, Southern Soul & Blues, Funk, Neo Soul, Rap & Rock n' Roll)

Also posted at:
http://www.soul-patrol.com/newsletter/2008/news7/bestof2008.html

These rankings are also posted on www.soul-patrol.com and www.radioio.com as well as other places around the internet. Feel free to repost them wherever you hang out at online.

I really do hate making lists. That's because they have a beginning, a middle and an end. Which means that something is going to get left off, and no doubt I have left something out.

At any rate I have compiled a list of what I think are the very best ALBUMS (listed in rank order) and SONGS (listed in rank order/Black music style) released in 2008.

In addition to the rankings, clicking on the links below will enable you to listen to sound bytes from the associated albums and songs. If you are thinking about buying any of these, rest assured that you can buy them "sight unheard", they are ALL wicked, jazzy, funky, soulful, rockin joints that it is my extreme pleasure to turn you on to.This is a great year for Black music (Classic Soul, Jazz, Southern Soul & Blues, Funk, Neo Soul, Rap & Rock n' Roll), probably the best this decade! So we as music lovers had quite a bit to smile about in 2008.

Thanks in advance for your consideration...

Bob Davis - Soul-Patrol
798 Woodlane Rd
Suite 10264
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
earthjuice@prodigy.net

Also posted at:
http://www.soul-patrol.com/newsletter/2008/news7/bestof2008.html

Best of All Time in Funk/Jazz/Soul/Rock/Blues & Culture

Quite a few people have been writing in to me complaining about various lists that have been published by Rolling Stone Magazine over the years. The complaints have ranged from a lack of knowlege to outright rascim with respect to these lists. In my opinion it makes little sense in 2008 to complain about lists produced by Rolling Stone or any other entity. We are on the internet, we have mailing lists, we have message boards, we have blogs, we have the capability to create and publish our own list of who we think are the best artists, songs, etc.

THEREFORE I SAY F#@#&@#*K ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE, WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN

And over the years we have done exactly that here at Soul-Patrol.com. Not only do we announce our listing of best releases each year (and we will do so again for 2008 later this week), we also conducted a little survey of our readership back in the year 2000 of the BEST OF ALL TIME.

As selected by the "Soul-Patrol Board of Directors", back in the year 2000, we think these are the tops in Funk, Jazz, Soul, Rock, Blues and Culture, thru the year 2000. We published these results at the following link: http://www.soul-patrol.com/2000

These results are also published in this newsletter. Scroll down and see if you concur. Share it with your friends, argue about it create your own if you like. And if you disagree, why not consider creating your own list on your MySpace page, your website, etc. In 2008 you all have the ways and means to do so, and I would encourage you to follow suit. But whatever you do, don't complain to me about Rolling Stone, who really gives a crap about what they have to say about this topic. This is OUR music and if we actually care about it, lets start with ourselves and give it the props that it deserves.

Photos by James VandeZee

Check it out at the following link: http://www.soul-patrol.com/2000

Thanks in advance for your consideration...and next week look for Soul-Patrol's Best of 2008 In Black Music.

Bob Davis - Soul-Patrol
798 Woodlane Rd
Suite 10264
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
earthjuice@prodigy.net

http://www.soul-patrol.com/album

http://www.soul-patrol.com/album

If you would like to ask a question about Soul-Patrol feel free to contact the owner Bob Davis.

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If you would like to ask a question about Soul-Patrol feel free to contact the owner Bob Davis.

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