musicology #0623

Heard But Not Seen #1

Wille & The Brentford Disco Set – No One Can Stop Us


It’s a new day..Listen Tune.

musicology #0598

Flow #17

Alva Lewis – Hurry Home


Back on home turf..good times in New York..much to reflect on…the ‘project’ is life and the soundtrack is never ending so with that in mind i’ll keep on flowing as I slip, slide, rock and roll through it…really feeling the previous cut from the Brooklyn Funk Essentials look out for more from them in the future…in the mean time hold this marrow trembling slice of ESSENTIAL Rock Steady from Alva Lewis..

Cuts like this sure don’t grow on trees…Sir Errol and all lovers of TOP RANKING music this one’s yours.

musicology #593

Flow #12

(The Harptones – A Sunday Kind Of Love)


Sitting here this morning preparing for the trip to NYC, (and the Brooklyn Soul Festival) listening to Doo Wop and I just realised that I should be sharing it with youse Cats & Kittens so here it is…SUPREME harmony from Willie Winfield, Billy Brown, Claudie “Nicky” Clark, William Dempsey, William “Dicey” Galloway and last but certainly not least Raoul Cita.

Simply BEAUTIFUL. Listen this F****N’ Tune and weep.

musicology #589

Flow #8

Doreen Schaffer & the Brentford Disco Set – This Love


I feel like I have shortchanged all you musicologists out there and not delivered enough Soul food recently so today I’m going to lay a three course meal on you in an effort to fill your musical plates with enough cuts to keep them ‘belly full’. I have been locked into preparing sets over the last few days and as a result have unearthed some gems from deep within the vaults.

For starters we have a musicologist favourite from what, (for me), was one of Sir Coxsone’s most harmonious periods, a little window sometime in the mid 1970′s where the Studio 1 team recorded and released some of the finest music ever recorded. The vocalist is none other than Doreen Schaffer who begun singing for Downbeat at the birth of his studio in the early 60′s. Best known for her duets with Jackie Opel this one never fails to tremble my marrow. The perfect balance between Soul, Reggae and available studio technology. Had to mix in the dub..haunting. I hope you’ll find it to your taste..

Scratchy on the intro but to be honest all the best tunes are because they have been well and truly RINSED..

musicology #576

Essential Cuts #6

(New Mastersounds Feat Dionne Charles – I Mean It So)


Small dilemma..not sure whether to revisit the preceeding 3 years of musicology and repost all the cuts or start again? hmmmm.

Anyway…while I’m pondering hold this ESSENTIAL mod/ern/ist Funk cut courtesy of The New Master Sounds, (Eddie Roberts, Pete Shand, Simon Allen, Joe Tatton), featuring Dionne Charles on the M.I.C

2008 release from their Plug & Play set.

musicology #573

Essential Cuts #3

(Jerry Jones – Still Waters)


Didn’t manage to lay a cut yesterday..BIG night Friday and as a result I floated through yesterday in a bit of a bubble. That’s one of the things about BIG nights out..sleep deprivation..Worth it though. Music was excellent, company too. Met some good people, (all genuine music lovers), which is always a real pleasure. In fact it was a proper gathering of musicologists. The Filthy Six were excellent and by a strange serendipitous, (having already laid it down on themusicologist a few hours earlier) quirk had included Sookie, Sookie in their set. If any of you cats and/or kittens get the opprtunity to catch them live…take it. If not then second best is to buy their self titled set available on Acid Jazz.

Part of what I, (Sir Errol too judging from his recent comment), enjoy about music is the voyage of ‘discovery’ and on the night Corinna Greyson and Noel McKoy were both welcome additions to my list of noteworthy vocalists. I can’t lay an example of Corrina’s vocals on you as I don’t have any to pass on but I bought 2 copies of Noel’s latest CD, (Brighter Day), on the night so hopefully, (if/when I confirm with him that it’s ok), I’ll lay down an example on themusicologist.

So on with the Essentials…(all cuts that, for me, ‘stand’ at the top of the musical mountain). Today’s cut is another from the number one Jamaican sound ‘Sir’ Coxsone ‘Downbeat The Ruler’s Studio 1. Absoulte marrow trembler released 1970 in the UK on the Bamboo label….Jerry Jones’s version of the Four Tops scorcher.

Listen Tune.

musicology #565

Down The Road A Piece #1

(Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee – My Fathers Words)


Where has themusicologist been for the last week?, (or the last 12 months come to think of it !!)
Lost and looking, Scheming and dreaming..for/about what? not sure but along the way much has transpired and it feels like I have walked backwards, forwards and round in circles…my poor shoes are worn and pants bottom torn but I’m still in the ring dancing, bobbing and weaving to the rhythm of life.

Sometimes it’s been blow after blow, (all landing square on me jaw), and the knees have almost gone but I’m still living and still learning hour after hour, day after day..

What I am trying to say is that I feel that themusicologist needs to change so I’m planning a new strategy that I’m working on. I’m not going to reveal it right now but hold tight and buckle up..it’s coming…

Until then I’ll just keep rolling with the ‘one tune’ in an effort to build up some consistency. After all ‘A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss’ so with that out the way hold this cut from the MAGNIFICENT Saunders ‘Sonny Terry’ Terrell and Walter Brown ‘Brownie’ McGhee. Bluesmen supreme who ‘climbed mountains’ to deliver some of the finest musicology ever recorded.

Hopefully you’ll listen, (and read), these poetic words of wisdom delivered by two Cats who knew exactly what the Blues, (and life), was all about…

My father, my father said these words,
Followed me down through the years,
Yes, yes, yes believe half you see son and nothing that you hear,
There’s a many broken hearts son that never sheds no tear,

It takes a rocks, takes a rocks and gravel,
To make wha? to make a solid road,
Yes, yes, yes everything that shines boy I declare it can’t be gold,
Well the brave old secret son that will never be told, (wooooh),
He said the longer, the longer the road,
The short, short, shorter the turn,
Yes, yes, yes listen my son you’ll never grow too old to learn,
I said why?
Because old coals will kindle light up and begin to burn,

He said the taller, the taller the tree,
The deeper, the deeper the roots yes, yes, yes
Blacker the berries well sweeter the juice,
Well with every rose son, there is some thorns too,

He said if you want if you want to be loved,
Here’s what you got, got to do,
Yes, yes you got to love somebody want someone to love you,
Well don’t let your right hand, know what your left hand do,

He said well a man well a man oh a man..man ain’t nothing but a man,
Yes, yes, yes..whole lot a things you’ll never understand,
Why?, so many people happy you catching as catch can
Go ahead Sonny Boy……

One more time now….

He said a man well a man oh a man..a man ain’t nothing but a man,
Yes, yes, yes..whole lot a things son you’ll never understand,
So many people happy you catching as catch can,

My fathers words…..

musicology #561

Tales From The Underground #3

The Soul Stirrers – Jesus Wash Away My Troubles


When ‘the Lion’ roars you have to listen..Sam Cooke..the greatest singer ever to record. Rarely equaled NEVER bettered. Listen Tune…

“Jesus wash away my, my troubles,
While I’m traveling here below,
For I’ve, I’ve got enemies..lord you know,
And Jesus wash away my, my burdens,
For they’re so, they’re so hard to bear
But I know there’s consellation,
As long as I know you’re there,
Yes it is, yes it is,
You know Sometimes I feel I feel like a motherless child,
I’m a long way from home,
You know Sometimes I feel, I feel like I’m almost gone
Still I’m a long ways from home
But Jesus take me on to glory lord when I, when I die
For I know that day is coming, It’s coming by and by
Wooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh.”

musicology #556

Shake It Up & Go #3

(Tony Clarke – Ain’t Love Good Ain’t Love Proud)

Massive Rhythm &Blues cut from the majestic Tony Clark. 1964 cut on the US Chess Label. He who feels it knows it. Authentic love is hard to find..if it comes knocking make sure you open the door and let it walk right in.

Now it’s a big, bright world when a guy meets a girl,
Don’t you know when a their lips meet,
Don’t you know that they taste so sweet,
Don’t you know it’s a good, good feeling,
That sets your heart a reeling,
Everybody now clap your hands come on children, stomp your feet,
Come on now..hail out loud,
Ain’t love good ain’t love proud,
Ain’t love good ain’t love proud,
Play the song now,

Now it’s a sheer delight,
To have your heart on fire,
‘Cause the pretty young thing,
Say’s your her one desire,
Don’t you know that it,
Makes you move, it makes you get on the groove,
Everybody now clap them hands,
Come on children, stomp them feet,
Come on ya’ll hail out loud,
Ain’t love good ain’t love proud,

It’s a big, bright world when a guy meets a girl,
Don’t you know when a their lips meet,
Don’t you know that they got to taste so sweet,
Don’t you know it’s a good, good feeling,
And it starts your heart a reeling,
Everybody now clap them hands come on children, stomp your feet,
Come on now..hail out loud,
Ain’t love good ain’t love proud,
Ain’t love good ain’t love proud,
Come on now,
Play the music…

musicology #554

Shake It Up & Go #1

(Deon Jackson – Love Takes A Long Time Growing)

Inspired by Saturday night’s function (‘Shake’) this theme features a selection of cuts, (all dancers), spun by themusicologist on the night as well as a few that I had in the rocket box that I didn’t manage to fit in to my ‘set’. Excellent night. Pucker music…good crowd…Great company..ALL good.

First up is a piece of great beauty and authentic sincerity that never fails to move me in every way from Soul singer, (with a capital S), Deon Jackson on the Carla label that says it all for me about a word we have all heard MANY times.

LISTEN TUNE and watch the ride..

musicology #543

Jamaica #23

(Dennis Brown – No More Will I Roam)

Looking back over the past week on themusicologist I couldn’t help but notice my absence..in truth the weather was too nice and I had much street walking, hustling, networking, planning and dreaming to do and themusicologist had to take a back seat but the weather is still scorching so I’ll have to come up with a new plan for this week…ahh got it…more music less scribbles, (it’s the scribbling that takes ALL my time)

So with that in mind….forward up with the sweet sounds of JA.

Ranking piece from the ‘Crown Prince’ Dennis Emmanuel Brown produced by Winston ‘Niney the Observer’ Holness for his Obsever label in 1974.

Listen Tune..

musicology #540

Jamaica #20

(N Elliott & Noel Bailey – People Let Love Shine)

No rest for themusicologist as he moves, weaves, bobs, ducks, slips and slides his way out of one marrow trembler and into another one of my most cherished slices of ‘Sufferers’ but today it’s courtesy of Spanish Town producer Harry Mudie…The vocalists are N? Elliott and Noel Bailey..1971 cut on a Moodisc ‘Blank’

I’ll just let the cut speak..

musicology #539

Jamaica #19

(Rome – Lloyd Jones)

When I first heard this cut, (more than 20 years ago), I had to sit down. Still to this day I don’t know what it is about it that continues to tremble my marrow but as I live and learn about life through the ups and downs there are certain tunes that are an integral part of the soundtrack to my existence…this is one of them. The sounds that pulsed out of the Kingston ghettos during the early 70′s continue to speak with unmatched authenticity to my Soul and even though I am a big fan of Ska, Rocksteady and early Reggae it is this period, (the ‘Golden Age’), between 1970 and 1976 that really does it for me, (the 90′s too but we’ll have to wait until later to hear them)

The vocalist on today’s piece is Lloyd Jones, (a cat I know nothing about), but what I do know though is that, (as far as I’m concerned), music doesn’t get better than this. For 20+ years this cut has been a BIG part of my life. Why? can’t say for sure but it’s one of the tunes that I will NEVER tire of hearing. Larry, (the field), Marshall cut it at Studio 1 and I’m not sure who waxed the original but I think it’s this one….not that it matters of course and whether it’s called Babylon, Rome, the Shitstym, Capitalism or Globalisation it’s all just ‘The Game’ and I for one despise it. Sufferers all bleed the same colour blood and it’s always RED so be you black, white, pink, brown, yellow or blue this one’s for all of us…45 on the English Bullet label.

“From since I was a kid they have had me down as slave,
Keep pushing me everyday until they push me out of the way,
Woooooh Rome I want to go home,
Woooooooh Rome I can’t stay no longer in Rome”

musicology #538

Jamaica #18

(Winston Hines – Cool Down)

Between the cat, (who’s got my tongue), the monkey, (who’s on my back), and the wolves, (who are howling round my door), I feel more like a zoo keeper than a musical curator so without further delay I’m just going to lay this one on you. Final cut of the early Reggae and then it’s on to the Reggae proper.

45 on the English Camel label, (another one of my early ‘revival’ memories), sung by Winston Hines..and yes it’s 1969.

musicology #520

Randoms #3

(Errol Dunkley – A Little Way Different)

Apparently it was 3 years ago that themusicologist stepped into the global arena in an attempt to communicate. 3 years later and I’m still trying. SO much water has gone under the bridge since then it almost seems like I have lived at least three lives. In fact the ONLY constant in my life has been the music. Companions on the journey who I thought would be there for the duration have stepped off and significant others have stepped in. I suppose that is the way it has to be. Nothing lasts forever, (other than music of course)

The journeys soundtrack along the way has been just as hill and gully as the existence itself..sometimes so raw that I wince when I listen but there’s no taking it back, (nor would I want to), so I’ll just keep rolling out the message and let the dialogue unfold naturally as it always has and most likely will be.

Today’s messenger is the majestic Errol Dunkley a cat who first sung his way into the musicologist’s heart and mind with his 1966 cut, (at the crossroads between Ska and Rocksteady), ‘Love Me Forever’ but it’s this one that I identify him with. The TOP ranking ‘A Little Way Different’. This version is the 12″ rather than the Sonia Pottinger produced 1972 original. Both equally superb in their own right.

musicology #519

Randoms #2

(Bill Withers – Take It All In And Check It All Out)

Next cut on the random selection…and it’s time for this one from the great Bill Withers one of the three major teachers for themusicologist from my formative years one listen should help you understand why when the man speaks themusicologist listened. Highlighted from his 1972 TOP RANKING ‘Still Bill’ set. Recorded in LA at the Record Plant and released on Sussex. Also featuring the combined talents of Obbye Hall, Benorce Blackmon, Melvin Dunlap, James Gadson and Raymond Jackson.

LISTEN TUNE…

“You can fill up a room with idle conversation,
You can stir up a whole darn nation with your mouth,
But before you start to show your indignation,
About a situation,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out,

You can create a boom with uh catchy information,
You can shake up a lot of people if you shout,
But before you begin to grin about the success of your creation
You oughta take it all in and check it all out

You can make out a plan with aimless dedication,
You can hang up a million slogans in your house,
But before you put it into operation,
Before you man your station now,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out,
Find out what it’s all about uh huh,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out Find out what it’s all about uh huh,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out,
You oughta take it all in and check it all out”

musicology #512

Duets2 #2

(Am I A Good Man – Them Two)

Today’s marrow trembler finds themusicologist standing in ‘still waters’ that run almost too deeeeeeeeeep and I’m probably shooting myself in the foot by peering into the darkest recesses of my soul in such a public way but authenticity compels me to continue asking the question….what/who am I? (not that I’m expecting or even asking for an answer as I don’t believe there is a definitive but unfortunately that doesn’t stop the internal dialogue).

Paradoxically? the question has reared it’s head at the onset of this ‘Harmony’ theme but in the words of Blues man supreme Little Willie Littlefield ‘Life is like that’ and no amount of running and hiding will alter a truth.

The musicology presented by the TOP RANKING Numero Label was originally recorded for and released on Miami’s Deep City label sometime in the late 60′s? and features the combined harmonies of Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke ably backed and driven by Helene Smith, Arnold Albury and Reed Roberts. For me music doesn’t get ‘better’ than this…what a tune.

har·mo·ny

–noun,plural-nies.

agreement; accord; harmonious relations.
a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME armonye < MF < L harmonia < Gk harmonía joint, framework, agreement, harmony, akin to hárma chariot, harmós joint, ararískein to join together

—Related forms

non·har·mo·ny, noun,plural-nies.
pre·har·mo·ny, noun

—Synonyms
1. concord, unity, peace, amity, friendship. 2. consonance, conformity, correspondence, consistency.

musicology #510

CoversWeek2 #7

(Bill Withers – Let It Be)

Final day of the second instalment of the covers theme..yet again there’s too many to choose from so rather than waste precious time deliberating I’m just going to lay this cut on you. Yet another one from themusicologist’s memory banks..Bill Withers 1971 version of the Beatles song Let It Be. Highlighted from his first LP ‘Just As I am’. Produced, arranged and featuring ‘Booker T’ Jones as well as the combined talents of Stephen Stills, Jim Keltner, Bobbye Hall Porter and Al Jackson Jnr. Recorded and released on the Sussex label.

“When I find myself in times of trouble Brother Billy comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be ohhh Let It Be..”

New theme starts tomorrow…

musicology #508

CoversWeek2 #5

(Dennis Brown – It’s Too Late)

Up and out with the larks today and no time to juggle so I’ll just have to leave you with this one from ‘the Crown Prince Of Reggae’ Dennis Emmanuel Brown. Child prodigy, musical ambassador and man of the people with a 1973? cover of the Carol King/Toni Stern composition originally recorded for and released on her famous ‘Tapestry’ set. The cover of which, (and the song in question),  brings back fond memories of being a very young child. Produced by Herman Chin Loy

musicology #498

SoulBoy #17

(Garland Green – Plain And Simple Girl)

right..have to be quick today, (even though I’m slowing the tempo..), as I have to get my ‘bottle’ out the ‘apple’ sharp and wanted to get this one up for as long as possible..apologies for leaving you SoulBoys and SoulGirls hanging for the next installment these last few days, things to do…people to see, (MrHare them shoes are sooo ‘RUDE’)…no excuses just apologies. Hope to make up for it with this Sunday afternoon, Soul Spectrum slice from Garland Green..produced and arranged in 1970 by the majestic Donny Hathaway his first and most , (commercially), successful, (whatever that means?), release on Cotillion. I am a BIG fan of this one. Soul through and through….Listen Tune…

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