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INTRODUCTION TO THE 80's
Questo articolo è stato magistralmente redatto da Monsieur Thierry Boulanger, collezionista belga più volte chiamato a mettere i dischi in Inghilterra laddove la politica "across the board" del promoter di turno richiedeva in consolle un DJs che sapesse maneggiare con maestria dischi dal '60 ad oggi.
Inizia a collezionare rarità nel 1979 (" anche se molti dei titoli che sono sotto li ho scoperti solo più tardi ! ") e prende ad organizzare frequenti soul nights a Bruxelles, ove risiede. Nella capitale è altresì resident al "The Slick" dove è possibile ascoltarlo ogni Domenica, dalle 20 a Mezzanotte proporre una selezione principalmente orientata ai 60's/70's. Nel suo curriculum c'è anche una continua presenza (due anni) come soul-DJ al "Casablanca" di Amsterdam. Inutile dire che al giorno d'oggi le "low fares" di alcune compagnie aeree lo portano spessissimo in UK, dove non solo va a mettere dischi, ma sopratutto a divertirsi ( ultimamente non si è perso un weekender )
Ha accettato con entusiasmo di buttare giù qualche riga per questo sito, anche per smentire una tra le più inesatte "leggende" (certamente divulgata da DJ impreparati ) che circolano nella scena : quella secondo cui gli anni Ottanta hanno rappresentato, in materia di soul, un decennio "povero".
Top 50 of unmissable albums
Eramus Hall - Your love is my desire
Al Johnson - Back for more
Bridge - Crying for love
Jean Carn - Sweet & wonderful
Maze - Live in New Orleans
Leon Ware - Rockin you eternally
Bobby Womack - The poet
Atlantic Starr - Brilliance
Luther Vandross - Forever, for always
Anita Baker - The songstress // Rapture
Phyllis Hyman - Living all alone
Regina Belle - All by myself
Broomfield - s a m e (1st)
Ronnie McNeir - Love suspect // The R. McN. Experience 12"
Sherrick - s a m e
Chapter 8 - This love's for real // Forever
Will Downing - s a m e (1st)
Perri - The flight
By All Means - s a m e
Eric Gable - Caught in the act ("Hard up")
David Peaston - Introducing
Randy Brown - Midnight desire
Merry Clayton - Emotion
Norman Connors - Take it to the limit
Rance Allen Group - I feel like goin on
David Ruffin - Gentleman Ruffin
Angela Bofill - Something about you
Lamont Dozier - Workin on you
Debra Laws - Very special
Stephanie Mills - Stephanie ("My love's been good to you")
Rockie Robbins - I believe in love
Sadane - One way love affair
McCrarys - All night music ("Love on a summer night")
Rose Royce - Stronger than ever ("Best love")
Starpoint - All night long
Johnnie Taylor - Just ain't good enough
Glenn Jones - Everybody loves a winner
Shirley Brown - Intimate storm
Controllers - Stay ("Secret fantasy")
Guinn - s a m e
Genobia Jeter - Genobia (86)
Beau Williams - No more tears ("All because of you")
Nightwind - s a m e
Vanesse Thomas - Vaneese
Tracks/Various LPs worth a mention.
The titles of the tracks are between quotation marks
* Collins & Collins - s a m e ("Top of the stairs" "You know how to make me love you") 1980.
Of course you all know the weekender anthem "Top of the stairs", but the LP features a fantastic 2-step: "You know how to make me love you" which is a bit in the same league as Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis' "You're gonna miss me", and another great downtempo track : "I'm feeling your love".
* Dayton - Feel the music ("Promise me") 1983
The big dancer off this album was "The sound of music", but "Promise me" has the edge for me. Strong male vocals make this an essential acquisition.
* Winans - Long time comin' ("Don't be deceived") 1983
From that ever consistent gospel group comes this excellent dancer which doesn't fail to impress.
* Herbert Charles - Something about her love CD 1988.
A very nice CD overall by this young man. My favourite track is "For letting her in".
* June Yamagishi - My pleasure ("Give this love a try") 1988.
With Bobby Womack on vocals, it can't be bad, in fact it's a cover of his own "Trust your heart" track (Pieces LP) with another title and it is considerably longer. Soulful stuff !
* Johnson & Branson - s a m e ("Midnight lady") 1989.
Howard Johnson on lead vocals is in fine form on "Midnight lady". Also, don't miss their latest CD on SoulJapan which is a solid album.
* Gary Bartz - s a m e ("Keep goin on") 1980.
Tawatha on lead vocals (who also co-wrote the track) and it is produced by Mtume / Lucas who have produced so many good albums in the 80's (Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman)
* Grey & Hanks - Prime time ("Since I found you") 1980.
Fabulous track in a 2-step vein which comes highly recommended.
* Herbie Hancock - Monster ("Stars in your eyes") 1980.
Great dancer from Herbie Hancock with Gavin Christopher on lead vocals.
* Ty Karim + George Griffin - Keep on doin' what cha doin (12") 1980.
Fantastic 12" brought to my attention by Rod Dearlove. Very strong vocals by this duet on this wonderful midtempo tune.
* Love Committee - s a m e ("You are the 1 for me") 1980.
Fine 2-step by this group who made very good tracks in the 70's too.
* McCrarys - Just for you ("Gotta be in") 1980.
"Gotta be in" is a joyous dancer which is equally as good as their terrific "Love on a summer night" track.
* Shadow - s a m e LP (1st) ( "I can't keep holdfing back (my love) ) 1980.
Another wonderful 2-step produced by Leon Ware on their best LP.
* Brief Encounter - We want to play ("Sweet tender lovin'") 1981.
Quite hard to find now, this fine dancer sounds like a 70's track with great female vocals.
* Sheree Brown - You'll be dancin all night ( 7") 1981.
On Capitol (a consistently good label in the 80's) , this track is a wonderful dancer. Sheree Brown is mainly known for her 2-step tracks "Got to get away" and "It's a pleasure", but this track is also brilliant. It's featured also on her "Straight ahead" LP.
* Donald Byrd - Love byrd ("Feels like lovin you") 1981.
This fabulous downtempo track was written by Isaac Hayes and recorded in Atlanta. Class !
* Garfield Fleming - Don't send me away (12") 1981.
This great dancer needs no introduction as it's a weekender classic. Very strong vocals by Garfield Fleming on top form.
* Freddie Hubbard - Splash ("You're gonna lose me") 1981.
Excellent midtempo track with Jeanie Tracy on lead vocals. Jeanie also appears on a fantastic track by the Skool Boyz: "You are my love" ("This is the real thing" LP Columbia 1985).
* O'Conner - Come alive ("Too sweet to lose") 1981.
Soulful and classy downtempo track from that singer. Has he done other records ?
* Ohio Players - Ouch ("I'd better take a coffee break") 1981.
Surprisingly good track from that funk outfit. Very soulful dancer which doesn't seem to get many spins.
* Esther Phillips - Good black is hard ("Changin") 1981.
Great dancer which can be found on the excellent "Modern Soul - Livin' for the weekend" compilation. Don't forget to check also Sharon Ridley's version on her "Full moon" LP which is possibly even better.
* Pieces of a Dream - s a m e ("Warm weatherr") 1981.
Wonderful and atmospheric midtempo track with Barbara Walker on lead vocals. Unmissable.
* Betty Wright - s a m e ("Give a smile") 1981.
Betty Wright needs no introduction. Her classic 70's albums are highly rated. This dancer from '81 is brilliant as well and her vocals are simply great.
* Sonny Charles - The sun still shines ("Put it in a magazine") 1982.
Very good and underplayed dancer. The LP contains another winner: "Can't get enough", but "Put it" has the edge for me.
* Walter Jackson - It's cool (12") 1982.
A massive record in the North-West of the U.K. and deservedly so. Walter Jackson's vocals are fabulous on this midtempo gem.
* Howard Johnson - Keepin love new ("Keepin love new") 1982.
Another massive track in the North-West and a big spin for Richard Searling. Produced by Kashif, it's a great midtempo track.
* Magic Lady - Hot'n'sassy ("Give it up") 1982.
Although this LP is best known for the track "Hold tight", "Give it up" is even better. Slightly faster than "Hold tight", it's a very soulful midtempo tune. Highly recommended !
* New Birth - I'm back ("Hangin out") 1982.
Probably more of a funk group, this track is very soulful and sounds more 70's than the rest of their production. Great vocals as well.
* Arnie's Love - I'm out of your life (12") 1983.
12"-only track. Simply wonderful midtempo track.
* Benny Braxton - Come to me (12") 1983.
A quite hard to find 12" which is a Parkers (Manchester) classic. Strong male vocals on that midtempo stunning track.
* Gift of Dreams - s a m e LP 1983.
The first issue of that LP is virtually impossible to find. A 2nd issue was pressed and it features 2 fantastic tracks: "By my side" is a great 80's dancer and "Feel it" is even better with a 70's feel and soulful vocals. This latter track is featured on the new "Togetherness 2003" compilation BTW.
* Ozone - Glasses ("Our hearts will always shine") 1983.
Another funk group, but this midtempo track is so brilliant I felt it sould be included here. You'll be amazed by the quality of this tune.
* Lenny White - Attitude ("Fascination") 1983.
Unmissable track from Lenny White and a very nice dancer which is not much played.
* Art Wilson - Stay (7") 1983.
Excellent downtempo track.
* Dennis Edwards - Don't look any further ("I thought I could handle it") 1984.
I've always liked Dennis' gritty vocals and this track is one of his best. Great dancer.
* Bobby Jonz - Thought you were lovin me (7") 1984.
On Expansion (not the English label but a US one), it's a great track from Bobby Jonz.
* Windjammer - II ("Tossin' & turnin") 1984.
Brilliant dancer from that group who made 3 albums. This is certainly their best effort.
* Atlantic Starr - As the band turns ("Silver shadow") 1985.
One of the unmissable 80's groups, Atlantic Starr was consistently good and this track in particular is highly recommended. It oozes class and soulflulness.
* Fatback - So delicious ("So delicious") 1985.
One of the best Fatback tracks for me. Although Fatback was predominently a funk act, they also featured soul tracks on their 80's LPs. Another example is "Please stay" from their "With love" LP.
* Smoke City - I really want you LP 1985.
Strong album overall, the cream track is "Dreams", a sublime down-midtempo duet which builds and builds. "I really want you" is a good dancer as well
* Jeffrey Osborne - Stay with me ("Don't you get so mad") 1983.
Previously lead singer in L.T.D., Jeffrey's first two LPs were simply brilliant. "Don't you get so mad" is an excellent dancer and on his first LP from 1982, do not miss the equally good dancer "I really don't need no light".
* Choice Reunion - Free & easy ("Free & easy") 1986.
Excellent 2-step with great male vocals.
* Kazu Matsui Project - Is that the way to your heart ( "Let's pretend" ) 1986.
Hard to find LP which contains a few choice tracks. My fanvourite is "Let's pretend".
* Prince Phillip Mitchell - Devastation ("In her own way") 1986.
Best known for his two 70's albums, this later LP features a great dancer: "In her own way" which we don't hear much at soul gigs.
* Meli'sa Morgan - Do me baby ("Heartbreaking decision") 1986.
On Capitol, it features of course "Do me baby" which appears on several compilations. This lady has fine tonsils and "Heartbreaking decision" is a very soulful track.
* RJ's Latest Arrival - Hold on ("Heaven in your arms") 1986.
Another funk group which delivers on each of their LPs at least a fine soul track. "Heaven" is a wonderful midtempo track which leaves us wanting for more.
* Crosswind - Fire / We can work it out (12") 1987.
Great twelve and superb dancer.
* Ghalib Ghallab - Let me love you LP 1987.
An indie album which is very good overall.
* Juicy - Spread the love ("After lovin you") 1987.
A wonderful dancer from Juicy who made another LP well worth checking also.
* Bert Robinson - No more cold nights ("Heart of gold") 1987.
In that Freddie Jackson/Glenn Jones vein comes that hard to find album (and I've seen the CD selling for £80 !) which features that great mid-tempo track "Heart of gold".
* James Robinson - Guilty LP 1987.
Previously lead singer in Change, he never fails to deliver soulful tracks. This LP contains "Feel like goin on", a superb downtempo track and the great 80's dancer "You're the one I've been dreaming of". His best effort can be found on a track called "Daydream" on a Mark Johnson album ("Daydream" JVC CD 1995).
* Randy Brown - Are you lonely (12") 1988
Randy Brown's LPs in the 70's were awesome, and although this track definitely has an 80's sound, it's a great dancer which was spun by Richard Searling at the Southport weekender.
* Tyrone Burwell - Memories (12") 1988
Downtempo gem on a small label. Excellent male vocals.
* Windy City - Can you feel it (12") 1988
Another consistently good group and this downtempo is a great addition to your collection.
* Ortheia Barnes - Till you lose it (12") 1989.
Very strong down-midtempo track where Ortheia delivers the goods.
* Impact - It's a groove night LP 1989.
Produced by Al Johnson, this LP features "I'm here", a downtempo track co-written by Al, and "I'm a winner", a classy midtempo track.
* Pressure Point - Dreaming (12") 1989.
With PP Arnolds on lead vocals, it's a very good dancer which is a bit in a Brand New Heavies vein. My favorite mix is the "Easy dreamin mix".
* Theryl - Open up your heart (12") 1989
Very strong midtempo with great male vocals. The singer's full name is Theryl DeClouet who issued a very good CD in 2001 ("The Houseman Cometh" - Bullseye) with June Yamagishi on guitars.
That's it for now. Keep it Souful !