DJ Melismo

This week's guest castaway (washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea) is Swedish singer, songwriter, musician, producer, deejay, journalist, lecturer and record collector Mats Olofsson. 

Mats is better known by many as DJ Melismo and it is under this name that he presents his widely acclaimed monthly podcast.

"It's a very hard task to pick one's five deserted island 45's, but here are five records from my collection that I really do cherish :"

Victoria Sosa featuring Isaac Hayes - If This World Were Mine

"This is a wonderful version of a classic composition. 

Victoria Sosa, a sadly overlooked talent, here together with soul notable, the deep-voiced Isaac Hayes... whose cool delivery is what really does it for me."

Laura Lee - Your Song

"A song penned by Cecil Womack, who sadly passed away just recently. 

This tune has also been recorded by the likes of The Dells and the Four Tops, but this is the ultimate version for me."

Frannie Golde - Time Has A Way (And It's Getting Better)

"Blue-eyed soul at its best, this lady has a strong assertive soul voice and the song has an important message of not giving up."

Charles Montgomery - I Don't Think (I'll Do That Any More)

"What strikes me with this recording is that it has what I would like to call a timeless sound, very much due to the singing style of Charles Montgomery.

This is a recording that could appeal to old school fans as well as those listening to the more modern and urban sounds of today."

Four Flights - All I Want Is You

"A modern soul classic, in other words a must have for fans of modern soul, either in its original format or on one of those connoisseurs comps issued in CD format."

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Great tracks from DJ Melismo and you will find many more like these here :

DJ Melismo Soul Podcast

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HeavySoulBrutha

Washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea is this week's castaway, Dave B... the Heavy Soul Brutha out of Richmond VA.

Dave is not a professional DJ, just a cat who loves hipping folks to great tunes and digging for dusty records. Whenever possible, the music will come from that lovely warm sound of a needle gliding across some vinyl.  Dave's main interests are Soul, Funk and Jazz, but he is definitely a fan of all types of music as all true music fans should be.

"SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! First off, BIG thanks to Bill for inviting me in. Very honored to get in with some folks I truly admire! DJ Prestige and Larry Grogan were influential in me starting to seriously dig for great records and share those finds with the world.    

It's so hard when you get that 'narrow your choices' request. At least for me, it never fails, I always want to include more than I've been asked. On the other hand, when you're forced to a number, those selections better be the real deal. Well, if I had only these five records, I'd be set with either side. In these cases, the flip is as important to me as the A!"

Little Milton - More And More b/w The Cost Of Living

"More And More from Little Milton is simply a fantastic record. It's got all the elements that I dig. Big horns, great rhythm, killer guitar, and the Mississippi delta blues voice of Little Milton make this a gritty, funky love song. 

The flip gets into that traditional slower blues about hard times. A great tune that's got another huge arrangement from legendary Chess Records producer, Charles Stepney."

Joe Armstead - I've Been Turned On b/w I'm Gonna Show You

"I heard Jo Armstead's "I've Been Turned On" a few years back on PJ Gray's 'Galactic Fractures' radio show. I was then, and still am blown away by the tune. It was really fortunate that I heard it then as I might have passed this one over when I saw it in the bin. I just love her voice. The tune has got a real nice mix of Funk and Soul. A hard driving rhythm countered with a big string arrangement in the background. 

The flip is a bit more laid back, but is no doubt a quality soul cut. I dig it, especially the horns. "You need a real good woman that's got lots of SOUL" Indeed!!!"

Jimmy Ruffin - As Long As There Is L-O-V-E Love b/w How Can I Say I'm Sorry

"The term "life changing record" gets thrown around a lot. I have to say it's really the only fitting phrase when it comes to Jimmy Ruffin's "How Can I Say I'm Sorry." I first heard it on the radio show, 'Downtown Soulville with Mr. Finewine'. I can't tell you how happy I was to find this one. Words really can't describe how much I adore this record. 

The A side is a classic, CLASSIC tune, but it's the flip that's MASSIVE. It always amazes me how these old soul records written about lost love, fidelity fuck-ups really, sound sort of uplifting. 

Please do yourself a favour and have a listen to the sweet SOUL of Jimmy Ruffin!"

Brenton Wood - Gimme Little Sign b/w I Think You've Got Your Fools Mixed Up

"Brenton Wood's "Gimme Little Sign" is a record I heard constantly growing up in the 70's. It was a pretty huge hit in 1967 reaching number 9 on the US charts and number 8 in the UK. 

I don't suppose it's that rare, even though the 45 is over 30 years old, but it was still cool for me to stumble upon it and peep for the first time the sweet little Double Shot logo. 

What I didn't expect was the great tune nestled on the B-side. "I Think You've Got Your Fools Mixed Up" is an incredibly soulful song with Brenton giving superb vocal. Dig how great he sounds in the chorus."

Merry Clayton - Gimme Shelter b/w Good Girls

"I first heard Merry Clayton's version of the Rolling Stones hit, "Gimme Shelter" via a radio show that legendary UK musician Paul Weller was doing, playing some of his favourite records.

I know, I know., it's a classic joint that's been around and you're wondering how it is this one hadn't crossed my eardrums before then. Well, I don't really know. Honestly, I'm only a few years in to really collecting 45's and lots of stuff is just simply new to me. Leaves quite a world of amazing music out there to discover and that's pretty damn cool. 

I can't really put into words how sweet this record is. I mean, Merry just kills it. She truly makes it her own. It's a FUNKY SOUL BLAST!! 

The flip is a groovy one written by Billy Page. BIG HORNS in it and I dig that for sure."

"Hope you dig these records and perhaps I've turned you on to something new. It's all about the HIP!

Peace and SOUL..."

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Want more of the Heavy Soul Brutha ?

Then check these out...

Heavy Soul Brutha's 
'Put The Needle On The Record'

Heavy Soul Brutha on mixcloud

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Andy Beggs

Washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea is this week's guest castaway Andy Beggs.

Andy is a DJ and radio presenter in the UK with a passion and knowledge of Soul, Jazz and House music... Soulful House, in particular, has motivated Andy to master the art of beat mixing.

He joined Soulstice Radio 24 on the back of successful stints on two other Soul Radio stations.  Previously titled Souldonuts, Andy's Soul Show is now called Soultimate and entertains his listeners with two hours of pure Soul, Jazz, Rare Groove and Lovers Rock.

Andy also provides a Soulful House mix every Friday on Soul In The Dales Radio.

Maze - Happy Feelin's

"I chose 'Happy Feelin's' from their 'Live In New Orleans' album because it's my all time favourite soul album and 'Happy Feelin's' is just one of those tunes that really sums up Maze for me : Total soul and total entertainers. I was lucky enough to see them at the Hammersmith Odeon."

Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe

"One of the reasons I started listening to modern soul and crossover was because of this record. It always reminds me of the soul house parties we used to have back in the 80's. This really has everything for me."

Sam Dees - After All

"This really sums up what soul music is for me... sung straight from the heart by Sam Dees. Hairs on the back of the neck stuff."

Leroy Hutson - Get To This (You'll Get To Me)

"My favourite modern soul tune... I never get tired of listening to this. It's a real feelgood factor piece of soul music... and Leroy's great voice as well !"

Marvin Gaye - Where Are We Going (Alternative Mix)

"No list would be complete without the great Marvin Gaye.  This record, for me, defines what soul music is about. When I first heard it, unreleased on one of the compilation cd's, it stopped me dead in my tracks.  Hair on the back of the neck stuff.. a total awesome tune by Marvin Gaye. I still get the same effect with the track, even now."

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You enjoyed these tracks, now check out Andy Beggs on Soulstice Radio 24 and on Andy's Mixcloud site, Beggazzbeats.

Soulstice Radio 24

Beggazbeats

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Johnny Pearson

My guest castaway this week is Johnny Pearson, presenter of one of my favourite weekly soul shows, the 'Record Room' on Starpoint Radio.

Johnny's show features rare soul from the 60's, 70's and 80's on it's original format.......vinyl. Podcasts of the 'Record Room' episodes are made available on Podbean.

"Five deserted island discs, easy right?   No........

I have one all time favorite record that hasn't changed for years, so that's a start, the other four are causing me all sorts of trouble.

So I've had to think what to me makes a great soul record, first off the lyrics have to mean something the song has to connect with a feeling within, sadness, happiness, anger, it must hit a nerve.

Secondly the vocals must be top notch, for me this is very important, they have to convey the feeling of the song add in the arrangement of instruments and Bang there you go!

With that in mind, here we go....."

David Ruffin - Walk Away From Love

"My all time Deserted Island Disc, so much so I wanted to have this as my 'First dance' at our wedding. It was vetoed, quite rightly.

No other record has hit me quite like this one, David's vocal is superb and Van McCoy's production hammers home the sentiment of the song."

William Bell - Man In The Street

"Why is this not being played on National radio? 

Timeless : Written as a comment on the economic situation in 1970's America, this could easily have been written yesterday.

We are all 'the man in the street'."

Gladys Knight & The Pips - It Takes A Whole Lotta Man For A Woman Like Me 

"This incredible song had passed me by, until a few months ago, so I'm eternally grateful to Sean Hampsey for posting this on YouTube... where would we be without it!

It's a great album but this track stands out a mile for me."

Shirley Brown - When You Really Love Somebody

"Just beautiful, brings a lump to my throat every time I hear it."

Shades Of Blu - Waiting For The Last Goodbye

"If you can get to the end of this record and not feel totally moved, then I would say Soul really isn't for you.

I could of gone for Gladys's or The Ebonys version, but this is the boss, sweet soul at it's best."

"No need to add any more comments to these, the records speak for themselves."

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I know that if you liked these tracks then you'll certainly love listening to more of the same. Listen to Johnny Pearson's the 'Record Room' on Starpoint Radio or on podcast :

Starpoint Radio

Johnny Pearson presents 

the 'Record Room'

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