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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