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."

....

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

DJ Melismo Soul Podcast

....

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..."

....

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

....

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."

...

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

Soulstice Radio 24

Beggazbeats

...

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."

...

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'

...

DJ Prestige

Washed ashore this week is my guest castaway Jamison Harvey, aka DJ Prestige, from Brooklyn, New York.  

A full-time DJ since 1998, Jamison puts out the influential Flea Market Funk blog.

There is a great feature on Jamison in 'Dust & Grooves', a photography and interview project documenting vinyl collectors in their most natural and intimate environment: The record room. Check it out, here...  Dust & Grooves

"Flea Market Funk aka DJ Prestige, Brooklyn NY by way of Dirty Jersey. Father, Husband, Record Digger, DJ, Beard Enthusiast and Liverpool Supporter."

Ray Barretto - Soul Drummers

"First introduced to this artist via Dutch Rap/Skate Rock band Urban Dance Squad when they sampled 'Deeper Shade of Soul'.

I had gone out and bought the reissue full length, Acid, at a crazy record show in Edison, NJ. I was thrilled to finally dig deeper and procure a promo copy of "Soul Drummers" years later for like $5. 

It's just a catchy song, and was an introduction of sorts for me to Latin music in the early 90's.  From there I got to discover artists like Joe Bataan, Willie Colon, and the like.  I guess you always remember your first (Latin record that is), and the percussion on this one just kills it.  Definitely one of my all time favorites."   

Brother Jack McDuff - Oblighetto

"Having a sweet spot for the Jazz organ, I have been obsessed with guys like McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes, Lonnie Smith and Larry Young for a long time. 

Imagine my surprise to find this record in the bottom of a record crate for 50 cents.  The haunting vocals of Jean DuShon echo in the background, and Brother Jack goes about his business proper. It was a bonus to me that A Tribe Called Quest 'Scenario' sample used this record off of their Low End Theory LP, something I have worn out multiple times.

There is something about Soul Jazz that just moves me, and Brother Jack McDuff is one of the greatest."

Sugar Billy - Super Duper Love Part 1

"I originally bought this at a flea market on the cheap, and was hooked by the guitar riff and Sugar Billy's wail of "Giiiiiirlllll are you diggin' on me?". The jockey and horse, plus the typography of the words Fast Track drew me to this (I am a record design nerd too).

When I opened up for Joss Stone years later and played this song, her sound guy ran up to me and said "What are you doing playing this?  That's Joss' song!".  I took my headphones off and said, "Who?  This is Sugar Billy!".

Even without the Joss Stone connection, this is a smooth Soul groover that I can't live without."

Brother To Brother - In The Bottle

"A cover version of the Gil Scott-Heron's classic, to me, has got to be one of my 45s and imagine my surprise when I read that Bobbitto Garcia covets this same record.

OK, it's a bit slower, but still packs the same punch every time I drop the needle on it.

This was an early 45 I picked up when I started to get into 45s heavy.  It holds a special place among my records, and the flute solo that takes the record out is just lovely.  Turbo was a division of All Platinum based out of NJ, so a lot of their records could be dug up in the Tri-State area (NJ/NY/PA).

There were so many good All Platinum. Stang, and Turbo records around, but to me, 'In The Bottle' is top of my list."

Dawn Penn - You Don't Love Me

"Originally when I heard this, it was her 90's Dancehall remake with the U-Roy 'Wake the town and tell the people' intro, but I quickly fell in love with her original version on Coxsone records from 1967.  

The original, slower riddum and Dawn's voice have sealed the deal easily as one of the best Reggae 45's I have ever dug up.  

This was early Reggae at it's finest, with a Leroy (Smart) and Rocky track on the flip.  "No No No" chugs along and the piano stabs and guitar riff get me every time.  The Willie Cobbs Bluesy version is quite special too, but Penn's take on it is the one for me."     

...

If you enjoyed these choices as much as I did, then enjoy more by following this link :

....

Glen Goodwin

Washed ashore on a lonely island in the sea is this weeks guest castway, Glen Goodwin resident DJ at 'Stax of Soul' and The Hole in the Wall Soul Club.

"It seemed so easy when Bill asked for my deserted island five, but actually to choose just five is virtually impossible, and caused me a lot of pain when finally settling on my five, after many revisits I can tell you. For that reason what you see here may well be very different if I try again next month. These may not be the best five records I own, nor even the most popular on the dance floor but they are all important to me in different ways."

"That said, here we go..."

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels - You Get Your Kicks

"This was the first ever Northern Soul record that I ever purchased, sometime around my 12th year I think. Having been bought up in North Staffordshire and with two older brothers who both attended The Torch, its fair to say that I was weaned on soul music, hence my love of it starting so young. 

I remember buying this with the first weeks wages from my first weekend schoolboy job at the Co-Op. 75pence from a wage packet of £4.33 was quite an investment! It became quite overplayed for a long time, and being easy to get was never really a track for the purist, but for me it, since I keep my records in the order I purchased them, remains number 1 in my collection. 

Happy memories of me recording it onto a cassette tape along with my other early records to be played against me ear at night as I drifted off to sleep, as a constant companion when I sat having crafty ciggies with my mates, and played to death in my early youth club days."

Ernie Tucker - Can She Give You Fever

"I wanted to include a real stomper, and had many in mind to choose from, but finally settled on this, one of my most recent purchases to represent them. Like the wonderful ‘Get Out’ by Harold Melvin, it has an odd, some might say out of place intro, but for those who know it, like the aforementioned Harold Melvin, that simply gives time to find a roomy space on the dance floor and not miss a beat of the cracking, stomping, hard edged treat to follow. 

This is becoming firmly established in my sets and rapidly gaining a following at both Hole In The Wall & Stax of Soul."

Edwin Starr - Back Streets

"Throughout my life this man has been consistently my favourite soul singer. I saw him perform a number of times, met him on a couple of occasions, and like most Northern Soul fans class him as a god in the scene. 

I could have chosen any of the many records of his that I own but finally settled on this beautiful song, also ensuring that I don’t have just stompers amongst my five choices. 

The saddest time I remember hearing this (but only as instrumental) was just a few weeks after the great mans death. He had been booked to appear at a Kings Hall All Nighter, and in one of the most poignant moments I can remember, his sax player played this out live on stage where, had he not been taken from us, Edwin would have been standing to sing it. Not a dry eye in the house!"

Holly St James - That's Not Love

"For me this is what the scene is all about. A virtually unknown singer and a track unknown outside of the soul circuit, yet an incredible voice and real soul. How could this have NOT been a hit?!? 

I chose this because it has it all. The lyrics are sensational, the backing track oozes soul and brings goose bumps every time I hear it, a track that builds to an unbelievable, almost orgasmic climax. Despite being one of the slowest tracks its one that I have to dance to when I hear it and smile throughout. 

It beat off stiff competition from the likes of Mel Britt, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Dean Barlow, Frankie Karl and the incredible ‘No One There’ by Martha Reeves to name a few."

The Drifters

Drip Drop

"This amazing sound from 1958 came out ahead of a number of tracks that I class together in a broad RnB/Popcorn group; Soul Brothers Six, Willie Mitchell, The King Pins amongst them.

I chose it partly because I simply adore it, and adore dancing to it, and partly because The Drifters were the first live band I ever saw, at Hanley’s Victoria Hall in around 1972. This was before the break ups and sad sight of several versions of The Drifters touring at the same time, when they still had all of the credibility that these amazing singers deserve."

"Please, next time someone asks me to do this, let me choose at least 100 tracks!"

...

Glen will be spinning more great tracks like these at the Hole in the Wall Soul Club at Elixir Bar, 162 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BL.

click on the link below for more details

...

Gail Smith

My guest castaway this week is Gail Smith. Originally from Hull, Gail moved to Victoria, Australia in 1998 and describes herself as "a music fan, collector and presenter - pure and simple!"

Like Larry Grogan's 'funky16corners', Gail's 'Work Your Soul' podcast always strives to both inform and entertain the listener... it achieves this admirably.

"What a challenge.....especially as not two, but three tracks on my first - very long - list had already been chosen by Mr G! 

I was going to go for full-blown stompers and floorfillers but then had a re-think and decided on tracks, in no particular order, that could be on a 24/7 loop and still sound great each time around."

Johnny Sayles - I Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)

"This list is by no means definitive but this stellar track will ALWAYS be in my top five in whatever genre.  I was just a tad too young to frequent the legendary Northern Soul venues in England and I would have loved to have witnessed the acrobatics that must have accompanied this track.  The first few bars of soft brass belie what is going to murder your senses for the next 2.31 minutes...an absolute explosion of Chicago brilliance, storming vocals from Mr Sayles, exemplary arrangement from Monk Higgins and a rhythm section so tight it's about to snap.  The thing builds and builds to the bridge break and if I was capable, I'd be dropping and spinning like a pro.....instead I'm singing at the top of my voice and willing my feet to move faster."

"Cos I can never, never, aaaaaaah, get enough of your love!"

Eddie Holman - I'll Cry 1000 Tears

"This track, along with the remaining three, has something about it that is so difficult to describe. I'm no musician but I'm guessing it's something to do with certain chord changes that produce a melancholic melody - yet it's hypnotic and you end up playing it over and over again. So, Eddie, forever remembered for "Hey There Lonely Girl", yet so much more - fantastic vocal range, gifted songwriter and bringing it all together in the city of brotherly love.  Did some classic tracks (I Surrender, Hold Me In Your Arms, A Free Country, Where I'm Not Wanted) that are guaranteed floor-fillers, but this for me is Eddie at top flight."

"I'll search a thousand faces just to find you and bring you home again...."

Marvin Gaye - When I Feel The Need

"It's a crime that this track sat unreleased in the Motown vaults for the best part of 30-odd years....Marvin at his absolute best on a track tailor-made for him by Ashford and Simpson, with the might of the Motown machine as a solid foundation and Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol producing.  I just love these big Motown sounds,  brass belting out, strings wailing, percussion pounding.....  put Marvin in the mix, starting all mellow then blasting into a screaming evocation of love.....makes you melt..."

"For every locked door, my baby has a key...."

Jackie Lee - Oh, My Darlin'

"Another one for the melting category.  Those chord changes again that tug at your heart-strings while you're wanting to dance up a storm  - close to tears, but your feet going ten to the dozen, on probably one of the best northern soul mid-tempo tracks you'll ever hear. 

Written by the prolific and talented Sherlie Matthews and the might of Fred Smith and James Carmichael on production and arrangement, it's got that unmistakeable West Coast sound.  Spine-tingling."

"I feel so lost and friendless, there's no solution, I've just got to have you..."

Jack Montgomery - Don't Turn Your Back On Me

"Jack Montgomery's voice....like being wrapped in black velvet and fed chocolate.... totally under-stated and effortless. It's as though he never really has to do anything except go with the flow - and what a flow it is, Detroit production at its very best, Don Mancha, Fred Bridges, Mike Theodore and Denis Coffey.  That deep moan, an inspired lead-in for the instrumental bridge.  The orchestration is  almost classical, the strings carrying the whole thing with what I think is an oboe making a cameo appearance - not often you get that in a soul record.  Add some sweet, sweet backing singers and there it is.....perfection.  The man - real name Marvin Jones - only recorded five known tracks each one of them sinking without a trace. Unbelievable."

"If you take this love from me, my love would be like a rainy day..."

...

If you enjoyed these choices as much as I did, you can listen to more great tracks from Gail on the latest episode of 'Work Your Soul' on Mixcloud :