Your free collectors guide to the essential and recommended music to have in your collection - vintage rock ,rock and roll, rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, soul, classic sixties, contemporary rock and roots music. With FREE music download samples
The second in the MUSIC ROOTS series is this 75 track compilation from the Atlantic label featuring the cream of Soul artists from the 50's and 60's. All the greats are here: Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, Lavern Baker, The Drifters, Ben E.King, The Coasters, Sam and Dave, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and The MG's and many more. This is essentially where the roots of soul music were generated and many of these artists made their debut on the Atlantic label. Many of these tracks were covered by other artists from different musical genres and have become standard classics.
**Mobtown Moon: The 2013 recipient of "Best Tribute Album" by Baltimore Magazine**
The groundbreaking 1970s music of progressive rock band Pink Floyd still galvanizes listeners and inspires fellow artists. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the band’s worldwide hit record, Dark Side of the Moon, MOBTOWN MOON has brought together many of Baltimore’s most creative musicians, from across many styles and genres of music, to record and perform a unique, compelling, and unapologetically beautiful interpretation of this classic work. Forty-one individual musicians were involved in the recording. Even more are expected to perform the work at a premiere event in fall 2013. This is no mere cover project recreating the original album note-for-note. That’s been done many times before. Instead, MOBTOWN MOON features fresh grooves and eclectic sounds derived from jazz, classical music, choral music, bluegrass, hip-hop and of course, rock. These immortal rock-and-roll hits will be heard anew. Created and produced by the respected writer and musician Sandy Asirvatham in collaboration with award-winning singer/songwriter Ellen Cherry, MOBTOWN MOON is a dramatic, singer-focused reinterpretation of Dark Side, highlighting the album’s profound messages and hard-won wisdom. The songs from Dark Side take up serious themes of mortality, scarcity, conflict, and madness. MOBTOWN MOON’s version of these songs interprets these ideas while never losing sight of the sheer cathartic beauty of the music. Over the years, greater Baltimore has exported many resonant cultural products, including films by John Waters and Barry Levinson, the groundbreaking television of David Simon’s The Wire, and the music of important twentieth-century artists as diverse as Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Frank Zappa, and David Byrne. In more recent years, the city has fostered great new artists like Dan Deacon, Animal Collective, and Beach House. MOBTOWN MOON will serve as yet another unique window onto this fascinating and endlessly fertile city.
**From Mobtown Music Guide** “Mobtown Moon” is the vision of co-producers Sandy Asirvatham and Ellen Cherry, who managed to take a piece of classic Americana, and strip it down to the basic melodies and rebuild it in a completely original fashion. Like the original, the album works as a through-composed art piece, where one song leads directly into the next, but that is pretty much where the comparisons end. “Mobtown Moon,” managed to rework these classic songs in such a manner that you forget you are listening to re-imagined versions and enjoy them on their own merit. Aside from the basic melody, everything else is altered: instrumentation, chord substitutions/structure, arrangement, tempo, etc. The overall vibe of the album is somewhere between jazz-fusion and classic progressive rock, and manages the perfect balance between live performance and digital loops, and sound effects. The arrangements in general are very intricate, and cover a lot of musical ground from jazz standards, to country, progressive rock, chant, blues, roots, and on and on. However, through the performance and production of “Mobtown Moon,” the entire CD has an easy feel about it, with an even flow. Every transition was made at just the right time, with just the right amount of arrangement. Complex 7/8 time signatures and syncopated bass lines are performed with an air of intrigue as opposed to a demonstration of “chops.” The entire album functions as an ensemble, with the feel of a symphony performing multiple movements. see more here: http://mobtownmoon.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mobtownmoon
This is the first post of a series I will be featuring on music roots. If you're a big music fan like me it's always interesting to find out the history of a certain genre of music or even one song or artist. This series will help to give you some background of where certain music came from and how it originated. Hope you enjoy it.
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African-American genres such as blues, jump blues, jazz, and gospel music, together with Western swing and country music. Though elements of rock and roll can be heard in blues records from the 1920s and in country records of the 1930s, the genre did not acquire its name until the 1950s.
In the earliest rock and roll styles of the late 1940s and early 1950s, either the piano or saxophone was often the lead instrument, but these were generally replaced or supplemented by guitar in the middle to late 1950s. The beat is essentially a blues rhythm with an accentuated backbeat, the latter almost always provided by a snare drum. Classic rock and roll is usually played with one or two electric guitars (one lead, one rhythm), a string bass or (after the mid-1950s) an electric bass guitar, and a drum kit. Beyond simply a musical style, rock and roll, as seen in movies and on television, influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language. It went on to spawn various sub-genres, often without the initially characteristic backbeat, that are now more commonly called simply "rock music" or "rock". Rock music is now one the world's most popular and adaptable musical genres. In the 1950's, Rock and Roll revolutionized popular music culture with artists like Bill Haley, Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Drifters, Ruth Brown, Amos Milburn, Louis Jordan, Rufus Thomas and Ray Charles.
This compilation features 51 classic performances by major acts as well as songs that would go on to become Rock and Roll standards such as "Hound Dog", That's All Right Mama", "Sixty Minute Man", "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Mystery Train", "Mess Around", "One Scotch,One Bourbon,One Beer", "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and many more. Your very own jukebox in one collection!
HOT new video from Africa's biggest R and B act P-Square for their track 'Personally'. Identical twin brothers Paul and Peter Okoye make up P-Square and they have a growing UK fan base due to radio plays and the expanding support for Afrobeat acts over there.
The videos already had over 7 million hits purely from the power of their fans
Marty's review: this cool and HOT new video is dedicated to Michael Jackson and P-Square have recreated some of MJ's moves in their dance routine that match the Afrobeat rhythms and Hip Hop vocals of the track "Personally". The track is an infectious number that will have you dancing along with the video.
Noel McKoy is the genuine godfather of British soul - a singer-songwriter with a voice like honey backed up by his talented family. When the McKoy family – south London born siblings Cornell, Junette, lead singer Noel, and Robin - burst on to the British soul scene in 1989, they created a legacy for serious soul fans throughout the next decade and beyond. McKoy’s critically acclaimed debut album, “Family”, delivered a number of street-soul classics and their hit singles I'm Lucky and Family remain a hit withanalogue, digital and underground music connoisseurs of all ages.
With a two-decade-plus career that has already
encompassed reggae (The Albions), rock (Impact) and acid jazz (The James Taylor
Quartet) plus a prestigious BBC 2 Jazz Award, Noel McKoy is releasing
his first album in 20 years with his band ‘McKoy’ which includes his
three siblings: Cornell,
Robin and Junette.
Cut From The Same Cloth is the eagerly awaited album from McKoy. It
is combination of grooves, melodies and jazz from McKoy’s parent’s collection,
along with hints of 70's, 80's and 90's influence. The band likes to call it
‘spiritual social soul’ which they coined in the creation of their last release.
Though it’s been 20 years since then, the band made a conscious decision to
make an album with ‘an old school flavour with a new school approach’.
The album features the talents of General
Levy, Vanessa Simon, Terri Walker, Marlon Cotton and Braydz. preview on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/AJvBerEjBaI
Noel McKoy recorded
three albums with the James Taylor
Quartet and toured 10 times around
the world. He has worked with some of the most talented artists in the
industry including Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Martha High,
Atlantic Star, Terry Callier, Cliff Richard, Lenny Henry, Jessie J, Paloma
Faith and
none other than Stevie Wonder. Noel
says: “I met Stevie after one of his gigs
at the 02 a couple of years ago. He then invited me to have a jam with him and this was one of the highlights of my career. We jammed for
quite a bit and laughed all night together.”
Career highlights:
·Met & jammed with Stevie Wonder @ his O2 performance
·Previous project won Jazz Album in the BBC 2 Jazz Awards
·Performed with Guy Barker’s jazz band @ the Olympics with Junior Giscombe&
Natalie Williams
·UK/European tour this September
·Performing with Sunburst at the Jazz Cafe in November Marty's review: "Cut From the Same Cloth" combines elements of 70's soul and funk with rhythm and blues, jazz, reggae, hip hop and rap that come together in this album that just shines with soulful grooves. Of the 13 tracks on the album, 10 are orginals co-written by Noel McKoy. There also covers of the Isley Brothers' "Highways" and a funky, electric soul version of Stevie Wonder's "Living For the City". Noel McKoy's lead vocals are reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway, whilst his siblings provide backing vocals of soaring harmonies mixed with hip hop and rap. The musicianship is superb with jazz guitar, both acoustic and electric, tight rhythm section, piano, clarinet and even some strings to create a wide sound. It will have you swaying, dancing and possibly making love with your favourite person (!). My favourite tracks are "Highways", "Natural Collie" and "I've Changed".
Tayo Irvine Hendrix has music running through her veins. Since being given a drum at three years old, Tayo has developed a love of music and a sound of her own that is perfectly encapsulated by her forthcoming album ‘EXPERIENCE this’.
‘EXPERIENCE this’ is a collection of songs that takes each listener on a journey. The album showcases Tayo’s stunning and powerful voice as well as a wide range of musical influences. Alongside the blues and soul elements, Tayo’s work as a healer has also helped to shape the sound, bringing mantras to the mainstream and creating an accessible sound.
Throughout her thirty years in the music industry, Tayo has had the honour of working with some incredible musicians and this album once again saw Tayo bring together a stellar team. As well as the first class musicians with whom Tayo collaborated for the record, the album is mixed by Blake Eiseman, the man responsible for Pink’s debut album and known for his work with the likes of Usher, Janet Jackson and Aretha Franklin.
Tayo Irvine Hendrix is a drummer, percussionist, vocalist, songwriter and composer, a true creative who was undoubtedly destined for the musical world. Her famous name aside, Tayo’s music is, as suggested by the album’s title, an experience.
The first single released from the album was the blues infused ‘Crazy Dayze’; released on September 9th, it is available for download now.
Praise for Tayo Irvine Hendrix:
“Her music is, indeed, an experience and quite a special one” – Music News
“Tayo Irvine Hendrix has a sound of her own” – AAA Music
Marty's review: Tayo Irvine Hendrix' new album has an apt title.."Experience This". And it is a must listen to experience at that. Tayo's many talents shine on this debut release as she confronts love, life and all that goes with it on an 11 track collection of finely produced tracks that will keep you hitting the replay button more than once. A mostly upbeat recording that combines soul, funk, jazz, African rhythms, blues, pop, dance and even a few Indian beats make this album a unique experience that will not disappoint. Tayo's clear, sultry and sometimes sexy vocals are supported by a tight rhythm section with a touch a brass, acoustic guitar and flute. Whilst the general feel of the album is in the funky/jazz/soul vein, there is also the spiritual ballad "Calling All Angels" and the new age sound of "Om Namah Shivaya" with Indian rhythms and beautiful chanting. The song lyrics show Tayo's confident and positive outlook on life and are written from the heart. My favourite tracks are "I Am Rama", "Calling All Angels" and "History". Tayo Irvine Hendrix defies musical genres and is an experience you won't forget.
For more information and to keep up with Tayo’s journey please visit:
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American rock musician and songwriter. After being guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, his solo career spanned several decades. The Velvet Underground were a commercial failure in the late 1960s, but the group has gained a considerable cult following in the years since its demise and has gone on to become one of the most widely cited and influential bands of the era – hence Brian Eno's famous quote that while the Velvet Underground's debut album only sold 30,000 copies, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band."
After his departure from the group, Reed began a solo career in 1972. He had a hit the following year with "Walk on the Wild Side", but subsequently lacked the mainstream commercial success its chart status seemed to indicate. In 1975, Reed released a double album of feedback loops, Metal Machine Music, upon which he later commented, "No one is supposed to be able to do a thing like that and survive." Reed was known for his distinctive deadpan voice, poetic lyrics and for pioneering and coining the term ostrich guitar tuning.........for more, see the full Lou Reed story at Wikipedia here
His death and tributes
In May 2013, Reed underwent a liver transplant in Cleveland. Afterwards he claimed on his website to be "bigger and stronger" than ever. On October 27, 2013, Reed died at the age of 71 from liver disease at his home in Southampton, New York, on Long Island. His physician Charles Miller noted that Reed "was fighting right up to the very end. He was doing his Tai Chi exercises within an hour of his death, trying to keep strong and keep fighting."
Tributes were paid to Reed on Twitter, including Iggy Pop, Miley Cyrus, Samuel L. Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Gervais, Ryan Adams, Elijah Wood, and many others. David Bowie posted a comment on his Facebook page saying that Reed "was a master". Rock band Pearl Jam dedicated their song "Man of the Hour" to Reed at their show in Baltimore and then covered the Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man".
John Cale, his Velvet Underground bandmate, posted on his Facebook: "The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet…I've lost my 'school-yard buddy'". Later, Universal Music revealed Cale's full statement on Reed's death:
"The news I feared the most, pales in comparison to the lump in my throat and the hollow in my stomach. Two kids have a chance meeting and 47 years later we fight and love the same way - losing either one is incomprehensible. No replacement value, no digital or virtual fill ... broken now, for all time. Unlike so many with similar stories - we have the best of our fury laid out on vinyl, for the world to catch a glimpse. The laughs we shared just a few weeks ago, will forever remind me of all that was good between us."
Former Velvet Underground drummer Mo Tucker responded by saying that Reed was "generous, encouraging and thoughtful. Working with him sometimes could be trying to some people, but never to me. I guess we learned from each other. We all learned from each other. Reed became an important influence to numerous singers and songwriters, including British musician Morrissey: He had been there all of my life. He will always be pressed to my heart. Thank God for those, like Lou, who move within their own laws, otherwise imagine how dull the world would be.
Others from outside the music industry also paid their respects, including the Vatican and Salman Rushdie, who wrote, "My friend Lou Reed came to the end of his song. So very sad. But hey, Lou, you'll always take a walk on the wild side. Always a perfect day."
The ultimate tribute is listening to his music and this 31 track collection covers almost his entire career.
The year was 1967, and Hendrix's career had just blasted off in the UK, when The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchell) came together for several recording sessions for BBC Radio. You will find a number of Hendrix's most memorable songs in this collection, but they differ from the versions most fans are familiar with. Alongside these more familiar tracks are a number of very interesting covers and blues-oriented recordings, a few of which could and should be considered true rarities.
What comes across most from this set is not only how polished and tight a band they really were, but how they also poured their hearts and energy into the music. Be it live concert or in a recording studio, the Experience had few peers. The album RADIO ONE is proof positive that over the airwaves of the usually staid BBC, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was equally as fiery and "untameable".
1. Stone Free
2. Radio One Theme
3. Day Tripper
4. Killing Floor
5. Love Or Confusion
6. Drivin' South
7. Catfish Blues
8. Wait Until Tomorrow
9. Hear My Train A Comin'
10. Hound Dog
11. Fire
12. Hoochie Koochie Man
13. Purple Haze
14. Spanish Castle Magic
15. Hey Joe
16. Foxy Lady
17. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
Nelson Freitas is a singer, writer and producer who, from his roots in Cape Verde via the Netherlands, has enjoyed commercial success across Europe with 3 albums, a host of singles and several years touring. His YouTube currently stands at 24,444 subscribers & 5,830,905 views which highlights his commercial appeal.
A journey which started as a break-dancer, then became the front man of the infamous group Quatro. With a passion for Hip-Hop, R&B and House music, Nelson took the challenge to go it alone and concentrate on his solo work by blending all these influences into one. After touring for 2 years he released “My life” album in 2010. With hits such as Rebound Chick, Saia Branka, Nha Primere Amor and selling over 90.000 copies, the critics now realized that Nelson in his own right was here to stay.
His 3rd album “Elevate” was released earlier this year with collaborations with artists and producers of different ethnics like Angola, Cape Verde, Congo, Holland and Morocco which has helped forge a fresh and new worldly sound. The journey continues..
This compilation was originally released as The River Rhine Tapes. I have just remixed it slightly and taken out a couple of tracks. These are mainly alternative takes, different mixes and outtakes that were not included on their official studio albums. They show the group in a more relaxed mood and what they could do when they were just jamming and having a bit of fun. If you are a Beatles fan you can pick out the differences between the official releases and these versions. Most tracks have a rock and blues feel to them hence the title. Hope you enjoy this other side of The Beatles.
This man is, in my opinion, undefinable. His sounds are a cross between soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, rap, dub reggae and world music. Whatever style of music you are into, you must listen to Shakka. He breaks down all barriers and will have you dancing, jumping, grooving and however else you listen to music. Whichever way, you will enjoy life even more because of Shakka. Drop everything and listen NOW!
I'm delighted to present you with the new video from Shakka, for the track 'Just Want To See You'. Shot on the rooftops of Shakka's hometown of London, this video provides the visual for the 3rd single off the Tribe EP
Shakka was born from Dominican parents, cocooned in the multicultural busy bustle of Grove (Notting Hill), and marinated in Dub Reggar, Hip-Hop, Motown and Garage. Shakespeare looked at music as the food of love, so it’s safe to say Shakka has been cooking since his time with pacifiers.
His father, a guitarist and producer of the Reggae band “The Foreigners Crew”, made sure he was immersed into music as a child. So he played keys and ended up singing a few songs for the band.
After studying Music Production and Theory, Classical Piano, Percussion and Vocals at CYM (Centre for Young Musicians), working closely with fellow rapper Incisive, he released his first EP entitled Foolishness Vol.1, and The Shakka Crown Affair, his widely received Concept Mixtape taking influence from The Thomas Crown Affair, where he experiments with Hip-Hop, Jazz, Indie Rock, and Electronic music.
...and some career highlights to date:
Shakka shot to fame as a YouTube sensation with his Shakkapellas (over 1 millions views in total)
Featured on Wretch 32’s Blackout earlier this year (reached #6 in charts)
Various tour dates with Wretch 32, Basement Jaxx and Rudimental in Autumn
Two MOBO nominations (2013) – Best Newcomer and Best Song
Played BBC introducing stage at Glastonbury this year and Spin was on R1 and 1xtra Introducing Playlists
Starred at the National Theatre in a play called ‘Home’
TV performances include The Wright Stuff, Graham Norton, Sunday Brunch and CBBC. Channel 4 Random Acts confirmed for later this year
Other collaborations include; Angel, Delilah, Show n Prove, Etta Bond.
1: Rock and Roll Music..unreleased demo version, 1-57 2: Childhood Sweetheart..unissued alternate take, 7-59 3: 21..unreleased, 5-57 4: Let Me Sleep Woman..unreleased,12-59 5: Do You Love Me...unreleased, 2-58 6: 21 Blues..unreleased, 5-57 7: One O'Clock Jump..unreleased, 7-59 8: Reelin' & Rockin'..unissued alternate take, 2-58 9: Sweet Little 16..unissued alternate take, 2-58 10: Brown Eyed Handsome Man..unissued alternate version, 8-63 11: Say You'll Be Mine..unreleased,12-59 12: I've Changed..unreleased, 12-55 13: 13 Question Method..unreleased alternate version, 8-57 14: How High The Moon..unreleased, 8-57
This collection of alternative and unreleased tracks from one of the originators of rock and roll will please any Chuck Berry or Rock and Roll fan. With a selection of blues, rock and roll and rhythm and blues, it will have you "reelin' and rockin" all over again.
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup power trio consisting of bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist/singer Eric Clapton. Their sound was characterised by a hybrid of blues rock, hard rock and psychedelic rock, combining the psychedelia-themed lyrics, Eric Clapton's blues guitar playing and vocals, Jack Bruce's voice and prominent bass playing and Ginger Baker's jazz-influenced drumming.
The group's third album, Wheels of Fire, was the world's first platinum-selling double album. Cream are widely regarded as being the world's first successful supergroup. In their career, they sold over 15 million albums worldwide. Cream's music included songs based on traditional blues such as "Crossroads" and "Spoonful", and modern blues such as "Born Under a Bad Sign", as well as more eccentric songs such as "Strange Brew", "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and "Toad".
Cream's biggest hits were "I Feel Free" (UK, number 11), "Sunshine of Your Love" (US, number 5), "White Room" (US, number 6), "Crossroads" (US, number 28), and "Badge" (UK, number 18). Cream made a significant impact on the popular music of the time, and, along with Jimi Hendrix, and Terry Kath of Chicago, popularised the use of the wah-wah pedal. They provided a heavy yet technically proficient musical theme that foreshadowed and influenced the emergence of British bands such as The Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960s. The band's live performances influenced progressive rock acts such as Rush.
Cream were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. They were included in both Rolling Stone and VH1's lists of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". They were also ranked number 16 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock".
With a two-decade-plus career that has already encompassed reggae (The Albions), rock (Impact) and acid jazz (The James Taylor Quartet) plus a prestigious BBC 2 Jazz Award, one of UK soul’s legendary figures, Noel McKoy, is releasing his first album in 20 years with his band ‘McKoy’ which includes his three siblings: Cornell, Robin and Junette.
McKoy are a family affair, lead by Noel Mckoy. Though it’s been 20 years since their last release, the band made a conscious decision to make an album with ‘an old school flavour with a new school approach’. The album features the talents of General Levy, Vanessa Simon, Terri Walker, Marlon Cotton and Braydz. ‘Makin Love’ is the first single to be released from the album and is due out on 24th November.
Noel McKoy is perhaps best known for his work as lead vocalist with Acid Jazz Legends James Taylor Quartet recording three albums and touring 10 times around the world with the band. Since then he has worked with some of the most talented artists in the industry including Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Martha High, Atlantic Star, Terry Callier, Cliff Richard, Lenny Henry, Jessie J, Paloma Faith and none other than Stevie Wonder.
check out Mckoy – Makin Love exclusive video here:
Makin' Love is the first release from the ‘Cut From The Same Cloth’ album (out 3rd Nov)
Met & jammed with Stevie Wonder @ his O2 performance
Noel performed with the Guy Barker jazz band for the Olympics celebration with Junior Giscombe and Natalie Williams in July 2013
Noel will be guesting with Joey Negroys band Sunburst at the Jazz Cafe in November
UK/European tour this September
Previous project won Jazz Album in the BBC 2 Jazz Awards (Best Album)
2001 was the year Noel picked up best Jazz album for his vocal and writing work on Jean Toussaint’s “A street below the Underground” Album for the BBC Radio 2 Jazz awards.
Over the past 20 years Noel is known in the teaching arena for the work he does with young people which involves vocal exercises, empowering and mentoring.
Along with a whole host of successful projects in recent years, one of which leading Noel to Jam with Stevie Wonder Noel has reformed Mckoy with his siblings and they are back in a big way with album ‘Cut From The Same Cloth’ and the lead single ‘Makin Love’ released on Mckadelic Records
