Star Fire & The Atkins All Astars - Oh baby 1981

This record is one of my favorites. If I remember right, I saw it for first time on ebay in 2005. Then I was always trying to find it without any success. In the late 2009 I bought it. However, my copy is not very good. I could not play the flip-side, the instrumental version. 

In this label called Atkins All-Stars Recording only a few singles have been released. It is worthy to note that about two years ago, I presented a rare record by Joseph Stubbs on the same label. Joseph Stubbs was the younger brother of Levi Stubbs, lead singer of The Four Tops.
It is very difficult to find info about Star Fire and The Atkins All Stars. In fact Star Fire and The Atkins All Stars were two different bands. Star Fire on vocals and The Atkins All Stars on music.
They released a single under the direction of Curtis Atkins, entitled "Oh Baby" in 1981. This great soulful song was written by Pamela Pierce and Darcell Brown. Produced by Curtis Atkins.



I must note that I tried to come in contact with some members from the group Starfire based in Richmond. I did not manage, therefore, to find if the group from Richmond has any relation with the Star Fire on this single.

Note: The above posted single is not played in full

The Imperials - One more song for you 1979 Lp

It could be said that The Imperials are the fathers of CCM “Contemporary Christian Music”. Formed in the late of 1963 by the legendary Jake Hess (who passed away in 2004 at the age of 76). At that time, the members of the group were Jake Hess, the baritone singer Gary McSpadden, a young bass singer from Philippines named Armond Morales, the pianist Henry Slaughter and the Sherrill Nielsen. The first album was released on Skylight Records under the name Jake Hess and The Imperials. The group signed with Benson Records. Although changed some members of the group, they continued to record for Benson Records for twelve years. The next twelve years the group signed with Word Records and recorded 13 albums. One of them was released in 1979 entitled "One more song for you". It was recorded at Jennifudy Studios, North Hollywood,CA and Hollywood Central, Hollywood,CA.

In this album the members of the group were Armond Morales, Jim Murray, David Will and Russell Taff. Also appeared Paul Leim on drums, Abraham Laboriel on bass, Marty Walsh on guitar, Michael Omartian on keyboards and percussion, Victor Feldman on congas. Also Chuck Findley and Steve Madaio on trumpets, Jackie Kelso and Kim Hutchcroft on saxophone and Dick Hyde on trombone. Sax solos by Kim Hutchcroft. Additional background vocals by Stormie Omartian, Marti McCall and Myrna Matthews. The album was produced and arranged by Michael Omartian.

I chose the song "Living without your love". Lyrics and music was written by Tom Hemby.

Note: The above posted track is not played in full.

Johanne Desforges - Deja Vu

Johanne Desforges is a jazz singer from Canada. She started in the late 60s. In the early 70s she joined the group Flesh from Vancouver. They toured across the United States. She has been on the road for five years. In 1975 she returned to Montreal and started to work in studio, television and on the radio. Between 1975 and 1981 she released six (6) singles with her own band. One of them was the cover of Dionne Warwick's song entitled "Deja Vu" in the late 70s on Focus Records.

"Deja Vu" is a ballad song which was written by Isaac Hayes and Adrienne Anderson and was recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1979. Johanne Desforges changed the lyrics in french.

In the early 80s she went to France to give a concert. Then she decided to stay there to sing in various jazz clubs. She returned in Montreal in 1984. In the continue she appeared in jazz festivals and taught music.

Yuji Ohno - Original Soundtrack Lupin III 1978 Lp

Some months ago I presented Yuji Ohno and the single entitled "Theme from proof of the man" which was released under the name Yuji Ohno & His Project. Today I'm presenting the Original Soundtrack Luppin III which was released in 1978.
Lupin III, also known as Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name of Monkey Punch. A large number of albums covering the Lupin III franchise have been released by publishers Columbia Music Entertainment and VAP. The music for the first series was created by Takeo Yamashita, with vocal performances on tracks by Charlie Kosei. From the second television series onwards, all music has been composed by Yuji Ohno.
All the songs were recorded at Akasaka Music Studio and Sound City. Arranged by Yuji Ohno and produced by Yuji Ohno and Noriko Iida.
The musicians that played were the band of Yuji Ohno called You & The Explosion Band. Yuji Ohno and Minoru Kuribayashi on keyboards, Akira Okazawa and Kenji Takamizu on bass, Yasushi Ichihara and Seiji Tanaka on drums, Tsunehide Matsuki on guitar and Larry Sunaga on pecussion. Participated also Takeru Muraoka, Jake H.Concepcion, and Tadataka Harada on saxophone, Koji Hadori, Hitoshi Kazuhara, Masanobu Arao, Kunitoshi Shinohara and Kenichi Sano on trumpet, Tadataka Fukui, Kazuo Usui, Katsuyuki Sugimoto and Shigeharu Mukai on trombone, Yukio Eto, Takeshi Shinohara and Minoru Soma on flute.
I have chosen three tracks. Two instrumentals entitled "Dangerous zone" and "Silhouette". Finaly I chose a vocal song entitled "I miss you babe (Yes, I do)". Sandi A. Hohn on vocals.

Sandi A. Hohn

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full

Jimmie Jules & The Gospel Renaissance - Moments of truth Lp

I had the opportunity two times ago to present Jimmie or Jimmy Jules on my blog. The first time was about five years ago when I presented the single entitled "The new year / It's impossible" in the late 2008. The second time was a year ago when I presented the self titled album by Southern Cookin'. Today I'm presenting a rare gospel album entitled "Moments of truth" which was released under the name Jimmie Jules & The Gospel Renaissance on Mission Records. It was distributed by Royal Sheild Records.

The album was recorded at River City Recorders, Baton Rouge,LA. The musicians that appeared were Willie Williams and Rodney Taylor on guitar and bass, Kenneth Brown on lead guitar, Jimmie Jules and Earnest Dent Jr. on keyboards, Jeffrey Alexander on drums, Jimmie Jules on synthesizer. Produced and arranged by himself, using his real name Charles Julien.

I have chosen three tracks entitled "Detour", "The moments of truth" and "Moments of truth". On "Detour" lead vocals by Liz Nevilles, on "The moments of truth" lead vocals by C.Barnett, and finally on "Moments of truth" lead vocals by Jimmie Jules. Backing vocals by Delpit Sisters, Shirley Dent, Sylvia Perriloux and Charles Warren.

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full.

The Memphis Horns - Welcome to Memphis 1979 Lp

The Memphis Horns in 1979 without Wayne Jackson

I was thinking to present an article about Andrew Love and The Memphis Horns when the great saxophonist Andrew Love passed away in April 2012. The 70-year-old musician passed away at his Memphis home on April 12 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

What can I say about this band ? Perhaps The Memphis Horns were the greatest soul horn section ever. They have collaborated with great artists such as Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Al Green, Rufus Thomas and many others. They have been recording for over four decades. During this period, they played on 14 Grammy-winning songs, 52 Number Ones and 113 Top Tens.
They released six albums from 1970 to the late 70s. The last of them was entitled "Welcome to Memphis". It was released on RCA Victor. It was recorded at ABC Recording Studios, Los Angeles,CA.
In this album, as The Memphis Horns, appeared Andrew Love on soprano sax and flute, Jack Hale Sr. on trombone, Lewis Collins Jr. on alto saxophone and flute, James Mitchell on baritone sax and flute. Wayne Jackson had decided to follow another road in his life, travelling with the legend of country music, Marty Robbins.

The album was produced and arranged by the legend Clarence McDonald. Some musicians that played were Bobby Eaton on bass, Theodore "Ted" Sparks on drums, Clarence McDonald and Patrick Moten on keyboards, Louis "Lucious" Palomo on pecussion, Michael McGloiry and W.Michael Toles on guitars. 

I have chosen two ballads entitled "No time for tears (Think about the good days)" and "My heart belongs to you". Lead vocals by William C.Brown III and Joyce D.Wright. I want to note that William C.Brown was more known as sound engineer than as singer. He is a brother of the great singer Randy Brown.

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full

Michael Pedicin Jr - (Self titled) 1979 Lp

Michael Pedicin Jr. is a second-generation saxophonist. He was born on July 29, 1947, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and raised in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. His dad was an alto saxophonist, singer, a popular entertainer and bandleader in the Philadelphia area for more than six decades. Pedicin Jr. started at an early age and joined a band at 15. He played all the saxes, alto, tenor, soprano and baritone. This made him a sought-after session musician at Sigma Sound Studios.

In the late 70s Pedicin Jr played alto saxophone for the soul producers Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell and Vincent Montana Jr.. At that time he played saxophone for great popular artists such as O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls and Spinners. In 1979, Gamble and Huff's International Philadelphia label released his first album entitled "Michael Pedicin Jr".

It was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia. All the songs were produced by him self except the song "That's a good one" produced by Michael Pedicin Jr, Bill Bloom and Frankie Smith.

I have chosen two tracks entitled "That's a good one" and the masterpiece "You". They appear on both songs Michael Pedicin Jr on alto and tenor sax, Pete Jackson and Frank Smith on fender rhodes, Bill Bloom on piano, Roland Chambers on guitar, Ronnie James on bass and guitar, James Williams on bass, Vince Fay on electric bass, David Cruse and Leonard Gibbs on percussion, Keith Benson and James Paxson on drums. The Jones Girls on vocals.

"That's a good one" was written by Bill Bloom and Frank Smith. "You" was written by Janet Gugliuzza and Ronnie James.

He has released eleven (11) albums in his career.

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full

Lulu - (Self titled) 1981 Lp

Lulu Kennedy-Cairns was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie on 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Lulu grew up in Dennistoun, Glasgow. She attended Thomson Street Primary School and Onslow Drive Junior School. She started her career at an early age. She became known especially in the late 60s when she appeared in both films and several television series. She also represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1974 she performed the title song for the James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun". 
In 1981 she released an album on Alfa Records from Los Angeles. The musicians that participated were Lynton Naiff, Mike Moran on keyboards, Alan Jones and Alan Tarney on bass, Ronnie Caryl and Ray Russel on guitars, Graham Jarvis, Trevor Spencer and Peter Van Hooke on drums, Ray Cooper on percusion. Backing vocals by Carol Kenyon, Tony Rivers and Ronnie Carrol.

String and horn arrangements by Lynton Naiff and Mike Moran. Produced by Mark London. I have chosen three tracks entitled "If I were you" , "You win, I lose" and "I could never miss you".







I want to mention that the song "Who's foolin who" was nominated for Grammy Award. "Who's foolin who" was released as a single with "You win, I lose" as the B-side and peaked at #106 on Billboard.

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full