RarePhillySax

There are no words to describe how I feel when I hear Brook Benton . Brook Benton for me is the King of soul music with the greatest voice. For this reason I decided to choose a song which fits the days of Christmas. From this excellent Christmas CD , which has been released by Sleigh Bells Records, I chose the song " Christmas Makes The Town ".   Note: The above posted track is not played in full.

Maxine Nightingale is a british R&B and soul singer. She was born in London on November 2,1952. I remember the moment when my friend Nicolas Drosos  played to me the song " Lead me on " at his house. It has been many many years since my friend Nicolas brought to my attention this song. So I had the opportunity to find it in Athens some days ago. For this reason I decided to present it on my blog. " Lead me on " is a popular song written by Ali Willis (Lyrics) and David Lasley (music). It was recorded in 1978 and was included on the third album of Maxine Nightingale entitled " Love Lines " which was issued in the UK and Europe. The label United Artists delayed to release it as a single and for this reason it did not enter in the UK chart. However another label named Windsong Records released it as a single in US in 1979. The album that was released in the US was also named " Lead me on ". The same year " Lead me on

Rock and Rye is an obscure group. Probably the members of the group were Robbie Rye , Richard Michael Hill,    Steve and Mike Blum . The group had influences from rock, pop and funk music. In the early 80s, they released a single entitled " Let Love Stay / I Hear Your Name ". Both songs were recorded at Autumn Music Place, in Monterey California. The musicians were Robbie Rye on drums and vocals, Steve Blum on keyboards and Mike Blum on guitar. I have chosen the song " Let Love Stay ". It was written by Mike Blum, Steve Blum, Michael Hill and Robbie Rye. Note: The above posted single is not played in full .

Jim Mancel is a singer from Canada. He appeared in 1970 when he released a single entitled " I could give you the world ". It was released on Polydor Records. Later he joined the rock group named Chester . Chester was formed in late 1972 by Glen Morrow . Then he followed a solo career and released a single entitled " Let the phone ring / Jenny " on Celebration Records in 1975. He collaborated with the guitarist, keyboartist Glen Morrow from the group Chester. Jim Mancell and Glen Morrow wrote both songs. Then he released another single entitled " Just be yourself " which was written again by Jim and Glen. It was released on Change Records in 1977. Three years later he sang for the group called The Northern Light Orchestra . He performed the song " We had a dream (The dream song) " and he was also co-songwriter, co-producer and co-arranger. At the same time he released another single entitled " Heart of a lion ". It was releas

What can I say for him ? Blue Mitchell was a great trumpet player. He was one of the best melodic players. He was unlucky, because he died in an early age. He was born in Miami on March 1930 and he died in Los Angeles on May 21, 1979 from cancer. I could say that today he would have been  the biggest trumpet player in the world if he had the opportunity to show more of his talent. He released 27 albums and he collaborated with other artists for over 60 albums. However, I will focus on the album which was in fact the last one in his career. The album entitled " Summer Soft " was released in 1978 on ABC Impulse Records.  It must have been 1997 or 1998 when I acquired this album. I bought it in Athens and it kept me company for many nights. It was recorded at ABC Recording Studios, Los Angeles in 1977, CA. Many great artists accompanied Blue Mitchell on the album. Some of them were Harold Land, Herman Riley and Eddie Harris on sax, Richard Tee , Cedar Walton

Ron Henderson Jr on stage First of all, I want to thank Ron Henderson Jr . singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer for all his info.  Ron Henderson Jr and the late Duke Hall  collaborated with Gloria Bagwell for a sort time. Although Gloria Bagwell had a great voice, she disappeared from the music scene. In the early 80s, Gloria released a single entitled " Hello baby / Can't be your lady " on Bill Jones Records. Both songs were produced by Duke Hall and Ron Henderson Jr. The flip side " Can't be your lady " was written by Ron Henderson Jr. However the vinyl mentions the names of Ron Jr. and Duke Hall. Duke Hall used to put his name on the label as a songwriter. This song is a funky sound like all the typical funky songs of the early 80s. The other song of the vinyl " Hello baby " is a beautiful ballad. It is worthy to note that some people learnt from  Dottie Pearson  the song " Hello baby ". I had th

--> Steve Jason was a singer and songwriter from Philadelphia. In the late 60's Steve along with the keyboardist, songwriter Ted "Butch" Barbella , the guitarist Dennis Jason , the bassist Norm Conrad and the drummer Jerry Gilbert formed the pop/rock group named Goliath . They released an album in 1969 on ABC Records. It was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia. Steve Jason under the name of Steve D'Mingo co-wrote some songs together with Butch Barbella. Later in the mid 70s, Steve with Jerry Brown and Butch Barbella performed together in a 9 piece original show band called Mazrine Stone, playing showrooms throughout the country. Steve and Butch Barbella continued to collaborate together. So in the early 80s, Steve Jason along with the female singer called Ruby "J" released an album on Atlantic City Records. Her real name is Betsy Jean . She has performed for about 30 years in various bands. She has collaborated with Ernie W

Tony Joe White is a guitarist, singer and songwriter of folk, rock and pop music. He has been for many decades in the music scene. He became known in the 60s with two songs entitled " Polk Salad Annie " and " Rainy Night in Georgia ". Both songs were written by him. However " Rainy Night in Georgia " became  mostly known by Brook Benton in the late 60s.  In 1976 he released an album named " Eyes " on 20th Century Records. In my opinion it is one of his best albums. After this album he left from 20th Century Records and went to Arista Records. At that time he released two singles entitled " We'll live on love " in 1978 and " It must be love " in 1979 on Arista Records. Both songs were first recorded in 1976. The first song was included on the album " Eyes " in 1976 and the second was released as a flip side single of " Susie Q ". Today I have the opportunity to present " We'll live

--> Hello my friends. I remember several years ago when my friend Nicolas Drosos gave me a CD which included a radio show from England. The radio internet show was called Soul24-7.com . I heard it immediately and later I heard the song " One for the road ". I was hearing it for one hour continuously. I called my friend George Polychroniou , who is a huge collector in Greece. George said to me : " You are crazy ". As I remember, I tried to find the title of this song but nothing. I searched the song as " One for the road or One from the road " in the web, but I didn't find anything. This album was an unknown album in the world. Several days later, I came in contact with my friend and collector John Ridley . I asked him if he had the album. The fact that I got a positive answer was very exciting because I finally had the opportunity to hear this masterpiece. Later in 2006, I saw the album for the first time on ebay. It was sold for ove

This album was one of my top secrets. I had the opportunity to find it in 2009. In my opinion, it is one of the best modern soul albums. I had first seen the single  " It's over / Special love " on Firmus Records on ebay. I think, if I remember right, it was in 2007. Since then I tried to collect anything concerning Betty Richardson.  Betty Richardson started singing professionally at the age of 15 with her sister Jackie. She went on a solo career and she also joined the Silhouettes with the arranger, composer and pianist Doug Riley . They appeared at the Toronto nightclub, the Blue Note. She was also original cast member of the musical Hair in Toronto and Australian Hair company. When the musical " Hair " closed, Betty worked with Wayne St.John and they recorded some songs in the mid 70s in Toronto. Wayne St.John had previously collaborated with Betty on " Hair ". She did many TV music/comedy series with Martin Short , Andy Williams , Ge

Kenny Colman is a great jazz vocalist. He is more known in the USA than in Europe. He has been performing for over of five decades in the jazz music scene. Many great musicians have spoken concerning the talent of Kenny Colman. In 1979, Kenny Colman released a jazz album on Kett Records. There are not many info for the album because the vinyl is rare and hard to find. The album was released under the name " I need you ". However it is worthy to note that the album was released on CD. The CD doesn't mention anything except for the songs of the album. I found some information concerning the musicians. Dave Moscoe on keyboard, Donald Dean on drums, John Kurnick on guitar, Rick Ricardo on Conga/Percussion, Sammy Dee on sax. Produced by Kenny Colman. I have chosen two tracks. First an amazing song entitled " Laura " and the famous song " Feel like makin love " which was original recorded by Roberta Flack in 1974. This song h

I will be on holidays. Next post in late August.

I opened this blog five years ago. Today it's the fifth anniversary. I wanna thank especially all the visitors of my blog. I would also like to thank some special people and friends who helped me last year. Bill Bradford First of all, I want to thank producer, songwriter and label owner Bill Bradford for all his info concerning my article Thomas Moore . Juan Oskar I want to thank Jay Maynes aka Juan Oskar for all his info concerning the article MayneStream - Sheri . Finally I would like to thank the great songwriter and singer Acey McCone for all his info and his confidence to me. In order to celebrate this day, I decided to upload a music video which includes an ultra rare 45" and a fantastic song. This record is one of my top secrets. Enjoy this masterpiece.

Three years ago I had the pleasure to present a scarce record entitled " Jimmy Anderson - You, me and love " on Olam Records in 1983. Many collectors know him as a producer and songwriter. He became known especially by his collaboration with the vocal group called The Exportations . I had the opportunity to speak with him through email. Jimmy Anderson (AKA James Anderson III) was born in 1947. He is a singer, composer and producer. He was more known as a composer than as a singer. He has written songs for The Exportations  and Tyrone Edwards .  Dionisis: When did you start your professional career and since when you've been recording ? Jimmy Anderson: 70s.   Dionisis: Which are your main influences and which are your favorite artists ?   Jimmy Anderson: Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding, Bobby Womack and David Ruffin . Dionisis :   Tell me about the group Exportations. Did you work with them only as a songwriter ? Jimmy Anderson :   I was a

The group was formed in 1970. Between 1970 and 1975 they traveled and performed in many of the top nite clubs and hotels throughout the Western United States including Reno, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles and Honolulu, Hawaii. They also played for many great artists like Blue Mitchell , Harold Land , Quinn Harris , Art Pepper , Joe Farrell , Eric Burdon , Bob Hope and many others . Jaquetta Rae & George Stanley Some members of the group were Jaquetta Rae on vocals, George Stanley on bass and guitar, Larry Flahive on keyboards, Bobby Dominguez on drums. They released an album on Olive Tree Records. Jaquetta Rae along with Larry Flahive wrote some songs like " I'll take care of you " and " Ain't you had enough ". Both songs were produced by Jimmy Haskell . Rhythm arrangements by Larry Flahive. String arrangements by Jimmy Haskell. Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full.

As I have told you, I collect vinyls which include songs written by H.B.Barnum and Walter Johnson .  A day Walter Johnson brought to my attention the record 45" " Music is a lonely life " by Quinn Coleman . Some days later, I was very lucky and I found the same record on ebay by Ron Browning . It was unbelievable! The original was released by Quinn Coleman in 1983. Ron Browning is a singer, songwriter, musician and teacher of voice. He is a member of NATS, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, NYSTA, New York Singing Teacher’s Association, and a voting member of The Grammy Foundation® and Country Music Award Association. He grew up in a musical family in the town of Vicco, Kentucky. He played piano in church at the early age. Ron did musical studies at UCLA, California State University at Northridge and the University of Kentucky. In the 80s, he collaborated with H.B.Barnum. Ron Browning released a single entitled " Music is a lonel