RarePhillySax

I had the opportunity two times ago to present the group from Canada called  The Longo Brothers . The first time I presented the single " Looking for love / Sun side up " which was released in 1978 on People City Music and the second time the single " Manhattan / Nightwalk " which was released in 1983 on the same label. Last month, I discovered an article about The Longo Brothers which will be a surprise for all the fans of soul music. I have been looking for it for about two months, until I managed to find it. However, all my visitors must wait a week, because today I'm presenting another single by Longo Brothers entitled " The Nightlife / Coast to coast ". It was released on People City Music in 1984. " The Nightlife " is a beautiful AOR mid-tempo. This song was performed by Wayne St.John from Canada. Wayne St.John was known from the 70s, mainly when he sang for the disco group called THP Orchestra in 1976. " The Nightlife ...

Brothers by Choice was a soul/funk group who started in the early 70s. I want to note that some bloggers wrote that Brothers by Choice started under the name The Gliders . I'm not sure for that because The Gliders released a single entitled " No time / Lonely cities & one way streets " in 1974 on Alva Records, while Brothers by Choice released a deput single " You think that I'm a fool / Can't you see " on Calgar Records in 1973. Billboard also mentions at that time about The Gliders that they were four members, but it doesn't mention anything about Brothers by Choice. The only connection between the groups was the producer Eddie J.Gurren . E.J.Gurren was producer on the single " No time ". E.J.Gurren was also producer and songwriter on Brothers by Choice. It is very difficult for someone to find info about the members of the group. Probably there are two groups with the same name. However the members of the group which relea...

The day before yesterday, I had the opportunity to see Roy Ayers live, for the first time in my life. I think this event was the best moment in my life. Although Roy Ayers is 72 years old, he was fantastic and unbelievably very good. He made along with his band the whole club dance in every moment. It was a great night. The band was  Roy Ayers on vibraphone and vocals, Mark Adams on keyboards, John Pressley on vocals and percussion, Donald Nicks on bass and Troy Miller on drums. I believe the thing that was missing from this night was a saxophone player. However, I was impressed by the voice of John Pressley. He is a fantastic singer. His voice reminds me the voice of Philip Bailey. The following is a video that I shot at that night.

Although my article is about John Rowles and the album " Rhythm of the city ", I must mention some words about my favorite composers, H.B.Barnum and Walter Johnson . Since a long time ago, I have been collecting vinyls which include songs that were written by H.B.Barnum and Walter Johnson. Some of them are O.C.Smith album of 1982, Louis Dyer 45" ,  Waymond Hall 45" , Maurice Davis 45" and John Rowles album of 1980. Of course there are more records either rare or not  in which H.B.Barnum and Walter Johnson are composers. John Rowles was born on 26th March 1947 in Whatakane and raised in Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty. He started to sing at the age of ten years old. At the age of 16 years old, he started to play guitar at a club.  John's first release as a solo singer was released in 1966. Later he tried to enter in the British market. The first release in England was released in 1968. In the early 70s he also toured in various countries s...

I have been collecting vinyls for about 20 years. All of these years, I have seen a few singles under the name The New Image or New Image . I don't know if it is the same group or different groups. I remember when I discovered the single entitled " Leave it all behind you " two years ago on ebay. I was impressed at the beginning, hearing the song. After the first time that I heard it, I started to lose my enthusiasm. Of course it is a great sound. This single was released on Sunrise Records under the name " The New Image " in 1980. The song " Leave it all behind you " was written by Charles Cimino . It was recorded at Minot Sound, White Plains, New York. Produced by Charles and Angelo Cimino . Arranged by Carmen Mastren . Thank you for reading my article. I appreciate it!  Note: The above posted single is not played in full

Noel Fleetwood & Rita Van Robinson are unknown singers without any success. However Noel and Rita released a jazz/soul album in 1983. The album entitled " Lovin'you comes natural " was released on Peach Town Records. It was recorded at Master Sound Studios, Atlanta, Georgia. I want to note that I bought this album a year ago without having heard any sample. I simply followed my feeling. The album was produced under the direction of Bill Freeman . Bill Freeman was also arranger and co-songwriter on the album. I have chosen two tracks entitled " Don't shut me out " and " Hurricane ". Both of these songs were written by Bill Freeman and Deborah Cruse . It is worthy to note that  " Don't shut me out " and " Hurricane " were released as a single in the same year on the same label. Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full

I wish Merry Christmas to all my visitors.

After the last article, I decided to present another song by Juan Oskar which fits with Christmas. The title of the song is " Christmas is near ". This song was included on the album CD entitled " Christmas is for grownups too " which was released in 2005.   Note: The above posted tracks is not played in full

I have recently discovered this record. I want to note that when I heard it, I was impressed, because I had a long time to hear a great soul latin song like this. MayneStream was an unknown studio band. Jay Maynes aka Juan Oskar was  raised and lives in Glendale, Arizona, He is the oldest of ten children, of a musical family. He has been a working musician, since he was 17 years old. He has played many styles and many venues. In 1979 he did a studio project and recorded two songs " Kick'n the Brass /  Sheri " at  Desert Sound Recording Studio , Glendale, AZ. This studio was founded in 1972 by the recording engineer, guitarist, bassist, keyboartist, drummer and vocalist  Sandy Lamont . Both of these songs were released as a single on La Perla Cafe Records  in 1979.  The name of the label was taken from a cafe-restuarant in Glendale. I have chosen " Sheri " which was written by Jose LeGerrette in the 60s as a ball...