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Nick Ashford of the famous songwriter/producer duo Ashford and Simpson died in New York on August 22, 2011.
Nick Ashford Together with Valerie Simpson started their career in the mid-1960s, writing for artists such as The 5th Dimension, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. Their work with Ray Charles brought them to the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy. They joined Motown and started writing songs for Marvin Gaye. Later on they produces three albums for the Diana Ross and the Supremes. Gladys Knight and the pips song some Ashford & Simpson penned songs.
In 1974, Ashford & Simpson married and resumed their career as a duo with the Warner Bros. album, Gimme Something Real. This was followed by the hit singles, "Don't Cost You Nothin'" (1977), "It Seems To Hang On" (1978), "Is It Still Good to Ya" (1978), "Found a Cure" (1979), "Street Corner" (1982), and their biggest hit, "Solid", released in 1984.
Nick Ashford died of complications from throat cancer. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Nick Ashford RIP
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Legendary Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass has died at the age of 59 following "a difficult recovery" from colon cancer surgery, his son has told the AP news agency. Teddy Pendergrass II said his father had died at a hospital in Philadelphia. |
| He was paralysed from the waist down in a 1982 car accident. In 2001, he went on his first tour since the accident. | |
A message from Jessie who's a friend of the daughter of Dick Griffey: I am bearing some sad news. Dick Griffey father of my friend Carolyn Griffey has passed away this morning. He was the CEO of Solar Records (Sound Of Los Angeles Records), manager and producer who brought us Shalamar, The Whispers, Lakeside, Dynasty, Midnight Starr etc. It would be nice if you give him a mention on your radio shows and play some of the songs from the groups he created on the Solar Record Label.Those of you with publications lets write up and remember that he was to the disco funk era, to what Berry Gordy was to cross over soul. He was a music pioner who should be remembered on this day.
Jessie x
Check this site for the Solar history.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ANO NOVO FELIZ NOUVELLE ANNÉE HEUREUSE NUOVO ANNO FELICE GLÜCKLICHES NEUES JAHR GELUKKIG NIEUW JAAR FELIZ AÑO NUEVO
"In a time when music education is suffering from budget cuts , one professional musician and a team of top LA sidemen are getting an early start on the next generation."
"Grade school music class was never this funky -- a package aimed at teaching kids about music, but which comes across with this wicked vintage funk energy -- a tight early 70s approach to the grooves -- almost like the JBs were guesting on Sesame Street." --Premier Soul and Jazz Record Shop Dusty Groove America
I am a professional LA-based musician and father of a three-year-old who just couldn't seem to find cool age-appropriate music for my son that I wanted to hear -- Especially over and over! So I rolled up my sleeves, went into the recording studio with a few of LA's top musicians, and created Groove Kid Nation -- an entirely new approach to introducing children to music.
"Thanks for saving me from Elmo and Barney! Kids are small, not stupid!" -- Happy Parent
The goal of Groove Kid Nation is to introduce toddlers (ages 1 and up) to the real sound of musical instruments via the grooviest children's songs you've ever heard! The tracks on my first 2 releases are rooted in classic soul - jazz, and the CDs feature some of the top sidemen in the music business with touring and recording credits including Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Beck, Seal, Joss Stone, Sting, and Herbie Hancock.
"Imagine a James Brown or Lauryn Hill record for kids, and you'll have some idea of what Groove Kid Nation is all about." -- 2011 Parent's Choice Awards
In addition, 10% of the wholesale price of each CD is donated to CARE.org to help fight poverty.
Listen to the Funky Chicken
You can preview more tracks here:
Rodney Lee
Here’s a second batch of 30 classic albums that arrived from the USA last week. There are some really hard to find Soul ,Funk and Jazz titles here for your collection.
All titles are one-offs so please order early to avoid disappointment.
Records can be ordered on-line, over the phone on 020 8875 1018 or collected from our shop in Putney open Mon-Sat 10 -7 / Sun 11-5.
We have added soundclips and a few notes on each album to help you. Go to soulbrother.com
 | Robert Oliver, Associate Editor of the San Diego County Times mailed me about Cuba Gooding Jr. See the storie below he wrote for the San Diego County Times. |
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Funk's most recognizable bassist Bootsy Collins unveils plans for the world's first Funk University where he will serve as Professor Los Angeles, CA -- It began with a simple message on Bootsy Collins' twitter page to his more than 400,000 followers, which simply read "If You Build It, They Will Funk." Fans had no idea he was referring to the upcoming debut of Bootsy's Funk University, an online bass school for players around the planet to study under his direction. Bootsy’s Funk University begins its first semester on July 1, 2010 with enrollment based on a first come, first serve basis. Currently, interested players are encouraged to sign-up for exclusive information at www.thefunkuniversity.com. Registration for enrollment is set to begin in April for the summer launch. |
Funkytowngrooves.com have some great bundled offers available for this weekend only, great titles at fantastic prices, also note, you will only pay the postage price for 1 CD per bundle saving yet more money !! Click on the covers
Soul Veteran Lamar Thomas wrote a book that tells the truth about the Blues, Soul, Rhythm & Blues and Rock N Roll
Extending a tradition that stretches from Aretha Franklin to Sarah Vaughn, singer, songwriter, Vesta Williams contributed to the soulful mix of musical era and genres during her career. Simply put, Vesta Williams is a musical legend. Before her death in September 22, 2011, Vesta released 6 studio albums that has produced the hits “Congratulations” “Sweet Sweet Love” “4U” and “Special”. Her upcoming studio release “Seven” is completed and contains the wonderful vocals and arrangement that we have expected from her over the last 25 years. Vesta has sold over 2 million albums in her career that this effort will please all her fans.
Today, Vesta’s new single “Better Days” is available on Itunes. From Executive Producers Edwin Nicholas, Devon V. Collins and Kahlil I. Pedizisai, Vesta’s Album
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