Friday 27th November 2009
Listen to the Shakermaker advert for October 17 
100% Vinyl!
If you are in the West Yorkshire area on Saturday 22d August why not check out 'Shakermaker' at Bar Deco, Bradford Road, Batley?
RSG! are proud to be associated with a brand new club night in Leeds kicking off Friday 5th June. Featuring a fantastic line-up of 6 DJ's covering the greatest and rarest anthems in Indie - Mod - 60's beat - Northern soul - Britpop - Ska - 2 tone, 2 Live Bands & very competitive drinks prices, all spread over 3 floors of one of Leeds' finest nightspots, Casa Loco (previously Atrium), Grand Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6PG.
How long would you half expect the British answer to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album could be criminally left in the can to gather dust? A few years perhaps, due to a bad business deal, or a recent death of the original artist?
It was at 'Immediate' that the young Nicholls become friendly with the Small Faces. Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane contributed to the majestic 'Would You Believe' track. You can hear Marriott's vocal on this track despite Loog Oldham's attempts to drown them out with heavy orchestration.
Curtis Mayfield. Spiritualist, Preacher man, Soul Saviour, Funkateer: Curtis Mayfield's 'Roots' captures all of these labels so consistently across seven engrossing tracks. From the dirty, funky grooves of 'Get Down' and 'Underground' to the inspirational message songs like, 'Keep On Keeping On' and 'We Got To Have Peace'.
From his early work with the Impressions to his solo work and beyond, his back catalogue is not short on highlights. He wrote and produced hundreds of tracks for other artists and influenced thousands more. His work covered all bases from northern soul, blaxploitation soundtracks, funk and soulful ballads to gospel and social politics. Classic Curtis Mayfield tracks are blessed with a sweet, soothing falsetto voice and sublime orchestrated production courtesy of arranger Johnny Pate.
'Roots' was recorded in Curtis' home town of Chicago at RCA studios along with his current road band and assistance from regular arrangers Riley Hampton and Johnny Pate. The funky club bound groove of 'Get Down' opens the album in fine style. 'Keep On Keeping On' is an inspirational anthem with a strong message about the importance of education and the effects it can have on changing future generations. It's also got a great feel good vibe and speaks of self determination, about not giving up and battling on against the odds. The song title is a phrase oft repeated by Soul fans along with 'Keep the faith' as a sign of solidarity and strength or to describe their unwavering passion for Soul music.
'Underground' returns to a funky mode and talks about pollution and the destruction of the planet at the hands of powerful multinationals. In these times of global warming it's a tale that remains eerily prophetic. As a social commentator, Mayfield's finger was always on the pulse and the anti-war sentiments of 'We Got To Have Peace' are as bold and relevant as ever today. Despite the heavy tones of the subject matter, Mayfield's true skills can be found in the music which always remained freshly sophisticated and uplifting.
'Beautiful Brother Of Mine' talks about black pride. It is one of the many tracks Curtis wrote to specifically to reach out and inspire America's disenchanted black youth. The album closes with two love songs. 'Now You're Gone' is reminiscent of his early Impressions sides but better still is the majestic 'Love To Keep You In My Mind'.
Listen and weep to the perfect melodic twists and turns of the album's closer, 'Love To Keep You In My Mind', a perfect example of Curtis at his understated best. The production is breathtakingly simple and poignant. Swirling strings and a steady complimentary brass arrangement are harmoniously stitched together by the voice of an angel.
Released in 1971 at a time of social change and political unrest the album perfectly captures the spirit of the times with message songs that still resonant today. Mayfield's social commentary is as relevant now as it was back when it was recorded. Soul music was changing too by the dawn of the seventies. The Motown sound would be shaken up by Marvin Gaye's 'What’s Goin On' released the same year. James Brown funk was getting dirtier and Mayfield too, was soon to become a purveyor of the new funk sound that would be the soundtrack of the American urban underground.
Love songs or message songs, the songs of Curtis Mayfield penetrate deep into the conscience without any noticeable force. Grace and dignity over shouting and screaming was Mayfield's preferred trait. The message still hits home hard.
Curtis didn't approve of the album title or the awkward looking portrait on the cover but I feel time has proved that 'Roots' is a worthy word as it captures the depth and importance of Curtis' work. The slightly dated cheesy cover also adds a light paradox to the deeper contents it hides from the unsuspecting listener.
'Roots' can be found on a twofer CD on 'Sequel Records' backed with the equally superb 'Sweet Exorcist' from 1974 or on it’s own in all physical formats. Buy this album today! The clip below, shows Curtis singing 'We Got To Have Peace' is taken from the Old Grey Whistle Test TV show.
THE FANTASTICS! are the latest UK nu-funk sensations featuring Greg Boraman (Hammond Organ & Electric Piano), Pete Collison (Guitar), Raydn Hunter (Bass), James Rule (Drums) along with Mark Norton (Sax & Flute) and Matt Wilding (percussion). They have enlisted soul singer Noel Mckoy to sing on a couple of tracks on their new album including a stomping funky update on the Small Faces, ‘I Can’t Dance With You’.
Ivan 'Boogaloo Joe' Jones
'Touch 'Em With Love' was Bobbie's fifth album release on Capitol records. Most people will remember the divine Bobbie Gentry for her work with Glen Campbell, her most famous composition 'Ode to Billie Joe' and finally her striking good looks that haven't dated one bit (check out that picture, wow!). But it's her fairly obscure 1969 would be classic that best captures her raw and underappreciated talent.
Little Barrie have been knocking about for awhile now churning out their own unique brand of funky, bluesy rock for the modern age. You may have seen singer Barrie – with his cool 70s Keef Richard’s hair do – rockin’ and a rollin’ with the current Primal Scream live set up. The funked up threesome are currently working on their third album with a new single due later this year. Their early Stark Reality 7” singles are to be given a limited re-issue soon, so if you missed ‘em first time round, keep an eye out on mail order sites like Juno Records, to make sure you catch ‘em.
The brand new issue of Shindig! is another belter! Cover feature this time round is the Pretty Things plus there are fab features on Funkadelic, garage rock legends Count Five, obscure girl group The She Trinity as well as Kris Needs' on Tim Rose, the guy who wrote the legendary garage classic, 'Hey Joe'. Packed with cool pictures, essential reviews from the world of psych, garage, soul and beyond, this glossy mag is setting new standards for music junkies who like to dig deeper.
Brought together by a shared love of The Stone Roses, The Verve and The Beatles, Southampton boys, The Delays have released three albums to date. Debuting in 2004 with ‘Faded Seaside Glamour’, ‘You See Colours’ followed in 2006 and their latest ‘Everythings The Rush’ arrived in 2008. Their 2004 Rough Trade single ‘Long Time Coming’ is a regular choice spin at RSG! indie do’s.
"Verve (pre 'the') were the first band I ever got really passionate about" claims Rowly, "I was just that bit too young to have heard the Roses when they came out (Black Lace were more my cup of tea at the time!) so by the time my tastes had moved away from Hawaiian shirted pineapple pushers the latest thing was the shoegaze scene”.
“I loved (and still love) a lot of those bands and I think there was some fucking great records made then but when I saw a Verve feature on 'Rapido' (arts show hosted by the Eurotrash guy) I fell for them above all others instantly. They had a sonically beautiful sound, a star frontman with an amazing voice and they could properly groove, a combo I didn’t know was possible!”
"I played the debut single 'All In The Mind' to death so the morning 'She's A Superstar' came out I ran to the record shop first thing, then ran home (faster), all the while staring at the cover which was like a waterfall on another planet (cool.)”
“There’s no way of describing music this good, other than to say to this day I don’t think a record has caused a firework show in my head like when I put the headphones on, cranked the volume and played this for the first time. Certainly not until another Northern band with a similar swagger and self belief released 'Live Forever' a couple of years later, but that’s my favourite 12"”.
Thanks Rowly for taking time out to talk to us. Keep coming back to RSG! for more great 'My Favourite 45' selections from our special guests. If you would like to take part or add your comments on the tracks featured to date, why not drop me a line? soulboy_69@yahoo.com
For more news on the Delays check out
thedelays.co.uk and check out the video to one of our favourite Delays tracks 'Long Time Coming' below.
The Ready Steady Go DJ crew will be stepping out again for a couple of gigs...
The first time I stumbled across The Ruling Class was late 2008, when they supported the Charlatans at Leeds Academy. I was impressed by their music and more importantly, their haircuts. Yes folks, hairdos matter in pop music! Rhythm guitarist Andrew Needle (pictured right) dropped by recently to tell us about one his favourite 45s and came up with this surprising novelty tune. The Ruling Class have recently followed up their sold out debut single, ‘Flowers’ with a new EP + 7" single called, ‘Tour De Force’. Check out their myspace page to hear more. Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris, 1969
Some songs or albums you just want to know everything about them, and about the people that made them, but with this one I’d rather not know for fear of it losing the magic. I never knew anything about it because I was so young when I started listening to it I suppose. You’re not really bothered about stuff like that when you’re not old enough to read.
I know that this song wasn’t originally written by Rolf Harris but this is the version that I know. My mum used to sing it to me and my brother when I was 4. I think she got sick of us asking her to sing it every night and you couldn’t buy it in the shops anymore, so she rang up the local radio station and asked if anyone had a copy. Some nice lady drove round and just gave it to us.
I suppose you could say it’s a song of nostalgia for me, but I don’t think it is just that as I can only vaguely remember listening to but it but I remember being quite affected by it then. I think maybe when you are a child your mind is open in a way it is not when you are older. You are less aware of the boundaries and so you immerse yourself in a different world more freely and I think this is what happens to me still when I listen to this. I’m not normally into songs with a story but this one is haunting in a way that I can’t readily explain. Its strange how at first it comes across as this really saccharine, almost nursery rhyme, song but yet it transcends into something quite powerful and ethereal. There’s something ghostly about it.
I tried to play it on the guitar not so long ago and I just welled up, my voice went all funny. I was singing it with a load of tears flying off my face. Even now when I think of the lyrics I get a bit emotional. I’m a bit like Rolf when that dog died on Animal Hospital. It’s a bit embarrassing.
Apparently this is Margaret Thatcher’s favourite song as well which is quite worrying. She doesn’t seem like someone who would fully empathise with the sentiment. I can’t imagine her being a very sharing child. I can see her kicking the little boy off the horse so that she had more room to herself, and then possibly trampling over him because he didn’t agree with some of her policies, but there you go.
If you haven't heard this song I suggest you go listen to it. Maybe i had heard it now I wouldn't be so fond of it. I may just see it as some terrible kids’ song. But the lyrics conjure up a really powerful image every time I hear it. It’s the best thing Rolf has ever done (apart from those pictures he used to do, where you can't guess what it is until the end).
Andrew Needle, The Ruling Class
Song facts:
The song was originally recorded by British Music Hall star Harry Lauder in 1903. It tells the story of 2 brothers who share horses as boys and later share them in battle during war. The exact war was not specified, although it could be the Boer War.
Rolf Harris hit the number one spot in 1969 in the week Ready Steady Go! Editor Soulboy_69 was born!
The Ruling Class don’t sound like Rolf Harris, trust me!
For more info on the band www.myspace.com/therulingclassuk
