Melting Pot launches Saturday 5th February 2011

First Saturday of every month
launch night Saturday 5th February 2011!
DJs Paul Ritchie & Phil Cunningham
Strictly Vinyl!

Curtis Mayfield on DVD!

The good folks at 'Reelin In The Years' have followed up their recent excellent soul video compilations with a brand new documentary film about Curtis Mayfield featuring loads of vintage clips from his soulful days with The Impressions right through to his later funkier solo work.

Much more than a biography of a soul singer, this unique documentary carefully portrays the impact Curtis's music had on our social and political history. Mayfield was an unlikely protest singer, small in stature but a giant in terms of the message he dared put across, be it race, war, social injustice or drugs.

His artistic and poetic way of communicating with the man on the street was simple and pure yet Curtis was alone in standing up for what he believed in.

For those who doubt whether music and politics can mix simply listen to message songs like 'Keep On Pushin', 'We're A Winner' and 'We Gotta Have Peace' and imagine the impact they would have first made back in more troubled and unstable times. In one clip, the film tells the story of how nervous TV producers tried to censor the provocative lyrics Curtis wrote, perfectly highlighting the fear and ignorance of the times. Yet, despite the historical context, these inspirational message songs continue to be relevant and can resonate deeply with the continuing struggles that still affect many all over the world.

This DVD is not only essential for soul fans but for anyone with an interest in civil rights history and the power of music. It is a film that both educates and entertains in equal measure.

Curtis Mayfield was an inspiration to many and thanks to this important presentation his message of hope and understanding will continue to influence generations to come. Do yourself a favour and buy this DVD today. Before you do check out this great clip of Curtis with the Impressions from the sixties. The DVD contains this and 23 other full length performances along with poignant contributions from fellow Impressions, Fred Cash and Sam Gooden along with arranger, Johnny Pate.

My favourite 45 by Steve Luigi, DJ

RSG! has been asking our favourite bands, DJs and fellow music junkies to pick a favourite 45s from their personal record collection and tell us why they treasure the slab of vinyl so much. Leeds based Legendary DJ, Steve Luigi is perhaps more famous for his reputation as a house music DJ on the dance scene but Steve's first love is for Northern Soul. "My favourite Soul track of all time would be VERY hard to choose as there are so many, but to pick one that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up out of the literally thousands, I would have to choose 'Mike Post Coalition - Afternoon on the Rhino'" says Steve.

"The reason for me choosing this track is because it has always baffled me as to why someone would take a huge orchestra into a studio to record a random track that was not a theme tune for any film or program that I know of, but just for the sake of it".

"Can you imagine being in the studio when the track was recorded? WOW! The track is so full of energy from start to finish. And what type of music is it? It wasn't made as a Northern Soul record as there was no such term when it was made, so why was it recorded and to what end, it can't have made much money on the commercial scene?"

"All these factors add to the mystery and brilliance of this track. If you don't tap your feet when this track is being played, Check your pulse!!!"

For more info on Steve Luigi check out www.dj-cases.co.uk