Interviews

Isaac Hayes - Café Regio's

This is the B side to Isaac Hayes's 1971 classic Theme to 'Shaft' 7” with the mighty Michael Toles guitar solo on it. I heard this when me and my mate, Terry were about 15, checking out vinyl round at his house with his mum telling us to -turn it down”. A proper late night groove.

Roy Ayers – The Memory

With Mr Ayers passing to glory recently, it was only right that he was in my selections. I've chosen the magnificent ‘The Memory' taken from Roy’s iconic 1976 album, ‘Vibrations’. It encapsulates everything that’s good about Roy and his music.

Mighty Diamonds - Africa

Taken from the Mighty Diamonds 1976 classic roots LP, ‘Right Time’ on Virgin Records, ‘Africa’ was my favourite track, featuring Sly and Robbie amongst other musicians. One of my first reggae purchases 49 years ago, the Jamaican release had the title, ‘When The Right Time Come (I need a roof) and was recorded at Joseph and Ernest Hookim’s legendary Channel One studio.

Jaye P Morgan – Can’t Hide Love

I’m a complete sucker for an Earth, Wind and Fire cover….or so I thought! It turns out that EWF covered Creative Source’s 1973 ‘You can’t hide love’ on their 1975 ‘Gratitude’LP. Actress, comedienne and vocalist, Jaye P Morgan went on to cover it in 1976. An absolutely wonderful production with a killer vocal delivery from Ms Morgan.

Joy Tones – This Love

I came across The Joy Tones magical 1965 cut, ‘This Love’ via Doreen Schaffer’s Studio One Version which led me back to the original. Musical archaeology is one of my first loves and I adore the interaction between the soul and reggae versions. The Joy Tones version is sublime.

Rance Allen Group – Reasons to Survive

What isn’t there to love about this huge slice of exquisite 1977 soulfulness from the vocal giant, Rance Allen? Written by Fonce Mizell, one half of the acclaimed Mizell Brothers production team, you can hear their signature string arrangements which prevailed throughout their classic 1970s productions – think Donald Byrd. The vocal gymnastics of Mr Allen are breath taking and very moving – along with the underpinning from the beautiful instrumentation of the Rance Allen Group. Perfection.

Love Will Tear Us Apart - Capital 1212 Ft. Earl 16

Residing on Don Letts' collection, Version Excursion (Late Night Tales) is this brilliant version of the original by Joy Division.

I love how it turns everyone's heads when recognising the bass line in a more unlikely place, the dubosphere.

Windmills Of My Mind - Dusty Springfield

When there were long winding chord progressions and of course, the distinctly close voice of Dusty.

Astro - Walt Dickinson & Sun Ra

This is the first track from their album Visions (Steeple Chase Records 1978) where you will hear Sun Ra at his most intimate and exposed on an acoustic piano. The beautiful, improvised musical conversations between Dickinson on vibraphone and Sun Ra's piano is perfect for drifting off to and letting go of the world.