STEVE ‘JACKO’ JACKSON

OLD SCHOOL DJ, PLAYOUT TOP TEN FROM THE 70/80’S…

1.       FUNKY NASSAU – BEGINNING OF THE END

2.       MOVE ON UP – CURTIS MAYFIELD

3.       GOT TO GET YOUR OWN – RUEBEN WILSON

4.       EXPANSIONS – LONNIE LISTON SMITH

5.       JINGO – CANDIDO

6.       LIFE ON MARS – DEXTER WANSEL

7.       GALAXY OF LOVE – CHANGE

8.       MOVIN – BRASS CONSTRUCTION

9.       LET THE MUSIC PLAY – CHARLES EARLAND

10.  GET ON THE GOOD FOOT – JAMES BROWN

NOTHING TOO RARE YOU MIGHT SAY BUT REMEMBER THESE TUNES WHERE BEING PLAYED WHEN MOST OF US WHERE STILL IN NAPPIES !!! THESE WERE THE TUNES THAT WERE THE FLOORFILLERS AROUND LONDON IN THE 70’S AND EARLY 80’S….

‘JACKO’ ONE OF THE ORIGINAL WEST LONDON SOUL BOYS, AND THE NUMBER ONE JAMES BROWN FAN AND COLLECTOR, FIRST JB GIG, 1972 HAMMERSMITH !!!

When Andy asked me to come up with an all-time top ten recently, I did’nt appreciate the significance of the timing but it is in fact 50 years since I bought my first record (more of which later)

It’s a great self-indulgence of course, especially on a rainy Sunday like today, but the problem is whether to choose ten tracks which meant a lot at the time, or whether to choose the ten tracks I would most like to hear again today. Sometimes they are not the same. Furthermore, as my taste is fairly eclectic across the broad spectrum of American Music, how do I fit them all in ?

Impossible but anyway here are ten tracks that were milestones for me. Hope you check ‘em out and enjoy them yourself . The order they are listed is broadly chronological by the way.

No better place to start than the beginning. The very first record I ever bought and still, to these ears, one of the best examples of full-on R’n’B/Rock’n’Roll from the 50’s era. I was 11 years old at the time. The story is that my Dad, who was a pro classically-trained musician built a ‘corner-unit gramophone’ for my 10^th Birthday. With my pocket-money I went out and bought three records. I had heard Richard on Luxembourg and loved his ‘wild’ style and so decided before we entered the shop that this was going to be a definite buy. The other two were dreadful pop songs of the time by Tommy Steele and Pat Boone. These were bought to appease my poor old Mum and Dad.

It’s a great double-sider with ‘Rip It Up’on the other side. Mad, raw ,taken at a breakneck tempo and recorded live incidentally, it has the usual amazing trademarks of the Richard scream and the Lee Allen honkin’ tenor solo halfway through. It still sounds as fresh and exciting to me today as anything else I listen to.

I suppose , of all the musical heros I’ve had over the years, Ray has to be up there. He was sooo different for his time. His best work happened before the Soul boom hit the UK in the 60’s and so his work tended to be overlooked but he is undeniably the Father of Soul Music. I could have chosen a hundred tracks – I chose this one because I love the loping midtempo and the live feel. The Cookies take the lead vocal. Again theres a fantastic sax break, this time by Dave ‘Fathead’ Newman, and possibly the best spontaneous (musical) yell in recording history from the great man himself. It is , for me. Soul Music personified.

Its amusing to me to listen to younger Soul fans who belign Motown for its ‘commerciality’. Let me take you back to ’62/’63. No daytime radio to speak of, very little coverage at all of anything other than mundane top twenty music, so those of who cared became insomniacs.

Radio Luxembourg was our main source of listening to new American music. In my early teens there was a group of us who met in the playground to discuss our musical discoveries from the night before. As an aside, I can remember our excitement at trying to be the first to tell each other about ‘Green Onions’ after its first ever UK broadcast on ‘Luxy’ the night before !

Anyway, I discovered that at approx 1.15 am every morning, they played three tracks in a row on Luxy from a quirky little record label from the States called ‘Motown’. I had cottoned on to this and took my ‘tranny’ to bed with me much to the annoyance of my parents sleeping next door. I set my alarm for ten past one and it was here that I heard such gems as ‘You Lost The Sweetest Boy’, ‘Can I Get A Witness’ and ‘ A Love She Can Count On’………and then, one night, it happened, the guy played ‘Heatwave’ for the very first time. I had never before heard such an explosion of musical joy and soulfulness . I sat up straight in bed and thought ‘this is what I’ve been waiting to hear!’

I guess that many records have come and gone since that night which have replaced ‘Heatwave’ in my pecking order, but the sheer impact of that first hearing was a (musical) life-changer for me.

Leaping forward in time to the early 70’s, I would pick this deep soul ballad performance purely on the strength of Ms. Jones’s wonderful ‘preaching’ style of delivery. The song was, of course a big ballad hit for Jerry Butler and the Impressions in the late 50’s. Somehow, Linda Jones takes the song and personalises it in a way which makes you believe that she’s talking about her own experiences. I have no idea whether or not this was true but it is for me, one of the great vocal performances of the late 20^th Century. She died in tragic circumstances backstage at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem.

As you’ll find out later in this piece, I’m a great fan of Street-Corner Harmony and love the Vocal Groups of the 50’s/60’s/70’s. If I have one criticism of the UK Soulscene, it is that whichever scene you are talking about : Northern, Modern, Two-Step or whatever, they are all ‘tempo-led’. I guess this is because the music has had to evolve in clubs due to the lack of radio coverage. Consequently great harmony ballads like this one don’t have a ‘scene’ as such and can go sadly unnoticed.

It was’nt always this way. The most influential club musically for me was the original Twisted Wheel in Brazennose Street, Manchester. The resident jock at that time was Roger Eagle, a real pioneer of American Music – he did’nt care whether the dancefloor was full or not (it usually was anyway) He’d play a danceable track like ‘ Needle In A Haystack’ and then follow it with a ballad like ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’. Sadly we don’t have his type around any more.

The Cruisers’ record is a Philadelphia-production which , more than any other I can think of, combines the great traditions of 50’s Doo Wop harmonies with the much more advanced orchestral arrangements and production techniques of the 70’s. Its just a beautiful record.

I love funk, especially the instrumental kind and this one always makes me smile.

There are times when you listen to a group of 3,4 or 5 guys playing together and they hit such a tight groove that its hard to believe that there is more than one person playing. How can that many human beings be working together so sensitively that they swing ‘as one’ ?

That’s the way I feel about this record. There is’nt a dull moment from start to finish. Most amazing thing is, I understand, that there was a lot of internecine unhappiness amongst the Toronadoes at the recording date ! You’d never have guessed it. Brilliant record !

I had to try and get some Doo Wop in somewhere but I just could’nt whittle down the contenders so I chose this ‘tribute’ record instead. The Persuasions were an accapella outfit who recorded several albums in the 70’s. Their sound was a throwback to the mid-50’s street-corner vocal groups of the Flamingos, Harptones and yes, the Dells. This song was written by a man called Kenny Vance who interestingly is acreditted with belatedly coining the phrase ‘Doo Wop’ during the 70’s to describe the style of singing of those great groups he had heard as a kid.

The Persuasions take it and sing the song with a feeling which really moistens my eyes. They were looking for an echo, an answer to their sound, singing in doorways ,bathrooms and subways. Somehow, you close your eyes and you’re almost there with them.

This takes me back to the Soul Weekenders, especially Southport, where I ran a record stall for many years. The Modern Soul ‘family’ has always been a happy one in my experience and although I haven’t included many tracks from that era in this list, I’ve heard some great music at these events and if this had been a list of twenty there would have been more. I chose Beloyd because not only does it have the rolling rhythm and beautiful string arrangements so loved on that scene, it has truly uplifting and inspirational lyrics. This , for me , is the key.

OK, back to the sixties. My musical memories of growing up in Manchester are songs like this seemingly pouring out of every door, every pub and club. I’ve already mentioned the Wheel but that was’nt the only place in town.

This is a great dance record AND it enables me to get a Curtis Mayfield connection in somewhere. He was another icon of mine.

Curtis produced and wrote the song, and in fact, does a great version himself but this is the one I remember.

I haven’t mentioned Jazz at all in this selection but I could easily put together a list of Parker, Coltrane, Getz tracks that I also love. I’ve chosen this track because I think, out of all the various genres within the dance field that I’ve listened to or been involved in over the past 20 years or so, the one which has given me the most pleasure has been the hiphop-infused jazz-funk style of San Diego’s Greyboy.

Much of this material was captured by Ubiquity Records under a series of albums in the late 80’s/early 90’s known as the ‘Cookin’ series. OK, lots of samples we know but you cannot deny the inventiveness of the style and Karl Denson’s tenor-playing was par excellence. In the days when I ran a funk night this was always a floorfiller and probably still is amongst the newer generation of funk DJ’s.

That’s it. Hope you find something in here which you did’nt know and that you will check out and eventually love with the same passion that I do. Heres to the next 50(-ish) !

Bill Shannon

August 08

Adrian Owusu - guitars, oud & percussion with, The Heliocentrics

Adrian Owusu is an old friend who helps out with the shop from time to time. Andy Westbury & Adrian discovered Hip Hop together, Graffitti, DJing, buying Breaks, and were digging partners at the tender age of 16! You've got to check out the Heliocentrics when you have moment, you won't be disappointed pure class and musical talent.

1. FAMILIAR REALITY PT 1+2 – DR JOHN
2. INSIDE LOOKING OUT – GRANK FUNK RAILROAD
3. MORNING DEW – TIM ROSE
4. ITS ONLY LOVE – ZZ TOP
5. LITTLE MISS LOVER – JIMI HENDRIX
6. DIRTY HARRY – LALO SCHIFFRIN
7. WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS – JOHNNY JENKINS
8. DOGGONE – LOVE
9. TEMPE ARIZONA – KALEIDESCOPE
10. ONE WAY GLASS – MANFRED MANN

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"Kombine" as in harvester ....
(I've had this stupid nickname for years)

Originally from Bristol I've been collecting all styles of music since aged 15/16.  Started off on public enemy, de la soul, big daddy kane, soul to soul. Progressing on to collect most styles of music via house, drum and bass, hip hop, funk, jazz, library records, reggae,  etc etc etc... To pay for my collecting obsession I'm a music promoter (jazz cafe/ pigalle club london) 
Play out quite a bit in London, Digga Please? In brick lane and Nice Up which is monthly at the big chill house. I also used to own my own record shop called the Drum Major in Leeds and promoted gigs under the same name.

Thought the best way to kick off a top ten was to list my favourite finds in the store. 

1. Blood sisters - ring my bell
   Excellent playout reggae cover of the Anita bell disco classic
2. La Famille - all night long
   Another cover, this time a version of the Mary Jane girls...
3. Feel  - rock (over and over)
   I think this is actually my favourite ever find in eldica! High praise indeed... This is an amazing boogie twelve which builds up from a simple riff into a killer groove. It also (unlike a lot of boogie / disco) has a vocal to match the production.  I don't know much about the group, but to me it's a classic ...
4. Tony tee - reach out
   Another surefire club tune.. (for the ladies)
5. Globe and whiz kid - play that beat 7
   I dj at a sevens only night called digga please with my partner in crime Dj shepdog (nice up) the theme apart from sevens only, is playing all the early breaks and hip hop ala ultimate breaks and beats or the sort of stuff Bambaataa would have dropped back in the day. This record is always in the box.
6. Christine lewin - juicy fruit 7
   More lovers rock business, covering another soul classic
7. Futura 2000 - The Escapades of futura 2000
   It's all about the instrumental mix, the clash doing hip-hip
8. Disco dub band - for the love of money
   Very strange, dubbed out reggae with an almost disco feel
9. Sylvia striplan - You can't turn me away
   Had to buy this original twelve of one of my favourite all time tunes.. Nice one Roy.
10. The Masterdon committee - funk box
    Wicked electro party hip hip

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MAZDA’S SOULFUL TOP 10

1. THE RINGLEADERS – BABY WHATS HAPPENING TO OUR LOVE

2. HAL FRAZIER – AFTER CLOSING TIME

3. SHARPEES – TIRED OF BEING LONELY

4. BOBBY KLINE – SAY SOMETHING NICE TO ME

5. DENNIS EDWARDS – I DON’T KNOW HOW TO

6. EDDIE BISHOP – CALL ME

7. STEVE MANCHA – DID MY BABY CALL 

8. WILLIE T – THANK YOU JOHN

9. BARBARA LEWIS – THANKFUL FOR WHAT I GOT

10. THE DYNELLS – CALL ME

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Symon

I'm an unrepentant vinyl sniffer and Jazz addict. I use to run a record shop in Eastcote called Sellandby (and worked for nearly 20years in the South Harrow Sellanby before then) and can still be found haunting record-fairs, car-boot sales and record shops for my fix.

 

My Top Ten

INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH tunes  (in chronological order)

1. THE CHAMP (from "A New Sound, A New Star Vol.Two" Blue Note LP - BLP 1514, 1956)
2. SUMMERTIME duet with Lou Donaldson (from Blue Note LP "At The Organ - Vol.1" BLP 1551, 1957)
3. THE SERMON (from LP of same name - Blue Note LP - BLP 8011, 1959)
4. SEE SEE RIDER (from 'Home Cookin' Blue Note LP - BLP 4050, 1960)
5. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (from Bashin - The Unpredictable - Verve/HMV LP - CLP 1596, 1962)
6. WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF (Parts 1 & especially 2!!) From Verve LP of same name - VLP 9068, 1964.
7. I'VE GOT MY MOJO WORKIN (From Verve LP - VLP 9123, 1966)
8. SAGG SHOOTIN HIS ARROW (From Rootdown!) Verve LP V6-8806, 1972
9. PIPELINE (From Blacksmith Pride LP - PD6011, 1974)
10. TESTIYIN (From Jimmy Smith 75 Mojo LP - MJ 12829, 1975

My Top Ten

INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH tunes on 'BLUE NOTE'

1. THE CHAMP (from BLP 1514 - "A New Sound, A New Star, Vol.2", 1956)
2. JUDO MUMBO (from BLP 1525 - "At The Organ, Vol.3" in 1956)
3. SUMMERTIME duet with Lou Donaldson (from BLP 1551 - At The Organ Vol.1 1957)
4. ALL DAY LONG (also from BLP 1551, 1957)
5. AFTER HOURS (from BLP 1585 - "Groovin At Smalls" Paradise, Vol.1 in 1956
6. THE SERMON (from LP of the same name - BLP 8011 in 1959)
7. JOHNNY GOES MARCHING HOME (from BLP 4030 - "Crazy Baby" 1960)
8. MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (from LP of the same name - BLP 4078 in 1961)
9. I'M MOVIN ON (from LP of same name - BLP 4255 in 1967, rec:1962)
10. GROOVIN AT SMALLS (from LT 1054 - Cool Blues - rec:1958, rel:1980)