To The Lady In The Spotlight – A Midsummer’s Nightingale Playlist

There’s a long tradition in vocal stylings in which people aspire to being as great in a field as their predecessors. Notably, years of women that birth’d Jazz loved those Blues and Gospel singers that gave them the extra edge over some people that weren’t exactly naturals to the style. Some of those Jazz singers…

Not Too Late for more 1968: A Riot of Righteous Women

Today, November 17th 2009, is when I started the journey towards being a Vinyl DJ and a more serious music blogger. So in a measure of thanks, I’m speeding up my normal as of the past year trying to post a new mix and accompanying blog as we head into Thanksgiving week so you’ll have…

The Real McCoy: The All Too Real Hustle of Van McCoy

It’s really telling as I searched the wide web of inter that I couldn’t seem to find an image of a Pre-1970’s Van McCoy.  Given his parity in age, and his extensive catalog of works he created, it’s a sign that he remained much the constructor behind the scenes, not really becoming of note until…

Mary – Very – Proud: Late Sixties into Seventies Sister Soul

 When we look back at late 60’s Soul Music in terms of a transitional period that saw the rise of women’s liberation, we know one name in particular: Aretha. True to life, from 1967 through 1974, she sat on multiple thrones. She had major hit singles on both the R&B and Pop charts, critically acclaimed…

Purification & Ponderance, Your Pisces Pre-Fixing For Spring Mix.

We’re coming to our last Mixcloud of the Astrological year as we welcome Pisces Season. The Jupiter meets Neptune sign of the fishes is full of inspired performers of mystical powers that tell tales of all that came before and release so it can all be re-born at the Aries point at the start of…

Erma Franklin “Don’t Wait Too Long” (Epic 9559-B, 1963)

Erma Franklin “Don’t Wait Too Long” (Epic 9559-B, 1963) *Happy Birthday Erma Franklin* The oft overlooked older sister of The Queen of Soul would have celebrated Birthday 78 this March 13th. Although scoped out for secular music ahead of her sisters, Erma was actually a year behind Aretha for signing with a record label. She…