Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington, Jr. in Rogers, Texas) was one of Southern Soul’s most uncompromising performers blending gospel, country and rhythm & blues into his repertoire. After winning several revues at the famed Apollo Theatre Tex signed to King Records, in 1955 and recorded a succession of singles for the label from ballads to rockers. A session at Muscle Shoals in 1964, with the singer now signed to the Dial label, produced Tex’s first R&B #1 with the straight ahead R&B ballad ‘Hold What You’ve Got.’ Over the next 10 years Tex racked up numerous R&B and Pop hits including arguably his most well-known song ‘Skinny Legs And All’ in 1967 (R&B #2) and ‘I Gotcha,’ his fourth R&B #1 in 1972.
BBR is proud to bring you HOW HIGH, the seventh instalment of our Salsoul Orchestra reissues. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA was the brainchild of once MFSB member and legendary vibraphonist, Vince Montana Jr. Formed in 1974, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, house band for the remarkable Salsoul Records, sometimes featured up to 50 members amongst its ranks including a number of former musicians from MFSB, and fused elements of Funk, Latin, Disco and Philly Soul into their compositions. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA began an eight-year recording period in 1975 releasing eleven sensational albums during that time featuring production input from, Stan Lucas, Patrick Adams, Bunny Sigler and Tom Moulton through the years.
BBR is proud to bring you UP THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, the sixth instalment of our Salsoul Orchestra reissues. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA was the brainchild of once MFSB member and legendary vibraphonist, Vincent Montana Jr. Formed in 1974, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, house band for the remarkable Salsoul Records, sometimes featured up to 50 members amongst its ranks including a number of former musicians from MFSB. THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA began an eight-year recording period in 1975 releasing eleven sensational albums during that time featuring production input from, Stan Lucas, Patrick Adams, Bunny Sigler and Tom Moulton through the years.
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA was the brainchild of once MFSB member and legendary vibraphonist, Vince Montana Jr. Formed in 1974, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, house band for the remarkable Salsoul Records, sometimes featured up to 50 members amongst its ranks including a number of former musicians from MFSB, and fused elements of Funk, Latin, Disco and Philly Soul into their compositions. Conducted and arranged by Montana, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA began an eight-year recording period in 1975 releasing eleven sensational albums during that time featuring production input from, Stan Lucas, Patrick Adams and Bunny Sigler through the years.
Digitally remastered edition of the Jazz bassist's 1974 album. Monk Montgomery is widely recognized as being perhaps the first electric bassist of any real significance to Jazz and introduced the Fender Precision Bass to the genre around 1951 however he is more famously seen playing the Fender Jazz Bass which would become his signature instrument alongside his use of a double bass. Monk Montgomery released a number of solo albums and in 1974 found himself signed to the legendary Philadelphia International Records where he released his fourth studio album, Reality. The album was produced by Bobby Martin who also lends his musical skills on the Fender Rhodes alongside Ron Kersey on guitar and Vince Montana on the vibraphone. Liner notes by Discussions Magazine's Stephen SPAZ Schnee.
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA was the brainchild of once MFSB member and legendary vibraphonist, Vince Montana Jr. Formed in 1974 THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, house band for the remarkable Salsoul Records, sometimes featured up to 50 members amongst its ranks including a number of former musicians from MFSB of the Gamble & Huff fronted Philadelphia International Records and fused elements of Funk, Latin, Disco and Philly Soul into their compositions.
Few artists can fuse genres as effortlessly as Linda Lewis. Gifted with an incredible 5 octave vocal range, her unique sound contains elements of Folk, Soul, Pop and Rock and has won the admiration of artists from Stevie Wonder to Paul Weller, Jamiroquai and Noel Gallagher, who Linda recently recorded backing vocals for.
During their most commercially successful years, Heatwave were a band that crossed many borders, laying claim to such international hits as Boogie Nights , Gangsters Of The Groove, Too Hot To Handle, The Groove Line and Always And Forever, all having a huge impact on both sides of the Atlantic. The members of Heatwave hailed from all over the Globe, making this group a truly international act in every sense and contributing to their unique and highly influential sound.
During their most commercially successful years, Heatwave were a band that crossed many borders, laying claim to such international hits as Boogie Nights, Too Hot To Handle, The Groove Line, Eyballin’, and Always And Forever, all having a huge impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Heatwave’s fourth album, Candles, saw Johnnie Wilder Jr take on the producers role alongside James Guthrie, best known for his work with Pink Floyd, returning to work with Heatwave since serving as an engineer on both Too Hot To Handle and Central Heating.
With four successful albums behind them in nearly as many years, and despite the fact that they were in the beginning throes of the bitter end of the band, Heatwave brought their fifth album, Current, to bear in 1982 and scored another Top 30 U.S. hit to boot. With producer Barry Blue again at the helm and with another clutch of Rod Temperton-penned songs behind their substantial R&B chops, Heatwave was able to add one final feather to a cap that history continues to seriously underrate.