Syl Johnson

The debut CD, Eyes of the City from Chicago-based Blues/Rock axeslinger Vince Agwada is one of the most powerful debut efforts to come along in quite some time. Coming in at just under 78 minutes, this CD is a fascinating sonic journey that seamlessly spans numerous genre without skipping a beat.

"Messin' With The Kid", on which Wells comes on like a young Muddy, proved to be a great success in the clubs and even provoked a response from Muddy, which he typically called "Messin' With The Man". The rest of the session produced another version of "So Tired" and a further attempt to emulate the hit formula of "Little By Little". It was called "You Sure Look Good To Me" and must have made some impression, for it turns up word-for-word three years later masquerading as "Oo-Wee Baby" on the Chess "Folk Festival Of The Blues" album.

In the '70s, harmonica man Billy Branch was one of the young upstarts helping to keep the Chicago blues sound alive; in the 21st century, he's matured into one of the Windy City's most venerable blues talents, and as a musician and educator, Branch has spread the word about the blues across the country and around the world. Branch has led the Sons of Blues, his backing band, since the mid-'70s, and despite numerous personnel changes, the SOBs have never wavered in their dedication to pure, unadulterated Chicago blues.

Guitarist Rico McFarland gets a lot of help from his friends on this, his debut CD. Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, Teela, and Billy Branch (one of a trio of harmonica players) all chip in. McFarland grooves on "Blues Falling Down Like Rain" and "Tired of Being Alone" (not the Al Green song) and displays his guitar prowess on "Johnny B" while taking it easy on "The Other One"; Teela's alto delivers "You Got What You Wanted" on a silver platter. A unique blues set that lovers of the genre will find little to pout about, its fresh sound is heighten by earnest, heightened performances.

Willie Mitchell - Willie Willie Willie (1981) {Sequel NEMCD395 rel 2000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 221 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 83 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 23 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1981, 2000 Bearsville / Sequel Records | NEMCD 395
Soul / Funk / R&B / Soul Blues / Piano / Trumpet

Best known as the man who signed Al Green to Hi Records and as the producer of Green's most popular records, Willie Mitchell had a successful recording career of his own during the mid-'60s before meeting Green. Born on March 23, 1928 in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell was raised in Memphis and began studying music and arranging at an early age, taking up the trumpet at the age of eight and learning from pianist Ozie Horn (as well as drawing from such influences as Roy Eldridge and Harry James). After he was discharged from the Army in 1954, Mitchell moved back to Memphis, where he soon became a popular, local trumpet-playing bandleader – Elvis Presley hired the big band to play several private parties. By 1959, Mitchell had turned his attention to studio work and signed on with Hi Records; he is often credited as being the creator of the oft-copied and instantly recognizable Hi sound (churning organ fills, sturdy horn arrangements, a steady 4/4 drumbeat, etc.).

Billy Price and Otis Clay: Two singers separated by a generation come together in a performance that moves the Southern soul tradition a little bit further up the road. Pittsburgh rhythm and blues singer Billy Price and deep Southern soul/gospel icon Otis Clay worked with masterful guitarist/producer Duke Robillard to create their first full-album collaboration, This Time For Real On This Time for Real, the singers have selected an array of soul and R&B songs from the catalogues of artists including Joe Tex, Sam & Dave, the Spinners, Los Lobos, Syl Johnson, and Bobby Womack as well as new versions of two songs originally recorded by Clay. The two friends have performed and worked together occasionally since 1982, but this is by far their most extensive collaboration to date.

Faith Akin's 2009 comedy Soul Kitchen followed the adventures of a handful of eccentrics and bohemians who operate and patronize a rundown eatery in Germany, and true to the title the film's soundtrack album features plenty of classic soul and R&B tracks, as well as selections from the movie's original score. Soul Kitchen includes numbers by Al Green, Ruth Brown, the Isley Brothers, Dyke & the Blazers, Quincy Jones, and others; the collection also includes vintage reggae from Burning Spear and contemporary German techno and dance music by Deichkind and Solomun & H.O.S.H.