May 21, 2022

rocksteady reggae ~ Jamaica 1969


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Haunting rhythmic vocal side reissue pressed on a correct late 60s, "period-blue" Supreme label. The flip is, 'So Many Problems' by the Viceroys. The Supreme label was an offshoot/subsidiary label of producer Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label through the early 70s.
Recorded at Studio One in Jamaica in 1969, 'Whisper To Me' was originally pressed/released the same year on a blank Jamaican Estick label (also as Estic) with the B-side flip, 'I Need Love.'

If 'Whisper To Me' was ever intended to be officially released on any of Coxsone Dodd's stock, full design colored labels, it's anyone's guess. It never was at the time. Such is the case and mystery with many great Jamaican blank pre-release 45s.

Cecile Campbell joined Jamaica's, 'Soulettes' in 1968 during the middle period of the group's incarnation with Rita Marley (Bob Marley's wife) and Hortense Lewis (not to be confused with reggae soulster, Hortense Ellis).
She recorded two other 45s, 'Breaking Up' with Jackie Estick on the Studio One label in 1968 with the flip, 'Musical Scorcher' by the Sound Dimension (also pressed on Muzik City). The other, 'Shimmering Star' which was pressed on a blank Coxsone/Studio One pre-release label about the same time. Though not sure of the flip.

'The Soulettes' in 1968, left to right: Rita Marley, Nora Dean, & Cecile Campbell.
Nora Dean left the group in 1969, joined/replaced then by Hortense Lewis.

May 14, 2022

funk dancer ~ 1972


Music Hosting - Listen Audio - Bobby Byrd - Sayin' It And D...


Could argue that Bobby Byrd invented funk.
Always viewed Bobby Byrd and James Brown as one and the same. They needed each other. Their collaborations created so many amazing sounds.

In 1970, James Brown collaborated and started the Brownstone record label with Florida producer and future 70s soul disco pioneer, Henry Stone. Stone would later run TK records, Florida. From 1970 to 1977, the Brownstone record label released about eleven 45s. Most all funk/soul.

It's been written and documented that Bobby actually "discovered" the young James Brown in 1952 while playing baseball on a juvenile prison field in Georgia. James was serving time there for stealing clothes...

A dance side that needs to be played with some volume through speakers.
Sayin' it and doin' it are two different things.
True enough. Funk perfection.