THE 67th MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 67th Mix for F.S.V.B, Featuring some Great Soul Music from the 70's & 80's. 

Its been Mixed by Heavy Soul Brutha, Its called "My Heart & Soul", there's some classic tracks on here, including Delfonics, Persuaders, Moments, Curtis Mayfield, Major Harris & Luther Ingram!

Check Out Web Page For Track Listings and Download.

My Heart & Soul! by Heavysoulbrutha on Mixcloud

MAZE ft FRANKIE BEVERLY Part 5 (& final)

In 1989, nearly 4 Years had passed since the Last "Maze" Studio Album (Cant Stop The Love) was Released, Maze had now Signed to Warner Records, and their First Release was entitled "Silky Soul"

It again Attained "Gold Status" with Chart Positions as Follows:

US Pop Number 37, US R&B Number 1 and in the UK Album Chart it Reached Number 45.

Three Single Releases saw "Cant Get Over You" (My Favorite) Reaching Number 1 in US R&B Chart, "Silky Soul" Getting to Number 4 and "Songs Of Love" getting to Number 37!

It was again, another 4 Years before the Next and Final Studio Album was Released by Maze, 1993 saw the Album "Back To Basics" Released, as usual just about all Tracks were Written by Frankie Beverly!

It Attained "Gold Status" with Chart Positions as Follows: US Pop Number 37 and US R&B Number 3.

3 Singles were Released, with US R&B Chart Positions in Brackets (The Best Track on the Album) "Laid Back Girl" (15), "The Morning After" (19) and Finally "What Goes Up" (32).

By this Last Album the Band Line-Up was as Follows:

Frankie Beverly....Lead Vocals, Synths, Percussion, Drums.
Mckinley  "Bug" Williams.....Background Vocals, Percussion.
Roame Lowry....Background Vocals, Congas.
Robin Duhe...Bass.
Ron Smith..Lead Guitar.
Billy "Shoes" Johnson..Drums.
William Bryant...Keyboards.
Phillip Woo... Keyboards

Still in the Band some 18 Years later are, of Course Frankie Beverley, Bug Williams and Roame Lowry!

In fact Maze are still Touring to this Day, they were at the "O2" in London , last April. On 31/12/2010 they are Performing in "Miami" and Next Year on 12 February, they are in Concert somewhere in "Texas"

A Few  other "Maze" Releases over the the Years, are as follows:

1996... Anthology, which attained Gold Status
1998...Greatest Slow Jams

2004...Greatest Hits

On the 12" Single Front, Funnily enough "Joy and Pain" was never Originally Released as a "A Side" back in 1980, but over the Preceeding Years, its been Released several times in Differing forms, during 1981,1989, 1995, 2001 and 2007!

During 2003 Maze also Released a Recording on DVD from the 1994 Concerts, called "Live In London"  I have this DVD, its Probably the Best Live Concert Dvd, I own!

If I had to say a Band or Singer I wished I had Seen in Concert over the Years that have Passed,  I would Probably say "Maze"

Another thing concerning "Maze"....... I cant understand why they have Released so few Albums, since 1977, its only been 8 Studio Albums, not too Many!

An All Star Tribute Album (to Maze) was Released a couple of years ago, Featuring a lot of Big Name Artists, Check It Out!

Anyway they are still going Strong, so perhaps in the Future!

Checkout a Few Maze Videos 

DownLoad Some Maze Here 

Heres the Last 2 Albums

A FEW OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONGS

Heres a Few of The Best Christmas Songs.

First is Mavis Staples with the Soundtrack to The Best Christmas Movie "Christmas Vacation" Must of Seen this 20 Times now, its Still Funny!



Next its Jose Feliciano with Feliz Nevada (Merry Christmas)this was Featured in the Ben Affleck Movie "Surviving Christmas"



The Drifters Featuring Bill Pinckney and Clyde McPhatter singing "White Christmas" from 1954.



Last but not least, The Boss "Al Green" Singing "What Christmas Means To Me" from 1986, I see Al Green in Concert this Year, Probably the Highlight of my Year!

THE 66th MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 66th Mix for F.S.V.B, a Christmas Special Mix, including some Soul, Funk, Rap, Blues, Reggae and Jazz.

Its been Mixed by Stevie G, Its called "Black Christmas Part 2", there's some classic tracks on here, including James Brown, Staple Singers, The Emotions, Louis Armstrong, Jackson 5, and Jose Felicano!

Check Out Web Page For Track Listings and Download.

THE ISLEY BROTHERS 3+3.... Part 9 (and final)

In 2001, The Isley Brothers Released their 28th Studio Album "Eternal" it was 5 Years since the Last Album and the First Isley Album in over 10 Years as a Duo with Ernie joining Main-stay Ronald, Marvin had left the  Previous  Year with Diabettes (later Marvin was to lose Both of his Legs through this Illness and later Die).

The 14 Track Album was on "Dreamworks Records" (which was Part Owned by Steven Spielberg), and aimed at a Younger Audience, with "R Kelly" Writing and Producing, in fact R Kelly wrote the song "Contagious" for this Album, which turned out to be The Isleys Biggest Selling Single in nearly 20 Years!

Other Producers on the Album were Ronald Isley, Jill Scott, Jam and Lewis, Raphael Saadiq and Angela Wimbush (she had a much smaller part on the Album and by the following year, her and Ronald Isley were Divorced)

The Platinum Selling Album reached the following Chart Positions in US Pop Number 3 and US R&B Number 1.

Single Wise, there was 2 Releases "Contagious" and "Secert Lover" Contagious got to Number 3 in US R&B Charts!

A Couple of other Points concerning this Album,  A Great Cover Version of the "Chicago" Hit "If You Leave Me Now" and the Backing Singers "JS" (The Johnson Sisters) about 4 Years later "Ronald Isley" would Marry one of the Sisters!

By Early 2002, Ronald had Divorced Angela Wimbush after nearly 10 Years of Marriage! so she would not Feature on the forth-coming 12 Track Album "Body Kiss" in 2003.

The Isleys were still a Duo, but Nearly all Writing, Arranging and Production was Handed over to "R Kelly"and the Result was, The Isleys had their Biggest Album for Nearly 30 Years, it was Number One in US Pop and R&B Charts!

The Album was again on "Dreamworks" but as it turned out this would be the Last Album with them, and it Attained Gold Status!

Surprisingly the 2 Single Releases (What Would You Do and Busted), only got minor Chart Placings!

2 Tracks Featured other Notable Artists including "Busted" which Featured "JS" and "I Like" which Featured "Snoop Dogg"

During 2004, Ronald Isley was on Tour in the UK,When he Suffered a Mild Stroke, which led to the Tour being Cancelled!

In September 2005, Ronald Isley Shocked most People by Marrying one of His Backing Singers, Kandy Johnson, she was  half of the Duo "JS"  She was 28 Years of Age and Ronald by now was 63!

By 2006, The Last Isley Brothers Album to Date, was Released (unless you count His Solo Album which was Released in November of this Year), It was Entitled "Baby Makin' Music" on on the Def Soul Record Label.

After the Success of the "R Kelly" influenced Previous Album, many People were Surprised to see his only involvement on this Album, was a Duet on the Track "Blast Off"

The 11 Track Album, had Multi Producers and Charted High in US Pop (5) and US R&B Charts (1).

It contained 1 Single Release "Just Came Here To Chill" which only faired modestly in Charts.

Much of the Album was Dedicated by Ronald Isley to his new Wife!

As for other Albums Released by The Isley Brothers During the 2000's, there were Several Compilations and in 2007 there was a Christmas Release "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

As you are Probably aware Ronald Isley was Charged and Convicted of Tax Evasion about 3 Years ago, this Charge related to the Period from 1976 to 1996, He was Sentenced to Prison for 37 Months to which he served and was Finally Released on April 13th this Year.

Since His Release has he been Busy Recording His First Solo Album, which has now been Released, its called "MR I"

He was also Honoured at The Soul Train Awards 

Download some ISLEY BROTHERS
"ETERNAL"
"BODY KISS"
"BABY MAKIN' MUSIC"

Photo edit by my Grandaughter--Jessica

THE 65th MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 65th Mix for F.S.V.B, a Christmas Special, including some Soul, Funk, Rap, Reggae and Jazz.

Its been Mixed by Stevie G,  Its called "Black Christmas Part 1", there's some classic tracks on here, including Great Tracks by James Brown, Kurtis Blow, Smokey Robinson, Temptations, Run DMC, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Treacherous Three!

Check Out Web Page For Track Listings and Download.

BARRY WHITE Part 8 (and Final)

It was 3 Years since Barry Whites last Studio Album release (Put Me In Your Mix) in 1991, This 1994 Release for Barry White was his 19th and Last Album for A&M Records "The Icon Is Love" and as it Turned out, it was His Biggest Selling Album of all Time!

The 11 Track Album was Produced by several Different People including, BW, Jam and Lewis,   Chuckii Booker and Gerald Levert.

It was the Biggest Selling Album that Barry White had ever had, it Attained Double Platinum Sales in US and his First Chart entry in UK for 16 Years, and it was Generally Cited as BW's Best Ever Album!

The Chart Postitons were as follows: US Pop number 20, US R&B number 1 and UK number 44.

The Album contained 5 Single Releases with "Practice What You Preach" Reaching Number 1 in US, but the other 4 Releases did not do to well!

Love Is The Icon, Come On, I Only Want To Be With You and There It Is.

In July of 1999, 5 Years after his Last Album,  B.W released his First Album for "Private Music" it was His 20th and Final Studio Album of All Time!

It was called "Staying Power" and it again attained Gold Status and with Chart Positions as Follows: 43 on US Pop Charts and Number 13 on US R&B Charts!

It was Produced by B.W and Jack Perry.

Only 1 Single was ever Released "Staying Power" which Reached Number 45 on US R&B Chart.

A couple things were a bit different for B.W on this Album, he had a Couple of Duets with "Chaka Khan" and "Lisa Stansfield" He had only ever  Duetted with Former Wife "Glodean White" before! and He Recorded a Couple of Cover Versions from other Artists, including  "Low Rider" by War and "Thank You" by Sly Stone.

The Following Year of 2000, B.W won a Couple of Grammy's for " Best R&B Vocal Performance" and "Best Traditional R&B Performance"

After His Last Album Barry White had been Unwell for a long while,(in fact while on tour in 1999, he had to cancel several Dates through Illness)  He had Chronically High Blood Pressure, brought on through his Size and Weight, this Resulted in Kidney Failure in the Autumn of 2002, about 8 Months later he suffered a Stroke!

From May in 2003, Barry White Retired from Public Life and Sadly on the 4th of July 2003, He Died (from Complete Renal Failure) at the "Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre" in Los Angeles!

Barry White was Cremated and On 20th September 2004, his Ashes were Scattered at Sea, off the California Coast by his Family and Friends.

Barry White (Born Barry Lee) was 58, when he Died, he had Fathered 8 Kids and Sold Over 100 Millions Record Sales!

Barry White had made a lot of  Great Music in his time and made a lot of People Very Happy Listening to it, (including 

Our Friend George)............
and he was a True Legend of Soul Music!

 PHOTO EDIT DONE BY MY GRAND-DAUGHTER -JESSICA

DOWNLOAD SOME BARRY WHITE!

THE 64TH MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 64th Mix for F.S.V.B,  Its a Frankie Beverly and Maze, there's some classic Tracks on here, Its called  Frankie Final!

Check Out Web Page For Track Listings and Download.


Track Listing

Before I Let Go
The Look In Your Eyes (Live)
Running Away
Back In Stride
Laid Back Girl
Golden Time Of Day
Joy And Pain
We Are One
After The Morning After
Happy Feelin's
Can't Get Over You
I Wanna Thank You
While I'm Alone
Silky Soul Singer (tribute to Marvin Gaye)

MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY Part 4

By 1982 Maze were Probably the Biggest Soul Band here in U.K, they had Sold out a 2 Night Stint at the Hammersmith Odeon, even though their Music was never played on Mainstream Radio and they had never appeared on British TV!

After the Success of the Tour, Maze returned home to start work on their New Album, by May of the following (1983) "We Are One" was Released, It was again on the Capitol Record Label, Produced by Frankie Beverly, but this was the First Maze Album, not to go Gold!

It Charted at number 25 on US Pop Charts and 5 on US R&B and 38 on UK Pop.   

It contained 4 Singles  with "Love Is The Key" being their Biggest Hit to Date. 

I think "Love Is The Key" is my Favorite Maze Track of all time!  

                                   US POP, US R&B , UK

Love Is The Key           80 ------- 5 ------- 88
Never Let You Down    0 ------- 26 ------- 0
We Are One                 0 -------- 47 ------ 86
I Wanna Thank You      0 -------- 59 -------0


During 1984 Maze had 3 Personel Changes, Phillip Woo, Keyboards, was replaced by Wayne Linsey.
Billy Johnson,  Drums was replaced by Tony St James and Ron Smith, Guitar was replaced by Wayne Thomas, an Original Maze Member, who had left 4 years previous!

By March 1985 Maze Released their Last Studio for Capitol Records,  the Result was "Cant Stop The Love" This turned out to be their first Number 1  Album (also went Gold) and their first Number 1 Single " Back In Stride" on the US R&B Charts!

The Album Charted at Number 45 in US Pop and Number 41 in UK Charts, it contained 3 Singles (Chart Positions in brackets)

                                        US POP, US R&B , UK 
Back In Stride                     88---------1---------79
Too Many Games               103--------5---------36
I Want To Feel Im Wanted   0---------28---------0
       
By 1985  Maze were Recieving Great Promotional Support from UK Club DJ's including Robbie Vincent, and during May, they Sold Out The Hammersmith Odeon, for 8 Nights Running!

I Believe Maze have appeared at The Hammersmith Odeon about 27 Times in total!

Around this Period of time Maze were Falling out with Capitol Records, Frankie Beverly saw Groups such as Earth Wind and Fire, Commodores all having Crossover Success, while Capitol were seen as not Pushing Maze enough to have a Commercial Hit Record!

The Outcome was, Maze were Contracted to Record one more Album for Capitol, So to get around this,  Another Live Album was Recorded! 

This was Recorded in 1986 in Los Angeles, It contained 9 Tracks, but 5 Tracks were included on the previous Live Album of only 3 years ago! 

Apart from reaching Number 12 in US R&B Chart, other placings were modest to Mazes usual Standards!

It would be another 3 years before their next Album Release.

Download...... All of Maze's Albums!

Watch out for FSVB Mix this week (Thurs), its a Maze Special!

THE 63RD MIX FOR FSVB

 Here's the 63rd Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Matthew Africa, Its a Tribute to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, there's some classic Chic, Norma Jean, Fonzi Thornton and Diana Ross Tracks from the  Late 70's / 80's on here, Its called  2 Busy Saying Yeah - The Chic Organization Pt. 1 

Check Out Web Page  For Track Listings and Download.