1981 FAMILY HOLIDAY

Readers of this blog will know, that when I once a fortnight write a Personal Life Blog Entry, I like to include some Sort of Music, well in my last entry I was going to include A piece about Smokey Robinson's Hit Single of about 30 Years ago "Being With You", thats when I remembered about our First Family Holiday back in 1981.

This Blog entry is actually going back to about 6 Months in time to the Last Entry!

It was around the period somewhere between 13 June to 25 June 1981, that we went to Butlin's in Clacton, I checked the Internet for confirmation about Smokey Robinson's Single,  because this was Number 1 in UK when we was on our Holiday!

It was me, Susan, Nathan and Natalie, my Parents and my 2 Younger Sister's and one of their Boyfriends. his name was Gary England (we still speak to him nowadays when we see him, but that is not vey often) If I remember my Parents paid for us, we just had to get Spending Monies!

It was going to be a Great Holiday, I remember them (my family) saying we will look after the kids each night, so you and Susan can go out together! this of course never Happened, the only time we went out on our own, was during the Day!

I used to have a Game of Snooker every Day with Gary, that was Great. I remember going on the Giant Scaletrix with Nathan, not forgetting going in the "Pig and Whistle" that was a pretty Good Holiday!

I remember one Day we all walked to Clacton Town Centre, I remember this because my Youngest  Sisters Boyfriend (Les Horn) never came on Holiday with us because he was Working, so we went to Buy Him an Vinyl Album, he liked Heavy Metal, so we got him, I think an "Iron Maiden" Album!

I said this was our First ever Holiday, as a Family and I believe it was my First Holiday since I went to Switzerland with the School, back in around 1972/73, and as it turned out this was also our Last Holiday together, until we went to Cornwall in 1995, some  14 Years Later! 

As I said previously between the Dates of 13/06/81 and 27/06/81 Smokey Robinson had the Number1 Single in th UK, "Being With You" this turned out to be his Last ever Number 1 as a Solo Artist in UK!

This also turned out to be SR biggest Solo Hit Ever, Worldwide!

THE 62ND MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 62nd Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Vinyl Escape, there's some classic British Jazz Funk Tracks from the  80's on here, Its called Funk the British Part 1 !

It features some Level 42, Hi-Tension, Average White Band and Incognito.

Check Out Web Page  For Track Listings and Download.

Funk The British ~ Vol. 1 by Vinyl Escape on Mixcloud

THE ISLEY BROTHERS 3+3.... Part 8

2 Years had passed since the Last Album Release "Spend The Night" in 1989, The First Isley Brothers Release of the 90's in 1991, was entitled "Tracks Of Life" it Featured Ronald with Younger Brothers Ernie and Marvin, this was First Album in nearly a Decade to  include the Younger Isley's.

It also turned out to be the Last Studio Album on Warner Brothers Records and the Last Studio Album for about 5 Years, the Album included 14 Tracks (a big change from previous Releases which normally had no more than 7/8 Tracks) it was also again Produced by Ron Isley along with Girlfriend "Angela Wimbush"

It reached Number 140 in US Pop Chart and Number 19 in US R&B Chart.

It contained 2 Single Releases with US R&B Positions in brackets:

"Whatever Turns You On" (46)

"Sensitive Lover" (24)

For the next few years, Ron Isley/ Isley Brothers were very Quiet Musical Wise, in 1993 2 things happened though, firstly Warners Released a "Isleys Live Album" which included 11 Hits and a 4/5 Song Medley, this was Produced by R.I and Angela Wimbush, and the Second thing to happen in '93 was, Ron Isley Married Angela Wimbush!

1996 marked a Comeback for The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley, after no Studio Albums for 5 years, (but plenty of work Guesting on others Artists Albums) the Album "Mission to Please" was Released, it contained All Ballads (10) and  was the the one and only Album to be Released on Island Records!

It was a return to Commercial Success, with the Album attaining "Platinum" Status, their first Album in 13 years to Achieve this, it also Reached 31 in US Pop Chart and Number 2 in US R&B Chart. 

In the previous few years Ron Isley had featured on a few Tracks with R Kelly etc  this had brought The Isleys to the attention of a Younger Audience, so when this Album was made a lot of Younger Musicians amd Singers were Featured, Babyface, Keith Sweat, R Kelly etc , alongside Marvin and Ermie Isley, and of course "New Wife" Angela Wimbush!

Another thing Ron Isley had introduced in several R Kelly Single Releases was a Video Villain by the name of "Mr Biggs" this had started in the Single "Down Low" and this Character has continued for the rest of his Ron Isley's  recording career!

The Album contained several Great Ballads, including US Pop and US R&B Positions in brackets):

"Lets Lay Together" a collaboration with R Kelly (93 and 24) 

"Tears" written by "BabyFace" (55 and 12)

"Floating on Your Love" a Duet Angela Wimbush (47 and 14)

Download the Albums:

"Tracks of Life"

"Live"

"Mission To Please"

"Selection of Isley Brothers Music"

THE 61st MIX FOR F.S.V.B

 Here's the 61st Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Stevie G, there's some classic Soul, Funk and Hip-Hop Tracks from the 60's, 70's 80's and 90's on here, Its called Jam-the Old Skool mix !

Its features Kool and the Gang, Carl Carlton, Gap Band, SugarHill Gang, GrandMaster Flash and Lakeside!

Check Out Web Page  For Track Listings and Download.

CHRISTMAS 1981 and MASS PRODUCTION

 By Christmas 1981, we had been in the flat nearly 2 Years, can't say I remember too much actually about the Christmas Period, but the 2 things that stands out the Most around this Time are, First of all we were going to be Moving to a 3 Bedroomed House (Rented from the Local Council) and Secondly, after 9 Months of  Working at a Place I Hated, I was Leaving!

First Moving, I cant remember all the Circumstances, but what I do remember is , our 2 Kids were a Boy (aged nearly 3) and a Girl (aged nearly 2), and we lived in a 2 Bed Flat, so we Needed a Bigger Place!

Just before that Christmas, we had recieved a Letter from the Council, saying we were being Considered (along with others!)  for a Move,  and would we like to be Considered , but we knew this Meant, the House was probably ours!

We actually knew where the New House was, and during the Christmas Period we took the Kids in their Pushchair / Pram, to have a Look through the Window, it Looked Great through the Window, I can Remember a Lovely Fireplace, and I believe it was fitted with a Gas Fire!

As for Losing my Job, now Most people would have been Miserable, Losing your Job right on top of Christmas, but I was the opposite, I was Happy!

I Hated the place, what had happened was they decided to lay off Several Worker's, on the Last Come/ First Out Basis, and that was me, Sacked! (Thank God), but  I knew knew I would soon get another job!

One thing I do remember about the Last Day working (that was Christmas Week) we were all called into the Factory Manager's Office, one by one, to get our Last Wages, an explanation and some Goods!

Now the Manager's name was Fred, I can't remember his last Name, but he was a Right Tw*t, he thought he was something Higher than any of the Worker's!

Anyway to my Surprise he was Really Nice and Really Sorry about Laying me off! in fact he gave me More Wages than I should have had, plus he gave me (and the others) a Food Hamper, it had loads of different Meats , Drink etc etc!

And to Top it all off, he said I'll give you a Lift Home with all your Stuff, but I had a Bike at that time, and when I told him this, he said that's alright and put the the Bike in the Boot of his Car!

 What a Shock that all was, so we ended up having a Decent Christmas after all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Checkout the photos of Natalie, one on the Settee in the Flat (above) and the one to the Left is Natalie with Susan (at Susan's Mothers House) as I have said Previously these are the Earliest/First Photos we have, read my Earlier Blog Entry!

Music around this time, I remember the Album "Turn Up The Music" by Mass Production That was a Great Album as were all of their 8 Releases between the Years of 1976 and 1983, plus at a "Best Of"  Album in  1996.

The Best Track on the Album was the Title Track, Have a Listen! "Turn Up The Music"

THE 60th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

 For the 60th Mix for FSVB, I have a couple of James Brown Mixes,  Mixed by DJ Rom and DJ Gil Flash, both are members of the Website:
ORIGINAL  FUNK MUSIC.COM 



CHECK OUT THE "ORIGINAL FUNK MUSIC" PAGE FOR DOWNLOADS, MORE MIXES & SOME OTHER GREAT INFO!

MIXED BY DJ ROM



01 - "super bad intro"
02 – “payback”
03 – “funky drummer”
04 – “after you done it”
05 –  “cross the track (we better go back)”
06 – The JB’s “pass the peas”
07 – “more peas”
08 – “down and out in new york”
09 – “the boss”
10 –“give me some skin”
11 – “soul power”
12 – “blow your head”
13 – “king heroin”

BY GIL DJ FLASH

1- MAKE IT FUNKY
2 – THE PAY BACK
3 – PASS THE PEAS
4 – IT'S TOO FUNKY IN HERE
5 – SEX MACHINE
6 – GRAVITY (12′ INCH)
7 – LET'S GET PERSONAL
8 – GET UP OFFA THAT THING

MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY Part 3

Over the period of the next 2 Albums, Maze moved around the Country (USA) quite a bit (Recording Wise).

For 1979 Release "Inspiration" the Band moved to Louisiana to Record it, by this time "Maze" were known as "Album Sellers" rather than "Single Hitmakers" This and the next 2 Releases were all on Capitol Records.

The Album went "Gold" again and it reached Number 33 in US Pop Charts and Number 5 in US R&B Chart.

It contained 2 Singles "Feel That You're Feelin' ( 67 US Pop and 7 US R&B) and "Timin' (55 US R&S).

During most of 1980 Maze took a break from Touring, during this period they made a few Personnel Changes:  Ron Smith replaced Wayne Thomas on Guitar, Billy Johnson replaced Ahaguna Sun on Drums and Phillip Woo replaced Kevin Burton on Keyboards.

The Band moved again, this time to Sausulito, just outside of "San Francisco" to Record the next Album, the Album was the Great "Joy and Pain" the Title cut is Probably "Maze's" Signature / Greatest Track and the Most Requested in Concerts, but it was never Released as a Single!

The Album again went Gold peakin' at 31 in US Pop Charts and reaching 5 in US R&B Chart.

The 2 Single Releases were "Southern Girl" reaching Number 9 in US R&B Chart and " The Look in Your Eyes" reaching 29 in US R&B Chart.

During their time "Maze" have released 2 Live Recording's on Vinyl/CD, The First being in 1981,  the Album entitled "Live In New Orleans"  it as previous Albums went Gold.

It was Recorded at the "Saenger Theartre" in New Orleans on 15 November 1980, this Venue was chosen as a "Thank You" to the People of New Orleans, as this was where Maze's first Album a few years earlier had "Broken First"

Maze appeared here for several Shows, but the Album was Cut from 1 single show!

6 Live Tracks and 4 Studio Tracks were used, 3 of the Studio Tracks were released as singles with R&B Chart placings in Bracket's: "Running Away" (7)  "Before I Let Go" (13) and "We Need Love To Live" (29).

Chart Positions for the Album were 34 US Pop and 3 US R&B.

The Album is reguarded as one of the "Best" Live Albums of all time by an R&B Act, it is Rated alongside James Brown's 

"Live at The Apollo"

Download some Maze

"Inspiration"

"Joy and Pain"

THE 59th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 59th Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by UNIQBEAT, there's some classic Soul and Funk Music Tracks from the 80's on here, Its called Aint Nuttin Like Da Ol Skool Part 1!

Its features Dennis Edwards, Controllers, Kleeer, Fatback Band, Lillo Thomas and Cameo!

Check Out Web Page  For Track Listing.

Aint Nuttin Like Da Ol Skool Pt 1 from uniqbeat at Letsmix.com.

SPIDERMAN and SADAO WATANABE!

A couple of incidents I remember about living in the Flat, concerned Nathan!

At that particular time his Favorite Kids Cartoon was "Spiderman" so we had brought Him a Spiderman Suit including the Mask, I'm not sure whether these were Pyjamas's but I think it was a proper Spiderman Suit.

Anyway I came home from Work one Day and Susan was in a Right State, Nathan had his Spidey Suit on and was running about the Flat as he usually did, but this time he tried to open one of the Lounge Windows to Fly out of!

Normally this may have been Alright, but we lived on the Third (top) Floor of a Block of Flats!

And down below outside the Flat Window, as I have said in Previous Post, was the Local Cemetery!

We Laugh about this now, but at that time it was very Serious, so after that time we had Locks put on all of the Windows!

Another incident which Nathan was Involved in was I had Brought an Expensive 7" Single, it was on the "Champagne Record Label" and was called  "Hunt Up Wind" by Hiroshi Fukamura with Sadao Watanabe, that was a Great Track, and may have been the Dearest Single I have ever Brought!

Anyway to cut a long Story Short, the Record had been missing for a While and I had looked Everywhere, but could not find it, in fact I Believe I had given up looking for it!

Then one day I went in the Airing Cupboard looking for something else, and to my Surprise there was my Missing Single, I believe it was under a load of Clothes etc, Great I thought, until I looked more Closely, as I have said before in the Flat, our Heating System was a 
Hot Air Blowers, and the airing cupboard used to get Red Hot!

The Single was Warped from one side to the other , it was Ruined, in fact it had Cracked, right across the middle, in fact I still have the Single, checkout the Picture above!

I can also remember another time, when somebody spilled a Full Cup of Coffee over a pile of my 7" Singles, luckily that time only the Sleeve's were Ruined!

Kid's are Great!