THE 103rd MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 103rd Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Nathan Blake, its called "Nathan Blake Goes Bananas", there's some Classic 80's Soul and Dance on here, including: Maze, Joyce Syms, Jody Watley, Freeez, Steve Silk Hurley and Whispers !

Press play button below or to Download go to WebPage!

I ARRIVE @ WORK and SAM COOKE

After about a 45 minute Flight, and endless North Sea, we arrived where the Gas Platform was situated, in the area called The Leman Gas Field.


The Platform I was on was like 2 Platforms/Rigs joined together, it was Huge, the Helicopter circled it a couple of times, I looked out the window and saw the Big "H" on the Landing Pad, and we were about to Land, then I had to remember what they (back at the Heliport) told us about getting off the Helicopter!

That was Quite Nerve-Racking, the Landing, I thought one mistake and we are in the North Sea, all of a sudden, we were on the Platform and out of the Helicopter and walking to the side of the Landing-Pad, where a Trap-Door had opened up! I remember the Wind up there, it was really windy plus the Helicopter Blades, as they don't stop them, it was like an Hurricane!

We all had to file down the Iron Steps (under the Trap-Door) to an Area where it was checked to see if we were all there! (in case anybody had jumped over the Side, lol). 


It seemed to take ages, to get to the place where we checked and then given all Safety Instructions, on what to do if certain things Happened, that again was Nerve-Racking to hear for the First Time!    

They said "Sometimes the Alarm may go off at any time, and to Meet at a certain Muster Point on the Platform" they also said "As this is a Gas Platform, it may go off more often than a Normal Rig" I thought to myself "They are just saying this to get you Prepared, in case it might go off, but probably Never will" (little did I know, what would happen later)


Anyway we (the Newbies) were given all Work Details etc, I was not in the Main Kitchen (Galley) Area, but in the Area where all the Contractor's on the Platform had their Meals, I was Happy with that!


I had my own Stewart, if I needed any Help with the Daily Running of our Kitchen & Small Restaurant/Eating Area, He obviously had other Duties, i.e "Making the Bunks" Cleaning of all area's etc etc


The Stewart turned out to be a German  called "Peter" from a place called "Ormesby" about 8 miles from where I lived, and it was his First Trip out as well, which was handy for me!


Little did I know then, but my First 24 Hour's Onboard the Platform, was going to be Terrible and that Night, the Alarm would go off Several Times!

As for Music, what about the Great Sam Cooke, my Favorite Track by the Man who Invented Soul Music was "A Change Is Gonna Come"  it was written and originally Released by Sam Cooke in 1963, but was Re-Released shortly after his Death in late 1964.


It's a Fantastic Song, concerning Discrimination and Racism in the US, around that time Period,  but only a modest hit by Sam Cooke Standard's, it reached Number 31 Billboard Hot 100.

He wrote the Song after Hearing Bob Dylan's Hit "Blowin' In The Wind"

Have a read of the Lyrics, Press the YouTube sign at bottom of Video!

THE 102nd MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 102nd Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Nathan Blake, its called "Nathan Blake Does Earth Wind & Fire, there's some Classic EW&F on here, including: In The Stone, I Cant Let Go, Boogie Wonderland, Got To Get You Into My Life, Let's Groove and September !

Press play button below or to Download go to WebPage!

THE BEST SOUL BANDS / ARTISTS OF THE ALL-TIME # 3...MARVIN GAYE Part 4

This Series of Post's concerns in my Opinion The Best Bands/Artists of all time.

I will write a Short Bio including  the Band Members/Artist, some Facts and figures, their Histories,  Links, Videos, The Tracks they made Famous, Links to Download etc etc

I will continue the series with the Best Soul Vocalist from Tamla Motown Records................MARVIN GAYE. Part 4.

In the Spring of  1977, Marvin Gaye Released "Got To Give It Up" some said this was his attempt at Disco Music, but whatever it was, it Reached Number 1 in US (his 3rd), and has it turned out, to be his Last in his Lifetime!

It was taken from the 2 Million Selling Album "Live at the London Palladium" it was the only Studio Track on there!

During March of 1977 MG's First Marriage to Anna Gordy finally came to an end (after about 13 years, although they were apart for about the last 4 years) and it was agreed that some of the Revenue from next Album, would go to his Ex Wife, it was a Double Album called "Here My Dear" most of the Tracks concerned the Marriage Break-Up.  It was Released in late 1978.

Only 1 Single was Released from the Album in early 1979, that was called "A Funky Space Re-incarnation" it reached Number 23 on the R&B Charts, but it failed to Chart on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, his First Failure for 17 Years!

During 1979 MG did the "Talk Show Circuit" in the US, he also Toured the US, England and Japan.

Also during middle to late 1979, MG again faced Financial Troubles and also Second Marriage Troubles, he was seeing Janis Hunter before his First Divorce and Married for the Second time soon after.

This Second Marriage lasted less than a Year, but they did not Divorce until February 1981.

After Performing  Concert's in Hawaii during September of 1979, MG decided to stay there for a while, he did not have to Pay Taxes there and he was also back into Drugs, plus he feared if he went back to the US, he would be Imprisoned by the IRS for Non-Payment of Taxes!

By 1980 Marvin Gaye had Re-Located to London England, he still Feared returning to US because of his Tax Evasion!

He did another European Tour during 1980, which included a "Royal Gala Charity Show" which MG turned up Late, and was then Sued by the Promoter "Jeffrey Kruger", this was later settled out of Court!

By late '80, Marvin Gaye (still living in UK) had been working on his next Album for a while, he had changed the Title several times and the some of the Tracks. He finally settled on the Title "In Our Lifetime" and sent the Tapes of the Album back to the US, for Motown to listen and respond to!

But Motown by now were tired of Waiting for MG to make New Music and soon as they got the Tapes, they went ahead and Remixed and Edited some of the Tracks and also Changed the Artwork on the Sleeve and slightly changed the Album Title, and then Released the Album on 15 January 1981.

Marvin Gaye was Livid and Vowed never to work for Motown again!

By the Summer of '81, negotiations were underway, with Motown for Marvin Gaye's Release, he was offered several different Deals by other Record Labels, but in the end he chose CBS Records, and joined them in March of 1982.

After Touring the UK and finishing with 2 Concert's in Belgium in Early 1981, Marvin Gaye decided (after advice from his Belgium Concert promoter) to move to Ostend in Belgium, it was Dual Purpose, he wanted to cut down on the Drugs, he was taking again and he wanted to get himself Fit again "Emotionally and Physically"

While in Belgium, Marvin Gaye had a Video of his time there, recorded, it was called "Transit Ostend" give it a look, its a Great Insight to Marvin's Life!

Download the Albums: "Live at the London Palladium"
                                       "Here My Dear"
                                       "In Our Lifetime" 
Also Download about 25 Marvin Gaye Album's

THE 101st MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 101st Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed for the Website "The Rub", its called "Hip Hop History Volume 1-1979, there's some Classic Hip  Hop on here, including some GrandMaster Flash and the Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, Sugarhill Gang, and The Fatback Band!

Press play button below or to Download press Kadoo and go to WebPage  to see Complete Track Listings!

THE NORTH SEA and GREAT MUSIC!

After picking up several Workers on the route to the Heliport at a Place Called Beccles, (which is about 15 Miles from where I was Living), we had Arrived!


It was still about 2 Hours to take-Off and still Dark, but we all had to go through a Safety Film and Talk, they tell you all about what to do if the Helicopter goes down in the North-Sea, that was Riveting, and I think it was about this time, I was wondering what I had got myself into! 


After about 2 Hours of sitting around and listening to someone tell you "How Not To Drown, if you Fall in the Sea" the Call came over
the Intercom, Please get your Lifejackets on and get ready for the Flight to "The Leman Field"


By this time I wouldn't say I was Scared, but I was about Half a Stone Less in Weight then when I first Arrived at the Heliport!

I remember going through all these different Checks, until we were moved to another part of the Heliport, we could now see in the Winter Day-Light (November 1983) the Helicopter's through the windows, they were Noisy as Hell!


Then we Finally got the word and we were walking over the Tarmac, towards the "Paraffin Budgie"


I Finally got on the Helicopter and to my seat, the First thing I always remember thinking "Christ, its Stinks in here" the Aviation Fuel was so Strong, you could Taste it!


So with the Terrible Smell and the Deafening Noise, it was something I would not recommend, but, I suppose now over 25 Years later, that aspect has no doubt improved! 

After what seemed Hours (probably only minutes) of just sitting there , looking out of the windows, we finally started to move, we moved right along the tarmac area and then back again, what the hell was going on! I thought.


Then we sat there again for ages, then suddenly, the Rotor Blades, seemed to go 10 times Quicker (and noisier), and we just went up in the Air!


It was Fantastic, I know I was not there for the Helicopter Ride (but, to go to work) but it was Marvelous, and all my Fears, just went, like that, the Sights down Below were Great!

I remember looking out of the windows, trying to spot a Landmark I knew, as we only about 15 Miles from my Town, and to my surprise in about 10 minutes we were actually over the Back-Way to our House, we backed on the a Large playing Field's, and I spotted them and in turn I see our House!


It turned out that the Helicopter's Flight Path, went from Beccles Heliport over to Great Yarmouth (near where we lived) and then out to the "Leman Gas Field" in the North Sea.


Next I could see was the  Seafront at Great Yarmouth and then just Sea for Miles and Miles!

As for Music in 1983, some Great 12" Singles were Released including "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie, "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume, "Crazy" by the Manhattans, "Aint Nobody" by Rufus and Chaka Khan. My favorite out of those 4 , would be "Rufus"

I remember back then, I used to record my Vinyl onto Tape, to listen to through my Walkman, well I say Walkman, actually I never had one of those (could not afford one) I had a Cheaper Version, but I always had the "Rufus" Track back to Back with the Dennis Edwards  Track, "Don't Look Any Further" (which came out the following Year) Great Music!

THE 100th SPECIAL MIX FOR F.S.V.B

To Celebrate the 100th Mix for F.S.V.B, George the DJ has  Mixed a Special Collection of Tracks from my 2 Favorite Artists of All-Time, the Great Slave and the Even Greater Al Green.

It's a fantastic Mix, from 2 Performer's of Differing Material, and of course also included in there are some Steve Arrington (& Hall of Fame) Track's! See full Playlist Below.

I have seen both Al Green and Slave in Concert, both were Great, Slave was in 1984 and Al Green last year, I may get another chance to see Al Green in the Future, but Slave is a different story!

Thanks to George for a Great Mix from 2 Great Artists (3 really) Checkout the links to George's Sites, where you will find Plenty of other Great Mixes, and Info on Booking Him for your Special Occasion, in the Manteca Area of California!





Press Play or go to Kadoo to Download!


THE FULL TRACK LISTING.........


1) Al Green - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
2) Al Green - Look What You Done For Me
3) Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You
4) Al Green - Tired Of Being Alone
5) Al Green - Let's Stay Together
6) Slave - The Party Song
7) Steve Arrington's HoF - Weak At The Knees
8) Al Green - You Ought To Be With Me
9)  Steve Arrington's HoF - Nobody Can Be You
10) Slave - Just a Touch of Love
11)  Steve Arrington's HoF - Way Out
12) Al Green - Sha La La (Make Me Happy)
13) Slave - Watching You
14) Al Green - Full Of Fire
15) Al Green - Let's Get Married
16) Slave - Snap Shot (G's Edit)
17) Steve Arrington - Dancin' in the Key of Life
18) Slave - Stone Jam
19) Slave - Slide
20) Slave - Wait for Me

THE BEST SOUL BANDS / ARTISTS OF THE ALL-TIME # 3...MARVIN GAYE Part 3

This Series of Post's concerns in my Opinion The Best Bands/Artists of all time.

I will write a Short Bio including  the Band Members/Artist, some Facts and figures, their Histories,  Links, Videos, The Tracks they made Famous, Links to Download etc etc

I will continue the series with the Best Soul Vocalist from Tamla Motown Records................MARVIN GAYE. Part 3

In 1972 Marvin Gaye came out of Stage Retirement to Perform at Selected Venues, it was around this period that He Released the Soundtrack Album to go with Movie "Trouble Man"


1972 also saw MG sign a New Contract with Motown Records, it was rumoured to be worth $9 Million Dollars! it gave him more Control over his Music and was the most lucrative Deal for a Black Performer at that Time.


By late '72 MG had Moved from Detroit to Los Angeles and began working towards his next Album Release!

Marvin Gaye Released the Single "Let's Get It On" in June of '73, it went to Number 1 and was MG's second Million Selling Single on the Billboard Top 100, with the Success of this single,  He decided to drop the Social Topic's he Sung about on his previous Album (What's Going On) and Revert back to his "Sensual Style of Music" and the Album "Let's Get It On" was Written and Released by August of 1973. 


The Album contained 2 more Singles, including "Come Get To This" and "You Sure Love To Ball" this Single was not Promoted by "Motown" as it had a lot of Sexual Content!

October of '73 saw the Release of the "Diana & Marvin" Album, it was well over a Year in the making, it was said, Diana Ross, who was Pregnant at that time, Refused to Work with Marvin Gaye, on a lot of the Sessions, because of his Smoking and Drug use, the result was most of the  Album was Recorded Seperately and dubbed together at a later date!    


SEE THE END OF THIS POST FOR TRACKS FROM THE ALBUM!  


January 1974 saw Marvin Gaye Return to Touring. one of the Date's on the Tour in "Oakland, California"  was recorded and Released as a Live "Album" in June that Year! 

The Song "Distant lover" was so Well Received on the Tour,  it was Decided by Motown to Release it as a Single in Late 1974, and after this the "Marvin Gaye Live Album" Sold over 1 Million Copies!


1975 saw MG Producing for other Motown Act's including The Miracles and Yvonne Fair.

Marvin Gaye's Album Release in 1976 was his First for 3 Year's, it was called "I Want You" the Title Track was a Chart topping Single in the R&B Charts and a Top 20 Pop Hit!


The other Single Release was "After The Dance" which was also a Chart Hit.


Also in 1976 Marvin Gaye faced a few lawsuits against him, including some from former Musicians, (about pay) he also faced Bankruptcy and Prison, because of his Failed Alimony Payments to his Former wife, how he Avoided this, was to Agree with the Court, to Tour Europe again (his First overseas Tour for 10 Years) and to pay his Former wife, from some of his Royalties! 

MG Performed all over europe, including Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France and the UK, the Concert at The London Palladium was Recorded and Released in Early 1977 as a Double Album.


After the European dates had Finished he returned to the US to continue to Tour.  


To read a couple of Great in-depth Article's on Marvin Gaye, Press 1 and 2


DOWNLOAD SOME MARVIN GAYE MUSIC!





ALL TRACKS FROM THE DIANA & MARVIN ALBUM INCLUDING THE 4 BONUS TRACKS!

COMING NEXT WEEK............

THE 99th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 99th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Blunted Stylus, its called "Fusion Vinyl Set, there's some Classic Jazz Fusion on here, including some Jeff Lorber, Billy Cobham, Alphonse Mouzon, Flora Purim and Idris Muhammad!


Don't forget, Next Mid-Week is the 100th Mix for F.S.V.B, so Something Special coming up!

Press play button below or to Download go to WebPage  to see Complete Track Listings!