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!