musicology #507

CoversWeek2 #4

(Cornell Campbell – Ten To One)

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Slipping back into the sweet sounds of Jamaica for today’s cut with a piece by one of the islands great artists the MAJESTIC and pioneering Cornell Campbell . A Cat who begun his recording career at the tender age of 11 in the mid 1950’s for Coxsone, moved on to record with King Edwards in the mid 60’s, harmonised within ‘The Sensations’ for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle, returned triumphantly to Studio 1 with ‘The Eternals’ and then begun a long solo career that continues HALF A CENTURY later to this day.

Here heard cutting his teeth on a Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions soul classic. As far as I’m concerned an absolute marrow trembler from start to finish and yet another musical diamond mined from the Studio1 archives. One listen should leave us in no doubt as to the influence both Curtis Mayfield and Coxsone Dodd had on Jamaican musicology….LISTEN TUNE.

musicology #234

inmodwetrust #1

(Walter Jackson - That's What Mama Say)

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new theme on themusicologist and one that is very much a part of my musical education due to the fact that both my mum and dad were first generation mod/ernists, (1962-1966). the cuts laid down this week were all played in and around London during the above period.

first up is a piece from one of the premier 'mod' labels, operating out of 'Chi', OKeh. A label that was one of the first to focus on 'immigrant' music in the 1920's recording many of the early Jazz pioneers such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet and Mamie Smith. After some time spent lost in the musical wilderness the company's fortunes were reignited by employing Carl Davis in 1962 as head of A&R who had the vision to employ Curtis Mayfield as associate producer in 1963 as well as three of the best arrangers Johnny Pate, Riley Hampton and Gerald Sims who is quoted to have said

"the Chicago sound came from basically one source...Curtis Mayfield"

This one from 1963 is sung by one of themusicologist's favourite singers, Walter Jackson. Produced by the aforementioned Carl Davis, arranged by Riley Hampton and songwriten by none other than Curtis Mayfield with, (possibly), the Impressions harmonising.

musicology #233

communication #11

(The Wailers - Dreamland)

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today finds themusicologist standing at a crossroads. November the 6th has, for 20 years, been a special day in my calender and today is no exception. Circumstances have changed which makes it all the more poignant as it's the woman who I have spent my life with's 40th birthday and even though our paths have taken different turns I will always cherish and love her.

This cut is, as far as I'm concerned, the Wailers at their best. 'Bunny' delivers lead on this one with Peter and Bob harmonising in true Impressions style and it's yet another piece of majesty from Coxsone Dodd's Studio1 label. I grew up listening to and being inspired by Third World's version of this song from their 1977 '96 Degrees In The Shade' LP and much as I cherish that version this 'marrow trembler' brings me to my knees whenever I hear it.

musicology #166

malevocals2 #4

(Leroy Hutson - Paradise)

LISTEN

today’s cut is an 80’s Soul & Boogie classic from a man whose apprenticeship was served under one of the genres undisputed kings…Curtis Mayfield. Originally a member of vocal group ‘The Nu Tones’, he went onto feature (along with Donny Hathaway), as a member of the ‘Mayfield Singers’ after hooking up with him at Howard University.

multi talented as Singer, Songwriter, (he co-wrote Donny’s solo anthem ‘The Ghetto’), arranger and musician. he took over from Curtis as lead singer of ‘The Impressions’ in 1970

in 1973 having served his apprenticeship he went solo and released some extra fine work especially on his Hutson, and Hutson II albums. This one is a later work, (1982), taken from his only album for Elektra.