Message by Cherrie of High Stacks records, Memphis, on March 31, 1999:

We are co-sponsoring, along with The Luther Ingram Kidney Transplant Fund, a benefit for Luther Ingram to help offset the expenses of his recent kidney transplant. This is one huge event! After just a couple of days of phone calls, we have this preliminary lineup of entertainers: Johnny Taylor, J. Blackfoot, The Madlads, The Barkays, Eddie Floyd, The Temprees, The Astors, Sir Mack Rice, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Jackie Johnson, and Ann Peebles. This list will grow so stay tuned! The event will be held at the Four Points Sheraton, Democrat & Airways, Memphis, TN on July 25, 1999. Tickets to this event are $25.00 and can be purchased by contacting Randy Stewart at 901-320-7070 or by mail to The Luther Ingram Kidney Transplant Fund.

Also if you would like to contribute to the Luther Ingram Kidney Fund, the address is:

The Luther Ingram Kidney Fund

P.O. Box 42044 Memphis, TN 38174

Contact: High Stacks Records 901-320-7070 or Randy Stewart 901-789-1002

Go to review by John Ridley

926 East McLemore: A Reunion of Former Stax Artists on on High Stacks Records

A message from High Stacks records, Memphis: "High Stacks Records proudly announces the release of 926 East McLemore, a reunion of former Stax artists, on November 1998. Two years in the making, the hottest CD of the year is finally ready for release! 926 East McLemore is proof that the very music that made Memphis the music Mecca it is today is still setting the standard for musicians and entertainers everywhere. All new material by your favorite Stax recording artists has been compiled into this first volume of what is sure to be THE CD for every Blues, Soul, and R&B fan. Developed by a lifelong member of the Stax family, Bobby Manuel, this compilation offers the opportunity for Memphis' finest musicians to once again remind us of why they are the BEST! 926 East McLemore features the Funky Chicken himself, Rufus Thomas; The BarKays ("Soul Finger"); J. Blackfoot (Soul Children); the late Ollie Nightingale (Ollie & the Nightingales); Sir Mack Rice ("Mustang Sally"); The Madlads ("Don't Have To Shop Around") The Temprees ("Dedicated To The One I Love"); the Stax Rhythm Section (Bobby Manuel, Ronnie Williams, Steve Potts, and John Williams); the incredible Rance Allen (The Rance Allen Group); a never before released cut by Luther Ingram; and the fabulous Ben Cauley (Bar-Kays). Cover art for this CD is being developed by Ronnie Stoots, photography by Fred Toma, and liner notes from Deanie Parker and Rob Bowman. More volumes planned for the future."

... and here are some audio clips containing (edited) versions of some of the tracks on this CD:

  Ollie Nightingale - Another man's name

  The Mad Lads - Last thing on my mind (Somebody, somewhere)

  The Temprees - Just in time

  J. Blackfoot - Uptown lady

  Luther Ingram - How sweet it would be

For more information or to schedule artist interviews please call High Stacks Records, (US) 901-320-7070 or contact Cherrie. (November 1998).

Also Check out the High Stacks web site

Wilson Pickett inducted to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Wilson Pickett and the remaining temptations will be performing at the Alabama Music Hall of FAME induction banquet on January 29th in Huntsville, Alabama. tickets can be obtained by calling 256-381-4417. There will also be several other big country and pop acts performing. Pickett will be inducted. Keep up the good work.

(Message by Rodney Hall, Fame Records)

David Ruffin compilation on Motown

At long last Motown releases a compilation CD of the late David Ruffin's solo material, spanning 1969 to 1978. 20 tracks, including all of his solo soul chart 45's, as well as couple of unreleased recordings from the early 70's. (November 1998)

Kent (UK) to release Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Vol. 2

The long expected sequel to 1997's most popular deep soul collection is to be released on January 1999, again of course compiled by Mr. Godin.(November 1998)

Westside (UK) release Geater Davis first ever CD compilation

Spans the rough voiced, bluesy soul legend's releases from 1970 to 1975 on Seventy Seven, Luna, and Ace (MS, US). The title is "Sadder shades of blue (The southern soul sides)". (November 1998)

Autumn '98 Current Southern Soul Releases...

Paul Kelly - Let's Celebrate Life (Ripete) ... Jimmy Lewis - Beauty Shop Gossip (Miss Butch - that's his own label) ... Roy Lee Johnson (Blues/Soul veteran) - When a Guitar Plays the Blues (Southern Tracks) ...available in the UK from Voices from the Shadows, in the US from the big CD Web stores (see soulinks) (October 1998)

Upcoming new album by Sir Mack Rice

I received a note from Infi Records, a new record label in the US saying that recordings for this album have been completed, and it will be released soon. Watch this space for more news. Or you can contact Infi Records (September 1998)

Unbelievable new classic funk is being created in New York City!

If you like 60's and early 70's James Brown groove, check out the Desco Records site . I find it hard to believe that their records (good old 45's 7" and vinyl 12"!) are current recordings, but that's what they say! Sound clips available on the site, and you can order records directly from them.

Their roster includes Lee Fields, Sharon Jones, The Revenge of Mister Mopoji, The Other Side, Joseph Henry, The Daktaris, Sugarman Three plus more. (September 1998)

Upcoming rare Atlantic/Atco album by Rhino

For all of you who have wondered if anyone is ever going to release those Atlantic rarites that we know exist... the answer is Yes. Scheduled for release for sometime in 1999 is a 5 CD box of Atlantic / Atco soul, one CD out of which will be dedicated to relative raritites. Alas not a great chance for unreleased masters, as a fire in the early 70's has destroyed all pre 1970 Atlantic masters; the released ones had backups, but sadly not the unreleased.(September 1998)

Upcoming Film with Soulful Soundtrack

Watch out for the soon to be released James Woods/Melanie Griffith film "Another Day In Paradise." I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I won't say more. (September 1998)

MIXED EMOTIONS by Toni Green - new CD produced by Quinton Claunch

Good to see Quinton Claunch back in the business. There's hardly a visitor to the Soul of the Net who will not know this name, but if there is, then shame on you, you should know that Mr. Claunch is the legendary ex-Goldwax writer and producer, the man who was behind a lot of the great recordings of James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, etc.

Toni Green is a lady with a beautiful voice, reminiscent of Shirley Brown.

The album, recorded in Memphis at Willie Mitchell's Royal Recording Studio, contains 11 tracks, in the current southern blues/soul vein.

For ordering information, contact Avanti Records, PO Box 5982, Pearl MS 39288 USA, phone (1) 601 939 6868 fax (1) 601 932 3038

MAN OF MY WORD - New CD by Soul Giant Johnny Adams, on Rounder Records

Sadly, Johnny Adams has passed away just weeks after the release of this album. While he recorded this set he was already suffering from the abdominal cancer that finally took his life. May he rest in peace in that soul heaven in the sky.

Personally I have not yet heard this CD, but Mr. Len Romano, Sheffield ex-pat living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who wrote the sleevenotes for this, says that it's a traditionally recorded and produced set, using a full horn section, Hammond B3, and subtle playing from all concerned.

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