Check this very well done cover of “Nights” by Sy Smith featuring Rahsaan Patterson, who puts the special sauce on the jam. Enjoy.

Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of  Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade.  From a perspective of resilience,  the staying power of  this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.

While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of  of examples to show  the single’s reach and influence: (more…)

“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross was released in 1976 as a single AFTER the group The 5th Dimension covered the song. Both versions entered the charts on the same day. Diana’s version went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Soul Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts and won a Grammy. The 5th Dimension’s version peaked at number 80. To quote another Motown hit, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing Baby”.

Soulgigs.com brings you for the first time in the UK with a full live band
Pioneer and disco queen, Melba Moore

 Soulgigs.com is extremely proud to bring UK music lovers the Grammy nominated and Tony Award winning artist, Melba Moore, preforming with a full live band at Manchester’s Mint Lounge on April 26^th, Birmingham’s the Drum on April 27th, and London’s Jazz Café Sunday April 29^th.

A seasoned professional entertainer, Melba’s forthcoming album ‘Forever Moore’ will be released via her own label called A’Moore Music, Inc;  a message of independence, strength self-empowerment. Available worldwide, ‘Forever Moore’, will consist of ‘Love Is’, her single, which received two Grammy nominations for Best Short Form Music Video and Best Traditional R&B Performance.

Rising to fame in the early 1970s with her debut album ‘I Got Love’; Moore got her first Grammy nomination in 1971 for Best New Artist. Iconic for possessing a four-octave vocal range, Moore’s new album is going to support her shows and appearances worldwide.

“I’m so excited to be performing for my first ever live UK dates. This trip and these performances are well over due. My fans up and down the country will be treated to many of my classic material as well as tracks from my forthcoming album” says, Melba Moore.

Melba Moore’s previous work includes many a musical theatre stage performance for the likes of HAIR, PURLIE, TIMBUKTU, and Les Miserables. Melba’s extensive musical theatre background and experiences have certainly shaped her into the artist that she is to this day, and WILL deliver a great set.

Moore has starred with Beyonce and Cuba Goobing Jr, in the motion picture ‘The Fighting Temptations’ among other projects and is also working on an autobiography highlighting the highs and lows of her career to date.

Melba has enjoyed much success with chart topping songs during the early 70’s such as ‘Love’s Comin’ At Ya’, ‘Keepin’ My Lover Satisfied’, ‘Living For Your Love’, and ‘Read My Lips’. She achieved two number one hits on the Billboard singles charts for ‘Falling’ and ‘A Little Bit More’ a duet with the great Freddie Jackson.

Melba’s sound is timeless and her voice is classic, having had eleven U.S top ten hit singles and albums on the Billboard pop, R&B, Disco, and Dance album charts over a period of 40 years she is one of the most inspirational artists of this recent century.

For more information and tickets visit: www.soulgigs.com

“The Sound Of Philadelphia” by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) featuring vocals by the group The Three Degrees was written by Philly Soul legends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the theme song for the television show Soul Train.  The song reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart in 1974.  Although the song was re-recorded in different versions over the different eras of black music (’80s R&B, New Jack Swing, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul) since 1974, “The Sound Of Philadelphia” remained the show’s theme song until the final episode in 2006.

Breaking out the vinyl for this 1981 dance classic from Denroy Morgan. Fellas, take the sentiment of this record and share it with that special lady in your life. Then let us know if you aren’t on easy street (at least for a while)! You’ve got college bowl games, NCAA hoops, the NBA kickoff and the NFL playoffs to get ready for. Start now!

Let’s just hope he got that other ‘situation‘ taken care of….

Another tune from the songwriting hand of Rod Temperton, Burn this Disco Out was the last cut from the Off The Wall album. Due to the incredible success of 4 top ten hits from this album, which had never been achieved before by a solo artist, this particular cut didn’t get as much attention as Rock With You or Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough however, in my opinion, it could have easily replaced Girlfriend as the 5th release from the album. Trumpeting it’s high energy intro and driving bass line, this song was definitely made for the club, better know as the disco. So move the couch and tables and groove with this funky tune!!!

No words necessary, Happy birthday to a living legend.

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