Norman Jay MBE :: Good Times :: 30th Anniversary Edition

This Summer, Strut Records teams up with one of the most revered of all DJs, Norman Jay MBE, to celebrate 30 years of Good Times, the party that changed the face of the Notting Hill Carnival and which has become a Summertime fixture at festivals worldwide.

Jay set up his first sound system, Great Tribulation, in 1979 with his brother Joey which became Good Times Sound System in 1981, the start of a 30-year residency at Notting Hill Carnival. Norman changed the face of the music played there, introducing a range of gritty, soulful styles to complement the predominantly reggae-based sound systems. The move paved the way for the open-minded Carnival we know today, with Good Times still at its core.



From Good Times, Jay's career burgeoned. He became a key DJ during the '80s London rare groove scene, hosting a series of legendary clubs – Shake 'N' Fingerpop, High On Hope (inspired by New York's Paradise Garage) and famed sessions at London's Bass Clef (later the Blue Note), all of which built his reputation for open-minded soulful selections spanning soul, funk, disco, early house, reggae and hip hop. Through his club nights, he was one of the first to introduce legendary US DJs like Tony Humphries, Louie Vega and Blaze to the UK. Further success followed - he was one of the founders of London station Kiss FM and ran the seminal Talkin' Loud label alongside Gilles Peterson at Phonogram.

Jay's tireless work as a DJ has earned him many accolades – he has appeared on the BBC's Question Time, and received an MBE for his work in 2002, the first time any DJ had received such an accolade.



In the wake of his many achievements and the ongoing success of Good Times, Jay has enjoyed a series of essential compilation albums on React, Resist, Nuphonic and Azuli stretching back to 2000, as well as a recent spin-off album, 'Good Times Australia'. Now, the maestro returns with a special 30th Anniversary collection for Strut, another bumper set of genre-hopping classic and rare Good Times favourites. Tracks include boogie rarity 'Dreamin' by short-lived band Zalmac and Fries & Bridges' 'Forever This', a 4x4 belter featuring an early vocal by chart superstar Cee-Lo Green. Jay touches on independent hip hop with Basement Chemist, jazz grooves courtesy of Kira Neris and Attic Tree, skanking reggae from Jacob Miller and doo-wop soul courtesy of Little Anthony & The Imperials.

Norman Jay presents Good Times 30 is released on CD, LP and download. For the CD and LP formats, leading journalist and author Lloyd Bradley interviews Norman Jay for an extensive career-spanning sleeve note. The package also features rare and unseen photos from across Norman Jay's career as a DJ.

Click here to receive a free MP3 of "Ted Taylor - Ghetto Disco"

Tracklist
1. MARK CAPANNI – I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
2. AVERY SUNSHINE – I GOT SUNSHINE
3. TED TAYLOR – GHETTO DISCO (Edit)
4. ZALMAC – DREAMIN’
5. TERRI WELLS – WHO’S THAT STRANGER
6. LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS – I DON’T HAVE TIME TO WORRY
7. MARIO BIONDI – MY GIRL
8. JACOB MILLER & INNER CIRCLE – TIRED FE LICK WEED IN A BUSH
9. THE BASEMENT KHEMIST – EVERYBODY (L I F E)
10. J BOOGIE’S DUBTRONIC SCIENCE feat. GOAPELE and CAPITOL A – TRY ME (People Under The Stairs Remix)
11. ATTIC TREE – VOAR
12. CURTIS MAYFIELD – VICTORY
13. DANTE – FREAK IN ME
14. FRIES & BRIDGES – FOREVER THIS
15. THE DETROIT EXPERIMENT – THINK TWICE (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
16. ASHLEY SLATER – PRIVATE SUNSHINE

Norman Jay MBE :: Good Times :: 30th Anniversary Edition Available Worldwide July 19

Rahsaan Patterson :: bleuphoria

LOS ANGELES – Mack Avenue recording artist and soul innovator Rahsaan Patterson continues to push the boundaries of soul music with the release of his latest project, bleuphoria (July 19). His latest effort, bleuphoria, takes listeners on a sonic ride showcasing Rahsaan’s diversity in music genres from gospel to classic R&B soul to new age funk but also dissects the transcendence of an artist who conquers personal fears and artistic growth unfolding-beautifully through every song. Filled with signature Rahsaan infinite octave-ranging ballads (Goodbye and Miss You), hypnotic mid-tempo tracks (Stay With Me, 6 AM and first single Easier Said Than Done), funk-drenched club grooves (Ghost featuring Jody Watley) and genre-bending studio experiments (Crazy [Baby] and Mountain Top), bleuphoria is yet another testament of why Rahsaan decided to move in front of the microphone after years of being a successful songwriter.

“This album is a summation of my worldly experiences and really offers musical insight into my journey and what has influenced and inspired me over the years,” says Rahsaan. “Of course I’m rooted in classic R&B soul but I’m so much more than one category and this album is the proof.”

An array of renowned recording artists lend their talents on bleuphoria including Jody Watley, the legendary Tata Vega, gospel great Andrae Crouch and his choir, Shanice Wilson, Lalah Hathaway and Faith Evans, further solidifying its importance in the ever evolving genre of soul music.

Listen to the first single 6 AM

Rahsaan Patterson - 6 AM by ThinkTank Digital



Visit Rahsaan Patterson's Mack Avenue Artist Page to preview bleuphoria


Image by Raj Naik

Roy Ayers Documentary Coming Soon!

The Roy Ayers Project is first and foremost a documentary, produced by digital media professionals, telling the life, music, and philosophy of the great Roy Ayers. It is also art, talented artists who use their gifts to express themselves through canvas, murals, and other mediums capturing the spirit of Roy Ayers. It is also performance, bringing together Roy Ayers himself with talented musicians to perform live at venues across the country. The Roy Ayers Project is about sharing the essence and legacy of one of the greatest musicians ever to live. The trailers below are the first and second installments of the documentary, which features the legendary drummer from The Roots, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Hip Hop DJ, writer and entrepreneur Bobbito Garcia. Look for the full documentary to debut in the Spring of 2012. For current information about the Roy Ayers Project be sure to follow on Twitter, join on Facebook and visit the Website.

Hi-Fi :: Animated Tribute To Blue Note Album Covers

Because On The Verge Music is a huge fan of Blue Note records and a collector of classic Blue Note recordings, we really dig this totally swingin' animated reenactment of some of Blue Note's most iconic album covers. The video was created to promote an Italian pub (Buena Vista Socical Pub) in Italy and directed by Italian video designer Bante. Enjoy!

Bradd Marquis :: Authentic

AUTHENTIC Album Review by Angela Lester

Bradd Marquis’ sophomore album AUTHENTIC is all about starting over. Marquis’ Debut Album, Finding My Way (2007 Bradd INC/Elam Records) was a concept album, not just an album full of singles as so many are these days. The same can be said of AUTHENTIC. Marquis goes from breaking up to finding a new love. He takes the listener on a journey that is intimate and definitely AUTHENTIC. I want to take the listener through the journey.

Starting with 'Don’t Belong Together,' Marquis immediately reminded me of Teddy Pendergrass. For those of you too young to remember Pendergrass, that is a definite compliment. The track features strong vocals including a surprising falsetto and a full sounding brass section.

'Slow Down' moves the listener along to meeting a new love but he isn’t quite ready to move on. The track features strong drums and a rich harmony.

On 'Trust Your Heart' Marquis seems to be truly sharing his experience at how hard it is to find true love

'I Want to Be In Love,' the first single off of his new album, starts with a sigh. That single sound drew me in. He is still in search of love and it is a truly heartfelt ballad. The track sounds “full” unlike many of today’s R&B singles. The song sounds as if it is backed by a full orchestra.



I must admit 'Good Man' is my favorite track. The song makes me want to set Marquis up with a good woman. As the refrain says, "No good man’s supposed to sleep alone.” This track not only speaks to the listener emotionally, but provides a background of music that compliments Marquis’ baritone and is also great to listen to alone.
'Gameface' provides a short interlude. Marquis gives us a break from a very personal and emotional album.

The rest of the album reflects so much of the current environment. 'Here We Go' is a hooking up song as is 'Hott Body' which is a straight dance song. Marquis lets us know that he has finally found love in 'You Got Me' which features a wide variety of instruments.

Marquis continues the album with 'All of Me,' a tightly arranged track with a soft, mellow feel that showcases his fine baritone, and 'Still Got Love' a reflective, uplifting song about life’s choices.

Marquis finishes the album with a re-mastered version of 'Radio' a song that originally brought him to the notice of New York listeners.

Bradd Marquis is a fine new voice in the soul music genre. AUTHENTIC debuted on April 12 and is available on iTunes and CDBaby. Learn more about Bradd Marquis at http://braddmarquis.com and view the video above for his first single 'I Want To Be In Love.'

Ben Williams :: State Of Art

Bassist Ben Williams, Winner of 2009 Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition,Releases His Debut Album, State of Art (Concord Jazz). Album Draws From Jazz, Hip-Hop, R&B & Classical Music With Covers of Michael Jackson’s “Little Susie,” Stevie Wonder’s “Part-Time Lover,” Goapele’s “Things Don’t Exist” and The Bold Jazz/Hip-Hop Meeting, “The Lee Morgan Story” feat. John Robinson & Christian Scott. read more

Thelonious Monk Documentary (Full) :: Straight, No Chaser

One of jazz's most brilliant composers and influential musicians takes center stage in a docomeentary that shows Monk in performance and behind the scenes. Documentary about legendary jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk. Much of the film is centered around the six months of footage cinematographer Christian Blackwood shot of Monk in 1967-68. The footage reveals a lot about Monk's personality, including his dramatic mood swings, his eccentric behavior, as well as his sense of humor. The footage also shows Monk "behind the scenes" in the studio and on tour in Europe. Interviews, photos and many of Monk's songs round out this biography. Enjoy the full documentary above. Thanx to http://jazzpages.tumblr.com/ for posting this documentary on youtube and thanx to Donna M. over at http://twitter.com/elementsofjazz for the tweets.