(Michael Israel – Badness)
day two of the jamboree with a ‘one tune’ tribute to Jamaican Music ambassador and long time musicologist Michael ‘Mikey Dread’ Campbell who, sadly, succumbed to a Brain Tumor, 10 days ago….never knew the man but know, appreciate and value the man’s music
Respect is due…Rest In Peace.
(Bobby Bland – Ain’t Nothing You Can Do)
themusicologist is a place to share, communicate and connect and one of the things I have learnt over this past year is that the message is in the music but it’s not always the one were looking for.
the universal language speaks to us all but not necessarily about the same topic…I’m laying down this selection as a ‘theme of no theme’..a complete ‘Jamboree Bag’ where anythings possible… a tune a day to help keep the wolves at bay.
almost every day while listening to music a tune will come on and I’ll think to myself… “I’ll have to lay that piece down one day”.. but often find themusicologist in the middle of a ‘session’. so for the next few weeks it’s random..just good old BOSS sounds of all flavours and vintages.
starting with the majestic, late night, 1964 sound of Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland who, as a member of the Beale Streeters along with Johnny Ace, BB King, Junior Parker and Rosco Gordan, was there at the birth of Rhythm and Soul in the early 1950’s. A big Mod/ernist favourite who carried the swing for many years and possessed the special ability, (that the greats share), to make each recording his own. From 1950-1970 Bobby Bland was a powerful force in the development of the vocal style known now as Soul.
listen the ride……..
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #36
(New Establishment – People Skanking)
final cut from Jackie and the last of the six/six/six. it was a toss up between this and a tune called Wall Street, (which is one of my personal favourites), but I went with this one because, for me, it sums up perfectly how music can give you the strength, (and courage), to keep on ‘stepping’ in the right direction. One of those ‘call to arms’ tunes that not only communicates but also delivers…another diamond from the Studio1 showroom that does exactly what the title suggests.
just leaves me to thank you all for listening and the six artists;
Sam Cooke / Stevie Marriott / Alton Ellis / Curtis Mayfield / Paul Weller and Jackie Mittoo for providing the ammunition over the past six weeks to ‘lick shot’
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #35
(Wailers – Rude Boy)
penultimate slice of musicology on the six/six/six and one from Jamaica’s most famous vocal group, The Wailers.
Not sure whether this had a UK release at the time? the one we are hearing is taken from the Coxsone Import 45. But with a title like ‘Rude Boy’ it wouldn’t have got much promotion on these English shores. As we all know the Wailers went on, (certainley Marley anyway), to become a household name. Jackie Mittoo on the other hand didn’t receive anywhere near the recognition that he deserved for all the musicology he brought to each and every Studio1 session from 1963 up to his emigration to Canada in 1969? which is, unfortunately, an all too common story when it comes to the cats who played the instruments.
Arranger, Piano player session leader and all round musicologist it would have been Jackie, (as much as any single artist), that drove the music towards the Spaghetti Western influenced, Gun Man Style that was to become more popular as the times got tougher and the rudies got ruder in Kingston, Jamaica.
for themusicologist Jamaican music is still the ‘voice of the people’….how long will it last? only time will tell but from 1962 to today it has always reflected and communicated the thoughts and feelings of the ‘man on the street’ .. and this one is no exception.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #34
(Karl Bryan & The Afrokats – Money Generator)
no post yesterday…got caught up in too much ‘he say she say’ which took the wind out of themusicologists sails so couldn’t find the enthusiasm and motivation to invest the time, emotion and energy required for posting so thought it best to let yesterday go.
it’s a hard life and no mistake when you have to fight every inch of the way…it’s relentless and you can’t let your guard down for a minute and when you do there’s always someone ready with a metaphorical, (or if you’re really unlucky a physical), snaking jab, right hook, ‘glasgow kiss’ or a good old kick in the bollocks to remind you of the ‘struggle’.
anyway enough of that…just wanted to let youse know where themusicologist is ‘at’ and why I left you ‘swinging’ yesterday. Todays cut finds Jackie Mittoo keeping not only keeping time with his organ playing but also supervising, arranging and maybe even writing the music for this session.
for themusicologist this period of Studio1 musicology is beyond compare…the Golden Age where everyone involved at Brentford Road was at the top of their ‘game’.
One of the reasons Studio1 became such a mecca for the islands musicologists is that Coxsone would let the cats smoke the collie at the Studio, (something that no other recording studio allowed at the time), helping create the vibes that allowed such innovative and emotional music to flow.
We all know that many a musician has leaned on the ‘green crutch’ throughout history and Jamaica is no exception…no doubt it enhances creativity, supresses hunger and ‘packs up your troubles in the old kit bag’ while under the influence and Coxsone who didn’t encourage it, but was smart enough to know it’s positive qualities, turned a blind eye.
love this haunting, melancholic, emotion charged slice of musicology and for me the title nails it it two words.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #33
(Cout Ossie & The Cyclones – Meditation)
words can’t do this one justice so I’ll leave it up to Count Ossie, Jackie Mitto and Leroy Sibbles to converse with you.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #32
(Bob Andy – Feeling Soul)
Donat Roy Mittoo was born in Kingston, (on March 3rd 1948), and grew up around music as language.
a child prodigy it was Clement Seymour Dodd, (Studio1 Boss), who presented him with the opportunity as a teenager (16 !!), to not only supervise the sessions at his newly formed Brentford Road Studio but also be a founder member of the legendary Skatalites…..
So let’s get that clear, Jackie Mittoo, (at the age of 16), joined some of the cream of Jamaican musicologists to heaed the greatest instrumental group to come out of Jamaica, as well as supervise the recording sessions at the birth of Studio1.
as that sinks in hold this next cut..it’s a Bob Andy classic from around 1969 I would imagine but it’s got Jackie all over it, (organist, arranger, musicologist), the only other backing musician I can be sure of identifying would be Leroy Sibbles playing bass..
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #31
(Jackie Mittoo – Juice Box)
final week of the six/six/six…and themusicologist would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much I have appreciated your support..last month, (and last week), set new records on themusicologist for ‘viewers/listeners’ which is encouraging. it means a lot to me to know that you are feeling the selection.
just as Soul would have taken an alternative route without Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield..the musical arts of Jamaica wouldn’t sound like they do without this next ‘artist’ whose skills as arranger, composer, player of instruments and ‘eye of the needle’ at the legendary Studio1 are well known to all who listen to Jamaican music.
many a great singer, song writer and instrumentalist has sprung from Jamaica’s well of musicologists but Jackie Mittoo’s contribution to developing the music known now as ‘Reggae’, (a one size fits all label that doesn’t have much meaning), demands and deserves a tribute selection in his honour.
this first cut from the album ‘Keep On Dancing’ was recorded and released in 1969 and features the man in his role as ‘Organist’, (one of the instruments that he went on to perfect..ranking with the best of ’em), wicked piece of Jamaican Funk for your Monday musical pleasure.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #30
(Paul Weller – Above the Clouds)
this final cut from the Paul Weller selection is taken from a concert recorded at Sheperd’s Bush Empire, June 2nd 2002, at which I had the greatest musical experience of my life.
the memory is so fresh I can touch it….my eldest child, (and she was only six), had been in hospital with a life threatening condition since late December and it was killing me.
By chance a friend I hold very dear had been providing Paul Weller, (and Steve White), with some of the best threads around at that time and asked us, (me and the suc mo massive), if we fancied going to see them in concert at the Empire..as distressed as I was, and not having played much Weller over the preceeding couple of years, we had it and words can’t do it justice.
as the evening unfolded grown men were standing, as if at a cup final, belting out the words to all of the songs, tears in eyes..it was very moving and it was during this performance that the metaphorical sun began to break through the dark clouds of my despair.
music does that..no question and the lyrics to this one burnt into my soul, I’m not ashamed to say that it rocked me and I wouldn’t trade it, even for a seat at the Harlem Square when Mr Soul threw down in 1963, (and that’s saying something),
the verse that did it for me
“as my anger shouts, at my own self doubt, so a sadness creeps into my dreams
when you’re scared of living, but afraid to die,
I get scared of giving, and I must find the faith to beat it..yeah”
of course I have to lay the full lyrics on you and tell you that 3 days after this concert at the age of 33, I ‘found the faith’ and my daughter had the all clear..at the third ‘attempt’.
just leaves me to say thank you to Paul Weller for ‘delivering’ for 30 years
“Autumn blew its leaves at me,
Threatening winter as I walked,
Summer always goes so quick, Barely stopping like my thoughts,
Which dip and spin and change so fast,
I have to wonder, Will I last.
Through the windows of the train,
I caught reflections of a paper cup,
Hanging small in a pale blue sky,
Never knowing which way’s up.
Above the clouds, what’s to be found,
I have to wonder, Will I be around.
As my anger shouts, At my own self doubt,
So a sadness creeps, Into my dreams
When you’re scared of living, But afraid to die
I get scared of giving, And I must find the faith to beat it
I must be me that’s rushing by,
Time just lingers on the wind,
Bristlin’ through my open fears,
I wonder what it’s going to bring.
Above the clouds, what’s to be found,
I have to wonder, Will I be around.
Run and hide, run and hide
I catch the sail at evening’s tide”
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #29
(The Style Council – With Everything To Lose)
penultimate slice from the Paul Weller tribute selection and the second of two from his time spent in the Style Council, (the Humble Pie years), along with Mick Talbot formaly of, (relatively unknown), UKPressure band the Merton Parkas and ‘keeping time’ the young Steve White, (didnt the Pie have an unknown young drummer?),
not suggesting that this was the way he planned it..just another example of synchronicity I suppose.
this cut taken from the album..Our Favourite Shop, (not only a great album but, for me, one of the best LP covers of all time !!), reminds me of having just left school and going on holiday in what was then called Yugoslavia. this album was the soundtrack for that holiday and the few months that surrounded it, (memories are made of this), there are at least six pieces on the album that could have been the final choice and there’s nothing between them so I just picked this one mainly for the lyrical content..
Paul Weller at his poetic best..telling it like it was, (and is still)
“From the playground to the wasteground, Hope ends at 17
Sweeping floors and filling shelves, Forced into government schemes
11 years spent to dig out ditches, Forget your schoolday dreams
Guarantees and lie-filled speeches, But nothings what it seems
Qualified and patronised and with everything to lose
No choice or chance for the future, The rich enjoy less tax
Dress the girls in pretty pink, The shit goes to the blacks
A generation’s heart torn out, And covered up the facts
The only thing they’ll understand Is a wall against their backs
The only hope now left for those, with everything to lose
with everything to lose, with everything to lose
In desperation empty eyes, Signed up and thrown away
There’s drugs replacing dignity, The short sharp shock repaid
There’ll be no money if you dare to question Working the Tory way
The truth is up there carved in stone, Where 21 dead now lay
A family’s loss for a few pounds saved, With everything to lose
With everything to lose, with everything to lose
With everything to lose, everything to lose…
lyrics Don Weller….lyrics.
message received, (in ’85), and understood.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #28
(The Jam – Start)
If themusicologist could slow time down and make a week last a month it might be enough to do the six/six/six artists justice…as already mentioned it’s a challenge to select such a small number of tunes from such great catalogues of work.
Take the Jam as an example, for me, there’s at least 20 cuts that deserve an outing on themusicologist and to whittle those down to 2 … well, lets just say that it’s as tough as old boots.
on this album, (Sound Affects), there’s five cuts here that I would like to, (and probably will over the years), throw down on themusicologist as well as another five albums, (+ singles), to ‘choose’ from so what strategy am I going to employ? … none. just going to throw ’em as I feel ’em.
this 1980 selection I remember from me days as a young blade, at the start of the teenage years when I was spending a lot of time knocking about the West End, (especially Soho and Covent Garden), as a second generation Mod.
I say ‘second generation’ because both my parents were first generation London Mod/ernists, so we, (‘the fox’ and I), grew up steeped in the culture, music and attitude of Englands first, (and most important), Youth movement as a birthright.
There were other influences of course such as Skin/Suedehead, ‘Hippie’ and, (later), Punk exposure through Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, (you know who you are), but Mod/ernist was and is the one where my heart resides.
So before I get too romantic and spend too much of me precious ‘time’ strolling down memory lane hold this one which, for some reason, always reminds me of Greek Street, (in Soho), the Thatcher years, and running battles with other groups of Youths at a time of great social unrest.
older and wiser, I now see that them days were just another stage of the ‘divide and conquer/rule’ strategy that poli-tricks always employs…you know what I mean…black against white, christian against muslim, rich against poor…the list is as long as yer arm…(brother Weller certainly knew and has always sung and wrote about it) so with that in mind..
“It’s not important for you to know my name,
Nor I to know yours,
If we communicate for two minutes only,
It will be enough,
For knowing that someone in this world,
Feels as desperate as me,
And what you give is what you get,
It doesn’t matter if we never meet again,
What we have said will always remain,
If we get through for two minutes only,
It will be a start,
For knowing that someone in this life,
Loves with a passion called hate,
And what you give is what you get,
If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you again,
If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you again,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get.”
just like to say that we, (me and Mr Weller), did and do communicate through his music for many minutes, over many years and it has always been a real pleasure…
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #27
(Paul Weller – The Strange Museum)
part three of the Paul Weller tribute and one from the man as solo artist. as with all the six/six/six artists it’s nigh on impossible to choose six cuts from many. such is the quality of their musicology.
but six it is so it’s two from Paul Wellers time spent in the Jam, two from the Style Council selection and two from the man as solo artist and as such is a challenge and no mistake..I was ‘chewing some fat’ the other day about the Sam Cooke tribute and the ones that I had left out…to be honest what I’m trying not to do is play their most well known slices..in the hope that cats explore/reconvene a musical relationship with the artists featured for themselves…
this next one is taken from his 1992 work entitled Paul Weller with strong support from Steve White whose groove is tighter than the space between a rock and a hard place.
Steve White always deserves a lot of credit, (and full respect), for kicking it as possibly the best drummer to have graced theses shores. ..with Paul Weller from the age of sixteen I do believe?
I have been fortunate to share the pleasure of Steves, (and the man himselfs on another occasion), company a few years back at ‘Moda’s’ where he kindly treated us to a few licks on the bongos while Mick set him up with some threads..
little mention goes out to mr Moda, originally of Bermodsey but later better placed in Blackheath Village, whose eye for style is as good as it gets. never received the acclaim deserved but Moda was a legend for soul stylists ‘down south’ and was responsible for introducing many a style from the 80’s right through to the 00’s…anyone who remembers the Moda 3 tee, (for starters), knows what I’m talking about..
listen tune…
“come on in..admissions free
I won’t refuse those who wanna see,
bring your loved ones, those you hold dear,
bring them all, there’s no restrictions here
but don’t look for blame, as an easy escape
there’s notthing on show, that isn’t your shame
so come on in, it’s a small price to pay
and I won’t refuse, those who’ve lost their way”
song written by Paul Weller & Mick Talbot
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #26
(The Style Council – My Ever Changing Moods)
strange how Paul Weller and Curtis Mayfield are back to back on the six/six/six..
I know Paul Weller is a Curtis, (and Stevie Marriott), fan..maybe thats part of the reason why I feel such a connection to his music? (that and his obvious qualities as as a songwriter, singer, performer and all round musicologist).
I was only a very young child when Weller first came into my life but the message got through loud and clear and helped me with the confidence to believe in myself and follow my own path. the only two message carriers in my life have been music and my dear grandad..both of which always had/have my undivided attention. when either spoke I was always listening.
that wasn’t a conscious decision, it was just something that, (fortunately for me), happened and I am deeply greatful to them both, (Farve….you’re always in my thoughts and feelings)
anyway, back to the music..sliding in to this one from his days in The Style Council, (and my days as a Soul Boy), taken from the 1984 album ‘Cafe Bleu’. It’s got to be this one, (even though there are at least another three srceamers on there), which hit me hard when I first heard it whilst making the transition from schoolboy to youngblood.
Daylight turns to moonlight and I’m at my best yeah
Praising the way it all works and gazing upon the rest yeah
The cool before the warm
The calm after the storm
Oh the cool before the warm
The calm after the storm
I wish to stay forever letting this be my food
But I’m caught up in a whirlwind and my ever changing moods
Bitter turns to sugar some call a passive tune
But the day things turn sweet for me won’t be too soon, no
The hush before the silence
The winds after the blast
Oh the hush before the silence
The winds after the blast
I wish we’d move together this time the bosses sued
But we’re caught up in the wilderness and our ever changing moods
Teardrops turn to children who’ve never had the time
To commit the sins they pay for through another’s evil mind
The love after the hate
The love we leave too late
Oh the love after the hate
The love we leave too late
I wish we’d wake up one day and everyone feel moved
But we’re caught up in the dailies and an ever changing mood
Evil turns to statues and masses form a line
But I know which way I’d run to if the choice was mine
The past is our knowledge the present our mistake
And the future we always leave too late
I wish we’d come to our senses and see there is no truth
Ohhh In those who promote the confusion for this ever changing mood
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #25
(The Jam – I Got By In Time)
this week on themusicologist it’s the turn of the second most influential artists to have crossed my heart and mind.. Paul Weller who, along with Curtis ranks as the artist whose musicology has had the most impact on my life especially during my formative years.
as already mentioned, In The City by the Jam was the first serious piece of music I owned, (Christmas 1977, thanks to me mum and dad), and from that day to this the cat has always held a special place in my life. From the energy of the early Jam days, through to the social poetry of the later Jam works..on to his time with the Style Council and beyond his songs were always there for me as a guide and shoulder to lean on for support when it seemed like no one understood me trials and tribulations..
very similar in essence to Steve Marriott for obvious reasons, Paul Weller has never stood still and has been a musical, (and for me social), force for 30 years !!, (most of my life in fact), making him second only to Curtis in longevity.
Well do I remember in 1982 buying the Town Called Malice 12″ as he called time on the Jam which, to the Mod revivalists at the time was incomprehensible and didnt earn him much support. I saw it differently because to me he was doing exactly what should have been done by a true Mod/ernist and respond to the new music and fashion that was on the streets of London..I’m talking about ‘Casual/Soul Boy’.
that was what was happening back then, (along with the emergence of Electro and ‘Sleng Teng Dancehall), and Weller knew that that was where it was at and that the Jam weren’t capable of making the transition.
Mod has always had two aspects..
1:the vintage led cats who were ‘nostalgic’
2:the ‘son of mod’ of the early 80’s who had grown up with and were inspired by the Mod/ernist attitude, razor sharp style, love of contempory music and attention to detail. These were the cats who took up the modernist flag and carried it forward. themusicologist was there and trust me…that’s how it happened.
anyway..back to the music..this one from said album, (In The City 1977), still does it for me 30 years later…imagine how that sounded to a 9 year old !!
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #24
(Impressions – Never Too Much Love)
you know what…I’m angry. angry with the mountain of useless information that is burying wisdom. why? allow me to break it down…today I ran a search for Curtis Mayfield lyrics. first stop lyrics.com. can you believe Curtis wasn’t even listed !!! let me say that again…..not even listed…
my conclusion..waste of time unless youre looking for the words to popular, (commercial), songs.
only way to do it then is for me to transcribe them myself…there are a few sites with some lyrics on them but I won’t waste your time linking them so in future I won’t be promoting any ‘lyrics’ sites on themusicologist
if anything it has strengthened my resolve to fly the flag for artists like Curtis and keep them in the public domain…back to the music with this uncomplicated plea for unity from 1963. if you think about it who else was writing and performing songs as deep as this at that time?
“after silence that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
-aldous huxley-
.. listen them lyrics
too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
an old story told now passed from me to you
in simple little words to get my meaning through
young and old I feel will understand
take heed everybody to a wonderful plan
we all know how, get together right now
clap your hands, sing and shout
never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
maybe you don’t know how to sing or express words the way you like to say
but everybody I know can clap their hands and make a new friend everyday
never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love
Curtis Mayfield, Rest In Peace secure in the knowledge that your legacy and inspiration lives on.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #23
(Impressions – Young Mod’s Forgotten Story)
landmark day today .. 100 posts on themusicologist. especially synchronistic that it’s fallen on Curtis Mayfield’s ‘watch’.
Iv’e banged on enough times during the time we have shared together on themusicologist about how much the man’s music and lyrics have meant to me as babe in arms, young boy, adolescent, teenager, young man, and now as man, (a title you can’t claim before 33 according to the ancients !!), so I’m not going to wax too lyrical today as Curtis says it all with this cut about the end of an era….
“Shall I tell it like it is, aint none of your business…YES IT IS..”
lyrics DON Curtis…lyrics
arranged by Curtis, legendary musicologist Johnnie Pate and rising soul star Donnie Hathaway…
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #22
(Curtis Mayfield – Kung Fu)
I enjoy and get great pleasure out of themusicologist but, (and it’s a price I’m prepared to pay), it takes up a lot of my time and doesn’t keep the wolves from banging on the family door. the bastards are circling, baying for blood and by the look in their eyes they sense victory…
what the wolves haven’t accounted for is, (with music as the proverbial shield and buckler), the determination to ride this wave of uncertainty and pass through this phase of insecurity not only in one piece but stronger, fitter and wiser, holding firm and not giving up as I continue the journey on the road to freedom with these words ringing in my heart and mind.
this cut is taken from the man’s beautifully crafted 1974 album Sweet Exorcist.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #21
(Jerry Butler&Curtis Mayfield – Find Yourself Another Girl)
round 3 of the Curtis Mayfield selection.as well as hard hitting lyricist and social commentator Curtis’s love songs are beyond compare. a genuine poet whose ability to tap into affairs of the heart deserves mention.
singing lead on this is original Impressions lead singer Jerry ‘The Ice Man’ Butler whose nickname is reported to have come from a performance where the p.a cut out and rather than stop Jerry continued to sing, (that and the way in which he performed emotion drenched soul scorchers without breaking sweat)
it was Jerry that insisted on Curtis replacing Phil Upchurch when he left Jerry’s touring band in 1961 to chase fame on the back of his Mod/R&B classic ‘You Can’t Sit Down’
Curtis was only sixteen at the time which is amazing considering the songs he went on to write over the following two years. this is one of those foundation soul cuts from that year..Curtis not only co-wrote it but it’s also him harmonizing and playing guitar.
musicology at it’s finest from two of Soul’s vanguards in perfect harmony
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #20
(Curtis Mayfield – Hard Times)
one of the tunes that convinced me to ‘play-out’ back in London’s Rare Groove days of 1985/6, utilising Curtis as messenger for how it felt growing up on the streets of London at the time.
back then Curtis didn’t figure too tough on the capitals wheels of steel, James Brown, (and related), was the DJ’s choice, (along with a host of others), Curtis didn’t get much of a look in as he wasn’t considered danceable..obviously he was very highly regarded but was mainly enjoyed at home in moments of contemplation.
taken from his 1975 critique ‘There’s No Place Like America Today’
the spoken intro has been added by themusicologist to provide an insight on and from the man himself.
sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #19
(Curtis Mayfield – Mighty Mighty Spade & Whitey)
this week it’s all about the king … Curtis Mayfield.
the cat was first introduced to me as a 2 year old in 1971 and the two albums that are burned into my consciousness are Curtis and the album this cut is taken from..Curtis Live.
my dad, (respect is always due), was a BIG Curtis fan and was responsible for introducing me to music that has always been a constant source of inspiration.
along with Bobby Womack, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, Curtis ran ‘tings down in Circus Street. there were many others who made an apearance but, (subjectively), these three are an integral part of themusicologist’s upbringing.
lyrics as hard as nails, music as tough as old boots and vocals full of integrity. I could do four different Curtis sets, producer, songwriter, singer and inspiration, such has been his impact on music. without Curtis Soul would have travelled a different path as would the music of Jamaica and his impact on UK music is most apparent in another of the six/six/six artists Paul Weller, (the other major player in the themusicologists personal growth)
the lyrics to this one are, for me, as good as it gets so now ladies and gentlemen themusicologist is proud to present…Curtis Mayfield
themusicologist 