The Magnificent Goldberg

Helen Paris Priam

Please talk to me about this session! I'm a big fan of afro-beat and afro-jazz type stuff. "Soul makossa" was originally recorded by Manu Dibango, a jazz saxophonist from Cameroun, for a French label, Societe Francais du Son. It was a huge hit in Europe (but not the UK). When it was released in America (by Atlantic), it was a big hit, making #21 on the R&B chart and #35 on the pop chart. But it had competition from the Afrique version, which was released simultaneously, and entered the R&B chart at the same time, making #33 on the R&B chart and #47 on pop. From what I can remember from those days, the Manu Dibango version, which I've got, was a bit better than the Afrique version. But there wasn't much in it. I didn't realise that the organist in the Afrique version was Charles Kynard, or I'd have bought it anyway. Afrique was a bunch of west coast Soul Jazz musicians put together in the studio by Bob SHad, specifically in order to cover this obvious hit. (But the Manu Dibango version was also made by a scratch bunch of jazzmen who were hanging around the studios in Paris.) This is what AMG says about the Afrique album: Sounds like one of Dusty Groove's reviews, don't it? Manu Dibango's personnel included Georges Arvanitas (p), Malekani Gerry & Pierre Zogo (g), Joby Jobs (d), Long Manfred (b), Freddy Mars (perc). Some tracks have Hal "Cornbread" Singer doing his stuff on tenor. If you're getting the feeling that this isn't much like what you think of as Afrobeat, I'd agree with that assessment. Both albums are basic, funky, greasy, Soul Jazz. MG

what sort of person could like that darjeeling stuff? Douglas Adams, no doubt. MG

I trust he has no objections to playing his incompetent trumpet, so garbed. MG

Jerry Lee Lewis Carl Perkins Elvis something

Elton Dean Jimmy Dean Terry Dene

Thank goodness I've finished that Darjeeling! Since we can't get any Ceylon at present, I'm now on good old Glengettie. ANYTHING tastes good after that Darjeeling! MG

Spaulding is on several Sun Ra recordings from 1958, including the classic Jazz in Silhouette. I do not know if he has earlier recorded appearances, or whether he recorded anything between his Sun Ra tenure and the 1961 date you mention. Guy Aha! Thanks Guy. MG

He's watching you too. Where's the smiley going "nyaeh naeh!" MG

I have what I think was his first recorded appearance, in 1961, on "Wild" by Larry "Wild" Wrice - PJ24. Spaulding plays alto, tenor and flute. Wrice is the drummer. The others are Bobby Bryant (tp) and the almost entirely unheralded Bobby Blivins on organ. It's a very nice, straight ahead session. MG

Somewhere in the world, there must be some geezer who designed this stuff. Did he do it because he could? Or, even worse, did he do it because he thought that WE NEEDED IT? MG

Hoyt Axton Mae Axton Estelle Axton

Babbitt Bad Bascomb Wilbur "Dud" Bascomb

Gene Ammons - House warming - Upfront reissue - for a cheapo Springboard LP, this sounds very good and is wearing very well. The album is being reissued on a Japanese CD in September. Really not sure whether to buy it. Coleman Hawkins & Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Night Hawk - UK Xtra reissue - a totally splendid album! MG

Anything new by Houston Person is an automatic "buy" for me so thanks for the heads up. Too bad the Jazz Depot website doesn't have any sound samples up though. They're always quite slow to put new releases on. Pity. MG

Mack the Knife Pirate Jenny Surabaya Johnny

This album came out last week. My copy turned up today. Personnel Etta Jones (vcl) on 2, 3, 4 & 5 Houston Person (ts) Sonny Phillips (org) Frankie Jones (d) 1 Blue Monk (8:40) 2 Don't misunderstand (3:51) 3 Exactly like you (5:25) 4 AIn't misbehavin' (4:18) 5 I saw stars (4:02) 6 I'm glad there is you (7:32) 7 Bluesology (10:18) 8 Are you real (9:21) Oh my, on my, this is some recording!!!! OK, I LOVE these two together. So I AM biased. They are great live. When I saw them in 1990, they put on a wonderful show at the Blue Note. But I never saw them like this. Houston, Sonny and Frankie take the lion's share of the CD. But Etta's performances are really there - particularly the title track, which is another object lesson in how Etta can GET you! It is almost in a different galaxy to the version she recorded about three years before on the "My mother's eyes" LP. But Etta and Houston are kind of known factors. THERE IS A REVELATION IN HERE - it's SONNY PHILLIPS. I've got everything Sonny recorded, but he never really CONNECTED with me 'til now. His playing here is awesome; no guitarist, so he is taking the load. And he plays really so much MORE than I've ever heard him before. Maybe, simply because he's taking the load, what he's playing is so much more in your face than usual. He also takes a bass solo, which not too many organists have tried (only Lou Bennett, I think, and that was on a trick machine). All organ fans should have this album!!!!! End of story. MG

Excellent info Steve - thanks. MG

Watch Earl Turbinton play at Professor Longhair's funeral, then say that. There are churches and churches, it seems. MG

Thread killer! MG

Horlicks Cadbury Mars

I wouldn't worry about the boiler. For $112, it would have been a crap boiler anyway! MG

That was true of Gloria Lynne, as well. I see she has a new album out and will have to investigate. MG

Dunno what this means - please explain. MG

Just turned up in the post Only released last week! A 1980 gig recorded at Salt Peanuts in New York. Etta and Houston with Sonny Phillips on organ and Frankie Jones on drums. No one else! REALLY looking forward to listening to this! Seems to be 3 instrumentals ("Blue Monk", "Bluesology" and "Are you real" surrounding 5 vocals. Gotta go out to get some cash soon. Have to wait 'til I get back to hear it! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! MG