Before they achieved stardom the world over with "It's Raining Men," Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead made waves in the thriving San Francisco music scene as Two Tons o' Fun (and, later, The Two Tons). The powerhouse duo began working with gender- and genre-defying artist Sylvester at Fantasy Records, singing background and lead vocals on many of his most memorable recordings. In 1980, they struck out on their own and teamed with legendary Motown veteran Harvey Fuqua (who
Love Thang: First Choice Box Set Due in August from SoulMusic, The Second Disc
SoulMusic Records and The Second Disc are readying a hot Salsoul summer with another new release from the classic dance label, following our recent Salsoul Orchestra and upcoming Loleatta Holloway box sets. On August 23, we're proud to celebrate Philadelphia girl group First Choice with Love Having You Around: The Gold Mind Recordings (1977-1980). This 4CD collection features expanded editions of the trio's three original albums for Salsoul's Gold Mind imprint, plus a specially-curated bonus
The Albums 1980-1985
Cherry Red's Robinsongs imprint celebrates late soul man Richard "Dimples" Fields for his first major release of the CD/digital era. Dimples was an unusual figure on the soul music landscape: a self-proclaimed feminist who portrayed himself as a two-timing ladies' man, whose quirky ballads including "She's Got Papers on Me" and "If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another" were alternately earnest and humorous. This set includes all three of Fields' Boardwalk LPs - Dimples (1980), Mr. Look So
"Les Cousins: The Soundtrack to Soho's Legendary Folk and Blues Club" Features Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Cat Stevens, Al Stewart
"For two-and-a-half years, I had the Friday night show at Bunjies Coffee Bar, and it became a residency for me," Al Stewart remembered in an interview with this author for the recent collection of his U.S. singles. "After a while, I got another residency right around the corner at a club called Les Cousins." The Greek Street venue was a focal point of the London folk scene. Nick Drake, Cat Stevens, Alexis Korner, John Renbourn, and a young American named Paul Simon all passed through its
The Weekend Stream: June 22, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. More EPs from Duran Duran, rarities from Alanis Morissette and a tribute to an '80s jukebox musical are part of the fun this Saturday morning! Duran Duran, My Own Way / Hungry Like the Wolf / Save a Prayer / Rio EPs (Parlophone/Rhino) My Own Way: iTunes / Amazon Hungry: iTunes / Amazon Save a Prayer: iTunes / Amazon Rio: iTunes /
Purple Drain: What's Going On with the Prince Estate?
In his too-brief life and vastly influential music career, Prince was known for every trait associated with genius: eclectic, kinetic musical ideas; a restless creative spirit; and of course, a mercurial side - known to change his own mind or direction at the slightest whims. In the eight years since his untimely passing, it seems the custodians of his affairs have got the mercurial part right, and that sometimes seems about it. A series of surprising successes and near-misses today in
I'm with the Band: Country Vocal Group Little Big Town Plans Greatest Hits Album Ahead of New Tour
Streaming might have rendered the greatest hits album a comparative rarity in today's discographies, but country quartet Little Big Town are bucking the trend, planning a new collection of popular singles (and a few re-recordings) ahead of a tour this fall. The Alabama foursome, comprised of singers Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook (all of whom perform in rich harmony, with no de facto lead singer), have been together for 25 years, but started to take off
The Tragically Hip's 'Up to Here' Goes Up to There in New Box Set
Beloved Canadian rockers The Tragically Hip planned a year devoted to opening the archives (like a live set released for Record Store Day this spring) and celebrating the 40th anniversary of their founding. This fall, they'll put out a greatly expanded version of Up to Here, their first full-length album, originally released in 1989. Available November 8 on three CDs or four LPs and a Blu-ray Disc, the Up to Here box includes the original remastered album, audio and video of a beloved live
You Can Call Out My Name: JD Souther's "You're Only Lonely" Returns in Expanded Edition from Omnivore
Michigan-born, Texas-raised John David Souther was one of the first artists signed to David Geffen and Elliot Roberts' groundbreaking Asylum label in 1971. His two albums for Asylum, John David Souther (1972) and Black Rose (1976), established the singer-songwriter's distinctive voice on such now-classic songs as "Faithless Love," "How Long," and "Simple Man, Simple Dream." In 1979, Souther moved over to the Columbia label where he scored a chart-topping hit with the title track of You're Only
Country Survivor: Iconoclassic Preps Another Unreleased Jimi Jamison Album, in a Different Genre
Iconoclassic Records will celebrate the life of former Survivor and melodic rock singer Jimi Jamison with its second release of previously unreleased material this summer: a country-flavored recording from 2007, entitled Jimmy Wayne Jamison. For much of rock band Survivor's tenure - particularly a stellar run from 1984 to 1989 - Jimi Jamison was its voice: melodic and expressive, bringing gravitas and tenderness to pop hits like "I Can't Hold Back," "High on You," "The Search is Over,"
The Weekend Stream: June 15, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Pop goddesses, rock gods, one classic crooner and remixes aplenty are what you'll find this week! Mariah Carey, Rainbow (25th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (Columbia/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) The Elusive Chanteuse's seventh album built upon its 1997 predecessor Butterfly, integrating hip-hop production flourishes into her R&B/adult
Not the Only One: Sam Smith's Debut Expanded for 10th Anniversary
More than a decade after becoming a sensation in both the U.K. and the U.S., Sam Smith's debut album is getting reissued for its 10th anniversary. In the Lonely Hour will be re-released August 2 as a 2CD set including a bonus disc of a dozen rare tracks, including guest collaborations and other singles. (A 4LP equivalent, pressed on silver vinyl with signed art card will be available through the singer's official store.) For general retailers, a new 13-track pressing of the album will be
Kid in the Street: Justin Townes Earle Memorialized on Forthcoming Rarities Set
The Americana world was shaken in 2020 by the death of Justin Townes Earle, the talented country/folk/blues musician following in the footsteps of his father, alt-country hero Steve Earle. His songs were rich in guitar, organ and horns (the first two of which he'd played in his father's band) and featured evocative, personal lyrics inspired by his own personal demons and the stark realities of life in general. His last album, 2019's The Saint of Lost Causes, was an affecting critique of the
Live at the Opera House
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Craft Recordings revisits Sylvester's landmark March 11, 1979 concert at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, an evening in which he was presented with the key to the city. The concert, during which Sylvester was joined by the electrifying duo of Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead, a.k.a. Two Tons o' Fun, was recorded by Fantasy Records and released in truncated form as the album Living
The World Is a Ghetto: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition
On last November's Record Store Day Black Friday event, Rhino revisited WAR's 1972 classic The World Is a Ghetto for its 50th anniversary on five newly-remastered 140-gram LPs; a four-channel surround Quadio release followed on Blu-ray. The hard-hitting, socially-conscious soul-jazz-funk-blues-rock-psychedelia best-seller was the California band's fifth album and third following the departure of vocalist Eric Burdon of The Animals. Now, the landmark 5LP box featuring previously unreleased
The Weekend Stream: June 8, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week is jam-packed with practically something for everybody, especially if you love the '80s: live cuts from one of the biggest touring bands of the decade, B-sides and remixes from that same decade's biggest British band and a rediscovered female country hitmaker - plus rare soundtracks, early favorites from a Latin-pop icon and so much
Living Proof: Sylvester's Complete 1979 "Live at the Opera House" Coming from Craft Recordings
March 11, 1979 was the evening that cemented dance superstar Sylvester's legend. The 3,100+-seat San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, home since 1932 to the San Francisco Opera company, was filled to capacity with fans who'd come to see their hometown hero in his singular splendor. Mayor Dianne Feinstein had sent city supervisor and gay rights activist Harry Britt to present Sylvester, mid-show, with the key to the city. That concert, during which Sylvester was joined by the electrifying
You Can't Start a Fire Without a Spark: Arthur Baker on the 'Born in the U.S.A.' Dance Remixes
On June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A., his seventh studio album, and kicked his career into an unpredictable new gear. Augmenting his well-loved classic rock style and haunted lyricism with polished production and accessible pop melodies, the Jersey icon struck gold, platinum and diamond with Born in the U.S.A.: it was the best-selling album of 1985 (it was certified 17x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2022), spun off seven Top 10 singles on
Edsel Box Set Round-Up: "SAM: The Sound of New York City," "Sean Rowley Presents Guilty Pleasures: 20th Anniversary"
When brothers Hy and Sam Weiss passed in 2007 and 2008, respectively, the Romanian-born immigrants to Brooklyn were eulogized as the last of the golden age record men. The Weiss brothers formed their first record label in 1949; in 1953, they launched Old Town Records which Hy would take on as his own in 1956. Many of Old Town's classic hits are still favorites today, such as The Capris' "There's a Moon Out Tonight," Billy Bland's "Let the Little Girl Dance," and "Remember Then" by The Earls.
The Weekend Stream: June 1, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Remixes from icons in Ireland and Australia, a rare gospel classic and a new, catchy tune from a Disney theme park are part of our latest round-up! U2, If God Will Send His Angels (Island/UMO) (iTunes / Amazon) The latest in U2's digital backfill campaign is - surprise! - another single from Pop, backed with a handful of B-sides including a
Get the Feeling: The Complete Fantasy/Honey Recordings
Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music celebrate Two Tons o' Fun - a.k.a. Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead, a.k.a. The Weather Girls - with a complete 2-CD anthology that serves as a companion to last year's Sylvester release, Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years 1977-1981. Get the Feeling: The Complete Fantasy/Honey Recordings, which arrives during Pride Month 2024, brings together both of the Two Tons' albums - the first of which features Sylvester himself in the band and contributing the song
Many Miles Away: The Police Plan 'Synchronicity' Box with Unreleased Demos, Outtakes and Live Material
More than 40 years after the release of their final album, The Police will offer a massive expansion of their fifth studio effort, 1983's blockbuster Synchronicity. Available July 26, the set will be available in multiple formats, each showcasing a wealth of rare studio and live bonus content. The centerpiece of the campaign is a 6 CD limited edition box set featuring B-sides and four discs of unreleased material, including demos, alternate mixes and takes, instrumentals, never-before-heard
The Weekend Stream: May 25, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week has another rare track by Prince, promo for the new Beach Boys documentary, a powerful new remix by a legendary diva and more! Prince, "Silver Tongue" (NPG/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) A third Musicology-era rarity has landed digitally, following "United States of Division" and "Magnificent." "Silver Tongue" was a "virtual B-side" to
Do You Wanna Boogie, Hunh? Real Gone, Second Disc Collect Two Tons o' Fun on "Get the Feeling: The Complete Fantasy/Honey Recordings"
Before they achieved stardom the world over with "It's Raining Men," Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead made waves in the thriving San Francisco music scene as Two Tons o' Fun (and, later, The Two Tons). The powerhouse duo began working with gender- and genre-defying artist Sylvester at Fantasy Records, singing background and lead vocals on many of his most memorable recordings. In 1980, they struck out on their own and teamed with legendary Motown veteran Harvey Fuqua (who
Watching the Sun Bake: UMe Remasters, Reissues Ten Albums from Jimmy Buffett
The late Jimmy Buffett was recently announced to join Dionne Warwick, late producer-songwriter Norman Whitfield, and Michigan rockers MC5 as a recipient of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Musical Excellence Award. The singer-songwriter who passed away last September at the age of 76 left behind a legacy of music (and beyond) that continues to entertain and inspire. His final album, Equal Strain on All Parts, was one of his most moving, blending his infectious optimism and tropical pop with
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