Yesterday, the world lost two titans of popular song, Eddie Van Halen and Johnny Nash. We salute them both. Eddie Van Halen, who died of cancer at the age of 65, was born in Amsterdam and rose to fame in southern California, but his music belonged to the world. Guitarist Eddie and brother-drummer Alex formed the band that became Van Halen in 1972 and paid their dues in the ensuing years, earning fans such as Gene Simmons and Kim Fowley. Once Warner Bros. Records took notice of them in 1977, the band…
See Clearly Now: SoulMusic Anthologizes Johnny Nash, Labelle, Teena Marie, Angela Bofill
SoulMusic Records, in association with Cherry Red Group, has recently continued its Classic Artist Anthology Series with another round of titles from bona fide R&B legends including Labelle, Angela Bofill, Johnny Nash, and the late Teena Marie. Before reinventing themselves as purveyors of funky cosmic soul, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx had comprised three-fourths of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, alongside future Supreme Cindy Birdsong. In 1971, the streamlined trio ditched their supper-club stylings for an earthier look, and released their first of two albums on the Warner Bros. label. …
Big Break’s Full Summer Slate Includes Isleys, Pointers, Prince Partners
The fine folks at Big Break Records have got another large batch of new titles for release in the U.K. on July 25, and we figured now was a good time to share not only the track lists and details with you, but look ahead at some of the huge titles they’re prepping for next month. There are a few really great, underrated titles from some big-name acts in next week’s batch, including expansions of The Isley Brothers’ Between the Sheets (1983) and I Can See Clearly Now (1972) by Johnny Nash. But…
