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TSS plans for today, Amythyst Kiah tonight(!), We Want The Funk chats

TSS plans for today, Amythyst Kiah tonight(!), We Want The Funk chats

Published December 4, 2021

The Soul Show, 12/4/21

  • Melanie Charles’ full album, “Y’all Don’t (Really) Care About Black Women is now released, so we’ll start digging in.
  • The Soul Show’s Top Ten Albums for 2021 will be announced in Pittsburgh City Paper on 12/15. Soulshowmike’s Album Picks, my CP monthly column, has provided hints throughout the year, but there are some more candidates you should know about. Listen today for some of those.
  • After celebrating Gil Scott-Heron’s RRHOF induction a few weeks ago, I’ll cover others from the 2021 class (Preston, King, Kraftwerk, ….).
  • Berry Gordy, Jr. turned 92 this week. Check out some songwriting before Motown, plus a track that you might be really surprised that he was involved in.
  • After hearing Dexter Wansel’s interview last week on TSS, get to know some more of his latest release today.
    • Also, the full interview is now available at wyep.org. There’s a lot I had to edit out for the program, and here are the full 20+ minutes.
  • I’ll play some Zapp, Skyy, Lakeside and Cameo in anticipation of We Want The Funk Festival at the August Wilson.

Amythyst Kiah, 12/4/21 at Kelly-Strayhorn

She’s bringing one of the most important shows of the year. What’s more, Calliope is bringing her to East Liberty. Don’t miss.

We Want The Funk Festival chats

I had the opportunity to chat with incoming artists before Funk Weekend. David Webb of The Funk Center in Dayton jumped in to support. Here are the links: Cameo/Zapp, Ladies of Skyy. Enjoy.

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The Soul Show’s complete Dexter Wansel video interview

The Soul Show’s complete Dexter Wansel video interview

Published December 2, 2021

As part of The Soul Show’s 50th Anniversary celebration of Philadelphia International Records, you heard reflections by Dexter Wansel. He was a major figure (producer, songwriter, arranger) for the label during the seventies, working with Teddy Pendergrass, Jean Carn and others. Early involvement with synthesizers catapulted his own space-themed albums (Life On Mars, Voyager) to iconic status. Please enjoy the full video interview, recorded November 15th, 2021.

Synthesizer pioneer Dexter Wansel
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The Soul Show, 11/27/21: Philadelphia Int’l Records at 50

Published November 27, 2021
The Soul Show airs on wyep.org on Saturdays 2-5pm Eastern

A year ago, WYEP produced a special called ‘Thanksgiving with Motown,’ and now The Soul Show honors Philly Int’l Records, whose 50th anniversary is this year. Dexter Wansel, a major figure with the label during the seventies, was interviewed to support this special. Hear Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, The O’Jays and the other acts that produced The Philly Sound.

Mike Canton spoke with Dexter Wansel about his years at PIR
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Today on The Soul Show, November 20th

Today on The Soul Show, November 20th

Published November 20, 2021

TSS WYEP today (11/20/21)

  • the new Jazz Is Dead 10 release by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, featuring remixes by Georgia Anne Muldrow et al
  • a first listen to Sharon Jones live at the Apollo, part of a 2014 set released by Daptone
  • a tour through some of the Top Ten Album ’21 possibilities cited in Soulshowmike’s Album Picks this month
  • a first listen to Dexter Wansel’s latest space-exploration album, and how he fits into next weekend’s Philly Int’l at 50 feature
  • Skyy and Cameo music, in preparation for We Want The Funk Weekend at the August Wilson
  • George Heid ||| and Sierra Sellers on Three Rivers at Three
  • Adina Howard, Q-Tip and other bdays

TSS Syndicated Edition (11/20 – 11/26, across the nation)

  • Theon Cross’ new Intra-I; it’s a solo release from this member of the UK’s Sons of Kemet
  • more from Terence Blanchard with the E-Collective
  • Angela Johnson with Raul Midón
  • an undercurrent of the ravages of war
  • historical Minnie Riperton, back in her Rotary Connection days

Background Reading and Listening for this Week

The Dr. Lonnie Smith tribute episode, 10/2/21

Soulshowmike’s Album Picks, November 2021: Theon Cross, Afro Yaqui Music Collective, …

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Hill, Gil, and Ronnie Wilson; Skyyzoo training

Published November 10, 2021

Hill Jordan

Pittsburgh lost an important, beloved musician two weeks ago: Hill Jordan. The Soul Show paid tribute on the 10/30 episode. Here are some images from the wonderful funeral procession at East Liberty Presbyterian.

The Soul Show this week

Gil Scott-Heron has been played on TSS almost every weekend of the past decade.  Join me on November 13th for a celebration of his induction into the RRHOF.

Also, we remember Gap Band co-founder Ronnie Wilson.

Notes

I interviewed Ladies of Skyy on 11/9 in preparation for We Want The Funk Weekend at August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 500 Skyyzoos are en route to Pittsburgh, and there will be instrument training during the show. Now I’m prepping for Larry Blackmon of Cameo on 11/11. Stay tuned for when the interviews will be posted at the Center’s website.

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TSS 10/30: Hill Jordan, Bootsy/Wynton @70/60, Jack Swing on 3R@3, Halloween

TSS 10/30: Hill Jordan, Bootsy/Wynton @70/60, Jack Swing on 3R@3, Halloween

Published October 30, 2021

Hill Jordan

Hill Jordan was a beloved Pittsburgh musician whom we remember on the show today. Calvin Stemley, House of Soul bandleader, offers reflections during the 3:00-3:20p segment.

[11/1/21 update: here the archive of the program]

I gathered some glimpses of Hill around town over the past few years. Also, here is the Post-Gazette tribute.

Hill Jordan, Branford Marsalis, Wolfies Pub Funk Factory finale, 19.07.31
#soulshowmike photo
Hill Jordan & Slide Worldwide, Oyster Fest 4 under the Homestead Grays Bridge, 170429 | soulshowmike images
What a great guy. My last capture of him: Millie’s, Highland Ave | August 2021

Bootsy at 70, Wynton at 60

Two major birthday milestones just occurred for two major musical figures: Bootsy Collins (70) and Wynton Marsalis (60). For Bootsy, we traverse his career from James Brown to solo. Wynton is represented by his Lincoln Center work and an unlikely collaboration.

Jack Swing’s new single on Three Rivers at Three

Rocker Isaiah Ross and his band have a brand new track. I heard them play it at Lights On! in mid-September, and have been waiting for the release. Hear it on Three Rivers at Three, the weekly Pittsburgh music showcase on The Soul Show. A brand new single from Miguel Sague, Jr. is also on tap.

Halloween

Yes, the annual Halloween Special is woven into the fabric of the 10/30 episode. Axiom Funk, Tammi Lynn, MJ, Whodini, and maybe some surprises.

.

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The Soul Show, 10/23/21: Steve Cropper at Eighty, DK Anderson on 3R@3.

The Soul Show, 10/23/21: Steve Cropper at Eighty, DK Anderson on 3R@3.

Published October 22, 2021

Steve Cropper

This weekend, The Soul Show celebrates the eightieth birthday of ‘The Colonel,’ Steve Cropper. He kicks off every episode of TSS as a member of Booker T. & The MGs. His legacy began with the Mar-Keys, with a hit on the Satellite label. Satellite became Stax Records, and for a decade Cropper was an anchor of the label. His playing, songwriting and production permeates soul music – Aretha, Eddie Floyd, Otis Redding, …. Join me. Also, stay for Big Town Blues immediately after TSS. Wrett Weatherspoon will continue the party.

Cropper (R) and Booker T. Jones at the 2018 Otis Redding Tribute, Apollo Theater

Three Rivers Through and Through

If you missed the All-Pittsburgh special on TSS last weekend, here are the archive and the accompanying photo book:

Three Rivers Through and Through – Archive

Photo Scrapbook for Three Rivers Through and Through

George Clinton at Eighty

In case you need the special decoder ring for George Clinton/Parliament/The Parliaments/Funkadelic/P-Funk, it’s all explained in the 80th Birthday Celebration:

George Clinton at Eighty – Show Archive

DK Anderson Images

On Three Rivers at Three, the weekly Pittsburgh showcase, I play a popular DK Anderson (aka Quantum Truth) rendition of a Hendrix classic. When I was getting to know the band, I stopped by one of their home studio practices, then documented them at James Street.

at James Street

Nigel Hall

The Soul Pod is the newest element of the TSS universe. Nigel Hall was part of TSP’s soft launch. Enjoy.

Interview and album review

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November Plans – PI at Fifty

Published October 18, 2021

Three Rivers Through and Through was the big TSS special program for October. It’s now time to return to the 50th anniversary themes. Last year, WYEP did a Thanksgiving Motown special, and for 2021 The Soul Show will honor Philadelphia International Records. Kenny Gamble and León Huff founded the label in 1971, and brought us The O’Jays, Harold Melvin, MFSB and so many others. Dexter Wansel was part of Instant Funk, but also delivered some serious space-themed solo efforts that rivaled Bowie and Elton. I just found out about a recent release of his, so I’m hoping to connect with him for an interview. Stay close.

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Pittsburgh Artist Scrapbook for ‘Three Rivers Through and Through’

Pittsburgh Artist Scrapbook for ‘Three Rivers Through and Through’

Published October 16, 2021

Here’s something I thought The Soul Show’s supporters would enjoy while listening to the 10/16/21 All-Pittsburgh special. It was supposed to take 90 minutes when I started at 6am. Ha! I was scrambling to finish before 2pm Eastern. Enjoy.

  • Sierra Sellers, Millvale Music Festival 2021
  • Kinetic, Chamber Music Pittsburgh’s ‘Just Summer’ Series, 2021
  • Samuel Okoh-Boateng, vocalist on Kinetic’s ‘Another Day’
  • Henry and Winston, Funky Fly Project, July 2019 at CLP Homewood
  • Old E All Stars, Thunderbird Café or Rex, circa 2010
  • Spanky Wilson, Thunderbird Café 2015
  • Poogie Bell, February 2014, James Street | w/Dwayne Dolphin et al
  • Joy Ike (R) and Anqwenique, Pittsburgh Winery 2014
  • Brian Edwards, Village Tavern 2018
Brian Edwards, Beni Rossman, Spencer Geer at Village Tavern
Chris Potter (keys) with Beni Rossman and Subha Das, Village Tavern

Kiki Brown, The Buckle Downs | Vine Rewind, July 2018
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Three Rivers Through and Through, and The Soul Pod

Three Rivers Through and Through, and The Soul Pod

Published October 14, 2021

Three Rivers Through and Through, 10/16/21, 2-5p Eastern

91.3 WYEP’s Membership Drive is happening now, and I want to do something special. Once Booker T’s theme winds down, the rest of TSS will be ALL PITTSBURGH ARTISTS. It’s Three Rivers at Three, expanded. Come and enjoy with me. I finished the playlist at 2p on Thursday and, yes, there was too much solid music to fit into 3 hours. That’s a superb problem to have. Also, where are surprises in the mix. See you soon.

The Soul Pod

Pittsburgh City Paper and I will be officially launching a podcast soon. This week, Soulshowmike’s Album Picks presented a soft launch of The Soul Pod. It was an interview with Nigel Hall about his 2021 release “Spiritual,” and it happened during the Highmark Blues & Heritage Festival. Hear about his recent life and his future projects.

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