Mick – Soul Discovery

Krystle Wallace

Krystle is a native of Jersey City but proudly claims Newark, New Jersey as her home for the past 11years. Krystle has dedicated her gifts and leadership skills to her community and family. Those talents have yielded her many awards, of which are: a Mayoral Citation from the late Glenn D. Cunningham, a Woman of Hudson County award from Councilwoman Viola Richardson and the Mary McCleod Bethune award from the NAACP of Hudson County, to name a few.

Krystle also volunteered her time weekly for 7 years ending around 2014, to help at-risk teenagers. While studying to become a realtor, she has been licensed for the past 10 years. Although she is a strong believer in Christ, trouble struck her home. While coming home from work one evening, Krystle was sexually assaulted by a coworker, who she considered to be friendly with. She calls this event, the moment that flipped her world upside down.

(more…)

5th August 2026

Sharon Shares

Extracts From My Book – The Last Note Book By Sharon McMahan

I Have No Choice

Detroit was fully engaged as a music town. It housed some of the greatest jazz musician in the word.
It is a known fact that most of all the so-called Funk Brothers who were used by Berry Gordy at Motown, originally were jazz musicians and played at Bakers Keyboard Lounge and other jazz venues in Detroit.

My Aunt Brent who live upstairs, had learned to play the piano, as a young girl. She taught me a couple of songs when I started out writing. They had a piano upstairs too. There was the sounds of pianos upstairs and downstairs. We could hear each other whenever we played songs. Sometimes we would play something and answer each other whenever we played a song. For instance, I would play the left-hand part of a song and Cindy would would answer me with the right-hand. They had a younger brother too, my cousin Paul but he didn’t play.

(more…)

3rd August 2026

Chris Huggins

Soul Shake Sounds

I started collecting soul music in the very early 80s, sparked by hearing my older brother playing jazzfunk around the house. That early exposure opened the door to a lifelong passion. Before long, I found myself drawn into the modern soul scene, especially after discovering The Backstreet Soul Club in Norwich. It was there that I first met fellow collector Andy Etheridge, who became a longtime friend. Together, we travelled across the country to various allnighters, including the legendary Rock City.
My first DJ set came on Boxing Day 1987 at the Burnley and Pendle Soul Club, thanks to an invitation from Pat Allen.

I was fortunate to live close to Soul Bowl and the late John Anderson, and I was a regular visitor, always on the hunt for something special. My all-time favourite soul record is by Ebony Expressions – ‘Farewell My Love’ (owl), which happened to be the last record I ever purchased from John.
As the years have passed, my tastes have evolved. I’ve grown to appreciate the slower, deeper side of soul, which has become the main focus of my collection today. These days, I’m more of an armchair collector, but the love for the music — and the memories it carries — has never faded.

(more…)

26th July 2026

THE DIF’RENCE – 4 II C

Some artists perform songs. THE DIF’RENCE creates experiences!

Hailing from Newport News, Virginia, THE DIF’RENCE—also known as 4 II C—is an exceptional R&B/Soul vocal duo featuring Jerry Hairston and Joe Shivers. Known for breathtaking harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and an unmistakable old-school sound infused with contemporary soul, the duo continues to captivate audiences with performances that are both timeless and unforgettable.

With more than 40 years of combined professional experience, THE DIF’RENCE has built a reputation as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier live vocal acts. Their ability to blend classic soul, smooth R&B, Motown, funk, and pop into a polished, high-energy performance has earned them invitations to some of the region’s most prestigious stages, including the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, the Virginia Beach Funk Fest, and the Hampton Jazz Festival After Party.

(more…)

16th July 2026

Sinsuke Fujieda

Saxophonist / Flutist / Composer / Producer

Originally from Mito, Ibaraki, and currently based in Tokyo, Japan, Sinsuke Fujieda is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, and music producer. He performs on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute, and also occasionally plays overtone-based instruments such as bamboo clarinet, overtone flute, and khoomei.

He is the founder and owner of the independent label SoFa Records, through which he releases and produces his own work with full artistic and creative control. His work connects composition, improvisation, sound, and lived experience.

As the leader of SINSUKE FUJIEDA GROUP, his music has reached jazz, spiritual jazz, and vinyl listeners around the world. His vinyl releases through France’s Superfly Records have received international attention. The first pressing of Fukushima sold out worldwide.

(more…)

14th July 2026

Breeanna Maree

Poet – Artist – Writer – Lyricist

Breeanna Maree is an artist from Palmdale, California with a particular love for ry and spoken word. Drawn to poetry for its emotional expression using the beauty of words, Breeanna began sharing her voice with her community, being featured as a recurrent artist at local open mics and the Antelope Valley Fair. She has also lent her voice to events hosted by a nonprofit organization in her local community which granted her performances at Cold Crush in Palmdale, art shows, and led her to inspire voices at a local women’s shelters.

Her print work includes a book of poems exploring love’s dichotomies published in August of 2022 and a poem featured in Colorism Essays and Poems Volume 2. She has also been published on a variety of poetry blog websites. Breeanna’s poetic contributions to the world of art continue to blossom as she prepares for the release of her debut spoken word poetry album Sincerely, Breeanna Maree set for release on November 11^th, 2023.
By sharing her voice, she hopes to inspire those seeking the expression but struggling to find the words and anyone else who opens their hearts to the poetic empathy and striking imagery her poetic stories are sure to provide.

(more…)

6th July 2026

Ronnie Laws

Interview On Soul Discovery Show

Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, and Musical Visionary, stands as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in modern music. With a career spanning more than five decades, Ronnie Laws has redefined the sound of contemporary jazz, funk, and soul, creating melodies that became the blueprint for much of today’s popular music.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Ronnie Laws grew up in a deeply musical household guided by his mother, Miola Laws who was a choir director and organist whose love of gospel, harmony, and spiritual expression shaped the creative foundation for her children. From that nurturing environment came one of music’s most talented families including Hubert Laws, Eloise Laws, and Debra Laws. Each of whom has made significant contributions to jazz, R&B, and popular music.

(more…)

2nd July 2026

Rod Dearlove

Voices From The Shadows

The Sam Dees Interview

We sat there, huddled together like conspiritors, in a caravan on a windswept site on the north-east coast. For us all it was an experience we’ll never forget.’Fifteen years of relief pouring out over a mere four hour spell. We cannot publish the entire text of the interview for a variety of reasons, but below is the bulk of it.

THE CAST
Sam (“Are these guys for real!?!”) Dees
Pat (“Oh yes they are”) Person Moore
Tim (“I can’t believe this is happening”) Brown
Jan ( Just one more photo…”) Barker
Mike (“Oh my God” ) Charlton
Mark (“Near to tears”) Caldcleugh
Rod (“Unbelievable”) Dearlove
Suzanne (“Stunned into a 4 hour coma”) Cameron
Lorraine (“Pinch me so I know it is real) Dearlove

Within its near thirty-year life span soul music divides into many different sub-categories and I felt that
“The Show Must Go On” album represented the zenith of the marriage between seventies technology and sixties emotion. Other records from Sam Dees cemented that bond with catalyst of imagination and genuine quality, but more more than even that, I knew he was a songwriter and producer bar none.
In effect, I felt Sam Dees was nothing short of a soul genius.

(more…)

25th June 2026

Eloise Laws

Interview On Soul Discovery Show

Born into one of Houston’s most musically gifted families, Eloise Laws built a versatile career that has spanned soul, jazz, pop, and Broadway. The fourth of eight children of Miola Luverta Donahue and Hubert Laws, Sr., Eloise Laverne Laws grew up surrounded by music. Her siblings include renowned flutist Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie Laws, and vocalist Debra Laws, all of whom would go on to notable careers of their own.

Laws studied music at Texas Southern University, and her professional journey took a major step forward in 1965 when she won a national talent contest sponsored by CBS. The prize fellowship brought her to New York, where she studied music, dance, and acting while appearing on several CBS television programs, and even a recording contract offer from legendary executive Clive Davis.

(more…)

13th March 2026

The George Semper Music Archives

Written by Joel Semper Brockman

The George Semper Music Archives represents the collective works of the late George Semper
(b. 1.1.1942 t. 1.9.2009) who needs little introduction to soul and funk fans. The Trinidadian-American multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, publisher and label owner from San Diego. Amongst his achievemnts, Semper is considered a Hammond B3 Hero innovator of the jazz organ, Godfather of Bay Area Funk and influencing the early days of hip-hop notably sampled by Cypress Hill on their classic ‘Insane In The Brain’. George’s talent led him to collaborate with Legendary labels and artists including Mary Love, Jimmy Smith, Merry Clayton, Isaac Hayes, Al McKay, Joe Tex, Johnny Taylor, Swamp Dogg, Brenton Wood, and Donny Hathaway. His 1966 LP Makin’ Waves is considered a Hammond organ essential and his 1977 production The Perfect Circle a cornerstone of Bay Area Funk. As a record label executive, he founded record labels Inner City Records, Inner City Attractions, Parlour Records and was an executive at MoJo Records and Liberty. As a Publisher he founded Sybil Music, Music Forever, Showtime Music.

George Semper’s professional career began in 1958 as leader of “The Kingsmen” a San Diego, California rock and soul group which released “Monster Walk” George co-wrote with the Legendary H.B. Barnum in 1963. The following year Semper penned several recorded songs including “Better Wach Out Boy” by The Accents Featuring Sandi. Throughout the mid 1960s Semper worked with legendary labels Chess and Imperial Records as a member and producer of The Imperialites and The Chessmen. During this time he was also a Partner in two successful San Diego nightclubs “Jazzville” and “Semper’s Market Street East”. His club’s featured artists including Ramsey Lewis, Cannonball Adderley, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, The Temptations, Ottis Redding, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Ike & Tina Turner, Dave Brubeck and others. Notably, Semper gave a young Frank Zappa his first professional gig opening for Little Richard in 1965!

Semper’s first solo hit came in 1966 recording his most widely known album “Makin Waves” with Imperial Records. His abilities as a musician, writer, and arranger, producer led to a varied performance and studio career throughout the 1960s and all the way through the 2000s and 120 record releases. He performed diverse venues such as Carnegie Hall with Billy Preston, The Monterey Jazz Festival Orchestra with Gil Fuller and James Moody, and Wattstax. Semper was AR and musical director for the Total Experience club and studios, MoJo and Imperial record labels, and artist Brenton Wood. George Semper’s Legacy is survived by his 3 children, five grandchildren, worldwide fans, and the contribution he made to the global urban music we enjoy today!

(more…)

31st January 2026

Paul Tillman Smith

The History of Paul Tilman Smith, so far…

When your father hands you a pair of drumsticks at the age of four, chances are you’ll wind up a drummer. Paul Tillman Smith’s father, George Smith (Kansas City Smitty) played drums during the big band era with many well-known bands including Count Basie, Trummer Young and the Harlem Aces. He was also a mentor to singer Pearl Bailey‘s husband drummer Louie Bellson.

At age fifteen at the urging of his mother Della, Paul began playing the piano. It was soon after that he began to write simple three chord songs like the ones he would hear on the radio. This love has lasted a lifetime.

Paul has published over a hundred songs to date including the Pharaoh Sanders and Phyllis Hyman jazz pop classic “As You Are”, the Norman Connors and Jean Carne hit “Stella” featuring guitarist Lee Ritenour, and the tender love ballad “ Heavenly”, recorded by pianist Webster Lewis featuring vocalist DJ Rogers, saxophonist Benny Maupin. “Heavenly” also featured strings by Herbie Hancock and was performed by the Boston Pop Symphony for nationally syndicated TV. Paul’s album “Sharing” from his middle seventies Buddha Records recording group Vitamin E., featured The Sly Stone & Frank Zappa vocalist Lady Bianca and saxophonist Jules Broussard’s vocalist David Gardener.

(more…)

6th January 2026

Rob Moss

Detroit Soul / Hayley Records

Rob Moss has been a dedicated soul fan since his mid teens with a particular penchant for 1960s and 70s Detroit music. In 2000 after many visits to the Motor City he launched his own Hayley Records label, named after his daughter, and dedicated to issuing previously unreleased Detroit gems on vinyl. To date the label has released 39 singles and one album, and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2025. His present home is in Coventry.’

The involvement of gangsters in the music business, during the 1950s and 60s in payola scandals and the like, is well known. The opportunity to launder ill gotten money by paying cash for all recording, manufacturing and promotional costs and then receiving legitimate payments for record sales must have been heaven sent for some. One of the first to operate in Detroit in this way in the 1960s was a local huckster called Wilbur Golden. Through the contacts he had developed within the Detroit music scene and a fat bankroll, he set up Correc-tone Records in 1962 and assembled an impressive roster of artists that included Wilson Pickett, Theresa Lindsey, Yvonne Vernee, Danny Woods, Timiko (Jones),Gino Washington, Herschell Hunter’s Moments and the Pyramids amongst others.

(more…)

6th January 2026

Author: Mick