Euphony RIP April 2006 - Dec 2009

The final edition of Euphony has arrived as after three years and and over 40 mixes I feel there is nowhere left to go with the project. It's time to put it to bed for a while. I hope you've enjoyed listening to them as much as I've enjoyed putting them together. I've decided to go out with a bang and stretch the attention span to breaking point by making a 5 part mix. For those open minded and hardcore enough it can be listened to in one go or you can simply pick a mix you like the look of and listen to that. The choice is yours.
Before I sign off I must thank some people and a special mention must go to Nick Wrigley who generously paid for Euphony's hosting requirements when I hadn't a pot to piss in. He also regularly contributed music to the project and generally has been extremely supportive.
A big thanks also to Owen, Dawn Evans, Karl Eden, Louisa D'Arcy, Darcy Losell, Darren Mapletoft, Matt and Rachael, Pete and Katie, Drew Haselhurst, Danny McLewin, Soraya Lemsef, Bonnie Nelson and all at MightyVibes Reloaded (RIP) who ever heard my mixes and bestowed me with positive feedback and encouragement.
Happy Christmas and thanks for listening.

The anthem. Think of me with kindness.

James Brown - Mind Power (1973)

What it is is what it is. Deal!

Bobby Hebb - Love, Love, Love

Back on a Northern Soul soul tip momentarily...

Gene Ammons - Jug Eyes (1970)

One of my all time favourite jazz tracks. The intensity of Gene Ammons's sax solo is amazing. It makes me wanna cry with joy. George Freeman's guitar sizzles with heat. Idris Muhammad coming correct on the kit as usual. 1970. Crank it up loud, it's the definition of soulful playing. Anyone who can't take jazz is a pussy. Period.

Motown's Long Forgotten Son

For many years I've felt it's criminal that one of Motown's brightest lights Willie Hutch has been so unfairly overlooked by the record buying public. With no real massive career *hits* to speak of Mr Hutch's talents have somehow been lost amid the gargantuan shadows cast by his label mates Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. But to me he was equally as gifted whether it be in his immaculate late 60's sides that still have Northern Soul fans in a lather, his awesome 70's soundtrack work (The Mack and Foxy Brown) all the way to his slightly experimental but solid solo efforts with their cool ghetto concepts.
There's an amazing vulnerability to his voice and an edge to his music that screams out he was the *real deal*. His production's were lavish and intricate and there was a sense of craft and subtlety to his work.
Throughout his career Hutch seemed content to busy himself more behind the scenes of Motown as a staff writer and as such remained a marginal artist on a roster overflowing with big names.
He died aged 60 in 2005 at his home in Texas. His manager, Anthony Voyce, said of Hutch: "I've never met a more generous and caring person." You can feel this throughout his music, a modesty and grace. A refreshing lack of ego. The Guardian gave a reasonable obituary HERE
Sadly and most neglectfully many of his albums remain unreleased on CD except for Shout's 2009 release of his debut album 1969's 'Soul Portrait' and the current Motown issue of the seminal blaxploitation soundtrack 'The Mack'. The 1996 Motown reissue of 'Foxy Brown' has sadly been out of print for some time now but luckily I still have my copy.

I've posted a few tracks here for your scrutiny but the amazing BLOGSPORTSOUL blog has most of his albums for download HERE so indulge yourself and give due credit to an amazing artist who hopefully but sadly posthumously may one day be remembered with the same fondness as his peers.

IL VOLO - Canti e Suoni (1975)

Promo for Euphony #42. Play loud. After 3mins this becomes beautiful.

Feeling Low and Washed Out?

Good lad, love a crafty lift...