Hippity Hoppity Happy Chris-mix!

Right, that's it. I'm off for my festive digital detox. Thanks to everyone who's dropped in on this 'ol blog over the past 12 months. As is traditional I've spent literally minutes trawling You Tube for a suitably festive mix with a bit of a funky/souly vibe and this year's winner is...drum roll...DJ Julz! He's even done a video for you...bless him. Have a great one! x

Terry Hall RIP

Gutted to hear that Terry Hall's passed away but what an amazing body of work he gifted the world over the past 40+ years eh?  Here's one that you may not have heard from the short lived Terry, Blair and Anouchka, would you believe that this single only got to number 77?! Number fucking 77?! What the fuck were the record buying public thinking eh? 

Ah, this one's a classic as well. Seems pretty appropriate too. RIP Terry. 

Where Do Jam Jars Go At Christmas Time - Misty's Big Adventure

In just over a week or so Misty's Big Adventure would usually be playing their annual pre Christmas gig, but very sadly after Grandmaster Gareth passed away back in May there'll be a big Misty's shaped hole in a number of Brum gig goers' lives. Sending love to the band, Gareth's family and his many (but at the same time far too few) fans. 

Get Down and Flirty…The Flirtations play The Night Owl!

 

Northern Soul legends The Flirtations play a special Christmas show at The Night Owl in Digbeth (Brum...for all the non Brummie's out there) this Saturday, December 17^th! Tickets are just £20 (The Flirtations (live vocal performance) + Abi Farrell (Big AC Records) Tickets, Sat, Dec 17, 2022 at 8:00 PM | TicketSellers (theticketsellers.co.uk) and support comes from rising funk and soul star Abi Farrell.

Plaque To The Future - Brum's Rum Runner's Back On The Map

 

For a brief spell in the very early 80s Brum’s Rum Runner Club was right at the heart of the burgeoning New Romantic scene and home (almost literally by all accounts) to one of the bands that pretty much invented the genre, Duran Duran (who also filmed the rarely seen video above for Planet Earth there too). 

Maybe it’s just me but some of those early singles still sound futuristic and whilst the Rum Runner’s gone the same way as so many other iconic music venues (see also The Cavern, The Hacienda and CBGBs for starters) the site it occupied is finally getting a much deserved Blue Plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society. Work and geography – I live in Devon now and the number 9 bus doesn’t go that far sadly – prevent me from personally attending its unveiling on December 16th but if you’re anywhere near why not don those pixie boots, slap on some lippie and pop along? All together now “Bop, bop-bop, bop, bop-bop, bop-bop…”.

Watermelon Man - Byron Lee and the Dragonaires

Picked up a cheapo Ska compilation last week and this track (a cover of the jazz classic by Herbie Hancock) really stood out...especially as the thought of sitting on a beach with a big juicy watermelon seems particularly enticing given the ruddy freezing weather here in the UK right now. 

Just For You - Billy Preston and Syreeta

Wow, more than a week since posting anything. I'm slacking off in my old age. To be fair I was off work for a few days though and that means a strict no laptop policy...and no...I don't have a 'smart' phone either. Crazy eh? Anyone would think it wasn't possible to live without the damn things judging by the looks of bemusement/pity I get every time someone asks me for my mobile number and I tell 'em I don't have one. Anyway, when not working I'm usually elbow deep in mountains of charity shop CDs and last week was no exception. 37 in one day. Yes, I know,,,I need help. Still, one of the bargains was a reissue of Billy Preston and Syreeta's album for a mere 50p and it contains this little gem that wouldn't sound too out of place on a Prince platter. Enjoy!