Soul Music in 2015

Soul Music as much as we love it, but why has it been removed from today's  musical categories? Sam Cooke was one of the first to release a #1 Soul single, as far back as 1957 with, ''You Send Me''.

The single went on to inspire many Soulful artists including, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Jackie Wilson, were also on the same path. Motown Records, Berry Gordy enjoyed his first taste of early success making, Wilson into a R&B / Soul superstar. Gordy used the money from, ''Lonely Teardrops'' single success to form Motown Records within a year in the January of 1959. Motown records had hit after hit, with such greats as, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops and many other great artists, songwriters and producers. 

Other record labels followed including, Stax Records, Atlantic Records, &  Philadelphia International Records, who later enjoyed much success in the 70's & 80's .
Soul Music was selling by the bucket, even back then labeled as Rhythm & Blues (R&B), in some cases, later in Billboard Magazine listing a chart as, ''Best selling Hot Soul Chart.''

 As we went on through to the 70's, many Soul artists started recording Disco Songs, as the  Disco scene exploded we then had, The Disco Charts and The Disco category remained popular with the mainstream until about 1979, although it's never really disappeared, as even today artists such as, Robin Thicke, Daft Punk, Bruno Mars, and the likes, we will keep having hits with the Disco Style sound as it's a Genre we once accepted and still love & will always accept again.

Boogie followed in the 80's, with many Disco artist recording under this tag, oh how we must love putting Music into Categories, Funk, Jazz-Funk,Psychedelic Funk, Blue Eyed Soul etc... 

What has happened in 2014 is the big question? 
These days the Award ceremonies have forgotten Soul Music, they have many categories even, Gospel, Country, Jazz, Rap, Latin, Dance/ Electronic (which includes House Music), R&B , but No Soul or Soulful. 

True the likes of, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Mary J Blidge, can fit into the R&B category, but where do we place such artists such as, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, who have had strong sellers this year? 
Ron Islet, Kem, Will Downing, Chris Jasper, Earth Wind & Fire, Betty Wright, have no music category to fit into as such! 

Maybe it would be a good idea to do a Soulful category? If  Anita Baker's new album ever gets a release i'm sure this would fit this section as would many Grammy award winning Soul artists that are still recording today. 

It's a great pity, not only have the record shops (that we have left), but the download stores also, are just not sure where to put Soul music!
Lisa Stansfield has just had a top 20 UK album, with so many people still saying, we did not know ,Lisa Stansfield has a new album or where do we find music like this?
Please help spread the word! SOUL MUSIC is here to stay, as we all need it! The music we love & grew up with so, Lets keep it Soulful. 

After watching an awards program back in 2005, Ola Onabule wrote the song, ''Soul Town'' asking why ? has the music we love so much, been removed from all the award ceremony categories...
Soul Town by Ola Onabule the remixes will be released on 13th April on DSG Music to see if we can't bring Soul back to the place we love ... 

If you have a Soulful track new or old that you would like released? We can't promise you millions of sales, but can promise you the best in promotion! You even get to keep your own music publishing! Please send your tracks to: discosoulgold@live.com
Thanks for reading,
Gary Van den Bussche

Colin Watson CW Remix, Mike Maurro House Of Soul Remix, Nigel Lowis Remix 

to be released 13th April on DSG Music.

In Loving Memory of Donna Summer

(LaDonna Adrian Gaines -December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012). 
 Donna Summer Live tribute interview with Jeanette Wilson- 3rd Jan 2014 (Ex employee of Donna Summer)... 
Question for Jeanette - 
1. How many years did you work for Donna & did you meet anybody we would know? 
Gary 
It was more like per schedule performance, within 1 year for example “The Harpers Bazaar” segment of the top female artist’s who won Platinum Albums I was the stylist and hired the hair stylist Nantille Hansberry in Harry Landon studio in LA. In New York I work with the Producer, VP of WEA International Tracey Bledsoe, Donna and I. On the video of “State of Independence“ shot in New York City and Jones Beach. I chose her wardrobe and continue to groom her on the set. Support staff for some of her Satellite Interview’s. I met a lot of people through Donna. Studio Giorgio Moroder, Peter Bellotie, Paul Jabara, actor Ray Vitte recording artist Stevie Wonder so many more.
Jeanette.
Did she influence your life in anyway?
Gary
“Yes“ her HEART of LOVE, I've seen Donna give money to the homeless and her Mother‘s Prayer Group?. Donna was a giving artist and loved her fans. She and Bruce was so wonderful with my son’s, who would spend the night at her mansion and she would sing and tuck them in bed. We would join the family for Christmas and Thanksgiving, it was a beautiful and bless time for all of us.
Jeanette.
was Donna Summer like to work for?
Gary
“Oh my Lord”. It was such a delight every moment of working for Donna was indeed a blessing, even though I was a model an knew the craft of illusions, Donna amazed me on here different transformation’s. of her looks.
Jeanette.
Did you go on tour with Donna & did you see all the shows?
Gary
No, I worked for Donna in between her tours as “Personal Assistance“. Yes, I attended many concert’s with my son‘s. My son‘s first concert in LA, Donna, called them on stage to dance with her, my kids frozen. another show in Atlantic City she told the crowd that I was her “Mentor”.
Jeanette.
Do you still keep in touch with Donna's family?
GARY
Yes, her sister‘s Linda Gaines in Boston, Dara Gaines Bernard of Atlanta. Within a few years I’ve seen Mary Ellen Bernard and Jeanette Yancy and spoken with Donna on the phone a few times.
Jeanette.
Tell us if you can about the other members of Donna's family
Gary
The Gaines family comprised of (7) 1 Male & 6 Female’s 1. Jeanette Yancy, 2. Ricky Gaines, 3. Donna Sudano (Summer)“deceased”, 4, Amy Gaines “deceased”, 5. Linda Gaines, 6. Mary Ellen Gaines Bernard and 7. Dara Gaines Bernard. 3 of her sister at one time was Donna’s background singer’s Amy, Dara and Mary. Mary remained background singer with her sister “Donna” until the end. Her Mother Mary Gaines & Father Andrew Gaines are deceased.
Jeanette.
What did Donna Summer enjoy the most recording or touring ?
Gary
I think it was touring as she loved her fans.
Jeanette
Did Donna encourage her family to sing?
Gary
Yes, I remember hearing Mimi practice “Woman in Me” and through out Donna’s career Mimi sang on stage with her mother a few times.. Brooklyn, Amanda and her husband has a group called JOHNNYSWIM and Mimi’s and her daughter’s Savannah and Vienna Dohler are Solo Artist‘s. Linda Gaines is singing in Boston Clubs.
Jeanette.
Jeanette can you tell us please, what do you think made Donna so magical?
Gary
Yes, Donna knew when she was very young that she would become famous, her platform was the Church and the rest is history
Jeanette.
Which of her own songs did she like & were there any she regretted recording or disliked ?
Gary
With out a doubt “Love to Love you baby” Although it was the song that put her towards fame, it was the one she mostly didn't like. She had  wonderful vocal’s moaning and groaning, but was not what she wanted to do with her voice, or career.  At times Donna & her sister Linda and I would make up skits and character's and recorded them.

Lost Gem: Carolyn Crawford will be "Here for You"

Caroline Crawford's career started by recording for Motown in the 60's. Smokey Robinson wrote a minor R&B hit for her with ''My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down)," but after three singles her contract was not renewed. Her next recording project was as part of the group Hodges, James, Smith and Crawford, but after two single releases, she left the group. Carolyn later joined the Detroit group Chapter 8 (before Anita Baker), but left after a short time to start her solo career up again in 1976. She was the featured vocalist on several of Hamilton Bohannon's singles and six of his albums, including his biggest US single hit "Let's Start the Dance" & also "Me and the Gang." She also recorded for Philadelphia International records in 1975. Bohannon produced her first two solo albums. ''I'll Be Here For You'' was included on her second 1979 solo album, Nice And Soulful'. The title of the album really describes this track, which is our latest SoulTracks Lost Gem. Check it out below and tell us what you think! 

By Gary Van den Bussche 

Disco, Soul, Gold

Comments here please