MAZE Feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY - FIRST OF GROOVIN' BLUE 'LEGACIES' SERIES -

**NOW PODCASTED**

GROOVIN' BLUE

'LEGACIES' SPECIAL.

The new GROOVIN' BLUE Podcast is the first WAGRadio show broadcast under the heading of the 'Legacies Series'.  Only one or two of these unique shows may be produced yearly and will differ from a normal Groovin' Blue show because they will feature the music of a single artist.  The first musical act chosen by DJZigZag is MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY.  ZigZagZ sez that he is committed to broadening their popularity via WAGRadio.   

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY

HISTORY:

It was MARVIN GAYE who convinced a self-contained San Francisco group (that he'd asked to open for him on the road) to change their name from Raw Soul to Maze.   But Marvin did more than that to directly contribute to the Frankie Beverly-led group's success.  It was Marvin, in 1976, who introduced them to the Vice President of black music at Capitol records, Larkin Arnold.  Signing them, gave the L.A. label a gold L.P. record and Maze (from that album) three R&B hit singles and the undying love of New World African Music devotees around the globe. Maze has a fan base (from the 1980's) who's depth of emotion and caring can only be compared to that of fans of Bill Withers.  

DJZigZag 

Photos: Warren Roseborough

HOT & JUICY / BUMPY & LUMPY - - THE ALL NEW SOUL-Ta-Fy-ING GROOVIN' BLUE 09 - 07 ! ! !

IN ZIGZAGZ not-so-humble OPINION GROOVIN' BLUE 09-07  - - IS THE MOST SOUL-FAN-TAS-TI-FYING GROOVIN' BLUE EVER - - BUY HEY ! !  - - AIN'T THAT THE WAY IT S'PO'ED TA BE ? ?

Joining (already mentioned) NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC ARTISTES, are newcomers BLACK RYNO, BUGLE, ESTELLE, E REECE and DA'VILLE.  

So dig in cuz this is a very filling repast . . . .

WAGRadio Management

Photo: Frederich Hende

DAYS AWAY FROM NEW GROOVIN' BLUE [09-07] & WORKIN' ON FUNK SHUI SPECIAL WITH SWEET DADDY FONK

The soon to be pod-casted GROOVIN' BLUE 09-07 features nu choons by LADEN, MANTIS, TIM BENSON, MC LYTE and BUSY SIGNAL as well as some soul-worn favourites by BOBBY WOMACK, CURTIS MAYFIELD, BRENTON WOOD and THE AFRO-BLUES QUINTET PLUS ONE.

SUNNY 'SWEET DADDY FONK' WONG & DJZZ are also molding a FUNK SHUI 'CRESCENT CITY' SPECIAL which, as the title implies, and as we've already more than hinted at, will embrace the rockin', hand clappin', feelin' good music of NEW ORLEANS.

DJZigZag is also working on an ALL-JAZZ G.B. and an ALL-JAMROCK G.B. - - So get ready for a ton a' 2009 summertime jams.

WAGRadio Management

Photo: Frederich Hende

THE INK SPOTS - THE GYPSY

We went way way way WAY back for this one (1946 to be exact) to a major vocal group of the day.
The reason THE INK SPOTS short film clip stood out was the clownin' around that passed unnoticed (?) at the time.  While lead singer BILL KENNY is telling his INK SPOT pals (at 1:13 in the film short) how, "his heart was so full of tears", fellow Ink Spot CHARLIE FUQUA is breaking up IVORY "DEEK" WATSON by pointing to his hand and mugging. Deek has to duck his head and put his hand over his mouth to keep from breaking up.  When we move to a two-shot of Mr. Kenny and bass singer ORVILLE "HOPPY" JONES, it's obvious Mr. Jones has been so intent on watching his pal's jiving (instead of paying attention to Bill K), he can only muster a permanent smile bordering on laughter. Its a wonderful bit of unintended film humour that we believe musta' somehow got by the studio brass.  We wonder how Bill Kenny kept a straight face warbling this sorrowful tale as the other 'SPOTS' ack' a fool.  Some of his close-ups musta been shot at a different time.  This marvelous quartet was at the top of their game in '46 - world-wide super stars - and it shows in this relaxed attitude to film, Hollywood and show business.

WAGRadio Management

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY - WE ARE ONE

Just to prove a point - to those of you who still may be sceptics.
Here's  MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY  again.

I do understand that the majority of people I talk to (of all ages) have never heard of  MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY.  Those same people are unaware that in the late 70's & 1980's the musical ensemble was adored by millions of NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC fans around the world.   This lack of popular acceptance may have something to do with the (already stated) fact that pop stations of the day turned a blind eye to their soothing soulful musical output.  I haven't a clue why pop stations, the same ones that were playing EARTH, WIND & FIRE, GEORGE DUKE, SHALAMAR and HEATWAVE, didn't program MAZE - but they didn't.   

One things fo' sho', after watching the videos, I know you'll say you don't know why they didn't receive airplay either . . .

DJZigZag

MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY ! ! I WANT TO FEEL WANTED

Oh sweet love of all that's sweet and lovely ! ! !
Ain't they a bitch and a half ! ! ! !

MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY are still filling arenas all across the U S of A and have never ever had a hit on the pop charts.
In the late seventies and eighties they were so loved by those of us who love New World African Music that only an artist of the emotional stature of BILL WITHERS could elicit a larger response of joy from an audience. Turn your hip-hoppers on to this group - - turn your children on to them - - TURN THE WORLD ON TO WHAT THEY HAVE MISSED ! ! !                   Arguably, MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY is the most joyous and soulful and love-inspiring group of brothers to ever have joined together to make music.

DJZigZag

BROOK BENTON - Rainy Night In Georgia (live 1982)

One of the all time great Soul / R'n'B song stylists -  MR. BROOK BENTON  -  in this early eighties live performance fulfils our need for something new to view. 

Brook is also featured in the 2008 Groovin' Blue Christmas shows that are still available on WAGRadio [PODBEAN].
DJZigZag

LEAN TIMES CHANGE 2009 NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC SCENE

It seems, in the last part of 2008 and the beginning of this year, that there have been fewer New World African Music videos produced.   

Copyright laws have also counter-productively influenced the promoting of (by blogs like ours) certain new videos.  

Jamaica, hit hard by the recession, has almost ceased producing any newly-mown, home-grown music promos of worth.  Add to this the already too-long trend of contemporary Jazz videos being virtually non-existant - and the phrase 'lean times' seems to be in no-way descriptive enuff.

Therefore WAGRadio fans, you may be seeing more NWAM nostalgia-clips posted (than you're used to): at least until the world gets back on its financial feet.  Our mandate is that any old film shorts or 'kines' we offer you are as close as possible to the artistic quality and high-style performance of the Flamingos 'Jump Children' (from "Go Johnny Go").

We would ask that if you view any New World African Music videos that you deem worthy of blog inclusion (especially contemporary)  - advise us -  as a   COMMENT   or e-mail

radio@wagradio.com   

WAGRadio Management

Cartoon: Robert Leighton   [courtesy: Douglas Miller]

Down In Jamaica ft. Kabbalist (Official Video Trailer)

Short 1:46 video of KABBALIST and his huge smash "Down In Jamaica" gives us time to tell ya that in the next few weeks a new Groovin' Blue [09-07] will be on its way to you  - -  along with an ALL-JAZZ Groovin' Blue & an ALL JAM-ROCK Groovin' Blue 

plus SUNNY 'Sweet Daddy Fonk WONG tells us that he and DJZIGZAG are workin' hard on a brand new  GROOVIN' BLUE FUNK SHUI CRESCENT CITY SPECIAL ! !   They say it'll feature ERNIE K-DOE, EARL KING, BENNY SPELLMAN, JOHNNY ADAMS, CHRIS KENNER, BERNA-DEAN, EDDIE BO and many more of our favourite back befo' back-in-the-day NEW ORLEANS artistes.  We're excited ! 
WAGRadio Management

BACKBEAT: EARL PALMER'S STORY - A great summer read !

In late 1949 / early 1950, the top Blues and Rhythm record on many charts was FATS DOMINO's 'THE FAT MAN'. The drummer on the recording was EARL PALMER. In 1959, one of DJZigZag's favourite Rock 'n' Roll 45's (of all-time) - 'BAD BOY' by LARRY WILLIAMS - featured Mr. Palmer's drum kit. All of the most well-known LITTLE RICHARD singles and the many recordings by our New Orleans music heroes were the home territory of one E. PALMER.

What is mind-blowingly amazing though, is the sheer volume of singles and albums that EARL PALMER added his joy to beyond the magic circle of New World African Music. The Beach Boys, Duane Eddy, Ricky Nelson, Doris Day, the Everly Brothers, Jan and Dean, Ritchie Valens, the Monkees, Willie Nelson, Jackie DeShannon, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Andy Williams, Bobby Vee, Bobby Darin. Frank Sinatra etc etc etc etc etc etc etc all benefited from the subtle artistry of the king of NEW ORLEANS R'n'B drummers.

Written by Mr. Tony Scherman with a foreward by Wynton Marsalis we would heartily recommend "Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story" as a two day 196 page (including index and discography) summer vacation read - which you can then pass on to spouse, kids or family members and friends - its a great finally-told story for everyone who loves popular American music.

WAGRadio Management

LATEST WAGRadio FAVOURITE SOUL MUSIC MAGAZINE - 'IN THE BASEMENT' - PUBLISHES SPRING 2009 ISSUE

One of our favourite magazines has just published its 2009 spring issue - and it is, as always, chock-full of shared knowledge about soul music.  

In this 'In The Basement' [#54] - can be found the esoteric - 'THE STORY OF VIRGINIA SOUL MUSIC' - as well as the well-known, oft-told -  JIMMY HUGHES - QUALIFIED SOUL MAN . . . but then again, within that well known bio are facts like Mr. Hughes' being the cousin of PERCY SLEDGE.  Even if we knew that - we'd forgotten. 

Sweet Daddy Fonk Wong is known to 'borrow' ZigZagZ copy of the mag and read it from cover to cover at least four or five times and "...he still don't take it all in".

Along with the ton of well written articles this 78 page issue reviews over eighty brand new soul Cd's as well as older 45's and vinyl.  Said Sweet Daddy: "This is a true treasure trove of trivia that I wish I had in my basement." 

IN THE BASEMENT doesn't sell on any Canadian West Coast book or magazine store shelves.  Ya can't buy it off the rack in Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon or any of the major U.S. cities on the Western North American Seaboard either.  In other words, it has to be subscribed to.

To do that . . . 

email:  itb@basement-group.co.uk

WAGRadio Management

REDBONE - Come and Get Your Love

SUMMER IS COMING . .

LOVING PALS REMEMBERED.

REJUVENATION IS HERE . . .

WAGRadio

A RESTLESS WAGRadio SPRING HERALDS A CREATIVE SUMMER

The early morning movement of ships - the ever changing tide - the pushing in and out of trains and planes attest to the spirit of restlessness that filters through the soul at this time every year. We at WAGRadio need to jump into something CREATIVELY NEW and different . . . . .

Maybe an all Jamaican show.

Maybe an all Jazz show.

Any ideas out there?

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 or  email us at radio@wagradio.com

Photo: F. Hende