The Coalitions

Thanks for stopping by the Science Of Soul, it's a little different this week as the Featured Artist is part re-issue, part new. Those fine gentleman at Soul Junction Records have made available The Coalitions set: "Colour Me Blue," it takes you back to a time when there were so many great singing groups, and I have to say what great job Soul Junction do in providing an outlet for often rare quality soul music, If you check there back catalogue it's surprising just how much they have shared with us, so please give them you support, this album was pleasant surprise and I am very pleased to share it with you.

I've got the usual mix of Soul, just the way we like it, here on the Science Of Soul, a big thank you to our sponsor for this month David Marquis, his big launch night is coming up in New York City in November, I will keep you updated.

Aaron Cohen

My Listeners Choice this week comes from my dear friend Aaron Cohen, Chicago based Aaron is a published author, so I thought this week I'd let him tell you about his song selection...."When asked for three Chicago soul classics, I have to say the winnowing down proved the most difficult part. It would’ve been far easier to choose 300—and provide capsule descriptions of them all—than to decide which ones would be left out. I also know that next week I would probably select three different tracks. But, without doubt, Curtis Mayfield’s work would always be included.

1.) Curtis Mayfield, “Move On Up.” A few years ago, I tried to start a campaign to name this song as Chicago’s official anthem. While the civic powers-that-be ignored my efforts (for now), I am using this title for my book: Move On Up: Chicago Soul And Black Cultural Power (University of Chicago Press, 2017 publication). The lyrics speak for themselves: Mayfield expressed pure optimism and determination during a time in the post-Civil Rights era when so many things nationally, and locally, seemed even more dire than they are today. And he was also looking for different musical directions when he left the Impressions and included this track on his 1970 solo debut, Curtis. This type of string and horn arrangement defined the Chicago sound of the 1960s, but then percussionist “Master” Henry Gibson takes off and there’s no turning back.

2.) Syl Johnson, “Is It Because I’m Black.” While “Move On Up” sounds so full and upbeat, “Is It Because I’m Black” is almost as striking for its bleak, and minimalist, tone. There are no horns or backing vocals here, just a small group featuring Johnson’s own cutting guitar lines alongside Bernard Reed’s bass. Johnson has said that he wrote the song in response to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. He added that his intention wasn’t militancy, but to question why racism has endured in the U.S. His voice doesn’t shout, sneer or moan. Instead, Johnson sounds like he’s constantly just about to break down. This song is as relevant today as it was 45 years ago.

3.) Marlena Shaw, “Woman Of The Ghetto.” I’m still researching, and trying to put into words, all that Charles Stepney accomplished as a producer and arranger. After considering his numerous tracks for Terry Callier and The Dells, I decided to pick this one. On Shaw’s The Spice Of Life album she had transformed herself from a solid jazz interpreter to a powerful, and soulful, protest singer. But the key here is that experimental sound that Stepney assembled with the strings and kalimba. Maurice White was definitely taking notes. Funny enough, the first version of this song I heard was Phyllis Dillon’s reggae rendition. Maybe instead of being a Chicagoan, I’m actually British!"

Aaron Cohen is a Chicago-based writer and educator whose work appears regularly in DownBeat and the Chicago Tribune. His first book was Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace (Bloomsbury/Continuum).

All that's left for me to say is enjoy the music remember to hit the like button on FB if you enjoy and please share with a friend....... 

This Weeks Playlist Sunday 20th October 2013

Hour One

L A Boppers - Watching Life
Fredrick Knight - Your The Best Thing In My Life
Giovanca - Finally
Najee ft Eric Benet - We Gonna Ride
Donny Hathaway - Memory Of Our Love
Lalah Hathaway - That Was Then
The Coalitions Didn't We Almost Make It
The Coalitions I'm Your Gentleman
Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black
Marlena Shaw - Women Of The Ghetto
Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

Hour Two

Marvin Sease - I Do Baby

Eddie Horan- Man Without His Woman

James Perry - Lottery Of Love

Eric Roberson - Softest Lips

The Coalitions I Thank God

Newcomers - To Little In Common To Be In Love

Numonics - It's So Easy To Be Mislead

The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby

Rashaad - If You Wanna Leave

The Intruders - To Be Happy Is The Real Thing

Stephanie Mills - Love Hasn't Been Good To Me

New York City - Darling Take Me Back

 

The Coalitions Biography:

Their story began with Philadelphian William Anthony Anderson who under the Stage name Of “Little Tony Talent” recorded “All That’s Good Baby/Your Too Young” for Juggy Murray’s Sue Label in 1966. Tony recorded a second and final solo release the Van McCoy penned and produced “Gotta Tell Somebody (About My Baby)/ Hooked On You” a 1967 release on the New York based Vando label, which McCoy co-owned with partner Jocko Henderson.

Tony who was still only fifteen at the time continued to enter local talent shows in and around Philadelphia and after being beaten on a couple of occasions by vocal groups, thought the best way forward was to form a group of his own.So with high school friends Alan Williams, Bruce Dunbar and Carl Smith, Tony formed a group known as the “Deltones”.

Due to a conflict of names with another Philly harmony group “The Delfonics” a change of name was soon to follow with the guys choosing a name that they thought was more relevant to the times they were living in, thus the name of “The Coalitions” was agreed on, at this juncture Carl Smith left the group to be replaced by the late Dwight Mitchell.

The Coalitions first recording “Instead … How Are You/I Don’t Mind Doin’ It (Instrumental)” appeared on the local “Re Dun” label in 1974. This release was picked up later in the same year by the nationally Jamie/Guyden distributed Phil. LA Of Soul label (367) a second release (371) of “Instead … How Are You” was issued in early 1975 this time dropping the instrumental flipside in favour of a vocal outing “Later Than You Think”. After the Phil. LA Of Soul adventure The Coalitions entered a barren period recording wise during which time Bruce Dunbar left the group. His position would later be filled by Bruce Fauntleroy, with a fifth member Stephen Ferguson also joining the group.

In circa 1979 with a group line up of Tony Anderson (Talent), Alan Williams, Bruce Fauntleroy, Milton Williams and Stephen Ferguson The Coalitions began recording their “Colour Me Blue” album project. Although after two years in the making the finished product was never issued. Following a lead 45 featuring two of the tracks from the album “The Memory Of You/On The Block” SJ512 which were released in 2011. You now finally have before you the much anticipated “Colour Me Blue” album which is available in both vinyl and CD format.

Front cover photo. From left to right: Bruce Fauntleroy, Alan Williams Tony Anderson, Milton Williams and Steve Ferguson.