Compilation Of The Week

"We at Good Times are suitably thrilled with this latest selection and feel ALL the tracks listed below FULLY warrant their inclusion here on Good Times 4. We also strongly feel this quality collection STILL maintains the rich musical pedigree, diversity and above all, quality of our previous Good Times albums and totally reflects our eclectic musical ethos whilst at the same time intimating to the casual listener just where 'we are at' musically in 2004." (Norman Jay, normanjay.com)

Writing on his website blog just days before the start 2004's Notting Hill Carnival, UK DJ pioneer and legend Norman Jay was clearly buzzing with excitement about the release of his annual Carnival CD, not least because the CD consists entirely of tracks intended for maximum carnival play. From radio friendly new hits like Estelle's 1980 and Shapeshifter's Lola's Theme to classic soul from the likes of James Brown, Billy Paul and LTD, the double CD covers all Good Times' bases, in keeping with Jay's unchallengable DJ background.

From hanging out at New York's Paradise Garage in the 70s to giving Judge Jules his first big break in London's pre-acid house warehouse party scene of the 80s, Jay's always been a central figure in club culture, creating, promoting and living the dance life. And Good Times, his gigantic West London annual block party within the Carnival, marks the spot where he's rightly revered as one of Britain's (and the world's genuinely most influential DJs.)

Norman Jay Presents Philadelphia also includes more than a few cuts of Good Times carnival ilk, though is a carefully selected set of 20 tunes culled from Philadelphia's golden era of 1973-81. Less accessible than Good Times, it'll nevertheless delight soul fans and like Good Times, is deliberately unmixed.

Genre: Soul/ funk/ eclectic

Rating: 8/10 Good Times: 7/ 10 Philadelphia


-=-

Philadelphia CD

 Love Is The Message - MFSB
  2  East - Paul, Billy
  3  Trusting Heart (Tom Moulton mix) - Trammps
  4  This Air I Breathe - O'Jays
  5  Whole Town's Talking - Paul, Billy
      6  Where Will You Go When The Party's Over - Bell, Archie & The Drells
  7  Let Me Be Good To You - Rawls, Lou
  8  See You When I Git There - Rawls, Lou
  9  Big Gangster - O'Jays
10  It's Hard Not To Like You - Bell, Archie & The Drells

Disc 2
  Track Listings     
  1  We Got Some Catchin' Up To Do - Carn, Jean
  2  Ain't No Time Fa Nothing - Futures
  3  False Faces - Paul, Billy
  4  Where Would I Be Without You - White, Anthony
  5  Bump De Bump - Montgomery, Monk
      6  In Good Faith - Harris, Norman
  7  Let's Party Down - MFSB
  8  Set Me Free - Pendergrass, Teddy
  9  Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love) - O'Jays
10  This Feeling's Killing Me - Jones Girls


-=-

Joey & Norman Jay MBE present: Good Times 4

tracklisting: CD1
1. Ten City - Superficial People (Hurley Mix)
2. L.T.D. - It's Time To Be Real
3. Jaimeson feat: Terri Walker - Common Ground
4. Oi Va Voi - Refugee (Matthew Herbert Mix)
5. The Impressions - We're A Winner
6. Mica Paris - I Should've Known Better
7. Bomb The Bass feat: Justin Warfield - Bug Powder Dust (La Funk Mob Mix)
8. First Class - Strictly Rollin'
9. Est'elle - 1980
10. Willis Jackson - Nuther'n Like Thuther'n
11. Zap Pow - This Is Reggae Music
12. Aswad - Warrior Charge
13. The Five Corners Quintet - Three Corners
14. Mel Torme - I'm Comin' Home Baby

CD2

1. The System - I Can't Take Losing You
2. Jakki - You Are The Star (A Tom Moulton Mix)
3. Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme (Norman Jay's Good Times  Mix)
4. Mekkah feat: Stephen Granville - Dimensions (I'm Happy)
5. Jeff Lorber - Best Part Of The Night
6. Lee Dorsey - Night People 
7. Eddie Harris - It's Alright Now
8. James Brown - Don't Tell It
9. Nextmen - The Next Trend (instrumental)
10. Damaris - What About My Love
11. Brenda Russell - Way Back When
12. Billy Paul - Windy
13. James Mason - Sweet Power Your Embrace

Jonty Tags

• Skrufff