Joey & Norman Jay MBE present: Good Times 4/ Norman Jay Presents Philadelphia
Author: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
Sunday, August 29, 2004
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
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