Syl Johnson
Syl Johnson (b. July 1, 1936) is an American blues and soul singer and music producer. Born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf in the 1950s, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.
The Move
The Move evolved from several mid 1960s Birmingham based groups, including Carl Wayne & The Vikings, The Nightriders & The Mayfair Set. The group's name seems to refer to the move various members of these bands made to form the group. Beside Roy Wood, the original members of the Move were drummer Bev Bevan, bassist Chris "Ace" Kefford, vocalist Carl Wayne & guitarist Trevor Burton. Their first single, 'Night of Fear' was released in 1966 and was the first in a line of memorable hits penned chiefly by Roy Wood.
Ann Sexton
Ann Sexton was born 5th February 1950 in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.A. Songwriter David Lee spotted Ann in 1971, although not a well known artist, Ann recorded a series of great soul records for the legendary Nashville soul DJ and label-owner John R (John Richbourg). Her best known songs, "You've Been Gone Too Long" and "You're Losing Me", were, and still are, great favourites on the Northern Soul scene.
The Leaves
The Leaves were an American garage band formed in California in 1963. They are best known for their version of the song "Hey Joe", which was a hit in 1966. Theirs is the earliest release of this song, which became a rock standard. Guitarist Bobby Arlin was subsequently in The Hook, while bassist/vocalist Jim Pons also played with Frank Zappa and The Turtles.
Juicebox
The Juicebox debut album, Popcorn 69 offers 14 contemporary covers of classic tracks from the original popcorn era. Born out of love for soul, boogaloo and R&B, Juicebox does more than keep alive the traditions that inspire it. These are the sounds of the late sixties but rendered by musicians with the impulse of another generation. Juicebox is an authentic soul band with a respect for roots but blessed with the invention that defined them..
The Triumphs
The Triumphs, an instrumental precursor group to Booker T & The MGswere assembled in 1961 by producer/songwriter Chips Moman in Memphis TN. He recorded recorded them at Stax headquarters in the old Capitol Theater on McLemore Avenue. They were the first release for the Volt label. and they were also apparently the first inter-racial group in the then segregated city. Joining Moman on guitar duties was Booker T Jones on Hammond organ, Lewie Steinberg on bass and drummer Howard 'Bulldog' Grimes, who later would go on to anchor Hi-Records rhythm section.
Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson (born 1926) is a jazz alto saxophonist, born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker's improvisational approach. His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952, and lead several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver and the indomitable skinsman, Art Blakey.
The Eyes
There are at least 3 bands sharing the name The Eyes. 1) In 1965 and 1966, the Eyes released a clutch of singles that stand up to the Who's work from the same era in their blend of extremely innovative guitar feedback/distortion and anthemic mod songwriting. "When the Night Falls," "The Immediate Pleasure," "I'm Rowed Out," "You're Too Much," and the dry "My Generation" satire "My Degeneration" are revered highly by British Invasion collectors. The bursts of electronic mayhem were quite advanced for the time, though like the Who they had hooks and harmonies to counterpoint the madness.
The Smoke
There are several bands with this name. The UK group The Smoke consisted of Mick Rowley on vocals, Mal Luker on guitar, Zeke Lund on bass and Geoff Gill on drums. They released a handful of singles from 1967 - 1970, with their biggest hit 'My Friend Jack' reaching no. 2 in Germany and no. 45 in the UK. See The Smoke (UK). However the singles 'Sweet Spanish' and 'Defeat Retreat' are by the Australian band The Smoke, taken from the 2009 album 'Blood Orange'. See: The Smoke (Oz)