Cannonball Italy Vinilo y CD

Review: Leon Cook once said, "I think every musician should have the experience of being on the road with a teacher, like I was. (Jazz) is something that teaches you not only how to play your instrument but it teaches you how to be a person." Considering his craft a lifelong practice, 'Steppin' In' exemplifies this outlook. The song, originally licensed from the obscure Ohio guitarist's mega-limited LP 'Cookin' With Leon Cook', shows off his deft production, guitarwork and vocal style, and reflects on a once-lost relationship. The B-side, meanwhile, hears the relationship rekindled. Clearly, just as Cook implied, time heals all wounds, just as it teaches.

Review: The Delights were somewhat unsung heroes from the peak days of the Philly Soul scene back in the 60s and 70s. The local talents were first known as The Twilights and only recorded three demos in their early years though they did land on Phil-L.A of Soul in the mid-seventies. The musicians in the band did also work on several other records with other artists so had plenty of chops as this new 45rpm shows. It features 'Now We're Sure' with soaring vocal harmonies and lovely funky bass next to smooth drum work. The instrumental allows that to shine through even more.

Review: Cannonball continue to provide an unparalleled service to devotees of the funk underground, this time drawing on a lucky acetate find from an undisclosed record spot in Barcelona. Amongst a stack of forgettable bits and pieces emerged this uncredited acetate, which astute digger Eduardo Domingo was able to decipher as the work of Force, a short-lived holy grail funk act led by Frank Filpetti on drums and songwriting duties. 'Holy Moses' came out in its original version in 1974, but this acetate carried a version with French vocals, which is now lovingly presented on this release, soon to be as rare as the original version if the international funk community has anything to do with it.

Review: This reissue of a rather boxy, yet warm and spirited soul rarity came about as the result of a back-breaking search by the label Cannonball to scour every corner of the United States to find the correct Joe Johnson. As it turns out, there were many Joe Johnsons active in the 60s golden era of soul. But after a hard-pressed castaround, they finally managed to track down the original artist behind this lofty paean for an on-the-fence love interest, and were able to relicense it for this reissue. 'What's The Matter With You Baby' is a unique take on the soul formula, with the Louisianan crooner operating in his distinctive low tenor drawl. Bravo on this rekindling, Cannonball.

Review: Carolynn Porter is a name you might not know but that's something of a crime as she is one of the great unsung stars of the early Philly soul era. She grew up around a noted producer of the time, Manny Campbell, and was a vocalist in his band in the mid to late 60s alongside jazz legends John 'Papa' DeFrancesco and Grover Washington Jr. Although she never officially recorded, anything she gigged for years. The music on this new 7" was captured from the original reel tapes that are now stored at the University of Pennsylvania.