Patti Austin | Family Tree: The Coral, ABC and UA Singles [2025]

UMG has done something right post-fire. This 34-track compilation of Patti's early sides contains 11 tracks that, to my knowledge, have never seen the digital light of day stateside. It was released as a download/stream without fanfare this past June 27th, but I can find no sign of a physical release. What a great surprise!



https://open.spotify.com/album/6XwOQzglhSf8dqx5kLnhlx

The fabulous Connie Francis left us today. RIP Ms. Francis.

https://youtu.be/NVCw9FqErQc?si=_C78u7Cm7o1jzOCH


For Motown alumni who want to donate their story to Motown Museum, please contact Donations@MotownMuseum.org

I certainly assumed that her other fans would be right on top of this but here we are halfway through the day, at least in my time zone, and no one has posted the word that today, July 18th, is Martha Reeves' 84th birthday. Best wishes for many more!!!

Among my favorite of the dance oriented Motown songs is Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Going to a Go Go". Over the years, I have included it on every Favorites party playlists I have.

Sadly, or is it really sad?, I discovered I have been mishearing the lyric in a couple of the lines:

"It doesn't matter is you don't stagger.
It doesn't matter if you don't drag."

For over 50 years, I've been jamming to the lines as being:
"It doesn't matter if you go stag.
It doesn't matter if you go drag."

Yes, I began to realize times weren't quite that progressive back in the 60s, so I did further research this morning to find my error.

I still like the freedom of still listening to it as "It doesn't matter if you go drag." To each his own!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWt4...&start_radio=1

Anyone ever hear of this group?

JOY - High Life [[1981)

RPM, PVBL9002
Producers: Patric van Blerk, Fransua Roos & Greg Cutler
Engineer: Greg Cutler
Recorded at: RPM Studios

Made up of the late Anneline Malebo, Felicia Marion and Thoka Ndlozi, Joy pre-empted the bubblegum era with their commercially appealing sound and image, crafted by producer Patric van Blerk [[Victory, Margaret Singana), one of the first to forge a multiracial crossover sound influenced by American soul and R&B. As South Africa's answer to the Supremes, Joy supported touring acts like Lamont Dozier, Clarence Carter, Dobie Gray and Leo Sayer. They were undoubtedly best known for the massive crossover hit 'Paradise Road' in 1980, which helped them earn two Saries Awards for Best Vocal Group and Best English LP of the Year in 1980 [[a landmark moment in the ethnically divided industry) and even led to a tour of the UK. High Life followed in 1981, but lacked a hit to take the trio further. They broke up in 1983, the year that Brenda Fassie, who had once filled in for Malebo in the Joy line-up, ushered in the bubblegum era with 'Weekend Special'. Although their sound was less fresh and funky that the bubblegum acts that followed in the footsteps, Joy's contribution to the local industry should never be forgotten.