The venerable denim-clad 12-bar boogie merchants of Status Quo have had a record-breaking 60 hit singles, but only one number one, in January 1975. This is it. (more…)

As soon as the sumptuous opening strains of this Philly classic begin, you know you’re in for something smooth and soulful.  Even so, nothing quite prepares you for the sweet sound of Eddie Holman’s soaring falsetto. (more…)

Everything I Own has an unusual place in pop history. It’s a song that gave two artists their only number one hits – but was a comparative flop for the band that wrote and recorded it first. (more…)

This sweetly sentimental slice of soul, featuring the featherlight falsetto of 16-year-old Marcel King, was England’s answer to The Stylistics. Surprisingly, Sweet Sensation came not from Philly – but Manchester. (more…)

If I were making a compilation album of easy-on-the-ear acoustic music of the early Seventies, it would include this melancholy take on Cole Porter by Gary Shearston. (more…)

Watching and listening to him here, it’s tempting to wonder whether Andy Kim started out as a Neil Diamond tribute act. He certainly had the sideburns, and the voice. (more…)

There’s something sinister and creepy about seeing a brother and sister sing this song together, gazing into each other’s eyes. (more…)

Someone should write a book about all great songs that began life as B-sides. Here is another. (more…)

So very sad to hear of the death of Jamaican toaster U-Roy, aka Ewart Beckford, aka The Originator, aka Daddy U-Roy. One of the reggae greats.

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The second single from the second album by Cockney Rebel (The Psychomodo), Mr Soft gave Steve Harley his second hit after Judy Teen. (more…)