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John Bongo

Name: John Bongo
Address: Exeter, Devon, GB
Telephone: +447970246999
Rating: 5

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John Bongo

⭐️It's all about funky rhythms, boogaliscious basslines, punchy horns, groovy keys & soulful voices⭐️ He'd never seen anything like it.
(1)

As a quiet kid, drawing pictures of birds was about as exciting as things got. Not a lot changed until, at the tender and impressionable age of 14, John Bongo finally arrived at the weekly teens disco at the local pub - a place he figured he'd have zero interest in - and had been vigorously trying to duck out of being dragged to for months - much to his mates frustrations. So, on this hot Tuesday

night in June 1979, the doors burst open, and a solid wall of unbelievably loud music and strobe lights almost knocking him to the floor, and a crazy, hot 'n' sweaty crowd filling the dance floor. The shock to the system almost made him turn on his heel and make an escape - but the sheer excitement kept him there. It was at that moment all the elements in the musical cosmos came together, fusing the nervous excitement, the teenage energy, the thumping music and synchronised dance floor disco lights. The switch was thrown forever. In that instant, he became totally hooked on the energy of this place, the dancers, and the music that fuelled it all. The quiet kid was instantly intoxicated by the vibe, and the DJ, a very cool-looking guy by the stage name of Buddie Holley, who sat at the helm of this incredible Disco Starship, high up, overlooking the dance floor. He played the records that generated the energy, and - in that moment - that's what John Bongo realised he wanted to do. He stood with eyes on stalks, watching the dancers - these were top movers - surrounded by a densely-packed wall of other kids watching in awe, their faces illuminated by the 'Saturday Night Fever'-style dance floor; Kev S and Rocker Rowsell with their hops and 'drops' borrowed from energetic northern soul moves, giving it all to Arthur Conley's Funky Street; disco 'smoothies' with magic black slip-on shoes and white socks, gliding effortlessly across the floor to Earth Wind & Fire's Boogie Wonderland or Jackson's Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough. He loved it all and couldn't get enough. From that point on, needless to say, a Tuesday night was never missed. Since then, he's been lucky enough to have played this beautiful form of dance music at all kinds of amazing events, including celebrations, festivals, corporate bashes, and private parties. He still gets the same buzz that he got when he first tumbled through that door into that hot, sweaty teenage disco. There's a simple equation... music with rhythm and groove is the fuel that ignites a primitive urge causing people to relax, let themselves go, and move their bodies to the music. This is what JB strives to recreate when he plays - whether it's a handful of people on a tiny dance-floor, or a field-full of festival-goers. There's little doubt that nostalgia has to play a big part of his love for soul, funk and disco, but it's artistry and connection with dance and togetherness is the big pull. It's never more powerful or vibrant than when you see it accompanied by dance, the two working together, influencing the DJ's track choices, or a band's energy. There's no other genre of music that can create such a powerful electric buzz at a party. It's high production values and the talents of the vocalists and musicians involved, ensure not only that it survives, but continues to thrive, with new artists emerging, creating exciting new sounds. It's influence on modern music has never been stronger than now. So that’s how John Bongo came to do this crazy thing. To be able to give as much fun and good vibes, and get the same back, is certainly a great trade, and a blessing. And finally... his dream is for clubs to be opened (and reopened) throughout the country, where young guys and gals can enjoy this uplifting music once again, burn off their energy on the dance floor and create that exciting vibe that's been missing for so long from our entertainment culture. "Dance is healthy, fun, exciting, totally infectious, and it promotes confidence, well-being, and long-term happiness" he says... "in a world where young people can focus all too easily on negativity, this surely can't be a bad thing." John Bongo's Devon Funk & Soul Club page: facebook.com/DevonFunkSoul

Join our Devon Funk & Soul Club group: facebook.com/groups/780285268769600

21/07/2024

Afternoon Sunday Girls & Boys. Nice cool sultry summer feel on this...

Tru Thoughts is an independent record label based in Brighton, UK.Over the years we have brought you artists like Alice Russell, Bonobo, Quantic, Hot 8 Brass...

13/07/2024

Happy birthday Ralph! 🥳 🎈🎶🤩

🎁 Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday 🎉 to the one and only Ralph "Slick" Johnson! 🥳 🥳 🥳 Show this living legend your love today!

13/07/2024

Near Lyme Regis this Saturday? I'll be kicking off a summer run of Saturday night DJs, and spinning some really lovely bits of vinyl At 'Downstairs' - the Cocktail Bar at The Lyme Bay Cafe & Bar, 7 - 11pm... come and have one or two of their unique cocktails, and hear soul, jazz, and funk tunes from all decades 📀🍹📀🍸📀❤️

05/07/2024

...and not a moment too soon ♥️

The Blind Boys of Alabama are set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association at their 23rd annual ceremony held on 18 September at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Established in Alabama in 1939 they came to redefine gospel music with their songs and performances.

In a message to their mailing list the Blind Boys of Alabama said; “Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen and all of you for coming to see our shows and spinning our music over the years.”

https://petergabriel.com/news/blind-boys-of-alabama-lifetime-achievement-award/

05/07/2024

A rarely seen photo of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers from the CHIC-ism era.

05/07/2024

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life 🌅

"Feeling Good" (also known as "Feelin' Good") is a song written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical "The Roar Of The Greasepaint—The S...

04/07/2024

Morning! IT'S...
P-DAY 😃
(don't forget to)

30/06/2024

It was a hot afternoon
The last day of June
And the sun was a demon
The clouds were afraid
One-ten in the shade
And the pavement was steaming...
I told Billy Ray
In his red Chevrolet
I needed time for some thinking
I was just walking by
When I looked in her eye
And I swore it was winking... 🌊

Happy Last Day Of June 🌞

Bobby Goldsboro -- Summer The First Time

16/06/2024

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there... and thoughts are with you if today brings not-so-happy thoughts 💜 x
Here's the wonderful Gladys Knight & the Pips with 'Daddy Could Swear, I Declare'...

No copyright infringement intended. A great Gladys/Pips Motown track from 1972 with the hottest backing track EVER...stretched....

10/06/2024

26/05/2024

Checked out some very enjoyable funky blues from 'Silence In The Court Of Blues' at The Kings Arms, Otterton this afternoon, as part of the Sidmouth Jazz & Blues Festival. I believe the drummer was standing - or sitting in, but sounded like she'd played with them for years. While many punters were getting soaked outside in the heavy showers, the rest of us were warming up nicely 😉

Here's the classic Bill Withers track 'Use Me'.

26/05/2024

24/05/2024

Friday Funk: Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper
This one was given a spin at a wedding celebration I played at last weekend at a beautiful Devon country house. It blew the dance floor apart, no surprises though, it never fails. Happy bank hol weekend y'all 🌞🎶😍

19/05/2024

Never thought I'd live to see the day when Iggy Pop says "Tiswas" 😅

Pre-order/save 'All That Glue', Out 15 May ➤ https://bit.ly/AllThatGlue "Tiswas" taken from the "Divide and Exit" album by Sleaford Mods.Buy now on Vinyl her...

19/05/2024

Sunday Soul: Jamie and The Numbers - You Don't Love Me.
This is just great. Love the 60s soul vibe and vocals. The Prisoner intro is a brilliant tribute too 🛞

Jamie Musuva is a wonderfully gifted Tongan - Kiwi, the 30year old singer is based in Wellington and she can occasionally be seen singing soul tunes for Tape...

16/05/2024

Happy Birthday Stevie! 74 today, when he was much younger he made a vast impression on many at Motown.

Martha Reeves, was working as a receptionist when Stevie first auditioned for the label, she said that when he came to his audition he wowed everyone by playing every instrument in the studio after which he pulled out a harmonica from his pocket that nobody at Motown had ever played before.

Dennis Edwards of The Temptations' recalled that the first time that he met him at Motown Stevie was a little kid. All that you had to do was speak and Stevie knew who you were. He couldn't see him and yet he was like "Dennis!" saying that when he first met him how did he know who he was!

05/05/2024

Sunday Soul: This Guy - This Girl's In Love - James Brown & Lyn Collins

James' and Lyn Collins' take on the Herb Alpert classic. Written by Bacharach & David, the original Alpert version reached no. 3 in the British singles chart in 1968, and has been covered hundreds of times. This Brown-Collins version only appeared on single as the 'B' side of "What My Baby Needs Is a Little More Lovin'" by James Brown and Lyn Collins. Released in December 1972, it never charted (or was even released?) in the UK, only in the U.S. R&B, and Pop charts.

The chemistry between these two iconic singers, the great production, and this being such a brilliantly-written song make this a true classic for me. Happy holiday Sunday y'all ♥️

soulhawk

03/05/2024

⭐ Happy Birthday Ray Parker Jr.

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. (born May 1, 1954) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. As a solo performer, he wrote and performed the theme song to the 1984 movie Ghostbusters. He also performed with his band, Raydio, and with Barry White.
Guitarist/songwriter/producer Ray Parker Jr. had hits as Raydio (the million-selling "Jack and Jill," "You Can't Change That"), Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio ("Two Places at the Same Time", "A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]"), and Ray Parker Jr. (the number one R&B and pop gold single "Ghostbusters"), and he co-wrote hit songs for Rufus and Chaka Khan (the number one "You Got the Love" from fall 1974) and Barry White ("You See the Trouble with Me" from spring 1976).

Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Parker started out as a teenaged session guitarist playing on sessions recorded for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus Records, whose roster listed Freda Payne, Honey Cone, Chairmen of the Board, 100 Proof Aged in Soul, Laura Lee, and 8th Wonder.

He also played behind the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and other Motown acts when they appeared at the Twenty Grand Club. In 1972, Wonder called Parker to ask him to play behind him on a tour that he was doing with the Rolling Stones. Parker thought it was a crank call and hung up the phone. Wonder called back and convinced Parker that he was the real deal by singing "Superstition" to him.
Later, Parker played on Wonder's albums Talking Book (1972) and Innervisions (1973).

Moving from Detroit to Los Angeles, Parker got into session work, playing on sides by Leon Haywood, Barry White, and arranger Gene Page and working with Motown producer Clarence Paul on Ronnie McNeir's 1976 Motown debut, Love's Comin' Down, and he appeared in the picnic scene in the Bill Cosby/Sidney Poitier comedy classic Uptown Saturday Night.

Deciding to become a recording artist, Parker got a deal with Arista Records in 1977. Not confident on his singing ability, he put together a band that included vocalist Arnell Carmichael, bassist/singer Jerry Knight (who later had his own solo hit with "Overnight Sensation" and as half of Ollie & Jerry, and co-produced hits by the Jets), guitarist Charles Fearing, Larry Tolbert, and Darren Carmichael. However, on record, Parker played most, if not all of the instruments - although Arnell et al. were paid a retainer so they'd be available if Raydio had a hit record and needed to tour.

His first LP, Raydio, went gold, peaking at number eight R&B in spring 1978. The LP included the number five gold R&B hit single "Jack and Jill" (lead vocal by Jerry Knight), "Is This a Love Thing," and the charting single "Honey I'm Rich."

The hits continued with Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio's number four gold Rock On (the single "You Can't Change That" was number three R&B, number nine pop in the spring of 1979); the number six gold R&B Two Places at the Same Time from spring 1980 ("Two Places at the Same Time" was number six R&B in spring 1980); and the number one gold record A Woman Needs Love from 1981 ("A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]" - the first song Parker sang all the way through without trading vocals - held the number one R&B spot for two weeks and went number four pop in spring 1981). Then, the Ray Parker Jr. album The Other Woman held the number one R&B, number 11 pop spot in spring 1982 ("The Other Woman" was number two R&B for four weeks).

One of Parker's biggest hits and best-loved songs, "Ghostbusters" was initially submitted for the background score of the Dan Aykroyd/Harold Ramis/Bill Murray/Ernie Hudson comedy. Director Ivan Reitman thought that the song should be released as a single. The "Ghostbusters" music video is one of the funniest and most star-studded videos ever made (breakdancing Bill Murray style). "Ghostbusters" parked at the number one R&B spot for two weeks and the number one pop for three weeks on Billboard's charts in summer 1984. Around this time, Huey Lewis sued Columbia Pictures and Ray Parker Jr. for copyright infringement, claiming that "Ghostbusters" was a ripoff of his recent hit, "I Want a New Drug." Lewis received an out-of-court settlement.

Parker also wrote and produced hits for New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man" - Parker originally recorded this with Jr. Tucker for his 1983 self-titled Geffen album), Randy Hall ("I've Been Watching You [Jamie's Girl]," the refreshing "Gentleman"), Cheryl Lynn ("Shake It Up Tonight" from In the Night), Deniece Williams (the 1979 ARC/Columbia LP When Love Comes Calling), Brick (the 1981 Bang LP Summer Heat), and Diana Ross ("Upfront" from her 1983 RCA LP Ross).

Parker left Arista for Geffen and then MCA before returning to Arista because of his relationship with Arista president Clive Davis.

28/04/2024

I was treated to this classic tune as my shopping soundtrack in a Tesco express this evening. Then I got in the car, put the radio on, and heard it again on Tony Blackburn's BBC Radio 2 show. Some tunes you just can't get enough of 😅

Follow links: Website: https://www.kennythomasmusic.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekennythomas/?locale=en_GBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/k...

25/04/2024

Happy heavenly birthday to Ella Fitzgerald, born on this date in 1917. Celebrate her legacy of jazz vocal innovations in her performance of “How High The Moon” with Charlie Parker, recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1949. https://open.spotify.com/track/3khTjEki06UFDfnjlPAJrg?si=e164f7a4003e4077

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Exeter
Devon

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+447970246999

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