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Mike Love ❤ George Harrison

Yesterday would've been George Harrison's 71st birthday. A friend of his, Mike Love from The Beach Boys, posted this message on his Facebook page in honour of George, including a link to a truly beautiful unreleased song called Pisces Brothers. They were of course both born under the astrological sign of Pisces.

"As you all know, February 25th would have been the 71st birthday of George Harrison. George and I had shared many life experiences together, some of my most cherished moments in life especially the time spent with George and his band mates at Maharishi's Academy in Rishikesh, India. George and I felt that the pursuit of spiritual knowledge more than balanced our lives as musicians. We found that practicing TM provided us with an inner peace that enhanced our music. Once one found inner peace, there was no reason to look to substances for the purpose of reaching an altered state of consciousness. This song, Pisces Brothers, I wrote many years ago reminiscing about my time spent with George. I know that it has been bootlegged in the market, but for me, celebrating the birthday of a dear friend along with the 50Th Anniversary of an incredible body of music he helped create is truly worthy of an official release. George, my Pisces Brother, you will never be forgotten. Happy Birthday and Happy 50th Anniversary. With Love and deep respect…ML"

[savetheflower-1967]

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Anti-war and anti-racism demonstration, 1967.

In explaining his refusal to be conscripted to fight the Vietnam War, professional boxer Muhammad Ali said, “No Vietcong ever called me nigger”.

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Stockholm Mods presents: New Psychedelia

I've created a Mixcloud mix for you called New Psychedelia with the best guitar based music with that 60's flavour, which spans from 2010 to 2013 but mostly brand new. It's suitable for your party, road trip and summer holiday. Dig in!

>>The Stockholm Mods on Mixcloud<<

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Edwyn Collins is still going strong and will release his new album Understated on March 25. He describes it as "country, northern soul, soul and folk" and nobody does northern soul flavoured pop music better than Edwyn. I personally think that his last album Losing Sleep is better than anything he's ever done, including Orange Juice. This new album might be up there, or even better, still needs a few more listens though.

>>Stream the whole album via Soundcloud<<

Check out his new video for Dilemna.

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You really need to hear this debut single Money by soul and r'n'b duo Lady.

Consisting of two quite successful solo artists, American Nicole Wray and British Terri Walker have now teamed up for an album debut on Truth & Soul Records. Keep your eyes and ears open!

>>More on Lady at Truth & Soul<<

>>'Money' on Spotify<<

>>Lady on Facebook<<

>>Lady on Twitter<<

* The single is available to buy on both iTunes and Truth & Soul.

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Tired of Christmas and your relatives? Have a listen to this two hour special from BBC 6 Music featuring mod cyclist, Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins and Paul Weller. They talk about music, sideburns etc.

>>When Bradley Wiggins met Paul Weller<<

[awesomepeoplehangingouttogether]

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Muhammad Ali and Sam Cooke.

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To kickstart your heart, and this weekend, I'm going to share one of my favourite northern soul songs called I'm Com'un Home In The Morn'un, by Lou Pride. It has that flavour I like the most about soul music, or music in general; sweat and sour, melancholy and upbeat.

Released as I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un / I’m Not Thru Lov’un You, by Suemi in 1965.

Have a great weekend!

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Stockholm is grey so the tune of the day can't be none other than Date With The Rain by the late great Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations fame. The song is from the 1972 solo album People... Hold On but it wasn't released as a single until 1977.

Released as Born Again / Date With The Rain, by Tamla.

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Ace Records sublabel for everything northern, Kent Records, is turning 30 and I wish I could go to their party to see Darrow Fletcher, who's a favourite of mine.

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I've been busy so this entry is way overdue, but it would be shameful not to mention the sad passing of the legendary Frank Wilson over two weeks ago.

Prostate cancer took one of the best songwriters and producers of all time, and yes, even singer. The following favourites was either written or co-written by him and in many cases also produced by him.

Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (Soul) You all know it. The most expensive record ever. Only two demo copies are known to exist, one of which was sold at an auction three years ago for £25,000.

Mary Love - Let Me Know (Modern)

The Miracles - My Baby Changes Like the Weather (Tamla)

The Supremes - Stoned Love (Motown)

The Vows - Tell Me (V.I.P.)

Darrell Banks - Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You (Revilot)

Marvin Gaye - Chained (Tamla) >>Spotify<<

The Marvelettes - I'm Gonna Hold On Long As I Can (Tamla) I prefer the UK album version with the longer intro.

Brenda Holloway - You've Made Me So Very Happy (Tamla)

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Happy birthday, John Lennon!

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Northern soul legend Nolan Porter was a guest on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show this Saturday with great stories and music. You've still got five more days to listen to it online.

>>The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show 15/09/2012<<

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I really like this new Madness song, Death of a Rude Boy, from their upcoming album Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da, which will be out on the 29th of October. A Ghost Town by The Specials vibe.

You can get in on free download >>here<<.

They've already shown that they're back in form with 2009 album The Liberty of Norton Folgate and its brilliant song Africa.

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When younger I always wore my pop heart on my sleeve. Nowadays I only wear a pin on my parka. Here's a few from my collection.

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Extra, extra, read all about it!

I'm catching up on some reading with The A to Z of Mod book by Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter. It brings nothing new to the table but it's a quick and fun read and quite useful as an encyclopedia when you've got the same lousy memory as me.

The book features a foreword by mod actor Martin Freeman whom I've praised >>here<<.

>>'The A-Z of Mod' at Amazon<<

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I recently purchased the bootleg compilation Fill Your Head With Pop: Inside The Home Of Bob Stanley, Vol. 2, signed by Bob Stanley himself. As the title suggests it includes songs from his own private collection. A song that really caught my ears was You're The Song (That I Can't Stop Singing) by Hollywood Freeway, one of many bands fronted by English singer Tony Rivers.

Released in 1973, post the Beach Boys obsession Rivers had in the 60's, it's still full of harmonies and falsetto vocals, just a bit more soulful and the brilliant flipside even has me thinking of The Jackson 5. The late great Jackie Wilson recorded his own version of You're The Song (That I Can't Stop Singing) which is also a sign of soul approval.

* Further listens: Tony Rivers & the Castaways and Harmony Grass.