Outside the Box

(December 14, 2018) “I'll never forget you. You took me into your arms of love and that made all the difference in the world, to me.” Those are the words that legendary jazz and soul singer Nancy Wilson wrote to SoulTrackers more than a decade ago when she announced to us her retirement. And those are the words I’m feeling now as I write of the death of perhaps my all time favorite female vocalist, at age 81. Wilson died today at home after a long illness.

Tower of Power – the most dynamic and distinctive band of survivors in Soul Music – is roaring into its unprecedented 50th anniversary with a dynamic disc of all new material.

(Detroit, MI – May 7, 2018) - Motown Records, Sam & Dave, the Drifters, the Chi-Lites and late Detroit jazz legend Marcus Belgrave are among the 2018 honorees for the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, organizer LaMont Robinson announced today. Also to be inducted this year is Motown legend Brenda Holloway, The Elgins, Peaches & Herb, Little Anthony & the Imperials, the Chi-Lites, Ivy (Jo) Hunter, Ken Bell, Richard (Popcorn) Wylie and Clay McMurray.

(February 11, 2018) They are one of the all-time great R&B vocal groups, and they're still going strong today. But with lead members Eddie Levert and Walter Williams now at age 75 and 74 respectively, the O'Jays are beginning to plan an exit.

For years SoulTrackers have asked us to collect our First Listens and other songs we feature and turn them into Spotify playlists. We also noticed just how few major playlists on Spotify are aimed at adult soul readers.

After twenty years of sold out Christmas tours and five celebrated holiday albums within as many years, saxophonist Dave Koz has done his share – and then some – to help to make the season bright. This year he has reassembled his original holiday lineup – pianist David Benoit, trumpeter Rick Braun and acoustic guitarist Peter White – for the making of Dave Koz and Friends 20th Anniversary Christmas, an album that features brand new recordings of classic Christmas songs.