CiTR -- Little Bit of Soul: Recent Episodes
CiTR & Discorder Magazine
Little Bit of Soul is a show devoted to playing, primarily, old recordings of jazz, swing, big band, blues, oldies and Motown.
After 3 years of being on air, and approximately 115 episodes, Little Bit of Soul is coming to a close. You never know if it'll pop back up onto CiTR's program schedule but for now it's time to celebrate the show with more great music. From James Brown, to the Detroit Emeralds, to Hazel Scott, we're listening to some new finds, old favourites and... to some entertaining stories about these fabulous artists.
I hope over the years of me being on air, that you've found some new and interesting sounds to listen to. I've truly had a blast sharing with you the newest musical discoveries with you. Thanks for all of the support and the conversations (to those of you who called in).
This episode goes out to my friends and fam who encouraged me to keep on keeping on with my show throughout the years.
All the best,
Jade
The second to the last episode of Little Bit of Soul! This episode is full of quirks!!! Hope you find 'em amusing.
Jazz Soul and R&B to the max highlighting the amazing contributions women have made to these genres.
Mixed into these tracks are the organic sounds of jazz and R&B. Find them hiding in the background of a song or listen to them being showcased for their memorable pulses that keep the track moving.
Have a listen to some classic soul mixed in with newer revamped and remixed takes. We've also got some versions of September Song back on this playlist perfect for the start of the new season.
Jazz and the blues share the spotlight on this compilation playlist. Another way to celebrate B.C's holiday Monday.
More soulful sounds featuring Charles Bradley, Nicolas Repac, Bessie Smith, The O'Jays and Willie Bobo.
Hey Summer, I think we need something other than pop to enjoy on the radio! Here are some wild and whacky sounds to start us off!
Songs like 'Eddie's Twister', 'Hi- Heel Sneakers', 'Poppity Pop' and 'I'm Down in the Dumps' help us to get through another Monday. Over at CiTR, there are always good times being had. You should join in and listen to the wild sounds of Little Bit of Soul. Press 'Play'!
A mix of jazz and soul on this episode. Travelling through different sounds we create a picture of what the genres sounded like 'then', as opposed to what they sound like today!
Today's spotlight is on pianist Ahmad Jamal and his influential jazz trio. Beginning in the 50's, Ahmad Jamal began changing the timing, feel and length of jazz pieces making them sound contemporary, even by today's standards. I interview my friend Matthew Chalmers, a jazz drummer from Toronto, for his input on the trio. We dive right into the music to analyze just how and why Jamal's trio won praise from big names such as Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley while tracking it all through the music!
We wish Fats Waller (whose date of birth was the day before this episode) a happy birthday by listening to him shining on the keyboard. Other jazz classics from Ella and Louis to Tierney Sutton are all on this mix. Clark Terry plays us his rendition of Mack the Knife and Sidney Bechet warms up that clarinet
If stickin' to using the 50's lingo you might say this set of sounds are "the bee's knees" or are "the ginchiest". We hear from a few pop artists working in the 50's such as Marilyn Monroe, Eartha Kitt, Elvis. Learn a few facts about the life of 'Little Sparrow' Edith Piaf and listen to some jazz pieces performed by Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Madeleine Peyroux.
A playlist compiled of jazz and soul. We have a listen to Kitty White's singing as featured in the Michael Curtis film "King Creole". The movie which stars Elvis Presley opens with the heartthrob singing a duet with the grizzly voice of a 'Louisiana' vendor. The voice being that of Kitty White!
Old soul for anytime of the day. Wendy Renee of Stax records, the O' Jays, Glady's Knight and the Pips, Patti Drew all make an appearance on this episode. Listen in good and feel those good sensations.
This episode focuses on how June Christy's sweet voice became the lead of Stan Kenton's Orchestra. Try on some Vancouver recordings of Oscar Peterson at the Orpheum. Explosive sounds from all directions coming your way on this recording of Little Bit of Soul!
The artists on today's playlist experienced setbacks during their careers but managed to keep their dream of pursuing music alive. Because of that, we've got these wonderful recordings to listen to today.
In lieu of Mr. Clyde Stubblefield's death (James Brown's Funky Drummer as he's known) we follow the beats of fascinating drummers. Steady rhythms of Cindy Blackman Santana, Art Blakey, Gene Krupa and Ronald Shannon Jackson are found on this program. We learn more of Clyde Stubblefield's story and how his drumming legacy lives on in the music of countless artists such as....
Whether it be the Jackie Shane's boundary pushing cross dressing performances that were broadcast live on CBC, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" which fought for environmental and civil rights, or Max Roach's album "We Insist!" which put African American history and the demand for their rights at the forefront of the music industry, the artists on todays episode prove that to make a change you have to take a risk.
Blue seems always to be around in the music of artists: be it the mood or the colour. Here are a few examples set up in order on Little Bit of Soul. From Joni Mitchell's classic album 'Blue' to Midas Touch's groovier touch of 'Blue Funk' we hit the street to hear what artists had to share and build a collage of sounds with different shades of blue.
To spice things up we add hip hop and mambo to the mix. Courtesy of Perez Prado and the 90's hip hop group, Digable Planets, a fun inversion of jazz takes place. Have a listen to the variations and developments of the original sounds which took storm in the 1920's/ 30's.
Also found on this episode are Sarah Vaughan, Rene Rosnes, The Big Bang Jazz Band and many more!
So this playlist has some great songs on it... You should definitely listen in! Snarky Puppy makes an appearance, Willie Rogers, Lorez Alexandria and lots from Dinah Washington! Let your ears do some backflips and let the serotonin set in.
You know how things somehow miraculously come together? I do. Ebbs and flows of a musical selection from Benny More to Wardell Gray are on this playlist. Along the way you may hear the Modern Jazz Quartet and their friends and even discover your newest femme DJ straight out of Vancouver B.C. Her name? Jayda G. Never a dull moment on Little Bit of Soul. Listen in and enrich your auditory senses.
Going slow, isn't always in these artists' game. The Up Tempo episode this week has a steady pace to keep you moving. Gene Krupa, Cannonball Adderley, Lord Shorty and Ella are among the names you'll find on this plate. We also have classics such as Tiger Rag to really toy with those feet of yours.
Mondays won't be the longest day of the week anymore!
Wondering how jazz-funk fusion originated? The introduction of electronic instruments had something to do with it. Today we talk in depth about one of its creators, Herbie Hancock, and see how it's taking the stage in Edmonton, Alberta. This is where the Canadian group, The Fusionauts, is taking it to the next level. Hear the music and understand its past when listening to this episode of Little Bit of Soul! Who'll win out? Jazz or Funk? Maybe the answer is Jazz- Funk Fusion.
Also heard on this episode is Cannonball Adderley and Bo Diddley & Muddy Waters.
Tired of holiday music already? Not as much as retail workers- trust me, I know.
To make the season a bit better, I've accumulated a few songs for this holiday episode which I think are more enjoyable than some that you'll find following you around the mall and other retail stores... Some of them just loom, don't they?...
On this episode you'll find zaniness, funkiness, soulfulness, as well as those classic heartfelt, warm, tender emotions. The holiday season should be full of fun and joy! I think that's what you'll encounter on this Holiday special.
Happy holidays from Little Bit of Soul to you!
See you in the new year!!!
It finally began to snow. With that in mind, trying to escape through music was our only choice. We listen to latin American music to keep us warm, and classic American jazz artists such as Fats Waller, The Manhattan Transfer, and Art Blakey. You have to come back to the snow at some point..
Start your week off cluckin' to a number of songs that all have to do with winged creatures. Fly through the episode listening to Carol Welsman, Charlie Parker, The Ravens and many more. The perfect way of reminiscing about American Thanksgivings past, I'm sure the sparrow wouldn't mind if you sang along.
More funk and soul for your listening pleasure. Have a listen to how the genre transitions into Chicago artist No Name's rap songs from this year. Her sweet voice packs a punch when mixed in with her medley of lyrics. We also honour the revival funk/soul artist, Sharon Jones, who passed away from pancreatic cancer the previous Friday. Her powerful voice and gripping authentic R&B sound brought the genre back into the spot light. She possessed the classic soul sound and an explosive presence on stage that placed her as a direct descend of other R&B legends such as James Brown. R.I.P Sharon Jones.
On this episode, we take a step into the United States to hear a few of their most memorable jazz and R&B artists. As we rotate past the super moon we also see how it all comes back to us here in the Canadian music sphere. Shout-out to everyone in Portland.
Best,
Little Bit of Soul
Drawing from inspiration of the 1950's Brazilian film Orpheus and Eurydice, this week's episode is a blend of sounds from "down south" (down south being the United States and latin America). The cool and breezin' sounds of the Caixa lead us into the procession of Samba and Bossa Nova songs. Their influence spreads up toward Canada as well where some jazz artists such as Emilie Claire-Barlow tries her hand at modernizing the traditional Brazilian sound. Also on this playlist as some doo-wop tunes and R&B oldies.
Have a listen!
For two hours, Little Bit of Soul brought to you an especially spooky playlist to help you celebrate the scariest night of the year: when children are sugar-ed up to the max! Broadcast live at the Wesbrook community centre, enjoy this re-run of odd, bizarre, spooky and scary sounds which jazz and R&B artists have used to create eerie atmospheres and to terrify your dreams. Also, catch the commentary and interviews with local costumed characters to find out about their hallows eve during the second portion of the show.
Happy Halloween!
They might not seem to have anything in common but they do; trust me, they do. Funk, soul, jazz and the blues mix it up here on the smudgy wudgy episode where Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Elmore James, Kenny Barron, Broham and many more make their unique sounds compliment each other. They come from the same vein of music, so why not have them all compliment one another's sound?
Best,
Little Bit of Soul
Here's a fine bunch of songs for you, some of which you've heard before on Little Bit of Soul's first ever episode! We also explore which came first when it comes to sounds from the 70's- Edison Lighthouse or James Fountain. We got alllll the sounds so check out this episode of Little Bit of Soul!
The chill has blown in and tussled the leaves about. Here's to the new season and to great jazz! On this episode we hear the bold, subtle, and profound music of Miles Davis, Sal Salvator, EricParkin, the Raymond Scott Quintet and many more!!
A collection of melodies that are sure to keep your fingers snapping and your feet tapping. Featured on this show are artists such as Cal Tjader, Wilson Pickett, Fletcher Henderson and The Trammps!!!! (Thanks Bryce) Remember, let me know about your favourite R&B, jazz or soul song for a quick shout out on CiTR radio. I know that you've got the best taste ;) You're listening to CiTR for goodness sakes!
A medley of soul beats, good vibes and great tunes. Hopefully you'll enjoy the constant rhythms and feel good melodies.
This one's for you Hannah! Good luck.
More of the finest jazz and R&B songs. Learn about the song "I Can't Get Next to You" and identify with Cliff Butler's song "Rent's Too High" dedicated to Vancouverites everywhere.
Compare a classic song 'Why Don't You Do Right' to Little Margie's tune, hear a medley of great jazz, sit back, relax and enjoy the best hour of your day!!!!
Need a summer getaway? Take a mini vacation by checking out this episode. Featured are jazz tunes which are country themed! Take a flight, or a sailboat as Billie suggests, and check out what sounds are used to represent North America, Latin American, Africa and the Middle East! Enjoy the ride.
A strange mix of sounds will always come in handy when expanding your brain. Have a listen to some of those brilliantly opposite sounds beginning with J-Walk and strolling you on over to Eddie Lang who's 'Feeling his way'. Never a dull moment, or note, here on Little Bit of Soul.
To go with the lovely rays that Vancouver has been having, we have the ultimate optimistic playlist! From Louis Armstrong to Dizzy Gillespie, and from song titles like "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful" to "Oscar's New Camera" there are plenty of good feelings to go around! This playlist will leave you in high spirits and with a spring in your step. Keep onnnnnn smiling!
Full fill all your listening needs with this week's mished and mashed medley. You might find hidden gems amongst the sounds which you wouldn't have thought even go together. Emilie Claire-Barlow turns the beat goes on into a soul bossa nova, we have Harry Belafonte mixed in and so many other greats for you to enjoy- hope you do so!
Whoa, the 70's are back; well, at least the music is.
On full rotation Little Bit of Soul digs up a fly playlist for you to enjoy. Don't worry, Monday is over but you can keep the best part of the day. It's stored right here on this podcast.
Keep company with James Brown, Gene Chandler, The Tiaras, Etta James and Sag War Fare.
Ever Wonder how Doo-Wop came to be a thing? Find out by listening to this episode! You'll learn all about Doo-Wop, the main voices in a group, why it's even called Doo-Wop and a whole bunch of other fun trivia game night facts!!! I even prep you with a quiz at the end of the hour. We have a listen to the Mills Brothers, The Five Keys, The Swallows, The Beach Boys and other groups which you might not have realized relate to Doo-Wop! Let the Doo-Wop-ology lesson begin!
The foundation of this episode is the Ghanian Rhythms which we begin with at the top of the hour. Authentic sounds of Ghanian music then morph into the more popular music of C.K Mann & His Carousels where underneath the popular funky jams are the roots of the songs sound. We travel over to listening to Miles Davis who, again, is playing with the next steps in jazz when mixing the rock beat of 4/4 time into a more traditional jazz sound; this is where we find 'fusion'. Moe Koffman sends us into orbit with compositions from his record 'Solar Explorations' and we end the show with a Doo-Wop Quintet bidding us farewall.
Here is Little Bit of Soul's fully vinyl episode (with the exception of a couple of songs). Get a load of a bunch of great R&B tunes going straight from the needle to your eardrums. You'll hear The Soul Mates, the Spinners, Bobby Wade and many more on this episode and probably find some new songs to add to your old collection. When modern technology fails, go back to the basics where the radius has it all; you can always trust in vinyl.
Ever wonder where that great wall of soul sound came from, that which we call the horn section? Well maybe the Memphis horns can help us figure that out. Since their involvement in almost every Stax Records Recordings ever made, the Memphis Horns have been the originators of soul in the horn section of any soul group with brass instruments. Their sound, though the backup to great performers whose names go from A-Z (including Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Booker T., Elvis, Aretha Franklin), would prove to be something special in of itself. The groups sound, though members changed, carried out until the 90s and morphed to fit the changing musical scene. They influenced groups such as the Kashmere Stage Band, whom we have listen to in this podcast. We also check out LIVE footage of the Memphis horns performing in Oslo with some of Stax Records' finest performers to come out of Memphis, Tennessee.
Take a listen and find out who we owe gratitude to for one of the key sounds that makes soul music.... well... soul music!
Be introduced to the latest and greatest jazz vocalist who's calling for jazz music to push new boundaries while still staying loyal to classic sounds: Cecil McLorin Salvant. Her Grammy award winning album and win of the 2010 Thelonious Monk Award proves that there's still space for this great genre in todays music world. Also, have a listen to the classics themselves. We've got some Monk, Armstrong, Pass, Holiday, Hope and Coltrane. Good mix, right?
This latin jazz special features artists from Joan and Astrud Gilberto to Ramsey Lewis, Stan Kenton, and Machito and His Orchestra.
After a false fire alarm at the SUB, Little Bit of Soul got started 15 minutes past the hour. We made up for it by playing a selection of classic tunes, some of which include 'I Cover the Waterfront', 'Hangin' Around Boudon', and 'You've Changed'. Hope you enjoy those jazz sounds that are coolin' off the flames.
Find out about Northern Soul, it's roots and the many great tunes listed under this category. We've got some Northern Soul hits from Gwen Owens, Little Denise, The Superlatives and Jackie Wilson all wrapped in a bow with some of Wheedle's Grooves Funk.
Time to head over to the U.K!
This week's themed episode has everything to do with Spring! Enjoy a selection of delightful songs that celebrate the lovely, warm season as the flowers bloom before you!
Oxford Reference offers the definition of ragtime to be "Music characterized by a syncopated melodic line and regularly accented accompaniment...". Let's take a look at the innovators, at how this style and these rhythms became popular, and how these lines branched out into influencing other music, eventually giving birth the jazzzzzzzz.
Although International Women's Day was a day after the airing of this episode, Little Bit of Soul thought it'd get in on celebrating the great female artists who have contributed to jazz, soul and R&B. Mahalia Jackson, the gospel singer who fused blues with spiritual, the girl group, the Marvelettes, who gave Motown Records their first #1 hit, and the amazing jazz singers Diana Panton and Sarah Vaughan are all recognized for their talent on this podcast. Learn about their lives, careers, and how they changed music history.
Interwoven in this Fundrive episode, where CiTR puts on it's annual fundraiser looking to raise money for the station, are numbers by Koko Taylor, Jackie Wilson, Norris Vines and the Luvlines and many more! Check out how much support there is for Little Bit of Soul and CiTR during Fundrive and have a laugh when the show successfully gives away the prize pack of 'Food for the Soul' (a fully cooked meal made from scratch) in order to raise money for the station!
CiTR's your local, independent, community radio station. Thanks so much for keeping it that way!!
This week's episode is served with a Gene Krupa and Sarah Vaughan and includes and Cal Tjader dressing. The main is a wonderful array of the blues. And For dessert, to top it all off, is Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Frank Motley and His Motley Crew.
Bon Appetite!
Singer, songwriter, producer, drummer and legend Maurice White had a profound effect on the music industry in the late 60's and early 70's. From his time playing in the Ramsey Lewis Trio through to his creation of world renowned pop group Earth Wind and Fire, White was able to bind his many experiences playing with different artists and able to fuse multiple genres ranging from latin and jazz to Africano when creating the inspirational, uplifting and spiritual music of EWF. White also spearheaded multiple groups and artists while simultaneously bringing new, uniting sounds onto the musical scene that had, for many years, been lost.
Sadly, Maurice White passed away on February 4th of this year. However, we pay tribute to him on this episode by tracking his life long musical career.
Join Little Bit of Soul in honouring the visionary musician Maurice White by following his career in the music industry and by honouring his most influential musical creation: Earth, Wind and Fire.
Find out for yourself why your parents have gone on about how they think Earth, Wind and Fire is timeless...
Thank you, Maurice White, for the music and lyrics which have, for so many years, enriched our lives.
That's right, a drive by blast of music comes your way from the CiTR studio, where Little Bit of Soul takes the family day weekend to broadcast artists you might never have heard of. Rosie Batiste of the northern soul vibes, Mr. Mingus, Dione Taylor, The Brothers of Soul and the amazingly soulful, Lorez Alexandria.
Also, do you know of the song Twist and Shout? Well you might not know it as well as you think... We explore the origins of the smash hit to disillusion everyone about the Beatle's recording!!! Where did it originally come from? Who originally recorded it? How was it first received by audiences? Find out on this week's episode!!!
Talk about knowing your history... track this track. The latin American, jazz and original R&B version of the classic song, Fever, is laid out for you on this hot episode of Little Bit of Soul. We get up with some of the greatest jazz artists to date, including Thelonious Monk, Gene Krupa and Cecil Taylor, while also getting down to James Brown and the nine minute long version of his track "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul". It's long, but definitely giving your full attention to.
All you gotta do is press play and enjoy.
Strolling through the 60's, 70's and onward into remixes of music from these two decades, this episode of Little Bit of Soul scoops out the Funk for your listening enjoyment. Our Canadian R&B artists, the Trials of Jayson Hoover and Crack of Dawn, take over and give us something the chew on as does Cortex (the ultimate french funk group from the 70's). Continuing the tradition of groovy music is the Souljazz Orchestra and Kamasi Washington. Both of whom can be found on this episode.
Time to get funky my friends.
2016 is the time for Perez Prado and Mingus. Begin your year with some of the greats on Little Bit of Soul.
This first episode of the year also pays tribute to the two great musicians whom were lost at the end of 2015: Natalie Cole and Dal Richards. We remember them through their music and their commitment to the jazz and R&B genre when listening to "Theme: The Hour of Parting" and a jazz medley a and "Unforgettable".
Enjoy some of the best non-Jingle Bell Rock christmas songs around!
Courtesy of Little Bit of Soul.
Happy Holidays!
Learn about how musicals made there way into the jazz sphere and enjoy poignant renditions of musical numbers played by the greats! From Cole Porter to Gershwin we've got you covered. Some of your favorite jazz standards might have been musical numbers all along! Who knew you were such a fan?
More music to your ears!
Learn about the Motown group the Temptations, listen to great Canadian jazz artists such as Ranee Lee, Rob McConnell, and Jordan John, and above all else input a Little Bit of Soul into your week!!!!!
As google's definition suggests, time is "the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole".
On this episode of Little Bit of Soul we take a look at just that- the progression of a jazz standard within the music industry and the greater impact it had over the decade of the 60s. (HINT) It has something to do with the title.
FInd out which song, originally recorded by Verve Records as a jazz piece, was later made famous by The Rolling Stones.
Also, listen and compare Seattle in the 60s and 70s to what you know now about the west coast American city with tunes from Wheedle's Groove- Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-75!
It's sure to be a good time so listen to Episode 42 of Little Bit of Soul!
Beginning her career in music as a secretary for various music producers, Barbara Acklin later found her voice in the R&B community when singer Jackie Wilson agreed to record one of her songs called Whispers (Gettin' Louder). On this weeks episode we begin with a segment attributed to Barbara Acklin and her work and later fall into jazz and blues based content.
Some artists featured are Bud Powell, Toronto blues singer Sugar Brown, Tito Puente, Bill Evans and Professor Longhair.
Another week of Little Bit of Soul looked to spruce up your Monday when listening to artists such as Guido Basso, Family Tree Feat. Sharon Brown, Jimmy Nolen and Louis Armstrong. We were also introduced to the less known group the Brothers of Soul who, though not signed by Motown Records, were very much part of the R&B and soul branch that developed in Detroit, Michigan. Like many artists in the 1960s, the three 'brothers' , Fred Bridges, Richard Knight, and Bobby Eaton, faced a heated political climate. Born out of the Detroit Riot of 1967, was their group name: The Brothers of Soul. For more in depth detail have a listen to the show!
We also compared the age old classic jazz song 'I'm Confessin' as played by three different artists; Louis Prima, Louis Armstrong and Django Reindhardt. Have a listen and "spot the difference".
Happy Little Bit of Soul, yo.
Hopefully your Thanksgiving weekend was a full of delicious food... and great music!!! Little Bit of Soul celebrated the holiday by playing many classic jazz standards. Typical of any holiday, there was a game involved. It was called "cover to cover".
After playing a famous song, we heard the same song, only being covered by another artist. From there we let the second artist choose the next song that was to be covered by different artist. From there the ball just kept on rolling!
I hope you enjoy this episode. It's full of fun songs including Lazy River, Goody Goody, Body and Soul, I've Got Rhythm and Old Devil Moon. Enjoy a taste of different artists and the compositions of talented musicians and lyricists.
Dedicated to my father, whose birthday it was a day before the show, this episode had us listening to some of his favourites. Stepping a little bit past the edge of jazz and soul, we heard some classical music (Bach), some third stream jazz including Daniel Schnyder's arrangement of 'Well You Needn't', lots of great Brazilian sambas which took us on a trip to latin america and of course some Parisian gypsy jazz where there was an accordion involved. Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Nina Simone to Madleine Peyroux to classics like Skyliner by Charles Barnet we hear the different emotions promoted in the music of different generations.