The World Of Soul Music PTII - Mexico

Mexican Dubwiser - Trouble In My Soul (2013) &
Bad Behaviour (2014)

A producer and DJ on the Latin scene, Marcelo Tijerina aka Mexican Dubwiser hails from Monterrey but lives in Los Angeles. A lover of mash-ups and remixes, his debut release, Revolution Radio, was released in May 2013. This track, Trouble in My Soul, features the deep baritone of the late Artwork Jamal, members of Kinky, and Billy Gould of Faith No More.


 

And from his latest album Electric City, a track entitled Bad Behaviour, featuring Billy Gould, Ulises Lozano from Kinky and Myron Glasper.

Amanda Perez - Never (2001)

 

Discovered by a talent scout and signed to the independent record label Powerhowse/Silverstone Records in 2001; Perez's debut album Where U At? was released in 2002 and included the singles Never and Angel. Never peaked at no.10 on the Billboard Hot 100 sales chart, but the album itself did not see much success until it was re-released by Virgin Records under the new title Angel. The single of the same name has proved to be her most popular single to date; Angel peaked at no.20 on the Billboard Hot 100 sales chart and no.3 on the Top 40 Radio chart.
The album was produced by Mike Quinn and co-produced by Powerhowse produced/DJ Tony Palacios, from Texas. DJ Tony P. was Amanda's touring DJ during her initial rise to popularity and a former radio employee-friend of Quinn. Perez notably charted at no.7 on the MTV viewer request show Total Request Live. Perez has had moderate success since departing from the original producers in 2005; subsequently, she took time off to care for her mother who was diagnosed with cancer. In 2004 Quinn's Silverstone/Powerhowse label partnered to released her second album I Pray, this time with Virgin Records, as a joint effort.
I Pray , the title track from the album was the first single off the album, and would prove to be the last time writer-producer Mike Quinn would work with the Star from Fort Wayne on an album. The second single Dedicate (Remix) featured Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs under the direction of Quinn. Shortly after its release, Perez parted ways with her original label and the writer-producer. Amanda's next album, The Hand of Fate was to be released on Virgin under Amanda's direction, but she was soon released from her contract due to legal conflicts and Virgin's unwillingness to effect Quinn's original agreements.
In 2007 Upstairs Records released a special album, dedicated to Amanda's mother. The lone single from that album, Candy Kisses, did not break any records, but it had success on the Top 40/Rhythmic Chart peaking at no.17.
In 2013, Amanda Perez and A-Hype Records released the single Freak For The Weekend, the first single from the album Unexpected.

The Doggett Brothers feat. Sulene Fleming, Jazz Café, 9th March 2013

I don't get out to live gigs anywhere near as much as I should, but the last few I have attended have by pure chance managed to involve Sulene Fleming in some way. After seeing her strut round the stage at the 100 club last November in a manner that would make Tina Turner salute, I had the privilege of seeing her perform once again, this time at the Jazz Café, fronting The Doggett Brothers as part of the launch of their new album, Daylight.

If you're not familiar with the Doggett Brothers, they are Greg Doggett on lead guitar, Carl Doggett on drums, Benjamin Race on bass, and Andrew Nimmo on keyboard, sax and clarinet. James Junior and Sharn Adela were on backing vocals.

They're not quite the easiest band to pinpoint musically; they have quoted influences as diverse as Jamiroquai, Incognito, The Average White Band, Roy Ayers and Prince. It certainly showed too; their mostly album-based set was a gentle mix of guitar-based jazzy soul with tracks like That's The Way Love Is, Reminds Me Of You, Daylight and Tokyo also showing a distinct Brand New Heavies influence, a big compliment coming from someone who is a die-hard Heavies fan.

Thats not to pigeon-hole them though; It's Complicated pays more than a little homage to The Purple One in it's musical structure and vocal narrative, while Hit The Beat with it's synth melody and prowling electronic bassline would find a home on most Brit-soul LPs from the 80's with ease. They do a pretty good instrumental too; The Pass and more prominently Sin Fin show the Doggetts showcasing their musical talent, the latter track reminding me of many a uptempo Fusion composition.

Lets not forget Ms. Fleming, the reason I know about the Doggetts; a great performance, with her now-usual energy and on this occasion sounding like Chaka Khan with a dash of Alyson Williams thrown in. She was a great match for the material. If you ever get a chance to see her live do so; her vocals, while great on the album, gain an extra dimension in a live setting.

One other track performed on Saturday must be mentioned that alas isn't on the album for fairly obvious reasons; a worthy cover of the the Stevie Wonder/Susaye Greene-penned I Can't Help It (made famous by Michael Jackson on his Off The Wall album) was double-teamed by Sulene and James Junior to great effect.

A great gig; Camden's Jazz Café has always been a great place for me to discover new talent and Saturday was no exception; the Doggetts are quite the revelation, a collective talent that will go onto bigger things in the future. I recommend the album.

Here's a sampler: