Top R&B Vintage Acts for Summer Soul Jam

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By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

Summer will be carrying more than just heat--it will also see the staging of a classic showcase featuring America's best vintage artistes, namely, The Temptations, The Stylistics, Millie Jackson, Manhattans, Anthony Watson and more.

Billed Summer Soul Jam, the exciting event will be held on Monday, August 5 at the Constant Spring Golf Club and hosted by Cuba Gooding, Sr. of the Main Ingredients.

According to Delroy Carroll of Solar Entertainment, organisers of the show, "This is something you won't want to miss. All the acts are eager to come perform, so we are talking total bashment here. We have not even gone all out into promotions yet and I am already receiving a lot of encouraging phone calls."

While not yet revealing the cost of the tickets, he reassuringly stated that, "The price will be very reasonable. There won't be any complaints."

The Stylistics have long made their mark on the hearts of music enthusiasts. Many couples have danced to the sweet lyrics from this group. No doubt, lovers will be drawing closer on August 5 as the group croons out favourites such as "Break Up To Make Up," "Betcha by Golly Wow," "People Make The World Go Round," "You're Are Everything" and "You'll Never Get To Heaven If You Break My Heart."
The Stylistics have produced over 12 consecutive top-ten hits from 1971 to 1974, culminating with their Grammy-nominated hit, "You Make Me Feel Brand New." It seemed every song that the quintet released, was greeted on the airwaves with fresh, artistic fervour.
The Manhattans are no strangers to Jamaica, but it doesn't matter how many times they come to our lovely shores, music lovers never seem to get tired of this group. Their classic numbers include "Kiss and Say Goodbye," "Never Danced To A Love Song," "There's No Me Without You," "It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad," "Shining Star," and "One Life To Live."

The Temptations have been thrilling music lovers for the past 33 years and they should have Jamaicans singing along with popular numbers such as "Can't Get Next To You," "Just My Imagination," "Please Return Your Love To Me," "Since I Lost My Baby," "My Girl" and "I Wish It Would Rain."

The sole female on the bill, Millie Jackson, is without doubt, a music industry icon. Not only has her lengthy career attracted fans from all walks of life along the way, but it's also rumoured that Bette Midler and Roseanne took pages from Millie's high voltage explicit approach to sex to enrich their respective careers.

In spite of being stamped bawdy, brash and bad, Millie is the epitome of performance perfection on stage, and she will be doing just that come August 5. Among her many popular hits are "Hurt So Bad," "Ask Me What You Want," "No Pain No Gain" and "My Man A Sweet Man."

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Cecelia Campbell has been in journalism for the past eleven years. She's currently assistant editor at Jamaica's leading weekly tabloid, Xnews. She also writes for other publications, including the Gleaner's North American Weekend Star.