JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 93rd anniversary of the birth of Nina Simone — and Black History Month.
Tag: soul
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy Belated 83rd Birthday, Maceo Parker!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Black History Month and belatedly, Maceo Parker’s 83rd birthday.
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy 86th Birthday, Smokey Robinson!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Smokey Robinson’s 86th birthday.
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy 74th Birthday, James Ingram!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Black History Month — and the 74th anniversary of the birth of James Ingram.
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy 85th Birthday, Brian Holland!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Black History Month — and the legendary Brian Holland’s 85th birthday.
Throwback: Happy Belated 74th Birthday, Michael McDonald!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms belatedly celebrates Michael McDonald’s 74h birthday.
New Audio: Parlor Greens Return with Slow-Burning “Drop Top”
Organ trio Parlor Greens features a collection of grizzled veterans and incredibly accomplished musicians:
- Tim Carman (drums): Arguably best known for his lengthy stint in acclaimed, Boston-based blues outfit GA-20, Carman showcases his ability to start steady, heavy and downright funky pockets for his bandmates.
- Jimmy James (guitar): Through his work with The True Loves and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, James has firmly established a signature and readily recognizable funky approach that has won him fans across the world.
- Adam Scone (organ): Scone is a soul revival scene stalwart, playing on many Daptone Records sessions since their inception, including with Scone Cash Players and The Sugarman 3. He has learned from some of the beloved lends of soul jazz, including Melvin Sparks and the iconic Dr. Lonnie Smith.
The trio’s highly-anticipated sophomore album Emeralds is slated a March 27, 2026 release through Colemine Records. Their sophomore album reportedly sees the acclaimed trio upping the ante while capturing the band in top form: tour tight and more confident than ever in who they are and where they’re going. Though the results are stronger than ever, the overall mood of the recording sessions was much different.
The first time the trio met in Colemine’s Loveland, OH-based Portage Lounge Studio, the meeting was marked by a certain sense of freshness: It was the first time they had all played together. Understandably, it was exciting and unknown territory. But the sessions were underlined by the heaviness each of the individual members were going through at the time. With each member dealing with personal tragedies in their individual lives, the sessions serves as a genuine moment of joy. Just three talented musicians, writing and playing music, now as friends, in a familiar environment.
Emeralds will feature the previously released, album opening “Eat Your Greens,” a strutting and rollicking groover of a tune, and the album’s latest single “Drop Top.” “Drop Top” is anchored around a slow-burning, sultry Quiet Storm-like strut of a tune completed by Scone’s shimmering bass organ and James’ bluesy guitar melody. While arguably being one of the more mellow soul jazz compositions of their growing catalog together, “Drop Top” continues to showcase both their seemingly effortless simpatico and their unerring knack for pairing tight groove with improvisation and old-fashioned songcraft.
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy 89th Birthday, Roberta Flack!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Black History Month and the 89th anniversary of the birth of Roberta Flack.
Throwback: Happy Black History Month!/Happy 83rd Birthday, Dennis Edwards!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Black History Month and the 83rd anniversary of the birth of Dennis Edwards.
Throwback: Happy 68th Birthday, Anita Baker!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Anita Baker’s 68th birthday.
Throwback: Happy 83rd Birthday, Thom Bell!
JOVM’s WIlliam Ruben Helms celebrates the 83rd anniversary of the birth of Thom Bell.
Throwback: Happy 88th Birthday, Etta James!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 88th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Etta James.
Throwback: Happy 95th Birthday, Sam Cooke!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 95th anniversary of the birth of Sam Cooke.
Throwback: Happy 85th Birthday, David Ruffin!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 85th anniversary of the birth of David Ruffin.
