Outside of the music which I've loved for over 40 years now, I guess I'm a bit of a computer geek. I like good food and good wine too, enjoy a bit of cooking but I ain't no super chef!!
The music of the Motown, Stax, Chess, Checker, Cadet, Atlantic, Sue and Blue Note record labels provided the soundtrack of my musical youth and though I grew up in the UK that whole 60's Beatles/Merseybeat thing passed me by. There were a few British artistes I liked, notably Dusty Springfield and Georgie Fame both of whom did a lot to raise the profile of Soul music in this country. Since those early days I've gone on to be a lifelong fan of soul in all its various forms and today I still enjoy buying new music to add to the collection. I'm also trying to broaden my knowledge of jazz in all its various forms, and I'm fortunate to know some great jazz dj's from the UK who point me in the right direction!! I don't think I'll have enough time in my life to get around to all the music I've missed along the way but it's gonna be fun to try!!
These days anything soulful or jazzy floats my boat. Favourite artistes? That's difficult, if pushed I would say Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin on the solo side, the Temptations as a favourite group. However I can happily listen to Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Frankie Beverley and Maze, Tashan, Glenn Jones, Anita Baker, Anthony Hamilton, Maysa Leake, James Day, Unified Tribe, Willie Clayton, Will Downing, Ledisi, Incognito, James Brown ...........the list of quality artistes is endless for me..... I just &hearts my music.
The Madness Of King George, Schindler's List, Casablanca are the first three that spring to mind. Once again lots of others lurking in the background.....I'll get round to listing more later.
Television
Hate it. Chewing gum for the eyes, boring, boring, boring.
Books
Anything by Charles Dickens. Frederick Forsyth writes a pretty good novel.
Heroes
Henry, my late father. He taught me good manners, politeness, and how to live life as a good person. I owe him a lot for that. He was loved by everybody who knew him, and deservedly so. My father, my hero.
Hi there. For those of you who don't already know me, a little bit about myself here.I've been a dj on and off around the fringes of the soul scene since the mid 1970's. At the moment I present a weekly 2 hour show on Starpoint Radio called 'Forgotten Gems', which features all kinds of underplayed soul, jazz and funk tracks from the 1960's to new releases. It isn't rare, much of it was relatively commercial or big in the clubs at the time, just that you don't hear the tunes very often on radio!! I also try to pick the lesser played tunes from albums to give them an airing, along with a sprinkling of interesting 'b' sides from both 7 inch and 12 inch singles. Although I'm passionate about my music, the show itself is a lot of fun and there's a fair number of regular listeners who log on to the Starpoint forum for some lively banter while I'm on air. We also broadcast on the Sky digital satellite network in Europe, full digibox tuning instructions are on the Starpoint radio home page Join me if you can for the live show on Saturday afternoons between 13:00 and 15:00 GMT (8am and 10am EST to save you doing the math)on Starpoint Radio
Besides dj'ing on the radio I also play music out and about. The biggest gig I do is the twice yearly Caister soul weekender on the UK's East coast, I'm a member of the dj team which is headed by Chris Hill. This is the original and longest running soul weekender in the world (the first one was staged in 1979) and has a unique party atmosphere which you won't find anywhere else. The Caister crowd are probably the friendliest folks you will ever meet.
I'm one of the resident dj's at the Qdos Friday night soul sessions at my local pub, Henry's, in Essex. The pub has a long history, it was once the local Lord of the Manor's house and is a unique venue, all oak beams and open fires. It's owned by my mate Chi who is very active in promoting soul/house gigs under the Qdos banner and features regular guest appearances from well respected soul jocks such as Terry Jones, Gary Dennis and Gareth 'Girth' Donovan so good music is guaranteed. The food is pretty excellent too!
I also appear at the superb Chichester 'Chisoul' alldayers, again it's another great venue, Woody's Bar in the centre of town. Organised by two ace guys, the 'Rogues in Brogues' aka Paul and Jamie, there's always a buzz about this prestigious alldayer and deservedly so!!
My favourite 'one off' gig last year was at Soul Underground in Walsall. This monthly night is well worth a visit for any open minded soul fans in the Midlands and the resident dj team of Lin Taylor, her son Jamie and Roger Williams are always joined by at least one guest dj. Quality tunes every time with this one, particularly if you like new soul.
One which I did for the first time recently was the South Of The River Crew's (SOTRC for short) Kent Soul Session just outside of Gravesend. Must have been happy with me 'cos I've been asked to do it again!! Two rooms at this one, the 'club' room caters for the house and jazz heads and the soul room covers everything else. Well worth a visit to the venue at the Inn On the Lake which is right next to the A2 main road.
Until its demise due to venue problems last year I was the regular warm up dj at the monthly Soul Heaven night in London, we are still looking for a decent new venue so watch this space for further details.
Message me if you want further info on any of the above events which don't have a website link, I will be only too happy to help you in your search for soul! I'll also post up details of my forthcoming gigs in my blog should you feel the need to come and listen to my music LOL.
Who I'd like to meet: I would be delighted to hear from independent or unsigned soul and jazz artistes from all over the world, and also any soul or jazz fans in general. At the moment I'm really big into the Chicago Stepping kind of thing, you know, easy on the ear and easy on the dance floor, good mid tempo stuff. If it's got a jazz influence in there as well, bring it on! Would be happy to help promote music from established, new, or 'on the way up' artistes to a mature audience here in the UK in any way I can so don't be shy, get in touch! Look forward to hearing from you.
Debut album "Groovy!" out on June 16th! A fantastic review from the leading UK soul site Soulchoonz and airplay in San Fransisco, London, Vienna, Montenegro, Frankfurt... Ooh, groovy!
As with my music, I am slow and deliberate, guess I'm kind of that way with everything I do(smile) So please forgive me if it appears that I'm not appreciative of the love you have shown me here. I came by today to tell you how much you mean to me, and that is the World. Yes, you mean the World to me and without you... I am nothing.
I'm getting airplay in New york, on WHCR 90.3 FM-The Love Zone - Featuring The Voice-Maurice Watts I need your help to keep the station playing my song Roses Champagne Candlelight
Go here listen to the podcast: and post your comments: http://www.mauricewatts.com/podcast/2009/05/01/the-love-zone-may-1-2009-part-1of2/
Go to the chat room register : http://www.mauricewatts.com/chat
once in the chat room, then go to the love zone room then click music at the bottom of the screen it will take you to another screen , then click live on the left, the show aires every friday between 8:00pm to 12:00 midnight EST. or call the station at: 212-491-4685 and request my song.
HOld me down!
I appreciate your support it means alot to me spread the word
hey just recognized that we haven't had contact been a while so i woundered how you are by the way would be nice if you check out my new stuff on myspace cause there is a lot of progress in my work and i am recording new songs almost every day so just check it out you may like it
Hey groovers!<br /><br />Mr Glam Sam has a brand new groove out!<br /><br />It's called "Yeah, It's Good"! And it is...<br /><br />Old school, yeah!<br /><br />Will make you smile, lounge and dance!<br /><br />Also: fresh mastered Glam Sam classics!<br /><br />Uh yeah, check them out and groove!<br /><br />Cheers from Stockholm
Happy Birthday, wish I had time to stop by more and say hello. Anyway didn't want to forget this special day of yours. So thought I would spread some birthday luv your way and help you celebrate. Have a wonderful time doing something you like, enjoy it cause it only comes once a year - cheers from your friend Doni
Happy to Announce! Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance Grammy Nomination for Linda Jones with Helen Bruner & Terry Jones song "Baby I Know" off Linda Jones "Soul Talkin" cd
hey pete! hows it goin?! got something out for release!! check out www.traxsource.com & search for Circle of funk - 'the janet walsh ep' peace & respect!! - blackjack aka dan
My 'official' fanclub - all two of 'em bless their little cotton socks!!!!
F1RST - the fabulous new album from O'Bryan. Click on the picture to check out my article and mini review
Read my latest blog for a full review of Ebony Evans 'Luv's Fire' cd.
Two heroes of soul - Donny Hathaway(L) and Willie Clayton (R)
Meet the Moosel Crew - a great bunch of guys who love to party hard all weekend
