Bandtraxs

Monday, 10 January 2022

'Blame' by The Delgonives

PRESS RELEASE

11th MARCH 2022

‘Blame’

Performed by

THE DELGONIVES

Bandtraxs are delighted to release 'Blame' performed by 'The Delgonives' written during a song writing retreat in 2014 at the Monnow Valley recording studio, Monmouth, Wales. This is the fruit of that labour after the three of us, myself, Steve McCarthy-Hunt and Sean O' Connell walked into the studio control room with just a guitar, pen & paper and an iPad with GarageBand, plus we had never met or collaborated together previously. The remit was simple: write a song together, so we did.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Title: Blame

Written by: Carl Dixon, Sean O’ Connell, Steve McCarthy-Hunt

Artist: The Delgonives

Label: Bandtraxs

ISRC numbers: GBXNE2000031 to GBXNE2000037

UPC:191924033004

Sleeve art: Michelle Dixon

This release: 11th March 2022

Recording location: London/Salford/Nashville/Detroit

Drums/Percussion: Drew Schultz (Detroit)

Baritone and tenor sax: Sam Levine (Nashville)

Trombone: Roy Agee (Nashville)

Trumpet: Mike Haynes (Nashville)

Guitar: Mark Baldwin (Nashville)

Bass guitar: Gary Lunn (Nashville)

Keyboards: Carl Dixon (London)

Harmonica: Alan Jones (The Piccadilly Rats -Salford)

That tinkly piano idea: Simon Moss (The Clouds - Manchester)

Listen to 'Blame'

'Blame' on YouTube

'Blame' on Spotify

Thanks to all the musicians Stateside as mentioned above, they are as professional as you can get.

Big thanks for Sean and Steve for making it easy to come up with something from scratch like this. It's a great story and maybe one day we'll be able to it tell together somewhere.

Thanks to Rita Campbell of BASCA (at that time) who organised the song writing retreat in 2014 at Monnow Valley and sent us in to the control room to collaborate.

Thanks to Simon Moss who has always been one of the best sounding boards for anything musically I create including 'Blame'. His attention to detail and knowledge is unrivalled especially as being the drummer from the 90s Manchester band 'The Clouds'.

Thanks also to Alan Jones of 'The Piccadilly Rats' for listening to the recording demos in its early days of production in MediaCityUK/Salford. It took a while to realise that some harmonica on the track would be special, which he kindly did.

Big thanks to Michelle Dixon for the excellent sleeve art completed well before I needed it. The photo is of the River Humber facing south from North Ferriby, East Yorkshire, England. Photo © Carl Dixon

1) Blame - vocal radio mix

2) Blame - instrumental mix

3) Blame - vocal guitar mix

4) Blame - vocal hornless mix

5) Blame - saxophone inst mix

6) Blame - Mono vocal mix

7) Blame - Sounds like 60s mono vinyl

Monnow Valley Residential Recording Studio & Rehearsal Facility

http://www.monnowvalleystudio.com

Drew Schulz

https://drew-music.com/

Sam Levine

http://samlevinemusic.com/

Gary Lunn

https://www.facebook.com/garylunnbass

Mark Baldwin

https://markbaldwinguitar.com/about/

Roy Agee

https://www.royageetrombone.com

Mike Haynes

https://www.facebook.com/mike.haynes.5494

Carl Dixon at Monnow Valley - Photo © Carl Dixon 2014

Please also listen to 'Coming Home' by The Delgonives (Carl Dixon/Rikki James) which was also written at that same 2014 song writing retreat.

Produced, mixed and mastered by Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

For more information about Bandtraxs releases please visit

www.bandtraxs.com or contact carl@bandtraxs.com

Monday, 1 November 2021

'There I go falling in love again by Chiquita Green

September 2009
'THERE I GO FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN
(Eli/Green/Dixon)
Performed By
CHIQUITA GREEN
This wonderful new song has now been released in its own right and available at CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes.

Internationally acclaimed Chiquita Green has travelled the world as a professional vocalist and songwriter for over twenty years and has appeared at venues such as The Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, The Q Jazz Club in Istanbul and The Vienne Jazz Festival in France. In addition Chiquita is also a successful vocal arranger, percussionist and producer in her own right and has worked on numerous projects with the likes of Deniece Williams, Russell Thompkins Jr, Ted Mills, Jean Carne and Stevie Wonder. Her vocal production skills and expertise are clearly audible on this fabulous recording celebrated here today. Constantly in the studio exploring her many talents with the soul, jazz and gospel productions she is involved with, she never fails to uplift the session to another level of creativity.

For a spiritual journey of some of her best works check out her CD albums ‘The Sandmouth – Mercy Project’ and ‘Let’s Go’, the latter winning her two ESMA Gospel Awards in 2006 for best urban soul album and best Jazz performance.

The music and vocals on ‘There I go falling in love again’ were all recorded at Bobby Eli’s legendary ‘Studio E’ in Philadelphia, where writer/producer Bobby Eli, vocalist/writer Chiquita Green and writer Carl Dixon crafted this terrific new Philly classic. The rhythm section included some of Philadelphia’s renowned session musicians including those who performed with the legendary ‘MFSB’ and ‘Salsoul Orchestra’ like Bobby Eli, Dennis Harris, Jimmie Williams, T Conway, Earl Young and Rikki Hicks.

Track listing
1) There I go falling in love again by Chiquita Green 3’42”
2) There I go falling in love again (instrumental version) 3’42”
Written by:Bobby Eli/Chiquita Green/Carl Dixon (Soultronics Music/BMI, PRS) © 2009

Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by: Bobby Eli at Studio E Recording, Upper Darby, PA, USA.

Musician acknowledgments:
Drums – Earl Young
Bass guitar – Jimmie Williams
Keyboards - T Conway/Bobby Eli
Guitars – Bobby Eli/Dennis Harris
Percussion – Rikki Hicks
Additional backing vocals:
Chiquita Green
Janice McClain

© 2009 Soultronics Music All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, 1 September 2021

'Soul Recession' by Double Exposure

PRESS RELEASE

September 2009

“SOUL RECESSION”

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

They are back - ‘Double Exposure’. A brand new song with thought provoking lyrics and great harmonies, as this fresh Philly production will attest. Times have changed and the group are vocal about today’s recession. Which recession, there is more than one?

'Soul Recession’ is a brand new recording by legendary Philly group ‘Double Exposure’ renowned for their terrific harmonies and celebrated releases on Salsoul Records. Including disco’s very first official 12” record ‘Ten Percent’, they also cut songs like ‘My love is free’ and ‘Everyman’ which remain popular today by still being played in clubs and on radio stations around the world.

‘Double Exposure’ are James Williams, Joseph Harris, Charles Whittington and Leonard ‘Butch’ Davis who were originally called ‘United Image’ back in the 1960’s. They have been singing together since junior high school and have remained friends ever since. The opportunity to record ‘Soul Recession’ was presented to them recently by legendary Philly producer, writer and musician, Bobby Eli; their cumulative magic can be heard on these terrific new productions.

Backed by some of Philadelphia’s finest and renowned session musicians including some original members of MFSB like Earl Young, Bobby Eli, Dennis Harris, Jimmie Williams, T Conway, and Rikki Hicks, the track scrutinises today’s recession implications with a soulful upbeat performance just made for the dance floor. The rhythm, music and vocals were all recorded at Bobby Eli’s legendary ‘Studio E’ in Philadelphia, where writer/producer Bobby Eli, writers Chiquita Green and Carl Dixon, the musicians and ‘Double Exposure’ bounced ideas off one another to create this classic piece of new Philly soul.

In addition to the Bobby Eli mix of ‘Soul Recession’, we include two very special mixes created by music industry gurus John Morales and Tom Moulton. Their pedigrees go back many years as both pioneered early mixing techniques for dance records to extraordinary levels and are still extremely creative with their productions today. Their exceptional contribution to dance music is historic and we can now share and enjoy their enthusiasm again with these distinctive renditions of ‘Soul Recession’. Also included is the ‘announcer’ version of the song featuring Philly personality Jerry Wells who introduces the track with a bespoke news statement just for fun! Being an early incarnation of the song and created the same week the rhythm tracks were recorded in the studio, we felt its inclusion on this selection important. In addition, check out the rather unusual and clever “Ali Baba’s ‘Watcha Gonna Do’ mix”.

We would also like to introduce our very special guest Chiquita Green who performs as the featured artist on bonus track ‘There I go falling in love again’. Internationally acclaimed Chiquita has travelled the world as a professional vocalist and songwriter for over twenty years and has worked on numerous projects with the likes of Patti LaBelle, Deniece Williams, Russell Thompkins Jr, Ted Mills, Jean Carne and Stevie Wonder. Her vocal production skills and expertise are clearly audible on all the recordings celebrated here today.

So take heed, listen please; ‘Double Exposure’ are back!

Track listing

1) SoulRecession (a BobbyEli mix) 4’35”

2) SoulRecession (a BobbyEli mix instrumental) 4’35”

3) SoulRecession (aTom Moulton mix)8 ’35”

4) Soul Recession (a Tom Moulton mix instrumental) 8’18”

5) SoulRecession (a John Morales mix)10’47”

6) SoulRecession (a John Morales mix instrumental)7’15”

7) Soul Recession (Ali Baba’s ‘Watcha Gonna Do’ mix) 4’21”

8) Soul Recession (Radio Announcer mix) 4’ 36”

9) There I go falling in love again by ChiquitaGreen 3’42”

10)There I go falling in love again (instrumental) 3’42”

All songs written by:

Produced, recorded and mixed by:

Bobby Eli at Studio E Recording, Upper Darby, PA

except tracks 3 & 4 mixed by Tom Moulton and tracks 5 & 6 mixed by John Morales

Musician acknowledgments

Drums: Earl Young

Bass guitar: Jimmie Williams

Keyboards: T Conway & Bobby Eli

Guitars: Bobby Eli & Dennis Harris

Percussion: Rikki Hicks

Tambourine: Chiquita Green

Additional percussion on track 5 & 6: John Morales

Radio 'voice over' on announcer version by: Jerry Wells

http://www.youtube.com/phillysoultronics

http://soultronics.blogspot.com/ UPC 884502192759

Friday, 19 February 2021

'You Ain't Changed' by The Delgonives

PRESS RELEASE

‘You Ain’t Changed’

Performed by

THE DELGONIVES

Listen to all versions here

Bandtraxs are delighted to release this version of ‘You ain’t changed’ by The Delgonives, co written by UK performer Johnny Boy Pryers and established UK songwriter Carl Dixon. It follows on from the earlier 2018 release by Johnny Boy also on Bandtraxs Records. This collaboration resulted in a truly authentic sounding blue-eyed soul masterpiece with elements of 60s Detroit soul and Carolina Beach Music. Carl and Johnny had communicated via email since 2007 with a view to someday working together and after meeting face to face at a Butlin’s soul weekender a few years ago, they decided to come up with a song idea and pursue a vocal for it. What transpired after scratch vocals were laid down by Carl for Johnny’s version, it was realised this could easily be a contender for a future ‘The Delgonives’ release also as it fits their style perfectly. Cleverly using the same backing tracks, a number of mixes now exploit the terrific melody and groove of this song and give it further appeal. There are also six instrumental versions to enjoy also.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Title: You ain’t changed
Writers: Carl Dixon/Johnny Pryers
Published by: CHD Publishing
Artist: The Delgonives
Label: Bandtraxs
ISRC number: GBXNE1700081 to GBXNE1700087
UPC: 191924137917
Sleeve art: Michelle Dixon
This release: 2nd April 2021
Recording location: London/Nashville/Detroit
Drums : Drew Shultz
Baritone and tenor sax: Sam Levine
Trombone: Roy Agee
Trumpet: Mike Haynes
Guitar: Mark Baldwin
Bass guitar: Gary Lunn
Keyboards: Carl Dixon

1) You ain't changed - Vocal

2) You ain't changed - Instrumental

3) You ain't changed - Instrumental sax mix

4) You ain't changed - Instrumental vibe mix

5) You ain't changed - Instrumental organ mix

6) You ain't changed - Instrumental rhythm plus mix

7) You ain't changed - Instrumental sax/vibe mix

Produced, mixed and mastered by Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions
For more information about Bandtraxs releases please visit
www.bandtraxs.com or contact carl@bandtraxs.com

'Rough & Ready' by Bandtraxs and The Trenton Independents

PRESS RELEASE

15th March 2021

'Rough & Ready' (Album)

Twelve badly written, produced, mixed and mastered instrumentals by Carl Dixon

for Bandtraxs productions

Performed by

BANDTRAXS & THE TRENTON INDEPENDENTS

Listen via Spotify here

Listen via YouTube here

Bandtraxs are delighted to release this terrible album showcasing twelve badly written, produced, mixed and mastered songs from the last twenty years never officially released before.

These productions have a 60s Detroit and 70s Philly feel and utilise real drums on some tracks recorded in Philly for example. Elements on other tracks were recorded in Los Angeles, whilst others use 'The Drummers of Motown' on the rhythm tracks. All the other musical elements were produced in London, England.

In essence, these songs are now ready for vocals and a more fuller production in the future. This album is showcasing these songs and their potential with a view to exploiting them further.

******

'Caesars Reply' was written around 2011/2012 and was originally called 'The night we called it a day', but a search proved there was another song already with this catchy title. Drums were done by Jeff Leonard at Bobby Eli's Studio E/The Grooveyard in Philadelphia.

'Stretchin' Out' commenced its first journey around 2000 with some Salsoul samples which were free with a magazine called 'Future Music'. They invited song writers to contribute a song using those samples in a competition they had organised. At that time there were simple lyrics/vocals, but not used here and doubt they ever will be again.This production does not have those samples. The drumming style is similar to that of Earl Young (TSOP, MFSB, The Trammps 1972/75) as indeed the MFSB musicians who are a massive influence.

'Teasing Georgia' a song written in 2014 with TSOP/MFSB in mind.

'Latte Straight' similarly to 'Caesars Reply' with drums recorded at the same session in Philly.

'Clearly' a song written in 2013 with TSOP/MFSB in mind.

'Boo' written specifically for Dennis Coffey around 2004. I had hoped he may use it for his live performances in Detroit. It wasn't his style he said :-)

'Lover Unknown' was written for a UK female soul singer as a demo circa 2014. However, it never got as far as this version. It was just a few synth bars when conceived and was never sent to the singer. There are plans for a vocal and fuller production in the future.

'The Swing' and 'Flaming Pie' both written in 2004 as a TV theme and break bumper attempt for the Detroit 'Ryder Cup' golf tournament being covered by a UK satellite station in this territory. It never worked out because I was not a member of the PRS/PPL back then and knew nothing about the music business.

'Whether you like it' from 2004 was a vocal song idea for a late 60s non Detroit, maybe Chicago sounding number. There are some demo vocals that will never be released and it is something I may work on in the future.

'That creaky old chair' was an attempt in 2003 to create something 60s Detroit and specifically Ric Tic in sound. They were a competing label to Motown, but also had some of The Funk Brothers moonlighting there in the studio after their sessions 'up the road'.

'Dear Tammi' written circa 2000 as a tribute to Motown, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Part lyrics were published in 'My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell' by Ludie Montgomery and Vickie Wright (Bank House Books 2005). The drums on here feature 'The Drummers of Motown'. There are scratch male vocals and are work in progress.

******

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Album Title: Rough & Ready

All songs written by: Carl Dixon (PRS/MCPS)

Artists: Bandtraxs & The Trenton Independents

Label: Bandtraxs

ISRC number(s): GBXNE2000011/GBXNE2000024

UPC: 191061388777

Sleeve art: Michelle Dixon

This release: 15th March 2021

Recording locations: London/Philadelphia/LA

Caesar's Reply

Bandtraxs

Drums: Jeff Leonard (Recorded at The Grooveyard/Studio E by Bobby Eli) USA

Guitar 1& 2: Studio Pros LA

Guitar 3: Carl Dixon

Stretchin’ Out

Bandtraxs

Bass guitar: Studio Pros LA

Guitars: Carl Dixon UK

Teasing Georgia

Bandtraxs

Latte Straight

Bandtraxs

Drums: Jeff Leonard (Recorded at The Grooveyard/Studio E by Bobby Eli) USA

Clearly

Bandtraxs

Boo

The Trenton Independents

Drums: Drummers of Motown

Lover Unknown

The Trenton Independents

The Swing

Bandtraxs

Drums: The Drummers of Motown

Bass guitar: Carl Dixon UK

Guitars: Carl Dixon UK

Whether You Like It

The Trenton Independents

Flaming Pie

Bandtraxs

Drums: The Drummers of Motown

Bass guitar: Carl Dixon UK

Guitars: Carl Dixon UK

That Creaky Old Chair

Bandtraxs

Drums: The Drummers of Motown

Bass guitar: Carl Dixon UK

Guitars: Carl Dixon UK

Dear Tammi

The Trenton Independents

Drums: The Drummers of Motown

Terribly written, produced, sequenced, mixed and mastered by Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

For more information about Bandtraxs releases please visit

www.bandtraxs.com or contact carl@bandtraxs.com

Monday, 4 January 2021

'Glory Fleeting' by Spyder Turner

‘Glory Fleeting’

Written by: Carl Dixon (PRS)

Performed by

SPYDER TURNER

Listen here:

'Glory Fleeting', one of four new songs recorded at Studio A/Dearborn Heights in 2008. Featuring legend vocalist and performer Spyder Turner, this tune reflects our will to seek out, yet, suffer the consequences of war. Sadly those on the session like arranger David J. Van De Pitte, Bass player Bob Babbitt, trumpet player John Trudell and drummer Uriel Jones have since passed away. The album includes a number of the original demos sent over to Detroit prior to the session.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Title: Glory Fleeting

Writers: Carl Dixon (PRS)

Artist: Spyder Turner

Label: Bandtraxs

ISRC: GBXNE0800003

UPC: 700261949970

Recorded: March 2008

Recording location: Studio A/Dearborn Heights/Detroit/Michigan/USA

Production: Dennis Coffey and Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

Recording location: Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, March 2008

Lead Vocals

Spyder Turner

Backing vocals

Spyder Turner

Gayle Butts

Pree

Musicians

Drums 1: Uriel Jones

Drums 2: Spider Webb

Percussion 1: Dennis Sheridan

Percussion 2: Larry Frantangelo

Guitar 1: Dennis Coffey

Guitar 2: Ray Monette

Bass guitar: Bob Babbitt

Steinway Grand Piano: Robert Jones

Horns 1 Trumpet: John Trudell

Horns 2 Trumpet: David Jennings

Horns 3 Trombone: Edward Gooch

Horns 4 Tenor sax: George Benson

Horns 5 Baritone sax: Mark Burger

Vibraphones: Rob Pipho

Sax solos: Gil Bridges & George Katsakis

Arranger

David J. Van De Pitte

Produced by

Dennis Coffey and Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

Recording location

Studio A Recordings Inc

5619 North Beech Daly

Dearborn Heights

Michigan 48127-3927

Studio A

Engineered and mixed by Todd Fairall

Assistant engineer Jezreel Santos

Mastered by Eric Morgeson

For more information about Bandtraxs releases please visit

www.bandtraxs.com or contact carl@bandtraxs.com

Monday, 25 May 2020

'Suddenly There's You' by Pree (Original 2008 Studio Mix)

PRESS RELEASE

‘Suddenly There's You’

(original full studio mix)

CHD Publishing (PRS, MCPS)

Performed by

PREE

This unreleased version reflects the percussion break and original fade out recorded in the studio that wintery freezing cold March, featuring the cream of Detroit's session musicians on board too. David J. Van De Pitte, Karen Pree, Spyder Dwight Turner and particularly Dennis Coffey made this session work. I am still grateful for their massive input into the songs and production. Sadly arranger David J. Van De Pitte, drummer Uriel Jones and bass player Bob Babbitt passed away and I remember them fondly. David whispered something complimentary to me in the studio about my demos I sent over and three of those original demos will be included with this release. Bob Babbitt was terrific and it was a thrill to have him on the session. Also remember, it was Harry Grundy who played the first demos of 'Suddenly there's you' on his 'Right Track Soul Show' on WFM in the UK around 2006. In fact he was the first DJ to ever play any of my demos on air.

Listen to the 2008 full studio mix here

The unmistakable voice of Pree who performs 'Suddenly there’s you' a rhythmic piece of danceable soul with overtones from the 1960s. The original song concept was written in London, March 2003 and made its final journey to Detroit, Michigan for completion in 2008. Dennis Coffey and Carl Dixon produced the track for ‘Bandtraxs Productions’ at ‘Studio A’, Dearborn Heights, Detroit. The arrangement was by the renowned David J. Van De Pitte and in addition the track features some legendary session musicians from the heart and soul of the city (see list below). Pree played an important role in providing her vocal and song arranging talents to make this project work as well as being a co writer of the song.

The official digital release date was the 1st July 2009 and in addition, the 45 rpm 7” vinyl pressings are now available from selected bespoke high street record stores, the BandTraxs website, and now, CD Baby.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Title: Suddenly there’s you

Writers: Carl Dixon (PRS)/Pree (ASCAP)

Artist: Pree

Label: Bandtraxs

Production: Dennis Coffey and Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

Original incarnation: 2nd March 2003 (first demo version)

Recording location: Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, March 2008

contact: carl @ bandtraxs.com

Lead Vocals

Pree

Backing vocals

Spyder Turner

Gayle Butts

Pree

Musicians

Drums 1: Uriel Jones

Drums 2: Spider Webb

Percussion 1: Dennis Sheridan

Percussion 2: Larry Frantangelo

Guitar 1: Dennis Coffey

Guitar 2: Ray Monette

Bass guitar: Bob Babbitt

Steinway Grand Piano: Robert Jones

Horns 1 Trumpet: John Trudell

Horns 2 Trumpet: David Jennings

Horns 3 Trombone: Edward Gooch

Horns 4 Tenor sax: George Benson

Horns 5 Baritone sax: Mark Burger

Vibraphones Rob :Pipho

Arranger

David J. Van De Pitte

Produced by

Dennis Coffey and Carl Dixon for Bandtraxs Productions

Recording location

Studio A Recordings Inc

5619 North Beech Daly

Dearborn Heights

Michigan 48127-3927

Studio A

Engineered and mixed by Todd Fairall

Assistant engineer Jezreel Santos

Mastered by Eric Morgeson

For more information about Bandtraxs releases please visit

www.bandtraxs.com or contact carl@bandtraxs.com