Frequently Asked Questions About the Soul Sister

What is "Soul Power" & Who is the Soul Sister!?

Hi. This section is all about me, for those of you who ask for info on my life and how I got into funky music. I have to admit, I am a bit perplexed as to why anyone would want to know my background, but I am quite honored, nonetheless. After all, I am just doing what I love to do--spread the word about good, funky music. I've also added extra questions I get about the show and other stuff.

What is Soul Power?

Soul Power is the title of the only rare groove and deep funk radio show in New Orleans, and one of the longest running in the US. It airs weekly on WWOZ 90.7 FM on Saturday nights from 8-10 pm, US Central time, as of June 2002. (My show was recently moved to the earlier time slot after I enjoyed years of bringing it to you Saturday nights/Sunday mornings from midnight until 2 a.m.). You can also hear it live online by visiting WWOZ's website at www.wwoz.org.

I'm also very proud to report that my show was cited in Gambit Weekly's "Best of New Orleans" 2002 issue as a Writer's Pick!

What is rare groove?

"Rare groove," in addition to being the type of music that I feature on Soul Power, is sort of a catch-all term for rare and obscure funky/groove-oriented music recorded from roughly the late 60s-early 80s. Notice I did not say "funk music," as rare groove can encompass any musical style from funk to soul to jazz to reggae and Latin. As long as it's funky and groovy, it's fair game.

Another thing about rare groove is that it must be rare. Soul Power is not an "old-school" funk show and you will not hear "Brick House" by the Commodores, or something like that. Be prepared to listen to things you have never heard before and may be hard-pressed to find in your local CD store. (90% of what I play on my show is on vinyl only.) That's the beauty of it. Rare groove is harder and funkier than "commercial" funk music and that's why it's grown so popular. I am happy to spread the word about it since I love it so much.

So, do you have something against "old-school?"

No way! In fact, for anyone who can't quite "get into" Soul Power in the New Orleans area and wants to hear more popular funk music (i.e. Earth Wind & Fire, Commodores, et al), you should listen to stations like Big Easy 102.9 FM and WYLD FM 98 to get your fix. I know I do! I happen to love all the "old-school" funk stuff and I own tons of it. I just don't play it on my show. After all, WWOZ is non-commercial radio (no Top 40 here!) and I am pleased to stick with its mission of giving air time to lesser known musical formats.

How long has Soul Power been on the air on WWOZ?

As of June of 2007, the show has been on the air for 13 years. In its "early days," the program aired every other week on Fridays and was known simply as "The Soul Show." I changed that name to emphasize the attitude of the show, rather than the musical genre (which is rare groove/deep funk and not soul, per se). Soul Power held its long-running Saturday late-night (midnight-2am) weekly time slot for over 5 years. I loved the slot because I enjoyed reaching people who were *really* into the show (and didn't mind staying up late to catch it).

I've settled into my new, earlier (8-10 pm) time slot quite nicely (despite some initial Soul Sister-esque stage fright. Though I miss my late night-ers, so many listeners have reported enjoying hearing me earlier that I can't help but enjoy. Calls of support from New Orleans greats Snooks Eaglin & George Porter, Jr. (Meters) on my first early show didn't hurt either!

Who's the Soul Sister?

That's me (rather my DJ name), and I host Soul Power. My name's Melissa. And for those of you who are still wondering how old I am, I'm not going to tell you. :-) I am probably younger than you think! And I've been collecting this stuff since long before it was "popular."

Do you take requests?

Yes and no. Since I bring all of the music I play from my personal collection (Nothing I play comes from the WWOZ library since it has very little in terms of funk or rare groove.), if I get a request that I didn't throw in my record bag for the evening, then obviously I won't be able to play it. But, in that instance, I'm always happy to write your request down and bring it the following week.

Also, the request must be by a rare groove-style artist. So anyone who calls wanting to hear stuff like Rick James and Michael Jackson, sorry! But I find that once I explain the concept of the show to people who want to request "old-school" artists, they understand why I can't play their request and simply enjoy the program.

Where can I get the types of music that you play?

If you're not into raiding thrift stores and garage sales on a regular basis, then I highly recommend paying a visit to Dusty Groove America. It's an online CD and vinyl merchant that specifically caters to rare groove fans! How great is that! Plus they make everything easy for rare groove beginners and expert collectors alike by describing each title they carry.

If you're in New Orleans and don't want to shop online, please visit the Domino Sound Record Shack (where I have my own bin of "Soul Sister's Picks for you to get into) (2557 Bayou Rd.). Also visit Vieux Carre Vinyl at 1214 Decatur St., Jim Russell's Rare Records at 1837 Magazine St. and Louisiana Music Factory at 210 Decatur St. Tell them all that Soul Sister sent you!

What is your favorite album?

My favorite album is Music is the Message by Kool & the Gang (1971, Delite) and has been since I was, like, 6 years old.

Who is your favorite rare groove artist?

I will never get tired of listening to anything by Roy Ayers.

Who are your favorite non-funk artists?

If I had to narrow it down, I'd say The Clash, Laura Nyro, and Teena Marie. I'm also a fan and slight aficionado of classic punk, early-mid 80s hardcore, and hip-hop. I dig New Orleans music (from 50s R&B to current brass bands) and admit to having a thing for the current local "bounce rap" scene. And I loooove Washington D.C. go-go music! Also love all hip hop, neo-soul, Afrobeat, classic soul & R&B and underground sounds.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love watching 70s sitcoms and bad blaxploitation flicks, checking out live New Orleans music, going to garage sales to find records,traveling to thrift stores & junk shops to find records. Did I mention record shopping? :-)

How did you get into the music? (Plus PROPS)

That's a long story, but basically my love of rare groove, and specifically funky music, came from a combination of influences. My dad inspired my love of collecting music and "Bimbo," a former DJ on Tulane University's WTUL, hosted the first rare funk specialty show that I was ever exposed to years ago. It came on at 2am on Fridays!

Furthermore, I'd never be on WWOZ if it wasn't for the station's wonderful former Operations Manager Virginia Prescott and the original host of "The Soul Show," Nita Ketner. Big props also go to Sarah "the Salt Shaker" Fritz for forcing me to start DJing live at The CaddyShack (for "On the One Wednesdays") in the late 1990s. And to Pablo for the equipment. And to the Dynamite DJ Dave Soul for years of trading, borrowing and talking records. And to the staff of the now defunkt Leo's Food & Spirits, the site of some damn legendary parties. And to Tipitina's for the drink cards, good times & love. And finally to my mom, who though buying me my first turntable (a Fisher Price) and non-kiddie record (Commodores, Midnight Magic, 1979), still can't figure out why I like "those records" so much.

Do you ever fill in for other shows on WWOZ?

I haven't filled in for anything lately, but in the past I've had lots of fun filling in for shows like the Brass Band Jam, Overnight and Late Night Jazz, the New Orleans Music Show, the Kitchen Sink, and a wonderful (yet defunct) OZ program called Women's Sound.

Will you DJ at my party/club?

Email me at soulsister@djsoulsister.com or fill out the form on my contact page for more info about me spinning at your (fill in the blank).

And finally I would like to thank all of my listeners for hanging in there with me throughout all these years on WWOZ for my Soul Power show. And to all the right on partiers who jam all night at my right on party situations and sound scenes. Thanks very much! I can only hope that you enjoy as much as I enjoy bringing it to you.

Love,

the soul sister