Tony Vardé aka Tony Soulman, biografo Toots Hibbert

Revelación Radio Hardcore: An Insightful Conversation with Tony Bardé

Introduction to Revelación Radio Hardcore

• The host introduces the show, noting its expansion and significance in the realm of music discussions.

• Mention of a previous interview with Tony Bardé on another podcast called "Ca del Sistema," highlighting its informal setting inside a car.

Meet Tony Bardé

• Tony introduces himself as a musician, journalist, and writer known as Tony Soulman.

• He shares his experience of conducting an engaging interview during a drive, emphasizing the fun aspect of their conversation.

Career Background and Writing Journey

• Tony discusses his background in sports journalism and how he transitioned into writing about music, particularly focusing on black music genres.

• He recounts starting to write about cinema before merging his interests into music writing through blogs and articles for Spanish portals like Ovejas Negrax.

Publishing Experience

• In 2020, he was invited by an editor from Ovejas Negrax to write a book after previously publishing one. This marked his first significant push towards authorship.

• Initially intimidated by the idea of writing a book, he decided to focus on Stax Records—a prominent yet less mainstream soul label—due to its unique history.

The Process of Editing His First Book

• After completing his manuscript for Spain's publication, he sought local representation in Argentina and connected with Ruper from Malungo Libros.

• Ruper introduced him to Milena Cacerola, leading to the publication of his first book titled "Grabando emociones: la revolución de Stacks Records" in 2021.

Networking Through Literature

• Following the success of his first book, he received interest from Spanish journalist José Luis Sepi Crespo who proposed co-authoring another book about soul music.

Introduction to Flota Negra and Soul Music

Establishing the Editorial Collective

• The discussion begins with the establishment of an independent self-managed editorial collective named Grupo Editor Colectivo Flota Negra, in collaboration with Ruper.

• Their first publication is a book titled "Escúchate esto: 75 joyas de la música soul," which marks the inception of this editorial project alongside Malungo Libros.

Understanding Soul Music

• Acknowledging that many podcast listeners may not be familiar with soul music, there’s a request for an introduction to its history and significance.

• The speaker emphasizes that while most people have heard soul music, they may not recognize it as such; iconic artists like Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse are mentioned as examples.

Origins and Evolution of Soul

• Soul music originated in the 1950s in the United States, influenced by gospel music sung in churches and rhythm and blues (R&B).

• The transition from large jazz bands to smaller ensembles is highlighted, where instruments were reduced to a few key players, notably pioneered by Ray Charles.

Cultural Context of Soul Music

• Ray Charles adapted gospel songs for nightclubs, which was controversial at the time due to its perceived sacrilege.

• Sam Cooke is introduced as another significant figure who contributed to this evolution but with a more pop-oriented style compared to Ray Charles's raw sound.

Diversity within Soul Music

Variations of Soul

• The speaker discusses various sub-genres within soul music, including Southern soul and Motown sound, each characterized by distinct musical elements.

• There’s an exploration into why different regions produced unique sounds within the genre—Chicago soul versus Motown sound—and how these variations are examined in their book.

Inclusivity in Soul Music

• Initially rooted in African American culture, soul began incorporating white artists around the 1970s. Examples include Simple Red and Bruce Springsteen's contributions.

Soul Music's Socio-political Significance

Connection to Civil Rights Movement

• The discussion highlights how soul music intertwined with civil rights movements during the 1960s, reflecting struggles against racism and oppression prevalent at that time.

Historical Context

• The conversation contextualizes America’s racial issues during this era, noting systemic racism supported by law despite some progress over time.

Segregation and Civil Rights in Memphis

Historical Context of Segregation

• The Constitution had provisions for segregation until the late 19th century, allowing states to determine the extent of racial separation.

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 eliminated segregation laws, promoting equality; however, this change was gradual rather than immediate.

• In Memphis, local authorities chose to close public swimming pools instead of integrating them after the law changed, highlighting resistance to desegregation.

Impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination

• Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis in 1968, marking a pivotal moment for Stax Records and its artists.

• Stax Records fostered collaboration between black and white musicians during a time of intense racial segregation in the South.

Contributions to Soul Music

• The first book discussed focuses on Stax Records' influence on soul music; it highlights lesser-known songs that deserve recognition.

• A second book features a biography of Toots Hibbert (Tuts), emphasizing his role in reggae and soul music history.

The Connection Between Reggae and Soul

Toots Hibbert's Influence

• Toots Hibbert is recognized as an early figure in reggae who also contributed significantly to soul music.

• His song "Reggae Soul" plays on the dual meaning of 'Soul,' referring both to the genre and its essence.

Musical Interconnections

• Jamaican musicians interpreted American genres like ska and rocksteady through their unique lens while maintaining soulful elements.

• Many Jamaican singers could seamlessly fit into soul bands due to shared musical roots; similarly, soul artists could adapt well within reggae contexts.

Cultural Exchange

• Jamaican music evolved by incorporating influences from American radio and sound systems during the late 1950s.

• Ska emerged as Jamaica's first original music style around the time of independence in 1962, showcasing mutual influences between genres.

The Origins of Reggae and Toots' Influence

The Emergence of Reggae

• Discussion on the origins of reggae music, highlighting how the genre evolved from various styles. Mention of a theory that musicians slowed down their tempo due to heat during performances.

• Introduction to Toots as a pivotal figure in reggae, noted for being one of the top five influential artists in the genre's history.

Biographical Insights

• Clarification that this is the first biography written about Toots, emphasizing its uniqueness compared to previous works available in English or Spanish.

• Acknowledgment of Ovejas Negras publishing house for their role in distributing the book, showcasing its international recognition.

Research Process and Challenges

• Explanation of Toots' contribution to naming reggae with his song "Do the Reggae" from 1968. The author undertook extensive research through interviews and archival material.

• Connection made with Roger Steppens, a biographer who provided an exclusive two-hour interview with Toots from 2007, which became crucial for the book's content.

Narrative Structure and Historical Context

• The interview served as a backbone for structuring the narrative chronologically, covering significant events up until the 1970s while addressing discrepancies in historical accounts.

• Notable challenges faced when reconciling different versions of events from Toots' life; decisions were made on how to present these narratives based on reliability and context.

Myths vs. Reality

• Discussion about one of Toots’ famous songs "5446," which was believed to reference his prison number but was revealed by him as a myth during an interview.

• Exploration into how artists embellish stories for dramatic effect; Toot’s clarification sheds light on misconceptions surrounding his past experiences with incarceration.

Discussion on Music and Socio-Political Themes

Overview of the Interview

• The conversation highlights the depth of knowledge and anecdotes shared by the interviewee regarding music, particularly focusing on black and Jamaican music.

• The discussion transitions to a new book titled "Una canción hizo la diferencia," released by Colectivo Flota Negra, emphasizing its relevance in contemporary socio-political contexts.

Book Insights

• The interviewee discusses the cover art of their latest book, which features a drawing related to historical racial violence, linking it to broader themes within their work.

• They express an evolution as an author, recognizing the importance of addressing sociopolitical issues in black music amidst current political climates in both the U.S. and Argentina.

Themes Explored in the Book

• The book rescues songs and artists that relate to civil rights movements, racism, police violence, and oppression while maintaining a focus on black music genres.

• It spans various musical styles from gospel to hip hop, showcasing a wide temporal range from 1871 to 2024.

Current State of Black Music

• Acknowledgment is made that contemporary black music has become more mainstream but often lacks messages of protest or social commitment compared to earlier eras.

• The shift from politically charged lyrics in soul music to more materialistic themes in modern genres like trap and reggaeton is discussed.

Historical Context and Influences

• The absence of strong political leaders today is suggested as a reason for this shift away from socially conscious music.

• Reference is made to influential groups like Public Enemy who aimed to revive political content in hip hop during the 1980s.

Conclusion of Discussion

• Notable female artists are mentioned for their contributions towards feminist perspectives within hip hop.

• The conversation wraps up with plans for future discussions about various musical topics not covered due to time constraints.

Discussion on Music and Its Impact

The Role of Black Music

• The speaker expresses a desire to create a column focused on black music, emphasizing that it encompasses more than just appealing rhythms and melodies; it carries significant messages, contexts, and struggles.

Emotional Manipulation Through Music

• There is a critique of how music has transformed into an emotional manipulation tool. People now listen to music not for education or learning but rather as a means to pass time, often engaging with trivial content.

Reflection on Literature

• The speaker appreciates Tony's book "Tut," indicating plans to read more of his works in the future while expressing gratitude for the conversation about music.

Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

• An invitation is extended to follow the speaker on Instagram (@Tony Soulman) and the publishing house Colectivo Flota Negra. They are preparing new releases, including a work by a Uruguayan author focusing on Ethiopian themes with Rastafarian elements.

Future Endeavors in Publishing

• The speaker mentions hopes for releasing additional books this year from various authors, not limited to their own works. They encourage followers to stay updated through social media regarding upcoming projects.