Album Review: V/A - Joey and Norman Jay MBE present Good Times 5 (Resist)

Writer: Oliver Scott

People tend to scatter the term 'living legend' around like so much confetti. But if you're talking about Norman Jay, a tireless promoter of good times, good music, good vibes, good feelings, then you've got no choice but to drag it out, really. From being the first to play disco, jazz, funk and soul at the Notting Hill Carnival to hosting a radio show on fledgling pirate radio station Kiss to his involvement with Talkin' Loud to appearing on Question Time on BBC1, his CV reads like a potted history of UK music. Heck, even 'the establishment' realises this - like so many others, I couldn't have been more thrilled when Mr Jay was awarded the MBE for "deejaying and services to music". Should have been a knighthood...

Anyway, this is the fifth in what has become an annual series of Good Times compilations put together by Norman and his brother Joey, and if you've ever been to the Notting Hill Carnival or caught his Giant 45 radio show or seen Norman DJ-ing around the world you'll know exactly what to expect - quality. I'd list the tracks, but you don't need to know; (though I'm surprised I Believe in Miracles has had to wait until volume 5) just the man's credentials and the love he gets from every corner of the world is testament to how you need this in your lives. And actually, I'm going to have to mention Marvin Gaye's Loving You Has Made My Life Sweeter than Ever because that's one of my favourite Motown records.

If you're not planning on going record shopping for a while, just scroll the page down a bit and click on the Amazon link, you know you want to. Better still, get down to the Carnival in the last weekend in August and leave your cares behind in person. 'Good Times' guaranteed, come rain or shine.

RELATED LINKS:
Norman Jay - official website



Buy Good Times 5 at Amazon UK (CD) / US (CD)




PUBLISHED: 26 July 2005

RELEASE DATE: 15 August 2005 (UK) / 4 October 2005 (US) .

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