Carl Dixon

Carl Dixon

Carl Dixon was born in Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire in 1955 and despite a career in international freight forwarding in the city, moved into the television industry around 1986 as a challenge to learn new and exciting technologies appearing in the satellite broadcast arena. His love of Motown, 1960’s soul, Northern Soul and TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) has accompanied him over the years and had a great influence on his life. So much so, that he began composing melodies in the early 1990’s with a retro soul feel and a view to one day exploiting them professionally in the States. His attention to detail with respect to how these genres of music sound is of great importance and hopes that his demos at least pay homage to the original sound created by the masters in Detroit and Philadelphia. In addition he writes his own lyrics in a similar vain and had some published recently in the biography of Tammi Terrell called 'The Real Tammi Terrell' by Ludie Montgomery who is Tammi’s sister and Vickie Wright, the book being published by Bank House Books. 

In March 2006 Carl was invited to attend the historical sessions in Detroit of ‘The Soulful Tale of two cities’ project featuring some of Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers, Detroit producers and performers. He even did a scratch vocal in the studio with Philly producer and song writer Phil Hurtt, which proved beyond reasonable doubt that Carl cannot sing! 

In March 2008, four original songs were completed in Detroit as a personal project. The featured musicians included the likes of Dennis Coffey, Uriel Jones, Bob Babbit, Ray Monette and Spider Webb. The late Motown arranger David J. Van De Pitte did the charts, and the session even included some original Motown and Golden World horn players, including John Trudell and Edward Gooch. Lead vocals were supplied by Spyder Turner and Pree, who also provided backing b/v's with Spyder's daughter Gale Butts. Three of the recordings are now for sale on digital download and streaming options.

Later in 2008, Carl replicated the Detroit session, but this time in Philly, and took over some song ideas to his Philly chum, legendary guitarist, song writer, producer, Bobby Eli. Bobby and Carl became Internet buddies on the soulfuldetroit forum around 2002, and from there a relationship developed with a hopeful visit to the city to celebrate The Sound of Philadelphia. The session included some original MFSB and Salsoul session musicians like Earl Young, Dennis Harris, T G Conway, Rikki Hicks, Jimmie Williams and of course Bobby Eli. Bobby supplied the fabulous studio now known as 'The Grooveyard' in the Philly burbs, where the songs were written, recorded, mixed and mastered!

Back to members-directory listing