Review: Slip into something comfortable and prepare to get sexed up by this new one from Newcastle's Six Nine Records. It features tracks by 3TOB, an outfit originally born in 2019 by band members of Tone and earlier in the year they dropped the sultry hip-hop, soul and r&b album Trading Places. Those tracks are "My Baby' and 'Love Will Find Its Way' and neither were on the album and have been streaming only up to now. They are a timeless fusion of heart-melting harmonies and silky beats for those loved up late night sessions.
Review: RNT welcomes Brooklyn-based band 79.5 to the family with the first single from their forthcoming eponymous LP. Soulful and psychedelic, the haunting melodies of Club Level float above a steady strutting rhythm section, punctuated by moaning baritone saxophone and drenched in washy reverb.
NYC mainstay Eli Escobar crafts a masterful remix that leans into 80s nostalgia, with a soundscape and arrangement nothing short of perfection.
Review: Two tracks, originally unreleased when they were recorded in the late 70s and only surfaced later on the 1993 Ace compilation Greatest Performance, which showcase the exceptional range and emotional depth of this New Orleans artist. Johnny Adams' soulful gem, 'It's You Baby, It's You' along with 'Think About You', finally sees its debut 7" release. On Side-A, 'It's You Baby, It's You' is a positive and uplifting soul anthem. Driven by a strong horn section and a touch of funk, the track radiates joy and energy, with Adams' signature powerful vocals anchoring the vibe. His voice soars, wrapping the listener in its warm embrace. Side-B delivers 'Think About You', equally stunning, featuring big strings that elevate this beat-ballad to stunning heights. It matches the A-side's intensity, with Adams pouring his heart into every note. The arrangement complements his vocals perfectly, offering a lush, emotional experience. This release gives fans a chance to rediscover one of New Orleans' finest, adding a classic touch to the Soul4Real catalog.
Best Friend Around - "It's So Good To Know" (Muro Diguma edit) (4:36)
Foster Jackson Group - "Feel The Spirit" (Muro Diguma edit) (4:10)
Review: Given his reputation as Japan's "king of digging", you'll be unsurprised to learn that DJ Muro's latest scalpel-style Diguma Edits are of thoroughly obscure, hard-to-find disco cuts. For example, an original copy of Best Friend Around's hard to find modern soul-goes-disco number 'It's So Good to Know' - a warming and glassy-eyed cut full of hazy grooves, super-sweet vocals and spacey synth sounds - would cost you hundreds of pounds; Muro's shortened, light-touch edit seems a bargain at a fraction of the cost. Foaster Jackon Group's similarly rare 'Feel the Spirit', a carnival-ready slab of Brazilian influenced jazz-funk/disco-funk fusion, is given the Muro touch on the flip, with equally as exemplary results.
Review: Frankie Beverly And The Butlers featured main man Frank alongside Jack "Sonny" Nicholson, Joe Collins, John Fitch, and Talmadge Conway. They put out 11 or so singles from 1964 to 1969, so burned bright but not for long. 'If That's What You Wanted' is one of their later singles and a damn good Northern Soul work out complete with physical drum funk and big horns as well as tambourine details. On the flip is 'Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)' which slows things down and draws out the emotional pain both with a forlorn vocal and more heavy heart drums and strings.
Review: Northern Soul heads rejoice - Cam Cameron's delightful 1968 gem 'They Say' is back on 45 rpm thanks to Soul Junction. Cameron is a Black American artist who has a stunning voice, as you can hear here, but is one of many such talents to apparently have only ever recorded one tune before disappearing never to be heard from again. More's the pity. His real name was Alvin Cameron and he wrote this one while the lush strings come from the late John Andrew Cameron, a hugely respected arranger, producer and songwriter who had a big impact in the soul scene in the 60s and 70s in Chicago.
Don't Pop The Question (If You Can't Take The Answer) (3:19)
Good Guys Don't Make Good Lovers (3:53)
Review: It's not Oliver Cheatham's first trip through our ends. Soul Junction have released a steadily growing number of 7"s by the '70s soul crooner; they were first alerted to his talents circa 2012, when they heard two of his mid-seventies staples and were instantly charmed. 'Don't Pop The Question (If You Can't Take The Answer)' is a deliciously titled, and even better-sounding, classic track from that time. We've never encountered the phrase 'pop a question' before, but we're definitely not questioning this one: with a serene femme backing refrain and a popout wall-of-sound mix, Cheatham's paean to wresting oneself from the clutches of use and abuse in love. If you're tired of taking chances, cop this record.
Review: Bob Stanley's Measured Mile label comes through with a magnificent double-header from Connie Stevens. This is a real northern soul monster that was arranged by the late great and legendary Philly soul man Thom Bell. Original copies will cost you well over L250. First up are the rich and sumptuous string sounds and rattling tambourines of 'Tick Tock' with its perfect vocals. Originally the b-side tune was titled ''Betcha By Golly Wow' but the angel changed it to 'Keep Growing Strong' after it was a hit for both the Stylistics and Prince. It's another heart warming gem that will have you in a slow spin in no time.
Review: Leroi's back! Well... He never went away. As a studiosmith and designer his fingerprints are all over many of Colemine's on-point curations, but now we're about to enjoy a whole new tonne of Conroy as he prepares to drop his debut album. These two heavyweight instrumentals set the scene perfectly; "Tiger Trot" looks east for melodic inspiration with a touch of New Orleans in the swampy sweaty delivery. "Enter" hits with more of a jazzier, freeform air as we spiral into trumpet dizziness into deep bluesy introspection and some damn fine breaks from fellow Colemine consistency Rob Houk. Only 300 copies pressed.
Review: Soul Junction are ever-dependable reissue specialists who look to Detroit vocalists The Counts for their latest slice of gold. The band started out under the name Fabulous Counts and were a five piece band who initially recorded under the mentorship of Popcorn Wylie. They first charted in 1971 before moving to Atlanta where they signed to Michael Thevis's Awae label. Various singles and albums followed and in 1978 one of the tunes they recorded was 'What's It All About,' a gorgeous tune with the most elegant strings and a perfectly string vocal compliment with subtle horn work. 'Watch The Clock' on the flip is a more dance-y number with big Rhdoes chords and driving drum grooves.
Review: This release sees the Crossroads production team joining forces with rising Italian soul singer Cler for a captivating reimagining of two classics ia soulful dance anthem penned by Shawn Christopher, receives a fresh update, its uptempo r&b groove adding a contemporary edge to the timeless melody. Cler's vocals shine on both the radio and dub versions, showcasing her impressive range and soulful delivery. On the flipside, she tackles the iconic 'Georgy Porgy', infusing the classic track with a warm, nu-soul groove. Once again, both radio and dub versions are offered, highlighting the versatility of the production and Cler's captivating vocals. This release is a testament to the enduring power of classic soul music and the exciting potential of this rising star.
Review: The Extra Soul Perception label held a first ever writing camp in Nairobi in 2019 and Lynda Dawn was one of the pupils. She has already released 'Roses' on the label's New Tangents...Vol. 1 EP with other music from the UK, Kenya and Uganda. But this was the standout track so now it makes its way to its own 7". It is the sort of heart achingly beautiful slow motion disco-soul that will be perfect end of the night send home or early evening warm up for more cosy dance floors. There is a slightly more beefed up version from XL Middleton to complete this tidy 7".
Review: A welcome return to action for Nashville scene stalwart DeRobert Adams and his faithful backing band the Half Truths, who between them have released countless revivalist soul gems over the last decade. '100 Yard Dash' is a fiercely up-tempo affair, with Adams' powerful vocals (he's somewhere between James Brown and Teddy Pendergrass) and the band's 1960s style soul instrumentation riding a breakbeat so fast that you could probably play it in a drum & bass set. It is a genuinely ace track all told, as is the more punchy, semi-stomping flipside funk workout 'It's All The Time'.
Review: Crooked Man aka the legendary DJ Parrot is also Earth Angel and here he is back with a second project on Foundation Music following the release of two singles with the renowned new jazz singer Lady Blackbird. Here he goes back to his roots in Sheffield in the 1980s when Black music forms were fast emerging on the scene and having a huge influence on the fledgling electronic movement. The music in this record taps into that with sounds that mix up street soul, boogie, heavy bass and some great songwriting from Crooked Man with originals, versions and expansive dubs all featuring.
Review: The extraordinary talents of The El Michaels Affair seem to know no bounds. Last time out they served up an album inspired by an imaginary film, and this time on Yeti Season they impress with a whole new bunch of inspirations. Right from the off the album takes us to Turkish-styled funk and an almost Mumbai-esque take on soul, all with the sort of big grooves and lovely horns that often define the band's output. Full of drama, emotion, and worldly influences, this is another stunner from the unstoppable El Michaels Affair.
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "Where Is The Love" (2:42)
Killing Me Softly With His Song (4:45)
Feel Like Makin' Love (2:55)
The Closer I Get To You (with Donny Hathaway) (4:34)
Back Together Again (with Donny Hathaway) (4:40)
Making Love (3:39)
Review: Roberta Flack's Now Playing album is a testament to her enduring artistry. Blending her signature soulful vocals with a timeless elegance, it showcases Flack's emotive range across a selection of jazz-infused tracks, each imbued with depth and intimacy. From the sultry allure of 'Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye' to the classic heartache of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' via the devastatingly emotional 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', Flack captivates with her effortless storytelling and vocal prowess. Now Playing not only reaffirms Flack's status as a legendary interpreter of sonl but also highlights her ability to connect deeply with listeners through music that transcends generations.
Review: Arthur Foy was a popular solo performer and band member in the late 70s and early 80s. He was born in Alabama but raised in Mississippi and later lived in Louisiana. His masterpiece 'Love Dreams' came in 1980 and has his rich and soulful vocals front and centre with great arrangement and tight rhythms. It is a super hard to find original and prove expensive rarity. Here it gets pressed up with southern strutter 'Love Storm' which was co-produced and written with the legendary Carl Marshall. Arthur passed in 2018 and this official reissue is dedicated to his memory.
Review: A new four-track EP reflecting ever-expanded horizons for the band, 'Bloodline' is the latest output from loose-limbed, soul-stirring funk band Gabriels. Quickly finding fans in the likes of Elton John, Celeste, Paul Weller, Benji B, and Gilles Peterson, Gabriels should soon find plenty more on a record that could soundtrack a David Lynch epic; such is its drama, its suspenseful, late-night orchestral ruminations. Capped by frontman Lusk's voice - a weapon that swoops through the octaves breathlessly - Gabriels have that rare ability to make you re-evaluate music, and what it can do, in a heartbeat. Whilst Lusk provides the wow factor with that ridiculous larynx, Gabriels are very much a close-knit trio. Producer, keyboardist (and full-time video director) Ryan Hope hails from Sunderland but calls LA home. Fellow producer-composer and violinist Ari Balouzian, a man with endless musical projects on the go at any one time, gives Gabriels' songs a real 'feel' to them. Sultry, soulful mood music certainly isn't the band's modus operandi, but this new experimental EP should paint an altogether more rounded idea of where Gabriels are at today.
Heartbeat (club mix - Muro Diguma club edit version) (4:54)
Heartbeat (club mix - Muro Diguma party edit version) (3:55)
Review: If you had to make a list of the top 10 Paradise Garage classics, Taana Gardner's pitched-down, Larry Levan-mixed "Heartbeat" would come somewhere near the top of the list. Here the slow disco classic gets the re-edit treatment courtesy of Japanese DJ/producer Diguma (aka MURO ) on a tidy 7" single. First up on side A is the "Club Edit", a multi-track revision (we think) that cannily layers Gardner's vocals and the key synth parts over the original version's killer groove. The flipside "Party Edit" strips back the vocal to just a few key phrases, focusing instead on showcasing various instrument solos buried in Levan's epic original mix.Very limited and likely Juno is one of the few stores outside of Japan to stock this 45
Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell - "Tears At The End Of A Love Affair" (3:24)
Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - "Just Too Much To Hope For" (3:04)
Review: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and Kim Weston. What an outfit. And what music they made. The Motown soul legends penned several great soul hits between them and now two of them arrive on this 45 rpm courtesy of West Grand. First is Gaye and his lover Terell with 'Tears At The End Of A Love Affair', a tambourine-laced, raw and impactful soul anthem. On the flip is the more tender sound of 'Just Too Much To Hope For' with Kim Weston which is packed with buttery harmonies.
Review: You can probably work out what's going on here from the title: a superb collection of reworked Hall & Oates classics inna reggae style. They are the fine work of Black Market Dub who likes to reimagine classic sounds through a 70s Jamaican lens. The techniques used throughout are superbly authentic with hissing hi-hats, lazy tumbling beats and snaking baselines. The vocals remain in their original, often polished, falsetto style and extra horns are added for a lush sunny impact. Great fun, but also great quality.
Review: Two super rare takes on verified northern soul anthems from Tamla Motown singer/songwriting legend Brenda Holloway on Eight Mile: Her biggest track - a cover of Prince Philip Mitchell's "I'm So Happy" - is thrown down in true Tamla style with big orchestration and belting backing vocals while the highly sought after "Love Me For All The Right Reasons" digs deep in the heart with more of a contemporary soul touch. Heaven sent.
Review: India Arie was born in Colorado in 1975 and emerged as a superb singer-songwriter, producer and musician with her groundbreaking 2001 debut album, Acoustic Soul, which now gets remastered and reissued on vinyl. Defying conventional r&b norms, the album fused elements of soul, folk, and hip-hop and drew a diverse fanbase. Its honest, stripped-down beauty and Arie's rich vocal talent captivated listeners and set her apart from other artists of the time. Acoustic Soul received seven Grammy nominations, a testament to its impact, though it didn't secure a win. Nonetheless, the album remains a beloved classic and is widely regarded as her defining work.
Review: We have been waiting on the arrival of this one for a while - super soul group The Ironsides are a talented collective who teased this new album with a great 7" on Colemine back in October. Now we get to hear the thing in all its glory and are no disappointed with its great fusion of classic psych-soul sounds with sweeping orchestral arrangements/ Otis clear the collective also takes cues from library music and soundtracks from the 60s and 70s, and have invited label associates like Kelly Finnigan and Monophonics to bring their own magic to the sessions.
Tell Me When You Need It Again (part 1 & 2) (4:59)
Climbin' Up The Ladder (part 1 & 2) (6:36)
Voyage To Atlantis (4:25)
Livin' In The Life (4:14)
Go For Your Guns (2:15)
Review: Go For Your Guns by The Isley Brothers was originally released in 1977 and now gets reissued by Music On Vinyl on lovely translucent blue wax in limited quantities. Spanning over eight decades, The Isley Brothers boast one of the most enduring and diverse careers in music history. Originating as a trio in 1954 from Cincinnati, Ohio, the group, comprising O'Kelly Jr., Rudolph, and Ronald Isley, has sold over 18 million records in the U.S. alone. Their 15th album, Go For Your Guns, soared to No. 1 on Billboard's Top Soul chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Notably, it features 'Footsteps In The Dark,' sampled by Ice Cube for his hit 'It Was A Good Day,' which itself reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-hop Songs chart.
Carlton Jumel Smith - "I Can't Love You Anymore" (4:35)
Cold Diamond & Mink - "I Can't Love You Anymore" (instrumental) (4:34)
Review: Since making his debut back in the early 1990s, Carlton Jumel Smith has periodically popped up on a variety of soulful house and modern soul releases. Here the little-known vocalist takes a different approach, re-casting himself as a throaty, James Brown influenced '70s soul singer. He's at his heartfelt, full-throttle best on "Can't Love You Any More", a deliciously heavy and authentic chunk of Southern-fried deep soul complete with additional falsetto parts from fellow singer Pratt. The key to the track's success is the fantastic backing provided by Cold Diamond & Mink. Proof is provided on the flip via the band's effortlessly good instrumental take.
Review: Taken from the album of the same name, this 1976 classic from Temptations frontman Kendricks was a huge disco anthem when released. Only, apparently, to be overshadowed by Donna Summer's "Love Trilogy". Kendricks' trademark falsetto rings with emotive insistence and with a tight guitar and bass backbone, big strings and bold horns, funk oozes out of every single beat matching his soul bar for bar. An excellent reissue.
Review: Mrcy, the duo of producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson, fuse soulful self-expression with a modern sensibility. Drawing from their distinct backgrounds, they blend Marvin Gaye's warmth with the genre-defying sounds of Anderson .Paak. First connecting over Instagram during the pandemic, their music reflects both individual perspectives and shared experiences. Debut single 'Lorelei' captures this essence, with their upcoming project, 'volume 1', offering a mix of commanding vocals, empathy, and compassion. Mrcy's music is a personal yet universal exploration of soul, grit and the magic of everyday life.
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