New releases last four weeks: Soul

Review: Diane Birch returns with that spellbinding voice - a transportive powerhouse packing a timeless quality that resonates through her music. The American recording world doing what it has always done so well, creating huge, heartbreaking, hopeful, and captivating mini operas disguised as pop. Or, if you want to get technical here: soft rock, country, folk, r&b and soul. OK, so there are elements of funk and jazz, too, and the result is a heady brew that's pretty inescapable. Harking back to the balladry heydays, with shades of Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, and Carly Simon, to name but a few - in delivery and performance, if not necessarily tone - no matter where you're listening from it's going to be hard to forget this one.

Review: Susan Cadogan is an esteemed reggae vocalist who has been since the 1970s. Now she continues her musical journey with this cover single which is taken from her excellent 2020 album Hurt So Good - Storybook Revisited, distributed by Burning Sounds. Side-A features a rendition of the reggae classic by Dawn Penn, while Side-B offers a sweet soul interpretation of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' track. Enhanced with Japanese-inspired artwork on the jacket, this release showcases Cadogan's timeless talent and versatility as it bridges the gap between reggae and soul music across generations.

Review: This Hawaii-based label consistently delivers soulful gems like this which is why we love it so much. Mel Day brings genuine depth with 'Every Day I Try,' a poignant reflection on lost love, complemented by the talented Tito Lopez Combo and superb instrumentation. On the other side, 'Baby Girl' showcases Mel's confident and stylish channelling of the spirit of Joe Tex. This vinyl-exclusive release, produced under license from the esteemed music maestro Harbans Srih, pays homage to the golden age of soul music and is destined to become a timeless modern classic.

Review: We're big fans of this label here at Juno HQ as we have said before and how can you not be when it serves up soul as good as this? Mel Day delivers authentic deepness with 'Every Day I Try.' It is a heartfelt lament for lost love that is backed by the accomplished Tito Lopez Combo and some magnificent instrumentation. On the flip side, 'Baby Girl' sees Mel channelling the spirit of Joe Tex with confidence and flair. Produced under license from music maestro Harbans Srih, this vinyl-only release harks back to the golden era of soul music and is sure to prove a timeless modern classic.

Review: Soul Direction have taken two tracks from his the legendary soul man Tommy Mc Gee's first two 45s and put them together on one limited new 7". Fact fans will appreciate knowing that 'To Make You Happy" was originally titled 'Just to Make You happy' and now gets a rerelease that will surely give some light back to the music as well as the man. These two superb tracks have seemingly been missed by so many collectors over the years, but also have become more elusive in recent times. They feature on the Positive-Negative Album as well as rare 45 releases but to have them together as one here is a no-brainer for soul lovers.

Review: Soul gems from the 60s - well, 1969 to be precise - don't come much more coveted than this one from The Notations. An original copy of this 45 rpm will quite likely fetch over 1500 quid. The r&b group was formed in Chicago, Illinois and featured Clifford Curry, LaSalle Matthews, Bobby Thomas and Jimmy Stroud. They went on to put out four albums and around 15 EPs but none as cherished as this one. 'Trying My Best To Find Her' now lands on a one-sided 7" and is a superb Northern Soul-style, high-energy soul cut with raw drums and aching vocal harmonies that soar and soar and soar.

Review: Nick and Astro, known collectively as Potatohead People, join forces once again on a tantalising teaser 7" from their upcoming album, Eat Your Heart Out'. Featured on 'Paradise' is the highly hyped Canadian artist Diamond Cafe, whose velvety vocals grace this early 80s-inspired blend of digital sex funk that will remind you of Sade, El Debarge, and Prefab Sprout. Describing his music as "bathing in a cloud of honey on a very foggy night," Diamond Cafe's performance is nothing short of magic here. On the flipside, Nick Wisdom puts his spin on the track, infusing it with dub elements and enhancing the bassline.

Review: Candi Staton's self-titled album is quality listen that showcases Staton's remarkable vocal range and emotional depth across a diverse range of tracks. From soulful ballads to infectious disco grooves, each song is imbued with the singer's signature charisma and passion. Standout tracks like 'Darling You're All That I Need' truly stir the soul with the impassioned vocals and big horns next to some uplifting melodies and heartfelt messages of love and truth. With impeccable production and Staton's powerhouse vocals at the forefront, this album is as potent now as ever and reminds us of Candi Staton's status as something of a great of the last 50 years.

Review: The Summits are a beloved fixture on the Soul Direction label and have plenty of fans in the wider soul collecting community. As a result they are now familiar to many and their track 'Window Shopping' emerged from an almost-lost master tape. It has previously been available only in digital format. on the flip, meanwhile, Phillips traverses diverse musical territories spanning from feel-good disco to funky fusion and modern soul. Among the six tracks recovered from numerous tapes, this one, 'People Clap Your Hands' stands out. It has never before been on vinyl and is a lo-fi, funk fuelled gem with soul infused vocals.

Review: The Daptone label, renowned for its modern yet classically soulful sound, recently hosted the outstanding debut album from Thee Sacred Souls. Produced by Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth, the record exuded endless warmth and texture and combined 60s soul with 70s r&b with heartrending vocals and poignant rhythms. Now the whole thing has been stripped back to its instrumental core and gets served up here on a standalone limited red vinyl album. It's just as good in this format as the original and allows the skilfulness of the musicians to really shine.

Review: Back in the glorious 1970s, Tobi Lark's 'Happiness Is Here' was one of the key Northern Soul anthems and one that brought plenty of Motown influences. However, as soul aficionados' palates evolved in the 80s and 90s, the slower, deeper 'Challenge My Love' became the favoured Lark track. Unexpectedly, its B-side, the bluesy 'Sweep It Out In The Shed,' also emerged as a new favourite among r&b enthusiasts, transforming it into a sought-after floor-filler. Once a modest collector's item, it now commands four-figure prices. This reissue faithfully recreates the coveted original pressing, injecting it with a vibrant twist and ensuring that the timeless allure of Tobi Lark's music endures for new generations.

Review: It has been a while since Umbo released any new music but now he is back on the Austrian label Resense with a superb pair of edits on this essential little 45 rpm. Kicking things off is 'Grits' which is a hard hitting bit of b-boy funk and breaks with old school soul vocals and plenty of horn stabs powering it ever onwards and upwards. '23h' is a little more seductive but no less busy with tightly woven bongos and congas peppering the high speed funk groove. Fantastic stuff that we hope is the start of much more to come from edit king Umbo.

Review: Due to persistent demand and soaring prices for the original pressing, this reissue of 'Why Don't You Go Home' on striking red transparent vinyl could not be more essential. Featuring the dynamic vocals of Diane Ward, the title track delivers a powerhouse performance echoing the King and Federal r&b sound. On the flip side, 'Cocktail De Medianoche' serves up a delightful blend of Boogaloo and Northern Soul, a cherished favourite among aficionados of Latin grooves and Uptempo Soul. With two phenomenal tracks, this reissue promises a perfect double-sider experience! for lovers of soul.

Review: Originally part of the 2014 album I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me, 'Hit 'Em Like Ali' stands out as a vibrant and infectious track in Australian artist Chelsea Wilson's collection. Its energetic and riotous vibe has earned it a place as an unheralded modern deep funk classic. Spasibo Records now grants it a well-deserved single release on nice coloured vinyl. Co-produced by Jake Mason of Cookin' On 3 Burners, the heavyweight instrumental backing track, making its debut on the flip side, showcases Melbourne's top funk musicians. With blistering breakbeats, heavy horns, flanged guitars, and weighty bass, it's a track designed to captivate.