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NEW ALBUMS (updated 6th Dec. 2009)
CAGLE & NASH - SOUL COMPLETE (Cagle/Nash)
Nice Soulful set from the U.S. Evoking memories of the great 1970's Blue-Eyed Soul albums. If you like the early Hall & Oats, Bobby Caldwell or even Richard Stepp (Who's great track "Caught up in a whirlwind" was recently re-issued) you're in a for a treat here! Highlights include: Anywhere you wanna go & And suddenly.
DARRIUS - CAN'T GET ENOUGH (Critical Sun)
U.S.A. singer/songwriter/pianist Darrius Willrich gives us the first outstanding album of 2009 and what a corker! A great set of slightly Urban at times and retro at others Soulful grooves with a cool Jazzy-vibe running throughout. You can hear many of his influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Herbie Hancock and Don Blackman too - It also reminds me a little of Xantone Blacq (who did a great album in 2006!). Highlights include: Whatchagonnado, Hold on to you & Get down to this loving
DONALD SHEFFEY - SEE YOU TONIGHT (Weezie)
A very strong follow-up to one of the best albums of last year - "Let's be lovers" - from this talented New Yorker. Contemporary Soul as it should be with more than a nod to the past. If you like the mid-80's sound - dancers, mid-tempo or ballard's - this is for you! Donald's voice reminds me of Freddy Jackson at his best but on a couple of tracks he sounds very Luther-like! Recommended.
Highlights include: Tonight, Let's go away & Come and dance with me.
Available from CD BABY as a download for $9.99 (about £6).
GEORGIE FAME AND THE THE LAST BLUE FLAMES - TONE-WHEELS A TURNIN' (Three Line Whip)
Almost 50 years on from his debut the king of Hip-Cool is back with a fine set of Jazzy grooves. The band sound great and Georgie's vocals - as well as his Hammond playing - sound as good as ever! Highlights include: All I know & BP club after midnight.
HEAVY - FIRST SESSIONS (Kindred Spirits)
Great 70's inspired set from this talented duo. Recorded in 2004 but only just out on CD - Although if you (Like me!) were lucky you would have picked up the tasty 12" EP a few years ago. This album includes all the EP tracks plus much more and is far better than the album of "new music" they had out a year or so ago. Many tracks have a bit of a Roy Ayers feel to them. Recommended. Highlights include: She who knows, Do for you & Wonderlove (both original and Jazzanova remix).
LIQUID SPIRITS - MUSIC (Kindred Spirits)
Nice mainly mellow set which is slightly on the "Organic" tip. (But don't worry unlike many "Organic Soul" albums this is NOT dreary and one-paced!) Some great playing and strong vocals too. Sounding very similar to The Rebirth at times with a 70's summery vibe. Highlights include: Say it ain' t so, A little more & Music.
MARCELL & THE TRUTH - SYMBOLS (Oakhill)
The lucky ones amongst you would have bought the last album from this great group - "Hopes too high" in 2006. Well although this isn't quite as good as that it is another winner! Gospel-tinged "real" Soul - Similar to The Rance Allen Group or even early Frankie Beverly & Maze - that just keeps getting better for listening. Highlights include: Can't wait, All I know & Lost in the moment.
Only available at the moment as a download from CD BABY, it's a bargain at only $9.99 (about £6).
MARC STAGGERS - THEN AND NOW (Soulchoonz)
After listening to the first two tracks on this CD I thought "Wow!, this may well be the album of the year!" Unfortunately most of the other tracks although very good are not quite up to the same level. But this is still a very strong album! Marc's voice is more like Luther Vandross than anybody I've ever heard and a lot of the songs are very "Lutherish" too! Highlights include: Give you all my lovin', Can't get enough of this groove & When I think about your love.
Available from CRAZY BEAT RECORDS
MAYER HAWTHORNE - STRANGE ARRANGEMENT (Stones throw)
A real throwback to the late 60's early 70's vocal groups from this talented L.A. based singer/multi-instrumentalist and producer. If you liked the recent Raphael Saadiq album or the more Soulful stuff on the last Robin Thicke set you should love this! Highlights include: A strange arrangement & Maybe so maybe no.
M SWIFT - EVENING SUN (Pony Canyon)
Great Jazzy-Dance album from Japan featuring many great vocalists including Tony Momrelle - Giving the set a real Incognito feel. If you like DJ Kawasaki you should love this too. My only slight criticism is that like many Japanese Dance/House albums it is a little "clean" production-wise and could do with maybe some rough-edges or maybe even more Soul! But that said it is very strong throughout and highly recommended. Highlights include: Evening sun, Joy of life, Time & Come freak with me.
NATHAN HAINES - RIGHT NOW (Freestyle)
Strong set from this talented New Zealand born and London based saxophonist/producer. Ranging in styles from Jazz (old and NU) to Soul, R&B and Soulful-House too. Featuring some nice vocals from Marlena Shaw, Vennesa Freeman and Tama Waipara. Highlights include: Tell me what you're feeling, Today & Talkin' around.
RASMUS FABER - WHERE WE BELONG (Farplane)
Fine set from this Swedish producer/pianist who is probably more well known as a re-mixer. Ranging in style from House to Jazz with a little Nu-Soul too. Featuring some nice female vocalists including Dyanna Fearon and Emily McEwan. Similar in style to The Kyoto Jazz massive at times. Recommended! Highlights include: Give it to me, Na minha terra & Any way.
RICHARD ALEXANDER DAVIS - LOVIN' YOU DIRECT (Love Town)
Nice album from the U. K. which reminds me of the early 80's British JazzFunk/Soul sound of maybe Central Line - I'm not sure if it's Richards voice or the excellently simple production sound, but either way it's a good sound! When I first put it on I thought this set was O. K. but the more I hear the better it gets - In fact it's shaping up to be one of the best albums of the year! Recommended! Highlights include: High from your lovin', Back in love, You've changed & Guessin'.
ROOT SOUL - ROOT SOUL (Geneon)
It must be over two years since I got a copy of Root Soul's "Spirit of love" on a compilation album, well at last their own album is out and it's pretty good too!
At times it reminds me of Reel People's first album "Second Guess" from a few years ago and at others something from the mid. to late 70's. Jazzy at times but good throughout! Highlights include: Spirit of the sun, Sky high & Feeling good.
SHUYA OKINO - UNITED LEGENDS MORE REMIXES (Geneon Japan)
I should start by saying that I am not usually that wild on these remix albums - Often they take a great set and make it sound average at best (If you don't believe me check out the recent Reel people remix album!). And as I loved Shuya Okino's great 2006 album so much I put this one on with some trepidation. But was pleasantly surprised - This wonderful selection although not as good as the great original is still well worth having - In fact one or two tracks are even better! It just goes to show what really talented remixers who understand the music can do. Cool intelligent Dance music - A must! Highlights include: Shine (Pirahnahead remix), Summer love (Root Soul remix) & Thank you (Kyoto Jazz massive House edit).
(THE) SUNBURST BAND - REMIXED (Z-Records)
As I was about to right this review I had a dilemma, Is an album of 26 tracks (This one!) which over half of are good, as good as an album of say 10 or 12 tracks which are all good? I decided yes! So this excellent set get a great review! An outstanding selection of remixes which brings out the best in the strong tracks and improves the weaker ones from The Sunburst Bands previous albums - Perfect! Not every track works for me but lots do. So if you are a fan of good Soulful-Dance, 21st century Disco and Boogie this is a must! Highlights include: Sitting on top of the world (DJ Meme mix), He is (Joey Negro Club mix), We can live for ever (Simon Grey mix) & I know you care (Joey Negro Club mix)
THOMAS G - INFLUENCES (Thomas G Productions)
If you love that early 80's sound (And who doesn't!) this is the album for you! It reminds me of the recent retro-ish Cool Million album. Thomas is a multi-talented musician/producer from France who shares the vocals with Swedish singer Swade. Recommended! Highlights include: It's gonna be you, Say you'll be & Feels like you.
TORTURED SOUL - DID YOU MISS ME (Dome - Europe / Columbia - Japan)
Strong second album from this talented trio, who seem to have that rare talent of appealing to both the Dance/Club crowd and the Soul crowd too. Combining many elements including 80's Electro, Funk, Disco and Soul with contemporary production. 21 st centaury Soulful-dance at it's best. Every tracks a winner! Highlights include: Home to you, In my fantasy & Unsteady.
V.A. ASTRAL 22 PRESENTS - IMPERIAL (Trans Phatt)
When I first put this album on from L.A. based producer Astral 22 I really didn't know what to expect. well it started off OK but not outstanding and then as I got into the set it just seemed to get better and better! A nice selection of R&B-tinged Nu-Soul. Highlights include: Think about it - Katie Cole, Starting over - Simone & Make me wanna fly - Shuane
V. A. (THE) CONTEMPORARY SOUL SONGBOOK vol.1 (Soul Unsigned)
The first of a series of compilations featuring new Soul music from mainly independent but established artists. Great production and real musicians proving that Soul is alive and well in the 21st Centaury! Highlights include: Woody Cunningham - Never say never, Razzberry - At times, Tammy Harris - Come over & Donald Sheffey - Just because.
V.A. JOHN MORALES - THE M & M MIXES (BBE)
Great collection of previously unreleased remixes and demo's from one of the pioneers! 21 wonderful Boogie gems from the early 80's given a whole new lease of life! Highlights include: Curtis Hairston - I want you all tonight (M&M remix), First choice - Happy love affair (M&M remix), Jocelyn Brown/Inner Life - Ain' t no mountain high (M&M remix) & LaRita Gaskin - Never can say (demo).
V.A. LEON WARE AND FRIENDS (Expansions)
A sort of best of the unknown Leon Ware - By that I mean all the tracks he has been involved in as a writer and producer for other artists and a few of his own too. Mainly mellow but all so nice! A real treat for the Soul-lovers. Highlights include: Leon Ware - What's your world, El Debarge - Heart, mind & soul, Rockie Robbins -Point of view , Minnie Riperton - Can you feel what I'm saying & Michael Wycoff - Looking up to you.
V.A. SO ESPECIAL (Columbia- Japan)
Nice Jazzy-Dance compilation to celebrate 10 years of this cool Japanese record label. Contains ten previously unreleased tracks. Highlights include: Root Soul (feat. Venessa Freeman) - It's the way, Aaron Jerome (feat. Paul Randolph) - Focus on a miracle & Bakura (feat. Darien) - Mistaken
V.A. SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2009 (Expansion)
So, it's that time of year again, nights drawing in, summer just a fond memory and the latest Soul Togetherness compilation in the shops. Musically this is usually one of the highlights of the year, but unfortunately not this year! Although not a bad selection it falls a little short of what I've come to expect in recent years. The torch seems to have been passed to the Soul Unsigned series which is now THE essential new Soul compilation series! All that said and done this is still a nice selection of Soul and Soulful-Dance old and new. Highlights include: My dream came true - Root Soul, Only one I need to love - Tavares, Some of the things - Los Charlie's Orchestra & Everything is good 2night - Kloud 9.
V.A. SOUL UNSIGNED VOL.2 (Soul Unsigned)
Another nice release from this great new record label featuring 14 exciting new Soulful cuts. (If only more record labels took a few chances maybe we'd get more quality music like this!) Ranging in style from tracks which have a 70's and early 80's retro feel to contemporary sounding but all with an energy which is sadly missing from a lot of new Soul releases. Essential! Highlights include: Unkle Funkle - Gonna give it to you, Judderbass - Everybody knows, Destruments - Take a closer look, Kevin East - When are you gonna & Calumet - Keep the Funk alive.
V.A. SOUL UNSIGNED VOL.3 (Soul Unsigned)
More top quality new and exciting Soulful music from those nice people over at the UK's hottest record label. For me not as strong as volume 2 but still marvelous! An international selection with an upbeat energy that reminds me of what Soul and Jazz-Funk albums used to be like back in the day! Highlights include: You've changed - Richard Alexander Davis, Next to me - Cool Million, In love with you - Chris Youngblood & Delightful Jazz - Daniel Nelson & Mark Drummond.
Available as a download for only $9.99 (about £6) from CD BABY.
WILL DOWNING - CLASSIQUE (Concord)
Strong album from the man who may well be the number one vocalist around! The title is a little misleading as this is not an album of cover-version (although it does have three). It's mainly new, well produced soul at it's very best with a nod to the past. At times this really is a great album and recommended. Highlights include: Time, Something special & Love suggestion.
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