Mike James Kirkland recorded his classic album 'Hang On In There' in 1972 foe the Bryan label. It has become regarded as one of the best 70s Soul albums. The first side is heavily influenced by Marvin Gaye 'What's Going On' with three message songs. 'What Have We Done' is lovely upper mid tempo song and 'Where's The Soul Of Man' is a beautiful beat ballad. 'Hang On In There' is nine minutes of uplifting orchestrated deep stepping groove with poignant lyrics, with a big mid song change. Side Two has a more traditional soul approach with the modern soul...
Kent Records have discovered a great unreleased version of the Anderson Bros massive Modern soul anthem ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ by the Mayberry Movement. This pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure – perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate. This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful...
The four albums that Rockie Robbins recorded between 1979 and 1985 are presented on two 2 albums on 1 cds by Expansion Records. This is the first time that they have been issued on CD remastered from the original tapes. The 1979 self-titled album issued on A&M has previously only been available on a very rare Japanese CD , so it is particularly pleasing to see this issued on a regular priced CD. It contains the definitive version of Earth Wind & Fire's 'Be Ever Wonderful' , one of the rare occasions where a cover version of one of their...
The Disco Giants series of Disco and Boogie tunes returns with volume 18 and is one of the strongest of the series. Compiled by collector Thierry Boulanger, this 20 track 2CD set contains many sought after tracks from the mid 70s to mid 80s. Highlights are the uptempo soul tracks Al Mason 'Good Lovin', Grey & Hanks 'You Fooled Me', First Love 'Love Me Today' , Tyrone Davis 'Wanna MAke it good', Heaven And Earth 'You're A Blessing' and Ronnie Dyson 'You And Me', pus the rare California Flight Project 'California Flight'. There are some great boogie tunes as well including Bill 'Space Lady', Evan...
Paulette McWilliams hails from Chicago was the original female vocalist with the band Ask Rufus , introducing her friend Chaka Khan to the band , sharing lead vocals with her until she quit after the birth of her daughter, singer Brigette McWilliams. Paulette was featured as a singer on Quincy Jones 'Mellow Madness' album in 1975 and has featured as backing vocalist on 100s of songs from artists as diverse as Luther, Marvin, Bowie to Lauryn Hill and Herbie Hancock and in over 600 commercials. Suffice to say Paulette has a unique soulful voice. She is in fine voice and...
The Brit Funk Association are one of the UK's top Jazz Funk bands featuring former members of Light of the World and Beggar & Co. On 'Ancestral Voices , Kenny Wellington, Patrick McLean, David Baptiste, Breeze McKreith, Billy Osborne, Peter and Camille Hinds are joined by other British stalwarts like Ernie McKone and Toby Baker plus Eddie M to create a very authentic retro Jazz Funk album paying tribute to the masters. There are a couple of covers but mainly self penned new tracks, influenced by classic tracks/artists. AWB 'Pick Up The Pieces' and Ronnie Laws 'Always There' are given...
The ever reliable Soul On The Realside series returns with a vinyl version of its 15th volume. Packed with 12 modern soul gems from the 70s emanating from the Capitol group of labels. Highlights included the modern soul dancers Cornelious Brothers & Sister Rose 'Big Time Lover', Rance Allen 'Reasons To Survive'. George Soule all time great 'Get Involved' sits alongside the excellent but lesser known Brown Sugar 'The Game Is Over' and Charles Williams 'Standing In The Way'. There are some nice mid tempo floaters from Betty Swann 'My Heart Is Closed For The Season C.M.Lord 'Oh Mama' and...
Leela James possesses one of the most distinctive female voices in contemporary Soul. Having made a string of good Soul albums over the past 20 years, she returns with another strong album ‘Thought U Knew, that she has co-produced with Rex Rideout’.The title track and ‘Right Back In It’ are mid tempo R&B/Soul cuts featuring Ronnie Garrett slapping it on Bass. ‘Be Your Baby is a rhythmic stepper which along with the horn backed modern soul dancer ‘Satisfied’ will keep the dancefloors grooving. Leela’s unique gritty is best suited to the more downtempo tracks like the contemporary Southern Soul groove...
Incognito return with their first album in four years. Bluey is accompanied by many long term associates like Francis Hylton on bass and Dominic 'Ski' Oakenfull on keyboards along with newer members as they create that familiar feel good full band sound, across 16 new tracks. Tony Momrelle is joined by Natalie Duncan and Cherri V on vocals. 'Keep Me In The Dark' , 'Nothing Makes Me Feel Better', 'Stories Of Our Past' and 1993' ft Chicco Allotta on vocals, are horn backed uptempo Soul tracks. 'Colorblind', 'Days Like These', 'One Step' and 'Make Me Change My Mind' are more...
Ed Motta is a very talented singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist who is a musical superstar in his native Brasil. On his new sophomore album 'Behind The Tea Chronicles' he is joined by many good Brazilian musicians plus a horn section from Detroit and the Film harmonic Orchestra from the Czech Republic and backing vocals recorded in L.A. Ed Motta really has his own style a mixture of Soul, Funk, Jazz, AOR and Brazilian music unlike any contemporary artist that I can think of, but shows Steely Dan influences.'Newsroom Costumers' is a good opener string laden groove riden track that...
