Since re-launching the blog we've had some up to date tunes, deep,
Northern and beat ballads, so it's time explore what is now becoming more
popular on the UK Sunday soul sessions taking our lead from our US cousins in
L.A. Chicano/lowrider scene.
For the uninitiated:
Chicano
mainly because it is the Mexican (descent) community and
lowrider
relates to the fact that they cruise around in (lowered) vintage cars playing
the 'oldies' from their cars. Essentially the 'oldies' are the slow deep,
sweet and mellow side of soul which we in the UK have overlooked in our quest
for 'dancers' whether it be four on the floor Northern stompers, R&B,
Popcorn, modern dancers, two-steppers or crossover - the thrust has always
been for soul you can dance to ... sadly quite often at the expense of
soulfulness ... as long as it's got the right beat! Perhaps this
is why this sound is becoming increasingly more popular to the 'soul
connoisseurs', although to be fair, this music has been played in The Jim Wray
Lounge at Soul Essence Yarmouth weekenders for the last 2 decades. Also, since
the popularity of Sunday sessions, without the need to necessarily 'please'
the dancefloor, DJ's are being a bit more adventurous.
Here's an article which has taken extracts from Wax Poetics #49 Latin Issue which had a feature called 'Bittersweet Harmony' dedicated to lowriders by Allen Thayer
As I understand it (more than happy for comments to correct/update me) the
scene tends to be split between northern and southern California. In the
south there's a group of DJ's who call themselves
The Southern Soul Spinners
who are
Ruben Molina,
Soulera 5051
(Arlene Sepulveda) &
Josh Whittemore.
Kent released a compilation last year (Jan 2019) called
This Is Lowrider Soul
which is a great introduction if you're coming to this fresh. This was
compiled by soul aficionados Sean Hampsey (UK) & Ruben Molina (US).
Here's a track from it that may highlight how the scenes 'crossover' (pun
intended) as this has been played this side of the pond for years
(coincidentally also on US Kent).
Four Tees [1970] - One More Chance [Kent]
The Ambasadors [1969] - I Really Love You [Arctic]
Here's a more 'typical' sound and one which we (in UK) would have previously
bypassed.
Kansas City Express [1975] - This Is The Place [American Artists]
Another example of the genre which has just been reissued on Ocean Of Tears
due to demand (NB NOT on the Kent compilation).
Durand Jones & The Indications [2017] - Is It Any Wonder?
[Colemine]
It is not restricted to oldies as there is a scene evolving making 'neo'
sweet soul music e.g. Durand Jones & The Indications and many
others.
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