Dee Dee Simon [2019] - If I Leave You [Vulnerable]

SoulStrutters Rating: 9.5

I've only recently 'discovered' the vocal talents of Miss Dee Dee Simon from the strength of her latest outing 'Queenin' which samples Kool & The Gang's Ladies Night taken from her new album 'Soulmate.'

The track featured here, however, is  a non-album track from Sep 2019 released as digital single only (as far as I am aware).  It is a tremendous deep soul cut in the vein of the Betty Wright/Shirley Brown school of southern soul. It could easily be mistaken as a vintage cut from that era (i.e. the 70s).  If you like your soul deep then I can't recommend this track highly enough.  I'd go as far as to say it is the best neo deep soul cut I've heard.

The 'official' release is only 3:08, however Dee Dee has posted up an extended 4:45 version on her YouTube channel (That Lady DJ Productions) and that is the track featured here as even almost 5 minutes is not long enough!

Taken from a recent concert promotion for House Of Soul II June 2019 :

"A native of Oakland, California, Ms. Dee Dee Simon was born to sing. Her skills have been compared to the sassy vocal ability of Patti LaBelle, the richness of Gladys Knight, the fire of Chaka Khan, the edge of Tina Turner and the pureness of Whitney Houston. With a five-octane range, this songwriter, thespian, and executive producer has been hailed as the Soul of the Bay.

Dee Dee has opened for Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Faith Evans, Jeffrey Osbourne, Charlie Wilson and many more. She is a winner of the Steve Harvey National competition, twenty-two Black Music Awards, a Best Female Vocalist award, and is the reigning Entertainer of the Year. She sings with all of her heart and soul because that’s all she knows."

Her latest album 'Soulmate' is available HERE.

And her previous album 'Ahh Hell Queen Dee' is available HERE:

She has done another album 'Diamonds Are Forever' in 2014 but can't find it for sale anywhere.

Dee Dee Simon @ Facebook

Dee Dee Simon @ YouTube