Hugh (Huriah) Boynton (12 Dec 1952 - 14 Jun 2016) began his singing career
with Lanor, releasing 4 45s in the early 70s. In 1974 he released the
wonderful 'We're Gonna Make It' on Soul-Po-Tion. In 1979 he moved to
Detroit and started his own gospel ministry and recorded gospel music.
Hugh Boynton [1974] - We're Gonna Make It [Soul-Po-Tion SP 144]
The original on blue label, by all accounts, is very rare and hard to find as
only a few copies are believed to exist. It was reissued on a yellow
label (Discogs claims in 1989, but I'm pretty sure I had my copy before then
but could be mistaken) and these seem to be plentiful and cheap. Real
'crossover' appeal to lovers of Northern and Modern soul and crossover.
I would describe it as 70s Northern Soul in the same vein as Montclairs - Hung
Up On Your Love.
Hugh Boynton & New Generations [1974] - If Loving You Is Wrong ( I
Don't Want To Be Right) [Soul-Po-Tion SP 144]
The flipside is his rendition of the Carl Hampton, Homer Banks & Raymond
Jackson 1974 hit by Millie Jackson but first recorded by Luther Ingram in 1972
and many others before Millie Jackson made it a hit (such as Isaac Hayes,
David Ruffin, Bobby Bland, Della Reese, Chambers Brothers, Ramsey Lewis and
even Tom Jones) and of course there have been many versions since.
Note that this side is also credited to New Generations.
Dr. Huriah Boynton & The Melodic Voices [1983] - Make Up Your Mind
[Royal H NR14934]
Rev. Huriah Boynton [1988] - If You Can't Help Me [Vision VR 1212]
Gospel
Huriah Boynton [2000] - A Change Is Gonna Come [Royal H RHR99]
This song seems to have become 'de rigueur' on TV talent shows in recent
years. Perhaps they should listen to Rev. Huriah (Hugh) Boynton's version
before attempting it? Taken from his 2000 (predominantly gospel)
album 'Huriah Has Arrived From The Planet Hugh Boynton' on Royal H.
Hearts Of Stone were one of Motown's lesser known groups who released 2 45s and an album on V.I.P.. They were previously known as The Four Pennies who cut 2 45s on Brunswick in 1966-67. Apparently, as they refused to sign a management contract, their album was not promoted and hence didn't sell in quantity.
There's full history of The Four Pennies/Hearts Of Stone here.
Hearts Of Stone [1970] - Yesterday's Love Is Over [V.I.P. 25058]
A killer deep soul track on the flipside of their 2nd and last 45 on the V.I.P. imprint in 1970. Written by Henry Crosby, Joe Hinton and Crosby's (and later Phil Spector's) secretary Donna Sekulidis.
Here are the other 3 sides to their 2 45s.
Hearts Of Stone [1970] - It's a Lonesome Road [V.I.P. 25058]
For some reason I can hear the Jackson 5 singing this one - don't know if they ever recorded it?
Hearts Of Stone [1970] - If I Could Give You The World [V.I.P. 25064] Mid-tempo Northern Soul / Crossover
Hearts Of Stone [1970] - You Gotta Sacrifice (We Gotta Sacrifice) [V.I.P. 25064]
Funky soul typically in vogue in early 70s.
Hearts Of Stone [1970] - Stop The World - We Wanna Get On [V.I.P. VS 404]
Their only album on V.I.P.
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)
There are loads of versions (around 30+) of this Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua & Vernon Bullock song recorded originally by Jr. Walker & The All-Stars in 1968, but this has to be one of the best.
You've Made Me So Very Happy
Cover version of the Brenda Holloway song co-written with sister Patrice, Frank Wilson and Berry Gordy Jr.
All 4 sides of their 45s were included on the album in addition to the above 2 tracks and the following tracks.
A superb piece of soul - mellow and deep, from an obscure group/duo who appear to have released only one album 'Then And Now' in 2011, from which this track is taken. The track has also featured on a compilation Daxwood Soul II New Old School in 2010.
I can't find any info about the group (although I did find their Facebook page) but my instinct tells me that these album tracks may be older tracks (possibly from the 80s) that are only just seeing the light of day? I gather from their Facebook page that the CD album was released Sep 2011 and was sold out by 27 Sep.
I managed to find the whole album on YouTube. It has quite a mix of styes soul, jazz, gospel, hip-hop so I've selected what I consider the best tracks only.
Just 'stumbled' across this great video of Sade (Helen Folasade Adu), with a track that was never released as a single, from her platinum album 'Stronger Than Pride' from 1988.
I have to confess that 'back in the day' I didn't consider Sade particularly soulful. She had a style all of her own which was probably more smooth jazz than soul to my ears. However, compared to a lot of material being released today passing as R&B / neo soul this stands head and shoulders above, so I thought I'd do a quick post of it.
I have only just noticed that she was awarded a CBE in 2017 having already been given an OBE in 2002. 'Essex Girl' done good!
After listening to Leela James' latest album 'Did It For Love' released in 2017 it prompted me to visit her recording history. She has to date since 2005, released 6 albums, the biggest seller was 'My Soul' reaching #37 in US charts. All her others were outside the top 50 with one not even charting (Loving You More... In The Spirit Of Etta James) All made top 50 R&B with My Soul reaching #7. The 6 albums have spawned 20 single releases which have all failed to make a dent on even the US RB charts, except 'Tell Me You Love Me' which reached the heady heights of #72! However, 9 have entered the US Adult R&B charts, with 'Don't Want You Back' from her latest album reaching #1.
This surprised me as I thought that she was a 'more established' artist. Her latest album, I feel, is her best to date.
I have posted all her material chronologically embedding links to all her single releases from each album and added any other tracks that are 'worthy'. I've provided YouTube links to the remaining tracks at the bottom of each album.
2005 - A Change Is Gonna Come [Warner Bros. 48027-2]
Debut album from 2005 with 19 tracks, 5 of which were released as singles.
2005 - Music
Her first single taken from her first album
2005 - Don't Speak
The second single from her debut album.
2005 - Good Time
The third single from her debut album - a driving neo/modern soul dancer.
2005 - My Joy
The fourth single from her debut album - a deep and bluesy number.
2005 - When You Love Somebody
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.85
The fifth and final single from her debut album - another deep soul cut - to me she sounds like Joss Stone on this track.
2005 - Mistreating You
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
Album only - deep soul
2005 - It's Alright
Album track only - deep soul stepper
2005 - A Change Is Gonna Come
'Surprisingly' an album track only - cover of Sam Cooke's classic.
Her second album released 4 years after her debut on Shanachie, which is an album of 11 cover versions. Only 2 tracks were released as singles.
2008 - It's A Man's Man's World
The first single from Let's Do It Again was a cover of James Brown's 1966 classic. She again sounds very like Joss Stone to me on this track.
2008 - Baby I'm Scared Of You
Second single from Let's Do It Again was a cover of Womack & Womack.
2009 - You Know How To Love Me
Album track only - A reasonable cover of Phyllis Hyman's 1979 classic, but hard act to follow to beat the original. Sounds a bit fast and sparse i.e. lacking the lush Philly orchestral backing that Hyman's original had. For a better cover version try Regina Belle's from her latest album The Day Life Begins from 2016 on Shanachie (which prompts me to put some of her material up in future) or even Lisa Stansfield's from the eponymous album from 1997
2009 - Clean Up Woman
Album track only - A competent and faithful reproduction of Betty Wright's classic. Album track only.
2009 - Miss You
Album track only - A cover of the Rolling Stones. Album track only.
2012 - Loving You More... In The Spirit Of Etta James [Shanachie SH 5802]
Her fourth album and back to Shanachie for this one containing several covers of Etta James songs. Of the 11 tracks only 2 were released as singles.
2012 - Something's Got A Hold On Me Cover of Etta James 1962 45 on Argo was 1st single from album.
2012 - I'm Loving You More Everyday
I think this is a song from the Etta James vault that was unreleased until put on a Chess/Charly compilation Tell Mama in the 80s. If anyone knows more please leave a comment. It was the 2nd track release as a single from album.
2012 - Damn Your Eyes
Album track only. Another Etta James cover from her Seven Year Itch album from 1988.
2012 - I'd Rather Go Blind
Deep soul album track only cover of Etta James classic.
2012 - At Last
Deep soul album track only cover of Etta James classic.
The fifth album on yet another label, J&T, which I think 'may' be her own label as only this album and her last are on the label. The album contains 10 tracks of which 3 were released as singles.
2013 - Say That Feat. Anthony Hamilton
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
Neo/modern soul dancer with a hint of Philly. 1st single from album)
2014 - Fall For You MORish ballad. (2nd single from album)
2015 - Set Me Free Neo soul stepper (3rd single from album)
Her latest album which I highly recommend. Five tracks 9of 11) already released as singles and several (better tracks in my view) which should have been, that I've embedded and the remaining tracks are linked to.
2016 - Don't Want You Back
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75
Neo soul ballad/stepper (1st single from album)
2017 - Hard For Me
Neo deep soul ballad. (2nd single from alum)
2017 - All Over Again
MORish Ballad(3rd single from album)
2017 - I Remember
Deep neo soul ballad/stepper (4th single from album)
2017 - Don't Mean A Thang
Neo soul stepper (5th single from album)
2017 - Good To Love You Feat. Dave Hollister
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.8
Neo soul dancer - album track only
2017 - There 4 U
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75
Neo/modern soul dancer - album track only.
Great driving, dance track not released as a single. This is perfect for UK dance floors.
Ray Charles & Leela James [2005] - Compared To What [Rhino /ATlantic]
A bonus track for the Northern Soulers - here's Ray Charles & Leela James - Compared To What a monster on the scene by Mr. Flood's Party. This is a slower more jazzy/bluesy version. It's from Ray Charles Genius & Friends album from 2005 on Rhino/Atlantic.
Robert Randolph Feat. Leela James [2006] - Stronger [Warner Bros. 44393-2]
I've included this track for 'completeness'. I find it rather nondescript.
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