A great version of LeVert's (Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind, which I don't know whether was ever released as was filmed as a tribute to Gerald and Sean Levert (both sons of The O'Jays Eddie Levert) who both died early in 2006 (aged 40) and 2008 (aged 39) respectively. Big Mel's voice reminds me of Alexander O'Neal.
Saturday, 11 April 2020
Big Mel [2020] - Big Mel [BME]
Now this is what I'm talking about! Neo soul with an old school flava. One of the best albums this year so far along with Carmichael Musiclover and Angela Walls.
The info i've culled regarding Big Mel is that he was a member of Public Announcement in the 90s/00s and released a solo album in 2011 entitled 'That's Luv'. From the few tracks I've heard from the album it sounds well worth checking out. There's a cover of The Gap Band's Yearning For Your Love, What's Going On Today is a nice neo soul dancer and New Boy Friend a neo soul / RnB ballad stepper. If I can find any more tracks I may put up a separate post. None have ever sold on Discogs so would guess it may be a pretty hard to find album.
Facebook
Heaven Remix
Heaven
My Treat
This What I Do
Samples Lowrell's Mellow, Mellow Right On
Celebrate
Love's Calling
Do It For Love
Links to remaining tracks:
UK Soul Chart Breakers 9th April 2020
Here are the top 10 'breakers' on the UK Soul Chart 9th April 2020
Blue Soul Ten - Cupid's Bow feat Syauqi Destanika [Greenhouse]
Neo soul stepper.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5
The New Mosaic feat Erica T Bryan - Out Of Body
I think I may have already posted this track, so may have also made the comment that her voice to me sounds similar to Tahira Memory, Jarrod Lawson's singing partner and the song sounds like something they would produce, which is a compliment.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6
Kevin Ross - Love's In Need Of Love Today feat Sonna Rele [Art Society]
Neo soul/RnB with 'insipid' vocals that so many RnB artists seem to have adopted that some may like ... but not me I'm afraid!
SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.6
Antoine Dunn - I'm Yours [Harvey Marie]
Neo soul/RnB stepper which I'm afraid doesn't do a lot for me as it's just like so much other material that it doesn't move me.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.7
Jane Handcock - What I Need []
A nice neo soul ballad/stepper from this predominantly hip-hop artist that shows that she can sing on the 'right' material. I'm liking this the more I listen, it gets under your skin, and the hook is so reminiscent of an old school tune that I can't quite place. Not sure what the relevance of the Bobby Brown & Whitney Huston image is all about - it's from her official channel.
The YouTube clip sound quality is not great so click her Soundcloud page to listen
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6
Ledisi - Anything For You
Deep neo soul ballad from 'The Soul Singer' artist. This girl can 'sang'.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6
Cleo Sol - When I'm In Your Arms
Soft, breathy Sade-like vocals on this neo soul ballad.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.1
Midas Hutch - In Touch feat Charli Taft & Daul
Jerky neo soul/RnB with breathy lightweight vocals.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.8
Karen Jewels - Stronger feat Matthew McIntosh
Neo/modern soul with a steady driving beat.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.65
Silk & Nightwind - Ole Skool Thang
Soulful jazz with hints of Marvin Gaye samples.
Soulful jazz with hints of Marvin Gaye samples.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75
Jackie Ross [1974] - Take The Weight Off Me [Sedgrick S-3007]
An interlude from posting new releases for a moment. Here is a deep soul cut from Jackie Ross which is one of three 45's she released on James Vanleer's Sedgrick label, famous (in UK) for the ultra rare Northern Soul 45, Don Gardner's Cheatin Kind which was written by Vanleer and is valued around 4, or even 5, figures for the 1969 original ... if you could ever find one.
In addition to Sedgrick, which released around 7 45, Vanleer owned several other Chicago labels including Cedric which released 5 45s by Ross, Gardner and Bobby McClure, SAC (which released one solitary 45 by Eric Mercury & The Soul Searchers), and later Golden Ear which featured 45s from mainly Ross and Little Milton and 3 or 4 albums in the 80s.
In addition to Sedgrick, which released around 7 45, Vanleer owned several other Chicago labels including Cedric which released 5 45s by Ross, Gardner and Bobby McClure, SAC (which released one solitary 45 by Eric Mercury & The Soul Searchers), and later Golden Ear which featured 45s from mainly Ross and Little Milton and 3 or 4 albums in the 80s.
Vanleer also wrote this deep soul cut.
Soul Messengers [2020] - Dark Soul [Festival Park]
An album that has been riding high in the UK Soul Chart for several weeks now since release on 2 Mar 2020, is the debut album from Geordie band Soul Messengers which is an offshoot of SouLutions. Unfortunately there are no YouTube uploads for this album and it is only available directly from the Soul Messengers' website, so nip over there (click image below) to sample the album and if you like what you hear then download or order the CD.
On the album is a version of William DeVaughn's classic Be Thankful which is also released as Fire and Desire Mix featuring Louise Mehan from SouLutions.
One track I did find that is on the album is this one released as a single in May 2019.
Groove Ya
DW3 [2020] DW3 [Woodward Avenue] - Whole Album
Currently topping the UK Soul Chart is DW3 album DW3 so I've selected 5 of, what I consider to be, the best tracks.
Your Body Feat. Boney James
Smooth, mellow soul stepper with the sax of Boney James.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
Groove You Feat. Rebecca Jade
Another smooth and mellow stepper which reminds me of something similar that I can't quite put my mind to at present.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6
Never Gonna Stop
This has got an 80s modern soul / boogie Luther Vandross feel about it.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4
Like There's No Tomorrow Feat. Rebecca Jade
Downbeat, smooth and mellow stepper and my favourite track probably owing to the sultry/smokey vocals of Rebecca Jade.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7
California Love (Remix)
This has got an 80s Gap Band feel about it and is tighter and crisper than the original mix.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4
The remaining tracks:
Gina Carey [2020] - My Destiny [Gico]
New release Feb 2020 from Gina Carey which has got an 80s quiet storm feel about it. I think it's a single release only i.e. not from album. It peaked at #2 in UK Soul Chart on 29 Feb 2020.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6
Check out her albums:
2011 - Melodie
2016 - The Soul Singer
2016 Love Letters
Adika Pongo [2020] - Diamonds (Alex Di Cio Remix) [Expansion]
Brand new release on 27 Mar 2020 from Adika Pongo which went straight into UK Soul Chart at #14 this week.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2
Here's the original mix from 2011 Groovin' Up album.
Stone Foundation [2019] - Ordinary Joe / I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down [100%]
Hot on the heels of the last Stone Foundation post with their latest single, here's one they did last year Mar 2019. It's a cover of Terry Callier's classic Ordinary Joe also recorded by Jerry Butler on You And I album with Ann Peebles' - I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (which features Graham Parker) on the flip.
Both tracks feature Paul Weller on piano.
Stone Foundation [2019] - I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down [100%]
Stone Foundation Feat. Laville [2020] - The Light In Us [100%]
New single from Stone Foundation featuring Laville released 6 Mar 2020 rising to #14 in UK Soul Chart at time of posting.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5
MS1 Project Feat. Deli Row [2020] - Treasure Pearl [H&S]
MS1 Project Feat. Deli Row [2019] - Treasure Pearl [H&S]
Released Nov 2019
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5
MS1 Project Feat. Deli Row [2020] - Treasure Pearl (2 Head Project Remix) [H&S]
The 2Head Project Remix released 16 Mar 2020 which is currently rising to #10 in UK Soul Chart.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.3
COVID-19 11th April 2020
Summary
US, as predicted yesterday, has now exceeded 500,000 cases at 502,876 and continues to see over 30,000 new cases per day with 33,752 which is the 2nd highest number from the peak of 34,196 on 4 Apr. Only on one day since the peak have new cases been lower than 30,000. The death rate in US has been low in relation to total cases of around 3.5% but for the last 4 days new deaths have nearly doubled from around 1,000 to 2,000 per day. Their number of deaths looks set to exceed Italy's in the next day 18,747 v 18,889.
New York is particularly hardest hit with now 172,358 cases, the next worst hit is New Jersey with less than a third of that figure 54,588.
Spain continues to stabilse around 5,000 (5,051) new cases and deaths declining from peak of 961 to 624 their lowest since 22 Mar (19 days).
Italy new cases stabilise around 4,000 for the 12th day. New cases in Italy peaked 12 days after lock down (9 Mar) of 6,557 on 21 Mar and 32 days since lockdown (20 days after the peak) new cases have not dropped below 3,000 per day.
France continues to be unpredictable with new cases increasing by 2,321 (4,799 v 7,120).
Germany new cases reduced by 1,003 (4,939 v 3,936) and had the lowest number of deaths (129) since 30 Mar. Germany continues to have significantly less deaths than any of the other major western countries with a death rate of 2.2% all other major EU countries are in double digits. IT 12.8% UK 12.1%, FR 10.6%, ES 10.2%
UK saw the highest number of new cases to date with a staggering increase of 4,337 (4,344 v 8,681) which is double the cases the previous day and 2,778 more than the previous high (5,903) on 5 Apr. If you discount the 'erratic' reporting from France which has seen 2 'blips' this week, then this is the highest number of cases reported in Europe in one day. In addition UK saw the most deaths to date of 980. 'IF' social distancing is working, and the incubation period is 1-14 days (with an average of 5), then how can such an increase in new cases, 18 days after 'lockdown', be explained?
Less than 3 weeks into lockdown and the media questions are all around when we will see an end to lockdown measures, but unless these figures start to reduce rapidly, I fear that the lockdown measures will be tightened rather than reduced, as surely those being most exposed to infection are those in 'circulation'. I suspect that only essential workers will be allowed to carry on.
EU Highest new cases in one day
UK 8,681
ES 8,271
FR 7,788 (11,059/23,060 discounted as probably owing to adjustments)
DE 6,993
IT 6,557
If you recall a few days ago when UK reached 50,000 cases I stated that the next figures to 'watch' were 75,000 and 100,000. I predicted that if UK was on the same trajectory as Italy, then 3/4 days after UK reached 50,000 it would reach 75,000 just as Italy had i.e. 21 Mar (53,578) 25 Mar (74,386), well UK on 6 Apr 51,608 and 10 Apr 73,758. As it looks almost certain that UK is shadowing Italy, then in 4/5 days (14/15 Apr) we will probably see 100,000 cases in UK as IT had 97,689 29 Mar and 101,739 30 Mar.
Comparison with China
Whether or not you believe the figures reported by China, if you look at 'active' cases on 22 Jan 554 reported and they peaked on 17 Feb at 58,016 26 days later and now stand at 1,089 on 10 Apr.
If we look at what has happened in China since the peak in active cases on 17 Feb we see that total cases on 17 Feb 72,436 v total cases 10 Apr 81,593 = 9,157 new cases in 53 days which is an average of 173 new cases per day. If we take the figures from 1 Mar then that number reduces to an average of 53 new cases per day and 1 Apr it reduces to 36 per day. So what exactly is it that China has done to see such a reduction in new cases?
If we look at what has happened in China since the peak in active cases on 17 Feb we see that total cases on 17 Feb 72,436 v total cases 10 Apr 81,593 = 9,157 new cases in 53 days which is an average of 173 new cases per day. If we take the figures from 1 Mar then that number reduces to an average of 53 new cases per day and 1 Apr it reduces to 36 per day. So what exactly is it that China has done to see such a reduction in new cases?
Here's a comparison with EU countries from 1st 500 (or nearest to) cases
CH 22 Jan 554 - 17 Feb 58,016 - 26 days
DE 5 Mar 528 - 6 Apr 72,865 - 32 days
ES 7 Mar 485 - 10 Apr 86,524 - 34 days
IT 27 Feb 593 - 10 Apr 98,273 - 43 days
FR 4 Mar 404 - 10 Apr 86,740 - 37 days
US 8 Mar 504 - 10 Apr 456,818 - 33 days
Germany looks like it's active cases have peaked on 6 Apr and Spain and Italy are showing signs of the curve flattening, but France, US and UK are showing no firm signs that the curve is flattening yet.
Of all EU countries Germany appears to be the one that has got this pandemic under control with far fewer deaths and the earliest sign that new and active cases are declining.
Perhaps the other countries need to learn from the actions of China and Germany.
Perhaps the other countries need to learn from the actions of China and Germany.
Latest stats from Worldometers
Latest v previous day - increase/decrease
| Country |
New Cases
10 Apr
|
New Cases
9 Apr
|
New Case Increase |
Deaths
10 Apr
|
Deaths
9 Apr
|
Death
Increase
|
| IT | 3,951 | 4,204 | -253 | 570 | 610 | -40 |
| ES | 5,051 | 5,002 | 49 | 634 | 655 | -21 |
| DE | 3,936 | 4,939 | -1,003 | 129 | 258 | -129 |
| FR | 7,120 | 4,799 | 2,321 | 987 | 1341 | -354 |
| UK | 8,681 | 4,344 | 4,337 | 980 | 881 | 99 |
| US | 33,752 | 33,536 | 216 | 2,056 | 1903 | 153 |
Latest v previous day - actuals
| Daily | 10-Apr | 09-Apr | |||||
| Country | New Cases | Total Cases | No. Deaths | Death Rate% | Total Cases | No. Deaths | Death Rate% |
| IT | 3,951 | 147,577 | 18,849 | 12.8% | 143,626 | 18,279 | 12.7% |
| ES | 5,051 | 158,273 | 16,081 | 10.2% | 153,222 | 15,447 | 10.1% |
| DE | 3,936 | 122,171 | 2,736 | 2.2% | 118,235 | 2,607 | 2.2% |
| FR | 7,120 | 124,869 | 13,197 | 10.6% | 117,749 | 12,210 | 10.4% |
| UK | 8,681 | 73,758 | 8,958 | 12.1% | 65,077 | 7,978 | 12.3% |
| US | 33,752 | 502,876 | 18,747 | 3.7% | 468,566 | 16,691 | 3.6% |
Latest v one week ago - actuals
| Weekly | 10-Apr | 03-Apr | |||||
| Country | New Cases | Total Cases | No. Deaths | Death Rate% |
Total
Cases
|
No.
Deaths
|
Death Rate% |
| IT | 3,951 | 147,577 | 18,849 | 12.8% | 119,827 | 14,681 | 12.3% |
| ES | 5,051 | 158,273 | 16,081 | 10.2% | 119,199 | 11,198 | 9.4% |
| DE | 3,936 | 122,171 | 2,736 | 2.2% | 91,159 | 1,275 | 1.4% |
| FR | 7,120 | 124,869 | 13,197 | 10.6% | 82,165 | 6,507 | 7.9% |
| UK | 8,681 | 73,758 | 8,958 | 12.1% | 38,168 | 3,605 | 9.4% |
| US | 33,752 | 502,876 | 18,747 | 3.7% | 279,183 | 7,139 | 2.6% |
Latest v one week ago - percentage rate increase
| Daily | Weekly | |||
| Country |
Total
Cases
Increase
Factor
|
Death Rate
Increase Factor
|
Total
Cases
Increase
Factor
|
Death Rate
Increase Factor
|
| IT | 102.8% | 100.4% | 123.2% | 104.2% |
| ES | 103.3% | 100.8% | 132.8% | 108.2% |
| DE | 103.3% | 101.6% | 134.0% | 160.1% |
| FR | 106.0% | 101.9% | 152.0% | 133.5% |
| UK | 113.3% | 99.1% | 193.2% | 128.6% |
| US | 107.3% | 104.7% | 180.1% | 145.8% |