Ben L'Oncle Soul [2020] Next To You / The Best [Decca]

A couple of the best tracks from Ben l'Oncle (Benjamin Duterde)  Soul's latest album Addicted To You released on 27 Mar 2020.

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Ben L'Oncle Soul [2020] - Next To You Feat. Yuna [Decca]

One of the best new tracks I've heard this year, already released as a single but not made a dent on any charts as yet.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.2

Ben L'Oncle Soul [2020] - The Best [Decca]

Mellow, laid back neo soul stepper.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

You can explore the rest of the album on YouTube, but none of the other tracks struck a chord with me.

Lovell [2020] - Universoul-Man [DHM] - Full Album

A few tracks from new album by Lovell (Brooks) released on 6th April 2020.  The main track getting plays is 'So Fake'.

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Just Call Me Up Feat. Larry Mac

Fantasy

So In Love Feat. Tamika Joy

Climax

Ride The Vibe Feat Loe

You R

Sittin' At Home Feat. Loe

So Fake

Whatcha Gonna Do Feat. Loe

Jai Reed [2020] - Smile

Hot off the press, released 27 Mar 2020, is a track from Jai Reed's latest album The Journey which (as yet) I can't find anywhere to purchase except iTunes, but it's on several streaming sites i.e. apple music, Spotify and kkbox.

This is a gospel album and the only other 'contemporary' tracks are these 2:

My Testimony

Don't Worry

Ann Nesby [2020] - One Of A Kind [Herb Middleton] - pre-release

Another pre-release out on 21st April 2020 from Herb Middleton Music. Ann Nesby - One Of A Kind.  Ann (real name Lula Ann Bennett) of course was singer with Sounds Of Blackness.

Click on image to hear sample.

Ann Nesby [2019] - One Of A Kind (Kings Of Love Jan Remix)

Bizarrely there is already a remix out by Franco De Mulero aka Kings Of Groove from Aug 2019, apparently requested by Ann herself.

Julia Huff [2020] - Make Up On The Floor [Herb Middleton] - pre-release

Here's a 'up-font' one for ya ... not officially released until 28th April 2020, Julia Huff - Make Up On The Floor, only available (as far as I know) direct from Herb Middleton Music

Tr3y [2019] - Feels So Good [Ever Evolving Music]

Tr3y aka Trey Pullen with a nice stepper that was released 15 Apr 2019.

SouStrutter's Rating: 8.7

Tr3y [2019] - Feels So Good (Extended Version) [Ever Evolving Music]

George Jackson's - If I Could Open Up My Heart - Versions

A few versions of the deep soul track written by George Jackson.

A tenuous link back to Big Mel on this post as he was a member of Public Announcement who provided the inspiration for this post with their version of this track on an obscure album 'Chicago Soul The "Truth" In R&B Collection' released in 2004.

Public Announcement! [2004] - If I Could Open Up My Heart [1time management OTM 0237]

George Jackson [2002] - If I Could Open Up My Heart [Grapevine GVCD 3003]

The composer's version which lay in the can until released on Grapevine album 'In Muscle Shoals' in 2002.

Otis Clay [1982] - If I Could Open Up My Heart [Waylo]

From the album The Only Way Is Up. This is a bit confusing as the album titled 'The Only Way Is Up' appears to have been first issued in Japan on RCA Victor in 1982.  The first US release was 1985 on Blues R&B, the sleeve names album 'The Only Way Is Up' but the label states 'Check It Out'.  It then came out on Willie Mitchell's Waylo label in 1989 on CD as 'The Only Way Is Up' with different artwork.

Lynn White [1990] - If I Could Open Up My Heart [S.O.H. SOH 703/705]

From the 1990 album 'The New Me'.  As mentioned previously on this blog, Lynn White was  the sister of Larry Saunders/Sanders.  The song was also released on 45 in 1991 as flip to My Sex Machine on SOH 705.

Shaila Prospere - Discography

I've been sleeping on this artist for too long.  Though I'd better investigate after her latest single topped the UK Soul Chart.

Without researching, I would guess she's a UK artist from the style of music as it's got that UK vibe about it.

A quick peak at Discogs lists 2 albums: 'In My Shoes' 2010 and 'Back To Life...' 2017 and a handful of singles from late 90s and 2000.  That seems a long hiatus but it looks like she's making up for lost time with an album, 3 single releases and featuring on 2 tracks on MS1 Project album in the last year.

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Shaila Prospere [2020 - Let's Be [Attention]

Latest single released 6 Mar 2020 which topped UK Soul Chart.

MS1 Project Feat. Shaila Prospere [2019] - Rise [H&S]

Shaila featured on 2 tracks on MS1 Project album 'Change's released Nov 2019.

MS1 Project Feat. Shaila Prospere [2019] - Steal A Kiss [H&S]

Shaila Prospere [2019] - You're Rich [Attention]

Single released 16 Sep 2019.

Shaila Prospere [2019] - Plus One [Attention]

Single released 29 Apr 2019.

2017 - Back To Life... [Rhythm RY001CD]

Let Me Be Yours
Break The Chain
Family
Back To Life
Thinking Of You
A Love Like This

No Better Love

Beautiful
Don't Ask Me To Stay
Gimme That Love
Slow Down
That Place

Let Me Be Yours (Soul Syndicate Mix)

Family (Soul Syndicate Mix)

Thinking Of You (Soul Syndicate Mix)

A neo soul mellow mix of the 1984 Sister Sledge hit (UK #11).

2000 - In My Shoes [Full Crew FC CD01]

Girlfriend  (released as a single in 2000)

Reoccurring Dream

Sorry (also released as single in 1998)

How Much

Released as a single in 1999 prior to album release.

Mistakes

Imagine That

Good Guys  (released as a single in 2000)

Do What I Do

Found Out

Protecting My Heart

Tell Me Why

Crazy

In My Shoes

Love's Not A Friend Of Mine

Sorry (Full Crew Mix)

A couple early of non-album singles

Shaila [1995] - Undercover Friend (T.K.O. Mix) [Platform PLAT 003]

Neo/modern soul groover from mid 90s which appears to be her debut.

Rimes Feat. Shaila Prospere [1999] - It's Over [Universal 40199]

Samples Odyssey - Don't Tell Me, Tell Her, which was originally the official A side to their UK #1 hit Use It Up And Wear It Out. It was also recorded by Phyllis Hyman on her 1981 album Can't We Fall In Love Again and came out on the B side of 'You Sure Look Good To Me' single.

Big Mel [2011] - What's Going On Today / New Boy Friend [Tate]

Following on from the Big Mel post for his latest album, here's a couple of tracks from his first solo album released in 2011 titled 'That's Luv'

What's Going On Today

New Boy Friend

UK Soul Chart Top 30 8th April 2020

Here's the latest UK Soul Chart published 8th April 2020 from Starpoint with links to all tracks either to posts on this blog or directly to YouTube where I haven't got around to posting them.

01 (2) DW 3 - DW 3 (LP)

02 (5) Soul Messengers - Dark Soul (LP) / Be Thankful ft Louise Mehan

03 (7) Bobby & Steve  - You Will Survive - Let's Stand Together (LP)

04 (25) Lindsey Webster - A Woman Like Me (LP)

05 (3) Will Downing - Romantique Pt. 2 (LP)

06 (1) Shaila Prospere - Let's Be

07 (9) Rick Clarke ft Don E - Family

08 (18) Canita Feat. Noel Gourdin - No Love

09 (12) James Taylor Quartet - People Get Ready (We're Moving On) (LP)

10 (16) MS1 Project Feat. Deli Rowe - Treasure Pearl (2 Head Project Remix)

11 (22) Marc Staggers - Soft Words/Key To My Heart (Tom Moulton remix)

12 (6) Lavel Jackson - Lavel Jackson 2020 (LP)

13 (4) Frank Addai - Enchanted Lady/Closer I Get To You

14 (19) Stone Foundation & Laville - The Light in Us

15 (NE) Adika Pongo - Diamonds (Alex Di Cio Remix)

16 (14) Maysa Feat. Chris Davis Phil Perry & Kim Waters - It's Gonna Be Alright (Nigel Lowis mixes)

17 (10) Privatprojekt ft Stefanie S - Only Heaven Knows

18 (13) Omar Wilson - The Groove

19 (8) Mr Bailey - Love@43 (LP)

20 (18) Gina Carey - My Destiny

21 (11) Carmichael Musiclover - The Best Thing Yet (LP)

22 (23) Tower Of Power - Step Up (LP)

23 (26) Big Mel - Big Me (LP)

24 (RE) Dave Mascall Feat. Julia Quinn - Reading My Mind (Mixes)

25 (24) Jermaine Lockhart - Back To The Sunshine

26 (RE) JD's Time Machine Feat. Cornell Carter - Off The Grid (Mixes)

27 (17) Dayon Feat. Astyn Turr - Don't Talk to Me That Way

28 (28) Los Charly's Orchestra ft Andre Espeut - Soul Unity John Morales M+M Remix

29 (30) Lorraine Clarke McGhie - Closer

30 (20) J. Daphaney - Can't Wait 2 Love U

COVID-19 12th April 2020

Summary

US new cases down 3,749 and new deaths down 226 but new cases still linger around 30,000+

Spain new cases below 5,000 for the first time since 22 Mar and 'active' cases seem to be plateauing having risen less than 3,000 (2,623) in 4 days 84,689 7 Apr v 87,312 11 Apr.

Italy new cases increased by 743 but the concern is that they have been higher than the low of 3,039 on 7 Apr for 4 consecutive days with more than a 50% increase at 4,694 yesterday.

France new cases continue to 'yo-yo' with a reduction of 2,335 

Germany reported the fewest number of new cases in 5 EU countries with 3,281 and the lowest deaths 135.

UK again reported highest number of new cases in EU (5,233), thankfully 3,448 down from high on 10 Apr and has reported deaths of around 900 for the 4 day.

If you look at the percentage rate increase table below, UK is increasing at the highest rate both daily 107.1% and weekly 188.5%.

Latest stats from Worldometers

Latest v previous day - increase/decrease

Country	New Cases 11 Apr	New Cases 10 Apr	New Case Increase	Deaths 11 Apr	Deaths 10 Apr	Death Increase
IT	4,694	3,951	743	619	570	49
ES	4,754	5,051	-297	525	634	-109
DE	3,281	3,936	-655	135	129	6
FR	4,785	7,120	-2,335	635	987	-352
UK	5,233	8,681	-3,448	917	980	-63
US	30,003	33,752	-3,749	1,830	2,056	-226

Latest v previous day - actuals

Daily	11-Apr				10-Apr
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	4,694	152,271	19,468	12.8%	147,577	18,849	12.8%
ES	4,754	163,027	16,606	10.2%	158,273	16,081	10.2%
DE	3,281	125,452	2,871	2.3%	122,171	2,736	2.2%
FR	4,785	125,654	13,832	11.0%	124,869	13,197	10.6%
UK	5,233	78,991	9,875	12.5%	73,758	8,958	12.1%
US	30,003	532,879	20,577	3.9%	502,876	18,747	3.7%

Latest v one week ago - actuals

Weekly	11-Apr				04-Apr
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	4,694	152,271	19,468	12.8%	124,632	15,362	12.3%
ES	4,754	163,027	16,606	10.2%	126,168	11,947	9.5%
DE	3,281	125,452	2,871	2.3%	96,092	1,444	1.5%
FR	4,785	125,654	13,832	11.0%	89,953	7,560	8.4%
UK	5,233	78,991	9,875	12.5%	41,903	4,313	10.3%
US	30,003	532,879	20,577	3.9%	313,379	8,469	2.7%

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	103.2%	100.1%	122.2%	103.7%
ES	103.0%	100.3%	129.2%	107.6%
DE	102.7%	102.2%	130.6%	152.3%
FR	100.6%	104.2%	139.7%	131.0%
UK	107.1%	102.9%	188.5%	121.5%
US	106.0%	103.6%	170.0%	142.9%