You'll be pleased to learn that this will be the last Christmas post (this year!). May I take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy Christmas and pray for a much better new year.
An early recording by Luther Vandross as a quintet called Luther who recorded 2 albums and a handful of 45s on Cotillion between 1976-77. These are pretty hard to find now as Vandross bought the rights off Cotillion when the group was dropped by the label, preventing them from being re-released. This recording was only released as a promo 12" in US and as 7" in Jamaica.
Here's a few soulful versions of some of the Christmas 'standards'.
Nat "King" Cole [1946] - The Christmas Song [Capitol #F90036]
Possibly, apart from White Christmas perhaps, the quintessential Christmas record by the late great Nat "King" Cole. Cole first recorded 'The Christmas Song' in 1946.
Gregory Porter [2017] - The Christmas Song [Blue Note #B002739502]
From the album Nat "King" Cole & Me
Luther Vandross [1992] - The Christmas Song [A&M #31454 0003 2]
... and here's another legend's version from yet another late great, Luther Vandross, originally released on a 1992 VA christmas compilation 'A Very Special Christmas 2'
Luther Vandross [1995] - Have Youself A Merry Little Christmas [Epic #E 57795]
Christina Aguilera [2020] - Have Yoursel A Merry Little Christmas
I've just 'had' to add this. What an absolutely stunning performance from Christina Aguilera. This girl has got real soul on the right material!
Luther Vandross [1995] - My Favorite Things [Epic #E 57795]
Now here's a 'groovy' litte rendition of a song from The Sound Of Music .... no really ... don't dismiss, give it a listen and the best of all watch Luther live! As you'd expect, Luther turns a pretty MOR song into something completely different! It's got a great modern vibe.
The full version here if you 'dig it' as the live cilip is a shortened version!
'My Favorite Things' was written by Rodgers & Hammerstein for The Sound Of Music musical in 1959 which of course became a film in 1965. It's sad to say, but I believe that this was the first film I ever saw at the cinema at a very young age!
P.S. I'm 'rediscovering' Luther Vandross at present by revisiting his earlier recordings, as I went off him after 1988 as his material deteriorated into MOR for the mass audience, probably at the behest of the record company. Unfortunately the record company was proved right as his highest chart entries where between 1988-1994 with 5 Hot 100 Top 10 entries: Here And Now #6, Power Of Love / Love Power #4, Don't Want To Be A Fool #9, The Best Things In Life Are Free (with Janet Jackson) #10, Endless Love (with Mariah Carey) #2, and none of these would feature in my personal Luther Top 10!
Watch out for a post coming soon highlighting his lesser known recordings which didn't bother the charts (much), similar to the recent Stevie Wonder post i.e. B sides and album only tracks or A sides that didn't chart! For example did you know that his classic 'A House Is Not A Home' was only issued as a single in UK and only as a B Side to 'See Me' in 1987, a full 6 years after it featured on his debut album!
As normal, links only to new entries, for existing entries please view link to UK Soul Chart.
Only 3 new releases this week.
01 (2)SouLutions - Stop What You're Doing (Album Anthology)
02 (1)The Groove Association feat. Georgie B - It's Been So Long (Album)
03 (3)True Music Group - True Soul Vol. 1 (Album)
04 (23)Delegation Feat. Rick Bailey - I Surrender
05 (4)Reel People Feat. Eric Roberson - Save A Lil Love / Dancing On The Moon EP
06 (5)Cool Million Feat. D-Train - Be a Star Tonight
07 (13)Dyson The Singer ft Ollie Ali Woodson - Love At The Same Time
08 (11)Shaila Prospere - Under My Skin (Album)
09 (17)Al Castellana - Love Is Here
10 (NE)Light Of The World - I'm So Happy (Black Gold Live EP)
Expected 28th Dec
I'm not sure what the deal is with this track as it was originally issued way back in 1980 as the flip to Time, (their highest charting single which reached #35 in 1981) and featured on their second album Round Trip. I don't know if it's untouched or has been remixed or re-recorded, but given the EP, which listed on Amazon looks like a full blown 15 track album, says 'Live' then presume it must be a live version? In any case it's a pleasant enough ballad and I've included the original version.
The original Light Of The World line up featured Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick who, of course, is now with with Incognito.
11 (28)Kim Cage Riley - Family Friends and Favors (Album)
12 (15)Bradd Marquis - Always / Thrill Is Gone
13 (19)Fostina Dixon Feat. Larry Blackmon - Get On The Floor
14 (14)The Realm - Diamond Cut (Mixes)
15 (18)Output / Input - Eye To Eye
16 (24)Dayon Feat. Ed Mills - Come Back Again
17 (26)Tilly - Life After Love (Nigel Lowis Mix)
18 (29)SA-HA-RA - Lets Be One Tonight
19 (7)H'Atina - Authentically Me (Album)
20 (12)Patrick McLean - One Heart One Beat (Album)
21 (6)Ingram Street - Paint The Town (Album)
22 (8)The Brit Funk Association Feat. Chris Amoo - Smilin' (Mixes)
23 (NE)Myles Sanko - Rainbow in Your Cloud
New single, I suspect from the forthcomng album 'Memories Of Love' due 21st March 2021. I needed a few listens to this one - it grows on you.
I can't find much info on him, I suspect that he's based in Germany as his 3 albums to date have been released on Legere.
The first release I can find from him is from 2011 Pagany (an Italian DJ) Feat Myles Sanko, which is a cover of Stevie Wonder's Another Star.
I felt that I just had to post this very poignant Christmas song after the year we have all just experienced. I've held it back until Christmas Eve. It has truly been an 'annus horribilis' indeed, next year can only be better!
Byrdie Green recorded two version, one with a spoken message and without.
I posted this new release a few weeks back, but they've revamped it for Christmas with the addition of bells and a new video, so as it's a great track I've posted the 'new' version.
