Melonyx [2021] - Black Elixir [Tru Thoughts] (Full EP)

Melonyx burst onto the scene back on 4 May (posted here on 5 May) when they released two tracks from a forthcoming EP which has now been released yesterday (29 Jun 2021). Both "Energy' and "Melanin Queen did very well. I think it got as high as #2 or #3 on Global Soul chart ( but would need to check).

Melonyx are duo Georgia Copeland and Nadia Latoya from Nottingham. Their only other release (that I can find) was a single 'Worth The Wait' in May 2020 on BandCamp. 

This is an outstanding EP, all tracks are very good, it's difficult choosing a standout track as they all have their own appeal. The last track is an alternate, hardly recognisable, take on The Stylistics "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (written by Thom Bell & Linda Creed) with a reggae/lovers rock vibe with a bit of added jazz trumpet, a very original take on the song,  and because of that is probably the least likely track to get plays, but it's a real grower because of what they've done with it.

Talking about trumpets, I'll blow my own as I'm sure they were featured on this blog first on 5 May, the day after release.

Since posting originally, Tru Thoughts has posted live videos of "Energy" an "Melanin Queen" which I've included below.

Unless it's a mistake on Amazon the whole EP (six tracks) is selling for only £1.79! (link on image below).

UPDATE: If you were quick off the mark you may have been able to get all 6 tracks for £1.79 but it looks like the error has been spotted as the link is now dead and it doesn't appear to be listed on Amazon today!!

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Details

Rating:	9.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Tru Thought
Cat No:	None
Year:	29/06/2021
Value:	£1.79

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 21 2021 Jun (week 25)

A blended, 40 minute, non-stop, mix of the best new releases last week (Jun 2021 week 25) based on the 'The Dirty Dozen' published 27 Jun 2021. 

Tracklist 

(with links to original posts)

Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers Feat. Kim Dawson - You Are My Home (51.4)

Dawkins & Dawkins - Somethin (69.0)

Lin Rountree Feat. Selina Albright - With You (70.0)

Certified Luva - Plush (71.0)

Sayuri Elsie - Lately (75.0)

Doug Wonder - Tonight (74.0)

HJ Soul - You (80.0)

Loony - Ours (83.0)

Doug Wonder - Listen (80.8)

Lin Rountree Feat. Lindsey Webster - Me For Me (90.0)

Ginge - Molly (95.0)

Sydney Ranee' - Complicated (99.9)

Previous mixes:

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 20 2021 Jun (week 24)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 19 2021 Jun (week 23)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 18 2021 Jun (week 22)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 17 2021 May (week 21)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 16 2021 May (week 20)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 15 2021 May (week 19)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 14 2021 May (week 18)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 13 2021 May (week 17)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 12 2021 April (week 16)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 11 2021 April (week 15)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 10 2021 April (week 14)

Xydo [2021] - Cycle [WM Korea/GROOV1LM]

Here's a conundrum for you, If soul from white artists is blue-eyed soul and from Latin artists is brown-eyed soul then what is Asian soul called as here's some neo soul from Seoul? In recent weeks there have been many posts from The Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia and even Hawaii, Botswana and the Cook Islands.

Xydo is from Seoul, South Korea and has released around ten singles and two EPs since 2019. His latest five track EP "Cycle" was released 21 Jun 2021. The melodies on "Flower" and "Stay" are quite pleasant. The vocals seem to be sung in both Korean and English.

I had this lined up to post last week but there were others 'more deserving' but as we get further into the week with fewer releases around Xydo get his chance.

There are no videos available for the best tracks (above), but he posted one yesterday for "Can't Fall In Love".

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Details

Rating:	7.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	WM Korea/GROOV1LM
Cat No:	None
Year:	21/06/2021
Value:	£3.99

Liquid Spirits [2021] - It’s Not Fair [Outlaw Records]

Liquid Spirits is a group from Amsterdam founded by Wiboud Burkens (keys), Manuel Hugas (bass) and Ivan Peroti (vocals)

They have released three albums since 2006 and their new album "Years" is due in Dec 2021. The title track was released as a single in Feb and they have followed it up with "It's Not Fair" on 25 Jun 2021.

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Details

Rating:	7.9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Outlaw Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	25/06/2021
Key/BPM:	8A/97
Value:	£1

Daron Lameek [2021] - June Gemini [Self Released]

Daron Lameek Fleming is from Queens, NY and released a debut EP "All Summer" in 2014. He's just released another six track EP "June Gemini" on 28 Jun 2021 from which the lead single is "No Ties", but personally I think "One More Round" is the best track, followed by "Dark Nights" along with  "Pop It" which has a funky charm. 

He has a YT channel where each week he uploads a live covers.

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Details

Rating:	7.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Label
Cat No:	None
Year:	28/06/2021
Value:	£5.94

RASiDA [2021] - Don't Go Back [Self Released]

RASiDA is a 23 yr old artist from East London who released her debut single "Sorry For Wasting Your Time" in Sep 2019. This is only her second single, a really nice neo soul number with jazz influences, which was let out on Saturday (26 Jun 2021). 

Her first single is well worth checking out as well, so I've also posted it below.

I think this neo soul/jazz stepper will be a certainty for this week's "Dirty Dozen" and hopefully will be picked up (if not already) by radio jocks and do quite well. Get behind it guys as both singles are excellent from a home-grown, hopefully rising, talent.

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Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	26/06/2021
Key/BPM:	1A/76
Value:	£1