Aja Valle [2020] - Mixed Emotions [Valle Music Entertainment] (Full Album)

Although released 29 Dec 2020, this is the best full album I've heard so far this year so will already be added to my shortlist for albums of 2021.  I'll just post the lead track which is 'probably' the best on the album but recommend that you listen to the album as there's not a bad track on it.

Recommended tracks include:

Summer Tyme

Take It Slow

Tryin

Listen to Full Album here.

NOTE Here's the title track 'Mixed Emotions' as it appears to be blocked as private in playlist

website

She was born Aja Vallet Norris in 1987, the daughter of James Norris, who she says was a former member of The Drifters who changed his name to J.J. Jackson for a solo career (but it's not the J.J. Jackson we all probably think of who recorded on Calla & Loma in the 60s). The only James Norris that I can find who may be the same person was in Gregory James Edition in the 70s. I can find no trace of a James Norris being in The Drifters but then there were many groups claiming to be The Drifters over the years.

Aja joined the military at 18, she was married at 20, had a child, and was divorced at 22 which inspired her to begin writing songs. She currently lives in Jacksonville, FL where she performs in local clubs.

Gotta Have Some, featured on the album, was released as a single in Feb 2020.  I am guessing that this is her debut album as i can find no other releases from her.

Greystorm [2020] - Sextivity [Greystorm Muzik] (Full Album)

This is one I almost instinctively skipped past as on the sleeve he looks a bit like a hip-hopper and it has a 'parental advisory' banner - a classic case of don't judge a book by its cover!  It's smooth and mellow neo sweet soul. 

I'm actually the very first viewer of this on YT as it was only posted yesterday. I think this parcticular track was released as a single in Apr 2020 but the album has just been released.

The album is more or less the same sort of material. Listen to Full Album here.

Signature Smooth [2020] - Phenomenal [The Sound Station] (Full Album)

Debut single released by Signature Smooth on 11 Dec 2020 taken from 6 track mini-LP/EP of the same name.  From first listen a pretty good debut!

Harry Dontrell Burgess Jr. was born in 1989 and raised in Lake City, South Carolina by a minister father and his mother was a singer. He grew up listening to Toni Braxton, SWV, Joe, J Moss, Lalah Hathaway and was a member of his own family group Retha and the Gospel Caravans and was inflenced by gospel, jazz and R&B and has been singing all his life.

The other 'immediate' tracks to my ears are:

Let It Ride Feat. Dan Johns

It Must Be Magic Feat. Dakota Springs

Listen to the Full Album here.

Website

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Laura Rain & The Caesars [2020] - Closer to the Win [LRC]

Released 31 Dec 2020 and aimed at the Lowrider scene I would guess with a throwback sweet soul number. 

Detroit couple Laura Rains and husband George Friend. They formed in 2012 and debuted with album 'Electrified' in 2013, followed up by 'Closer' in 2014, 'Gold' in 2015 and 'Walk With Me' in  2018. A cool video shot on Woodward Ave. outside Fox Theatre in Detroit.

Website

Eric Scott [2020] - Peace Bomb [Itzall Goode Music] (Full Album)

Title track from new album from blue-eyed Boston soulster Eric Scott released 24 Dec 2020.  

Other recommended tracks include:

Something Good

I Remember It Like Yesterday

Reach Out For Me

This Is Your Time

or just listen to the full album here.

Sy Smith Feat. DominiqueXavier [2021] - Feeling Good [Psyko]

Not everyone's 'cup of tea' but a neo soul, jazz flavoured version of Nina Simone's (et al) 'Feelin' Good' first recorded in 1965. 

Regarded as the 'Queen Of Underground Soul'. I first came across Sy Smith on a trip to Washington in 2018 where, just by chance, she was perfoming for one night only in her home town at Blues Alley, Washington D.C. in April 2018. As it happens, she had just released her latest (and last to date) album 'Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete' on 16 Feb 2018, which I duly bought and had signed and a photo taken ('as you do') and I can say she is a real beauty close up and personal!  I would post the photo but it would seriously be a case of 'Beauty & The Beast'!  Coincidentally, the following night Hil St. Soul played the club but unfortunately, we had moved on to Baltimore so couldn't attend, which was a shame.

She's released 5 albums to date between 2000-2018 none of which have charted.  It's difficult tracking down her single releases as on many she has appeared as featured artist, but according to Wiki she's released 8 between 1999-2015, only 2 of which charted on US R&B and US Adult R&B charts.  The accuracy of Wiki may be dubious as the single I've featured below from 2016 is not listed! and Discogs lists 13 but of course many of her releases were probably digital only which may not be listed on Discogs (it also doesn't list the 2016 release).  Her own webiste doesn't help either as it only features her albums and a couple of singles.

Official Website

Here's a hand-picked selection of some of her recordings. If you'd like to hear more visit her YouTube Channel as it's packed with lots of live performances which is probably why she has a quite limited recording history, as she is probably far too busy performing live and  making guest appearances on others records.

2020 - Driving Feat. Marqueal  Jordan

Lockdown live performance

2018 - Let's Stay Together 'Live'

I posted a link to this the other day in the Covers Versions of Teena Marie post as Pete Escovedo covered 'Potuguese Love'. She was lead vocalists on 3 tracks on Pete Escovedo's latest album 'Back To The Bay' fro 2018 which consists of jazz infused covers of ten classic soul songs. Sy sings lead on Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together', Luther Vandross' 'Never Too Much' and Michael Jackson's 'I Can't Help It'.

2018 - Now And Later

Taken from her latest album 'Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete' released in 2018.

2018 - In Perspsective

Another track from her latest album.

2019 - Lovin' You 'Live'

A cover of a Minnie Riperton classic 'Lovin' You' at Syncopa Jazz which is in Vladivostok, Russia.

2018 - Baby This Love I Have 'Live'

Sy singing another Minnie Riperton song (co-written with Leon Ware) an album only track from Rioerton's 1975 album 'Adventures In Paradise' live at The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis in 2018.

2017 - with Leo Amuedo - Never Can Say Goodbye 'Live'

Jazzed up cover of 'Never Can Say Goodbye' with Uraguian jazz guitartist Leo Amudeo, originally a  Jackson 5 song but probably better known for Gloria Gaynor's 1974 version. Recorded at Blue Whale L.A. 7 Aug 2017.

2016 - I Want You For Myself with David Benedetti [Soulshine #SS07]

Great Jazz/House version of George Duke's I Want You For Myself'.  It was released on Soulshine in April 2016 and also came out on a compilation The Sound Of Soul Heaven Ibiza 2016. It's still available from Traxsource.

According to Louis Benedetti, George Duke was scheduled to appear, unfortunately he passed away a few days before Louis was scheduled to record him, however George Duke died on 5th Aug 2013 in L.A. aged 67 of cancer (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia), so unless this project was almost 3 years in the making I suspect he's being a little economical with the truth!

2012 - Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down) Feat. Rahsaan Patterson

Taken off her 4th album Fast And Furious, this is a cover of Billy Ocean's - Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) from 1980, with Rahsaan Patterson.

2009 - The Look Of Love 'Live'

In the immortal words of Month Python ... and now for something completely different!  Performing in Boston with Grammy award winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti from Portland (the home of Jarrod Lawson) singing the Bacaharach & David standard 'The Look Of Love' which shows her versiatilty and incredible vocal range and talent.  The 2009 concert was recorded and released as 13 track CD titled 'Chris Botti in Boston'. There was a release with an additional 19 (yes 19!) DVDs - one for each track. The DVD tracks, of which The Look Of Love is one, didn't feature on the main album and Sy Smith is not credited.

In the introduction Botti mentions that Sy was introduced to the tour by jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield (a member of the band) who is Sy's cousin.

Durand Jones & The Indications [2018] - Can't Keep My Cool (Live on KEXP) [Dead Oceans #DOC 173LPC1]

Another one for the 'Lowrider's', released on their 2018 'Live Vol. 1' album, here's footage of them performing the track.

Durand Jones & The Indications were formed by a group of friends at Indiana University in Bloomington IN and released their well received self-titled debut album in 2016 on Colemine. Since they they released 'Live Vol. 1 from which this track is taken, although a studio version was also recorded on the debut album, and their second studio album 'American Love Call' in 2019.

Denise LaSalle [1992] - When We're Making Love [Debut (UK) #DEBTX 3143]

A nice little stepper from Denise LaSalle's 1992 album 'Love Me Right' only released as a single (12") in UK, as far as I can tell, probably for the 2-step crowd! 

Denise LaSalle had a long recording career from 1967 right up unitil her death aged 83 in 2018 releasing approx 35 albums and at least 45 singles, she had only 16 R&B chart entries and 5 Hot 100 entries in her 60 year career!  Sadly, she is probably only known to the masses in the UK for the crass, and only chart entry, My Toot Toot which reached #6 in 1985 and was her highest, and last, chart entry here and in US.  A crazy world we live in if she is only remembered for that one 'novelty' single from a catlogue of hundreds of recordings!

She was 'discovered' by UK NS scene for her version of the Detroit Emeralds' 'Do Me Right' which only got a UK release on Westbound in 1973 and also her debut 1966 single on Tarpon - 'A Love Reputation' which has the same backing as the classic Nolan Chance (Charles Davis) - 'Just Like The Weather' released a year earlier, originally on Bunky and then on Constellation. 

Her 'Too Late To Check Your Trap' has become popular again in recent years which also has a funkier version of Billy Butler's 'The Right Track', written by Jerry Butler, on the flip. This came out of several different labels, Crajon, Peace, Parka and Expo '69, although the original Crajon release has a different B side, the deep 'Heartbreaker Of The Year' which has a crossover feel to it.

In more recent time it's her 'I'm Here Again' on Westbound from 1973, that has become in-demand.  A soulful, southern soul style, modern/crossover tune. A few other tracks picked up on by the modern soul scene in the 80s include 'Lady In The Street', 'Come To Bed'.  There are probably others if I dig a bit deeper but that's not really the purpose of this post.

Renaldo Domino - Discography

Born Ronaldo Edward Jones in March 1950, he was nicknamed Domino because his voice was sweet as sugar, Domino being an American sugar brand name.

He had a relatively short recording career releasing only 7 singles between 1967-1971.  His first 45 was recorded whilst he was still attending high school on a tiny label Arnell on a low budget. It is the only release on the label listed on Discogs and isn't even listed on 45Cat. I can't find a sound clip for the B side so suspect it is probably quite rare now as they only pressed a small amount, and was possibly a private/custom press. I only found 2 listed on Popsike, the last one selling in 2016 for £500, the other copy sold in 2013 for $321 but the condition was desribed as poor with stained and written on labels.

I did actually find another release on the label (Arnell #1002) written by the same writer (Melvin Johns), Magnificents - Don't Grip / Song For My Father. I don't know if it's the Horace Silver song as no label scan for it.  

The Arnell 45 did well enough for him to get signed to Smash (a Mercury subsidiary) where he released two 45s, re-recording 'I'm Hip To Your Game' for his second Smash single, as it's a different version to the one released on Arnell.  His third 45 was released on another Mercury subsidiary, the now revived Blue Rock which had been 'suspended' since 1966 and reacivated in 1968.  The records sold reasonably well locally but Dominio left to join Twinight, feeling that his material wasn't being promoted by Mercury, where he released a further three singles between 1969-71. Twinight released him in 1971 and despite trying to get another recording contract he was unsuccessful and left the music business to pursue another career.

He was managed by William Sandy Johnson who also managed LaShawn Collins and Wendy Woods who recorded on Johnson's Sincere label, the only 2 releases on the label.  He also wrote Renaldo Domino's first 4 A sides: 'I'm Getting Nearer To Your Love', 'Just Say The Word', 'Not Too Cool To Cry', 'Let Me Come Within'.  In addition he wrote 'Do It Now' for Wendy Woods and the flip to LaShawn Collin's classic 'What You Gonna Do Now',  'Girl Chooses The Boy'. 

In 2007 Numero group reissued Not Too Cool To Cry / Nevermore on a look alike Twinight label with the same cat. no. as the original and he has subsequently released 4 new singles in 2008, 2017, 2019 and 2020 so is still active.  It is his photo that appeared on the sleeve of Numero Group's Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation which features his complete Twinight catalogue.

Here's some footage posted on 26 Sep 2020 of him performing. It features his latest single released in 2020 so I assume that it must have been recorded last year.  I must say that he looks very sprightly for being 71.

1 - Let Me Come Within 1970

2 - Not Too Cool to Cry 1969

3 - No Laggin’ and Draggin’ 2020

4 - Move On Up

Discography

Renaldo Domino & The Orientations

1967 - I'm Hip To Your Game / I Love My Girl [Arnell #1001]

The original cut and different from the one later released on Smash. A 'softer' more lo-fi version released on Arnell

Renaldo Domino

1967 - I'm Getting Nearer To Your Love / Don't Go Away [Smash #S-2127]

A: Soul Harmony

B: Northern Soul

1968 - I'm Hip To Your Game / You Don't Love Me No More [Smash #S-2160]

A: Sweet Soul Harmony

B: Northern Soul

1968 - Just Say The Word / Don't Go Away [Blue Rock #B-4061]

A: 'Dreamy' mid-paced NS/crossover/Soul Harmony

B: Same as track released on Smash

1969 - Not Too Cool To Cry / Nevermore [Twinight #128]

A: Deep Soul Harmony

B: Deep soul

God forbid, apparently Cherly Cole sampled Nevermore on Heaven in 2009!

1970 - Let Me Come Within / I'm A Good Man [Twinight #139]

A: Funky

B: Superb soulful Deep Soul Harmony

1971 - You Need To Be Loved On / I'm A Good Man [Twinight #147]

A: Funky

B: Same as Twinight 139

Later Releases:

2008 - I'll Get You Back / Two Years, Four Days [Sincere #ES-004]

A: Sweet Soul Harmony ballad

B: Modern soul / crossover / Neo Northern Soul

2017 - Mercy On Me / Lady (You Are My Woman) [Pravda]

A: Deep Soul ballad

B: Deep Soul ballad

2019 - Never Thought / xRob Black - Never Thought (Versio) [Happy As A Lark]

A: A reggae tune

B: Reggae 'version'

2020 - No Laggin' And Draggin' / Give Up The Love [Colemine #CLMN-180]

A: Funky Northern Soul

B: Neo Northern Soul

VanJess [2020] - Come Over / High & Dry / Slow Down [Cool/RCA Records]

Live performances of their last 3 singles on which you can't tell the difference from the recording. Come Over from 3 Sep 2020, High & Dry from 22 Oct 2020 and Slow Down from 20 Nov 2020 which I presume is their new single. Beautiful ladies with beautiful voices, performing 'live' with finesse - no gimmicks!

They've been around for a few years and released an album in 2018 entitled 'Silk Canvas'.

Come Over Sep 2020

High & Dry (Live) Oct 2020

Slow Down (Live) Dec 2020

Dee Dee Simon [2020] - What's Left To Give (After Givin' It My All) [Raza del Soul]

This is an artist I raved over in March 2020 when I first came across a few of her recordings, check out that post here.  There's some background info on her at Taste Of Oakland.

This is her latest offering released on 27 Nov 2020, a cover of a track recorded by The Whatnauts in 1970, and it certainly doesn't disappoint.  It's great to hear someone actually sing 'properly' not the insipid, inane, auto-tuned R&B nonsense that is so prevalent with many neo soul artists who all sound the same to me and thus their music is lost in 'the mix'. They don't stand out sufficiently to seek out other material from them or their music is littered with profanities and/or sexuality in a vain (and vain) attempt to get them noticed.  It's reasuring to see upcoming artists like Dee Dee Simon and TanQueray Howard getting recognition.

The Whatnauts [1970] - What's Left To Give (After Giving It All) [Stang #ST 5018]

Here's the original version from The Whatnauts. It was their third single and was released in Oct 1970 and 'criminally' didn't even enter the US R&B charts.  I have to admit though, that I do I prefer Dee Dee's version. 

The song was written by Wesaline Kerr (aka Hopson), the wife the legendary producer George Kerr, who also produced the track. It's quite fascinating following the links as for the 'True Soulies', she also wrote some other fabulous tracks incuding Whatnauts - 'Instigating (Trouble Making Fool)', Skull Snaps - 'My Hang Up Is You', The Hesitations - 'Is This The Way You Treat A Girl', Barbara Jean English - 'Guess Who' (curiously quite similar to  Martha & The Vandellas - Love, Guess Who), Derek Martin - 'How Can I Get Away', Debbie Taylor & The Hesitations - deep soul cut 'All That I Have'.

Latasha Lee [2020] - Just a Lil O Bit [CB Soul]

Released 13 Dec 2020 is a single by artist Latasha Lee. Many of her recordings remind me of the sort of material Amy Winehouse would have recorded.  She seems to very under the radar but has a distinctive sound with a contemporary but real retro feel.  This track is a play on Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs - Stay.  I believe that she comes from Texas but detect hints of an English accent on this track ... perhap she is trying to sound like Amy?

You can read more about her on her website.

She's been around several years and released an album in 2013 LaTasha Lee & The Black Ties. 

Here's a sampler of a track from the album 'Crazy' which uses parts of Temptations My Girl.  If you want to check out the entire album then playlist here.