From an EP of the same name released 4 Dec 2020. This track reminds me of
something that I can't quite put my finger on, there's elements of 'Heard It
Through The Grapevine' but also something else, perhaps Undisputed Truth 'You
+ Me = Love'? I've seen some class this is neo/modern Northern Soul.
OK, I think I'm pretty much up to date with all the new stuff, so let's get back to some quality old school.
What better way to start than with the only known release from The Tripplettes and a wonderful crossover tune titled 'That Man Of Mine'. It's pretty rare/hard to find and only a few on Popsike the last one sold for $1,775 (and it was warped). I would guess it was issued around 1973.
There are only 4 'known'/listed releases for the tiny Molly-Jo label based in Albany, Georgia. Apart from this release, there are two from Willie (Hill) & Anthony (Fountaine) and another from Carolyn Champion ('Look What You've Done To Our Love' is a funeral paced deep, deep soul number), who also released at least another 4 singles on another Albany label, Soul-Po-Tion owned by Jesse Boone, in the mid 70s.
Willie & Anthony also had a release on the Soul-Po-Tion label, so I wonder if there was a connection between the labels? They also released three 45s on Blue Candle, 'Groovin'' a version of The Young Rascals and 'Sugar, Sugar, Sugar' which got a few spins on NS scene on release in 1975 and got a UK issue on Jay Boy and 'presumably' a reissue (or national issue) of their Molly-Jo 45 Selfish Lover / I Can't Leave Your Love Alone'.
Incidentally, there is another great release on Soul-Po-Tion by Hugh Boynton (Dr. Huriah) - 'We're Gonna Make It'. There's a blue 1974 original which is almost impossible to find (none listed on Popsike and it's not even listed on 45Cat) and yellow 1989 re-press which sells for around £20.
Forthcoming new release from Hil St. Soul who has released several singles over the last year and is at last getting the recognition deserved.
This song is a cover of Ohio Players from 1974 Mercury album 'Skin Tight' and also on 45. D'Angelo also did a version on a 2007 unofficial compilation 'YODA The Monarch Of Neo-Soul' but it was officially released on 'The Best So Far...' the following year. Both versions are posted below.
Yet another fabulous live performance from Beverley Skeete covering a song originally recorded by gospel artist Jessy Dixon (who co wrote it with Tom Snow) in 1979, so I thought I'd post both together.
It has also been recorded by Randy Crawford (Secret Combination album and also on B side to Secret Combination (US only) 1981) and UK reggae artist Janet Kaye did a lover's rock version in 1982. I also like the Jackie Mittoo 'version' on the flip of Janet Kaye.
Jessy Dixon
Title track of 1979 album and also released as 45.
Beverley Skeete
I don't think she has ever recorded this, so the live version is the only one available. I have to say that, whilst I was previously aware of her, I had no appreciation of just how good she was and would definately watch out for her live performances, hopefully in the not too distant future.
Released yesterday (18 Jan 2020) is a new single from UK veteran singer Beverley Skeete. This is what her introduction says on her website:
"Beverley is best known for her hit “Passion” Which she performed with the Group “Gat Décor” in 1996 on her top 5 debut on TOTP.
She can also be heard on the albums of artist such as Tina Turner, Sir Elton John, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings and many more.
Beverley’s version of “Love Letters” featured one of the last guitar solos from George Harrison ( The Beatles)
Over the years Beverley has performed on films such as Evita staring Madonna, The Beloved which starred Oprah Winfrey, The life of David Gale starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet, and The Hit man’s Bodyguard with Samuel Jackson and Ryan Reynolds where her recognizable sound is evident."
A bonus track - here's a live performance from April 2018 of Eric Clapton's 'Tears In Heaven' written after the tragic death of his 4 yr old son who fell out of the 53rd floor window of a building in New York in 1991.
Another live performance of James' Brown's classic 'Man's World' in July 2018.
From the same performance at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz club, London, (near Elephant & Castle) singing Jean Carn's wonderful 'Don't Let It Go To your Head'. What a beautiful and classy performer. If you get a chance to see her don't 'sleep'!
She also does a superb job on Aretha's 'I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You'.
Maurice Mahon won the first 'Chicago Idol' in 2003 sponsored by Clear Channel and Fox News. His prize was to have a song written and produced by R. Kelly. That song was 'Closer' and was released in 2004 which led to work with R.Kelly on The Happy People album and performing background vocals on tour with him.
He has also worked with Christopher Williams, Angie Stone, Alicia Keys, Jagged Edge, Teena Marie, David Hollister, Vanessa Williams.
Find Me
This is his latest release on 30 Dec 2020. (a bit too R&B for my taste).
Black Angel with D-Erania
Released 10 Mar 2017
Free
A stepper in the R. Kelly mould Released 23 July 2017
Latest single from ex-Santana singer Tony Lindsay. There are several different mixes: Original Mix, Latin Chill Mix, European and also a Boogie Back Mix just released.
Wow! This video has just come up on my YT feed and it is a 'haunting' gospel / soul song which I felt had to be shared. It features Alex Ligertwood and Tony Lindsay who has just released a new solo single 'All Is One' which I was listening to which is probably why this appeared on my feed.
Both vocalists have had several different spells singing with Santana. The Magic Of Santana is a European tribute band set up in 2010. You can read their story on TheMagicOfSantana. They have 2 live CDs available for sale on the site.
This was their first apperance with the band recorded live in Hannover (Germany) in 7 Aug 2013 and their first appearance together for over 20 years.
You might be surprised to learn that Alex Ligertwood is from Glasgow (Scotland). He replaced Greg Walker in Santana in 1979.
If this is you 'bag' then there are several other live performances from the band on analogika hamburg YT channel
More from Myles Sanko, this time as featured vocalist on Pagany's version of the Stevie Wonder classic 'Another Star' from 'Songs In The Key Of Life'. This is the soulful mix which I believe was first released in 2011.
I always remember the LaSo version from around 1977, who were led by Joe Bataan. They only released one album and 2 singles 'Another Star' and 'LaSo Square (Are You Ready)', both of which tore up the dance floors back in the day.
Rob Hardt Remix of a track from his last album 'Just Being Me' from 2016 which to me sounds like it's got hints of Oliver Cheatham's 'Get Down Saturday Night'.
I've been through many new releases over the last few weeks and this stands head and shoulders above most of them. It's a new entry into the UK Soul chart this week at #21 (and is featured in that post) but I thought that this track (and 2 others from his forthcoming album) warranted it's own post just to highlight how good it is.
Myles Sanko was born in Ghana and has been dubbed as 'the lovechild of soul music'
Streams Of Time
To me, this sounds like a blend of Bill Withers and Gregory Porter with perhaps a hint of Terry Callier. It just builds and builds with a sophisticated mixture of soul and jazz. It's from his forthcoming album 'Memories Of Love' due out on 12 March 2021, from which he's also already released two other singles which I've linked to below. 'Memories' will be his fourth album since his debut 'Born In Black & White' 2013, 'Forever Dreaming' in 2014 and 'Just Being Me' 2016. (NB links to playlists for full albums).
The album is available for pre-order in limited edition gatefold vinyl or CD and digital on his website.
As a bonus, here's a track with a bit of a Northern Soul feel which is the title track of his 2014 sophomore album.
If you've liked what you've heard above then there are a few more clips (some live) on ElectricChair. I'll certainly be checking out his back catalogue.
