Literally 'hot off the press', released today 22 Jan 2021 is the much anticipated new single from last year's newcomer of the year, TanQueray Hayward and 'Caught Up'. I strongly suspect that this will be top of the UK Soul chart on Monday as it has been well promoted.
Here's a classy track released 1 Jan 2021 from a new name Sophie Penman. I imagine that the Lowriders will love this. 'Dreaming' is a neo, deep & sweet blue-eyed soul number. It has been released as a 2 track EP, the other track called 'Way Out', under the title Ex Nihlo, so perhaps it's a sampler for a future album as another track called 'Change' was released on 25 July 2020, also with Ex Nihlo title. If these 3 tracks are typical of future material then it will be an album worth looking out for.
Her facebook page states that she's a 20 yr old singer/songwriter based in Edinburgh.
I thought I'd posted this a while ago when I featured his lastest
album 'Heroes & Gods', but it appears that I only posted
'Sent From Heaven' (which still sounds stunning to these ears), so let's rectify
that. A brilliant cover of one of Luther Vandross' finest songs,
'Don't You Know That' which was released as the flip to 'Never Too Much'
before being issued as the A side of the follow up.
What appears to be Kimberly Brewer's debut single released 23 Oct 2020. although she has been a backing singer with Stevie Wonder since the 80s. She has also just released a duet with Maysa - 'No More Pain' released 20 Jan 2021 which is a bit of a MOR ballad.
The featured track is a smooth, sultry, jazz flavoured ballad/stepper featuring saxophonist Walter Beasley.
A single from the 6 track EP 'Frequency' released 9 Oct 2020. The EP also features a cover of Solomon Burke's 1962 deep soul classic 'Cry To Me'. His sound is a mix of neo soul, southern soul with hints of gospel. If you like gritty soul a la Otis Redding / Solomon Burke then this one will be for you.
A new single from Masega (Micah Davis) and The Bonfyre who is Chesea Lynn LaRue signed to L.A.Reid's Hitco label who has also worked with Raphael Saadiq.
A decent cover of Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic from 'What's Going On' released on 4 Dec 2020.
Released 15 Jan 2021 by Stokely (Williams) ex frontman for 90s Minneapolis R&B group Mint Condition collaborating with The Bonfyre (Chelsea Lynn LaRue). He is due to release his sophomore album 'Sankofa' later this year. His debut 'Introducing Stoley' was released in 2017.
Here's something a bit different. An afro vibe from a singer born in Canada (Toronto), raised in Nigeria (Lagos) and now living in Washington D.C. who describes her music as 'Suya Soul'. Released 15 Jan 2021.
New single from Alex Puddu featuring Funmilayo Ngozi on lead vocals who is apparently an award winning international gospel singer from Atlanta. Released 14 Jan 2021 from a forthcoming album due in spring 2021. Neo soul with an 80s feel about it.
Check out some of his earier materail on AlexPuddu.com
Another veteran performer embarking on solo projects is former Rimshots bass player Jonathan Williams going under the moniker of Sir Jonathan Williams. He released a (predominatly) smooth jazz album 'To Sir With Love' in 2015 and a single called 'Your Place Or Mine' in 2020 (which unfortunatly I can't find anyhere). He follows that up in 2021 with this song titled 'You Are My Dream Girl'.
The Rimhots were essentially the All Platinum/Stang house band who were reluctant 'artists' but became well know for several disco hits in the mid 70s. '7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle)', a cover of US hit by Gary Toms Empire, which in turn was based on a 1974 song by Blue Mink 'Get Up', hit the UK Top 30 (#26) in the summer of 1976 even though it didn't even chart R&B stateside. The follow-up 'Do What You Feel' was a hit with the NS crowd, especially in the east of England, and reached #93 US R&B, whilst their next release 'Super Disco' got a few spins but was probably too disco oriented but did better in the states reaching #49 R&B. Their only other chart entry (their highest at #36) was in 1972 with the funky 'Save That Thing'. The follow up, 'Soul Train', was their version of a song recorded, originally in 1962, by King Curtis under the name 'Hot Potatoes (Piping Hot)' which was used as the first theme tune for the legendary soul TV show 'Soul Train' hosted by Don Cornelius between 1971-73.
A funky tune for a change. A retro groove with an up to date message (i.e. 'Black Lives Matter') released 20 Jan 2021. The song reflects on the riots after the death of George Floyd which occurred only two blocks from her house in Long Beach, California.
Adryon was a member of LA band Orgone until she embarked on a solo career. Orgone are probably best known for their cover of Beginning Of The End's 1971 funk classic 'Funky Nasseau'.
Larry D (Larry Charles Dodson) celebrates is 70th birthday, and 50th anniversary of his recording debut as lead singer with The Bar-Kays, with a solo single very much in the Charlie Wilson mould. He was also with The Temprees in the 60s but left to join The Bar-Kays in 1970 before they put anything on vinyl.
