RENAJA [2021] - Sugar And Spice [ Ship to Shore Phonoco]

A few tracks off an album from a Japanese artist RENAJA called 'Sugar And Spice' re-released 11 Jan 2021. It's is a mix of neo soul, r&b and blues. The album was originally released on a Japanese CD in 2015.

REANJA are in fact a duo with Renaja on vocals and Genji Arai known as Kenny Rankin in Japan

There's a slowed down, blues version of Stevie Wonder's Superstition, which, I'm afraid, doesn't do it for me, but some may appreciate it.

Wherever You Are

One Day

Fruit Of Life

Debórah Bond [2021] - Radio [Splash Blue]

A new release due 29 Jan 2021 from the Splash Blue family is Debórah Bond - Radio.

Not released yet but preview avaiable on their facebook.

UPDATE: Now posted here

In the meantime here's a couple of tracks she's appeared on recently.

Citrus Sun [2020] - Thinking Of You [Dome]

Debórah Bond [2015] - See You In My Dreams [Self Released]

Kennedy Avery [2021] - Something To Feel / Should Be Loved

From a 5 track EP 'First Take' released on 21 Jan 2021. My preferred track is 'Something To Feel', but note that 'Should Be Loved' is also getting spins so have linked to both.

Something To Feel

Should Be Loved

Robin Thicke [2021] - Take Me Higher [Lucky Music]

Released 20 Jan 2021 is a new single from Robin Thicke co-written and produced by Pharrell Williams from a forthcoming album 'On Earth, And In Heaven'.

After a long intro (approx 40 secs) it kicks into a retro soft funk tune which is reminiscent of something I can't quite put my finger on but what springs to mind is Kool & The Gang's - Ladies Night   ... watch out for the law suits (like Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk)  or more appropriately 'Blurred Lines' which 'ripped off' Marvin Gaye's 'Got To Give It Up' and they were ordered to pay $7m to Gaye's heirs ... unless of course they learned their lesson and got permission to sample it!

Taichi Mukai [2021] - Love Is Life [MIYA TERRACE]

New release on 20 Jan 2021 from Japanese artist Taichi Mukai which sounds a bit like a throwback to 80s jazz / funk era. The thing that might hold it back is that it's sung in Japanese but it's got the right feel about it for what usually charts in UK Soul chart.

The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B & Deborah Bell [2021] - You And Me Tonight [GAB]

Latest single from The Groove Association is another cover, this time Aurra's 'You And Me Tonight' which was a UK Top 20 hit (#12) in 1986. I preferred their 'Like I Like It'. 

Aurra later renamed themselves as DeJa and were Starleana Young and Curt Jones who has recently produced and appeared on an album with his wife CeCe Jones posted here. Jones was originally a member of Slave from who Aurra emerged.

This track is from the new album 'It's Been So Long'

The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B, Deborah Bell & Everis [2017] - Mystery Girl [GAB #GABCD-03]

Just seen this great memory jerking video of The Groove Association's cover of The Dukes (aka (Dominic) Bugatti & (Frank) Musker) - 'Mystery Girl' which was a minor UK hit in 1981 (#47) which I confess I didn't like at the time but compared to a lot of material currently being released, it actually sounds more soulful - how things have changed!  Their version would come under what is now termed as 'Yacht Soul'.  I think TGA's version is much better than the original. It's taken from 2016 CD 'Soul Family Affair'.  

That's not the only reason for posting the video, it's more as a nod to the legendary Caister Soul Weekender which has been running since April 1979, started by UK Soul DJ legends Chris Hill and Robbie Vincent.

George B(romfield) was a member of 80s Brit Funk band Second Image who never quite made the UK Top 40 but did have 6 entries in Top 100 between 1982-85.

The Brit Funk Association [2021] - Lifted Up [Expansion] (Full Album)

New album from The Brit Funk Association 'Lifted Up' released 15 Jan 2021.  

They are a collaboration of members of 70s/80s Brit Funk bands such as Light Of The World (Peter Hinds, Kenny Wellington, David Baptiste (Peter Hinds was also a member of Atmosfear and the last two were also in Beggar & Co)), Central Line (Steve Salvari) and Hi-Tension (Paul & Patrick McLean) and other musicians.

The top tracks (for me) are 'Step On Board (Boogie Back Mix Radio Version)', 'Smilin'' and  'We Love The Sunshine On Our Face (Remix)'.  NOTE - the 3 tracks I've selected are ONLY available on the 16 track 'Extended' edition' not the regular 13 track edition.

Listen to Full Album here

Step On Board (Boogie Back Mix Radio Version)

We Love The Sunshine On Our Face (Remix)

Smilin'

Kemi Ade [2021] - Promise [Tenwest]

This was released last Nov but has reappeared on a 4 tack EP 'Drive (Dusk Edition)' released on  22 Jan 2021. I'd describe it as a smooth and mellow neo soul stepper.

Thee Sacred Souls [2021] - When Will I See You Again / It's Our Love [Penrose]

Thee Sacred Souls have released a couple of neo sweet soul harmony tracks on a 2 track EP on Daptone imprint Penrose on 22 Jan 2021.  Very much in the Durand Jones & The Indications mode.

When Will I See You Again

It's Our Love

Michon Young [2021] - You're Number 1 In My Book [Platinum Vybe]

A classy singer who has emerged in the last few years is Michon Young who has released her new single on 22 Jan 2021. It is a cover of a Gladys Knight & The Pips song 'You're Number 1 (In My Book)' which they recorded on 'Visions' and as a single in 1983 as the follow up to their #1 R&B hit 'Save The Overtime (For Me)'.

Michon Young sang background vocals for Marvin Winans (The Winans) on his debut solo album 'Alone But Not Alone' in 2007 and released her own debut album 'Possessing The Promise' in 2011. Since then she's released another two albums 'Love, Life, Experiences' in 2016 and 'Love, Life, Experiences Vol. 2 - Driving To Purpose' in 2018.

I did an article on her here which features a couple of her earlier recordings such as 'Let's Go To Work', 'Something About you' and 'It's All About Me'.

Website