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Sunday 7 February 2021

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2021... Part 1 (Feb 2021 Wk 5)

My selection of the best releases this week (Feb 2021 Wk 5)

There's been quite a lot of releases already this year so let's 'boil them down'. Here are my favourite single releases so far this year. Just click on image to listen to them on YouTube.  Some are 'hangovers' from the tail end of last year i.e. late October onwards.














Amy Winehouse [2021] - Addicted [Universal]


I'm not sure 'why now?' but an EP 'I Told You I Was Trouble: Live In London' has just been released (5 Feb 2021) which features 4 live tracks recorded at London's Shepherd Bush Empire on 29 May 2007.  

The DVD of the full concert was released in 2007 by Universal and this EP simply features the first 4 tracks on the DVD. It seems it was also released on vinyl as part of 'The Collection'  an 8 disc box set.  Perhaps it's the first time it has been available digitally?

The track I've posted is the first track 'Addicted', which was the last track on her groundbreaking 'Back To Black' album from 2006, her second and ultimately her last album.  It will be ten years in July when she was found dead by her bodyguard in her Camden, London, home.

Listen to Full EP here

Addicted






Hiro Homma [2021] - Grooooooove!! [Overjoyed Inc.] (Full Album)


A new album from Hiro Homma released 30 Jan 2021. How Would I describe this?  Neo jazz/funk I guess, but on first skim through sounds different, and better, than a lot of the general neo soul/R&B material being delivered.

The album consists of 7 tracks, the lead track is an instrumental, four tracks feature Karmina Dai and two feature Amille D Harris.  It has a real 80s feel to my ears.  I've posted, what I consider, the best two tracks based on first listen below.

Hiro Homma was born in Kanagawa, Tokyo and started playing guitar age of 12 and has been active since he was 18, moving to US in 1997 and has been based in New York since 2003 where he has been a regular guitarist at Ashford & Simpson's Suga Bar.  In March 2020 he moved back to Japan.

Source The Magazine


Listen to Full Album here

Soaring

Instrumental jazz/funk.


Promises Feat. Amille D Harris



Soul Switch Feat. Meli'sa Morgan [2003] - Don't Say Love (Soul Mix) [West End #WES 1018]


Soul Switch were Cato James and DJ Cameron who have only 2 singles listed, both of which featured Meli'sa Morgan on vocals, one from 1999 and this one from 2003.

Cato Jones also produced Meli'sa Morgan's 2005 album 'I Remember' which I posted a few tracks from a few days ago.



Joanna Teters Feat. Floyd Fuji [2021] - Fine Line


Bue-eyed neo soul from Joanna Teters featuring Floyd Fuji self released single on 29 Jan 2021.



Carl Thomas [2004] - Dreamer [Bad Boy #B0001188-02]


From his second album on Bad Boy, 'Let's Talk About It', following his great debut in 2000 'Emotional' which contained 'I Wish'.



Jill Scott [2004] - Whatever [Hidden Beach #ESK 54787]


A couple of different mixes, short edit and the full album version from 'Beautifully Human: Words And Sounds Vol. 2'.

Jill Scott first emerged in 2000 with her debut album 'Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1' and the first single from it 'Gettin' In The Way', soon followed with 'A Long Walk' her highest chart entry to date.

Album Version



Everette Harp [2004] - Time Of Our Lives [A440 #8 21254-4042-2 8]


A modern soul / jazz stepper album track from All For You 2004 by jazz saxophonist Everette Harp.



Parkes Stewart [2004] - Help Us [Comin Atcha]


Gospel/Soul from 2004 by Parkes Stewart who wrote for, and produced, urban gospel group Commissioned.  It reminds me of Marvin Gaye's 'I Want You'.



Bob Marley Birthday Tribute - 6 of the Best


It's Bob Marley's birthday today (6 Feb 1945) he would have been 76 but died at the very young age of 36 on 11 May 1981.

To commemorate his anniversary here's 6 of the very best including an early release, a remix and a couple of live tracks.

1965 - I'm Still Waiting


1975 - No Woman No Cry - Live at The Rainbow 4th June 1977


1977 - Exodus - Live at The Rainbow 4 June 1977


1977 - Waiting In Vain (Alternate Version)

1978 - Is This Love (Sam Redmore's Acoustic Takedown) 2017


1980 - Could You Be Loved - Live The Uprising Tour 1980