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Saturday 13 February 2021

Madelyn Grant [2021] - Can't Get Out [Self Released]


A pleasant blue-eyed neo soul / jazz flavoured ballad from Madelyn Grant released 8 Feb 2021.

She is from Detroit and I believe that this is her third single. I've posted the other two below which were both released in the second half of 2020.  

She first appeared as featured vocalist in 2014 on ODESZA Ft. Madelyn Grant 'Sun Models'. she also appaerd onThe Voice in 2019.

You cand more abou her on Michigan Daily.



Purpose

Released 3 Aug 2020

Reasons

Released 14 Sep 2020



Hi Love [2021] - Cold Wind [Spin Forward] (Full EP)


This is my pick of the new releases today. The title track from a 6 track EP released 11 Feb 2021. The top tracks are the title track ('Cold Wind') along with 'Arrows' and 'Grow Strong'. There is a remix of 'Cold Wind' which features Chicago rapper Femdot. 

Unfortunatley none of the other tracks are currently available on YouTube, but you can listen on SoundCloud below.

If you go to her website and click on 'My Albums' she has a free download of her 'Heart Of A Lion' album released in 2009 under her real name Kamilah Sumner.

  

Hi Love [2020] - Chicago Amoré [Spin Forward]

Here's an earlier release from her, the title track of her last album, released 20 Aug 2020.



Ten City [2021] - Be Free / Be Free (Emmaculate & Shannon Chambers Mix) [Ultra]


I guess this would be classified as soulful house? The first single for 25 years from Ten City, the 80s/90s Chicago house group. Group members Byron Stingily and legendary Chicago house producer Marshall Jefferson teamed up for this new track.

Their song 'That's The Way Love Is' charted twice in UK, #9 in 1989 as Ten City and again in 2000 #32 by Byron Stingily.


Be Free


Be Free (Emmaculate & Shannon Chambers Extended Mix)



Ricky Jones [2021] - Lover (The Platinum Remix) [Platinum Vybe]


Another 'fresh' one from the Platinum Vybe label, released 12 Feb 2021, The Platinum Remix of Lover from Ricky Jones. The 'original' version was released 18 Nov 2020 by Mountain Top.

I've posted both versions, but to my ears there's not a great deal of difference. If anything, I think I prefer the original as I think the remix has been 'doctored' to make it appeal to a younger audience who prefer R&B.

Ricky Jones [2021] - Lover (The Platinum Remix) [Platinum Vybe]


Ricky Jones [2020] - Lover [Mountain Top]


Details
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Platinum Vybe
Cat No: None
Year: 2021
Key: 4B
BPM: 95
Value: £1


Terisa Griffin [2021] - Angel [Platinum Vybe]


A  new verion of Aretha's classic 'Angel' written by her sister Caroyln Franklin. I've done several posts on this song and various versions over the years.  This is jazz 'tilted' version from Terisa Griffin which was released yesterday (12 Feb 2021) on Platinum Vybe, the same label that has just brought us Michon Young's latest single 'Your'e Number 1 In My Book'.  The song should need no introduction.



Abi Farrell [2021] - Empowered / I Will See You Through [Big AC]


British blue-eyed soul singer Abi Farrell from Oxfordshire released her debut 5 track  EP 'The Only Way I Learn' in Nov 2019. 

Her follow up single 'I Will See You Through' was released digitally in Nov 2020 and is going to be released as the flip side to her latest single 'Empowered' (released 12 Feb 2021) as a limited edition 7" vinyl single. It's available for pre-order at Big AC Records.

Listen to her Full EP here

Empowered


I Will See You Through

This was released digitally on 23 Nov 2020 but is now being relased as limited edition 7" vinyl on the flip to 'Empowered'.  It has a bit of a neo blue-eyed Northern Soul vibe about it.




Tristan [2021] - Perfect Girl


Here's a track from a forthcoming album 'What could Possibly Go Wrong' due on 2 Aptil 2021 from Dutch 5 piece band Tristan. This will be their 6th studio album.

'Perfect Girl' will be the first single from it which features Jacylee on lead. It has a neo Northern Soul/Acid Jazz feel about it.




You can sample the album here:




THEHONESTGUY [2021] - Love Songs For No One [Self Released] (Full EP)


A 6 track EP from THEHONESTGUY comprising of neo soul/R&B mellow songs realeased 12 Feb 2021. The two standout tracks are 'Every Emotion' and 'Love Bomb'.

THEHONESTGUY is a Toronto based singer, songwriter.  He's previously released 7 singles since 2019, four of them ('Every Emotion', 'Morning Wood (Honey)', 'Love Bomb', 'Sunday (Feat. Zenesoul)') are included on the EP, with 'Deserve You (More)' selected from the EP to be the next single. The other 3 singles are 'Prelude To Love', 'Rider' and 'Beg For It'.





Yakul Feat. Mereba [2021] - Company (Rework) [Self Released]


A new single from Yakul which is a reworking of 'Company' with the addition of Mereba's vocals, released on 12 Feb 2021.

I 'assumed' that with a name like Yakul they would be Japanese but it turns out they are a 4 piece blue-eyed group from Brighton (UK). (Marian) Mereba is a R&B singer from Alabama.





Leela James [2021] - Complicated [BMG] (plus Full Album Discography)


Leela James has been on the R&B scene since 2000 but didn't release her first album until 2005. Since then she has released a total of 6 albums. This is her first new solo material since 'Did It For Love' was released in 2017, although she released a 6 track rock & blues EP as Leela James & TheTruth Band 'Are You Ready' in April 2019.

She's had limited commercial success, which I can't understand as she's a neo soul/R&B singer with soul roots and authenticity.  I've also included some additional tracks from her last couple of albums to showcase her 'neglected' talent.  I highly recommend checking out her previous albums if you're not familiar with her recordings. 

Album Discography

2005 - A Change Is Gonna Come - listen here
2009 - Let's Do It Again - listen here
2010 - My Soul - listen here
2012 - Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James - listen here
2014 - Fall For You - listen here
2017 - Did It for Love - listen here
2019 - Are You Ready - listen here

Her new single was released 12 Feb 2021

2017 - Don't Want You Back

She, quite rightly, had a #1 on US R&B Adult with this song from 'Do It For Love' album.

2017 - Good To Love You Feat. Dave Hollister

This is a good Neo/Modern soul cancer featuring Dave Hollister from the same album.

2017 - There 4 U

Yet another good Neo/Modern soul dancer whith a throwback feel. Sounds like something familiar in there - possibly some elements of O'Jays - Backstabbers?

2017 - This Day Is For You

Another great track from 'I Did It For Love'

2014 - Say That Feat. Anthony Hamilton

A killer track from 'Fall For You' released in 2014, but released as a single in 2013.