The latest release (19 Mar 2021) from duo Lion Babe (Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman (a.k.a. Astro Raw)) is a remix of 'Never Before' previously released on their 'Cosmic Wind' album in 2019. I actually prefer the original mix so have included both below.
Announced shorty after her sudden and untimely death on 8 Feb 2021 (tribute here), the expanded edition of Mary Wilson's self-titled, debut solo album on
Motown, originally released in 1979, was released 16 Apr 2021.
The top track is the stepper 'Pick Up The Pieces'.
These two sides were originally released in 1970/71 on Everblack #EB 1000, they have just been reissued digitally by Symphonical
Records.
'I Can't Hurt You Back' is a sweet soul tune sounding very like Curtis
Mayfield whilst 'Who You Going To Run, Where You Going To Hide' is a more
uptempo, funky crossover tune.
They were from Dayton, OH, and released a total of three 45s in the
early/mid 70s. The lead singer and main writer was Tommie Henderson. The
other members were Ronnie Ditto, Carl Dronaugh, and Raymond Smith. I
wonder if it's the same Raymond Smith who did a cover of James Fountain's
'Seven Day Lover'
on IX Chains in 1975?
Eboni Band from the Ivory Coast released a self-titled album in 1980
which has been remastered and gets it's first reissue (digitally only) by
Candian label We Are Busy Bodies in June 2021. To promote it their only
single has just been reissued 7 Ap 2021.
The album was produced by Motown's Art Stewart and arranged by Sir Gregg
Middleton who was a member of Infernal Blues Machine (a couple of their
singles I posted a few days ago
here).
The album features
Fred Wesley
who was a significant member of James Brown's J.B.'s
A huge disco sound back in 1976 gets the remix treatment (16 Apr 2021) with umpteen
different mixes (6 long and 6 extended). I've chosen the short 'Faith's
Farley & Jarvis Sunday Sermon Mix' as it beefs up what was a pretty
inspid blue-eyed disco tune. The vocals are a al Pet Shop boys before they even existed!
I believe that this album was originally released in 2018 but it looks
like it has just been either re-mastered and re-released or released
digitally for the first time?
She has also posted a new video of a track, not featured on the album, on her YT channel so I'll also feature
that.
This is what it says on her Spotify profile:
Born in Evansville, Indiana and a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Steph's
Crown introduced to the world her talent for singing at a young age.
Through the church’s and family gospel roots Steph’s Crown sharpened and
crafted her talent. Steph's Crown grew up loving classic soul and R&B
music. She admired the greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and the beautiful
Anita Baker. Theses classical R&B figures ended up being her
influences later in life. Many who have heard Steph’s Crown voice have
touted her to be the Ella Fitzgerald of our time. Since collaborating with
The King Consultants and Blaqk Noyze Produktionz, in 2018. Steph's Crown
has released the hit single “All Over Me” and a classic album for the ages
“Transition.” You can be sure as fans continue to flock to Steph’s Crown
beautiful, soulful, and unforgettable voice. This young star is just on
the tip of the horizon.
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artist.
The latest single from south London blue-eyes soulster James Vickery was
released 14 Apr 2021. James is working on a debut album due later this
year. He has alreday released two EPs 'Overture' in 2020 and 'Until
Morning' in 2018. I featured his last single
'Come To Me'
with Musiq Soulchild in Feb.
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artist.
UMI is from Seattle but now lives in Los Angeles. She's released several
singles since 2017, but this is her first album which was released 26 Mar
2021.
She is featured on Joyce Wrice's latest album Overgrown on the track
'That's On You'.
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artist.
'Art & Soul' is the debut EP released by UK singer Josh Barry on 9
Apr 2021. The standout track to my ears is 'Rush' closely followed by
'All Add Up' which was released as a single in Jan. Listen to the full
album below.
Josh has been touring with dance duo Gorgon City since 2014. In 2017 he
won 'Glastonbury Emerging Talent Contest' and that year supported 'Rag N
Bone Man' on his UK & Ireland tour.
His music has been described as "his unique, modern take on 70’s old school soul, has been compared to Otis Redding meets Jimi Hendrix, with the energy of James Brown". I don't hear that I'm afraid. I hear elements of Seal and yes there are some psychedelic rock influences in parts and it's more 60s influenced than 70s and I don't know where they get the James Brown part from .. ill informed journalists who know little about black music using the first names that spring to mind! Otis Redding died in 1967 and Hendrix in 1970 and James Brown's music is predominantly synonymous with the 60s rather than the 70s - so how is that 70s music?
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artist.
