Lexi Feat. Gene Moore [2018/2021] - I Choose You [Motown Gospel / It's Soul Time]

I got this tip from 'bluesky' in reference to the imminent release of Smokey Norful on 'It's Soul Time'. The flip side will feature this track by Lexi from her 2018 'Just Listen' album also on Motown Gospel (as the Smokey Norful track is).

Lexi Allen (nee Alexis Marie Nucklos) is a gospel singer from Columbus, OH, who released her debut album 'Call Me Lexi' in 1990. She released another five albums between 2001 and 2012 before signing to Motown Gospel in 2018 and released the single 'In The Room' from the 'Just Listen' album.

The featured track is a wonderful, smooth and soulful contemporary modern soul tune with a timeless feel, taken from the album and due out on 7" vinyl as soon as it can get through the backlog at the pressing plant.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/CD
Label:	Motown Gospel
Cat No:	B002727602
Year:	08/06/2021
Key:	10A
BPM:	92
Value:	£7.92

JmAY [2011] - I Won't Hurt You [Self Released]

Following on from the Smokey Norful track posted earlier, I got a message from 'bluesky' informing me that it was actually a sample of a JmAY track 'I Won't Hurt You' from 2011. I found it on Amazon (link on image below) and it's still available for download which I did at exactly the same time bluesky sent me an mp3 so now I've got two! It is also still available on Spotify (see below).

He also informed me that it is due out imminently on Andy Lothian's  'It's Soul Time' label but has been delayed owing to Covid and the backlog for demand at pressing plants. They posted an update on 2 Apr 2021. The flip side is also excellent, Lexi Feat. Gene Moore - 'I Choose You' originally released on her 2018 album 'Just Listen' on Motown Gospel.

I do now actually recall the track (the name JmAY rang a bell) as it was doing the rounds in about 2012 as Mark Merry and Mick O'Donell both played it on their radio shows and Brian Goucher ripped one onto a carver (as it was mp3 only) and played it out, and apparently Soul Sam was also playing it, but I hadn't made the connection with Smokey Norful.

There is only one video of the track on YT and the sound quality is poor and it looks like it's being played off a (white label) carver ... which 'may' account for the poor sound?

I've linked both tracks to compare side by side.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	10/09/2011
Key:	4A
BPM:	101
Value:	£1

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 11 2021 April (week 15)

A blended, 40 minute, non-stop, mix of the best new releases last week (April 2021 week 15) based on the 'The Dirty Dozen' published 18 Apr 2021. 

NB They are beat and key matched as best as possible given that I have only 12 tracks to work with ... Beth Macari had to 'gallop' into Gail Lou at the end 😄!

Tracklist 

(with links to original posts)

Tracy Masaniai - If You Ask Me To (72.9)

Rmm3 Feat. Zac Taylor - Passion To Profession (76.0)

Hari - Caring (78.2)

JGrrey - Down (78.8)

Tree Feat. Swiss - Even If (85.0)

Sondra Love - Blaze (88.1)

Deirdre Gaddis - When You Hold Her (87.0)

Kcortez Feat. Jessica Riley Craig - Circles (87.0)

Judith N Benoit - Tell Me (90.0)

Petawane & Alura - Lovers Dream (Lovers Remix) (98.0)

Beth Macari - Gotta Get Back (101.9)

Gail Lou - I Still Love (125.0)

Last week's mix: The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 10 2021 April (week 14)

Smokie Norful [2014/2021] - I've Got What You Need [Motown #001927702 / It's Soul Time]

It is not very often these days that I hear a tune that stops me in my tracks. Well this is such a tune. 

Released in 2014 on an album called 'Forever Yours' on Motown by Smokie Norful who's essentially a gospel singer but characterises his work as 'urban inspirational'. 

It was his first album since 2009 and he has subsequently released three more since.  It ticks all the boxes for me, soulful, melodic, modern, rhythmic and his tenor voice is like pure silk.  

I only just came across it recently on a compilation last year from Outta Sight 'The Only Way Is Up' as it features as the first track on the album. To be perfectly honest it seems a bit out of place on the album as most (if not all) of the other tracks are from the 70s. There are some superb tunes on it though. 

UPDATE

'bluesky' has informed me that this is due for release on 7" vinyl any day now by 'It' Soul Time'. He also put me on to the 'original' from which Norful's track was sampled by JmAY in 2011 which I have now posted, and also that the flip side to the 45 will be Lexi Feat. Gene Moore 'I Choose You' which I have also posted.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Neo Modern Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	CD
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	001927702
Year:	2014
Key:	4A
BPM:	101
Value:	£10 (approx.)

Jerry Butler [1972] - Stop Steppin' On My Dreams [Mercury #SRM 2 7502]

I hadn't realised until recently that this slipped out on a 7" for the first time last year by Outta Sight [SEV004] with his NS favourite 'Moody Woman' on the main side. They also put it on a modern soul compilation 'The Only Way Is Up'.

The original version is on his 1972 album 'The Spice Of Life' and, until last year, that was the only release. Apparently it is the first time it has been licensed out.

I remember first hearing this played by Neil Rushton at the Manchester Ritz many moons ago and being blown away by it.

McFadden & Whitehead [1979] - I've Been Pushed Aside [PIR #ZS9 3725]

The lowest charting of their five singles that entered the US R&B chart, reaching #73 in 1979, two releases after their disco smash 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now'. It has subsequently become a rare groove classic. 

Although the scan is of the 45, the sound file is the full 5:12 album version. They generally sell for around a fiver, but the last few to sell (and for sale) on Discogs are more like £10-£15.

Details

Rating:	8.9
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Rare Groove
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	PIR
Cat No:	PIR #ZS9 3725
Year:	Nov. 1979
Key:	6B
BPM:	72
Value:	£5-£15

Ramona Brooks [1977] - Skinnydippin' [Manhattan #MR-XW1052]

One of only a few singles and  only one self-titled album (which fetches big money) released by Ramona Brooks who was mainly a musical theatre artist. This is a beautiful smooth stepper from 1977.

Cheryl Ladd [1978] - Skinnydippin' [Capitol #4650]

It may come as a surprise that, Charlie's Angel actress, Cheryl Ladd (who replaced Farrah Fawcett-Majors in 1977) also recorded it in 1978 and does a pretty good job. She was also a member of Josie & the Pussycats in 1970 with Brenda Holloway's sister Patrice.

Lynda Seals [1980] - Skinny Dippin' [Fraternity #3438]

One of only three singles released by Lynda Seals who was also earlier a member of L.A.X.  in 1975. 

I never know where investigating a release will lead and here we go off on a slight, but interesting, tangent once again. 

One of the group members was Ron Kenoly (aka Ron Keith) who was a member of The Mellow Fellows in the 60s, (if it's the same group they had/have a huge tune played on NS scene 'My Baby Needs Me' on Dot), after which he signed for Audio Arts! in LA and released a couple of singles. 

One of his singles has always puzzled me as it was released by Ron Kenoly and also by Al Waples & The Incredibles and sound similar so wondered if perhaps Al Waples was an alias as there is nothing else by Al Waples? 

He released a single in 1973 as part of duo Ron & Candy (Rae) a modern soul tune "Lovely Weekend" flipped with the funky "Plastic Situation" on Inner City. As Ron Keith (& The Ladies) he released a couple of great modern soul tracks in 1975 'I Can't Live Without You' (written by Biddu and also recorded earlier in 1973 in UK by blue-eyed souler Moon (Michael John)  Williams as Sticks And Stones) and 'Gotta Go By What You Tell Me', the A side of which was 'Party Music' which bombed. He had recorded an album for A&M but because of the failure of the single it was never released. After this he decided to leave the music business and became a minister and still sings gospel to this day.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Rare Groove
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Manhattan
Cat No:	MR-XW1052
Year:	1977
Key:	N/A
BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1

Phyllis Hyman [1979] - You Know How To Love Me (Joey Negro Extended Disco Mix v Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend)

I distinctly remember when this record was first released in 1979.  I had one foot out of the Northern Soul scene at that time. I was working as a club DJ and remember playing this constantly off the album before the 12" was released.  This later got spins on the scene and even got reissued on Outta Site label (a NS reissue label) in 2015 with 'Under My Spell' on the flip.

Joey Negro, now going by his real name Dave Lee, gives this a new lease of life and Dimitri From Paris also did a remix of it in 2018.

Phyllis Hyman [2017] - You Know How To Love Me (Joey Negro Extended Disco Mix v Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend) [Z #ZEDD12250]

Phyllis Hyman [2018] - You Know How To Love Me (Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend) [Le-Edits #DFP002]

Yvonne Hodges [1977] - Games People Play [Guinness #GNS 36032]

A 1977 cover version of The Detroit Spinners' 'Games People Play' by Yvonne Hodges released on her only album 'You Never Wanted Me!' on the 'dodgy' Guiness label which was a reknowned tax scam label. The releases were never intended to be successful as the losses (along with over valued mastering services) were offset against tax, hence many are now pretty rare and expensive. This one now sells for between £50-£100.

Billy Ocean v The Dells - Whatever Turns You On

A song co-written by Billy Ocean and Ken Gold and covered by The Dells on their album of the same name in 1981.

Billy Ocean [1981] - Whatever Turns You On [Epic #14-02485]

From the 1981 album 'Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)' and released as single on flip side to 'Another Day Won't Matter' (not released in UK).

The Dells [1981] - Whatever Turns You On [20th Century Fox #T-633]

Bobby Womack / June Yamagishi [1978 / 1988] - Trust Your Heart / Give This Love A Try [Columbia #3-10672 / Meldac #MEL-41]

Two versions of the same song, from Bobby Womack's 1978 album 'Pieces' 'Trust My Heart' and then reworked on June Yamagishis' 1988 album 'My Pleasure' retitled 'Give This Love A Try' featuring Bobby Womack.

Bobby Womack [1978] - Trust Your Heart [Columbia #3-10672]

June Yamagishi Feat. Bobby Womack [1988] - Give This Love A Try [Meldac #MEL-41]

1988 remake of  'Trust Your Heart' from June Yamagish's 'My Pleasure' album.

Off Side [1970] - Small Deal [Pye #7N.25534]

I already had this lined up to post but decided to post it today in the light of the decision of all six English football clubs to pull out of the 'so called' European Super League. It's a shame it wasn't called 'No Deal' instead of 'Small Deal', It was certainly no 'Small Deal' for lovers of football, it was a 'Big Deal' and these chairmen were all caught 'off side' with their ill-judged decision to try and get rich at the expense of the rest of football and have been given a big red card but only one has, so far, has left the pitch.

The tune is a cool funky jazz instrumental from the UK. The name of the band is Off Side which is essentially Mike Vickers and a studio band. 

You'll never guess what's on the official A side ... The Match Of The Day Theme! For non-UK residents/expats ... it's the theme song for our national Saturday night TV football highlights programme which has been played since ... well  Aug. 1970. The theme tune used prior to that was called 'Drum Majorette' by Arnold Steck. This is not the official version which wasn't made available commercially but this is a slower alternatve commercial release. The original version was by the writer Barry Stoller.  Totally unrelated to soul ... but there you have it!