David Scott [2021] - Still R&B (Stepp / You Don't Have To Be Hard) [V Sconney Entertainment] (Full EP)

Another great release out yesterday (22 Apr 2021) comes from David Scott. It's a double-sider /EP featuring two good tracks 'Stepp' and 'You Don't Have To Be Hard'.

'Stepp', as you would have guessed, is a stepper in which, right at the end, he pinches a line from Charlie Wilson's 'There Goes My Baby' released in 2009 on Uncle Charlie.

I can't separate the two tracks as they are both equally as good so I'll post both.

With a fairly common name, I can't find any info on the artist, and he only has this EP posted on Spotify, but the voice sounds seasoned, so I'd be surprised if he was a new artist. 

A bit of google sleuthing discovers that V Sconney Entertainment is based in Cincinnati, OH, so, if it's his own company, then that is where I guess he's from. However, the registered directors are Damon Snellgrove and Vanessa Calhoun, so perhaps not. A bit of further digging and it appears that Damon Snellgrove is producer SpaceBassDJ who has also released material on the label (electro house stuff) and I hazard a guess that Vanessa Calhoun is his wife/partner, but that doesn't really get us nearer to finding out who David Scott is!

Details

Rating:	8.5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Stepper
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	V Sconney Entertainment
Cat No:	None
Year:	22/04/2021
Key:	10A / 9A
BPM:	94 / 100
Value:	£1

Tom Bailey [2021] - Love And Happiness [Little Saigon Records]

This, for me, is the standout track of the week so far!  A superb, souful ballad/stepper, which at first sight of the title I thought was likely to be a cover of the Al Green song of the same name, but it's a different song written by Tom Bouerie (which I believe is his real name).

This just oozes class and has a timeless quality and as an indication of that, when it ends after only 2:35 you're left thinking 'what? .. is that it' .. wanting to hear more. Here's a novel thought ... instead of rehashing mediocre well known disco tunes from the 70s/80s, why doesn't one of the remixers do an extended mix on this? 

In certain parts it reminds me a little of R. Kelly's 'Up and Outta Here' ... yes it's that good! I've had it on repeat.

I'm struggling to find any info about the artist as he has the same name as Thompson Twins singer from the 80s, but it would seem that he debuted in 2016 and has released around fifteen singles (mostly self-written) since then, with this easily being his best so far.

He was born in France and now lives in London.

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

I found this cool, live acoustic version of 'Hold On' a single he released in 2018 which is a completely different take to the single released.

Details

Rating:	9.5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Little Saigon Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	22/04/2021
Key:	9B
BPM:	74
Value:	£1

SunQueen Kelcey [2021] - See Attached [Smart Mouth Records] (Full Album)

There seems to be a lot of albums released this week which I haven't had a chance to review properly as so many tracks to get through. 

SunQueen Kelcey from North Carolina released her second solo album 'See Attached' today (23 Apr 2021). This album has fifteen tracks, many of them R&B/Hip-hop, but intermingled are some good neo soul tunes and ballads. 

On first skim through they are 'Around', 'Janet', 'Ain't Too Proud', 'Codependant', 'Fargo', 'Run', 'Oshun', with  'Ain't Too Proud' and 'Around' being the standout tracks for me on first listen.

As a bonus I came across her cover of the best song Alicia Keys has ever recorded 'You Don't Know My Name', which of course sampled Main Ingredient's 'Let Me Prove My Love To You' which doesn't really feature on this live version.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Smart Mouth Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021
Value:	£7.99

Deborah Bond [2021] - Time [Splash Blue]

Debórah Bond released her latest album 'compass: I' back in early March and a track from it that has been receiving a lot of attention is 'Time'. On 17 Apr 2021 a video was published on her YT channel. The video is set in the 50s and recorded at Baltimore's 'Keystone Korner"'Jazz Club shot in black and white. In the video she appears intoxicated, so I would guess it's based on / inspired by Billie Holiday?

Whittington Still [2021] - Why Are You Here [Self Released]

Whittington Still released her fifth single since her 2019 debut on 6 Apr 2021. Her earlier single 'Missing You' from 2019 seems to be getting attention again, so I'm not sure if it is being re-promoted. On that cut, in particular, she sounds very similar to the legendary Phyllis Hyman in sections of it.

The latest releases is a classy, well delivered, sultry and smouldering soulful/jazz ballad. This is quality soul music with no gimmicks. Probably not everyone's cup of tea but after a few listens it has you hooked.

On the strength of hearing this track I checked out her back catalogue and all, apart from 'You Better Know What To Do' (which is a decent uptempo track), are in a similar vein. 'Don't Be Afraid' from last year is a very good ballad/stepper, her vocals are 'luxurious' in a soulful/jazz way. Definately an artist to watch.

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	06/03/2021
Key:	3A
BPM:	65
Value:	£1

Ashley Scott [2021] - Don't Throw Our Love Away [Soulful Sounds International Records]

Nephew of Three Degrees founding member Helen Scott, Ashley Scott released a new single 'Don't Throw Our Love Away' on his own Soulful Sounds International label today (23 Apr 2021).

He studied music at Howard University being tutored by jazz drummer Grady Tate and Webster Lewis. As a long time session singer he has worked with artists such as Will Downing and Jean Carn.

His debut single 'Words' was released in 2016 and last year he had a UK Soul chart top 10 single with 'Dance The Night Away'.

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

Details

Rating:	7.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Soulful Sounds International Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021
Key:	11A
BPM:	95
Value:	£1

Fillies Finazz [2021] - I Can’t Spend The Night [Society Hill]

Released today (23 Apr 2021) on Butch Ingram's Society Hill label is a new single from Fillies Finazz who are sisters Alicia & Denise Amaro, Sandra Gail Brown, Lorna Young. They all have a gospel background.

Sandra Gail Brown was lead singer for a group called Sassafras who released a self-titled album in 1978. The group included Carlstein Levere and Sandra's sister Vera Brown who later joined The Richie Family and recorded one single as Vera Brown & The Rich Girls when they spilt.  Sassafras split when Vera Brown joined The Richie Family. Sandra Brown also became a backing singer for The Richie Family and Village People.

Lorna Young sang with a group called Ultimate Experience, who I can find no recordings from.

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

I found this live recording of them singing Brenda Holloway's 'When I'm Gone', unfortunately the sound is not very clear.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Society hill
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021
Key:	9A
BPM:	85
Value:	£1

Podcast - Steve Aggasild - SoulAndJazzFlavas 19 Apr 2021

I've been considering this for a while and have decided to feature 'essential' podcasts of UK soul radio shows.

The ones I listen to regularly are:

Fri. 7pm-9pm Kevin Oxberry - The Friday Night Rotation

Fri. Franklin Sinclair - The New Music Hour

Sat. Mick O'Donell - Soul Discovery (Mick used to do a regular show and then went off the air for several years but is now back on TWR and seems now to do only a fornightly show on Saturday evenings)

Sun. 2pm-4pm Shaun Evans - The Triple S Show 

Sun. 8pm-10pm - Mark Merry - The Soul Sermon

Sun. 10pm-Midnight - Roger Wiliiams - SoulSorts

Mon. 6pm-8pm Steve Aggasild - SoulAndJazzFlavas

If you know of any others that should be in the list then please leave a comment. NB they MUST be real soul related not dedicated to neo soul/R&B (they don't have to be UK based).

Each week I'll feature one of the podcasts from above starting this week with Steve Aggasild who unfortunately doesn't publish his playlists so I've been through it cataloguing each track.

If any of the presenters above wish to be (or not to be) featured then please drop me a message at soulstrutter@gmail.com with some background on your career.

Steve Aggasild - The Soul Master

Steve Aggasild is the 'daddy' of all presenters who has the record of having the longest running soul radio show in the world. After a baptism in hospital radio, he started broadcasting his soul show on Aberdeen's North Sound radio in April 1982 and his show ran for 30 years until he had to end it owing to overseas work commitments in 2012.  

He became known as 'The Soul Master' which is a name he still uses for his Mixcloud podcasts of his show. I've known Steve since 1976 as we frequented the same soul clubs/events when I was living/studying in Aberdeen and still have many of the shows he broadcast on North Sound in the 80s on cassette, which I may eventually get around to digitising and posting.

After several years on Starpoint, Steve has recently joined Soul Groove Radio and now presents his weekly two hour show on Monday evenings between 6pm-8pm.

Steve will be DJing at the Back To Love soul weekender in Sep. 2021 at Southport with many of the country's top DJs and live acts such as Cool Million, Natasha Watts, Kenny Thomas. Soulutions, Cornell CC Carter, The Terry Green Project and Kim Tavar.

For the first hour Steve plays vintage tunes from his 'soul library' and ends the hour with three slow jams. The second hour is dedicated to new releases and contemporary soul and jazz. The first hour regularly throws up tunes I've forgotten about and reminds me just how good they are and others which I never even knew about.

Here's a run down of what he played on his latest show with links to tracks already posted on this blog. 

The forthcoming release by S.E.L. is one to look out for. I believe her debut album 'Loc’d in Consciousness' has been released on CD on 9 Apr 2021 but it will not be available digitally until the end of May.

Tracklist:

1st Hour - Classics

Freddie Hubbard & Jeanne Tracy - You're Gonna Lose Me [1981 - 12" / Splash LP - Fantasy]

Renee Diggs (Starpoint) Feat. Phil Perry - All My Love [1993 - Oasis LP - Expansion]

Tony! Toni! Tone! - I Couldn't Keep It To Myself [1993 - Sons Of Soul LP - Mercury]

Charlie Wilson (Gap Band) -  Realize [1992 - You Turn My Life Around LP - Bon Ami/MCA]

Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s - Doing It To Death [1973 - 7" / Doing It To Death LP - People]

Aaliyah - Rock The Boat [2001 - 7"/12"/CDS / Aaliya LP - Blackground]

Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is Still A Rose [1997 - 12"/CDS / A Rose Is Still A Rose LP  - Arista]

Chantay Savage - My Oh My [1999 - 12"/CDS / This Time LP - RCA]

Slow Jams

W.R. Sanders - Angels [2015 - Believe N CDr - Self Released]

#The only album/release from W. R. Sanders

Loretta Feat. Gimenez G. - So Alive [2014 - Find A Way LP - Vaziva (FR)]

#French soul singer aka Laure Céline Gelas and Laure Milan who released two other album in 2006 and 2008 as Laure Milan.

Pieces Of A Dream - Goodbye Manhattan [1995 - Goodbye Manhattan LP - Blue Note]

2nd Hour - New Releases

*Output/Input - Sugarloaf Mountain [2021 - Digital - Self Released]

*S.E.L. - Melodic Harmony [2021 - from forthcoming Loc’d in Consciousness LP - Self Released]

Joyce Wrice - Chandler [2021 - Overgrown LP - Self Released]

Cool Million Feat. Fraser - Next Level [2021 - Digital - Cool Million Records]

MS1 Project Feat. Jerome Vintage - Start Me Up [2021 - DG - Self Released]

Raja-Nee' Feat. ThaSaint and Wilfred Frelix - Come And Get This Love [2021 - Digital - JARF Music Group]

Jazzy D Feat. Sophia Ripley - Free [2021 - Digital - forthcoming]

TanQueray Hayward - Standing All Alone [2021 - Definition Of A Woman LP - Self Released]

Danny B Live - Track Meet [2021 - Note To Self LP - Self Released]

The Bruce Gardner Experience - JUSWANNALUVU [2021 - DULCET EP - GSV Music]

Deirdre Gaddis - The Girl I Used To Be [2021 - D-E-I-R-D-R-E Keep Pushin' LP Woodgrayne Ent.]

Terry - I.O.U. [2021 - #TheEvolutionOfMe LP TJH Music]

Zo! & Tall Black Guy etc. - Hold My Hand [2021 - Abstractions - The Foreiegn Exchange Music]

Reel People & Raheem DeVaughn - DeJa Vu [2021 - Digital - Reel People Music]

ROE Feat. DJ Battlecat - Baby [2021 - Digital - Self Released]

Tristan - Looking Back [2021 - What Could Possibly Go Wrong LP - Isolde]

Tyson [2021] - Tuesday [LMP Recordings]

Without checking I would guess that Tyson (McVey) is from London as there is distinct sound/style emerging out of London at present, and this sits right in there with Hari, JGgrey, We Want You To Dance etc.. ... and right enough she was born and raised in London.

She was half of duo Panes who released a self-titled EP in 2014 and released her solo double-single White/Seven in 2019. This is the second single released this year (Red Handed was released in Feb) and third to date.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	LMP Recordings
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Key:	11B
BPM:	75
Value:	£1