Kedron Brown [2021] - Be Ready (Caught Up) [Self Released]

A new (debut?) single from Kedron Brown who's only other releases (assuming it's the same artist) were in 2018 as part of a collaboration Gho$t, kedron Brown, Kent Maddux.

Ignore the ten second intro as this evolves into a good soulful groover with gospel inspired lyrics.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	18/04/2021
Key:	11A
BPM:	77
Value:	£1

Amy Winehouse [2021] - Take The Box (Live From The Mercury Prize Awards 2004) (At The BBC LP) [Universal]

If anyone had any doubt about the soulfulness of Amy Winehouse and her ability to perform live before drink, drugs and depression ravaged her, then this track should dispel any doubt.

It's so sad to witness how she degenerated from this performance in 2004 to how she appeared in her latter years after the success of 'Back To Black' and the incessant pressure from the media and problems in her personal life. It's hard to believe that 23 Jul 2021 will be the tenth anniversary of her death.

Taken from 'At The BBC' which was originally released posthumously on 12 Nov 2012 and it's due for re-issue on vinyl, CD and Digital on 7 May 2021.  This track was only available on the CD/DVD version. It was originally on her 2003 album 'Frank'.

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Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	CD/LP/Digital
Label:	Universal
Cat No:	None
Year:	07/05/2021
Key:	12A
BPM:	54
Value:	£12.99

Eleanor Grant [2021] - The Love I Gave To You / Magic [Good Time Records]

The first 'wow' moment of the week! For lovers of 'real' soul music this is phenomenal deep soul ballad from Eleanor Grant released 23 Apr 2021. However, it was originally released in 1988 on her album titled 'Magic' released on Zip which is the only release on the Chester, PA, label, so perhaps it was a self release?

Her debut single, in 1975, is her version of a Paul Kelly song 'You Oughta' Be Here With Me'. The song was originally recorded by Annette Snell in 1973, who earier was a member of The Mar-Vells, later known as The Fabulettes, who died in a plane crash in 1977 after returning to Atlanta from a recording session for an unreleased (uncompleted) album at Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

In the last few years Eleanor Grant has resurfaced and released a gospel album in 2015 'Love Has Brought Me Home', a cover of Gaye's 'Sexual Healing' in 2019 and the title track of her 1988 album 'Magic' last month (19 Mar 2021), which isn't a bad 80s modern soul tune so I'll also post that. 

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Details

Rating:	9 / 8
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul / Modern Soul 80s
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Good Time Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021 / 19/03/2021
Key:	3A / 7B
BPM:	60 / 119
Value:	£1 / £1

Gil [2021] - You & Me (Sometimes A Man LP) [Self Released]

A cover of a modern soul track well known by Rockie Robbins' 1980 version (but originally recorded by Galaxy in 1978) from Gil (Gilbert Steven Johnson) from his new album 'Sometimes A Man' released 16 Apr 2021.

Rockie Robbins [1980] ‎– You And Me [A&M #AM 2231]

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/04/2021
Key:	3B
BPM:	92
Value:	£1/£7.92

David Lucero [2021] - Curious [Jrob Records] (Full EP)

This looks like a debut six track EP (LP?) from David Lucero. Another I would categorise as soulful R&B rather than soul. The standout track is 'You're Amazing'.

As he's a new artist, I can't find any info about him.

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Details

Rating:	7.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Label
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021
Key:	11A
BPM:	88
Value:	£5.94

Nix [2021] - Theory Of Me [Self Released]

Debut album from an artist known as Nix. The only other releases I can find are both singles of tracks also on the album. (i.e. 'Nothing's Gonna Change' & 'Beyond Time').

I can't find any further info on the artist but I'm guessing his real name may be Nicholas P Mazzocchi as he, along with Joey Consiglio, is credited with writing most of the songs.

I'd categorise the album as soulful R&B, bordering on pop on some of the tracks. The best tracks for me are 'Nothing's Gonna Change' and 'Reflections'.

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / R&B
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	20/04/2021
Value:	£7.99

David Blazer [2021] - Reasons EP [Sundae Sauuce] (Full EP)

Four track EP 'Reasons' released by David Blazer on 31 Mar 2021. A couple of the tracks sounds 'retro' 80s to my ears. File under blue-eyed, NuDisco, although the first track 'Elemental Love' leans more towards R&B with (what seems to be becoming a trend)  the use of vocoder which as far as I'm concerned has no place in real soul music. It reminds me of the worst of the 80s synthesised soul.

My pick of the bunch would be Satellite featuring Birocratic & Soul Food Horns which has already been released as a single on 4 Mar 2021.

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Details

Rating:	7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / NuDisco / Retro
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sundae Sauuce
Cat No:	None
Year:	21/03/2021
Value:	£3.96

Ryan Carty [2021] - Would You Mind [Self Released]

Ryan Carter, from South London, released his debut album 'Journey To Purpose' in 2008 and a single 'Sweeter Than' featuring Patrice Copeland (which is rather good) in 2015. He has spent several years supporting artists such as Simply Red, Emilie Sande and Ronan Keeting.

He released a new single on 23 Apr 2021.

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Details

Rating:	7.9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/04/2021
Key:	9B
BPM:	103
Value:	£1

Sandra Booker Feat. Robert Turner [2021] - Until We Meet Again [The Booker Group]

From a forthcoming alblum 'Songs from the 8th Ward ' is a new single from jazz/gospel singer Sandra Booker which features jazz pianist Robert Turner. The song was written a few years ago as a tribute to the sudden death of rising jazz pianist Derrick Finch.

The new album title is a reference to an area in New Orleans where she was brought up, she now lives in L.A.

Her debut album 'Very Early' was released in 1994 which she didn't follow up until 2010 with 'Love Happens' released to celebrate the legalisation of interracial marriage in all US states.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which she has now thankfully beaten.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Jazz/Soul/Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	The Booker Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	30/03/2021
Key:	6A
BPM:	60
Value:	£1

Ice-Cold-Love [2021/1973] - Sheer Magic b/w Wonderful To be Loved [Numero Group / Tammy #T-1037]

Numero Group continue to digitally reissue 70s sweet soul. Their latest release (13 Apr 2021) is the only recording by Ice-Cold-Love originally released in 1973 on Tammy based in Youngstown, OH, owned by Tony March and run by Larry Greene who are also credited as producing both sides.

Tammy ran from the late 50s to the late 70s, and I think it would be fair to say that none of the artists on the label are very well known, except possibly to doo-wop, garage or funk collectors.

An interesting release though, is from Lil Murray & The Soul Exciters with 'Open The Door To Your Heart' (1967) which, of course, is a cover of the Darrell Banks classic, and features Leon Debouse on lead vocals who had a big modern soul tune played, 'Every Fella's Girl', from his 1977 album 'A Fine Instrument'.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	13/04/2021
Key:	8B / 8A
BPM:	70 / 68
Value:	£1.79