S.E.L [2021] - Melodic Harmony [Self Released]

A video for the new single 'Melodic Harmony' from S.E.L's debut album 'Loc'd In Conciousness' was released today. I think the single will be officially released on Friday (14 May 2021).

Please refer to previous post for the album for further info.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	14/05/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 14 2021 May (week 18)

A blended, 45 minute, non-stop, mix of the best new releases last week (May 2021 week 18) based on the 'The Dirty Dozen' published 8 May 2021. 

I've extended the dozen, published above, with two additional tracks as Jarrod Lawson isn't released yet and Situation Feat. Venessa Jackson is not available digitally (so not on Spotify). I dropped Ane' as the tempo jump from 54 to 70 BPM just wasn't feasible. The mix from David A. Tobin to Jarrod Lawson was also stretching it, but I wanted to get the last two tracks in.

NB They are beat and key matched as best as possible given that I have only 14 tracks to work with.

Tracklist 

(with links to original posts)

Estee Pierce - Spoil You (70.0)

Club des Belugas Feat. Lene Ribau - Coming a Little Bit Closer (70.0)

Melonyx - Energy (85.1)

Parson James & JoJo - Dirty Laundry (89.0)

Rati - Looking Back (90.0)

Wesley Bright - Look At Me (92.0)

Mayfeel Feat. Tate Moore - At the End Of The Day (Original Radio Edit) (92.0)

Yuphoric & K.ZIA & Sedric Perry - Meant To Be (90.0)

Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me (99.1)

Big Jacks Feat. Angela Apigo - Higher (101.1)

David A. Tobin - Magic In Love (Rob Hardt Mix) (108.0)

Jarrod Lawson - Be The Change (Michele Chiavarini Remix) (124.2)

Situation Feat. Venessa Jackson - Time (Radio) (128.0)

Previous mixes:

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 13 2021 April (week 17)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 12 2021 April (week 16)

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

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 10 2021 April (week 14)

Melanie Durrant [2021] - High On Love (Where I'm At LP) [Melo-D's Inc.]

'High On Love' is a track taken from the new album by Melanie Durrant 'Where I'm At' (7 May 2021). Unfortunately, there's nothing much else of interest on the album except perhaps 'One In A Million', an ordinary neo soul/R&B tune or 'My Sunshine' which is a 60s throwback similar to the material currently being released by LaTasha Lee. 'Listen' is the new single.

It's an odd/confused album with a collection of songs of different styles including some some rock, latin and reggae tunes. I get the impression it's trying to please many and probably ending up pleasing few as virtually ever song is a different genre.

Melanie Durrant is from Toronto, Canada and this looks like her third album since 2005. Apparently her last album 'Anticipation' from 2015 was #5 on iTunes R&B chart. Having had a quick skim through it, it's full of Amy Winehouse 'sound-alike' songs.

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Details

Rating:	7.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Melo-D's Inc.
Cat No:	None
Year:	07/05/2021
Key/BPM:	2B/79
Value:	£7.99

Blue Soul Ten [2021] - The Incredible Sound of Blue [Greenehouse Music] (Full Album)

Another that's been out a few weeks now (19 Apr 2021) is an album from Blue Soul Ten. All the tracks feature rapping, so purists look away now! Two tracks are currently getting airplay  'Hustle' and 'Speakers'.

I'm also liking 'A.B.R.', it's a complete rap ... but boy does it groove along! I was just going to post the two main tracks, but on second thoughts I thought it worthwhile posting the whole album as the more I listen to it the more I'm warming to it, putting my rap prejudic to one side, it has 'real' musical quality behind it.

There's  an in-depth review of the album at Sleeping Bag Studios.

Blue Soul Ten is a producer from Washinton D.C. with 20 years experience but only appears to have been releasing material (under this name at least) since 2015, this looks like his seventh album since 2015. One of his tracks from his 2019 album 'Ten Percent' called 'Life' featured on 'Luxury Soul 2020' compilation.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Rap
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Greenehouse Music
Cat No:	None
Year:	19/04/2021
Value:	£7.99

Yvaes' Diirell (Ya-Va-Say) [2021- Hold On [Bindelari]

A new release by an independent artist from Seattle, WA, Yvaes' Diirell (pronounced Ya-Va-Say). It's been out a few weeks now (21 Apr 2021) but is beginning to receive airplay.

After a bit of digging around I found several unreleased, live recordings by him on YT posted by Andy Bryant (AndyB) a  member of Seattle band called Type A!. On one of them he performs with Type A! on a track recorded by Pete Kuzma Feat. Bilal 'High & Dry' in 2006 on a compilation 'Exit Music- Songs with Radio Heads' which is a cover of a RadioHead song from their 1994 album 'The Bends'. It's a nice version so I thought I'd post both versions.  There are also some of his original songs on the channel as well as a cover or two.

One of the earliest videos was posted in 2009 and Diirell says at the beginning that he was 'trying out' for America's Got Talent, but the video may well have been recorded before 2009.

Coincidentally, Bindelari music is owed by Binky Womack.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Bindelari
Cat No:	None
Year:	21/04/2021
Key/BPM:	12A/71
Value:	£1

Gems For Jem [1993] - Time For Love / Even When You're Gone [E-Zee #EZY 1204]

Whilst we're waiting for some quality new releases to appear, I thought I'd post this great UK double-sider by Gems For Love which I was reminded of, coincidentally, twice last week from different sources.

Both tracks were written by Darren Pearce and Steven McCutcheon who is the son of producer and one of the founders of Shakatak, Les McCutcheon with Nigel Wright and Kev Roberts (a reknowned figure on the UK Northern Soul scene). The group's name is derived from Record Shack record store in London's Soho.

The  lead singer is Tracy Ackerman who was also one of the singers in the 'cheesy' group Enigma who recorded disco medleys in the early 80s (produced by Les McCutcheon). She also sang on many of the 80s Shakatak albums.

As far as I can tell, these two tracks were only released on a 12" single originally, although they have both appeared on a couple of compilation CDs since. 'Even When You're Gone' on 'Supreme Soul Vol 1' in 1997 and 'Time For Love' on 'Supreme Soul Vol. 2' in 1998 (which is where I have it from). They are both 4 CD sets, well worth picking up if you see them. They both seem to sell for around £15-£20 these days, which still isn't bad for 50 relatively obscure, mainly 90s, tracks on each. I'll have to dig the CDs out again and see if there are any more hidden 'gems' on them as it's many years since I've listened to it.

Most of Gems For Jem's (and Pearce/McCutcheon) other releases are house/techno/hardcore tunes. 'Even Though You're Gone was also released a year earlier on the flip of 'Inspiration'.

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Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	12"
Label:	E-Zee
Cat No:	EZY 1204
Year:	1993
Key/BPM:	5A/98 : 3A/97
Value:	£15-£20 (approx.)

UK Soul Charts - Starpoint 10th May 2021 & Global Soul 8th May 2021

NB New releases are highlighted in light blue. Hyperlinks on title to blog posts or directly to YouTube/Spotify if track not already posted on blog.

There are only four releases that appear in both charts. I have highlighted them in bold and prefixed '+' at beginning of each line i.e. Bruce Gardner Experience, Zo! & Tall Black Guy, Reel People and Michon Young.

Starpoint Soul Chart 10th May 2021

Five new entries all previously posted here.

Losers: (falling out of this week's chart)

I missed last week's chart but gone from the week before are: Terry Harris, Al Lindsey Feat. Laura Rain, The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B, Silk Sonic, Kelly Price, James Aaron, CJ's Connection, Sed Marsh, Vince Broomfield.

Highest Climbers:

Ashley Scott (+23), Matthew Winchester (+11), Beth Macari (+10)

Biggest Fallers:

Cool Million Feat. Fraser (-15), Alvin Garrett -11), Bruce Gardner Experience (-10)

01 (03) (+02) The Isley Brothers Feat. Snoop Dog - Friends & Family

02 (01) (-01) S.E.L - Melodic Harmony (Loc d in Consciousness LP) 

03 (26) (+23) Ashley Scott - Don't Throw Our Love Away

04 (04) (=) Alexander Morris - Change Comin / Love's Knockin / Isn't She A Pretty Girl

05 (15) (+10) Beth Macari - Gotta Get Back

06 (02) (-04) Cool Notes - Spend The Night 2021 (The Remixes)

07 (07) (=) JazzyD & Sophia Ripley - Free

+08 (09) (+01) Zo! & Tall Black Guy - Abstractions (LP) 

09 (11) (+02) MF Robots - Good People (Mixes)

10 (NE) The Terri Green Project - Sneaking Out (Mixes) (posted 01/05/2021)

11 (05) (-06) Raja-Nee Feat. ThaSaint & Wilfred Frelix - Come Get This Love

12 (06) (-06) TanQueray Haywood - Definition Of A Woman (LP)

13 (21) (+08) Eric Scott - Peace Bomb

14 (23) (+11) Matthew Winchester - Transformation

15 (11) (-04) Miracle Thomas - If I Told You

+16 (NE) Michon Young - Happy (posted 18/04/2021)

17 (NE) Darryl Anders Agapesoul Feat. Maysa Leak - Nobody But You (posted 30/04/2021)

+18 (08) (-10) Bruce Gardner Experience - Dulcet (EP) 

19 (14) (-05) Tristan - What Could Possibly Go Wrong (Album)

20 (16) (-04) MS1 Project Feat. Jerome Vintage - Start Me Up

+21 (20) (-01) Reel People Feat. Paula - Vibe

22 (NE) Diane Marsh - I'm Taken (I'm Spoken For) (posted 02/05/2021)

23 (19) (-04) Eric Gable - I Can Make You Feel Good (LP/Single)

24 (22) (-01) Bobby Washington - I'm Down (DjSoulBr Remix)  

25 (24) (-01) STR4TA - Aspects (Album)

26 (27) (-01) Los Charly's Orchestra Feat. Omar - It's So (LCO's Tropical Boogie Rework)

27 (12) (-15) Cool Million Feat. Fraser - Next Level

28 (17) (-11) Alvin Garrett - The Lightness of Love (LP)

29 (25) (-04) Lukas Setto - About Time

30 (NE) Whittington Still - Why Are You Here (posted 23/04/2021)

Global Soul Chart 8th May 2021

Only four new entries this week, three already posted and Children Of Zeus has been posted today.

Losers:

The ones making way for the new entries are Joe Hertz, TanQueray Hayward, Kindred The Family Soul, Joyce Wrice

Highest Risers:

Michon Young (+14), Davante Thornton (+14), Jonas Winge Leisner (+10)

Biggest Fallers:

Arletis (-10), Middle Name Band (-7), Bruce Gardner Experience (-7)

The album/EP tracks shown are the ones played on the Global Soul Chart show.

+01 (04) (+03) Reel People - Fly (EP Hearts Collide) 

02 (01) (-01) Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown - When A Man

03 (03) (=) Sunni Colon - Provide

+04 (18) (+14) Michon Young - Happy 

+05 (02) (-03) Zo! - Talking To Myself (LP Abstractions)

06 (20) (+14) Davante Thornton Feat. Ace -  Closer (LP Luh And Circumstance) 

07 (10) (+03) Deirdre Gaddis - When You Hold Her (LP D-E-I-R-D-R-E Keep Pushin')

08 (09) (+01) Tree Feat. Swiss - Even If

09 (19) (+10) Jonas Winge Leisner - Wrapped In Your Love (EP Sticky)

10 (16) (+06) Sondra Love - Free (LP No Smoking)

11 NE David Scott - You Don't Have To Be Hard (posted 23/04/2021)

+12 (05) (-07) Bruce Gardner Experience - Whine For Me, Dulcet (EP)

13 NE Amber Mark - Worth It (posted 29/04/2021 but the one played was a new Jarreu Vandal remix)

14 NE Children Of Zeus - No Love Song (posted 10/04/2021)

15 (08) (-07) Middle Name Band - Weekend Love Chant

16 (06) (-10) Arletis - On Time

17 (11)  (-06) Claire Renee - Check On Yo Friends (LP Wings)

18 NE Ryan Carty - Would You Mind (posted 17/04/2021)

19 (15) (-04) KHAMI - Get Away

20 (13) (-03) Daul Feat. Robin Yerah & Noogi - Blink Of An Eye (LP Pipe Dreams)

Galactic Mutherland ‎[2004] - A Muther's Pearl [Varsity International ‎#VACD008] (Full Album)

Originally released in 2004 on CD only, this highly sought after album was reissued digitally in 2014 and on limited edition (200) double vinyl last year (SoulBrother still has copies).

Lead vocals are shared amongst an array of singers including Chantel Brown, Debbie Dazire O, Fay Jones (who recorded a handful of tunes with Ian Levine in the noughties) Lurine Cato (an award winnning UK gospel singer), Tiffany Pearson with Barry Bee.

The highlights of the album are 'Hold U Down' (written and sung by Fay Jones), 'I Don't Mind Tellin You' (written and sung by Lurine Cato), Destiny' (a stepper sung by Lurine Cato), '2nd Best' and, 'I Can Tell' (sung by Debbie Dazire O)'. There are plenty of other good ones amongst the eighteen tracks.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	CD/Digital/LP
Label:	Varsity International
Cat No:	VACD008
Year:	2004/2014/2020
Value:	£85/N/A/£45

Linn & Freddie [2021] - BOTL (Beat Of The Light) [Vigoldia Music, Homegrown Records]

More Scandinavian soul, this time from Sweden. White Ascot from Norway and Jonas Winge Leisner from Denmark have recently been posted. We also had Rita Ray from Estonia, not quite Scandinavia but near enough!, and you could also throw Cool Million into the mix as half of the duo, Frank Ryle, is Danish.

They are Linn Segolson, a gospel/jazz singer from Stokholm, and Fredrik Lager (aka Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire), a DJ/Producer. They first released an EP ('The Wonderlust') together in 2004.

They did a reggae cover of William DeVaughn's 'Be Thankful' in 2017.

Their latest single 'BOTL' was released 1 May 2021.

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Vigoldia Music, Homegrown Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	01/05/2021
Key/BPM:	8B/102
Value:	£1