Ella Knight [2021] - All Around [Self Released]

The second artist from Nottingham to feature this month is Ella Knight (the other is duo Melonyx). Her latest single (which I believe is her third) was released yesterday (14 May 2021).

I couldn't find a video for the new single but there is one for her last in 2019 'What We Are' which is neo soul with jazz flavas, which is probably why she's piqued the interest of Gilles Petersen.

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:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	14/05/2021
Key/BPM:	8A/59
Value:	£1

Sandra St. Victor [2021] - Oya's Daughter [W.A.R. Media] (Full Album)

More soul from The Netherlands, although she's originally from Dallas. Her birth name is Sandra Kay Matthews and she was the lead singer with The Family Stand. 

In the 80s she toured with Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Chaka Khan, Freddie Jackson and Glenn Jones. She's had songs that she had written for her unreleased debut solo album ('Sanctuary') recorded by Prince, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner and appeared on a duet with Curtis Mayfield on 'I Believe In You' on his last album 'New World Order'.

In the early noughties she moved to Europe and formed a touring group named 'Daughters Of Soul' which included Nona Hendryx (LaBelle), Joyce Kennedy (Mother's Finest), Deniece Williams, Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), Lalah Hathaway (Donny Hathaway's daughter), Indira Khan (Chaka Khan's daughter), Simone (Nina Simone's daughter) and Leah McCrae (George & Gwen McCrae's daughter).

The featured album was originally released in 2013, but has just been reissued. There's some nice tracks on there, especially 'I Prefer (OYA)' and 'Presence' for starters.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	W.A.R. Media
Cat No:	None
Year:	28/04/2021
Value:	£7.99

The Unit eXperience Project [2021] - Not For Long (Full EP)

A debut six track EP released 30 Mar 2021 from a group from Cleveland, OH. There two or three good, soulful, slow jams ('My Heart', 'One Night' & 'Merry-Go-Round') and an decent uptempo cut 'Got Yo Back'.

On their facebook and website they call themselves The Unit Band.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Unknown
Cat No:	None
Year:	30/03/2021
Value:	£5.94

Tevin Bokey [2021] - Crying Time [Ice Cold Records] (Full Album)

I don't quite understand what's happening with Tevin Bokey, but he's just released nine albums in the last few days. 'My World', 'Fire', 'Destiny', 'Smile', 'Far Away', 'Dawn', 'Fly High', 'Life' and 'Crying Time'. ..and these aren't short 6 or 7 track albums, most have over 10, the featured one has 14 tracks.

UPDATE: It appears that another 'artist' called Taniel Harris has also released nine albums and Thomas Crane released another around 10-12 May - the common denominator is Ice Cold Records. According to shrimperman who left a comment, and a few others, a few of the tracks on the featured album are Wendell B tracks ('Anything', 'Good Times' & 'Inside My Mind') from 2003 'Good Time' album (or very good covers). The sound quality on these albums is poor - the general consensus is that these albums may be rip-offs. If anyone from Ice Cold Records would like to comment to clarify then that would be appreciated!

I haven't had time to investigate them all except for 'Crying Time'. Real soul music! He sounds similar to Luther Vandross on many of the tracks. If the others are as good as this, I'll certainly be posting them.

The track that brought me to him was 'Inside My Heart' but there are plenty of great tracks on this, and presumably the other, albums, once I managed to get to listen to them.

Unfortunately, I can't find any information about him. He looks quite young on the album sleeves, yet his voice sounds very mature and older than he looks, if you understand what I mean.

If anyone knows anything about this new(?) artist them please leave a comment.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Ice Cold Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	10/05/2021
Value:	£7.99

MoreSoul [2021] - Mama EP [Self Released] (Full EP)

A new seven track EP from South African artist MoreSoul (Tebogo Serake) who released a single 'Re United' on Valentines day which followed up his excellent album 'Puzzles Of Life' released last Oct. He also released a single on 15 Apr ('Afrika Borwa') which I didn't post as it's a bit of a hip-hop departure. 

Thankfully he's back to his mellower side with all seven tracks. I haven't decided which I like best yet as they are all fairly similar. It will need another few listens, but on first listen, if pushed, I'd plump for the last track 'When You Need Me'.

MoreSoul is reminiscent of Stevie Wonder on some of the tracks. A nice set and, probably, the best EP I've heard this week.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	14/05/2021
Value:	£6.93

The Love Station [2021] - Destiny [Gambit Records] (Full Album)

Whilst this is a new album release, from listening to it, it could have been recorded in the 70s. That's not surprising as the members of The Love Station met at Shaw University campus, SC, in 1975, relocating to Washington D.C. in 1981, It is a six piece group led by Sam Traybron, who wrote all the tracks and is now the only remaining original member. 

The LSB credit refers to Love Station Band. 'Destiny' will be their eighth album.

The key tracks on the album are 'Nothing Going On' and 'Nobody To Love' which will probably have the NS 'hawks' ears pricked as this has a real crossover feel. If this turned up on a crusty, obscure 45 it would certainly get attention.

They have a load more material posted on SoundCloud.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Gambit Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	03/05/2021
Value:	£7.92