Freddie Chavez [1968] - They'll Never Know Why / Baby I'm Sorry [Look #5010]

I've just received the latest email of bids on John Manship's auction ending tomorrow and was flabbergasted to see that this record already has a bid of £3,315 which is more than double the highest sale price on Popsike of £1,500 (issue) £1,345 (promo) ... is it Covid fever .. or some 'feeling flush on furlough'?

It is the more funky/crossover original A side 'Baby I'm Sorry' that is probably more sought after these days as 'They'll Never Know Why' is one of those played out NS Top 500 tunes which we all enjoyed back in the day. With a running time of 1:48 that's £30 per second at the current bid😂. I wonder what the ending bid will be ... I'll keep you posted!

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Look
Cat No:	5010
Year:	1968
Key/BPM:	9B/121 : 8B/129
Value:	£TBD currently £3,315

Lostinwhite [2021] - For Once In My Life [Irma]

Ask anyone about the song 'For Once In My Life' and most will probably instantly think of Stevie Wonder, however, it was Jean DuShon who first released the song, on Cadet in 1966. 

In actual fact, it was recorded a year before by Connie Haines in 1965, but unreleased until 2015. Many others recorded it before Stevie Wonder hit with it in 1968, including several Motown artists such as Barbara McNair, Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas and The Temptations, along with at least eight other versions. 

So what's the big deal, there are literally hundreds of versions of the song? Well, Italian group Lostinwhite (led by Vittorio Bianchi with Sofia Anessi (aka America) on vocals) released an uptempo, acid jazz tinged version on 16 Apr 2021.

As an aside, a bit of trivia, the song was Stevie Wonder's 12th US R&B Top 10 hit (with 5 reaching #1) and 7th Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hit, it reached #2 on both charts, and he was still only 18! ... no wonder they called him Stevie 'Wonder'! He's now just turned 71 (13 May) and still performing, although we haven't had a new original album from him since 2005 and it was a ten year wait after the one before that.

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Details

Rating:	7.2
Genre/Style:	Acid Jazz / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Irma
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/04/2021
Key/BPM:	9B/114
Value:	£1

D. Hall [2021] - Drink Tonight [Self Released]

A new mellow track from an artist named D.Hall (Derrick Lee Hall) released 24 Apr 2021.

This is his only release on Spotify (with no profile) and Apple, although there are three more tracks linked to him on Amazon, but suspect it may be a different artist as I found a YT channel with the other tracks (link below) but this track's not there and the tracks that are don't sound anything like this. 

With a name like D. Hall I'm unlikely to find out much more, I couldn't find anything with his full name either, so he'll have to remain a mystery unless anyone can shed any light?

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	24/04/2021
Key/BPM:	1A/70
Value:	£1

Kami Cole [2021] - Choices [Stone Cole Productions]

More deep southern soul, with a Millie Jackson style rap from Kami Cole released 2 Mat 2021. 

According to her facebook she was born and raised in Denver, CO, but now resides in Louisiana. From her digital portfolio it looks like she's released ten singles since 2018 (no EPs or albums).

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Stone Cole Productions
Cat No:	None
Year:	02/05/2021
Key/BPM:	5A/97 (NB I only counted 65!)
Value:	£1

Bird Williams [2021] - Sometimes Man [Biggsoul /Jmg]

More deep soul, of the southern variety, from Bird Williams released 11 May 2021.

Another artist I can find very little information about except that he's from Memphis and on his facebook he gives himself the title 'The Prince Of Soul' and seems to do lots of live shows. 

From his digital platform listings it appears that he's released five singles and an EP since 2017 (this new single is only currently on Deezer and Amazon). However, I think the EP ('Virgo Blue') listed for him may be a different artist as it's quite different to his other material, and also the publishing credits are to an Aaryon L. Williams and this guy is Kaiser 'Bird' Williams.

I've also just noticed that his last single 'Trust In Me' was produced by JLake who's latest EP I posted a few days ago, so presumably there's a relationship between them.

If you like this sort of stuff then you'll probably like most of his previous material, all posted below (I've excluded the EP as I don't think its by him)

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Biggsoul /Jmg
Cat No:	None
Year:	12/05/2021
Key/BPM:	2A/88
Value:	£1

Eric Shaun [2021] - Man Torn [Self Released]

A superb deep soul cut from an artist I can find nothing about. It looks like he released a single in 2014 ('Damage Control') and then nothing until 2020, but since then, this will be his ninth single. To save you the bother of checking them all, only the last three are of any consequence, and are in a similar vein to this one. 'Unconditional Love' and 'Autumn Leaves', I'll also post them below.

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/05/2021
Key/BPM:	3A/68
Value:	£1

Jeff Ramsey [2021] - Never Enough You (Feat. Cleveland Jones) / Hopes Up [Izipho Soul #ZP 46]

Two tracks previously unreleased on vinyl are being issued by Izipho Soul on 28 May 2021.

'Never Enough You' was originally released on CD only in 2013 on James Day's 'Seasons & Reasons' album. (James Day is behind the recent JD's Time Machine releases).

'Hopes Up' was released as a bonus track on 'Better Days 'a Tribute to 80's R&B' credited to James Day Featuring Audrey Wheeler-Downing & Guests in 2008 (which may have been digital only as I can't seem to find a CD version of it).

There's not much point in me regurgitating the story about the record here, so head over to Izipho Soul for more info and to pre-order.

s7oul · NEVER ENOUGH YOU

s7oul · HOPES UP

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP 46
Year:	28/05/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£12

Laura Rain & The Caesars [2021] - I Am [LRK Records #LRK-10]

The latest single from Laura Rain & The Caesars will be digitally released 28 May 2021 with a vinyl 7" available for pre-order to be released later in the year when time permits it getting through the pressing plant.

It follows up her last single with Al Lindsey and  'Closer To The Win' from Jan which has been well received in the UK with LRK also releasing it on vinyl which is being shipped now.

The new single will appeal, probably more than the last two, to the NS crowd.

Liam from LRK told me recently that he will also be releasing a new album from Laura Rain & The Caesars later this year.

You can learn more about her via an interview on SoundCloud (click link below) conducted three years ago before her recent success. Also, if you click on image below there is a video sample of the track on LRK's facebook page with a link to pre-order, which would be advisable as I think this one will sell out quickly!.

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Details

Rating:	8.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/7"
Label:	LRK Records
Cat No:	LRK-10
Year:	28/05/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1/£12