Bridge City Revival Feat. Arietta Ward [2021] - Lucky Me [Infinite Companion]

After the last post (Schwey) here's one to try and win back the traditionalists! Bridge City Revival are a revival soul collective from Portland, Oregon, led by trumpeter Farnell Newton and includes core members Gus Berry (guitar), Michael Elson (keys / bass) Tyrone Hendrix  (drums) along with guest vocalists such as Ural Thomas, Ronnie Wright, Redray Frazier, Arietta Ward, LaRhonda Steele, Vursatyl and backing singer Saeeda Wright. Motown drummer Mel Brown also appears.

Their first single was released on 4 Jun 2021, with Arietta Ward on vocal duties which is a straight-up 60s southern soul style throwback.

They also have a debut album "Introducing Bridge City Revival" which seems to be only available to pre-order on their website at present. It's available on digital ($12) or limited edition (500) vinyl ($25) which includes immediate digital downloads of the first three singles. No release date is given, although a new single "Slow Train" Feat. Redray Frazier will be available to download on Friday (25 May 2021).

I've embedded a promo video from the label (Infinite Companion) introducing the album which has some clips of the tracks being recorded and there are some good tunes in there.

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Details

Rating:	7.6
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Infinite Companion
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Key/BPM:	9B/95
Value:	£1

Schwey [2021] - Schwey 2: Cyber Soul [604 Records]

This one's different, futuristic and 'interesting' (if you're feeling adventurous) from a group from Vancouver (Canada) who released their first, self-titled, album in 2019 having previously released a few singles. 

Since then they've released a five track EP "Koronteen" in May 2020 (presumably a word play on quarantine) and three more singles, and on 26 May 2021 their sophomore album "Schwey 2: Cyber Soul" from which the current single is "Who Says" (probably the best track). 

I quite like "Love U Always" which comes across as a 'sort of'  futuristic jazz/funk track and "Was It You" is probably another of the better tracks. 

The material is certainly original which may not appeal to everyone but at least it's stretching boundaries (and contains no rapping although I didn't listen to all tracks all the way through so there might be!).

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Future Beats
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	604 Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	28/05/2021
Value:	£6.49

Doug Wonder [2021] - The Black Man Matters [Self Released] (Full Album)

A debut album from a new artist  Doug Wonder was released 18 Jun 2021 and a very nice album it is too. On first listen the standout tracks are "I Blame You", "We Rollin' (Detroit Anthem)", "Listen", "Tonight" but the one Franklin is sure to play on The New Music Hour has to be "This Nigga" 😂 (seriously though, the tune's OK but the title/lyrics will preclude airplay?)

Wonder is a former US soldier, who has seen combat, from Detroit, MI. The title and theme of the album is inspired from him witnessing how black families have suffered from the breakdown of the traditional family structure by black women not respecting the man's role in the relationship. If you're interested in exploring this further then there is an interview with him on YT explaining what he means.

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	18/06/2021
Value:	£5.52

Nigel Hall Feat. Patrice Rushen [2021] - Baby I Do Love You (Spiritual LP) [Regime Music Group]

Back in March I posted the first pre-released track "Wake Me" from Nigel Hall's forthcoming album "Spiritual", which at the time was scheduled for release on 14 May, but has now been put back until 16 Jul. 

"Wake Me" has featured in "The Dirty Dozen" in March (wk8) and also the Top 100 tracks for 2021 Q1, which reminds me that I'll have to start compiling the Top 100 for Q2 in the next few days!

Since March another track was pre-released in April "Gotta Go To Work" (embedded below) and on 18 Jun 2021 "Baby I Do Love You" has been released featuring Patrice Rushen on keyboards.  Unfortunately it is not yet available on Spotify or YT but it must be an old song as there are several live clips of him performing it on YT (some go back as far as 10 years ago) so until it's posted on Spotify I'll embed one of those to give you a feel for the song.

The song sounds familiar and sounds a bit like it could be a Herbie Hancock song(?) His vocals on this track are similar to Stevie Wonder.

From the three tracks already released, the album looks very promising and I'm looking forward to listening to the full album. He's a super-talented artist and one to watch.

Hall is originally from Washington D.C. but relocated to New Orleans in 2013 and is a member of funk band Lettuce. "Spiritual" will be his third solo album since his first in 2006.

There are loads of live performances from him on YT to check out. I've included two recent videos of the other two tracks from the album recorded live at The Blue Dream Studios in L.A., the same studio used by Raquel Rodriguez.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Regime Music Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	18/06/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1

Capt.Pigment [2021] - Over You [Beyond All Measure]

This is one that seems to have been missed as I've not seen it on any playlists. It was released at the end of May (26 May 2021). On the same day he also released a remix of Brandy's "Wanna Be Down".

Capt.Pigment is one half of duo WeAreSkyWalkers (Cal Wolfe and David McCloud) and "Over You" is a remix of Monica's 2003 hit "So Gone" which I actually prefer to the original, whereas the Brandy cover, for me, is not as good as the original. 

It's apparently a new sub-genre labelled 'lo-fi rap' where producers "embrace imperfection and utilize unmixed vocals, distorted drums, and tape hiss for their practical and aesthetic beauty", so now you know!

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Beyond All Measure
Cat No:	None
Year:	26/05/2021
Key/BPM:	3A/84
Value:	£1