Destiny X [2021] - Moon Room [Self Released]

This appears to the second album from Destiny X from Philadelphia. She released another (debut ?) album "Chai" in 2018. The only other releases I can find from her are a four track EP "Moods" from 2019 and a single from 2018 "How Does It Feel".

It's quirky and interesting neo soul. It's fairly consistent throughout without a specific track jumping out at me.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self released
Cat No:	None
Year:	15/06/2021
Value:	£7.99

The Cool Notes [2021] - Spend the Night (Geogie B Remix 2021) [GAP Music]

The Cool Notes biggest of eight UK chart hits (#11 from 1985) gets a 2021 George B remix. There are another two "Freedom" mixes but forget them as they are not good!

George B (Bromfield) was a member of the 80s UK Brit-Funk band Second Image.

I've included a video of the original, shot 36 years ago at Shaftbury's Night Club in March 1985. It's pop soul that encapsulates a 'certain time' in the mid 80s, when soul music started to go downhill rapidly for a while when it all became crash, bang and wallop with electronic effects and electro began to take over!

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Details

Rating:	7.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	GAP Music
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Key/BPM:	9A/105
Value:	£1

Shaft 50th Anniversary

Today sees the 50th anniversary of the first screening of the legendary cult Blaxploitation movie "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree and the seminal soundtrack by Isaac Hayes for which he won an Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA for "Best Original Song" for the title track in 1972. 

What better excuse then to post of few of the tracks, not least R. Kelly's modern soul classic from the 2000 remake soundtrack (Music From And Inspired By Shaft), not available anywhere else other than the soundtrack release.

Also Ian Levine's reworking of  Cafe Regio's (the flip side of "Theme From Shaft" 45) by Gary The Master Blaster with a sped up instrumental which adds a rap from a legendary Miami WCKO radio DJ. It was originally recorded in 1998 and was the first release on Neil Rushton and Phil Dick's Soul Intention label in 2010.

Also, the 2009 mix of the title track by way of a change as well an 80s version by Eddy & The Soul Band which features Mahogany on backing vocals from 1985 (both 12" mixes).

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Trenice [2021] - Trenice [Self Released]

Trenice is a relatively new 19 yr old  artist from Grifton, NC, who released a debut album on 14 June 2021.

It's quite a good debut with many tracks having a bit of 90s 'bounce'.  At least two of the tracks have already been released as singles i.e. "Crush" in 2019 and "Waiting On You" in 2020, both included on the album.

The best tracks are "Can I Come Over", "Touching On Me" and "Taking It Back".

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	14/06/2021
Value:	£7.99

The Fantastics! [2021] - Take A Shot [BBE]

UK soul/funk band The Fantastics! (formerly known as Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours) were founded in 2003 and have garnered support from UK radio heavyweights such as Robert Elms, Mark Lamarr, Pete Young, Bob James and Craig Charles.

They released their latest, and third,  album "Take A Shot" on Friday (25 Jun 2021). The title track was released as a single last year featuring Bradford's Sulene Fleming who has also sung with Incognito and The Brand New Heavies.

Their sound I guess you'd describe as retro jazz/funk which utilises heavy brass, hammond organ and phat basslines on a couple of tracks. It's 60/40 instrumental/vocal, with all vocal tracks featuring Sulene Fleming. The most soulful of the batch is "Say You Will". The album also includes their last sistah funk single "Hey Mister!" from Feb 2021

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Funk / Jazz Funk
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	BBE
Cat No:	None
Year:	25/06/2021
Value:	£7.99

Michael Mayo [2021] - Bones [Artistry Music]

I listened to this debut album from Michael Mayo a few weeks ago and have resisted posting it as I couldn't really get into it as it's probably more akin to experimental jazz than soul, which is borne out by the fact that it has recently been voted album of the week by Jazz FM. Therefore, it may appeal to some, as it is undoubtedly a well produced album, which, whilst I appreciate, it just doesn't 'float my boat'.

Michael Mayo is the offspring of saxophonist Scott Mayo (who performed with EWF) and Valerie Pinkston (Chapter 8 and now a backing singer for Diana Ross, who has also provided vocals for Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Anita Baker, Will Downing, David Peaston, James Ingram and many others) who both appear on the last track on the album "Hold On".

The 28 yr old was mentored by Herbie Hancock at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz founded in 1986 by Monk's son which is now named after Herbie Hancock since 2019.

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Details

Rating:	7.5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul/Jazz
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Artistry Music
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Value:	£7.99

Kenny Lattimore [2021] - Pressure [Sincere Soul Records]

The latest single from Kenny Lattimore from Washington D.C., "Pressure", was released on 25 Jun 2021.

He broke through in 1996 with the single "Never Too Busy", still one of his best songs, and was famously married to Chante Moore in 2002, who divorced in 2011.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sincere Soul Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	25/06/2021
Key/BPM:	7A/71
Value:	£1