JUSTINRAYNARD. [2021] - Who Do U Think U R ? [Self Released] (Full Album)

Justin Raynard Hicks (aka JUSTINRAYNARD. note the 'period' at the end is important to him) released a debut single, "What U Made Me", earlier this year along with "In My Own Mind" (on 4 Jun) and has followed the singles up with a full length album released yesterday (2 Jul 2021), both singles appear on the album. 

It's a mixed bag with a lot of R&B/hip-hop, but where he excels is on the slow jams.  There's some nice jazz trumpet on some of the tracks (e.g. "Really Wanna Know") which I believe is Justin playing as he played the "Theme From Shaft" at the TvOne Jazz Trumpet Awards in 2011 aged just 15.

He was born in Dallas, TX, and moved to Memphis, TN, aged 7. Since 2016 he has starred in many stage productions in the Memphis theatre district.

The standout tracks for me are the mellow slow jams "In My Own Mind", "Honestly", "Pause" and "Equal".

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	02/07/2021
Value:	£7.99

Jb Rose [2021] - Gold (2b3 Rare Groove Remix) [High Pitch]

South Londoner Jb Rose released thIs tune back on 30 Apr but it has been given a 2b3 Rare Groove Remix and released yesterday (2 Jul 2021).

She is also working on an album which will be titled 'Jubilee'.

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

Details

Rating:	7.9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	High Pitch
Cat No:	None
Year:	30/04/2021
Key/BPM:	8B/106
Value:	£1

Short Sharp Scratch [2021] - Go Anywhere (Patawawa Remix) [Self Released]

Short Sharp Scratch is the music of Brighton based songwriter/producer Jak Chantler and features former EWF musical director Mo Pleasure on keyboards. This track was originally released last year and gets a Patawawa remix (who are nu disco trio Sam Wilmot, Rory Lovatt, and Beth Garrett, the latter, I 'presume', is the vocalist on this track?). I have to say the remix is much better than the original.

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

Details

Rating:	7.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	21/06/2021
Key/BPM:	3B/110
Value:	£1

Brooke Combe - [2021] - A-Game [Island]

When I looked up this artist I noticed that she had released "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" so immediately though O Oh!, until I realised that she is Scottish (from Edinburgh), and of course that song was adopted by Scottish football supporters when the team sang it after qualifying for the Euros. Those of us who are old enough to remember it first time around know that it is a cheesy Euro-disco tune by a Spanish duo called Baccara from 1977.

It transpires that Brooke Combe is a social media 'covers star' who's amassed a massive following but has only just started to release material commercially, with YSICB being released on 11 Jun to coincide with the the start of the Euros. Her first release in  April, "Are You With Me", was an original song written by her which is a pop tune.

The featured song was also written by her and released by Island via Universal, so she's managed to sign a contract with one of the big boys from starting off doing videos from her bedroom!

The tune is difficult to pigeon-hole but has a retro feel and her vocals are pretty soulful.

The NME interviewed her on 4 May 2021.

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

Details

Rating:	7.3
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Island
Cat No:	None
Year:	01/07/2021
Key/BPM:	7A/65
Value:	£1

Natalie May [2021] - Blossom [Self Released] (Full EP)

London based Natalie May is probably best known for her hit funky house club anthem with Rudimental “Sexy Sexy” from 2009. 

She's just released a new four track EP "Blossom" on 24 Jun 2021, from which it would appear the lead single is "By Your Side" on the basis that there is a video for it. All songs on the EP were written by her under the moniker Natalie Walker.

In early 2020 (before the dreaded lockdown) she supported Teedra Moses and Robert Glasper on their UK tours

Apparently, her sound is dubbed as Lo-fi Soul as if we need yet another label/sub-category!

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	28/06/2021
Value:	£13.49