Javon Watson [2021] - Kissing You [Exotic Soul Records]

Javon Watson aka The Javon Watson Experience is from Chicago and performs regularly around the Chicago area. He released a debut EP "It's All About You" in  2014 and has just released a new single "Kissing You" on Friday (16 Jul 2021).

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Exotic Soul Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/07/2021
Key/BPM:	10A/80
Value:	£1

James Vickery [2021] - Songs That Made Me Feel [TH3RD BRAIN] (Full Album)

Having already notched up almost two dozen singles and a pair of EPs since debuting in 2016, South Londoner James Vickery released his full length debut album, "Songs That Made Me Feel", on Friday (16 Jul 2021).

Five of the tracks have already been released as singles earlier this year i.e. "Somewhere, Out There", (Jan)  "Come To Me" (Feb),  "Hourglass" (Apr), "You Comfort Me" (Jun) and "Finally" (Jul) and it looks like "Save You" is the current single.

It's a strong album with two or three other good tracks not yet released as singles including "All That I Am" and "Street Lights". which are my choice cuts from the whole album. He also includes "Until Morning" which was one of his early singles from 2018 which he performed on a COLORS session which got him noticed. 

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Details

Rating:	8.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	TH3RD BRAIN
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/07/2021
Value:	£7.99

Claire Atherton [2021] - Background [Self Released]

With a name like Atherton I just knew she had to be English! Claire Atherton is from Birmingham but moved to Brighton in 2018. "Background" is her debut recording released  last Friday (16 Jul 2021).

She's always had a love of soul music and appreciates the intricate R&B vocals so decided to write songs that combined the genres. Thankfully she hasn't gone too far over to the 'dark side' and retains the soulfulness on her debut single. 

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/07/2021
Key/BPM:	10A/61
Value:	£1

Maurice J [2021] - Love Language [Self Released] (Full EP)

A seven track EP from Maurice J titled "Love Language" was released 11 Jul 2021. I 'presumed' it to be a debut as I could find no info about him nor any other material under his name (but of course he may have recorded with another name?).

Listening to his voice I couldn't accept that this was a debut release as his voice is too good and 'seasoned'. So, from digging around and finding his facebook page, his full name is Maurice Jabobs and, if he's the same artist, has been singing backing vocals and doing production for many years, as far back as 1995 (click on Discogs icon below). Curiously, and coincidentally, he sang the vocals on Andre Ward's version of "Holding Back The Years" in 2004 (from "Steppin' Up") which I've been researching for a version excursion since posting Gene-o's (Eugene Cole) version of it last week.

He released an album titled "Devoted" in 2001 which is not on Spotify but several tracks are on YT.

This is a good album. It's laid back and mellow traditional, yet contemporary, soul music. I think my favourite track is the title track, "Love Language", but I just left it playing and didn't feel the need to skip any of the tracks which is always a good sign of a great album. "Good Girl" and "No Matter How Far" (a more uptempo stepper) are other standout tracks. On some of the tracks his voice sounds similar to Will Downing, he also look a bit like him on the cover photo!.

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Details

Rating:	8.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	11/07/2021
Value:	£6.93

2b3 & Chanté Marie [2021] - 2090' [2B3 Records] (Full EP)

Chanté Marie is from East London and is the daughter of Patrick Berry the co-founder (with Neil Kenlock) of London radio station Choice FM. 

She has collaborated with London urban producer Neville '2b3' Thomas to produce her debut 5 track EP "2090's" which was released on 16 Jul 2021.

The best tracks are the first two, "T L T C" and "Back Together", as the others are more R&B oriented.

Choice FM was the UK's first licensed independent black music station. It was launched in Brixton and started broadcasting on 31 Mar 1990. Capital radio (part of Global radio) acquired Choice FM in 2004 and it was rebranded as Capital Xtra in Oct 2013, much to the displeasure of the black community it was originally intended to serve, as many of the original DJ's were sacked.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	2B3 Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/07/2021
Value:	£4.95