Jennifer Hudson [2021] - Ain't No Way [Epic]

The third single to be pre-released from the "Respect" soundtrack by Jennifer Hudson was set loose on 6 Aug 2021. It's one of Aretha's iconic songs, "Ain't No Way" written by her sister Carolyn which was first released in 1968.

No further introduction needed, JHud does a good job.

In 'theory', the full 18 track soundtrack is due for release on Friday 13 Aug 2021 to coincide with the movie premier, but has been delayed previously due to the pandemic, so we shall see!

I've included all three tracks released so far below. Refer to previously posted single "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" for further details.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Epic
Cat No:	None
Date:	06/08/2021
Key/BPM:	5B/72
Value:	£1

Gallant & Brandy [2021] - Dynamite (Neptune LP) [Self Released]

"Dynamite" came out on the album "Neptune" released 26 Apr 2021. A new video has just been produced for it and premiered on 28 Jul 2021 which suggests that it may be being promoted as a new single

Christopher Joseph Gallant III is from Columbia, MA. and debut in 2014 with a self-released EP "Zebra".

Brandy (Brandy Ryana Norwood) emerged in 1994 with a worldwide hit  with her first single "I Wanna Be Down" when she was only 15 yrs old.

It's a very nice R&B flavoured ballad. Brandy doesn't appear until nearly two minutes in.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album Track / Single?
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/07/2021
Key/BPM:	1A/81
Value:	£1

Golden Browne [2021] - Erasure [HipNOTT Records]

Golden Browne are Columbia Nights (John E Daise, Jason “BrotherSpanky” Edwards, Hayling) and Jenna Camille from Washington D.C.

This is only their second single (released 6 Aug 2021), their other "My Mama Said" was released last month, but they have a self-titled 'debut' album due on 17 Sep 2021. There is also another 'album' from them ("Bright Moments") released last year but each track is only 1 min long so I assume it's some sort of sampler/demo?.

They state in the video description that "“Erasure” is a love letter to our village, which remains vibrant despite the forces that would have us disappear. We demand to be seen and will not be erased". 

It's a protest song about 'gentrification' of their area (i.e. the process by which a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, attracting new businesses and often displacing current inhabitants in the process).

I can't help but be reminded of Soul II Soul's 90s sound from listening to this!

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	HipNOTT Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	06/08/2021
Key/BPM:	4B/90
Value:	£1

Will Downing [2021] - The Warmth Of You [Sophisticated Soul]

A new release from Will Downing is always highly anticipated and this one is no exception or disappointment, to the contrary, another winner methinks.

"The Warmth Of You" will be his first release since "The Song Garden" from Jan this year and is due out on Friday (oh dear! Friday the 13th Aug 2021) but you can get it before then directly from his website if you can't wait that long!

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sophisticated Soul
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/08/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1 /$2.50

Phil Perry [2021] - Dreaming's Out Of Season '15 [Self Released]

This has appeared in the Amazon hot new release chart today at #28 from Phil Perry with a release date of 14 Jul 2021, which surprised me when I saw it as the clue is in the title "Dreaming's Out Of Season '15" as it was released in 2015 on his "A Better Man" album. It is, of course, a song he wrote and recorded originally with The Montclairs (who I did a feature on in 2009) and was the title track of their only album from 1972 on Paula.

I can only 'presume' that it has been reissued. I'm not going to question it, as any excuse to post material from this superb vocalist is enough for me. 

I've waxed lyrical about Phil Perry before, but in my opinion he must be one of the most overlooked male soul vocalists, apart from in soul circles of course, although 'finally' in 2019 he has been inducted into the RnB Hall of Fame along with other such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, David Ruffin, Martha Reeves, Ray Parker Jr. and Carl Carlton. 

The guy should be a household name, like the others, but I bet if you asked the man in the street he wouldn't know of him. I guess a lot of it is down to luck and having that one big hit to get known but he is a highly respected and in demand session singer who many have probably heard on others records without even realising it. Some of the artists whose albums he's appeared on includes  Anita Baker, Bobby Womack, George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart, Howard Hewett, Deniece Williams, Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, The Crusaders, Lee Ritenour, Leon Haywood, Johnny Mathis, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones, George Duke and those are just from the 80s ... need I go on? He finally took the plunge to go solo in 1991.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/07/2021
Key/BPM:	3B/70
Value:	£1