V. Cartier [2021] - Westside [V]

V. Cartier last appeared on the blog in May with his single "Touching". He subsequently released another single "Gonna Do" at the end of July which was a bit too electronica to post. His latest offering "Westside" released 27 Aug 2021) is back to neo soul.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	V
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/08/2021
Key/BPM:	10A/92
Value:	£1

Down To Earth [2021] - Still Ridin' High [Speegra] (Full Album)

Down To Earth are a new duo consisting of Lol (Lawrence Thomas) Williams (vocals) and Stevie Paul (guitar). Although a new duo/group, these guys are no newcomers and are regarded as one of the UK's best vocal/instrumental partnerships. They are/were together in a group called The Unforgettables.

They have supported the likes of Mike & The Mechanics, Incognito, Rick Wakeman, Mary J Blige and Evelyn Glenny and played sessions with Bobby Brown, Blackstreet, Peter Andre, Booker T, Damage and Mary Mason.

Their new album, as Down To Earth, "Still Ridin' High" was released yesterday (10 Sep 2021) and is published by boutique London publishing house Speegra. Steve and Lol wrote all the songs together.

It's a very, very good (no superb!) album. It is so satisfying finding something new that is so good! The sort of album that you can just leave playing without the urge to skip to the next track. I've had the album playing in the background whilst doing this post and can honestly say that there is not a single 'filler' on the whole album, and as for trying to choose a standout track, it's near impossible because all tracks are so good. Very rarely do I rate anything 9 or above but have done so with this album without hesitancy.

It's classic, timeless soul music. If pressed on choosing a standout I would say that "Gimme Tonight" is probably the 'obvious' choice that I think most DJ's will latch onto, with "Riding High" in a similar groove, and "Love Guaranteed" for that matter.

The female vocalist on "Where I Wanna Be" is Bobbie Shepherd, yet another great track!.

UPDATE 23 Sep 2021

Having now listened to the album multiple times, two mellower tracks deserve a mention as they often get overlooked, "Right From The Start" is outstanding as is "Unfortunately True", a song Lol wrote about his daughter. "Everyday" and "I Promise" are also picking up lots of airplay. As I said originally, there is not a bad track on the album!

The album was #1 on the UK Soul Buzz chart and also #1 on Starpoint UK Soul chart breakers on Monday (19 Sep 2021).

UPDATE 27 Sep 2021

"Still Ridin' High" has entered the Starpoint UK Soul Chart straight in at #2 on 27 Sep 2021.

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Details

Rating:	9.5
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Speegra
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Value:	£7.99

Rimon [2021] - Digital Tears [ALLE$ RECORDINGS]

New six track EP from Rimon released  9 Sep 2021.

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Alicia Keys Feat. Swae Lee [2021] - LALA (Unlocked) [RCA]

Alicia Keys is celebrating her twentieth year since debuting in 2001 with "Songs In A Minor". She is not adverse to using a sample or two, one of her best songs, in my view, is "You Don't Know My Name" which sampled The Main Ingredient's "Let Me Prove My Love to You" (written by J.R. Bailey, Ken Williams & Mel Kent). 

Her new single "LALA" featuring Swae Lee is the second in a matter of weeks that borrows from Tyrone Davis' "In The Mood" from 1979. The other being Jewel Booker's "Made It All Up" released in July. So you're in no doubt I've included the original by Tyrone Davis.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	RCA
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/09/2021
Key/BPM:	4B/69
Value:	£1

Reuben James Feat. Jaz Karis [2021] - U Got Me [Rufio Records]

Reuben James follows up his live version of "Tunnel Vision" and his chart topper "Closer" with "U Got Me" released today. He's joined on this track by Jaz Karis from South London.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Rufio Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Key/BPM:	4A/65
Value:	£1

Marshella Muzic [2021] - Moodz [MGL Records] (Full Album)

Singer/songwriter, actress and model Marshella 'Muzic' Griffin is from Bloomington, IN, now residing in L.A. She is a survivor, having been diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer in 2017 to release, what she terms, her freshman album "Moodz" today (10 Sep 2021).  

The standout track from the album "Lazy Sundaze" has already been released as a single (7 May 2021) (which seemed to pass us by) and has a promo video. "SK8" has also been released as a single (2 Jul) which is a bit of an 80s retro groover (also with a promo video). 

Other tracks of interest include "U & Eye", "Happy Daze" and "Best Lyfe", but there are some other nice tracks on a good debut well worth a listen.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	MGL Records (Self Released)
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Value:	£9.99