Anthony Lyric [2021] - With You in Mind [DevMarAnt Ent] (Full Album)

Anthony Lyric (aka Dominic Anthony) is a relatively new artist, originally from Philadelphia, who has released half a dozen singles since 2018. "With You in Mind" is his debut album released on Friday (13 Sep 2021). Surprisingly, for a debut, only one of the singles, "In My Bed" released earlier this year, appears on the album.

Of the twelve tracks there are 4 interludes/outros. My choice cut would be "That's Life" followed by "What I Did" and "Love Me Do". "When You Get Home" is 'not bad' but the remainder lean too much towards R&B for my own taste, but you may like them.

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / R&B
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	DevMarAnt Ent
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/09/2021
Value:	£1

Liquid Spirits [2021] - Mama's House [Outlaw Records]

Amsterdam group Liquid Spirits featured on the blog in June with their last single "It's Not Fair". Their latest single "Mama's House" (released 20 Aug 2021) is quite a bit departure being more of a nu funk sound which has shades of Jamiroquai about it (or at least that's what springs to my mind when listening to it) which will give you an idea what to expect. 

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	NuFunk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Outlaw Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/08/2021
Key/BPM:	13B/106
Value:	£1

The Reflex [2021] - HPYFLNG / STRTGY [Revision Records #REVREC008]

It seems that we are having a bit of a retro day, albeit via new releases. The latest in the chain are two reworkings of a couple of 70s tunes by French (Avignon) remixer, based in London since 1998, The Reflex (aka Nicolas Laugier).

He's reworked/revised (as his mixes are known as The Reflex Revision) EWF's Happy Feelin' (HPYFLG) from their 1975 album "That's The Way Of The World" and Archie Bell's Strategy (STRTGY) from their 1979 album of the same name.

These have been around a while, at least a year, but he's releasing them on a vinyl 12" on 19 Nov 2021 available from your chosen vinyl retailer but available from Simply Soul if you don't have one.

If you like what he's done with these two tracks then I also posted his revision of Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" in the Diplomats Of Soul post for "Someday" uploaded earlier today. You can also go to his SoundCloud page where he's uploaded loads of mixes (link at foot of page) .. but be warned it's addictive ... you could be there some time!

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The Reflex · Earth, Wind & Fire - Happy Feelin' [The Reflex Revision]

The Reflex · Archie Bell - Strategy [The Reflex Revision]

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	70s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	12"
Label:	Revision Records
Cat No:	REVREC008
Date:	19/11/2021
Value:	£11

James Iwa [2021] - Beamin' [Self Released] (Full Album)

James Iwa (Jérémie Krüttli) is a producer/bassist from Switzerland who debuted only this year. He's released five singles so far and "Beamin'" is his inaugural album (released on Friday (10 Sep 2021)) which contains his last three singles ("Need Me To" (20 Aug), "Who Cares" (30 Jul) and "Show Me The Way" (11 Jun)). 

All but two tracks have featured artists, the two that don't are instrumentals. The standout track, for me, is "Need Me Too" which features Swiss gospel singer Caroline Nukala. 

I'm afraid that the only other track that appeals to this listener is "Sunshine" featuring MISS C-LINE (which was played as one of 'The Essential 5' on last week's Global Soul chart). However, I feel  that it starts off quite well but 'derails' half way through and loses it's way and sounds 'messy', to my ears at least, which are the only ones I've got!.

I considered just posting the one track but will let you make up your own mind on the reminder of the album.

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Details

Rating:	7.1 (for album) / 7.7 (for Need Me To)
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Key/BPM:	11A/80
Value:	£7.99

VA [2021] - This Is Lowrider Soul Vol 2 [Kent #CDKEND-497] (Full Album)

The first volume of "This Is Lowrider Soul", compiled by Sean Hampsey (UK soul aficionado and owner of Diggin' Deep label) and Ruben Molina (one of the Californian syndicate  Southern Soul Spinners), was released back in Jan 2019. The second volume is set for release on 20 Oct 2021 by Kent (£11.50 and free delivery in UK). Both volumes contain 24 tracks, so not even 50p a track .. you know it makes sense and why not order the first volume at the same time?  There must be thousands of pounds worth of tunes (on original vinyl) spread over both volumes.

On the new edition all, bar one, have been released in one format or another over the years, mainly vinyl originally, but many have also seen a CD issue on various compilations and 19 of the 24 tracks I've managed to find on Spotify. 

The previously unreleased track is from Detroit's Brothers Of Soul (aka renown songwriters Fred Bridges, Richard Knight and Bobby Eaton) with an unissued side titled "Can't Nobody" recorded in 1969 for Galaxy. Of the remaining four, not available on Spotify, I've provided links to the tracks on YouTube except for The Magicians from San Francisco with "Trust In Me" as it hasn't been uploaded and is only available, as far as I can tell, on a Kent CD compilation, "Hitsville West: San Francisco's Uptown Soul" released in 2007.

There's some killer tunes on this compilation, but my favourite has to be the sublime "Little Girl" by Darrow Fletcher who has featured on this blog several times including his full discography.

Track list 

NB  those with links are to YouTube clips (3), those without (19) are in the Spotify playlist above except those marked with # (2) which are not available on either but 30 second sound samples are available on Kent's website which I've linked to.

.

01/ The Exceptions - So Much In Love

02/ Lee Williams & The Cymbals - Please Say It Isn't So

03/ The Vanguards - Somebody Please

04/ The Hesitations - Yes I'm Ready

05/ Barbara Mason - You Never Loved Me (At All)

06/ The Ethics - Sad Sad Story

07/ The Sparkels - Try Love (One More Time)

08/ The Manhattans - Follow Your Heart - 

09/ The Lovers - Someone

10/ Darrow Fletcher - Little Girl

11/ Dee Torres - I Want You

12/ The Superbs - It Hurts So Much

13/ The Larks  - I Want You (Back)

#14/  The Magicians - Trust In Me

15/ The Hyperions - Believe In Me

16/ The Persians - Here It Comes

#17/ Brothers Of Soul - Can't Nobody (Previously Unreleased)

18/ The Radiations - That's The Way Our Love Is

19/ The Mark-Keys - My Sweet Baby

20/ The Perfections - Don't Take Your Love From Me

21 / Little Ben & The Cheers - (I'm Not Ready To) Settle Down

22/ Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr - You Can't Blame Me

23/ Houston Outlaws - What Am I Going To Do

24/ Soul Sensations - A Man That Is Not Free

Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Lowrider/ Sweet Soul Harmony
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	Kent
Cat No:	CDKEND-497
Date:	20/10/2021
Value:	£11.50

Simpson Uniquity Feat. Diplomats Of Soul [2016] - Running Away (Funky Vibes) [Expansion #7XE00]

Whilst on the subject of Expansion (from previous Diplomats of Soul post), I've also noticed that  they have made available this cover of Roy Ayers 1979 jazz/funk 'monster' "Running Away" which I consider one of the best of the genre and remember many hours spent bopping away to this in my youth.

'Buckle in' and give "Running Away (Funky Vibes)" by Simpson Uniquity Feat. Diplomats Of Soul a whirl and I invite you to try and keep you toes still! 

Originally released in 2016, it's available on 7" vinyl (£10) in very limited quantity (only 4 left according to BandCamp!). It's also available digitally (£2).

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Jazz Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/7"
Label:	Expansion
Cat No:	7XE00
Date:	2016/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£2/£10

Diplomats Of Soul [2006] - Someday [Expansion]

Ralph Tee of Expansion records is gradually uploading much of the Expansion back catalogue to BandCamp. This one came up this morning, originally released in 2006. I am 'guessing' that this may be the first digital release (don't quote me), or perhaps just a reissue, of these mixes of Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" by Diplomats of Soul, who are Ralph Tee and Mike Allin with help for friends i.e. Bluey and Incognito with lead vocals by Noel McKoy.

There are three different mixes of "Someday" (original, Yam Who Mix, Notenshun Mix) along with a jazz funk instrumental "From Here On"

Available digitally from Expansion BandCamp store for £2

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UPDATE Whilst looking for something else from The Reflex I came across this from last year, so rather than putting it in another post, I thought here would be appropriate.

The Reflex · Donny Hathaway - Someday We'll All Be Free [The Reflex Revision]

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Soulful House
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Expansion
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/02/2006 / 15/09/2021 (reissued)
Key/BPM:	2B/120
Value:	£2

Block Street Sound [2021] - I'm Out To Catch [Beachgroove Records]

A cover of Leon Haywood's 1983 boogie/funk track "I'm Out To Catch" by Block Street Sound released today (15 Sep 2021). 

It's the nineteenth single released by this outfit this year (nothing prior) all which seem to be of a similar ilk i.e. disco/funk/boogie.

It's puzzling why the Leon Haywood version is credited to him as he doesn't sing on the track, the lead vocalist is Karen Roberts, Haywood just produced it. The 7" 45 credits Leon Haywood Featuring Karen Roberts but the 12" makes no reference to her. It was big tune in the clubs 'back in the day'.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Funk Boogie / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Beachgroove Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/09/2021
Key/BPM:	10A/117
Value:	£1