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Tuesday 21 September 2021

Courtney Rhodes [2021] - Infatuated [S.L.M] (Full EP)


A few weeks old now, released 25 Aug 2021, but a pleasant enough neo soul EP (with an R&B edge) titled "Infatuated" from Courtney Rhodes originally from Houston, TX, but now lives in Atlanta, GA.

The EP consists of five self-written tracks, the best to to my ears are "Are You Ready" and "So High". Both have videos but the one for "So High" is set to premier on 24 Sep 2021.

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Details
Rating: 8
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: EP
Media: Digital
Label: S.L.M
Cat No: None
Date: 25/08/2021
Value: £4.95


Roger Williams [2021-09-19] - The SoulSorts Radio Show [Starpoint #44]


Here's the latest SoulSorts podcast hosted by Roger Williams. He's spent the last ten weeks digging through his archives bringing listeners the best tunes of the 90s. He's now back with up to date releases which is pretty good as he's catching up on the tunes he's missed over the last three months so a good opportunity of reminding yourself of some tunes you may have forgotten already or even missed first time around.

Roger's show is broadcast every Sunday between 22:00-00:00 (GMT) on Starpoint Radio playing his selection of the best new soul and jazz releases.

All podcasts are available from Podomatic and Mixcloud

Roger Williams is a well known name on the UK soul scene not only from attending events, DJing and presenting radio shows since 2005 but also for his graphic design work for magazines and album artwork for Goldmine Records and Expansion and also many independent artists. Our paths crossed over twenty years ago after initially meeting at such events as Soul Essence (Great Yarmouth), Cala Gran (Fleetwood) and Southport Weekenders and I have always respected his taste in music as he doesn't follow the herd, he's his own man and has given exposure to, and championed, new artists such as Jarrod Lawson, Tahirah Memory, Gwendolynn Collins, TanQueray Hayward and Kim Tavar giving them exposure to a worldwide audience via his weekly SoulSorts radio show, now running for over 15 years, to the extent that they are all now well established artists to the UK soul audience.

I asked Roger to provide his 'soul credentials'. Any other DJ's/presenters who would like their shows to feature here then please also provide some background in the first instance. (soulstrutter@gmail.com).

Other presenters featured include Franklin Sinclair, Steve Aggasild, Mark Merry

Startpoint Radio Thames Cruise 18 Sep 2021

Background

Roger is from Kendal (Cumbria) and started collecting soul/disco music in 1978. At that time there were no dedicated soul radio stations (although like many of us he tuned in to very poor reception on Radio Luxembourg in the vague attempt to hear 'some') - there were also no specialist soul record shops where he lived so he bought all of his new found love of soul and disco records ‘blind’ following recommendations and playlists from the big names at the time, Pete Tong, Jeff Young, Robbie Vincent, Colin Curtis etc, always felt safe with their recommendations.

He moved to Bournemouth and then London and a whole new world of music opened up having access to the Bournemouth Soul Centre, and then in London it was Groove Records, Record Shack, City Sounds, Bluebird and all the other little import shops dotted about. He was a regular listener to Robbie Vincent, Jeff Young and Greg Edwards and a host of pirate stations and bought records incessantly week in week out having developed a serious passion for all things black music.

He moved back to his home of Kendal and in the mid/late 80s discovered that wonderful man Dean Johnson and his Expansion Records shop in Manchester, Richard Searling’s radio shows and columns in Blues & Soul and in turn the immense Parkers gig in Manchester, and then subsequently met his wife Collette and started doing the Southport weekenders when it was a soul weekender twice a year, first one in 1989 witnessing the likes of Regina Belle, Rockie Robbins and all the big names they had on during the years he went, watching artists like Sam Dees, Garland Green, Dramatics, Prince Gideon, Glenn Jones and so many others soul superstars.

In the early to mid 90s he moved to Merseyside to live and discovered the rare soul scene and some amazing north west people who shared their music, none of which he'd ever heard, it was a whole new exciting world of music to discover.  After a visit to Goldmine Records in Shambles Square he got involved doing artwork with Andy Love’s excellent Love Music Review magazine which led onto Tom Smith from the shop asking if he'd like to do a Goldmine CD artwork and that kicked off what is currently nearly a quarter of a century of soul music design work for Goldmine, Kev Roberts and Richard Searling and their Togetherness magazines. In 2000 he was contacted by Ralph Tee asking if he'd be interested in doing Expansion work which he's still very proud and honoured to be still doing today. Along the way he has worked with Dome Records, Funkytowngrooves and lifelong soul man and legendary Blues & Soul columnist David Nathan on just about every one of his Soulmusic Records CD reissue projects and box sets.  Roger is currently working on music graphics and album covers for indie artists on a regular basis, forging very strong personal relationships with them all. He is particularly proud of his association with the great Preston Glass in particular.

Roger first started club DJ'ing in 1990 for Eddy Edmondson in Kendal and then with the KRL (Kev Roberts) / RS (Richard Searling) / Togetherness connection he got on board their line ups as a modern soul DJ and did the Togetherness all nighters, Cala Gran Weekenders and then the amazing Luxury Soul Weekenders at Blackpool and Birmingham of which he is one of a small handful of DJ's to have done every one to this day and of course still producing all the design graphics and programmes.  Since the late 90s he has been resident and guest at most quality modern soul or northern/modern two room events up and down the UK, Soul Underground, Bass Museum, Hardinge Arms, Prestwich, Lowton, Lightwater, Vybe, Freestylin’ and many more, mainly playing new/upfront soul but also the quality side of classic 70s and 80s vinyl in more recent times at venues and weekenders in the north west UK where he still lives. 

'Soulsorts' started as a website in 2004 and entered radio in 2005 on Starpoint Radio, subsequently moving to Solar Radio for a good few years in various timeslots, but because of the work commitments it wasn’t always possible for him to commit to regular shows so he has moved around a few stations for short periods of time, Stomp Radio, Brian Hurst’s SoulAndJazz, Hot FM, Mike Shaft's reactivated Sunset Radio in 2015 and then onto MiSoul Connoisseurs which became Global Soul and then in 2018 he returned to Starpoint Radio where he is currently producing a weekly Soulsorts Sunday Soul Collection and a monthly Wednesday Wind Down Zone and championing and supporting new artists he believes in, he is very proud of his connection in particular with James Day and Jarrod Lawson amongst others.

Roger’s shows are current every Sunday on Starpoint Radio 10pm til midnight UK time where he varies the playlists between the quality side of classic 70s 80s and 90s, 2000s and his pick of what he believes is the best quality current and recent music. He also hosts the final Starpoint Radio Wednesday Wind Down Rotation of each month featuring his great love of the mellow side of all era quality soul music.


Listen to the latest show below or click image to head over to Podomatic to listen.


The Soulsorts Radio Show & Podcast 2021 #44

The Paradise Projex - Feels Like Home (EP: The Paradise Projex)
Rasmus Faber feat. Dyanna Fearon - All Of My Dreams (BBQ '79 Mix)
The Paradise Projex - For This Love (EP: The Paradise Projex)
Nigel Hall feat. Patrice Rushen - Baby I Do Love You (Album: Spiritual)
Leela James - Rise N Shine (Album: See Me)
Carmichael Musiclover - Know You Better (Album: Slow Motion)
NexXup - Remain Friends (Album: Regi Myrix presents Black Buttah 2)
Maurice J - No Matter How Far (Album: Love Language)
Castella feat. Willie Bradley - So Glad I Met You
Pharez Whitted feat. Opal Staples - Perfect Stranger [Remix] (Album: Pharaoh Smooth)
Chan Hall feat. Robbie Cunningham - Find Myself (Album: Somethin’ 2 Prove)
Lin Rountree/Lindsey Webster - Me For Me (Album: Fluid) 2021
Lalah Hathaway & Robert Glasper - Show Me Your Soul
Garcia Walker & Durrell - Just Gotta To Have You (Album: Garcia Walker & Durrell)
Regi Myrix feat. Hil St Soul - In My Groove (Album: Regi Myrix presents Black Buttah 2)
Earth, Wind & Fire feat. Lucky Daye - You Want My Love
B. Golden feat. Rob Cunningham - When You Touch Me
Carmichael Musiclover - Summer Breeze (Album: Slow Motion)
Vula - Dreaming
Penzillathegreat - Stay a Little While
Marshella Muzic - U & Eye (Album: Moodz) 
Wendy B. - Vibe With Me (Album: Here 2 Stay)
LaTanya Hughes - Too Grown
Samm Henshaw - Grow (Album: Grow)
Durand Jones & The Indications - Love Will Work It Out (Album: Private Space)
Bridge City Revival & Ronnie Wright - Good Love (Album: Introducing Bridge City Revival)
Nigel Hall - Yesterday (Album: Spiritual)


The Lance Alexander Project [2021] - Whipped [Baby Honey Records]


The man behind the The Lance Alexander Project is producer Lance Mark Alexander. Whist this is a debut release for this entity he has been on the music scene for nearly 30 years and worked with Jimmy Jam Harris and Terry Lewis in a group/team called The Flow in the 90s as well as Lo-Key?.

He's worked with artists such as Alexander O'Neal, The Sound Of Blackness, Caron Wheeler, Janet Jackson, Ce Ce Penistone and Raja-Nee' who has very recently made a comeback.

The debut release from The Lance Alexander Project, "Whipped", (released 27 Aug 2021) has an old school, 90s, vibe which I believe will be the title track from a forthcoming album.

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


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Details
Rating: 7.8
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Baby Honey Records
Cat No: None
Date: 25/08/2021
Key/BPM: 1B/84
Value: £1.98


The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 33 2021 Sep (week 37)


A blended, 42 minute, non-stop, mix of the best new releases last week (Sep 2021 week 37) based on the 'The Dirty Dozen' published 19 Sep 2021

NB Mix is now also available on YouTube

Tracklist 
(with links to original posts)

Sophia Cruz - Next Life
Indigo Rose - Baesong
Jeanine Parker - Apply Pressure
Chanel Fyffe - Hard
Hunter Rose - Get It
Stockley Feat. Snoop Dogg - Jeopardy:Verbalize
Jaszy Shavers - Gotta Know
Sophia Cruz - Another You
Vince Bryant - Gitwitu
Lori Wall - Ride This Wave
Jynn Cole - Honey Fall
Erica LeShai - Healer
Anthony Lyric - That's Life


Previous mixes:


Mel & Tim [2021] - Mel & Tim [Concord Music Group] (Full Album)


Mel & Tim have a special place in my memory as it was one of the first records I bought as a youth cutting my teeth on soul (and still own to this day) with their "Backfield In Motion" (1969). You never hear it played anymore and sits right in the 'beach' category nowadays but got plays on the Northern Soul scene 'in the day'. It was their biggest chart success reaching #3 R&B and #10 billboard hot 100 but did nothing in the UK, hence being picked up on by the UK NS scene.

Mel & Tim were cousins Mel Hardin and Tim McPherson from Holly Springs, Mississippi. They were discovered by Gene Chandler after they moved to Chicago. "Backfield In Motion" was one of several (around seven)  singles they released on Chicago label Bamboo (owned by Hardin's mother Yolanda) in the late 60s before they were signed to the legendary Stax label. They recorded two albums at Stax, "Starting All Over Again" (1972) and "Mel & Tim" (1973). 

The latter has just been digitally reissued in the US (3 Sep 2021).  It contains a few of tracks of interest to the UK rare soul scene i.e. "Keep The Faith" which, had it had a faster tempo, would probably have cult status to the NS scene as 'Keep The Faith' was a term adopted by it in the 70s, but it's still a wonderful mid-tempo, soulful,  crossover style tune. The others being their version of the Phillip Mitchell song "It's Those Little Things That Count" also recorded by him, The Artistics and John Edwards (lead singer with The Spinners) all previously in 1972 and the up-tempo "Forever And A Day". There is a cover of The Staples Singers "Yes We Can" which is the only song on the album not written by Phillip Mitchell, Allen Toussaint penned it. Another outstanding cut is the soulful ballad "That's The Way I Want To Live My Life". All highlighted tracks also saw release on Stax 45s, except "Keep The Faith" which is album only. "Forever And A Day" was paired with "That's The Way I Want To Live My Life" on 45 and is well worth picking up if you find one but prices are rising, a near mint copy is currently one on sale on Discogs for £85.

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Details
Rating: 8.4
Genre/Style: Classic Soul / Reissue
Format: Album
Media: Digital
Label: Concord Music Group (Stax Reissue)
Cat No: None
Date: 03/09/2021
Value: $5.99


Brave Williams [2021] - Don't Tell Me No [Brave New World]


I'm a little confused about this release as I'm pretty sure Brave Williams' "Don't Tell Me No" was released in Aug 2020 as I posted it in March 2021 along with a new video for it that she had just been posted on her YouTube channel. I've just noticed that it was (re) issued on 7 Aug 2021. So I'm not sure if it was withdrawn (as I can't find any trace of it now from 2020) or is just being repromoted?

Christina 'Brave' Williams hails from Baltimore, MA, and started out with a group called Richgirl along with Sevyn (Amber) Streeter between 2007-11 who released only a few singles but had prepared an album that didn't get released. She is also an actress who has appeared in several TV movies and series (IMDB).

The song featured in The Dirty Dozen wk10 in mid March.

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Details
Rating: 8.6
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Brave New World (Self Released)
Cat No: None
Date: 07/08/2021
Key/BPM: 12B/66
Value: £1


William Stuckey [2021] Love Of Mine [Athens Of The North] (Full Album)


I realised when posting the William Stuckey single that, although I posted the "Love Of Mine" album prior to it's release on 29 Jan 2021, I didn't post the full album (it was pre-Spotify embedding days on here), so here is the full album.

This is William Stuckey's only album released on Fayetteville, Arkansas based label Simplex in 1979, which may well have been his own label as only this album and his only single "Razorback" (1980) were released on it.

The album contains the full 7:31 version of "The First Time" whereas the single version is only 4:25. There is just about something for everyone on the album as it contains modern soul, rare groove, funk and soulful ballads and even a bit of an excursion into disco with the title track! I don't know why, but Jimmy James & The Vagabonds sprung to mind whilst listening to the title track so I guess it must have reminded me of some of his recordings.

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Details
Rating: 7.9
Genre/Style: Modern Soul
Format: Album
Media: Digital/CD/Vinyl
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 29/01/2021
Value: £8 / £89.17 / £17.50


William Stuckey [2021] My First Time [Athens Of The North]


Back in Jan 2021 Edinburgh based label, Athens Of The North, reissued William Stuckey's one and only 1979 album "Love Of Mine". It is available in three formats, digital, CD and vinyl.
 . 
On Friday (17 Sep 2021) they also reissued the lead single "My First Time" digitally and on 7" vinyl, which has an instrumental flip side in both formats . They vinyl release is available from Athens Of The North BandCamp store.

The track is regarded as a rare groove / modern soul classic in UK rare soul circles and this is the first time it's been available on 7" vinyl.

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Details
Rating: 8.8
Genre/Style: Modern Soul / Rare Groove
Format: Single
Media: Digital/7"
Label: Athens Of The North
Cat No: ATH114
Date: 17/09/2021
Key/BPM: 7B/82
Value: £1.38 / £9.16