Anthony Hamilton [2021] - Love Is The New Black [BMG] (Full Album)

The long awaited new album "Love Is The New Black" from Anthony Hamilton drops tomorrow (24 Sep 2021). It's his first since "What I'm Feeling" in 2016.

Here's a sneak preview before release. Note that it will be replaced with Spotify links when released tomorrow!

His attire on the cover and the main thrust of the album has a 70s retro, almost southern soul feel, excluding a couple of tracks featuring rap. He can't be accused of being 'too commercial' as this album is full of deep cuts.

The standouts, apart from the title track (obviously), includes a cover of Luther's "Superstar" on which he duets with Jennifer Hudson (written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell and although The Carpenters is considered the 'definitive' version theirs was by no means the first recording of it as Delaney & Bonnie, Cher and Rita Coolidge recorded it before them). 

The first single to be released from the album "You Made A Fool Out Of Me" and "Mercy" released as a single last year (11 Dec). "I Thought We Were In Love" borrows the melody from HM & The Blue Notes "I Miss You" (which would be my 'choice cut' but then again I do love the original!) and finally "I Threw It All Away".

The other tracks aren't 'instant' and I think it's an album you need to listen to properly and a few times to fully appreciate. I'll come back once I've full digested all 14 tracks!

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Retro Soul / Deep Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/09/2021
Value:	£8.69

Izo Fizroy & Abi Farrell Live in London 28th Oct 2021

I've made no secret of my liking for Izo Fitzroy, her last two singles have been criminally overlooked by the majority, in my view, especially "Everybody Knows This Ain't Right". 

She is holding a 'belated' launch gig for her latest album "How The Mighty Fall" at Oslo in Hackney (London) on 28 Oct 2021 with Big-AC artist Abi Farrell supporting her. Tickets are only £10 (click on ad below to book tickets).

The album was actually released in 2020 but presumably she was unable to promote it due to Covid.

Abi Farrell released her debut single on Big-AC in Feb 2021 "Empowered" c/w "I Will See You Through"

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/03/2020
Value:	£7.99

Queen Sade Nicole [2021] - Let Me Talk to 'Em for You [Self Released]

Queen Sade Nicole appears to be a new artist and presumably "Let Me Talk to 'Em for You" is, not only her debut album but also, her debut release. She is from West Palm Beach, FL where she runs runs a couple of beauty salons.

The lead track "Wait Until Tonight" samples Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" from "The Poet" (1981) along with Freddie Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight" (1985) on the last track "Rock With Me" (video below) which has a 'ragga' feel.

I think the standout track is "Flexxx" with "Never Go Broke Again" and "Usss" possibly appealing to those who like the deeper, southern side of soul. Most of the other tracks are hip-hop!

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Samples / Hip-hop
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/09/2021
Value:	£7.99

The Soul Strutter Mid Week Mix 2021 Wk38

As there's not a great deal of interest being released so far this week I thought I bring you a little treat. A 60 minute (58:43 if we're splitting hairs!) blended mix of some of the best tunes around so far this month.

The mix kicks off with a couple of album tracks which I feel may be getting overlooked in favour of some of the more up-tempo numbers on the respective albums and then we 'get into it'! 

If you haven't 'properly' listened to Carmichael Musiclover's "Time For The Sunshine" then please do as I personally think it's the best track on a superb album. It 'moves' me every time I listen to it, such an incredibly soulful song! Likewise Down To Earth with the mellow and soulful "Right From The Start". I'm sorry, but 'you guys' (you know who you are!) that state that they aren't soulful are obviously not hearing what I'm hearing!

Tracklist (with links to original post)

Down To Earth - Right From The Start

Carmichael Musiclover  - Time For The Sunshine

Vince Bryant - Gitwitu

Stockley Feat. Snoop Dogg - Jeopardy:Verbalize

Elaine E'ssential - Dreamin'

Wendy B. - Vibe with Me

Cha Star - Vibe

Hunter Rose & Clap Cotton - Get It

Gary 'Lil G' Jenkins - That's My Baby

LeVelle Feat. Anthony Hamilton - Fell In Love

Marshella Muzic - U & Eye

Cynthia Jones - Ain't No Half Steppin

JKabel - Anchor

Jynn Cole - Honey Fall

Lori Wall - Ride This Wave

Jaszy Shavers - Gotta Know

Gabriels [2021] - Blame [Parlophone]

Gabriels release their new single "Blame" today (23 Sep 2021) which is from their forthcoming  EP due in November.

You will (or should) of course know them from their recent EP which featured "Love And Hate In Different Time" (video live (lockdown) on Later Jools Holland below) which has had several different remixes. "Alternate Mix", "Kerri Chandler Remix". The single was originally posted back in January.

Gabriels are an L.A. based trio consisting of lead vocalist Jacob Lusk, Ari Balouzian and Ryan Hope.

Jacob Lusk is a gospel singer who has been leading congregations across California for several years and is now one of the state's most respected young gospel singers. He has sung background vocals for the likes of Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Nate Dogg, Ledisi and Beck.

The Gabriels have collected Sir Elton John as one of their fans who stated that their breakthrough single "Love & Hate In A Different Time"  was "probably one of the most seminal records I’ve heard in the last 10 years", along with Paul Weller, Gilles Petersen and Celeste.

They have sold out three shows at The Social in London (12,15 & 17 Oct 2021) in under 15 minutes, and will be playing Pitchfork Music Festival London (12 Nov also sold out) with further shows in Berlin, Columbia Theatre (16 Nov), Brussels, FiftyLab Festival (17 Nov) and Paris, Pitchfork Music Festival  (19 Nov).

They have more dates scheduled for the UK in 2022 with Celeste.

31st March – O2 Institute, Birmingham

3rd April – O2 Academy, Bristol

7th April – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow

12th April – Corn Exchange, Cambridge

16th April – Albert Hall, Manchester

17th April – Albert Hall, Manchester

21st April – Roundhouse, London

22nd April – Roundhouse, London

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/09/2021
Key/BPM:	7A/93
Value:	£1