Aria Bléu [2021] - daydream [Self Released] (Full Album)

Aria Bléu was previously known as Kelsea Johnson who competed in The Voice season 14 in 2018 and chose to be in Alicia Keys' team.  She released a debut single "On & On" in Oct 2019 followed by a five track EP "Familiar Stranger" in Jan 2020 which contained the single.

Her first full length album, "daydream", was released today (24 Sep 2021). Thanks to the soulful chef Leigh 'The Flava' Taylor for tipping me off on this one (check out his latest Gourmet Soulful Music show). 

Leigh tips "float" and "tell me" whilst I prefer "forget about it" as my second choice and no doubt you will have your own choices, but at least we are agreed on "float".

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Details

Rating:	7.9
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/09/2021
Value:	£6.93

Dyson's Faces [2021] - We're Two Fools In Love / Don't Worry About The Jones [Miles Ahead #MA009]

Dyson's Faces was a 70s group led by Clifton Dyson, the younger brother of Ronnie Dyson. He was with a group called The Differences who released just one, now very 'in-demand', single (for both sides) on Mon'ca in 1971 which I posted in March .

Dyson's Faces faces released two self-titled albums, the first in 1975 followed by another in 1977 which contains two tracks from the first album. Both albums are quite highly sought after with original copies fetching as much as £200-£300.

One of those tracks on both albums, "Don't Worry About The Jones", along with "We're Two Fools In Love" from the first album, are being made available on 7" vinyl for the first time by Miles Ahead due for release on 15 Oct 2021.

"We're Two Fools In Love" is a wonderful, melodic 70s style Northern Soul 'floater' which doesn't get played often enough presumably because it's on an album (they can be a strange lot at times!). "Don't Worry About The Jones" is a smooth, 70s deep 'n' sweet soul ballad which I would guess would be highly sought after by the lowrider scene (?), a superb tune.

Two great sides for two disparate markets. I think this will 'fly off the shelves' so if you're interested in a 'limited edition; vinyl copy, I'd get your per-order in pronto!

You can pre-order both digital and vinyl on their BandCamp store.

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Bonus track

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Northern / Modern Soul / Sweet / Deep Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/7"
Label:	Miles Ahead
Cat No:	MA009
Date:	15/10/2021
Key/BPM:	4B/130 / 2B/61
Value:	£2.50 / £9

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

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 (Unlocked)" 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.

I find it 'curious' that Jewel Booker's track sampling Tyrone Davis got plenty of airplay a few months ago (and charted), yet this one from Alicia Keys has had very little as far as I can tell and it certainly isn't in either of the soul charts (or breakers) I keep an eye on. Could it be because she is a mainstream artist? Is it just too R&B oriented? Is it too soon after the Jewel Booker release or do DJ's just not like it ... who knows?

Anyway, I've re-posted two weeks after release as a new video for it has premiered in the last 24 hours. I've also added Jewel Booker's "Made It All Up" for comparison.

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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

Ronnie Coleman Jr. Feat. Frank McComb & Marqueal Jordan [2021] - When I'm with You [Merlot Music HTX]

Ronnie Coleman Jr. is a mult-instrumentalist jazz musician from Houston, TX who has been labelled 'Baby' George Duke. He released a single "When I'm with You" last week (15 Sep 2021) which features the great Frank McComb (from Cleveland) and saxophonist/vocalist Marqueal Jordan (from L.A).

I 'assume' that it is Frank McComb on the lead vocals, it certainly sounds like him.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Merlot Music HTX
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/09/2021
Key/BPM:	3B/96
Value:	£1

Shannon Lauren Callihan [2021] - One Sided [Self Released] (Full EP)

Shannon Lauren Callihan was the SoulStrutter Selection of the Week in August with "Used To Be My Love" which unfortunately didn't gain her much traction but still sounds great to these ears, give it a listen. 

Since then she has released another single "Keep Me Waiting" and now today has released her debut EP/album "One Sided" (the two latest singles are included on the EP).

Of the seven tracks, there's an intro, outro and interlude, the two last singles and an alternative version of a single released last year ("Love You Right"), leaving just one new track "Feel Good" which is actually pretty good.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/09/2021
Value:	£6.93

Freewill [2021] - Lifetime [SeaQ Management]

Freewill featured on the blog at the start of August with his single "Lucky Me". He makes a return appearance with a new single "Lifetime" released today (24 Sep 2021). In the interim he released "Clutch" at the end of August (not posted).

I think this one could be a 'slow burner'.

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	SeaQ Management
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/09/2021
Key/BPM:	7A/90
Value:	£1