Teddy Bryant [2021] - In The Beginning [NBN Records] (Full Album)

Back in mid Sept. "Are You Lonely", a pre-released track, from Teddy Bryant's then forthcoming album  was posted. The full album "In The Beginning" was officially released today (20 Oct 2021). I was actually sent a promo of it a few weeks ago but decided to wait for the official release before posting as often they got lost 'in the mix', but now if you enjoy it you can buy right away.

Teddy Bryant is a singer, composer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Conway, SC.

He's the son of a jazz musician and was a member of a jazz band called Urbyne and released three albums under the moniker Moonlight Ora in 2012, 2016 and 2019. (NB links below are for Moonlight Ora as he hasn't yet got a presence for his solo material yet).

It will also be available on vinyl, cassette and digital but strangely not CD.

There are a few nice tracks in addition to "Are You Lonely", including "I Dream Of You", "Strangers In Love" and "Take You On A Trip" being some other choice cuts

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/Vinyl/Cassette
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/10/2021
Value:	€8.99 / €21.95 / €11.95

Solmana [2021] - AWA [Self Released] (Full EP)

Solmana aka Tomoko Osaka is from Japan (originally Miyako City, Iwate, but she studied in  Tokyo). "AWA" is her second EP (released today 20 Oct 2021) and includes four tracks already released as singles this year, the only new song being the title track "AWA" which seems to be sung purely in Japanese.

The best track, for me, is "Finally".

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

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/10/2021
Value:	£4.95

Flores [2021] - Mayahuel [True Colours]

Flores has released around five singles since 2015. Her latest single "Mayahuel" is her first since 2018.

Strangely her Spotify profile says that she's Mexican/American from El Paso, TX, yet her Soundcloud page states that she's from Norway. I think Spotify is correct as she references Mexico in the song's lyrics and also another 'clincher' is that the song is an homage to the goddess of Aztec mythology. Her full name would appear to be Floresita DeLuna.

The tune is a neo soul/R&B ballad, released on 15 Oct 2021 and is currently #34 on the Amazon Hot 100 New Releases at the time of posting. She has also done a video with a live acoustic version.

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

Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / R&B
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	True Colours
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/10/2021
Key/BPM:	2A/61
Value:	£1

The Rance Allen Group [2021] - Stay With Me / Living Witness [Jai Alai #JAR01]

Jai Alai (pronounced Hi-Uh-Li) is a new label set up by Alex Subinas who also runs Soull4Real.  Two new 45s have just been released. The first from The Rance Allen Group, the other by Ursula Ricks which I'll post separately.

The two tracks selected for release on vinyl come from their, CD only, 2002 album on Tyscot "All The Way".

"Stay With Me" has been an in-demand modern soul tune in the UK for many years and is now available for the first time on vinyl 45. It has been coupled with "Living Witness".

To order please contact Alex at soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com

Big thanks to Alex Subinas for uploading the full versions on his YouTube channel so we can listen to the track in full.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Jai Ala
Cat No:	JAR01
Date:	20/10/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	€13 + postage

Ursual Ricks [2021] - Sweet Tenderness / Make Me Blue [Jai Alai #JAR02]

Following on from the first release on Alex Subinas (Soul4Real) new Jai Alai subsidiary label with The Rance Allen Group, the second release is from Baltimore-based soul/blues singer Ursula Ricks and again two stunning tracks taken from her debut (and only) 2013 "My Street", CD only, album and also appears on vinyl 45 for the first time.

The A side is actually a new remix of "Sweet Tenderness" (that nods more than a little towards Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing") done by David Earl, head of Severn who released the album. It is flipped with "Make Me Blue".

 

To order please contact Alex at soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com

Big thanks to Alex Subinas for uploading the full versions on his YouTube channel so we can listen to the track in full.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Jai Ala
Cat No:	JAR02
Date:	20/10/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	€13 + postage

Jessie Robbie [2021] - No Cover [shyshyfr] (Full Album)

Unfortunately, I can't find any info about Jessie Robbie (Thaing) who seems to have emerged in 2019 and has released six singles and now a debut album "No Cover" on 15 Oct 2021.

The seven tracks are a blend of neo soul / R&B. There is a video for "BRB" which was released as a single in May, all the other tracks are new material.

Curiously, I found her mother's facebook page (link below) and it would seem that she may be from Cambodia!

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

Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / R&B
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	shyshyfr
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/10/2021
Value:	£6.93

D. Saunders [2021] - Let Me Sing To You [Self Released] (Full Album)

This was a surprise as D. Saunders released the album "Who Is D. Saunders The Gentleman of Soul" on 12 Oct 2021 and another has just appeared titled "Let Me Sing To You" with the same release date.

This, for me, is a much better album, packed with killer deep soul cuts. There are sixteen tracks, so haven't listened to each track in their entirety yet but every track I've sampled has been a superb deep soul track.

If you like this genre then I can't recommend this album highly enough as it's one you can just leave playing and I'm struggling to single out any particular standouts as they are all good to my ears! 

'It's a ten from Len' ... not really as nothing is ever perfect but a strong 9 and certainly the best 'complete' album I've listened to recently!

UPDATE: 21 Oct 2021

I received a message that some of these tracks may have been released before. So, after some further investigation it would appear that some tracks may have been made available as promos. SoulStrutter 'celebrity of the week', DJ Kool Keith, informed me that he has four tracks from the album ("My Music", "Happy Feelings", "I'll Make You Say" and "Lucky Or Blessed") he received in 2018. He can't remember where he got them and thinks that they may have come direct from the artist and the album was titled "My Music". I can't find any trace of an album called "My Music" but there is a hint on his SoundCloud page. If anyone knows of or has the album then please satisfy our curiosity. Regardless of whether some tracks have been out before or not, this is still a mighty fine album.

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Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	12/10/2021
Value:	£9.99