Saturday, 6 November 2021

Howard Hewett [2021] - To Thee I Pray [Music Access]


I would guess that many 'real' soul connoisseurs may dismiss Shalamar as a bit of a lightweight dance act. Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley were both dancers on Soul Train before they were 'chosen' for the group. However, there should be no doubt about the soul credentials of Howard Hewett who has gone on to release ten solo albums.

Shalamar are currently doing the rounds on tour in the UK with several solo dates for Hewett. The group has undergone many line-up changes over the years with Hewett leaving in 1986 and then re-joining around 2000. The current line-up consists of Hewett, Daniels and Carolyn Griffith (who is the daughter of Carrie Lucas) replacing original member Jody Watley.

Hewett has chosen to re-record 1992 "Allegiance" album track "To Thee I Pray" as his new single.

There's a snippet of it in the video below posted on his YT channel back in April since when I've had this post lined up waiting for its release, which was only yesterday!

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


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Details
Rating: 8.7 (9 for the original)
Genre/Style: Quiet Storm / Slow Jam
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 05/11/2021
Key/BPM: 2A/57
Value: £1

Debonnaire Music [2021] - THEN/NOW [X Factory Records]


Debonnaire Music released a single a month ago which featured 80s/90s diva Regina Belle. Yesterday they released a full album "THEN/NOW".

The clear standout is the aforementioned "Ms. Soul Lady" along with "Better Me" and perhaps "Let It Flow".

I can't find any info about the group but given the title is THEN/NOW, and from the sound of many of the tracks, I would hazard a guess that they have been around since the 90s. I understand that much of the material was originally intended for a 1999 album that didn't get released.

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Details
Rating: 7.6
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Classic Soul
Format: Album
Media: Digital
Label: X Factory Records
Cat No: None
Date: 05/11/2021
Value: £9.99

Rina Chanel [2021] - Sweetest Of Melody [PhillieBOP Productions] OUT NOW


Originally posted back on 16 Oct via promo the new single by Rina Chanel "Sweetest Of Melody" was officially released today, 6 Nov 2021, her birthday. Happy birthday Rina. It features male vocalist Senghor Robinson.

Rina Chanel (from Virginia Beach, VA) was a backing singer with Tracy Hamlin before starting her solo career last year. She appeared on the blog back in March with her third single "More Than Enough" which followed up her UK Soul Chart top 10 hit "Made" almost exactly a year ago (Sep 2020), which in turn followed her debut single "Worthy" released in Jan 2020.

She also featured on Raymond Barton's 2017 EP "If Only For Love" on "Don't Give Up On Love".

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


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Details
Rating: 7.6
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: PhillieBOP Productions
Cat No: None
Date: 06/11/2021
Key/BPM: 2B/68
Value: £1

Shaila Prospere [2021] - Keep On Giving (Remix) [Self Released] OUT NOW


Another track originally posted via promo on 15 Oct (but only available from Shaila Prospere's website) has been officially released yesterday (5 Nov 2021).

It's a remixed track from her recent album "Under My Skin", "Keep On Giving (Remix)" and follows up the recent remixes of "You Don't Know" which did very well.

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


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Details
Rating: 8
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 05/11/2021
Key/BPM: 3A/97
Value: £1.99