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Tuesday 16 November 2021

Sandy Barber - A Profile Of...


Sandy Barber is best known to modern soul aficionados for her 1978 album only tracks "Don't You Worry Baby (The Best Is Yet To Come)" and "I Think I'll Do Some Steppin' on My Own" from her only album "The Best Is Yet To Come" released on Olde World and produced by Clyde Otis.

"Don't You Worry Baby (The Best Is Yet To Come)" was written by Clyde Otis and Herman Kelly and was first recorded by Bessie Banks in 1976 on Quality.  It was featured in the Bessie Banks Discography posted last year, which was only updated yesterday with the missing piece, the flip to her final single "Baby You Sure Know How To Get To Me", "Do You Really Want To Be Right" (a pretty rare record as the flip only appears on the scarce issue and not on the more common promos) provided by reader Yves.

I've had this post drafted for months, I just haven't got around to posting it until inspired to do so today with the play of "The First Time" by Gary Van Den Bussche on his Starpoint Radio lunchtime show. A stunning ballad.


Sandra Barber was born in New York in 1955. she was spotted at an appearance at Talent Night at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem which won her an audition with producer David Jordon. Clued up readers will already know that David Jordan was a writer/producer who co-wrote J.J. Barnes superb "Got To Get Rid Of You" (among many other songs) and co-produced his debut album "Born Again" on Perception with the genius Patrick Adams.

Her audition with Jordan resulted in her singing lead on Rare Pleasure's modern soul classic "Let Me Down Easy" released on Cheri in 1976 (posted elsewhere on this blog as it has recently been reissued). The song was also recorded by Philly's First Choice in 1978 on their 'Hold Your Horses' album on Gold Mind in 1978, but it never saw a 45 issue.

Not content with singing with a group, she was introduced to Clyde Otis who went on to produce her first (and only) album "The Best Is Yet To Come" released on Olde World Records in 1978. The two tracks referred to above were picked up on by the UK's modern soul scene and were album only tracks. Only one single got released from the album "Wonder Woman" (an ode to the TV series staring Lynda Carter which ran from 1975-79) flipped with a non-album track  "Remember Me" written by Clyde Otis and Van McCoy.

She didn't release another solo recording until 1987 but was a member of the group Chew who released an album and two singles in 1983. Her Olde World album has been subsequently reissued several times with additional tracks and several of the tracks have been subjected to various remixes.

Around 1992 she changed her name to Sandy B and focussed on house material. Below is her full discography prior to that.


Rare Pleasure [1976] - Let Me Down Easy (Disco Version) [Cheri #DV-CHE-505]

Her first recording was as lead vocalist on Rare Pleasure's 'Let Me Down Easy' on Cheri in 1976. The song was also recorded by Philly's First Choice in 1978 on their 'Hold Your Horses' album on Gold Mind in 1978, but it never saw a 45 issue.


Sandy Barber [1978] - The Best Is Yet To Come (Deluxe Edition) [Olde World #OWR 7701]

Originally released in 1978 with the first eight tracks but extended and reissued in 2011 by BBE.


Sandy Barber [1978] - Wonder Woman / Remember Me [Olde World #OWD 002]

Both tracks available on the album above.


Chew [1983] - See The Light [Capitol #ST-12231]

Barber was a member of a group named Chew who released one album and two singles in 1983. The album isn't available on Spotify but here's a  YouTube playlist for the album.


Sandy Barber [1987] - The Real Deal [Vinylmania #VMR 008]



Sandy B  [1994] - Back Together [King Street #KSS-1013]



Sandy Barber [2015] -  I Think I'll Do Some Stepping on My Own B/W Don't You Worry Baby Mixes



Sandy Barber [2015] - I Think I'll Do Some Steppin' (On My Own) - Opolopo Rework [BBE]

Digital only except for a very limited single-sided acetate pressing commissioned by BBE, cut at The Carvery. 



Maxwell [2021] - Off [BMG]


The first new material from Maxwell (Gerald Maxwell Rivera) for quite a few years was released today (16 Nov 2021). It's been five years since his last album "blackSUMMERS'night" but has released a few singles with last one delivered in 2019.

I guess we still judge him from his ground-breaking debut "Urban Hang Suite" from 1998 and unfortunately if you're expecting that standard I think you may be disappointed with the latest single "Off", but it might be a grower?

However, his sixth studio album "blacksummers'NIGHT" is due in Spring next year. Confused?  The first in the series was titled "BLACKsummers'night" in 2009, followed by  "blackSUMMERS'night" in 2016 and "blacksummers'NIGHT" due in 2022.

He also has a US tour scheduled for next year with Anthony Hamilton and Joe with around 25 dates already lined up. Tickets got on pre-sale on 26 Nov and general sale on 29 Nov.

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


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Details
Rating: 7.7
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: BMG
Cat No: None
Date: 16/11/2021
Key/BPM: 8A/56
Value: £1


Spotify Embedding Issue


In the last hour (around 17:30 16 Nov 2021) an issue seems to have developed (either with Spotify or Blogger) and embedded Spotify tracks and playlists are not being displayed.

I'll try and find out what and where the issue is and report back. Hopefully it's a temporary problem.

It appears that Spotify is currently down ... so hopefully full service resumed when it's back up!


Everis [2021] - What U Doing 2 Me [JGM] DJ XCLUSIVE PROMO


The new single from Everis (Pellius) is currently being promoted. It will be available on 7" vinyl on 26 Nov 2021 backed with a cover of Terry Garmon’s classic “Any Way” recorded live in Paris France with his band Karltone. The digital release will then available exclusively from his website from 10 Dec 2021.

The song "What U Doing 2 Mesamples McFadden & Whitehead's "I've Been Pushed Aside" from 1979. It's a a pre-release track that he's putting out whilst working on his new album.

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

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Details
Rating: 8.3
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Modern Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital / Vinyl
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 10/12/2021 / 26/11/2021
Key/BPM: N/A
Value: £1 / £?


India Shawn [2021] - Before We Go [Epic] (Full Album)


The new 'album "Before We Go" from India Shawn released on 10 Nov 2021 is only seven tracks, five of which have already been released as singles, two already posted "Too Sweet" and "Don't Play With My Heart" . Therefore, there are only two new songs "Superfine" and "To Change My Mind". Both are OK but won't set the world alight.

I 'was' going to have a dig about major labels reselling existing tracks rather than new material until I noticed that the price of the full album is only £4.99 and not the normal £7.99 which I suppose is fair enough! 

All the song titles are in capital letters. I don't know what the relevance of that is, so will ignore it and write how I was taught as it is confusing as to whether it is intentional or not.

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

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Details
Rating: 7.6
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Neo Soul
Format: Album
Media: Digital
Label: Epic
Cat No: None
Date: 10/11/2021
Value: £4.99


Mys Niki [2016] - Heaven [Self Released]


A superb contemporary deep soul tune from an artist named Mys Niki (aka Nikita Randle (Nikita Blues)) from Vicksburg, Mississippi, who appears to have released only three singles in 2015-16 (plus a Christmas single) with "Heaven" being the best of them. 

I believe this one was several DJ's pick of the year in 2016 including DJ Kool Keith who suggested posting it for anyone who never heard it first time around or who may have forgotten about it.

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

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Details
Rating: 8.8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Deep Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Self Released
Cat No: None
Date: 03/02/2016
Key/BPM: 8A/64
Value: £1


Charli Taft [2021] - Money Can't Buy [DLUXLIFE]


Charli Taft is from Liverpool (UK) and debuted in 2017 with “Love Like You” which was track of the week on BBC Radio 1.

She released her fifth single since then, "Money Can't Buy", on 5 Nov 2021 which leans towards R&B but with a bit of a bounce.

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


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Details
Rating: 8
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Neo Soul / R&B
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: DLUXLIFE
Cat No: None
Date: 2021
Key/BPM: 3A/94
Value: £1