Sydney Raneé [2022] - Wake Up & Get It [Self Released]

L.A.'s "Sultry Songstress" Sydney Raneé releases her latest single "Wake Up & Get It" on Friday (21 Jan 2022). It follows her recent singles "One Night Only" (Aug 2021) and "Complicated" (Jun 2021) which I've added videos for. A few more of her earlier singles have also been posted HERE.

The latest single, like her others, was self-written and produced and is the second single from a forthcoming EP due later this year.

Sydney is certainly becoming noticed as she has shared her music via digital and live performances for Jam in the Van, Songbird Sessions, Melrose Trading Post, Acoustic Sessions LA, and SoFar Sounds and has also featured in 911: Lone-star; Dynasty and MTV’s The Real World as well as being invited as a featured performer on the 2020 Daytime Emmys. 

"Wake Up and Get It" is a song about overcoming depression and living each day to the fullest which is appropriate for this week as 'theoretically the third Monday in January has become known as 'Blue Monday'. Syndey states that it contains elements of TLC with a kick of Mary J. Blige.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	21/01/2022
Key/BPM:	6A/90
Value:	£1

Ward Brown [2022] - I'm Coming Home [Early Park Entertainment]

Chicago's Ward Brown led a group named Brown's Bag who released a couple of albums "Labor Of Love" (2005) (listen HERE) and "Soul Satisfied" (2006) (listen HERE). 

A track from the first album, "No More Love", featured on a 2006 compilation put out by Soul Brother "This Is Soul 2006". The first album was co-produced with Sherrod Brown (his brother?) and was the first release on the relatively short-lived Soulchoonz label.  He released a solo album in 2012 "Where I Should Be" (still available on Bandcamp and other DSPs or direct from Ward's website .. all links below)

He is currently working on a new, self-titled, album in collaboration with Raymond Earl, bassist with Instant Funk who also wrote and performed on many other Philly acts recordings through the 70s and 80s and co-wrote, probably Instant Funk's most iconic recording, "I Got My Mind Made Up" with Kim & Scotty Miller with whom he formed the group which evolved from The Music Machine.

It's quite interesting how things intermesh as only a month or so ago I posted an obscure record by E-Jon "Tricky, Sticky Situation" which has been covered by Alleshure (which is due for release on vinyl if it hasn't been already). E-Jon is Elihjah John who was later to become a member of T.N.J.s (standing from Trenton New Jersey) who were backed by The Music Machine/Instant Funk also from Trenton, NJ.

Ward and Raymond have jointly written ten tracks for the new album which is scheduled for release in July 2022. To promote it a single "I'm Coming Home" has just been released, which funnily enough as soon as I heard it reminded me a little of The Temptations new single, a classy old school style ballad with which he says he "hopes to inspire others to not give up hope that we will hug and enjoy our significant others soon even through these most difficult times...and...get the vaccine (lol)".

As Ward himself terms it 'grown up music for grown ups'! Great to hear 'proper' music with no auto-tune and other gimmicks just raw talent.

Thanks to Bill Buckley soulandjazzandfunk for sending this one over.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Early Park Entertainment
Cat No:	None
Date:	??/01/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1

Emilee Boyce [2022] - Wandering Wondering [Self Released]

Emilee Boyce is a singer, songwriter, producer from Kent (UK) who seems to have emerged in 2020 and releases her fifth single to date, "Wandering Wondering", today (18 Jan 2022).

It's a self-written, wispy, jazzy, neo soul affair.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Soul Jazz / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	18/01/2022
Key/BPM:	8A/53
Value:	£1

Jynn Cole [2022] - Don't Waste My Time [Investing Black Records]

Newcomer Jynn Cole follows up her last single "Honey Fall" (from Sep 2021 which did very well on UK soul charts) with her third single "Don't Waste My Time" released on 7 Jan 2022.

Her debut single released last June was a strange choice, a cover on Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walking" titles simply as "Boots".

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Investing Black Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/01/2022
Key/BPM:	9A/68
Value:	£1

VA [2022] - These Memories - Rare Soul Gems [Outta Sight #OSVLP026] (Full Album)

A new compilation from Outta Sight consisting of thirteen modern soul gems titled "These Memories - Rare Soul Gems" will be available from 28 Jan 2022. I believe that it is only available on vinyl, at present at least, priced at £14.99 but with P&P it comes out at £19.19 if buying direct from Outta Sight (where I think it's available now).

I've managed to find all but one of the tracks on Spotify in playlist below. The missing track is the opening track by Corey Blake (Cicero Blake) "How Can I Go On Without You", which is a Phillip Mitchell penned song now approaching a four figure sum record on original vinyl on Capitol which, according to Outta Sight's promo info 'has evaded compilation for over 20 years'. From which I assume they mean on "Get Involved - 20 Modern Soul Classics" in 1998 which is fetching up to £75 now! However, they have overlooked the Phillip Mitchell compilation "Something New To Do (The Phillip Mitchell Songbook)" released by Kent in 2013, which is still available from Kent for £11.50, so a far cheaper option, but of course you can buy it on this new compilation on vinyl rather than CD!

Also, the version of Daybreak's "I Need Love" on the playlist is a remixed version not the original, therefore, for completeness, I've embedded both the above missing tracks from Brian Pinches excellent YouTube channel which, if you haven't already visited, is crammed with superb soul music. It is certainly one of the best channels for rare soul music on YouTube which, unlike so many others, are all recorded from 'original' vinyl by a true connoisseur on the UK rare soul scene.

Track listing

A Side

01 - Corey Blake - How Can I Go On Without You

02 - Freddie Terrell & The Blue Rhythm Band - You Had It Made

03 - Barrett Strong - Man Up In The Sky

04 - Billy Harner - I Got It From Heaven

05 - Sydney Joe Qualls - I Don't Do This (To Every Girl I Meet)

06 - Crystal Motion - You're My Main Squeeze (Part 1)

07 - Reuben Howell - You Can't Stop A Man In Love

B Side

01 - Almeta Lattimore - These Memories

02 - Daybreak - I Need Love

03 - Eddie Owen - Shake Off That Dream

04 - Love Committee - Tired Of Being Your Fool

05 - Sonya Spence - Let Love Flow On

06 - Brenda Holloway - My Baby Moves Me

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	LP
Label:	Outta Sight
Cat No:	OSVLP026
Date:	28/01/2022
Value:	£14.99 + P&P

David Morales Feat. Michelle Perera [2022] - Life Is A Song (Ol' Skool Mix) [DIRIDIM]

With a career spanning over 30 years, David Morales is one of electronic music’s most cherished personalities. A native New Yorker, Morales was one of the first superstar DJs to actively tour the world.

His discography boasts an endless array of hits, including star-studded remixes for the likes of Mariah Carey, U2, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Jamiroquai, Madonna and Whitney Houston. Without him, the global phenomenon and penetration of dance music into Top 40 radio would not have been possible.

Launching his DIRIDIM imprint in 2018, David created a home for his own productions, as well as a space to champion up-and-coming talent with a soulful flair. Consistently at the forefront of the electronic music scene, David Morales continues to innovate and pave the way for the next generation.

"Life Is A Song", co-written with the UK's Nigel Lowis and Josh Milan, is out on 27 Jan 2022 via DIRIDIM.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Nu Disco / Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	DIRIDIM (Self Released)
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/01/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1