Monday, 23 May 2022

Bill Summers [2022] - Come Into My Life / Don't Fade Away [Expansion #EXS033]


Expansion Records is to reissue two 70s two-step tracks from Bill Summers. The A side "Come Into My Life" is from his "Feel The Heat" album and also released as a single on Prestige in 1977. The song was written and recorded as an instrumental first (but not released until later) by Alphonse Mouzon. The female vocalist is Deborah Thomas who's featured on recordings by George Duke, Ronnie Laws, Teddy Pendergrass, George Benson, Leon Ware, Diana Ross, Rick James, Jermaine Jackson, Lionel Ritchie and may others.

The flip side "Don't Fade Away" is from "Cayenne" and also released as a single on Prestige as Bill Summers & Summer Heat (which included Rodney Franklin) in 1977.

Summers is an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist from Detroit who now lives in New Orleans who is possibly best known in the UK for his 1979 club hit "Straight To The Bank".

Available to pre-order from Simply Soul for release around 24 Jun 2022.

UPDATE a comment from bluesky stating that the vocalist on "Don't Fade Away" is Leo Miller (Chocolate Jam Co). Mark Coddington's (Simply Soul) put out a compilation CD ("Simply Soul Flavas Part II") in 1999 on FER (First Experience Records) which included a track by him called "Pretty Lies".

"Don't Fade Away" was produced by Ndugu (Leon Chancler) (Chocolate Jam Co). He played drums on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and received a Grammy nomination for writing Dazz Band "Let It Whip" in 1983. He died in 2018 having worked with some jazz heavyweights such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, George Duke and many more.


Details
Rating: 8.4
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Jazz Funk / Rare Groove / Two-Step
Format: Single
Media: 7"
Label: Expansion
Cat No: EXS033
Date: 24/06/2022
Key/BPM: N/A
Price: £12

Barbara Lynn [2022] - Mellow Feeling Pt 1 & Pt 2 [Soul Brother #SB7044]


Another forthcoming Soul Brother 7" vinyl release. This one's from Barbara Lynn with a very rare 1979 recording released on L.A. label Love Records. It is alleged that there are only twenty known copies and only one has ever sold on Discogs, in 2019 for just over £1k. 

Barbara Lynn had semi-retired and relocated to L.A. in the 70s and this is one of only two recordings she did between 1976 (after her modern soul classic "Movin' On A Groove" on Jetstream) and 1983. The other is on Huey Meaux's Houston, TX, Starflite label the same year.

"Mellow Feeling" has never been reissued on vinyl but did feature on a Jazzman compilation "Soul Spectrum Records, Vol. 1" in 2013 (issued on CD and 2x vinyl) which was ripped from an original vinyl copy owned by Derek See.

Available to pre-order now from Simply Soul for release 24 Jun 2022. Now I imagine that this one will fly off the shelves, so you know the drill if you want one to avoid the highway men on Discogs!


Details
Rating: 8.4
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Modern Soul
Format: Single
Media: 7"
Label: Soul Brother
Cat No: SB7044
Date: 24/06/2022
Key/BPM: 10A/122
Price: £12

Tania Maria [2022] - Come With Me / Lost In Amozonia [Soul Brother #SB7043]


One of my favourite Latin Jazz tunes which was originally released in 1983 (and posted previously on the blog along with a 2018 version by Paprika Soul) from Brazilian singer/pianist/composer Tania Maria is getting a 7" vinyl reissue by Soul Brother. 

 Apart from being on the same titled album, it was only ever released on a Concord Picante 7" promo in 1983 and then got a 12" German release on Bellaphone in 1985. It was reissued on 12" in UK by Glimmer in 2002.

"Come With Me" is paired with the original B side of the Concord Picante promo 7" "Lost In Amozonia" and is available to pre-order via Simply Soul for release on 24 Jun 2022. Oddly it's not currently listed on Soul Brother's website.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 


Details
Rating: 9
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Latin Jazz
Format: Single
Media: 7"
Label: Soul Brother
Cat No: SB7043
Date: 24/06/2022
Key/BPM: 10A/95 / 10B/120
Price: £12

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2022... Part 20 (May 2022 Wk 20) Spotify Playlist

SoulStrutter selections of the best releases this week 
(May 2022 Wk 20)
In no particular order other than tempo. 

Very few in this week's list were actually released this week (i.e. after 15 May) which is an indication of the sparsity of good, more 'traditional', soul releases around at present.

The best album of the week goes to The SWR Big Band & Ola Onabule "Soul Encounter" which was recorded live with real musicians and has at least five very good tracks. I'm struggling to choose a real standout from the twelve tracks selected but if pushed I think it would have to be a choice between The Shapeshifters featuring Adi Oasis (Adeline) and Bobby Sparks II featuring Donessa Perry.

Turning to this week's "Neo Dirty Dozen" selections, there are quite a few that I'm 'feeling'. In particular Mone't, Yahali, Phil Tyler & Jaz Lund, Searchlight, N'shai Iman, Theo Croker ft Ego Ella May and Latanya Alberto.

However, this week I'm going to buck the trend and choose a tune not featured in either playlist (as it's not available on Spotify) for this week's SoulStrutter Selection of the Week. The choice is Juanita Wynn "Make It Right" released on Bandcamp (only) on Friday. Not that it will need much promotion as it was mailed out on promo to DJs last week so undoubtedly will feature in charts very soon.

2022
,Pt 10Pt 09Pt 08Pt 07Pt 06Pt 05Pt 04Pt 03Pt 02Pt 01  

2021

Playlist:
Najee Feat. Frank McComb - Modern Lovers (13 May)
Just'n - Good Ol Lovin (8 May)
Roszunn - Tonight (6 May)
The SWR Big Band & Ola Onabule - The Meaning Of Love (13 May)
Bobby Sparks II Feat. Donessa Perry - Forever Mine (15 May)
Terri Green - Caught Up (20 May)
The Lady Songbird Jinda - Vibe (6 May)
Mitkol - Just Another Number (25 Apr)
Cameron Foster - Find A Way (15 May)
Devon Howard - Your Love Is (16 May)
Billy Butler Feat. Jadea - You Just Don't Understand (15 May)
The Shapeshifters Feat. Adi Oasis - Tell Me It's Not Over (20 May)

NB You must be logged on to Spotify to listen in full

The Neo Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2022... Part 10 (May 2022 Wk 20) Spotify Playlist

The SoulStrutter selection of the best Neo Soul releases for:
 May 2022 Wk 20 in no particular order.

This week's neo soul selections which has been extended to 18 to make it a full hour. Most are from this week but there are a few from April which seem to have slipped past unnoticed, two of them in particular are too good to get missed.

Playlist:
Brooklyn Love - Grey Space (22 May)
Aliana Joy - WIFEY (20 May) [E]
Mone't - Fairytales (22 May)
Yahali - Showing Up. (Keep Showing Love) (21 May) [E
Lambi - Numb (25 Apr)
Davina - Again (18 May)
Phil Tyler & Jaz Lund - I Like It (29 Apr)
Ravyn Lenae - Satellites (20 May)
Searchlight Feat. Tolü Makay - Can We Go Back (6 May)
N'shai Iman [2022] - Reasons (To Be Me) (Radio Edit) (8 Apr)
Cheyenne Wright - Say It (20 May)
Ley Vara - Touch (10 May) [E]
Kadeem Tyrell - I Want You (18 May)
Gadis - In All Way (20 May)
Theo Croker Feat. Ego Ella May - SOMETHIN' (20 May)
Latanya Alberto - Miss Chance (19 May)
Ravyn Lenae Feat. Mereba - Where I'm From (20 May)
Freekind. - Visualize (3 May)
2022

NB You must be logged on to Spotify to listen in full

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2022... Covers, Reissues, Remixes & Samples Part 9 (May 2022 Wk 20)



SoulStrutter selection for May 2022 Wk 20 of the best non-original songs i.e. cover versions, remixes, reissues, previously unreleased and new songs using samples or new releases with a retro feel. (In no particular order).

There weren't enough around last week to post a dozen and barely enough this week so I've used one or two from last week.


Covers: Anthony David & Algebra Blessett (BeBe CeCe Winans), Najee Feat. Alyson Williams (Michael Henderson & Jean Carn), Tena Riley & TRU (HM & Blue Notes), Full Flava Feat. Hazel Fernandes (Nat King Cole also a remix)



2022

2021

Global Soul Chart BREAKERS 21st May 2022 (Week 20)

21st May 2022
The Global Soul "Breakers" featured on:
Artist - Title Rel'd Posted
Jordan Lee - Easy 12/05 12/05
SunniDread - Bebop (HIGHLY RECOMENDED LP) 07/05 14/05
Churchboikori - Layback Relax 06/05  
Amie Blu - Like That (5 for U EP) 29/04  
Bertholet &Sebastian Kamae Feat. Joshua J - Broken Ivy       
(Empty Spaces LP)
06/05  
Mychelle - Lose (Closure / Someone Who Knows LP) 20/05 18/04
Tilly Valentine - Plus One 06/05  
JAVI¥A - Needs (Ode To Beantown EP) 15/05  
Jazzlyn Soul - Rainy Days (Chasing That Dream EP) 07/04 12/05
J. Brown - Wassup (Chapter & Verse LP) 20/05  
Sidibe Feat. MonoNeon - Tellin' U 13/05 13/05
Latanya Alberto - Miss Chance (Home LP) 19/05 20/05
Lyna - My Way (Way Too Nice LP) 25/03  
Brooklynn Skye - Take You There 12/05 12/05

Global Soul Chart 21st May 2022 (Week 20)

21st May 2022
The Global Soul chart broadcast on Sat 21st May as it is every Saturday between  5pm-7pm (GMT) on Global Soul Radio.

Each week around a dozen or more 'Breakers' are interspersed with chart entries. These will be posted separately. 

On only his second week on the chart, entering last week at #2, Raheem Devaughn inevitably leapfrogs Reuben James at the top after only one week there. The killer track is "Waiting For Your Love" which is one of those that just gets better and better with each play and will almost certainly be a candidate for the end of year selections which I'm afraid is looking pretty thin so far this year.

Eight risers, eight fallers and four new entries, the highest is Thais Lona with the album "CUBE" and two very good entries from Morgan Munroe which was Soulstrutter Selection of the Week two weeks ago which only just pipped the other new entry from Gavin Holligan for the selection the same week.

Two of last week's new entries dropped straight out (Conor Albert and Sanura & Raheem Devaughn) along with two predicted to go (Samuel Archer and Tigga Bounce) but two other predicted to go (Gwen Bunn and Sierra Sellers) hung on for another week but will more than likely be gone next week with Desmond Parson, Kayla Amor (almost definitely) and it could be bye bye for Sly Johnson and Clowette. Therefore, it looks likely that there will be at least six new entries or more next week.

The only two I'm not personally 'feeling' in the current chart are Zay Blaze (the only track not posted) and PJ Morton's album as there are only a few of tracks that appeal to me, albeit one of them is one of my picks of 2021 (i.e. "Please Don't Walk Away").

A few 'goodies' around that might see an entry are Sidibe, Tamara Dos Santos, Kadeem Tyrell, Jordan Lee, Jazlynn Soul, Freekind., Juanita Wynn (but probably not for a week or two as it's only just been released). Pip Millett's chances of airplay are scuppered by expletives which may mean it doesn't get a chart entry. I'm surprised Tahay hasn't made an appearance yet and it might be too late now. I'm also surprised that Jessiqca Jones "REHAB" has not done better.

Summary: 8 risers, 8 fallers, 0 non-movers and 4 new entries

New Entries: Thais Lona, Roszunn, Morgan Munroe, Gavin Holligan

Highest Risers: Kenyon Dixon (+13), Sabrina Claudio (+8_, Grant Alexander/Meadow Janee (+5)

Biggest Fallers: Desmond Parson (-12), Kayla Amor (-11), Clowette (-6)

Losers: Samuel Archer, Tigga Bounce, DSanura & Raheem Devaughn, Conor Albert

Pos Last Chg Artist - Title Rel'd Posted
1 2 +1 Raheem Devaughn - Waiting For Your Love 
(From Lust Til Dawn LP)
06/05 06/05
2 1 -1 Reuben James - BBQ Energy
(Tunnel Vision LP)
15/04 15/04
3 4 +1 PJ Morton Feat. El DeBarge - On My Way
(Watch The Sun LP)
29/04 30/04
4 17 +13 Kenyon Dixon Feat. Gwen Bunn - WYTD
(Closer LP)
05/05 08/05
5 10 +5 Grant Alexander - Pardon Me (High Tide EP)    29/04 30/04
6 5 -1 Zay Blaze - Perfect (Take 4 LP) 17/04  
7 12 +5 Lenora - Homebody 14/04 30/04
8     Thaïs Lona - Till I Know (CUBE LP) 06/05 11/05
9 3 -6 Clowette - Muzik Is Luv 15/04 21/04
10 18 +8 Sabrina Claudio - Subtle Things
(Based On A Feeling EP)
06/05 06/05
11 8 -3 Sly Johnson - Okay (55.4 LP) 22/04 22/04
12 15 +3 Tony Walk - Stay (Good Vibes Only EP) 06/05 07/05
13     Roszunn - Tonight 06/05 16/05
14 19 +5 Meadoe Janee - Soar 29/04 04/05
15 14 -1 Sierra Sellers Feat. WesWill - Sentimental 28/04 29/04
16     Morgan Munroe - Mutual 04/05 05/05
17 6 -11 Kayla Amor - Slow Down 13/04 23/04
18     Gavin Holligan - This Hotel Is Closed 06/05 08/05
19 7 -12 Desmond Parson - Possibly (Resoulution EP) 25/04 17/04
20 10 -3 Gwen Bunn - 2MANYTHINGS 31/03 13/04

UK Soul Chart Breakers 21th May 2022 (Week 20)

Here are the latest UK Soul Chart Breakers for 21st May 2022 with links to tracks posted (or to Spotify for those not yet posted). 

You can catch the breakers show each Saturday at 7pm-8pm presented by Andy Tee on Starpoint Radio.
Artist - Title Rel'd Post
The Shapeshifters Feat. Adi Oasis - Tell Me Its Not Over            20/05 20/05
Raw Essence Feat. Lifford - Do It Again 20/05  
Alex Fanjul Feat. Ivan Vaf - Superfly 06/04 19/05
KC Roberts & The Live Revolution - Rosa 13/05 14/05
Devon Howard - Your Love Is 14/05 16/05
Juanita Wynn - Make It Right 20/05 20/05
Brick & Ripple - No Love Like Yours 21/05 22/05
Ojam - Reunite 01/05  
Caro B - You Can Be My Boo 17/05  
MS1 Project Feat. J Daphaney - Set It off    
Antony David & Algebra - Heaven 20/05 18/05
Billy Butler Feat. Jadea - You Just Don't Understand 15/05 16/05
Nikkole Feat. Leon Sylvers - We Can Make It (If We Try) 06/05 11/05
D'Mar - All Out Of Love 20/05  
John Legend - Dope 18/05

NB tracks in yellow are forthcoming

UK Soul Chart 23rd May 2022 (Week 20)

23rd May 2022

The new UK Soul Chart for 23rd May 2022. 

Summary: There are 9 risers, 8 fallers, 4 non-movers, 7 new entries and 2 re-entries

New Entries:  Full Flava, Najee, Nao Yosahioka, Raheem Devaughn, CJ's Connection, SWR Band x Ola Onabule, Color Me Badd, RE Laura Rain & The Caesars, RE Freddie Lee

Highest Risers: Dave Lee (+9), Robert IMtume Owens (+8), Melba Moore (+7)

Biggest Fallers: PJ Morton (-13), Groove Association Feat. Georgie B (-9), Melii'sa Morgan (-7)

Losers: Raja-Nee', Ashley Scott, Soul Messengers, Soultrend Orch., David Morales, Samuel Archer, James Aaron, Joanna Cooke, Rodney Shelton

Pos Last Chg Artist - Title
1 8 +7 Melba Moore - Take Her Picture Down /
Take Me Away (Imagine LP)
2 2 0 VA - Dome 30 Years Vol. 1 LP
3 7 +4 Regi Myrix Presents Michelle Brooks-Thompson -
Then I Met You
4 1 -3 Diane Marsh - Invade My Space LP
5 4 -1 The Terri Green Project Feat. Randy Hall -
Turnt Up Tonight
6 5 -1 Lukas Setto - Best Part Of Me
7 9 +2 Output/Input ft Audrey Wheeler Downing & Brent Carter -
Here We Go Again
8 12 +4 Nigel Lowis Presents Soul City Connection - Brotherly Love   
9 10 +1 Kim Tibbs - Where Would I Be Without You?
10 3 -7 Meli'sa Morgan - Footprints Of An Angel
11 20 +9 Dave Lee & Omar - Starlight
12     Full Flava Feat. Hazel Fernandes - Nature Boy
(Michele Chiavarini's Lounge Mix)
13 13 0 Shaila Prospere - Emotions
14     Najee - Modern Lovers / Valentine Love (Savoir Faire LP)
15 6 -9 The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B -
Living The Good Life
16 21 +5 EKO - What's Deep In A Man
17 22 +5 JDs Time Machine - Speak Love / Young Hearts
18     Nao Yoshioka - Tokyo 2020
19     Raheem Devaughn & Grenique - Memory Lane
(From Lust Till Dawn LP)
20     CJ's Connection - Just Friends
21 29 +8 Robert IMtume Owens - Don't Give Up
22 22 0 David Morales - Never Looking Back (Mixes) /
Life Is A Song LP
23 18 -5 Down To Earth - You Keep Loving Me
24 11 -13 PJ Morton - Watch The Sun LP
25     SWR Big Band x Ola Onabule - Soul Town
(Soul Encounter LP)
26     Color Me Badd - California Dreamin
27 27 0 Royalty Duo - Marriage LP
28 RE
Laura Rain & The Caesars - Rise Again LP
29 RE
Freddie Lee - Freedom
30 17 -13 STR4TA - When You Call Me