Soul Strutter: 06/02/22

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Esther Reina [2022] - Blue Rose [AAVibez Production] (Full EP)

Esther Reina is a classical choral trained singer/songwriter originally from Bentonville, AR but is now based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She states her influences are Teyana Taylor, Kehlani, Jhene Aiko and Snoh Aalegra.

Her debut solo single "Pride" was released in Feb 2022 and she followed it with "Telepathy" (Mar) and "Somethin Tells Me" (May). The last two singles are included on her debut six track EP "Blue Rose" (released last Friday 27 May 2022) and a video for Pride" is included below along with a video for "Telepathy".

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	AAVibez Production
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/05/2022
Price:	£5.94

Nia Sultana [2022] - Bigger Dreams [Interscope Records] (Full EP)

The debut EP "Bigger Dreams" from Brooklyn's Nia Sultana is released today. It includes her last three singles "In The Morning" (22 Apr 2022) and "Ambience" (22 Sep 2021) videos for both below as well as for "Proven" which premieres at 17:00 BST.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	Y Tracks 1,2,4,5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	02/06/2022
Price:	£5.99

Tina Leon [2022] - WTH [Ensoul Records]

Tina Leon is the new stage name of Montreal artist Marie-Christine Depestre. She released her first single, "WTH", under this name today (2 Jun 2022) which is from a forthcoming EP "Push" due in Aug 2022.

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

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Ensoul Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	02/06/2022
Key/BPM:	7A/106
Price:	£1

George McGregor & The Bronzettes & McGregor Brothers [2022] - Temptation Is Hard To Fight b/w Everytime I Wake Up [Numero Group/Twilight #TWI102]

Originally released in 1967 on the Chicago Twilight label (later renamed to Twinight after only four releases) is the only recording by George McGregor. It's not a name that trips off the tongue to all but those with the thickest anoraks! However, he was a well know figure and in-demand session drummer in and around Detroit in the 60s and was the in-house drummer at Golden World studios. He went to the same school, at the same time, as Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Barrett Strong and Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie and was cousin of Motown Funk Brother, trombonist, writer/arranger Paul Riser. He was also in a very early 60s group The Atennas with is brother Billy McGregor (as well as McGregor Brothers) and formed the Don Davis Trio with Don Davis, obviously, and Clarence McCloud.

Whilst his own recording career was less than prolific, he should be well known to Northern Soul devotees as he has been involved in writing and/or arranging multiple recordings well known on the scene including a couple of early Ric-Tic classics "I'm Satisfied" San Remo Strings (which was 'actually' recorded by the Don Davis Trio!) and Edwin Starr's "Harlem" as well as Rose Batiste "Hit & Run", Tobi Lark (aka Tobi Legend) "Happiness Is Here" (written initially for Barbara Mercer for release on Golden World but it was rejected) He worked with many artists well known to the scene such as The Precisions, Ruby Andrews, Timmy Willis, Teri Bryant, Barbara Mercer, C.O.D.'s, Gwen Owens, (Little) Rena Scott, Almeta Latimer, Betty LaVette and Wilson Williams to name some of the main ones.

There is a really interesting and in depth article on George McGregor on Soul Source. Information from McGregor himself stating that The Precisions' Northern Soul classic "Such Misery" was originally intended for Timmy Willis and that "If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)" was intended as a B side and Motown deliberately sabotaged the group by hiring the writers to infiltrate Sidra / Drew to persuade them to put it out as an A side as Motown felt that The Precisions were a threat to The Temptations and didn't think the song would be a success.

The Bronzettes where a female quartet from Chicago who released only one other single "(Beggin) Baby Don't Leave Me" which had the same backing as Jerry-O (aka Jerry Murray Tom & Jerrio) "Karate Boo-Ga-Loo" who, unsurprisingly, wrote and produced it.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group (Twilight)
Cat No:	TWI102
Date:	02/06/2022
Key/BPM:	11B/77 / 8B/108
Price:	£1

Jimmy Lewis [2022] - I Can't Leave You Alone / Don't Sit Around [Soul4Real #S4R20]

For those who like it deep and on the southern side then this double sider of previously unreleased tracks from Mississippi's Jimmy Lewis should keep your soul satisfied. Like the two Sam Dees sides also released on the label, these two first featured on Ace/Kent compilations, "Don't Sit Around" on "Give The Poor Man A Break" (2002) and "I Can't Leave You Alone" on "Still Wanna Be Black" (1997) and have been licensed for release on 7" vinyl.

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul / Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul4Real
Cat No:	S4R20
Date:	01/06/2022
Key/BPM:	8A/99 / 12B/76
Price:	€14 + postage

Sam Dees [2022] - Where Is The Love / Love Calls [Soul4Real #S4R19]

Having recently launched the 'rare sides' subsidiary "Jai Alai", on which the fourth and fifth singles have been released in the last month or so, Soul4Real is back with two singles on the main imprint.

The first of those is from veteran soul man Sam Dees who has been predominantly a writer who's biggest selling song is probably "One In A Million You" by Larry Graham (1980). The two sides offered up on Soul4Real are actually demos he recorded in the late 70s / early 80s.

The A side is "Where Is The Love" and the B side is a demo of a song "Love Calls" recorded by Tavares on "Madam Butterfly" as "My Love Calls" which was actually one of three Dees songs they recorded on the album in 1979 ("Let Me Heal The Bruises" and "Games, Games" being the other two with only "Let Me Heal The Bruises" getting a 7" release which came out both as a B side initially and then an A side). The album also includes a version of Al Johnson / Jean Carn's, Kenny Stover penned, "Back For More".

Both sides are licensed from Ace/Kent who featured them on their 1998 Sam Dees compilation "The Heritage Of A Black Man".

Available now from Soul4Real.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul4Real
Cat No:	S4R19
Date:	01/06/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	€14 + postage

Ray Alexander Technique [2022] - Taking The Long Way Home // I Am In Love With You / I Wonder Why [Izipho Soul #ZP 79]

Back in Apr 2020 a Chris Bartley Discography was posted. So what's that got to do with this release you may well ask? Well one of the singles featured was with Ray Alexander Technique on Lu-Jun, which at the time I couldn't find sound samples for. Patrick Biggerstaff at Izipho Soul has just now 'obliged' by releasing both sides on the B side of the latest vinyl release on the label.

In fact, not long after the original post, Now-Again released an expanded edition of Ray Alexander Technique's only album "Let's Talk" which included the two sides recorded with Chris Bartley not on the original album.

Ray Alexander Technique consisted of four musicians from Harlem: Ray Alexander Jenkins, Quinn Lynch (sax), Douglas Wilkerson (bass) and Holly Jones (percussion). They only released two singles, the title track of the album, along with an instrumental version on the flip, and the two sides with Chris Bartley. These two singles and the album are the only releases on the label, so presumably a private press hence the album commands around £500 and the second single around £600.

Yet another top drawer release with it being the first time on 7" for "Taking The Long Way Home" and both sides of the very scarce "I Am In Love With You" c/w "I Wonder Why". This will almost certainly sell out very quickly so you know what to do .. get your order in now at Izipho Soul for release on 17 Jun 2022.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media	7"
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP 79
Date:	17/06/2022
Key/BPM:	8B/116 / 9B/68 / 10B/117
Price:	£12

Ripple [2022] - Maybe It's You / Sweet Lady [Izipho Soul #ZP77]

Two tracks previously unissued but probably recorded for inclusion on Ripple's 1973 self-titled debut album which later appeared, first on a digital release of a 21 track expanded version titled "But It Sure Is Funky" album in 2011, and then on a CD release in Japan in Dec 2021. However, the new vinyl re-issue from Izipho Soul contains an extended, previously unissued, mix of "Sweet Lady" weighing in at 5:08 versus the original 2:57 mix along with "Maybe It's You".

Ripple were from the Mid West but recorded on Atlanta based GRC and hit with their very first single in 1973 "I Don't Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky". They switched to Salsoul Records in the late 70s and had another, possibly better known hit, "The Beat Goes On" in 1977.

They released two albums ("Ripple" 1973 & "Sons Of The Gods" 1977) and around eight singles only two of which failed to enter the R&B chart (the two prior to The Beat Goes On").

The two tracks featured on the new Izipho Soul single were more than likely recorded at the same sessions as their "Ripple" album but left on the cutting room floor. "Maybe It's You" is a superb slice of crossover/modern/jazzy soul written by band members Keith Samuels and Simon Carter whilst "Sweet Lady" is a more uptempo Latin flavoured tune (I detect hints of Cal Tjader "Soul Sauce" about 2 mins in) written by group member Curtis Reynolds who has just featured with Brick's Jimmy Brown on Izipho's digital only release of "No Love Like Yours".

Available now to pre-order from Izipho Soul for release on 17 Jun 2022.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP 77
Date:	15/06/2022
Key/BPM:	8B/120 / 8A/140(70)
Price:	£12

Jack Tennis [2022] - Let Me Blow Your Mind [Too Slow To Disco #TSD09]

Jack Tennis (aka Hotlane) is a DJ/Producer from Berlin who has featured on every volume of Too Slow To Disco Yacht Disco Edits so far. On 17 Jun 2022 he has a four track 10" transparent vinyl release which is also available digitally.

One track is available now "Let Me Blow Your Mind" which is based on Teddy Pendergrass' Close The Door" (1978). The other, forthcoming, tracks are "Love No More", ("Don't Let Love Get You Down" Archie Bell & The Drells (1986)), "About Cha" ("Somethin' 'Bout 'Cha" Latimore (1976) (also recorded by Millie Jackson)) and "Too Lonely" ("Gigolos Get Lonely Too" The Time (1982)).

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Remix / Re-Edit
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital / 10" Vinyl
Label:	Too Slow To Disco
Cat No:	TSTD09
Date:	17/06/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	€5 / €12

Gloria Gaynor [2022] - The Philadelphia Re-edit Sessions [Simpson Uniquity] (Full Album)

Paul Simpson returns with the next installment of his Philadelphia Re-Edit Sessions this time with Gloria Gaynor as the subject. All tracks are taken from three albums spanning 1975-81.

The opening track is from "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1975) arranged by Norman Harris. The next three from "Park Avenue Sound" (1978) involving Norman Harris, Ron Tyson, Ron Kersey and the last four from her 1981 album "I Kinda Like Me" (McFadden & Whitehead).

1975 Never Can Say Goodbye *

1978 Gloria Gaynor's Park Avenue Sound **

1981 I Kinda Like Me ***

1/ Honeybee (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:26 *

2/ This love affair (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:50 **

3/ Part time love (Is a full time job) Paul Simpson Re-edit 05:55 **

4/ Kidnapped (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 06:23 **

5/ I kinda like me (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 07:15 ***

6/ Let's mend what's been broken (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:07 ***

7/ When you get around to it (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 04:13 ***

8/ Chasin' me into somebody else's arms (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 03:48 ***

The last session consisted of 20 tracks by Archie Bell & The Drells, released on 16 May, which has already been removed so you need to grab these quickly as they are always removed after two weeks. It's not marketing hype, you you have until 13 Jun 2020 to get this one.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Philly Soul / Remix Re-Edit
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Simpson Uniquity
Cat No:	None
Date:	30/05/2022
Price:	$7.99