Soul Strutter: 07/22/22

Friday, 22 July 2022

midnight.blue [2022] - Breathe [Perception Records]

Midnight.Blue is a collaborative project based in Denver, CO, formed in Apr 2020 by Lyle Divinsky (formerly The Motet) vocals, Eric Benny Bloom trumpet (Lettuce), Josh Fairman bass (Sunsquabi), Adam Deitch drums (Lettuce), Ian Gilley keyboards (Recess), Jake 'Jay.Greens' Leventhal guitar (Perception Records), Halle Tomlinson vocals (The Voice) and G. Finesse vocals (Black Eagle Society).

They released a debut singe "Take The Time" on Denver's Perception Records on 2 Jun 2022 which marked the first of four singles to be pre-released ahead of their forthcoming debut album due for release on 18 Aug 2022.

The title track of the forthcoming album, "Breathe", was released on 19 Jul 2022. As he did with the first single, Franklin Sinclair got to this one first on his New Music Hour this evening.

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:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Perception Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	19/07/2022
Key/BPM:	3A/94
Price:	£1

Antonio McLendon [2022] - How I Feel [Barbee Group Publishing]

You may recognise the name Antonio McLendon from being the featured vocalist on Output/Input's recent single "I'm In Love" (which for me is their best to date). His new single "How I Feel" was released today (22 Jul 2022) which is a real grower. It is very well sung and produced and creeps up on you and after a couple of spins I'm hooked!

On a particularly poor Friday for good quality releases it's a blessing finding something as good as this as it gives a boost to keep looking when you find a diamond in the rough.

Antonio (Charles) McLendon was born in Philadelphia, but now lives in The Bronx, New York and currently performs with The World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir. There is another artist from Connecticut with the same name, so the one to look for is Antonio C. McLendon.

Whilst it appears that he hasn't released a lot of material, he is certainly no newcomer having supported many established artists such as Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Tata Vega, James Ingram and Donna Summer amongst their ranks.

He featured here last year with a single "My Baby" where there were also some live videos from YouTube posted of a superb version of "A House Is Not A Home" and a 2019 audition for The Voice where he sings Leon Russell's "A Song For You". I urge you to view them as he is a class act!

I've only just realised that I also previously posted a video for the current single which was upload to YouTube in Jun 2018 so have re-posted it here.

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:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Barbee Group Publishing
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/07/2022
Key/BPM:	3B/92
Price:	£1

DeVon Baker [2022] - Be Around [Bakers Way]

Whilst not a new artist, DeVon Baker (originally from Dallas, TX, now living in Atlanta, GA) releases only his third single "Be Around" today. His first was "Worthy Are You Lord" way back in 2014.

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:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Gospel Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/07/2022
Key/BPM:	3A/95
Price:	£1

Gabby Henderson [2022] - Bring It Back [North Node]

Gabby Henderson is from Chicago, IL, and released her fifth single "Bring It Back" today (22 Jul 2022) to add to her debut EP five track EP "A Year Living Dangerously" from 2022.

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:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	North Node
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/07/2022
Key/BPM:	4A/56
Price:	£1

Venna & Marco [2022] - Where Are We Going? [Decca]

A new single from Venna (Malik Venner) & Marco Bernardis "Where Are We Going?" seems to be influenced by Marvin's "What's Going On?".

Venna debuted last June (2021) and released two singles before a six track EP "Venology" in Sep. and this is his first solo release since then.

UPDATE My brain get's 'fuddled' on a Friday with so much music. I thought this sounded familiar. Marvin Gaye recorded it and it was originally intended for release on "Your The Man" which was unreleased but later released posthumously. It has appeared on several Gaye compilations including as a bonus track on a reissue of "Let's Get It On" and then it came out as a 12" which was even posted last year. It was originally recorded by Donald Byrd in 1973 on "Black Byrd" whose version was included on the 12". Thanks to Gary Van Den Bussche for reminding me!

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:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Decca
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/07/2022
Key/BPM:	4A/98
Price:	£1