Soul Strutter: 08/08/22

Monday, 8 August 2022

Samara Joy [2022] - Can't Get Out Of This Mood [Verve]

Regular blog readers may recall that when Antonio McLendon's single "My Baby" was posted last year that their was mention of his daughter Samara who won The Sarah Vaughn Vocal Jazz Competition in 2019.

She has only just turned 22 years old (on 22 Jul) and has just been signed by the legendary jazz label Verve and has an album "Linger Awhile" due on 16 Sep 2022. It is her second album after releasing a self-titled debut in Jul 2021. Like her last album, the new album has many jazz standards such as "Misty", "'Round Midnight", "Guess Who I Saw Today" and "Someone To Watch Over Me".

Samara Joy's voice belies her 22 years and, unsurprisingly, she is from a rich musical background with, not only her father Antonio, but her grandparents Goldwire and Ruth McLendon who sang with Philadelphia gospel group The Savettes.

To promote the album a single "Can't Get Out Of This Mood" was released on Friday (5 Aug 2022). Be prepared to be 'blown away' and transported back to the golden age of jazz with her extraordinary vocal abilities.

The song was written by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh and featured in the 1942 film "7 Day's Leave" (which starred Victor Mature and Lucille Ball) sung by Sarah Vaughn.

There is no video for the new single but there is one for a recent performance of a song Nancy Wilson made her own in 1960, "Guess Who I Saw Today", (which will be included on her new album) and recently covered on Mike Di Lorenzo's "What We Need" album featuring Denise Stewart on vocals.

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:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Jazz
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Verve
Cat No:	None
Date:	05/08/2022
Key/BPM:	7B/67
Price:	£1

Black Smoke Band [2022] - I'll Keep Searching / Get'n Off [Epsilon #EPS 016]

The Black Smoke Band were from Dunn, NC, comprising of five members: Norwell McNeill (lead vocals), Bobby Moore (bass guitar), James Jacobs (lead guitar), Joe McLaughlin (keyboards), Ronnie Brewington, (drums).

The band members met whilst in their teens playing local bars, dance halls and night clubs and gigging with other local acts and all began recording music prior to the band’s two releases.

Yann Vatiste's Epsilon Records has reissued their second, and last, single "Get'n Off" / "I'll Keep Searching" but has switched the sides around leading with the original B side modern soul track, relegating the funky original A side to the B side.

Yann writes:

"A moody, funky, and compelling arrangement that eschewed the ubiquitous disco sound of the period and created a gritty masterpiece for lovers of hard edged soul music.

Norwell’s gruff, captivating vocal and some stellar guitar work were all laid over a tight, rolling beat accompanied by strong horn stabs.

The pleading, emotional dynamics of the record work brilliantly with its strutting, insistent pace. Delivering both emotionally and musically it was to be the group’s swan song, but left ample evidence of the talent that lay within them as a band."

The original single must be pretty scarce as none have ever sold on Discogs, which also lists their first single, "Skate Board" (a solid funk cut) / "Starting My Life All Over Again" (a sweet soul tune showcasing Norwell McNeill's) from 1977, yet neither are listed on 45Cat. There are only two listed on Popsike with one of the sellers claiming that only two known copies exist! One sold in 2012 for a snip at $115 (but it was graded G-) with the other selling in 2021 having a price of $1,000 but best offer was accepted, so who knows what it actually went for? There are also only four copies of their first single listed which have sold between $400-$800.

Both of their singles were recorded in 1977 at Arthur Smith's Studios in Charlotte and both released on the group’s own label, Black Smoke Productions which were private pressings via QCA Mastering Studios in Cincinnati, OH.

The group went their separate ways in 1978, although all of the members continuing to perform in and around North Carolina for many years afterwards.

Drummer Ronnie Brewington passed away, but the other four original members of the group are still actively making music, with Norwell McNeill and Bobby Moore remaining in regular contact today.

Bobby played with Kool & The Gang for a brief spell, alongside other well known acts. Joe McLaughlin continues to run his own studio, and has a large back catalogue of previously unheard material recorded both before and after the Black Smoke years.

Order online from Epsilon website.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / 70s Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	EPS 016
Date:	08/08/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.50 incl UK shipping £22.50 incl worldwide shipping

Candace Woodson [2022] - Perfect [Self Released] (Full Album)

The new album from Candace Woodson, "Perfect", which was posted on 28 Jul from promo, is released today (8 Aug 2022). Candace is reporting 22.5k streams already within hours of release on her facebook page.

Candace Woodson made a turnaround with her hit single "Midas Touch" in 2021 which we are told has received 50k downloads/streams. A Tom Moulton remix of it is included on her new album.

The album has been in production for a year by Candace, Nigel Lowis, Julian Jonah, Gary Van Den Bussche and others and will also be available on CD.

The title track "(Trying To Be) Perfect" is a cover of a Valerie Simpson 2012 album track from "Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again" chosen by Gary and released as her last single which was a slow burner and became a real grower.

Other tracks include "She's Back" which has a funky "Like Sugar" groove, "Spread Love" has a Mary Mary gospel vibe. "Step To This Love Song" is a song for Candace's stepper fan base with "Better Days" being a smooth jazz song. When interviewed on Gary's Starpoint Radio Show, Candace was asked about the man in her life, to which she responded that she was still looking for "Mr Right" which is the title of a ballad on the album.

Julian Jonah, who has just had a hit with "Now's The Time For Us", co-wrote and produced the uptempo "Better Together". Another uptempo number, "Dancin'", has been given the thumbs up by BBC's John Leech with early demo plays. Finally, "Steal The Night" was paired with "(Trying to Be) Perfect" as a double (website only) single released earlier this year.

With the variety of ballads, steppers, smooth jazz, dance tunes, a funky number and even a gospel inspired song there is something for everyone. I think my choice cut is the remix of "Midas Touch" on which Tom Moulton has done a fine job and on the funky "She's Back" Candace is heard in a new light. The album has been getting plenty of airplay with different DJ's highlighting different tracks.

Candace is about to tour the UK on the Giants Of Soul tour commencing on 4 Sep with many artists who were big in the 80s e.g. Rose Royce's Gwen Dickey, Deniece Williams, Alexander O'Neal and more.

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:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	08/08/2022
Price:	£7.99

DJ Kool Keith [2022-08-07] - Soulful Vibes [Soul Groove Radio]

The second episode of the new format Soulful Vibes show by DJ Kool Keith (The Soul Emperor) broadcast at the new time of 12:00-14:00 (BST/UK Time) each Sunday on Soul Groove Radio.

In case you missed the announcement last week, his Soulful Slow Jams show has been moved to L.A. station Soul Radio Coast 2 Coast starting today (Mon 8 Aug) which will be broadcast at 22:00 PDT (Tue 06:00 BST in UK) but the podcasts will be posted here for those in UK unable to catch it live.

His Sunday show on Soul Groove Radio has been moved to an earlier time slot between noon and 2pm when he will be playing more upfront and upbeat music with the odd reissue thrown in for good measure.

All DJ Kool Keith podcast are available to listen/download from Podomatic.

Playlist:

Louise Mehan, Chris Kingdon - Take Our Love To The Top (CK Factory Edit)

Kem - Right On Time (Gedi Edit)

Saweetie feat. H.E.R. - Closer

Candace Woodson - Step To This Love Song

Candace Woodson - Dancing

Semaj Foreman - Bring You Back (Gedi Edit)

Lamont Johnson & Eugene - Let's Go Dance Tonight

Noah Eliyas - Endless Love

Sound Of SuperBad feat. Joyce San Mateo - Loving You (Original Mix)

Jamison Ross - Tell Me You Love Me (The Realm Remix)

Ylusive - Right There

Slater Joel - Breakthrough

Paulyae - Break Ya (Gedi Edit)

ESNC - Ain't Going Nowhere (Gedi Clean Edit)

Mariah - Bizness

Mikeila Janae - 21 Days Til Summer (Gedi Clean Edit)

Shauny - LOTDF (Love On The Dance Floor)

Melladaze - I Love Ya

K. Roosevelt - Pleasure & Pain

Avery*Sunshine - Lucky

Charlie Thomas - Don't Let Me Know

John Legend feat. Muni Long - Honey

Tunnie Smith - Dancing On Da Clouds

S.P.L. - Taking Back What’s Mine

Thuy feat. Rini - Trust

J-Darius - Groove Tonight

J-Darius - LA Sunset

Solex - Fallin For Ya

Solex - Let's Go

The Ton3s feat. Tarriona Tank Ball - Lose It (Gedi Edit)

Eva Lazarus - Royalty

Jess Connelly - Better (Gedi Edit)

Cherri V - Crazy, Stupid, Love

Nanette - Vent (Gedi Clean Edit)

Ariel Lianne - Never Leave

UK Soul Chart Breakers 6th Aug 2022 (Week 31)

Here are the latest UK Soul Chart Breakers for 6th Aug 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
Cale Austin - Whisper (Paul Phillips Soulful Riddim Remix)	12/08	07/08
Raja-Nee' - Take My Breath	11/08	07/08
B. Golden - Missing You (Feelings LP)	05/08	05/08
J-Darius - LA Sunset (No Time Wasted LP)	05/08	05/08
Shayna - Sweet Memories	05/08	05/08
Beth Macari - Shoulda Known Better	29/07	04/08
Abi Farrell - Nobody Else	05/08	07/08
Jen Ash - Crush On You	31/07
Randy Hall - Langley Avenue	12/08	06/08
Danny Toeman - When the Lights Go Down	19/08	03/08
DeMann - Love Tonight	11/07
Tyler Page - Hard 2 Know	29/07	02/08
Lovebirds & Stee Downes - Freedom (Lovebirds Summer of 79 Mix)	05/08
Calvin Harris - New To You	29/07	03/08
Dj Matt Black - Luv U 2 My Soul	17/07

UK Soul Chart 8th Aug 2022 (Week 31)

8th Aug 2022

The new UK Soul Chart for 8th Aug 2022.

Summary: There are 6 risers, 16 fallers, 3 non-mover, 5 new entries

New Entries: Captain Sky (6), Miracle Thomas (9), The Sound Of Superbad (11), D'Jear (14), Kem (21)

Highest Risers: U-Nam (+11), Kahri Cabral & JIVA (+7)

Biggest Fallers: Bar-Kays (-11), Michel B. Sutton (-10), Dome 30 Years Vol. 2 (-7)

Losers: Lee Wilson, Terri Green, Sargent Tucker, Johnny James Dr J, Shirley jones

Pos	Last	Chg	Artist - Title
1	8	+7	Kahri Cabral & JIVA - I Believe (5 LP)
2	2	0	Tyra LeVone - Chronicles Of Life LP
3	14	+11	U-Nam - California Funk Machine Vol. 2 LP
4	1	-3	R&R Soul Orchestra - Moods
5	4	-1	GLOW - Two Of Diamonds EP
6			Captain Sky - Look Me Up (All Of The Above LP)
7	3	-4	Cool Million Feat. Heather Haywood - Moonlit Rendezvous
8	7	-1	Summer Payton - My Life
9			Miracle Thomas - Sugar Free (Rob Hardt Mix)
10	11	+1	Saint Jaimz - One 4 Me
11			The Sound Of Superbad Feat. Joyce San Mateo - You're the Best Thing EP
12	5	-7	VA - Dome 30 Years Vol. 2 LP
13	10	-3	Noel Gourdin - Get To You
14			D'Jear - Love Is Real
15	6	-9	Dave Lee - Produced With Love 2 LP
16	17	+1	Melba Moore - Cant Stop The Rain (Imagine LP)
17	12	-5	Geoff Waddington Feat. Tameka Jackson - This Is Love
18	16	-2	Julian Jonah Feat. Tamika - Now's The Time For Us
19	19	0	Felton Pilate - Here's What I'd Do For You
20	9	-11	Bar-Kays - Choosey Lover
21			Kem - Full Circle EP
22	15	-7	Chris Kingdon & Louise Mehan- Take Our Love To The Top
23	21	-2	Acantha Lang - It's Gonna Be Alright
24	23	-1	Howard Johnson - You're A Star
25	22	-3	Blue Soul Ten - This Is Worth It LP
26	25	-1	Lori Williams - Too Late (It's My Time)
27	27	0	Victor Orlando - Time 2 Party
28	29	+1	Juanita Wynn - Make It Right
29	30	+1	Snoop Dogg - Death Row Summer 2022 LP
30	20	-10	Michael B. Sutton - Band Aid For A Broken Heart