Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Mica Millar & Acantha Lang Live @Jazz Cafe, London 17 Sep 2022


What a year it has been from Mica Millar, from releasing her debut album, "Heaven Knows", featuring on the cover of legendary soul journals Blues & Soul and also Echoes in August (and of course having her album premiered on Soul Strutter before anywhere else), being playlisted by both Jazz FM and BBC, she has now been nominated in three categories for Jazz FM Awards 2022, Breakthrough Act of the Year (shortlisted with Chelsea Carmichael, Jasmine Myra) and Soul Act of the Year (shortlisted with Alex Isley, Cleo Sol)

A few accolades Mica and her album have received already:

Blues & Soul "A star with intense emotional sincerities is born"
Echoes Soul Album of the month
Jazz FM Album of the Week (Jul) and #1 in album chart
Daily Express "Her voice is amazing and her originals feel timeless and euphoric"
Daily Mirror "A classy debut"

I have to say that after witnessing her first performance of her album launch on Saturday at the Jazz Cafe, for me it's a complete no brainer. She was exceptional as was Acantha Lang who supported her. Jazz FM's Deb Grant was spinning the funky tunes between acts.
Acantha sang five songs "Sugar Woman", Beautiful Dream" (her next single?), "It's Gonna Be Alright" (her current single),  Louis Lang" and "He Said / She Said" (her debut single).

A video was posted of her performance at 5dB Canteen back in May where she also sang these songs.

Mica sang her whole album more or less in track running order but kept the title track back for an encore. She also sang a stunning new song "When You're Gone" which she said was written, but not finished in time, to be included on the album which I suggested ('urged') her to release as a single and she casually said she'd think about it! Believe me, it's a killer!
A second album launch is being held at Albert Hall, Manchester on Sunday (25 Sep) and I seriously urge you to make the effort to attend if you are in the area as you certainly won't be disappointed. Supporting Mica in Manchester will be London's Cherise

Whilst there was filming done at the Jazz Cafe, I understand that the Albert Hall gig is being filmed with a view to releasing DVDs in the future.

I honestly believe that once Mica's music starts to get wider attention that we have a potential star in the making, and I don't say that lightly, as my partner came along and had not heard Mica and drew parallels with Adele!
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Details
Rating: 8.6
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: New Soul
Format: Album Tracks / Videos
Media: Digital / CD / Vinyl
Label: Golden Hour Music
Cat No: None
Date: 10/06/2022
Price: £10.99 / £18.50 / £35
Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Kem Feat. Rick Ross [2022] - Right On Time [Motown] VIDEO


A new video is available for one of the choice cuts from Kem's "The First Circle" EP (released on 22 Jul) "Right On Time" featuring Rick Ross.

Kem's next project is a live album commemorating his 20th anniversary at Motown. It has been recorded earlier this month during two shows at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit  and is set for release on 25 Nov 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. 

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Details
Rating: 8.4
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: New Soul
Format: Album Track
Media: Digital
Label: Motown
Cat No: None
Date: 09/09/2022
Key/BPM: 2B/105
Price: £1
Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Danny Toeman [2022] - When The Lights Go Down / Feel My Soul [LRK Records #LRK-16]


The new single from Danny Toeman was released digitally on 19 Aug 2022.It is also available to pre-order on vinyl from LRK Bandcamp store for delivery on 23 Sep 2022.

The B side has now been revealed as "Feel My Soul", video below, which I think I personally prefer to the A side, so a great double-sider.

This year has proved fruitful for Danny Toeman with his last single "Shake the Blues" receiving airplay on BBC Radio 2, headlining a string of sold out shows, and supporting Diana Ross on one of her UK appearances.

To date, in addition to Diana Ross, he has shared the stage with soul luminaries such as Robert Cray, Betty Wright, Charles Bradley and Kool & the Gang.

His new single "When the Lights Go Down" is firm favourite in his live performances and is inspired by Philly Soul. A video for the song features retro dance troupe The Meyer Dancers.

The feel-good track combines an orchestral mix of funk, soul, and disco with wry lyrics about finding the keys to the heart of a woman who just can’t be satisfied! It was co-written with David Albury, who is currently starring as Bob Marley in the musical 'Get Up, Stand Up, on London’s West End. He also contributes backing vocals, alongside Durga McBroom, famed backing vocalist for Pink Floyd. Mixing duties were taken up by Vince Chiarito in New York, whose credits include Black Pumas, and Eli 'Paperboy' Reed.

Danny appeared live at Hootananny, Brixton on Friday (16 Sep) but you can still catch him on 6 Nov at The Grand Central, Brighton.

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

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Details
Rating: 8.4
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: New Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital / 7"
Label: LRK Records
Cat No: LRK-16
Date: 19/08/2022 / 23/09/2022
Key/BPM: 5A/122 / N/A
Price: £1 / £12.99
Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

VA [2022] - For Dancers Forty - Kent Records 1982-2022 [Kent #HIQLP 103] (Full Album)


Kent Records is celebrating 40 years since the release of their first vinyl compilation "For Dancers Only" compiled by Ady Croasdel comprising fifteen quite hard to find tunes at the time. To commemorate the event they have a new vinyl only compilation of fourteen tracks from Los Angeles labels they have titled "For Dancers Forty"

The album is available to pre-order from Ace/Kent on vinyl for release on 28 Oct 2022.

All but one I've managed to find on Spotify. The missing track is a brand new 1966 recording from 50s Modern R&B artists Aaron Collins & The Teen Queens not previously available but a link to a sample is included. 

Side 1

01 - Jackie Day - Long As I Got My Baby
02 - The Marvellos - Down In The City
03 - The Other Brothers - I Got Love
04 - The Simms Twins - I've Got To Win Your Love (For Me)
05 - The Intentions - My Love She's Gone
06 - The Sweethearts - This Couldn't Be Me
07 - The Saints - The Sun Don't Shine (Everyday)

Side 2

01 - Tommy Youngblood - Tobacco Road North
02 - Jackie Shane - Stand Up Straight And Tall
03 - Aaron Collins & The Teen Queens - Walk The Chalk Line
04 - Billy Watkins - I'm Tired aka Love Line
05 - Little Joe Hinton - Tired Of Walkin'
06 - Z.Z. Hill - That's It
07 - Johnny Copeland  - I Was Born To Love You

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Details
Rating: 8.4
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Northern Soul
Format: Album / Compilation
Media: Vinyl
Label: Kent
Cat No: HIQLP 103
Date: 28/10/2022
Price: £22.14
Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Raja-Nee' [2022] - The Sovereign of 14742 [JARF Music] (Full Album Samples) NOW AVAILABLE ON VINYL


The new album from Raja-Nee' "The Sovereign of 14742" is now available on VERY limited edition VINYL. Only 100 copies have been pressed on coloured vinyl and they are all signed by Raja-Nee'. 

To obtain a copy email soulstrutter@gmail.com. At this time we are gauging demand to know how many to ship over. Price will be approx. £25 depending on shipping costs.

The album is available from Bandcamp on CD and we still have a very limited quantity of signed copies left for UK/European buyers to save on the US shipping, email soulstrutter@gmail.com.

For further information on the album visit the previous post 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. 


01 - I Adore You
02 - Goldie's Interlude (Max Julien)
03 - Kiss Me Touch Me
04 - Come Get This Love
05 - One Less Bell To Answer
06 - Take My Breath
07 - Rolling At Midnight (Midnight Vibe Mix)
08 - Love In A Groove
09 - All I Need is Love (Vicki's Song)
10 - Close To Me
11 - My Window
12 - Ll Bob's Prayer (Bobby Ross Final Interlude)
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Details
Rating: 8.7
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: New Soul
Format: Album
Media: CD
Label: JARF Music Group
Cat No: None
Date: 28/08/2022
Price UK: £15 incl. P&P from soulstrutter@gmail.com
Price US: $15 + US P&P from Raja-Nee
Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved