2023 Albums of the Year - Jan-Jun

As we are half-way through 2023 it's a good time to take stock of some of the best albums of the year so far that were released in January to June 2023. We were going to select 100 but, as often the case, many were one or two track only albums, so we've settled on 50. 

NOTE EPs, compilations, reissues, cover albums (i.e. Billy Valentine) have been excluded from consideration.

Most of them you will know, but links are provided so you can familiarise yourself with any you may have missed or wish to revisit.

In terms of blog views, and general popularity, October London's "The Rebirth of Marvin" is streets ahead of the others. Whilst Joe Leavy's album wasn't officially released until 7 Jul it has picked up considerable airplay before official release and has been topping the Soul Associates Top 30 for the last three weeks. 

Soul Associates Top 30 #1s (which commenced week 10 (w/e 12 Mar '23)) have included (in reverse chronlological order):  

Joe Leavy - Soul On Fire

Angie Stone Love Language

Helen Bruner & Terry Jones - 2nd Overture

Terry Walker - My Love Story

Maysa - Music Is My Soul

Will Downing - Pieces

Natasha Watt - Music Is My Life

October London - The Rebirth of Marvin

The following have all appeared in the Top 5 not quite making the top spot:

Chelsea Nichole Feat. Jeff Lorber - Love Letters 

Adi Oasis - Lotus Glow 

Claire Davis - Get It Right

Ray Greene - Stay 

Jay Lamont - Just For You

Jeff Bradshaw - Jeff Bradshaw 20

Nicola Conte - Umoja

Mike Di Lorenzo - Play It Cool

Dinner Party - Enigmatic Society 

Following on from our four part Top 100 Neo Soul series we are in the process of compiling a Top 100 for more mainstream soul releases and many of the prime album cuts will inevitably be included.

Top 50

They are not ranked in order, simply listed by reverse chronological release date. 

(*) indicates an artist  website only release

Jun

Joe Leavy - Soul On Fire [7 Jul] (*) - 8.8

Acantha Lang - Beautiful Dreams [30 Jun] - 8.2

Nicola Conte - Umoja [30 Jun] - 8.0

Derric Gobourne Jr. - Until: Summer Songs Inspired by a Hummingbird [29 Jun] - 8.3

Cynáa-Nicole - MY LIFE [24 Jun] - 8.4

Secret Night Gang - Belongs on a Place Called Earth [23 Jun] - 8.6

Jeff Bradshaw - Jeff Bradshaw 20 [23 Jun] - 8.5

Reuben James - Champagne Kisses [23 Jun] - 8.4

Karlos Edwards - Welcome To My World [20 Jun] - 8.4

R. Cory Johnson - Collages of Music And Love, Vol. 1 [18 Jun] - 8.0

Lin Rountree - The Message [16 Jun] - 8.4

Wendy Hicks - A Woman's Dream [16 Jun] - 7.8

Manuka Groove - Whatever it takes [15 Jun] - 8.4

Sipprell - Peace In The Madness [8 Jun] - 8.3

Carla Prather - The Return of R&B [8 Jun] - 8.5

Darius Ford - Maturity [2 Jun] - 8.5

Mike Di Lorenzo - Play It Cool [2 Jun] - 8.4

May

Angie Stone - Love Language [19 May] - 8.2

Bobby Harden & The Soulful Saints - Bridge Of Love [12 May] - 8.6

Kelly Moonstone - I Digress...  [30 May] - 8.5

Entice - Flavas [26 May] - 8.0

Marie Dahlstrom - A Good Life [22 May] - 8.2

Elli Ingram - Bad Behaviour [12 May] - 8.4

Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Intuition [5 May] - 8.6

Apr

Izo FitzRoy - A Good Woman [28 Apr] - 8.2

Helen Bruner & Terry Jones - 2nd Overture [28 Apr] - 8.8

Amaria - All For You [28 Apr] - 8.6

Jay Lamont - Just For You [21 Apr] - 8.4

Claire Davis - Get It Right [21 Apr] - 8.9

Ray Greene - Stay [14 Apr] - 8.2

Terri Walker - My Love Story [14 Apr] - 8.4

Dinner Party - Enigmatic Society [14 Apr] - 8.4

Mar

Maysa - Music For Your Soul [31 Mar]  - 8.6

Natasha Watts - Music Is My Life [24 Mar (*) - 8.8

Johnny Britt - After We Play [17 Mar] - 8.7

Ten City & Marshall Jefferson - Love Is Love [17 Mar] - 8.5

Tristan - Seven [3 Mar] - 8.6

Adi Oasis - Lotus Glow [3 Mar] - 8.6

Feb

The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B. - Reflections [25 Feb] (*)  - 8.6

Terrill Carter - Feels Like This [17 Feb] - 7.8

Chelsea Nichole Feat. Jeff Lorber - Love Letters [14 Feb] - 8.2

Danny Boy - Black Heart [14 Feb] - 8.2

October London - The Rebirth Of Marvin [10 Feb] - 9.5

Will Downing - Pieces [10 Feb] - 8.8

Sabrina Claudio - Archives & Lullabies [10 Feb] - 8.3

Raheem DeVaughn - Love Euphoria [10 Feb] - 8.4

Soulpersona - Soulacoaster 2023 [3 Feb] - 8.6

Jan

Massnada - Glamour [24 Jan] - 8.3

Carmen Jones - Naked [19 Jan] - 8.2

Kyle Jason - The Right Place [6 Jan] - 8.8

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