Soul Strutter: 02/15/23

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

The R&R Soul Orchestra [2023] - Heavenly Redux [The American R&B Company]

The new single from Julio Herrera's The R&R Soul Orchestra, released yesterday (14 Feb '23) is a new, 'beefed up', version of "Heavenly" from 2020, retitled "Heavenly Redux". Both versions are included below so you can hear the difference.

Julio tells us "I thought it needed more, especially after listening to Baker, Harris & Young productions such as Double Exposure "Ten Percent" and a lot of Salsoul Orchestra and generally the Philly sound".

Last Sep ('22) Steve Aggasild caught up with Julio following the superb last single "Moods" which featured in many end-of-year playlist selections. If you missed the interview then you can view it HERE.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	The American R&B Company
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/02/2023 / 25/06/2020
Key/BPM:	N/A / 6A/115
Price:	£1

Connie Stevens [2023] - Tick Tock / Keep Growing Strong [Measured Mile #NW 514]

Coming at the end of March on Ace's Measured Mile imprint is a reissue of Connie Steven's 1970 Bell single "Tick Tock" / "Keep Growing Strong".

The lead side, "Tick-Tock", has had spins on the Northern Soul scene for many year and is a perhaps a Marmite tune as the singer was an established 'blonde bombshell' singer/actress from the 50s & 60s appearing in several movies and TV series including Maverick with James Garner. There was another version of the song, a rather bland MOR version by The Vogues, a white quartet from Pittsburgh, released the same year on a Reprise album only.

However, flip it over and you find the original recording of "Betcha By Golly Wow" which was retitled to "Keep Growing Stronger" at the behest of Bell Records owner Larry Utall, who hated the original title. I have to say that I'm with him on that one as the original title is a bit 'naff'! It would be another two years before The Stylistics had a wordlwide hit with it.

In her short stay at Bell between 1970-72 she also recorded a few other songs with Thom Bell including a version of The Delfonics' "La La Means I Love You" along with "I Don't Know" slotted for release on Bell 992 in April 1971. Whether it was released or not is a mystery as no copies seem to have been listed or turned up. Thankfully, Anthony Reichardt's excellent YouTube channel has somehow unearthed copies of both sides.

Some may question the white sounding vocals but it is an example of the early Philly sound productions coming out of Joe Tarsia's Sigma Sound studios.

Lovers of beat ballads may wish to check out "Now That You've Gone" (Warner Bros. 1965). The song was co-written by Petula Clark and recorded on her 1965 "Downtown" album but don't let that put you off!

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Sweet Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Measured Mile
Cat No:	NW 514
Date:	31/03/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10.88

The Sextones [2023] - You're So Fine [Record Kicks #RKDIGI115]

The follow up to their cover of Jean Plum's "Here I Go Again" by The Sextones is another cover of a obscure 1975 single "You're So Fine" by Papa Bear & His Cubs, Papa Bear being Eddie Disnute Sr. with is children.

The group released just one single on a private press, label Subtropical Music Services (SMS) based out of a garage recording studio in Camden, AK, which has been known about in rare soul circles for some time. Although the same title, the A side, "Sweetest Thing On This Side Of Heaven", isn't the Chris Bartley song written by Van McCoy, but detect some lines/phrases similar to Eddie Floyd's "I've Never Found A Girl". Both sides on Papa & The Bears single also included below. I had little chuckle as the intro sounds like it's going be The Glitter Band until the vocals kick in!

The Papa & The Bears original vinyl now commands around £4k but was reissued by Athens Of The North in 2019 with "You're So Fine" taking lead billing. Even these now seem to command high prices ranging from £40 with some 'hopeful' sellers asking for as much as $237!

The Sextones' new version was released digitally yesterday via Bandcamp and will be released on 7" vinyl (due 10 Mar '23) paired with a cover of The Intruders' "Cowboys To Girls". Supporting them on backing vocals is Saundra Williams of Saun & Starr and The Dap Kings

The Sextones are quartet from Reno, Nevada formed as The Mark Sexton Band in 2007. They released two albums under that name ("Multifomity" (2008) and "Listen Out" (2010)) and changed their name to The Sextones in 2015 releasing their first album using the name, "Moonlight Vision", in 2017.

The current line-up is Mark Sexton (guitar, vocals), his younger brother Chris (piano), Alexander Korostinsky (bass) and Daniel Weiss (drums) who have known each other since childhood.

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Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul / Cover Version / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Record Kicks
Cat No:	RKDIGI115
Date:	14/02/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	€0.90 / €10

Dennis Taylor [2023] - Let's Stay In Tonight [Soultownie]

Soul aficionados will be well familiar with the recordings of Boston's Dennis Taylor as several have graced dancefloors on the UK soul scene. Most recently with a couple of covers of modern soul favourites "Love No Longer Has A Hold On Me" (Johnny Bristol) / "I Can't Forget About You" (Ronn Matlock) in 2021.

He was born and raised in Charlestown, Boston, MA, and made his first public singing performance aged 12. Dennis is a self taught musician, who plays a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar. What's unique about his music is that he writes, produces, sings, does all backgrounds, mixes and plays all instruments on all of his songs.

Between 2012 and 2016, Dennis worked with Philly legend, and Grammy Award-winning producer, Bobby Eli under whose mentorship, which Dennis calls "a master class in soul", honed his craft in the classic soul.

Dennis has opened for artists including: Tavares, The Stylistics, Black Ivory, Darlene Love, Candi Staton and Bloodstone and has provided backing vocals for Alexander O'Neal, Alyson Williams and Evelyn 'Champagne' King. He is currently on tour in Germany performing six shows and will be appearing once again at The Cotswold Park Soul Weekender in the UK in less than two weeks time on 24 Feb '23.

As well as solo work, Dennis became a member of Boston group, North Shore Acappella, following the passing of Paul Lopes in Aug 2017.

In addition to a new single, "Let's Stay In Tonight" coming out on 7" vinyl at the end of Spring '23, Dennis has a new album "I Think We're Gonna Make It" due on CD in the coming weeks on which the single will also feature. They will be available from his website.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soultownie
Cat No:	None
Date:	TBC
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£TBC

JKabel [2023] - Beige Living Room [Self Released] (Full Album)

The latest, and sixth, album from JKabel, "Biege Living Room", was posted with samples from promo at the weekend. It was officially released yesterday but has only just landed on Spotify today and isn't showing on Amazon (sales sites) as yet but is available direct from his website. There appears to be three extra tracks from the promo which are interludes i.e. The Beige Living Room Pt. 1, Pt. 2 & Pt. 3.

Jared Kabel Holloway aka JKABEL (pronounced Jay-Kay-Bul) is originally from Florida. He learnt to play the piano at a young age and then went to college to study acting which led to him touring with a stage play in 2005 for three years. In the noughties he toured with Angie Stone, Dave Hollister, Christopher Williams, Vanessa Williams and Latoya London, amongst others. When that ended in 2008 he started writing songs and relocated to Minnesota in 2013. He released his debut R&B single "Do What You Wanna Do" in 2016.

His latest album "Biege Living Room" is set for release on Valentines Day (14 Feb 2023) which will be his sixth album since his first in 2020. All his music (albums and singles) are available directly from his website and the usual digital platforms.

Beige Living Room (2023)

Rhythm & Bible (2022)

Collective Thoughts (2021)

The Gospel According to J.Kabel (2021)

Insanity (2021)

Highway Music (2020)

Two of the tracks from the new album have been released as singles as teasers, "My Mind Stays On Jesus" (28 Oct '22) and "Discernment" (7 Dec '22).

Those who have listened to his music will agree that JKABEL has a distinctive sound which is soulful, contemporary gospel.

At the time of the release of his last album last June we mentioned that we had been blessed with some excellent albums at that time (such as Michon Young "LLE Vol 3 Conversation Piece", Blue Soul Ten "This Is Worth It", Mica Millar "Heaven Knows", Tyra LeVone "Chronicles Of Life") and again the competition is fierce with new albums this weekend from Will Downing, October London and Raheem DeVaughn as well as recent offerings from Kyle Jason and Rodney Stith and a few others to contend with.

Yet again, it's a consistent set and tricky trying to choose standouts, but apart from the two singles, the ones that resonate on first listen are "Unnecessary", "Love Again" and "Frienemies" but that is likely to change with further listens as this is an album you need to listen to again and again.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/02/2023
Price:	$10