Soul Strutter: 03/12/23

Sunday, 12 March 2023

Chartz [2023] - Girls World [Freestyle Records]

Freestyle Records has reissued a 1983 single by Chartz, "Girls World", digitally and on vinyl, which appears to be their only recording and the only release on Digital Records.

The label was based in Birmingham (UK) with the song written and arranged by Bernadette Cosgrove and Kevin Clark and recorded at Zella Recording studios in Birmingham where Ozzy Osbourne's Black Sabbath also recorded some early unreleased songs in 1969

Presumably the record is in-demand by the boogie/funk scene as the originals now sell for three figures with only one currently listed for sale for £185 ... the seller will no doubt be delighted that it has been reissued!

The digital reissue includes a previously unreleased Extended Instrumental Dance Mix.

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/03/2023
Key/BPM:	8A/118
Price:	£1.39 / £12.59

Brooklyn Funk Essentials Feat. Alison Limerick [2023] - Rollin' (Love Will Be Here) [Dorado Records]

London based Alison Limerick had a UK Top 10 hit (#9) with her debut single "Where Love Lives" in 1990 which has since become a club anthem. She re-recorded an updated version of it with Brooklyn Funk Essentials in 2018 which also appeared on their 'Stay Good' album released in Sep. 2019.

Last July she featured on their single "Scream!" which had a jazz-funk / acid jazz feel. Her second single this year with them, "Rollin' (Love Will Be Here)", was released on Friday (10 Mar) which follows "How Happy" from Jan.

The Brooklyn Funk Essentials is a music collective formed in 1993 by Arthur Baker who mix jazz, funk, and hip hop featuring musicians from different cultures.

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Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/03/2023
Key/BPM:	9A/98
Price:	£1

Acantha Lang [2023] - Ride This Train [Self Released]

With her debut album "Beautiful Dreams" just around the corner (slotted for the end of Apr), New Orleans native, London-based, Acantha Lang released her latest single "Ride This Train" a month ago on 19 Feb '23. On Friday she published a music video for the song.

It's another southern soul style groover which is becoming her forte for original material although recently she published her 100th cover song video on her YouTube channel which are generally acoustic covers of many classics.

Acantha is certainly beginning to get noticed, she supported Mica Millar on her album launch at London's Jazz Cafe last year and has been supporting Kenny Thomas on his tour. This month she features on the cover of the UK's long-running black music magazine, Echoes which is will reach its 50th anniversary in Feb 2026.

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Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Video
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	19/02/2023 / 10/03/2023
Key/BPM:	4A/84
Price:	£1

Boomtang All Stars Feat. Charlene Smith & Four80East [2023] - Count On Me (Head Nod Mix) [Boomtang]

The latest single from Boomtang is "Count On Me (Head Nod Mix)", originally released on Charlene Smith's 2012 album "Remixed" which in turn was remixed from her 1995 album "Feel The Good Times".

This time out it is billed as Boomtang All Stars feat. Charlene Smith & Four80East who are Toronto duo Rob DeBoer (keyboards, bass and guitar) and Tony Grace (percussion). It may be an edit as it is around 35 seconds shorter, or a remix but sounds essentially the same to these ears.

It has a good midtempo stepper's / head nodder's / toe-tapper's groove. It matters not a jot that it's perhaps ten or more years old as, if you've not heard it before then, it's new to you.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Boomtang
Cat No:	None
Date:	TBC
Key/BPM:	9B/90
Price:	£1

Teena Marie [2023] - Love Songs And Funky Beats: The John Morales Mixes [Motown] (Full Album)

This set of remixes was originally released in Dec 2021 but has reappeared on digital platforms on Friday (10 Mar) but we don't need to be asked twice to post material from Lady T, The Ivory Queen of Soul.

"Love Songs And Funky Beats: The John Morales Mixes" consists on 18 Teena Marie tracks from her Motown (Gordy) catalogue remixed by John Morales. So if you missed them first time around they are available again.

As the title implies, it's not just her dance tracks that have been included. The set starts with "I Need Your Loving" and ends with the killer duet ballad "Fire And Desire" with Rick James. Sadly only one track is featured from her stunning debut album "Wild And Peaceful" the uptempo "I'm A Sucker For Your Love" whilst connoisseurs will know that there were several killer deep ballads on the album.

It may be surprising to learn that only one of her Motown singles crossed over to Billboard Top 40, "I Need Your Lovin'" (#37) and only one other in her career, that being "Lovergirl" in 1984 peaking at #4. Her highest R&B charting Gordy singles were "Square Biz (#3), "I'm A Sucker For Your Love" (#8) and "I Need Your Lovin'" (#9), all included on this compilation.

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Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Remixes
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/03/2023
Price:	£12.98

Natasha Blaine [2023] - Old Habits [Self Released]

Seattle, WA, born singer/songwriter Natasha Blaine moved to Nashville, TN, in 2018 to study literature and vocal jazz graduating in 2021. She became heavily involved in the famous Nashville writers' round circuit, writing songs between classes and gigging at night.

Since the release of her debut EP, "I Fall in Love Too Easily" she has begun rolling out a series of singles. The fourth "Old Habits" is out today (12 Mar '23).

Included below is a live video for her Apr '22 single "You Don't Treat Me The Same".

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	12/03/2023
Key/BPM:	10A/88
Price:	£1

Róisín Murphy [2023] - CooCool [Ninja Tune]

The new single from Irish singer Róisín Murphy, who was one half of Moloko in the 90s with Mark Brydon, has a new single titled "CooCool" produced by DJ Koze.

It almost certainly samples 'something' which I can't place but a hint is that Mike James Kirkland's name appears on writing credits but I don't immediately recognise it and haven't had time to explore. If you know then please leave a comment.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Ninja Tune
Cat No:	None
Date:	08/03/2023
Key/BPM:	12A/118
Price:	£1