Soul Strutter: 07/14/23

Friday, 14 July 2023

Carmichael Musiclover [2023] - Bring It Home / Know You Better [Izipho Soul #ZP91]

Izipho Soul maestro Patrick Biggerstaff couldn't contain himself and leaked this forthcoming release some weeks ago, and we can't blame him. We make no secret about our admiration of Carmichael Musiclover's music as his last three albums have all topped our Albums of the Year selections i.e. "Black Elvis Vol. 1 / Vol. 2" (2022), "Slow Motion" (2021) and "The Best Thing Yet" (2020).

Patrick has snared a track from each of his last two albums: "Bring It Home" from "Black Elvis Vol. One" and "Know You Better" from "Slow Motion" to pair on a 7" vinyl release due on 28 Jul. It's only the second time on vinyl for Carmichael Musiclover as Colin Curtis released "Style" / "Pure Sweetness" on Freestylin' in 2020.

The timing of his last, two volume, album "Black Elvis" on 8 Dec '22 was unfortunate as momentum was lost over the festive period and, whilst it did reasonably well, we felt that it should have fared much better as by the new year, after the festivities, it seemed to have been forgotten and dropped from playlists. 'A Message to (Car)Michael', don't release your next album in December!

Born in Alabama as Antoine Carmichael, he moved to Atlanta to pursue his dream and released his first album 'All About Love' on his own One Mic label in 2008. Counting his last album as a double album rather than two separate albums, since 2008 he's self-released 12 albums and all are consistently good. They are not just 7 or 8 trackers, they generally have between 14-17 tracks on each.

Available now to pre-order from Izipho Soul for release on 28 July or you can pre-order from your favourite vinyl dealer.

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:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP91
Date:	28/07/2023
Key/BPM:	11A/75 / 3B/106
Price:	£13

Output / Input [2023] - Forward Motion [Self Released] (Album Promo)

The debut album from Output / Input "Forward Motion" was due out today (14 Jul) but has now been put back until 4 Aug but you can pre-order via link on cover image below.

It would appear that one of the tracks feat. O'Bryan, with a new version of his 1982 classic "Doin' Alright" (from his debut album on the same name), has been shared (with or without the knowledge / approval of the artist, it would appear the latter) and is doing the rounds on some DJs playlists. So, whether or not a promoter has unleashed it unwittingly we don't know but, it has not been officially sanctioned by the group as they have refused to send it to DJs who have asked them for it to play.

Five of the tracks have already been released as singles (music videos for the four that are available below) but the album price has been reduced to £6.49.

01 - Smilin' Faces (feat. Antonio McLendon) (Apr '23)

02 - Don't Be Scared (feat. Antonio McLendon)

03 - Here I Go Again (feat. Audrey Wheeler & Brent Carter) (Apr '22)

04 - Doin' Alright (feat. O'Bryan)

05 - Someone I Used To Love (feat. Antonio McLendon) (Jun '23)

60 - Time of Our Lives (feat. Antonio McLendon)

07 - I'm In Love (feat. Antonio McLendon) (Jun '22)

08 - Really No Chance(feat. Katie Holmes-Smith) (Nov '22)

09 - Love of Another Guy (feat. Antonio McLendon)

10 - True Love (feat. Antonio McLendon)

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:	TBC
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	04/08/2023
Price:	£6.49

Felece Tillman [2023] - BRIGHTER LOVE [FAT Records]

Another, what would appear to be a, debut release, following K.L. Brown's, from Felece Tillman with "BRIGHTER LOVE".

We find it difficult to comprehend that this is a debut release as her voice is exquisite, surely she must have been at least a background vocalist for many years, or perhaps any earlier material may no longer be available?

Therefore, we went on the hunt and discovered that she is performing at The Dolphin Bar & Grill in Gambrills, MD on 27 Jul and, from her LinkedIn profile, that she is a cybersecurity consultant which is probably why we can't find much else about her!

She has a BA in Music Theory from Virginia Union University graduating in 1991.

Don't skip or skim this one as it needs listening to properly and hopefully you will appreciate her vocal talents as we have and look forward to hearing much more from her. Anyone in the Gambrills area (which is approx. half way between Washington D.C. and Baltimore) on 27 July may consider catching her show at The Dolphin Bar & Grill.

We think this will be a favourite, amongst the Soul Associates at least, so watch this climb their Top 30 and then others latch onto it!

UPDATE: 18 Jun '23

One of the greatest parts of doing this 'job' is that independent artist reach out with gratitude when all we do is try to find the 'diamonds in the rough' and post them so that they may be heard by perhaps a wider audience. Such is the case with Felece Tillman whose single we found and posted on Friday. Rather than paraphrase, we have posted the full email message in the comments box below.

In summary, as we suspected/expected from her wonderful voice, Felece has been singing for many years, has not one, but two, degrees in music and works part time as a vocal coach (no surprise there!). She confirms that this is indeed her debut release and says that she has more music to come this year which we will certainly be looking forward to hearing based up her first release.

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:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	FAT Records / Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/07/2023
Key/BPM:	3B/83
Price:	£1

K.L. Brown [2023] - Bella [NEWFOUNDSOUL]

A new song with an old school vibe from a new name to us K.L. Brown (Kaleb Lamar Brown) with a song dedicated to "Bella".

It's not surprising that we've not heard him before as it transpires that this appears to be his debut release and therefore we are not able to provide any information about him.

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:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/07/2023
Key/BPM:	12B/100
Price:	£1

Boney James feat. Lalah Hathaway [2023] - Coastin’ (Sped Up) [Concord Records]

There is currently a hideous trend of re-releasing recordings and simply speeding them and/up or slowing them down, which is probably an extension of 'lo-fi'? Anyone with minimal knowledge of Audacity (a free music recording/editing tool) 'could' do it themselves if they so desired, so what on earth is all that about? Most are horrendous, one today is The O'Jay's "Love Train" sped up by a ridiculous percentage (have a look for it if you can be bothered). Whoever did it must have been on chemical substances at the time!

However, that said, this one has also cropped up today which 'isn't bad'! It's one of the top cuts from Boney James' "Detour" album last year, "Coastin'" feat. Lalah Hathaway, which was pre-released as the second single in Aug '22.

We don't normally even bother checking them out but this one intrigued. Whoever is responsible (it looks official) has increased the BPM by around 20% from 79 to 96 whist retaining the song's key, which most don't and why they generally sound dreadful! Perhaps what some may not appreciate is that adjusting a BPM by more than 6% also alters the song's key, although some mixer software can compensate.

Have a listen and see what you think. We were going to post both versions for comparison but they have both been released together (which is why we think that it must be an official release rather than by some bedroom DJ) so don't have to, but will also include the music video for the original.

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:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Concord Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/07/2023
Key/BPM:	8B/96 / 8B/79
Price:	£1.39