Soul Strutter: 08/14/23

Monday, 14 August 2023

Tomi Jenkins [2023] - Soul Survivor [Funk Or Die Records] (Full Album)

Tomi Jenkins is a veteran of soul and funk music starting out as the founder member of New York City Players aged 18 in 1974. They later renamed themselves as The Players for one single only (the first release on newly founded Casablanca Records) which was picked up by the Northern Soul scene. The single was "Find My Way" an upbeat version of a song originally recorded by The Tymes in 1969 and then by Paul Anka and The Three Degrees). They changed their name again to avoid conflict with the Ohio Players to Cameo and the single was also reissued under that name.

Jenkins wrote/co-wrote many of Cameo's 80s hits such as their three R&B #1 hits "She's Strange", "Candy" and "Word Up", their #2 "Single Life" and #3 and "Back And Forth" amongst others. He broke out on his own in 1989 releasing a debut solo album "Tomi" produced and arranged by Cameo's Larry Blackmon. A side note, one of the backing vocalists was Dee Dee Wilde mentioned the other day as she is Vince Broomfield's sister.

His only other project since then was "A Life To Remember" in 2017. He has now released his third, "Soul Survivor", which were tipped about on Friday but didn't get around to posting. The song already receiving airplay is "Let's Take It There".

Tomi is producing the music for an upcoming movie "Icemosis" which is a fictional tale about a 70s/80s funk band (now we wonder who that may be based on?). He has also written two crime novels, 'Crime, Love, and Honor' and 'Hope Park' and is writing a third 'Finding Kari'.

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For Full Album Playlist on YouTube Click HERE

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Funk Or Die Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	21/08/2023
Price:	£9.99

Lamone feat. William Prince [2023] - Strive [Self Released] PROMO

Westbury, CT's, Lamone Andrews' 2007 debut album "Eclectically Speaking" just about sums him up, as you never know what to expect from him next. We last featured his single "Rhythm & Blues" with CL Smooth in Nov '22. He's released just one single since then, "Afterlife", which he had two bites at, a Radio Edit in Jun '23 followed by three different mixes of it in Jul '23.

His new single "Strive", featuring saxophonist William Prince, is due to hit the streets on 1 Sep.

Prior to his debut album, Lamone sang on a track on Najee's 2005 album "Point Of View" ("Fallin' In Love With You") credited as Lomon.

He released another album, "Smooth" (Mar '16) and a slew of singles including his take on Eddie Kendricks' "Girl You Need A Change Of Mind" (Jan '21), "You Complete Me" feat. Najee (May 21) and a CT Remix of it in Aug '21.

Lamone has opened for many of the soul world's heavyweights including Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, KEM, Phyllis Hyman, Keith Washington, Stylistics, Chi-lites and Dramatics and shared the stage with Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, and has sang background for Me'lisa Morgan.

We are told that he is currently working on his third album and, if this track is an example of what's to come, then bring it on!

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Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	01/09/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

The Triumphs [1967] - The World Owes Me a Lovin' [Okeh #4-7291]

Tucked away on the flip side to The Triumphs 100 mph Northern Soul monster ("I'm Coming To Your Rescue") from the days of The Torch is a sublime, Delilah Kennebruew (Kennebrew) led, deep soul ballad "The World Owes Me a Lovin'". They really don't get much better than this, perhaps, overlooked gem.

We say tucked away on the flip, but one of the the promo copies signified that this was the official plug side but the matrix numbers suggest otherwise, perhaps the label changed their minds as promos exist with each as the plug side.

We believe that is was only initially issued as white label promos but pink issues were legally repressed in the early 70s to satisfy Northern Soul demand for "I'm Coming To Your Rescue". It was bootlegged in the UK as the first release (of only seven) on Demand in the mid/late 70s, possibly 1978.

Delilah Kennebruew wrote the song and released a single earlier on Loma in 1966. In 1967 she married and recorded two singles under her married name, Delilah Moore, in the early 70s on Money and another in 1975 which contained a shorter version of her first Money single and the high regarded, and in-demand, "It Takes Love" for Middle Earth.

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Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Okeh
Cat No:	4-7291
Date:	08/1973
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£400 approx.

Wayne Warren [1985] - Hit On Somebody's Baby [Happy Hooker #HHR-680]

Continuing to dig into the vinyl vaults for some, perhaps, lesser known recordings to mark time until some good new release arrive.

We know nothing about Wayne Warren except that he has two singles listed. One is on Memphis label Happy Hooker recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound which only has one other single listed by George Jackson with Louis Williams of The Ovations which is the same A side, a Sam Cooke tribute medley "Sam, We'll Never Forget You", both are dated 1985. The side of interest is "Hit On Somebody's Baby" which we did find posted on YouTube (so saves us streaming it) which John Manship described in 2016 as a sleeping giant.

His other single is a one-off on another Memphis label Four Ace, so possibly a private press? It's not dated, and difficult to date, as its southern soul that could have been recorded in the 60s/70s but, given the other singles is date 1985, we guess it must be from around the same time. "I Need You Girl" is a gritty southern deep soul ballad whilst the flip is a more mid-tempo song "Oh I Really Love You" which apparently is a bit of an obscurity with none ever selling on Discogs, although we found two on Popsike selling around £200 but that was in 2011 and 2012 (and it looks like the same copy that has sold twice as it's the same label scan and both were only G+, so how much now for a decent copy?).

The Happy Hooker single is not too difficult to find nor too pricey. You should find easily on Disocgs as there are several VG+/NM copies available £10-£15.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Happy Hooker
Cat No:	HHHR-680
Date:	Unknown late 70s / early 80s
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10-£15 approx.

Realinda [1973] - Hey Mr. Paul [Perception #P-525]

It gets a bit slow at the start of the week for good quality new releases so we've decided to dip into our vinyl vaults to dig out some, perhaps, lesser know recordings, many of which are not even on YouTube.

This appears to be a little know answer song to Billy Paul's Philly classic which we've had since the year dot. There is only one, poor quality, recording of it on YouTube so we dug it out and digitised it. Released on Perception in 1973 recorded by Realinda (Farrell) who had been appearing on the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar since 1971. It's her only (known) recording. The flip side is an instrumental.

Her full name was Realinda Alana Farrell McCoy born 3 Oct 1953 in Jamaica, NYC, and passed on 3 Mar 2009.

Her singing career began at her grandmother's church, Wyndon Memorial Church in Harlem. Having sung in all of her high school musical productions, she auditioned for a role in the Broadway's first rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and secured a role as one of three Soul Girls. She went on to perform in musicals 'Ain’t Mis Behavin', 'The Me Nobody Knows, 'Bubblin' Brown Sugar' and 'Hair'

She met fellow singers and Cathy Rich, the daughter of Buddy Rich, and formed a group named Zee who toured with Buddy Rich until his death in 1987.

Realinda also recorded commercials, jingles, demos and worked as a session/background singer.

The song was written by Ted Daryl with strings by Patrick Adams. As far as we know, it has never appeared on any compilations. It's not a particularly difficult or expensive record to find but seems to be under the radar.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul / Slow Jam / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Perception
Cat No:	P-525
Date:	03/1973
Key/BPM:	8B/77
Price:	£7-£10 approx.

Cappeto & James Robinson [2023] - GunK [SICK NASTY]

Anthony Cappeto releases his second single today, "Gunk" featuring James Robinson, It's paired with his previous debut single "Luna" (10 Jul) which features Cameron McCloud (presumably on the rap).

Originally from Napa, CA, Cappeto studied Jazz Bass at University of North Texas and now lives in Dallas, TX. He performed with Kenny Lattimore at the Long Beach Jazz Festival only yesterday (13 Aug).

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Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/08/2023
Key/BPM:	1B/94
Price:	£1

Whittington Still [2023] - You Make Me Sing [Self Released]

We first came across the voice of Whittington Still in April '21 when she released her fifth single "Why Are You Here". So impressed were we that we then posted her full discography.

Since then she released a shorter version of "Why Are You Here" in Jan this year followed by "I.C.U." feat. Demetrius Richardson on 1 Feb '23.

Her new single, "You Make Me Sing" (which we posted a teaser for last week) is now available either from Bandcamp or her website.

Whittington is also working on her debut album "Project 617" which will include all her singles along with new material.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/08/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	$5