Soul Strutter: 08/16/23

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Ellison Kendrick [2023] - Rated E [Nosille Muzic Group] (Full Album)

A debut album, "Rated E", by Ellison Kendrick was released on 4 Aug. Amongst the fifteen tracks, it includes all his singles (excluding remixes) apart from his 2020 single "Revolution" (i.e. "Black Suit", "Dumb", "The Only One", "Got It Going On" and "Halfway"). We posted two of them, "Got It Going On" (which samples Barry White) and "The Only One" in Mar '22.

We'd highlight two tracks, "Black Suit" (which appears to have been his debut single in Nov 2015) and "You Belong To Me".

Kendrick is from Miami and has a gospel background. After being lead singer with a group who released an album and had #21 R&B hit single, he was signed to Betty Wright's Mr.s B label and backed her on tour and on albums such as "4U2NJOY" along with with Gwen Dickey (Rose Royce) and Betty's sister Jeanette (aka Jeanette Williams on Back Beat).

He did the same for Joss Stone, from her "Mind Body & Soul" album in 2004 to her 2015 album "Water For Your Soul".

His talents don't stop there, as he is also an actor and has appeared in a couple of movies ("Prejudge Us" and "Bad Boys For Life" starring Will Smith (2020)) and a TV mini-series "Backlash" (2018).

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

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

For Full Album Playlist on YouTube Click HERE

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / R&B
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Nosille Muzic Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	04/08/2023
Price:	£9.99

Lina Nikol & Boyan [2023] - A Mood Called "You" Remixes [Stereofox] (Full Album)

At the end of March Bulgarian duo Lina Nikol (Veselina Nikolova / Nikolakopoulou) and Boyan (Angelov) released a four track EP "A Mood Called "You"".

It's extended into an eight track album today with remixes of each of the four tracks. Two have already been released as singles and the other two are also released as singles today.

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

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

For Full Album Playlist on YouTube Click HERE

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Stereofox
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/08/2023
Price:	£7.49

R.I.P. - Clarence Avant (25 Feb 1931 - 13 Aug 2023)

As alluded to in the previous post, Clarence Avant, known as 'The Black Godfather' owing to his mentoring of so many black artists, actors, sports people and even politicians, died on Sunday peacefully at home aged 92.

He helped set up the short-lived Venture Records, a soul subsidiary of MGM run by William 'Mickey' Stevenson which ran between 1967-69, before founding Sussex in 1969. Sussex ran for five years and is probably best know for launching the career of Bill Withers. Their other main act was The Presidents but also hosted music from The Decisions, Rodriguez, Dennis Coffey. Sussex was forced into closure after Avant was prosecuted for tax evasion.

Avant was born in Climax, NC, before moving to New Jersey in his teens where he later managed a club in Newark. He went on to manage artist such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughn, Kim Weston, Lalo Schifrin and Freddie Hubbard amongst others.

When Venture was created in late 1967 he moved to Beverly Hills to work with Stevenson until 1969 when it was folded and proceeded to set up Sussex Records. After the demise of Sussex he set up the Tabu Records which was the learning ground for ex Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who would later bring on board another former Time member Alexander O'Neal who would prove to be one of their top acts along with Cherrelle and S.O.S. Band. The label's first release was Brainstorm with "Wake Up And Be Somebody" in late 1976 prior to their "Stormin' album in 1977 followed by their dance floor classic "Lovin' Is Really My Game".

Avant became the chairman of Motown in 1993 for around four years.

In Jun 2019 Netflix released a documentary on his life titled 'The Black Godfather' produced by his daughter Nicole Avant (who is married to Netfix co-CEO Ted Sarandos) and directed by Reginald Hudlin.

Avant's wife was shot dead in their home on 12 Dec 2021 and this video is a conspiracy theorist's wet dream!

R.I.P. - Toussaint McCall (1934 - 7 Aug 2023)

Yesterday we learnt of the death of music executive Clarence Avant (The Black Godfather) and today another soul music figure, Toussaint McCall aged 89. Neither will be 'household' names.

McCall was one of twelve children born and raised in Louisiana to a Baptist minister. After singing for many years, he was signed to Ronn in 1967 and hit the ground running with his first two singles, which were his only two hits.

His first, and biggest, "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" reached #5 R&B / #55 Hot 100 which he followed up with "I'll Do It For You" (#26 R&B / #77 Hot 100) both funeral paced deep southern soul songs on Jewel subsidiary Ronn in 1967. The former was on the second Dave Godin Deep Soul Treasures compilation released by Kent in 1999 as well as featuring on dozens of others.

On the strength of the two singles, he recorded an album but achieved no further commercial success. His hit song was featured in the 1988 comedy movie 'Hairspray' on which he made a cameo appearance lip-synching it. A bit of an anachronism given that the film was set in 1962 and his hit was in 1967 but that's poetic license for you!

His next album, "Make Love To Me" didn't appear until 1976. It is a one-off recording on an obscure label McCowan Records (a private press perhaps?) which sells for big money and included his biggest hit. Whether or not it's a re-recorded, different, version or the original we don't know.

A previously unreleased 1970 Dore recording, "I'll Laugh Til I Cry", was released by Kent in 2014 which included the superb Natural Resources "If There Were No You" on the flip. Another unissued Dore recording, "Saigon To San Francisco", appeared on Kent's "Dore L.A. Soul Sides 2" compilation in 2015.

Sugar Minott [2023] - One Step Ahead [Daptone]

As if by magic, having posted "One Step Ahead" by Aretha earlier, we have received a previously unreleased reggae version by Sugar Minott from a forthcoming Daptone compilation "If You Want Me To.. Victor Axelrod Productions". It's a collection of singles released between 2007-2023 as well as unreleased tracks from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite.

Axelrod has worked behind the scenes at Daptone for many years as a keyboardist, arranger, writer, and producer. His, over sixty, credits include working with The Dap-Kings, Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, Lee Fields and Daptone newcomer Jalen N'Gonda. He earned a Grammy Award for his contribution to Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" and has worked on dozens of projects with Mark Ronson.

Two other tracks have been pre-released before the album escapes on 22 Sep, which is also available on CD and vinyl. Both are reggae flavas, a cover of "I'd Rather Go Blind" (the Etta James classic) by The Frightnrs and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings with "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?" written by Daptone chief Bosco Mann and Axelrod.

The Sugar Minott track is available on a 7" vinyl (no word of what's on the flip).

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

Details

Rating:	7.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Reggae
Format:	Single / Compilation / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Daptone
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/08/2023
Key/BPM:	9A/81
Price:	$1

Menagerie [2023] - Danieda’s Dance [Freestyle Records] PROMO

At the end of July Melbourne-based Jazz ensemble Menagerie, led by Lance Ferguson, released the first track ("Kingdom") from their upcoming fourth album, "The Shores Of Infinity", which they are labelling as 'spiritual jazz'.

The next single is a radio edit of the album closer, "Danieda’s Dance", set for release on 18 Aug. It reduces the 9 piece to a quartet on an instrumental 3/4 jazz number with Phil Noy on sax and Felix Bloxsom on drums.

To date, Menagerie has released three albums and around six singles. Their debut album "They Shall Inherit" was released in 2012 by Tru Thoughts, their next two "The Arrow Of Time" (2018) and "Many Worlds" (2021), and their forthcoming album, via Freestyle Records.

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:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Jazz funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Freestyle Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	18/08/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

Marcus Davis [2023] - Marcus Davis [Metro Music] (Full Album)

Marcus Davis is an artist / producer with twenty years experience based in South East Asia. He has released a self-titled album (which appears to be his fourth album) which comprises of a collection of songs that he's written and produced for some of his favourite Pinoy artists.

Two tracks have already been released as singes, "Hard To Leave" (21 Jul) and "Feels Like" (11 Aug), but our choice cuts are "Afterglow", "Come Around" and "Life Changes".

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

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

For Full Album Playlist on YouTube Click HERE

Details

Rating:	7.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Metro Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	11/08/2023 (ac)
Price:	£5.49

Aretha Franklin (25 Mar 1942 - 16 Aug 2018) - A Tribute

Today is the fifth anniversary of the passing of the undisputed 'Queen of Soul', the one and only, never to be replaced, Aretha Franklin.

We would have loved to post a playlist but with Spotify now restricting music outside their web player to 30 second samples it somewhat hinders it. Rather than embedding the playlist (which is a bit pointless) we've provided a link to listen in full on Spotify.

Playlist with tracks in (more or less) chronological order

No	Title
1	Soulville
2	One Step Ahead
3	I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face
4	Tighten Up Your Tie, Button Up Your Jacket (Make It For The Door)
5	Cry Like A Baby
6	Only the One You Love
7	A Little Bit of Soul
8	Walk On By
9	My Guy
10	Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
11	Save Me
12	A Change Is Gonna Come
13	Satisfaction
14	96 Tears
15	Prove It
16	So Soon (Aretha Arrives Outtake)
17	Ain't No Way
18	Niki Hoeky
19	Come Back Baby
20	Groovin'
21	Chain of Fools (Alternate Version)
22	(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone
23	The House That Jack Built
24	I Can't See Myself Leaving You
25	I Say a Little Prayer
26	If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
27	Gentle on My Mind
28	Elusive Butterfly
29	This Girl's in Love With You
30	Call Me (Alternate Version)
31	Don't Play That Song
32	Oh No Not My Baby
33	Why I Sing the Blues
34	Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)
35	Day Dreaming
36	Young, Gifted and Black (Alternate Longer Take)
37	Brand New Me (Alternate Take 6)
38	April Fools
39	Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
40	You'll Never Walk Alone
41	Angel - Work Tape
42	Until You Come Back to Me (Demo)
43	Sister From Texas
44	Mister Spain
45	That's the Way I Feel About Cha
46	Master of Eyes (The Deepness of Your Eyes)
47	I'm in Love (Alternate Vocal - Let Me in Your Life Outtake)
48	Til It's Over - Demo
49	Oh Baby (aka There's Something Magic About You Demo)
50	A Song for You
51	You
52	I Get High
53	Sparkle
54	Hooked on Your Love
55	Look into Your Heart
56	Rock with Me
57	Break It to Me Gently
58	The Wind

We've tried to avoid the blindingly obvious tracks (but have included alternate versions of some) and dug a little deeper to highlight lesser known B sides and album tracks and alternate takes.

Aretha's big breakthrough came in 1967 with a cover version of Otis Redding's "Respect", now probably her signature song, which topped both Billboard's R&B chart and Hot 100 and made it to #10 on UK pop chart. That wasn't her first #1 though, as she had already topped the R&B chart with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" which also reached #9 Hot 100.

She had spent several years languishing at Columbia, releasing around nine albums between 1961-67 without a great deal of commercial success before being signed to Atlantic Records announcing her arrival with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" followed by "Aretha Arrives" in 1967.

It's a bit of a sad indictment that in the UK her biggest selling single (and only #1 hit) was a duet with George Michael and another, of only five UK Top 10 hits, was with Annie Lennox! ("Respect", "I Say A Little Prayer" and "A Deeper Love" being the other three).

With just so much great music that she has left us with it's difficult knowing where to start, or more importantly where to stop, so we've limited this selection to tracks between 1964-76.

The exception is her beautiful rendition of The Diablos feat, Nolan Strong "The Wind" (1954) which was unreleased until appearing on the 81 track compilation "Aretha" in 2021 (it may have previously featured on a compilation?). It was recorded in 1983 for the Luther Vandross produced "Get It Right" album but left off. The song was also recorded by Laura Nyro for her 1971 album "Gonna Take A Miracle" which had LaBelle on backing vocals (the album was actually credited as Laura Nyro & LaBelle).

DJ Kool Keith [2022-08-15] - Soulful Vibes [Soul Groove Radio]

DJ Kool Keith's latest radio show broadcast on Tue 15th Aug 2023 on Soul Groove Radio.

His Soulful Vibes show showcases new releases whether that be brand new music or reissues.

DJ Kool Keith has two shows per week, his Soulful Vibes show Tue 16:00-18:00 (BST/UK Time) on Soul Groove Radio and Thu 21:00-2300 (BST/UK Time) Soul Music Radio.

All DJ Kool Keith podcast are available to listen/download from Podomatic.

Playlist:

Artist	Title
Davey H	Monaco (Radio Edit)
Lion Babe	Thinkin' Bout You
The Journey Men, Hannah Khemoh	Lovin' You (Radio Edit)
Midnight Pool Party	On Your Mind
Derrick McKenzie, Angela Johnson	On My Way Out (Radio Edit)
Ojam	Rotation (Ben Liebrand Rework)
Silk	Somethin' 'Bout The Way (Late Nite Tuff Guy Disco Dub - Short Edit)
Nick Hussey, Jamie Van Goulden	Wanna Be (feat. Alexis Hall) (Radio Edit)
Vex King	Lover
Stephane Deschezeaux, Rockie Robbins	Look So Sweet (You Finally Found The One)
Benito	Get Up And Dance
Austin Rogers	What Yo Name Is? (Clean Version)
Hey Deon	Honored
Ivan Makvel & Maya Killtron	Step It Up
D3 feat. Shari	What We Got
DJ Nail	Dance With Me
The Bamboos	Ex-Files
Armintha	I'm Not Going Back
Paco Caniza	Trouble
Atthar feat. Elise Chantelle & Mehran Abbasi	Right Night Feeling (Dance Mix)
Pale Jay	In Your Corner (Remix)
C-Love Brown	Weekend Vibe
Minoe	Cut Me Loose
Asha Gold	Morning Love (Dilushselva Remix)
MoreSoul & Dav Risen feat. Nani Experience	Saviour (Radio Edit)
Tullio, Eileen Jaime	Time Of Our Lives
Output/Input feat. Antonio McLendon	Time Of Our Lives
Output/Input feat. Antonio McLendon	Every Time You Touch Me
Tyler Pepper-Green	Special
Chandiss	It's About Love
Alsace	U Don't Understand It
Navy	Snakes (feat. DWN)
The Vapor Caves & E. Live	Sacrifice (E. Live Remix)
Unity	The Other Side Of You
Dee Lucas feat. Ragan Whiteside	Just A Vibe
Winnie Ama	Get On You
Kamille feat. Tamera & Bellah	Options
Ivan Makvel & Maya Killtron	Like Water
U-Nam	It's Only Love
Jahkayla	Bounce
Jahkayla	Play