Soul Strutter: 10/10/23

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Robert Gee [2023] - Whatcha Wanna Do [Expansion] PROMO

Ralph Tee's Expansion Records has two new releases out this coming Friday (13 Oct). Along with Sheree Brown's single "I’d Rather Be In Love With You (The Sax Way)", a new single from Robert Gee "Whatcha Wanna Do" is also being released.

Philly native Gee, (now living in London) is a classically trained singer appearing in operas and several musical theatre productions and is a two time Black Music Association Best Male R&B vocal performance award winner (2010 for his 2008 debut album "All My Love" and 2018 for his 2016 eponymous album).

He was an Apollo Amateur Night winner with his talent being discovered as a teen by none other than Patti LaBelle. He served his apprenticeship working with soul legends including the one and only Luther Vandross, Teena Marie, Vesta Williams, Tevin Campbell, Kashif and The Emotions. He toured extensively with Loose Ends feat. Jane Eugene over the years, stepping into the lead male role opposite her.

You may have already heard him, perhaps without realising it, as he featured on Luman Child's Tru Thoughts debut EP "Love Is The Message" in Jul '22 (co-writing and taking lead on "Grateful") and also on the debut album "Time To Grow" on Cool Million's Sedsoul label in 2017.

Robert has teamed up with producer/song writer Philippe 'Pump It Up' Scemema on a smooth groove with a 70s Soul/ R&B feel reminiscent of a classic Marvin Gaye or Donnie Hathaway yet with contemporary feel.

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Expansion Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/10/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

Soulpersona & Princess Freesia [2023] - Lucky 7 [Sunset City Records] (Full Album)

Released on Bandcamp on 6 Oct, the new album "Lucky 7" from Soulpersona & Princess Freesia is now available on all platforms as on 9 Oct.

The album consists of thirteen tracks, however, the last three tracks are clean versions of earlier tracks.

It's a solid set and difficult to choose any particular standouts as all are good and everyone will have their own.

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Soulpersona

Princess Freesia

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sunset City Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/10/2023
Price:	£7.99

Lori Williams [2023] - Take My Wings [Self Released] PROMO

It's been over a year since we last heard new music from Lori Williams with "It's Too Late (It's My Time" in Jun '22 to be exact.

She's back next Monday (16 Oct) with her new single "Take My Wings" co written with Chris 'Big Dog' Davis.

Lori is a performing artist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, musical theatre actress and music educator with over 30 experience. She has worked with a multitude of world renown artist including including Oleta Adams, Yolanda Adams, Eric Benet, The Blackbyrds, Norman Brown, Tom Browne, Peabo Bryson, Chuck Brown, Jerry Butler, Jonathan Butler, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gene Chandler, Stanley Clarke, Will Downing, George Duke, Nathan East, Kevon Edmonds, Howard Hewett, Tony Hightower, Al Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Stanley Jordan, Kindred the Family Soul, Ben E. King, Maysa, Frank McComb, Marion Meadows, Najee, Phil Perry, Lloyd Price, Kim Waters, Vesta Williams, Angela Winbush and many others.

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Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/10/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

4MySoul [2023] - Motown Vintage Soul, Vol. 3 [M F Records] (Full Album)

4MySoul is a collaboration between Nigerian born singer/songwriter Morris Onuegbue and Dutch producer Ted Peters. Over recent weeks they have released four albums beginning with "Vintage Soul 1" in Aug followed by three volumes of "Motown Vintage Soul" Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and now Vol. 3.

As with the others, it's a mellow contemporary set of mainly ballads, quite what it has to do with Motown though is a mystery?

Our recommendations are the opening two songs: "Wanna See You" and "Tell Me Baby".

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Full Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	M F Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	06/10/2023
Price:	£7.92

Taffy [2023] - Passion [Athens Of The North]

Ahead of a "UK Underground Soul" compilation due on Friday (13 Oct), Athens Of The North has dropped a previously unreleased The Danceyard Recording Corporation white label promo 12" by Taffy from it. It's not dated but sounds late 80s / early 90s and, going by the catalogue number, would date it 1988/89.

It was discovered by DJ/music play-lister/consultant Sam Donnison (aka Sam Don) who has compiled the tracks for Athens Of The North. He describes it as 'A lost Balearic soul gem' and states that it's his favourite find of 2022.

Taffy is Deptford's (London) Katherine Quay who released several singles from the late 70s through to the late 80s. She is perhaps best known for her (hideous) euro-disco hit "I Love My Radio" which peaked at #6 on UK pop chart in Nov '86 which had to be endured for 16 weeks on the chart!

Don't let that put you off as "Passion" is much, much better. It is released with two versions, the main and a shorter demo mix.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	None
Date:	06/10/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/103
Price:	£1.38

DJ Kool Keith [2022-10-08] - Soulful Vibes [In2Beats]

DJ Kool Keith's stood in for DJ Phoenix on Sun 8th Oct 2023 on In2Beats radio. It's a 70s/80s/90s oldies show. The last track no doubt 'inspired' by MHem's new version feat. Derren Day which we posted last week.

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	Label	Year
B. B. & Q. Band	Genie (Michael Gray Extended Remix)	2023
Alphonse Mouzon feat. Carol Dennis	Our Love Is Hot	1984
Raww	Don't You Try It	1986
Aristocrats	Let's Get Together Now	1973
Curtis Hairston	I Want Your Lovin' (Just A Little Bit)	1985
Kreamcicle feat. Paula Anderson	No News Is News	1983
The Summits	I'll Never Say No	1974
Masterpiece	I Can't Wait (Dance Mix)	1987
Gail Freeman	Danger In The Airwaves (Extended Vocal Version)	1989
Nightlife Unlimited	Let's Do It Again	1981
A Brother's Guiding Light feat. David	Getting Together	1973
Dynasty	I've Just Begun To Love You	1980
Naisha	One Step At A Time (The Clivilles & Cole 1989 Garage Mix)	1989
Collage	Romeo Where's Juliet? (Special Dance Mix)	1985
Michelle Wallace	It's Right	1982
Maurice Massiah	We Can Go To Your House (Party Mix)	1982
Houston Person	Disco Sax	1975
Nature Zone	Porcupine	1976
Rhythm Makers	Zone	1975
Jeanette "Lady" Day	Come Let Me Love You	1981
Maxine Singleton	Don't You Love It (Vocal Version)	1982
Universal Robot Band	Dance And Shake Your Tambourine	1976
Atlantic Starr	Love Crazy	1991
Betty Wright	That Man Of Mine	1977
The Chi-Lites	When Temptation Comes	1975
Barbara Fowler	Come And Get My Lovin'	1984
Feel	Let's Rock (Over & Over Again)	1982
Midnight Star	Feels So Good	1983
Mel & Tim	I May Not Be What You Want	1972
Dino Terrell	You Can Do It (It's So Easy)	1986
Mary Mundy	You Put A Hurtin' On Me	1980
The Persuaders	Some Guys Have All The Luck	1973
Kevin Toney	So Good	1999

R.I.P. - Tony Troutman (8 Oct 2023)

We have received an 'anonymous' message this morning that: "Thomas 'Tony' Troutman passed away peacefully Sunday, October 8, 2023 at his Atlanta home". We are unable to confirm this as the sender left no contact details.

He may perhaps be best known to many for his modern soul rarity "What's The Use" which was reissued digitally this year as well as being reissued on 7" vinyl for Record Store Day. The record was bootlegged owing to its popularity. Original copies now sell for up to £1,000 with even the bootleg now approaching £100. Date-wise it is confusing as the RSD press has a date of 1975 on label, 45Cat lists it as 1976 and Discogs 1977 so take your pick but the Spotify digital reissue dates it 12 Dec 1975. The UK bootleg is easy to spot as it has writing around the label edge.

However, for us, his best recording was his 1975 single, the superb deep soul ballad "I Truly Love You" on Gram-o-phon which we have featured previously. He released a single on Swagger in 1968 prior to that and one after "What's The Use" on Note in 1976.

In the 80s he released his solitary album "Your Man Is Home Tonight" in 1982 on his own T.Main label from which 6 sides were released over three singles.

His only charting records were "I Truly Love You" (#82 R&B May '75) and the title track from his album which peaked at #57 R&B in Jun '82.

An extended edit of "I Truly Love You" is available on a compilation "At The Juke Joint Volume 2" released in 2012 which extends the 45 issue from 3:12 to 5:52 (included below).