Soul Strutter: 10/12/23

Thursday, 12 October 2023

Shonda English (The Gospel Diva) In Conversation with Steve Aggasild (11 Oct 2023)

Shonda English, The Gospel Diva from South Carolina, USA In Conversation with Steve Aggasild (SoulAndJazzFlavas) in conjunction with SoulStrutter, about her history, background and her newly released album in 2023 "Travelin'".

Check out the album HERE

Alvarez [2023] - I Can’t Make It / I Can’t Stop Loving You [Izipho Soul #ZP 94] PROMO

In conjunction with Soul Session, the next release from Izipho Soul consists of two unreleased songs by Alvarez (aka Jesus Alvarez). The two tracks are taken from the same session that produced "Sooner Or Later" for Polydor and were intended for an album that never materialised. "Sooner Or Later" was released only as a same sided white promo in 1977 and was included on a 2014 compilation "Step Inside My Soul (Rare '70s And Modern Soul)".

The two songs are "I Can’t Make It" and "I Can’t Stop Loving You" which, since being posted on Izipho Soul's website, Izipho Soul's Patrick Biggerstaff informs us that it is his fastest selling single to date. Therefore, if you want one, then you'd better get your pre-order in quickly before they sell out.

The tracks have been taken from the only known copy of a 1977 Columbia Promotional Test Pressing LP, courtesy of Tamas Bogyo (Soul Session).

Alvarez was born Jason Alvarez in Havana, Cuba, moving to the Newark, NJ, on a freedom flight as a child. As a member of Brother To Brother he met Shirley Robinson and became a backing singer for Shirley & Company and featured on their 1974/75 hit "Shame, Shame, Shame" and on a later single, "Disco Shirley" (which he co-wrote with Brother To Brother's Michael Burton), received billing as Shirley & Company feat. Jesus Alvarez.

We first came across his name from a 1975 All Platinum compilation "It's All Platinum" on which he featured with The Rimshots on "Walking Down The Highway" (a rock version of which was recorded by South African band The Rockets in 1976). He also featured on another track as a member of Brother To Brother who covered Gil Scott-Heron's "In The Bottle" on Turbo in 1974.

He released three solo singles on Vibration in 1974/75: "Living, Loving, Laughing" / "Ya, Ya, Ya" as Jesus, "Living, Loving, Laughing" / "Please Stay Don't Go" and "Queen Bee" / "Please Stay Don't Go" as Jesus Alvarez prior to (or concurrently with) being a member of Shirley & Company. "Please Stay Don't Go", which has been a modern soul play for years, got a third release with "Costa Rica" in 1976 prior to "Sooner Or Later" on Polydor. He released just one more single "Mona Lisa" / "I Need You" on Epic/Cleveland International in 1978.

As well as writing and singing his own recordings, he has several credits for writing, arranging and producing. He contributed "Merry Go Round" for Moments on "O'Jays Meet The Moments" (1974), "Love Me Baby", "Leave Me Or Love Me" and "Woman" for The Nicky Newarkers (1975/76), "Willowman" for The Willows (1976), "Taxi" Sylvia (1976).

He suffered financial problems resulting in depression and with his wife Gale (who he had met as a member of Brother To Brother) converted to Christianity being ordained as a minister in 1982, Pastor Jason Alverez and his wife founded The Love of Jesus Family Church in Orange, NJ, which has just celebrated it's 37th year.

The single, licensed directly from Jason, will be released on 20 Oct and is available from Izipho Soul now to pre-order.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP 94
Date:	20/10/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£14

DVND [2023] - Make Up Yo Mind [Self Released]

A third single "Make Up Yo Mind" from DVND who appears to be a new artist who released her first single in Sep '22.

We deduce from song writers' credits that her real name is Donna (occasionally stylised as D'Onna) Plummer from Austin, TX.

She has other, unreleased, material on her Soundcloud channel.

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:	Y
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/10/2023
Key/BPM:	7A/70
Price:	£1

James Bambu [2023] - Rhythm of a Kiss [Self Released]

Atlanta, GA, native Justin Bambu (Michael James Butler Jr.) relocated to Brooklyn, NYC, and began releasing his music in 2016. In that time he has fourteen singles, an EP and three albums to his name. He now resides in L.A.

His latest single, "Rhythm of a Kiss" released today (11 Oct), is his third this year.

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:	8.1
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	11/10/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/96
Price:	£1

Amber Navran [2023] - Find Your Lane [Self Released]

Two releases in a week from Moonchild's Amber Navran mighty suggest that an EP/album is on it's way? The first, "Away From The Noise", on 4 Oct and seven days later on 11 Oct another "Find Your Lane". At the end of Sep she also featured on Misha and Jussi Hulme's single "Question".

Navran has four shows lined up with Robert Glasper at Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC, next week on 18 & 19 Oct (two shows per night).

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
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	11/10/2023
Key/BPM:	12A/85
Price:	£1

Aphrose [2023] - Roses [LRK Records #LRK-LP04] (Full Album)

Released digitally today on all platforms, also available on CD and vinyl via Bandcamp, is the sophomore album "Roses" from Toronto's Aphrose.

We've had three singles from it already in the shape of "Good Love", "YaYa" and the title track "Roses", however, "YaYa" is an extended version for the album.

There are twelve tracks with two interludes and three singles, leaving seven new songs to get familiar with. The first new song "In The Time Of Sorrow", whilst marked explicit, we couldn't detect anything too untoward in the lyrics so radio jocks should not be deterred from programming it as it is one of our choice cuts. It's followed by another cracker "Honey (Don't Come Back". We then get a couple of ballads with "What You Don't See" (which leans towards country) followed by "Weapons".

The more uptempo "Soft Nuclear" explores neo soul territory, with the short and sweet "Higher" also being a mellow and breezy neo soul number. The album closes with an ethereal ballad titled "ZAG".

All in all it's a solid set of contemporary music with our choice cuts from the new material being "In The Time Of Sorrow" and "Honey (Don't Come Back".

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:	8.4
Explicit:	Y Track 4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	LRK Records
Cat No:	LRK-LP04
Date:	12/10/2023
Price:	£7.49 / £8 / £18