Soul Strutter: 01/27/24

Saturday, 27 January 2024

Moorea Masa & The Mood [2024] - Distraction [Self Released]

Singer, songwriter, guitarist Moorea Masa (pronounced More-ray-uh Mah-sa) was raised in Portland, OR, born to an Italian immigrant father and black German mother.

She's shared the stage with artists such as K.D. Lang, Allen Stone and others and has headlined tours in Europe and supported Corinne Bailey Rae, Emily King, Lady Wray amongst others.

Moorea was also a member of Portland based Ural Thomas & The Pain appearing on BGVs on their debut, self-titled, album in 2016.

We first came across her guesting on Swatkins single "Lost & Alive" in Jan '22 and we posted a single last year "When The Summer Calls" in Aug '23. Since then she released a moody ballad "Magic" in Sep '23. Her latest single is "Distraction".

NOTE: 30 Jan: This was released on Friday but appears to have now been withdrawn. However, we downloaded it on Friday and included it as the first track of our mix posted yesterday HERE. This occasionally occurs when a correction is required to meta data so it may be released again soon.

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	26/01/2024
Key/BPM:	3B/730
Price:	£1

Energy Exchange Ensemble [2024] - BRIGHTER STAR (Close Counters Remix) / LIME GREEN SKIES (ZEITGEIST/GOODMOOD Edit) [Self Released]

A couple of singles released in the last week or so from Energy Exchange Ensemble are "BRIGHTER STAR (Close Counters Remix)" which came out last week (18 Jan) and they followed it yesterday with "LIME GREEN SKIES (ZEITGEIST/GOODMOOD Edit)". It looks like they are building a remixes album/EP of previously released songs.

The latter we think sounds like it is using First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder" whilst we also think that "BRIGHTER STAR" (which we posted the original version of in Aug '23) may be based on a 90s track called "Tomorrow" by Tongue 'N' Cheek (or very similar to it and include below for comparison).

The guys behind Energy Exchange Ensemble (EX Ensemble) are producer/mix engineer/keyboardist Lewis Moody and DJ/producer/drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist who are long time collaborators and pioneers of Melbourne’s underground sound through collectives such as 30/70 and Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soulful House
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	18/01/2024 / 26/01/2024
Key/BPM:	12B/125 / 2A/127
Price:	£1 each

Pat Van Dyke feat. Jeff Taylor & Ansley Stewart [2024] - Be With You [Self Released]

One we've had in the background for a couple of weeks so may as well post it along with the previous retro material.

It's the new single from New Jersey producer/multi-instrumentalist Pat Van Dyke "Be With You" for which he drafts in Jeff Tayor and Ansley Stewart. It was released on 12 Jan.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	12/01/2024
Key/BPM:	12B/88
Price:	£1

Soultown Revivalists [2024] - Burning Daylight [April Morning Music] (Full Album)

More retro soul this time of the blue-eyed variety. A debut album, "Burning Daylight" from Soultown Revivalists who emerged in July '23. They have released five singles to date which are all included on the album's 15 tracks.

None of our four choice cuts have been released as singles as yet i.e. in track order: "Thing About Smokey", "Love Has A Way", "Sha La La" and our standout "So In Love With You".

Twelve of the songs feature the vocals of The Voice finalist 2013 Ryan Innes and one of our choice cuts ("Love Has A Way") he teams up with Joslyn (Poole). Vocalists on other tracks include sisters Moana Wolfgramm Feinga and Natalia Wolfgramm Pikula. who were members of the 80s Minneapolis family group The Jets.

The core band members are Stuart Maxfield (Ficticous) (bass), Melanie Shore (keyboards), Aaron Anderson and Ronnie Strauss (drums), Chase Baker and TJ Nokleby (guitars) with additional guitar contributions from Brady Parks (The National Parks) and Robbie Connolly (The Killers).

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	April Morning Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	26/01/2024
Price:	£9.99

Maurice Mahon [2024] - Church Girl lover [Self Released]

Most will immediately recognise the backing for this new single "Church Girl lover" from Maurice Mahon. Writer credits are given to Jerald Daemyon (who released a version of The Moments' "Not On The Outside" last year) and Maurice Sawyer (Mahon?)

We featured Mahon in early 2021 with his single "Find Me". He won the first 'Chicago Idol' in 2003 sponsored by Clear Channel and Fox News. His prize was to have a song written and produced by R. Kelly. That song was 'Closer' and was released in 2004 which led to work with R.Kelly on The Happy People album and performing background vocals on tour with him.

He has also worked with Christopher Williams, Angie Stone, Alicia Keys, Jagged Edge, Teena Marie, David Hollister, Vanessa Williams.

For any who don't recognise the backing it is, of course, Bobby Womack "Woman's Gotta Have It" from 1972 (included below). Mahon's new take lifts the tempo up a notch or two.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/01/2024
Key/BPM:	10A/94
Price:	£1