Soul Strutter: 03/28/24

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Erin Stevenson [2024] - Almost (Official Visualizer Video)

We don't know how we missed this. The visualiser for Erin Stephenson's "Almost" has been out since 15 Feb but wasn't available when we initially posted the song on 9 Feb, so here it is now.

A good enough reason to remind ourselves of a great song that will inevitably be in many end of year 'best of' lists.

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:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/02/2024 (14/02/2024 Video)
Key/BPM:	4B/87
Price:	£1

Deep Sensation [1999] Somehow, Somewhere (There's A Soul Heaven) (Original Mix) [Fluential #fluent 9]

A bit of a random post inspired by seeing it posted on a facebook group today and commented on by an old friend from many years ago, Southport Weekender DJ Billy Davidson.

It's "Somehow, Somewhere (There's A Soul Heaven)" from Glaswegian duo Deep Sensation (Colin Gate (a former Northern Soul DJ) and hip-hopper Paul Hunter) originally released in 1998 but subsequently had several different mixes applied.

The duo recorded under several different aliases such as Space Jam, Brother Of Soul, Second Crusade, Red Hook Project and others dependent on the type of music they produced. They were active between 1995-2003 but shunned the limelight, so very little is actually known about them.

We've selected the original mix from 1999 which is a little less 'Housey' than other mixes. The track samples Ultra High Frequency's (Bobby Eli) "We're On The Right Track" (1973) (also recorded by South Shore Commission in 1975 and written by Philly's Norman Harris and Alan Felder) with vocal overdubs from Syl Johnson's "Is It Because I'm Black" (1969).

It charted twice on the UK pop chart reaching #88 first time around in May 2001 and #74 in Sep 2004 (both times it stayed on chart for only one week) and is dirt cheap to pick up on 12" vinyl.

It's also available digitally via Traxsource.

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

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Soulful House
Format:	Single
Media:	12" Vinyl
Label:	Fluential
Cat No:	fluent #9
Date:	1999
Key/BPM:	6A/125
Price:	£3-£6

Ledisi - Happy Birthday

A quick birthday wish to Ledisi who is currently riding high in the UK with her latest album "Good Life" released on 1st March.

Ledisi Anibade Young was born 28th March 1972 in New Orleans but later moved to Oakland. She released her debut album "Soulsinger" in 2000.

Rather than repeat the article, Ledisi profile, we posted a few years ago featuring many of here early recordings, we guide you there for more information.

Since we featured the article, she has released a further four albums to add to her album discography:

2020 - The Wild Card [Listen Back]

2021 - Ledisi Sings Nina [BMG]

2021 - Live At The Troubadour [BMG]

2024 - Good Life [BMG]

Aretha Franklin [2024] - Lean On Me (Live) [Vision] (Full Album)

A thirteen track live album recorded in 1982 titled "Lean On Me (Live)" by Aretha Franklin has appeared on Amazon today, although it gives a release date of 16 Feb.

It is not (yet) available on Spotify and nor can we find it on YouTube, so we are not able to embed sound files but you can listen to samples on Amazon by clicking on the sleeve image below. If and when it becomes available on Spotify we'll embed sound files.

Track Listing:

01 - Hold On, I'm Coming (Live 1982) 04:48

02 - Love Me Forever (Live 1982) 03:35

03 - It's Your Thing (Live 1982) 04:00

04 - I Wanna Make It Up To You (Live 1982) 06:45

05 - Daydreaming (Live 1982) 03:43

06 - Rock Steady (Live 1982) 02:38

07 - I Say A Little Prayer (Live 1982) 02:20

08 - Respect (Live 1982) 02:30

09 - Baby, Baby, Baby (Live 1982) 03:34

10 - Ain't No Way (Live 1982) 06:07

11 - Band Introductions (Live 1982) 01:17

12 - Brand New Me (Live 1982) 04:53

13 - Jump To It (Live 1982) 07:41

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Vision
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/02/2024 (28/03/2024)
Price:	£7.89

BYAMM [2024] - Lost In Sanity [Self Released] (Full EP)

Pre-released today on Bandcamp, ahead of official release on 5 Apr, is a new EP, "Lost In Sanity", from BYAMM. Their name comes from the first initials of the members Barima Yaw Asante (songwriter / keys / producer) and Matt Myatt (beats / co-production)

We posted their debut EP "The Anthropomorphic Fantasy" in Feb '22 which was only available on Bandcamp but released on other DSPs in March last year. It is now also available on vinyl.

Similar to the last EP, the latest is 80's infused synth soul with the opening track, "Life Comes From The Sun" probably the standout.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/03/2024 (05/04/2024)
Price:	£5

Bryony Jarman-Pinto [2024] - Willow [Tru Thoughts]

Another single, and the fourth to date, from Bryony Jarman-Pinto 's forthcoming sophomore album "Below Dawn" (due on 10 May) is "Willow" released today (28 Mar). It's co-written with Benedic Lamdin and Riaan Vosloo aka Nostalgia 77.

It follows the double single "Feel Those Things" / "Riverside". (22 Feb) and "Moving Forward" (11 Jan).

London born, Lancaster based, Jarman-Pinto released her debut single in Mar '19 and, after her fourth single, released her debut album "Cage & Aviary" the same 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:	7.9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Tru Thoughts
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/03/2024
Key/BPM:	3B/60
Price:	£1

Funk Therapy feat. Michael B. Sutton [2024] - Cold World (Where Has The Love Gone) [The Sound of LA]

Funk Therapy is a new group founded by ex Motown writer and producer Michael B. Sutton which includes his French wife Aneessa (previously known as Anya Rose and Lady Aneessa but her real name is Anissa Boudjaoui). She debuted in 2018 with a cover of Soul II Soul’s 'Back to Life' and last featured here with a single "It's Gonna Be Alright" in May '21. Other members include legendary drummer James Gadson (now 84 of Charles Wright's Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band) and former Supreme Scherrie Payne.

The first single was a throwback sound, "Old School Party" (23 Feb), which they now follow with "Cold World (Where Has The Love Gone)" written by Sutton and his wife. The artwork for which conjures up images of Curtis Mayfield in the 70s and the sound itself is reminiscent of Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.

They describe the new song as 'a soulful resurrection of that iconic era. A sonic journey through the depths of human emotion that resonates with the timeless music and Motown legacy, evoking the spirit of classic soul with its rich instrumentation and soul-stirring vocals that pays homage to their predecessors while creating a modern masterpiece'. They go on to say that 'it serves as a call for social justice and raising awareness, urging listeners to reflect on the power of love in healing societal wounds'.

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:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	The Sound of LA
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/03/2024
Key/BPM:	8A/115
Price:	£1