Truth & Devotion [2024] - Heaven At Last [Holy Grail Records #HGR-002] (Full Album)

Truth & Devotion were a gospel/soul group from Anderson, IN, who released a solitary album, "Heaven At Last", on Tyscott Records in 1981 and one single from it on Champ Records. The single included a non-album track "To Know Him" along with "I'm So Happy" and sells consistently for around £100 with the original album fetching up to £200 plus.

The album has been reissued digitally and on vinyl in Jan this year by Holy Grail Records prompted by hop-hop producers sampling the title track, which is worth the price of the album on it's own. 

It's the Worcester, Massachusetts, based label's second release after reissuing Tomorrow's Wish "On My Mind" album on vinyl last year. 

The group was led by Dewayne Johnson (keys / vocals) and included Bobby Simonds (guitar & vocals), James L. Dixon (drums), Edgar M. "Mickey" Woodall, Bill Miller (vocals), John L. Hester (bass and narration on "Heaven At Last"), Garland L. Simmons (percussion) and Horace Brooks (guitar).

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Gospel Soul
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital / Vinyl
Label:	Holy Grail Records
Cat No:	HGR-002
Date:	15/01/2024
Price:	$15 / $25

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Betty Wright [1981] - Make Me Love The Rain [Epic #14-02602]

A topical one... no NOT the just announced General Election on 4 Jul, the other thing Brits talk about incessantly, and with good reason recently, the weather and more specifically the RAIN!

Betty Wright from her self-titled 1981 album on Epic and nice 2-stepper, "Make Me Love The Rain", not available for download, although it was reissued on CD in 2016.

The album's not expensive and well worth seeking out for the deep soul killer "One Bad Habit (And That's Loving You!)" (which we will also include, why not?)

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Epic
Cat No:	14-02602
Date:	10/1981
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10-£25

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Citrus Sun [2024] - Down For The Third Time [Dome]

From a forthcoming album "Anaconga" due on 14 June by Citrus Sun is the lead single, a cover of Bobby Caldwell's 1978 jazz funk gem "Down For The Third Time". It features one of our favourite UK based singers Natalie Duncan with Dominic Glover (trumpet) and Charlie Allen (guitar).

The album is conceived and produced by Incognito's Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick and pays homage to jazz and soul greats back in the day. It's Bluey's fourth album for Dome (and fifth overall as the first was on Expansion Records in 2000) with his Citrus Sun side project which shows his more instrumental-oriented side.

It opens with four covers on the bounce, Tony Momrelle and Deborah Bond feature on Maynard Ferguson's "Mister Mellow". Ms Duncan performs lead once again on Erykah Badu's "Honey" followed by "Mystic Brew" (Ronnie Foster) and "Down For The Third Time". The remaining six tracks, we believe, are all original songs.

The single comes in two sizes, the 3:58 Radio Edit and the full Monty 5:50 album version and is released tomorrow (24 May).

Very strange as this is the third time today that we've featured music by an artist recently deceased as Bobby Caldwell passed  only in March this year and a tribute was posted.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from. NB available 24 May

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Dome
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/05/2024
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Bossa Nostra & Vicki Anderson [2024] - Home Is Where The Hatred Is / The Message From The Soul Sisters (The Remixes E.P.) [Irma Records]

Recently covered by Billy Valentine, Gil Scott-Heron's "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" was also covered by Bossa Nostra & Vicki Anderson in 1996 and has been reissued digitally today with a set of remixes.

The release also includes three versions of "The Message From A Soul Sister", a James Brown written song that she originally recorded under her real name Myrna Barnes in 1970 on King.

Anderson was married to Bobby Byrd who are the parents of Carleen Anderson (The Brand New Heavies). She died last July aged 83 and a tribute was posted.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Funk
Format:	EP / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Irma Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/05/2024
Price:	£7.89

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Jesse James [2024] - Back On Top Again [Soul Junction #SJLP 5016] (Album Samples)

Soul Junction's Dave Welding makes no bones about his admiration of Jesse James. Over recent years the label has put out several singles and an album by the, perhaps, little known veteran outside of rare soul circles. i.e. SJ508, SJ511, SJ543, SJ544, SJ546, SJ552, SJ1021, and an album in 2012 "Let Me Show You" SJLP5005. They have another album lined by him of current and recent recordings titled "Back On Top Again". 

Jesse James is James Herbert McClelland from the west coast (Richmond, CA,) and shouldn't be confused with another artist of the same name from the east coast who also worked in the 60s and 70s in Philadelphia.

Legend has it that James got his name accidentally at a nightclub he was performing at in the early 60s when the compere couldn't pronounce his name and introduced him as Jesse James and the name stuck. He also got his big break by accident when his aunt just happened to be dating West Coast blues singer Jimmy McCracklin who, after being persuaded to listen to James sing, wrote and produced "I Will Go", the B side of his first single on Shirley billed as Jess James & The Royal Aces who included one Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone) in its ranks. 

Another four singles would be released on Shirley under his own name with the last in 1965, "Are You Gonna Leave Me", later being an in-demander on Northern Soul dancefloors and was reissued by Soul Junction in 2011 (SJ511).

In 1967 he recorded two singles on Hit, the last one, "Believe In Me Baby" (as Jesse James & The Dynamic Four) was picked up by 20th Century billed as just Jesse James. Two more singles on 20th Century and his debut self-titled album, another on Hit and one on Uni followed before he set up his own production and publishing company 'South Richmond Music' releasing singles on his own labels South Richmond, Zea (including the deep soul gem "I Need You Baby") and Zay. A return to 20th Century in 1974 for another two singles produced the sought after double-sider with the modern soul favourite "If You Want A Love Affair" and another deep soul masterpiece "I Never Meant To Love Her". 

One more single materialised in the 70s, "The Same Thing Happens", which his producer at 20th Century, Ron Carson, got placed on the Happy Fox label's blaxploitation album "Black Fist" and was released as a single. He released around half a dozen more singles in the 80s all on different labels.

In 1988 he formed Gunsmoke Records and has released around seven albums, the last one in 2015. Now 81, he still performs live shows and is actively writing, producing and recording fresh new material. Soul Junction has now collated some of his most recent and new recordings to release "Back On Top Again" on vinyl tomorrow (24 May) and available from Soul Junction. One for the Southern Soul lovers in particular.

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

Click to enlarge

A1 - Back On Top

A2 - Another Love Lay Over (Featuring Shirley Diamond)

A3 - I Lost My Baby On Facebook (Featuring Donnie McKisic)

A4 - Keep It On The Hush Hush

A5 - Get In Touch With Me

B1 - What Happened To The Oo-Wee

B2 - Can I Still Be Your Friend

B3 - I Be A Fool 2 Fool Around On You

B4 - I Put A Clam On That Thang

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJLP 5016
Date:	24/05/2024
Price:	£24

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Eon [2024] We'll Go On / Children Of The Night [Octave #OTS353]

Record Store Day 2024 has come and gone in April but one that you may not have been aware of for Record Store Day Japan 2024 is a modern soul favourite from Eon. It consists of two album cuts only from their first of two self-titled albums in 1975 (Scepter), the second album is from 1978 (Ariola America).

Eon was a four piece group from New York who released just the two albums and three singles between 1975-78, two from first and one from the second album. Group members were Daniel Anderson, Jay Borrerro, Raymond Orta and Robert Remming. Although all members were African-Americans, the album is quite pop, folk and rock oriented.

The two tracks paired from the first album are "We'll Go On" and "Children Of The Night". They are both 7" edits from the album, 4:31 v 7:12 and 4:49 v  5:45 respectively. The YouTube clips below are the full album cuts.

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:	Octave
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/04/2024 / 1975
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Frank Blythe & Miracle Thomas [2024] - Thinkin' Of You [Soulful Evolution Records #SER558] PROMO SAMPLE

Originally released in Oct '23 was "Thinkin Of You" by Miracle Thomas & Frank Blythe. A new soulful house mix is released tomorrow (24 May) on Traxsource, which we believe it's exclusive to Traxsource, at present at least. 

The billing for the new version has been flipped with Blythe taking first billing i.e. Frank Blythe & Miracle Thomas. The song has been extended to 6:04 and the tempo has been ramped up to the obligatory 124 BPM house pace from the sedentary 75 BPM and is virtually unrecognisable to the original song. It sounds to us like Blythe may have added a riff from the Sister Sledge song of the same name in the mix?

Miracle Thomas was born in Lychburg, VA and has been singing since she was three and in her teens moved to Washington D.C. She debuted in 1993 with an independent 'Go Go' single, however she took time out of the music business to raise her autistic son and returned in 2018 and has had several UK Soul chart toppers since her return.

Her uncle is Carl Anderson who had a UK #49 hit with a Stevie Wonder song 'Buttercup' in 1985.

Blythe is from Teeside (UK) and has worked in the music industry since the late 80's producing soulful tracks initially before being drawn to the Acid House scene through 88-90 and spending time in Holland playing Acid House parties.

Upon returning to the UK linked to labels such as Big Life and Cool Tempo. He moved back home to Teeside and set up his own studio working with local talent in the North East. In 2014 Frank set up 4th Quarter Music.

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:	N
Genre/Style:	Soulful House
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Soulful Evolution Records
Cat No:	SER558
Date:	24/05/2024
Key/BPM:	9B/124
Price:	$2.49

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

VA [2024] - Thom Bell, Didn't I Blow Your Mind? (The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969 - 1983) [CDTOP 522] (Full Album)

The word 'legend' is bandied around far too often, but Thom Bell's contribution to soul music in the late 60s and 70s and even into the 80s is undeniable. As a member of the Philadelphia 'holy trinity', Mighty Three Music with Gamble & Huff, he helped change the landscape of soul music.

Bell, along with his long-time writing partner Linda Creed, penned as well as arranged and produced so many songs now regarded as soul classics. We won't wax lyrical any further as we did a tribute to him when he passed in Dec 2022 aged 79 along with a 40 track playlist of his compositions, arrangements, productions.

Ace Records are releasing the sequel to their first acclaimed compilation of Bell’s productions and arrangements, "Ready Or Not - Thom Bell's Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions 1965-1978", with "Thom Bell, Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969 - 1983". It's due for release on 31 May and available to pre-order now from Ace Records on CD only.

As is the case with many Kent releases, it comes with a 16 page glossy booklet with loads of colour photos, details about the tracks and sleeve notes from Bob Stanley (Saint Etienne) with quotes from an interview with Bell in 2020.

Many of the 20 songs will need no introduction but there may be several lesser know ones that may surprise you.

A few of our highlights include: Eloise Laws "Got You Into My Life", Nancy Wilson "Joe",  Phyllis Hyman "Let Somebody Love Me" and Dee Dee Bridgewater "One In a Million (Guy)".

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

01 - The Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)

02 - The Chargers - You Gotta Be A Lady

03 - Spinners - The Rubberband Man

04 - Eloise Laws - Got You Into My Life

05 - The Stylistics - You Are Everything

06 - Ronnie Dyson - Give In To Love

07 - Elton John - Nice And Slow

08 - New York City - Take My Hand

09 - Deniece Williams - Silly

10 - Dionne Warwick & Spinners - Then Came You

11 - Lou Rawls - Will You Kiss Me One More Time

12 - Little Anthony & The Imperials - Lazy Susan

13 - The Stylistics - Betcha By Golly, Wow

14 - Nancy Wilson - Joe

15 - Johnny Mathis - Loving You, Losing You

16 - Jerry Butler - Walking Around In Teardrops

17 - Bell & James - Nobody Knows It

18 - Phyllis Hyman - Let Somebody Love Me

19 - Dee Dee Bridgewater - One In a Million (Guy)

20 - The O'Jays - Brandy

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul / 70s Soul / 80s Soul
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	CD
Label:	Kent
Cat No:	CDTOP 522
Date:	31/05/2024
Price:	£14.11

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Steve Aggasild [2024-05-21] - SoulAndJazzFlavas [Panacea Radio]

Steve Aggasild's latest radio show (in conjunction with SoulStrutter) on Tuesday 14th May April 2024 on Panacea Radio with two hours of the best new soul releases.

Steve does a show on Panacea Radio between 20:00-22:00 (BST) each Tue. His Friday shows on Soul Music Radio are postponed for the next few months owing to work commitments.

Catch up with other SoulAndJazzFlavas podcasts on Podbean

Click to enlarge

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved