John Edwards [2018] - Walls That Separate Our Love [Deep Soul #07]

A 1973 deep soul recording by ex Spinner John Edwards, "Walls That Separate Our Love", first appeared on a Kent CD compilation "Good Guys Don't Always Win (Hotlanta Soul)" in 1998. It took another 20 years for it to be issued on 7" vinyl for the first time on Kent's Deep Soul label in 2018.

There are several other previously unreleased gems on the compilation (compiled by Ady Croasdel and John Ridley (SirShambling)) which is well worth picking up.

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

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Deep Soul
Cat No:	07
Date:	2018
Key/BPM:	12B/63
Price:	£10.88

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Lamont Dozier [2018] - Reimagination [V2 Benelux #VVNL32961] (Full Album)

Just dropped in the inbox, and probably received by DJs, is a lovely message and gesture from Mark Ede. Mark represented Lamont Dozier's European interests and had a professional stake in, what has sadly turned out to be, Lamont's final full album "Reimagination" in 2018 on which he duets on reimaginations of his classic Motown songs with many different artists ranging from Gregory Porter, Todd Rundgren as well as British singers, Sir Cliff Richard, Jo Harman and Rumer amongst others. Certainly a piece of music history albeit Dozier's voice obviously wasn't what it was in his heyday, he was almost 77 and sadly, as we know now, his health was failing as it was released less than a month before his cancelled UK tour.

Mark has kindly sent out the full album and also included a link to video footage of "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (a #1 Hot 100 hit for Four Tops in 1966) being recorded for the album with the UK's Jo Harman. Jo featured here in April with a cover of another Motown classic "You're All I Need To Get By" with Mike Mayfield.

Read what Bill Buckley at SoulAndJazzAndFunk wrote about the album when released in 2018

As said in Tuesday's tribute I bought tickets to see him a few years ago and the concert was cancelled and rescheduled and then cancelled a second time due to his ill health. He had seven dates lined up but I couldn't remember when the gig was scheduled for but luckily found the confirmation email and it was planned for 12 Jun 2018 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and then rescheduled for Feb 2019 with the following statement from Lamont:

"To my friends & fans – I regret that I have to postpone my trip to the UK and my performances this coming June due to medical advice. I was very much looking forward to being there with you all and giving you my best. Please accept my humblest apology, as I will work on getting my health back to where it needs to be and will look forward to seeing you at the rescheduled dates."

Covid of course then hit us in 2020 and he lost his wife of 41 years, Barbara, in 2021.

Please note, as Spotify is not showing guest artists, click on cover image for full track listing.

Details

Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Motown Classics
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	V2 Benelux
Cat No:	VVNL32961
Date:	25/05/2018
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

John Legend & The Roots [2010] - I Can't Write Left Handed (Bill Withers Cover LIVE) [Columbia]

This week's anti-war/Ukraine solidarity tune is a Bill Withers song "I Can't Write Left Handed" covered by John Legend & The Roots from their 2010 album "Wake Up!" but done live. 

Withers only ever recorded a live version, as far as I'm aware, on his "Live At Carnegie Hall" album in 1973 (recorded Oct 1972). He died just over two years ago on 3 Apr 2020 aged 81 and a tribute was posted.

Anthony David also recorded it on his "Hello Like Before: The Songs Of Bill Withers" album in 2018. Purely coincidentally, Anthony David has a new single out with Algebra Blessett which is a cover of a BeBe & CeCe Winans song from 1998 called "Heaven" which I'll post separately.

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

Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers [2022] - Get Mine / I'm Gone [LRK Records #LRK-14]

A promo sent last week by Liam Kenney of LRK Records which I haven't got around to posting yet is forthcoming in June with pre-orders being taken in May for two sides by L.A.'s Bella Brown (Carol Lynn Hatchett)  & The Jealous Lovers.

Her website states: "Imagine a band that is Sharon Jones meets James Brown while putting a modern twist on 70s soul and funk music".

To date they have released two EPs "Get Mine" (2018) which contains three original songs and two covers "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" James Brown and "Shake" Sam Cooke. Similarly their second EP "Rocket" (2021) has two covers "I Can't Get Next To You" Temptations and King Floyd's "Groove Me".

The two tracks chosen for vinyl release are the title track from "Get Mine" and "I'm Gone" from Rocket".

I made a flippant comment to Liam that it was a shame that "I'm Gone" wasn't a cover of Eddie Parkers impossibly rare Northern Soul classic.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Nu Soul/Funk / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	LRK Records
Cat No:	LRK-14
Date:	06/2022
Key/BPM:	8A/150 / 5A/188
Value:	£1

Galaxy / Glenn Jones - You And Me

Yesterday I posted a new version of the modern soul tune 'You And I' by Leroy Allen and commented that after 40 years I was surprised that two versions of the song were released in the same week, by Gil on 16 Apr and Allen on 23 Apr.  

When I originally posted the Gil version I also posted the 1980 Rockie Robbins version which I thought to be the original, but a regular blog reader 'bluesky' has pointed out that it was actually released by a one album, one single band Galaxy in 1978 on their 'Hot, Wet And Sticky' album.

He also informed me that Glenn Jones released a version recently. In fact I've discovered that there are three versions, the original from 17 Oct 2018 followed by two alternate versions, a smooth jazz version and an R&B version in 2019. The latter two versions were subsequently released on a 45 by Expansion in 2020. The R&B version also appeared on Expansion's 'Soul Togetherness 2019' compilation.

So, to close the loop, as it were, here are the other known versions.

Galaxy [1978] - You & Me [Arista #AB 4211]

Glenn Jones [2018] You & Me [Talent Room Entertainment]

Glenn Jones [2020] You & Me (R&B Version) [Expansion #EXS023 A]

Glenn Jones [2020] You & Me (Smooth Jazz Version) [Expansion #EXS023 B]

Lexi Feat. Gene Moore [2018/2021] - I Choose You [Motown Gospel / It's Soul Time]

I got this tip from 'bluesky' in reference to the imminent release of Smokey Norful on 'It's Soul Time'. The flip side will feature this track by Lexi from her 2018 'Just Listen' album also on Motown Gospel (as the Smokey Norful track is).

Lexi Allen (nee Alexis Marie Nucklos) is a gospel singer from Columbus, OH, who released her debut album 'Call Me Lexi' in 1990. She released another five albums between 2001 and 2012 before signing to Motown Gospel in 2018 and released the single 'In The Room' from the 'Just Listen' album.

The featured track is a wonderful, smooth and soulful contemporary modern soul tune with a timeless feel, taken from the album and due out on 7" vinyl as soon as it can get through the backlog at the pressing plant.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/CD
Label:	Motown Gospel
Cat No:	B002727602
Year:	08/06/2021
Key:	10A
BPM:	92
Value:	£7.92

Steph's Crown [2021 / 2018] - If & Transitions (Remastered) [Thekingconsultants] (Full Album)

I believe that this album was originally released in 2018 but it looks like it has just been either re-mastered and re-released or released digitally for the first time?

She has also posted a new video of a track, not featured on the album, on her YT channel so I'll also feature that.

This is what it says on her Spotify profile:

Born in Evansville, Indiana and a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Steph's Crown introduced to the world her talent for singing at a young age. Through the church’s and family gospel roots Steph’s Crown sharpened and crafted her talent. Steph's Crown grew up loving classic soul and R&B music. She admired the greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and the beautiful Anita Baker. Theses classical R&B figures ended up being her influences later in life. Many who have heard Steph’s Crown voice have touted her to be the Ella Fitzgerald of our time. Since collaborating with The King Consultants and Blaqk Noyze Produktionz, in 2018. Steph's Crown has released the hit single “All Over Me” and a classic album for the ages “Transition.” You can be sure as fans continue to flock to Steph’s Crown beautiful, soulful, and unforgettable voice. This young star is just on the tip of the horizon.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single / Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Thekingconsultants
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Value:	£7.92

S.E.L [2018] - The Sweetest Pain (DJ Spen’s & Gary Hudgins Radio Edit) [Quantize]

The debut album, ‘Loc’d In Consciousness’, from S.E.L. is due on CD on 9 Apr 2021 but won't be available digitally until 28 May 2021 when a new single 'Melodic Harmony' will also be released 

She had a #2 UK Soul chart hit last year with Bryan Chambers on 'Falling' which I've already posted, so to give you a flavour, here's her version of the Dexter Wansell/Jean Carn Philly classic 'The Sweetest Pain' which she released back in May 2018. 

It was released with six different flavours, but the best one for me is the DJ Spen’s & Gary Hudgins mix but you can choose yours from the link below. Two of the mixes are dubs/instrumentals, the MoBlack Soul mix is a misnomer to my ears as it's 'housed up'. That leaves the two  DJ Spen’s & Gary Hudgins mixes (radio & extended) and the John Morales M+M vocal remix.

S.E.L. is soulful Emma Louise from south London who debuted in 2010 with 'Necessary'. Her career took off with 'Elevation' in 2016, which she followed up with a cover of Des'ree's 1994 UK hit 'You Gotta Be' in 2017.

Listen to all remixes here.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8.5
Genre/Style:	Philly / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Quantize
Cat No:	None
Year:	25/05/2018
Key:	8A
BPM:	110
Value:	£5.94

Keni Burke [2018] - Let Somebody Love You (Dimitri From Paris DJ Friendly Remix) [Le Edits #DFP002]

When most think of Keni Burke, apart from being a  member of the Five Stairsteps, I guess they would automatically think of 'Rising To The Top', but for me a track that came out before it in 1981 'Let Somebody Love You' is a stormer of a track. 

It got a freshen up and an extension by Dimitri From Paris in 2018. The original 12" mix is only 5:05 and DFP's mix is 8:44. Whilst it may be true Dimitri is from Paris he is actually Turkish, he was born in Istanbul. 

Spencer Morales Feat. Tasha LaRae [2018] - I Need Your Lovin (Spen & Thommy’s Strings Of Love Remix) [Quantize]

It's becoming a glitter ball, flares and platforms day! Here' yet another soulful house reworking of a disco classic. This time one of Teena Marie's finest, 'I Need Your Lovin' from 1979, gets several reworkings by Spencer Morales.  I quite like the 'Spen & Thommy’s Strings Of Love Remix', so that's the one featured but you can listen to them all here.

There's also a bunch of Opolopo remixes here but they are far more modern club oriented.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Quantize
Cat No:	None
Year:	2018
Key:	8B
BPM:	122
Value:	£1

Jessy Dixon / Beverley Skeete [1979/2018] - You Bring The Sun Out

Yet another fabulous live performance from Beverley Skeete covering a song originally recorded by gospel artist Jessy Dixon (who co wrote it with Tom Snow) in 1979, so I thought I'd post both together.

It has also been recorded by Randy Crawford (Secret Combination album and also on B side to Secret Combination (US only) 1981) and UK reggae artist Janet Kaye did a lover's rock version in 1982. I also like the Jackie Mittoo 'version' on the flip of Janet Kaye.

Jessy Dixon

Title track of 1979 album and also released as 45.

Beverley Skeete

I don't think she has ever recorded this, so the live version is the only one available. I have to say that, whilst I was previously aware of her, I had no appreciation of just how good she was and would definately watch out for her live performances, hopefully in the not too distant future.

Myles Sanko [2017] - Forget Me Not (Rob Hardt Remix)

Rob Hardt Remix of a track from his last album 'Just Being Me' from 2016 which to me sounds like it's got hints of Oliver Cheatham's 'Get Down Saturday Night'.