Mix - The Best of 2021 - May

Here's a 85 minute blended mix of my selection of 24 of the best new releases for May 2021.

Some may be earlier but most have featured in 'The Dirty Dozen' during May - essentially is the best of 'The Dirty Dozen' for May.

Mix - The Best of 2021 - April

Terry Rogers - Waiting On You (51.5)

Nicholas Davis - Let's Work It Out (55.7)

W3sst - Midnight (62.8)

Roderick Harper - Hearts Desire (62.6)

Keni Jackson - Thinking About Your Love (67.6)

Eric Shaun - Man Torn (68.0)

Timothy Bloom - Losing My Mind (70.1)

Estee Pierce - Spoil You (70.0)

Breonna B. - Throwback Love (70.6)

Jonas Winge Leisner - Wrapped in Your Love (73.0)

Ledisi - Nothing But You (75.0)

Teedra Moses Feat. Uncle Chucc & Brody B. - Make Me (75.2)

Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown - I Still Love You (80.2)

Mr. Terence Thompson Feat. Ty Silver - Back in Luv (81.4)

Michon Young - Happy (82.0)

Mac Ayres - Smoke (84.0)

Janette King - You Don't Love Me (87.0)

Ty Juan - That Part (90.0)

Wesley Bright - Look At Me (92.0)

Keni Jackson - Why, Why, Why (90.0)

Orgone Feat. Adryon de León - Show Me (95.8)

Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me (99.1)

Yuma Hara Feat. Monique Marian - Stay With Me (100.0)

Vula - Dreaming (101.9)

R.I.P. - Al Kent (08/12/1939 - 31/05/2021)

Only a week or so ago I posted a new single from Al Kent aka Ewan Kelly from Glasgow (under his alias Million Dollar Disco Machine) and made the comment that it was not 'the' Al Kent. I've just learned today that, sadly, 'the' Al Kent (Albert Prentice Hamilton) has died aged 81 on 31 May 2021. It was announced by his niece on his facebook.

Not well known in the mainstream, but to most Northern Soul / Motown fans he is remembered well for a handful of singles released on Detroit's, now legendary, Ric-Tic label, most notably 'The Way You've Been Acting Lately" and "You've Got To Pay The Price" which he recorded the instrumental of. Vocal versions were recorded by Gloria Taylor in 1969 and The Supremes which was a previously unreleased until 2005. 

He was married to Norma Toney who he regularly co-wrote songs with. Separately and jointly they worked with many of the Ric-Tic artists including Flaming Embers, The Fantastic Four, Detroit Emeralds, Edwin Starr, J.J. Barnes and The Dramatics (on Wingate).

Al (Kent) Hamilton, his brothers Robert (Bob aka Rob Reeco) and Eugene (aka Ronnie Savoy) and his wife Norma Toney were probably involved in writing and/or producing most of Ric-Tic's output (as Al Hamilton) before Golden World was acquired by Motown in 1966 and Ric-Tic folded in 1968, at which point he joined the Gordy label working with The Fantastic Four before moving on to Westbound in the early 70s to work with The Fantastic Four again.

He had a hand in many Northern Soul classics on Ric-Tic such as "S.O.S. Stop Her On Sight", "Headline News", "Real Humdinger", "Show Time", "Hungry For Love", "You're My Mellow" and most of The Fantastic Four's early material including "Can't Stop Looking For My Baby". He also worked with artists on Golden World including The Debonaires, Juanita Williams, Rose Batiste and The Adorables.

There is a detailed story about the lives of The Hamiltons written by Rob Moss (Hayley Records) on Soul Source written in 2016.

Kent wrote a 648 page autobiography titled "Custodians of the Hummingbird" published by Rosedog on 5 April 2017.

As a tribute I'll post a track which is probably the soundtrack of many of our lives cutting our teeth on Northern Soul, his instrumental version of "You've Got To Pay the Price" along with "The Way You've Been Acting Lately".

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 17 2021 May (week 21)

A blended, 45 minute, non-stop, mix of the best new releases last week (May 2021 week 21) based on the 'The Dirty Dozen' published 30 May 2021. 

NB They are beat and key matched as best as possible given that I have only 12 tracks to work with.

Tracklist 

(with links to original posts)

Terry Rogers - Waiting On You (51.5)

Keni Jackson - Thinking About You (67.6)

Cinta - Feel Good (62.8)

Esquire - You Are (74)

Louis Baker - Brighter Day (78)

Mr. Terence Thompson - Back In Luv (81.4)

Keni Jackson - Why, Why, Why (90)

Angie Petty - In The Rain (92)

Dark Roast - Running Away (95)

Laura Rain & The Caesars - I Am (116)

Cinta - All That Matters (123.8)

Carmy Love - Rebel (171)

Previous mixes:

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 16 2021 April (week 20)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 15 2021 April (week 19)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 14 2021 April (week 18)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 13 2021 May (week 17)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 12 2021 April (week 16)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 11 2021 April (week 15)

The Dirty Dozen Mix Part 10 2021 April (week 14)

UK Soul Chart - 31st May 2021 - The Breakers

This week's Starpoint Soul Chart Breakers

Nine of the fifteen have already been posted. Two don't appear to have been released yet Chris Ballin & Dimitris), one looks like an oldie unless it's a new mix (Cool Million). Bey Bright, Sarah S and Susanne Smith haven't been posted and probably won't be as they are not particularly good.

01 - The Vandellas - I'm Movin On

(released 07/05 / posted 14/05)

02 - Ty Causey Feat. Monet Cherise - U-Turn

(released 28/05 / posted 29/05)

03 - Cool Million Feat. Pace - Everything Ain't Everything

not posted, unless this is a remix it was released in 2009!

04 - Lori Williams - Sunday Afternoon (Bob Baldwin New Urban Jazz 3 CD Bonus Track)

(released 26/02 / posted 27/02)

05 - Susanne Smith - Lotta Love (Soul Mix)

(released 27/05 / not posted - a bit poppy - sounds like Fleetwood Mac to my ears!)

06 - Wil Key - G.L.O (Good Love Overture) (Globertrotter: B LP)

(released 28/05 / posted 31/05)

07 - Dimitris Feat. Debby Bracknell & Jeff Lober - This Feeling Your Givin' (Take Me Out Tonight LP)

(due 11/06)

08 - Bey Bright - He Can't Love You

(released 29/05 / not posted)

09 - Sara S - It's You (Deja Vu LP)

(released 15/05 / not posted

10 - Jacob G - Never Late

(released 10/05 / posted 23/05)

11 - Miller Blue - Day By Day

(released 21/05 / posted 22/05)

12 - Chris Ballin - What's Going On?

(The only reference I and find to this is a 2000 12" release but he has announced on his facebook that it is the new single - I don't know it it's a reworking of the 2000 song or a completely different song)

13 - Miriam & The Quinces Feat. Dynasty - The One (Fragments 1 EP)

(released 08/05 / posted 11/05)

14 - Dego Feat. Nadine Charles - This Is A Message To You

(released 30/04 / posted 05/05)

15 - Full Flava Feat. Izzy Chase - Love X Love (Incognito Mix)

(released 18/05 / posted 01/06)

The Global Soul Chart - 29th May 2021 - The Essential 5 & The Breakers

This week's 'Essential 5' and 'The Breakers' played by Franklin Sinclair on his Global Soul Chart Show which is aired between 5pm-7pm every Saturday on Global Soul Radio.

He plays the Essential 5 at the start of the show, whilst The Breakers are interspersed between chart entries. 

A podcast of the show is posted each week on Mixcloud. 

None of last week's breakers made the chart this week and only one of the Essential 5, Vula, squeezed in at #20. I fully expect, at least, Mississippi Humminboy and Keni Jackson to chart next week. Keni Jackson has got hit written all over it!

The Essential 5

Four of the five previously posted.

Miriam & The Quinces Feat. Dynasty - The One (Fragments 1 EP) 

(released 08/05 / posted 11/05)

Mississippi Humminboy - Rush (Crunch Time LP) 

(released 07/05 / posted 25/05)

Truth Musiq & Merge Beats Feat. Ann Hoku Lyn - Natural High

Cinta - Wordplay (Feel Good EP) 

(released 15/05 / posted 25/05)

Liza - Rolla (Done Is Done EP) 

(released 29/05 / posted 29/05)

The Breakers

Eight breakers this week, three already posted (Keni Jackson, Zenesoul & Jazz), two not yet released (Conya Doss & Indigo Marshall), two not posted (Hennes & Simi Liadt) and the Chris Ballin track I can find no trace of except for a 2000 release with the same name.

Conya Doss - Come And Get This Love 

(due 13/06)

Desmond Dennis - Come And Talk To Me 

(not posted)

Chris Ballin - What's Going On?

(Can't find this but he did release a song of the same name in 2000!)

Indigo Marshall - Questions 

(due 02/06)

Hannes - Snooze 

(not posted)

ZeneSoul - Witchu (Brown Sugar EP) 

(released 28/05 / posted 31/05)

Simi Liadt - Crazy (Love TKO sample) 

(not posted)

Keni Jackson - Why, Why, Why (Keni Jackson LP) 

(released 28/05 / posted 29/05)

Jazz - Whatcha' Want (Whispers LP) 

(released 20/05 / posted 25/06)

UK Soul Charts - Starpoint 31st May 2021 & Global Soul 29th May 2021

NB New releases are highlighted in light blue. Hyperlinks on title to blog posts or directly to YouTube/Spotify if track not already posted on blog.

There are four releases that appear in both charts highlighted in bold and prefixed '+' at beginning of each line i.e. Michon Young, Lamone, Roderick Harper and Estee Pierce.

29th May 2021

Five new entries this week, all of which have already been posted. Great to see Estee Pierce rising to the top, and it even enters the Starpoint chart!

Losers:

Reel People. Full Crate & SABRI, Jonas Winge Leisner, Amber Mark. Monique Ella Rose

Highest Risers:

Lamone Feat. Najee (+12), Symphani Soto (+10), Melonyx (+6)

Biggest Fallers:

Davante Thornton (-15), Children Of Zeus (-9), David Scott (-8)

The album/EP tracks shown are the ones played on the Global Soul Chart show.

+01 (03) (+02) Estee Pierce - Spoil You

02 (02) (=) Teedra Moses Feat. Uncle Chuck & Brody - Make Me

03 (09) (+06) Melonyx - Energy / Melanin Queens

+04 (01) (-04) Michon Young - Happy

05 (15) (+10) Symphani Soto - Try

+06 (18) (+12) Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me

07 (07) (=) Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown - I Still Love You / Zaddy

08 (10) (+02) Latanya Alberto - Hold On / Wake Up

+09 NE Roderick Harper - Got To (Back To Love LP) (released 06/05 / posted 12/05)

10 (11) (+01) Ledisi - Nothing But You (LP Live At The Troubadour)

11 (16) (+05) Rati - Looking Back

12 NE Teri Tobin - Thank You Enough (released 06/05 / posted 07/05)

13 (05) (-08) David Scott - You Don't Have To Be Hard

14 (14) (=) Mayfeel - At The End Of The Day

15 (06) (-09) Children Of Zeus - No Love Song

16 (20) (+04) Iyamah - Clouds (Tough Love LP)

17 NE Jane Handcock - 90s Love (The Realm Remix)

18 NE Janette King - You Don't Love Me (released 07/05 / posted 15/05)

19 (04) (-15) Davante Thornton -  Closer (Feat. Ace) (LP Luh And Circumstance)

20 NE Vula - Dreaming (released 21/03 / posted 23/05)

Starpoint Soul Chart 31st May 2021

Six new entries all previously posted here except Louis Clark. Three of last week's new entries make way for three of this week's.

Losers: (falling out of this week's chart)

Rati, Al Kent's Million Dollar Disco, Ty Juan, Camera Soul, The Isley Brothers Feat. Snoop Dog, Teri Tobin

Highest Climbers:

M F Robots (+15), BB Soul Feat. Cheri Maree (+13), S.E.L (+12)

Biggest Fallers:

Mark Knight & Beverly Knight (-21), Michon Young (-13), Raja-Nee (-11)

01 (05) (+04) Regi Myrix Feat. Noel Gourdin - Step Into Love (Nigel Lowis Remix)

02 (02) (=) Candace Woodson - Midas Touch (Ooh Ooh)

03 (01) (-02) The Pockets - Work It Out (Dave Lee Mixes)

04 (16) (+12) S.E.L - Melodic Harmony (LP Loc d in Consciousness) 

05 (14) (+09) Ane' - Anytime Anyplace (LP Learning To Love Myself - Vol 2)

06 (03) (-03) Darryl Anders Agapesoul Feat. Maysa Leak - Nobody But You

07 (11) (+04) JB Rose - Gold

08 (06) (-02) The Terri Green Project - Sneaking Out (Mixes)

09 (12) (+03) Vince Broomfield - Get'cha Groove On

10 (15) (-05) David A. Tobin - Magic In Love (Rob Hardt Mix)

11 (26) (+15) M F Robots - Good People Mixes

12 (04) (-08) Sean Oliver - You & Me / Magic

13 (18) (+05) Binky Womack - Vitaman B

14 (27) (+13) BB Soul Feat. Cheri Maree - Is It You / Time Waits

15 (08) (-07) Raymond Barton Feat. Nolo Live - The Way To Your Heart

+16 (21) (+05) Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me

17 (22) (+05) Gemia Burns - Like Velvet (LP Compilation 'Captivating Grooves Vol 1')

18 (13) (-05) Ashley Scott - Don't Throw Our Love Away

19 (NE) Lisa Love - 1000 Kisses (posted 17/05)

20 (NE) JD'S Time Machine Present Jeff Ramsey feat Cleveland Jones - Never Enough You / Jeff Ramsey Hopes Up (posted 18/05)

21 (NE) Louis (N Demand) Clark Feat. Fernanda Harkless - Keep It Right (not posted)

+22 (09) (-13) Michon Young - Happy

23 (19) (-04) Brandon Wattz - Truly For You

24 (23) (-01) Beth Macari - Gotta Get Back

+25 (20) (-05) Roderick Harper - Got You (LP Back To Love)

26 (17) (-11) Raja-Nee Feat. ThaSaint & Wilfred Frelix - Come Get This Love

27 (NE) Wesley Bright - Look At Me (What I Want EP) (posted 03/05)

28 (07) (-21) Mark Knight & Beverly Knight ft The London Community Gospel Choir - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

+29 (NE) Estee Pierce - Spoil You (posted 08/05)

30 (NE) Michelle Brooks-Thompson - Woman First (posted 22/05)

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2021... Part 17 (May 2021 Wk 21) Spotify Playlist

My selection of the best releases this week (May 2021 Wk 21). 

Choosing my selected track of the week this week was tough as nothing really stands out head and shoulders above the rest, but the new album from Keni Jackson has several outstanding tracks, so I've chosen the most soulful track "Thinking About Your Love". Is it just me, or does he sound a little like Michael Jackson on this track in places?

Pt 16, Pt 15, Pt 14, Pt 13, Pt 12, Pt 11, 

Pt 10, Pt 9,Pt 8, Pt 7, Pt 6, Pt 5, Pt 4, Pt 3, Pt 2, Pt 1

NB You must be logged on to Spotify to listen in full

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2021... Covers, Reissues, Remixes & Samples Part 12 (May 2021 Wk 21)

My selection of this week's best cover versions, remixes, reissues, previously unreleased and new songs using samples (May 2021 Wk 21). (In no particular order).

I struggled to get a dozen this week, so have added Laura Rain and Carmy Love as they are throwback sounds and also included the original versions of Jane Handcock and Cheri Maree as the new versions aren't available digitally (or on Spotify), but still only managed to find ten this week!

Pt 11,

Pt 10, Pt 9, Pt 8, Pt 7, Pt 6, Pt 5, Pt 4, Pt 3, Pt 2, Pt 1

SoulStrutter Selections 2021 May (Non-charting New Releases)

It's getting close to the end of the month, so with new releases drying up this week, I thought I'd highlight some tracks released this month that haven't yet broken through to give them a bit of a push. 

There are 21 tracks in total (running time of 1:12:38) with a few from last week which haven't had a chance yet, but there are also a few from earlier in the month which deserve to do better! They have all featured in The Dirty Dozen in May, but some may be hangover releases from April.

Tracklist:

01 - Nicholas Davis - Let's Work It Out (55.7)

02 - W3sst - Midnight (62.8)

03 - Roderick Harper - Hearts Desire (62.6)

04 - Eric Shaun - Man Torn (68.0)

05 - Club des Belugas Feat. Lene Riebau - Coming a Little Bit Closer (70.0)

06 - Timothy Bloom - Losing My Mind (70.1)

07 - Breonna B. - Throwback Love (70.6)

08 - Yvaes' Diirell - Hold On (71.0)

09 - Kali Akeylah - Best Friend (73.0)

10 - Kedron Brown - Be Ready (Caught Up) (77.0)

11 - King Sis - Encore (80.0)

12 - Maxine Davis - Free Me From You (80.0)

13 - Mac Ayres - Smoke (84.0)

14 - Janette King - You Don't Love Me (87.0)

15 - Wildson Feat. Astyn Turr - One On One (88.0)

16 - MoreSoul - When You Need Me (87.0)

17 - Yuphoric & K.ZIA & Sedric Perry - Meant To Be (90.0)

18 - Ty Juan - That Part (90.0)

19 - Wesley Bright - Look At Me (92.0)

20 - Orgone Feat. Adryon de León - Show Me (95.8)

21 - Yuma Hara Feat. Monique Marian - Stay With Me (100.0)

UK Soul Charts - Starpoint 24th May 2021 & Global Soul 22nd May 2021

NB New releases are highlighted in light blue. Hyperlinks on title to blog posts or directly to YouTube/Spotify if track not already posted on blog.

There are only three releases that appear in both charts.  I should probably start calling it the top 50! I have highlighted them in bold and prefixed '+' at beginning of each line i.e. Michon Young and Rati (new entry on Starpoint). and Lamone (new entry on both charts).

22nd May 2021

Eight new entries this week, all of which have already been posted.

Losers:

The ones making way for the new entries are Deirdre Gaddis, Ryan McCarty, Sunni Colon, Tree Feat. Swiss, Sondra Love, SunQueen Kelcey, Blue Soul Ten, Tom Bailey

Highest Risers:

Teedra Moses (+14), Ledisi (+7), Mayfeel (+4)

Biggest Fallers:

Amber Mark (-8), Jonas Winge Leisner (-6), Reel People (-6)

The album/EP tracks shown are the ones played on the Global Soul Chart show.

+01 (01) (=) Michon Young - Happy (plus interview with Michon Young)

02 (16) (+14) Teedra Moses Feat. Uncle Chuck & Brody - Make Me

03 NE Estee Pierce - Spoil You (released 06/05/2021 posted 08/05/2021)

04 (03) (-01) Davante Thornton -  Closer (Feat. Ace) (LP Luh And Circumstance)

05 (04) (-01) David Scott - You Don't Have To Be Hard

06 (06) (+01) Children Of Zeus - No Love Song

07 (05) (-02) Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown - I Still Love You

08 (02) (-06) Reel People - Deja Vu (EP Hearts Collide)

09 NE Melonyx - Melanin Queens (released 04/05/2021 posted 04/05/29021)

10 NE Latanya Alberto - Hold On (released 06/05/2021 posted 07/05/2021)

11 (18) (+07) Ledisi - Nothing But You (LP Live At The Troubadour)

12 (10) (-02) Full Crate & SABRI - Tell My Why
13 (07) (-06) Jonas Winge Leisner - Wrapped In Your Love (EP Sticky)
14 (19) (+04) Mayfeel - At The End Of The Day

15 NE Symphani Soto - Try (released 30/05/2021 posted 16/05/2021)

+16 NE Rati - Looking Back (released 02/05/2021 posted 05/05/2021)

17 (09) (-08) Amber Mark - Worth It (Jarreau Vandal Remix)

+18 NE Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me (released 07/05 posted 04 & 07/05/2021)

19 NE Monique Ella Rose - Can't Get Enough (A Love Odyssey) (released 23/04 posted 28/04/2021)

20 NE Iyamah - Clouds (Tough Love LP) (released 05/05/2021 posted 09/05/2021)

Starpoint Soul Chart 24th May 2021

Eleven new entries all previously posted here.

Losers: (falling out of this week's chart)

Cool Notes, Matthew Winchester, Alexander Morris, Reel People, JazzyD & Sophia Ripley, Zo! & Tall Black Guy, TanQueray Haywood, Bobby Washington, Whittington Still, Eric Gable, Dave Mascall

Highest Climbers:

Ane' (+13), JB Rose (+7), Michon Young (+6)

Biggest Fallers:

The Isley Brothers Feat. Snoop Dog (-20), S.E.L (-8), Alexander Morris (-12), Beth Macari (-5)

01 (06) (+05) The Pockets - Work It Out (Dave Lee Mixes)

02 (03) (+01) Candace Woodson - Midas Touch (Ooh Ooh)

03 (01) (-03) Darryl Anders Agapesoul Feat. Maysa Leak - Nobody But You

04 (NE) Sean Oliver - You & Me / Magic (posted 07/02 & 09/04)

05 (NE) Regi Myrix Feat. Noel Gourdin - Step Into Love (Nigel Lowis Remix) (posted 21/05)

06 (02) (-04) The Terri Green Project - Sneaking Out (Mixes)

07 (04) (-03) Mark Knight & Beverly Knight ft The London Community Gospel Choir - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

08 (11) (+03) Raymond Barton Feat. Nolo Live - The Way To Your Heart

+09 (15) (+06) Michon Young - Happy

+10 (NE) Rati - Looking Back (posted 05/05)
11 (18) (+07) JB Rose - Gold

12 (13) (+01) Vince Broomfield - Get'cha Groove On

13 (10) (-03) Ashley Scott - Don't Throw Our Love Away

14 (27) (+13) Ane' - Anytime Anyplace (LP Learning To Love Myself - Vol 2)
15 (12) (-03) David A. Tobin - Magic In Love (Rob Hardt Mix)
16 (08) (-08) S.E.L - Melodic Harmony (LP Loc d in Consciousness) 

17 (05) (-12) Raja-Nee Feat. ThaSaint & Wilfred Frelix - Come Get This Love

18 (20) (+03) Binky Womack - Vitaman B

19 (25) (+06) Brandon Wattz - Truly For You

20 (NE) Roderick Harper - Got You (LP Back To Love) (posted 12/05)

+21 (NE) Lamone Feat. Najee - You Complete Me (posted 04/05)

22 (NE) Gemia Burns - Like Velvet (LP Compilation 'Captivating Grooves Vol 1') (posted 20/05)

23 (17) (-05) Beth Macari - Gotta Get Back

24 (NE) Al Kents Million Dollar Disco - Lonely One (posted 13/05)

25 (NE) Ty Juan - That Part (posted 14/05)

26 (RE) M F Robots - Good People Mixes (posted 29/05)

27 (NE) BB Soul feat Cheri Maree - Is It You / Time Waits (posted 17/05)

28 (26) (+02) Camera Soul - Esagerato (not posted)

29 (09) (-20) The Isley Brothers Feat. Snoop Dog - Friends & Family

30 (NE) Teri Tobin - Thank You Enough (posted 07/05)