The Controllers [2024] - Stay [UMG] (Full Album)

Like most, we would guess, The Controllers entered our consciousness with their superb, and epic 8 minute, deep soul ballad "Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose" which rose to #8 on the R&B chart in 1976. It was their biggest hit which just missed out on Billboard's Hot 100 at #102.

The closest they came to that position again was with the title track of their 1986 album "Stay" which peaked at #12. The album has been digitally reissued and also contains their modern soul (album only) favourite "My Secret Fantasy" along with their version of Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover" which opens the album and was released as the lead single.

The group was originally an eight piece gospel group reducing to four, brothers Reginald and Larry McArthur and their cousins Ricky Lewis and Lenard Brown from Fairfield near Birmingham, AL. Their first single, the funky "Right on Brother, Right On" / "I Ain't Lyin'", was as The Soul Controllers (written by Ramsey Lewis' bassist Cleveland Eaton) whilst they were still at high school in the late 60s, possibly 1970. One source states that they were originally formed in 1965 as The Epics when they would have been 11/12 years old.

They signed to Frederick Knight's Juana label in 1975 where they released around a dozen singles and three albums before moving to MCA in the early 80s where they released a further three albums, "Stay" being their second for the label. The group released just two more albums, in 1989 on Capitol and a comeback album in 1997 for Malaco.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	UMG
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/02/2024
Price:	£6.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Dayton [1983] - Feel The Music [Capitol] (Full Album)

Reissued digitally today (along with a whole batch of other reissued albums from Universal's back catalogue which has somewhat queered the pitch for finding brand new material!) is Dayton's 1983 album "Feel The Music" which contains their modern soul masterpiece "Promise Me". This is a must have for that track alone which we believe may the first time it has been made available digitally.  The album was last reissued on CD in 2022 in Japan and on vinyl in the U.S. in 2004.

The album leads with their only UK hit "The Sound Of Music" (a big club sound in 1983 and peaked at #75) and contains the 2-stepper "It Must Be Love" and the ballad "Caught In The Middle" being our highlights..

The "Promise Me" single rarely come up for sale (why would you part with it?), there are none currently available via Discogs with the last two selling there for in excess of £250! The album version is a slightly longer take, 4:02 v 3:42.  It was paired with "Eyes On You" (1980) and reissued on 7" by Expansion last July who appear to have some still available on their website.

Talking of Expansion, they have a batch of four vinyl reissues being released at the end of the month which we will catch up with at some point.

Unsurprisingly the group was formed in Dayton, OH, in 1980 and consisted of former members of Sun and Magnum. They released five albums between 1980-85

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / 80s Soul
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Capitol
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/02/2024
Price:	£8.91

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Taffy [2023] - Passion [Athens Of The North]

Ahead of a "UK Underground Soul" compilation due on Friday (13 Oct), Athens Of The North has dropped a previously unreleased The Danceyard Recording Corporation white label promo 12" by Taffy from it. It's not dated but sounds late 80s / early 90s and, going by the catalogue number, would date it 1988/89.

It was discovered by DJ/music play-lister/consultant Sam Donnison (aka Sam Don) who has compiled the tracks for Athens Of The North. He describes it as 'A lost Balearic soul gem' and states that it's his favourite find of 2022.

Taffy is Deptford's (London) Katherine Quay who released several singles from the late 70s  through to the late 80s. She is perhaps best known for her (hideous) euro-disco hit "I Love My Radio" which peaked at #6 on UK pop chart in Nov '86 which had to be endured for 16 weeks on the chart!

Don't let that put you off as "Passion" is much, much better. It is released with two versions, the main and a shorter demo mix.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	None
Date:	06/10/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/103
Price:	£1.38

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Princess [2023] - Say I'm Your No. 1 (Tony King's 5 Years On 12" Mix) [BMG]

We've had unissued Prince song ("Get Blue") earlier and now a reissue and remix from Princess (Desiree Heslop) who had a UK Top 10 pop hit in Aug/Sep 1985 with "Say I'm Your No. One". 

The Stock Aitken & Waterman produced song has been remixed and is from a forthcoming compilation "PWL Extended: Vols. 1 & 2"' available on 2x double LP, 3CD and digital.

Prior to going it alone, Princess sang with Osibisa in the 70s before touring as a background vocalist with several artists. She recorded a third album which was scheduled for release in 1990 but was never released. After the death of her mother and assassination of her brother she retired from music and moved to the US between 1991-2003 at which time she returned both to England and music. 

In 2014 she released her third album "The Emergence" .. but surely should have been called "The Re-Emergence" with it being her first album in 27 years?

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	BMD
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/09/2023
Key/BPM:	10A/104
Price:	£1.29

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Curtis Hairston [2023] - I Want Your Lovin' (M+M Radio Edit) [Quantize Recordings #QTZ441]

A big club tune from 1985 by Curtis Hairston, "I Want Your Lovin'", gets the John Morales touch with a set of extended M&M remixes due out on Friday (22 Sep). The radio edit was released on 8 Sep.

Hairtson was a member of B.B.& Q. Band prior to his solo career and he wrote this song with Ray Barretto Jr (the son of Latin Jazzman Ray Barretto) and Greg Radford a former member of The Kay-Gees.

Hairston released just one self-titled, solo album in 1986. Backing singers included Jocelyn Brown, Barbara Pennington and Alyson Williams. Wiki states that Luther Vandross also provided backing vocals but if he did he is not credited on the album!

An expanded version of the album was released digitally in Aug '22 which includes extended remixes, especially of his biggie "The Morning After".

Hairston died in 1996 aged only 34.

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Quantize Recordings
Cat No:	QTZ441
Date:	08/09/2023
Key/BPM:	10A/120
Price:	$2.49

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Andre Gibson & The Universal Togetherness Band [2023] - Apart: Demos 1980-1984 [Numero Group] (Full Album)

In 2020 Numero Group released "Apart: Demos 1980-1984" by Andre Gibson & The Universal Togetherness Band but there were only 8 tracks. They have reissued it (digitally and on vinyl) on Friday with an additional 4 tracks, actually 5 as "Quickie" from the original is not included and has been replaced by one of five new tracks prefixed #:

#1 - All My Pals

2 - Thankful For You

#3 - Love Changes Life's Changes

4 - Bring Me

#5 - Call Me

6 - Valentine Lover

7 - Don't It Feel Good

#8 - I Wanna Take You Away

9 - Stuck On A Thrill

#10 - Say I Will

11 - Breakaway

12 - I'm Falling

A year ago Soul Direction released two tracks "I Want You" / "Call For Love" on vinyl from another, eponymous, previously unreleased album released by Numero Group in 2015. You can read some background about the Chicago student group there.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/07/2023
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Angie Gooden [2023] - All Day Long / Feelin' Kinda Funky (T-Groove Remix) [Six Nine Records]

Released digitally on 21 May and now getting a 7" vinyl release via Six Nine Records in early July are two tracks from Angie Gooden.

"All Day Long" is a modern, funky boogie burner which hasn't been released before along with a T-Groove remix of "Feelin' Kinda Funky" which is a brand new mix of a song released digitally in Sep '22 by Plaizir Muzic and issued on 12" by French label Magic Funk Records run by musician/producer Christopher Vignoli (aka ZappChris Funk).

Angela (Angie) Denise Gooden hails from the outskirts of Houston, TX, and sings with a local group Untouchable Chemistry. She release her first solo recording in 2020.

NOTE: These two songs don't seem to be available to purchase digitally (so may be streaming only) or of course they may be bought when released on vinyl.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro 80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Six Nine Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	21/051/2023 / Early July
Key/BPM:	9B/116 / 9B/120
Price:	£N/A / TBC

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

101 North [1988] - So Easy [Capitol #B-44227]

Speaking to DSG promotions' Gary Van Den Bussche yesterday regarding the new single by Lynn Davis he mentioned one of the multitude of tracks on which she has provided backing vocals. 

The song is "So Easy" from 101 North's self-titled debut album in 1988 which also appeared on the follow up album "Forever Yours" in 1991. It was also released as a single on Capitol in 1988.

101 North only released the two albums and three singles and seems to have consisted of four session singers who had worked with Duke.

The album was written, arranged, produced and performed on by George Duke so no surprise that Ms Davis also featured, but the lead singers on this track are Carl Carwell (EWF 1994-97) and Josie James. 

You may or may not be familiar with Josie James but if you've ever listened to Stevie Wonder's "Another Star" (who hasn't?) then she was his backing vocalist as well as on many other artists recordings including Patrice Rushen, George Duke (of course), The Jacksons, Randy Brown, Brothers Johnson, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and even Heaven 17's "Penthouse & Pavement", Wham's debut album and "Inner Feelings" for Billy Ocean (so she must have been in the UK for a couple of years in the early 80s) amongst many others. From 1998 she toured with Burt Bacharach and was with George Duke until his death in 2013.

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Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Quiet Storm
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Capitol
Cat No:	B-44227
Date:	1988
Key/BPM:	4A/59
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Clifton Dyson [2023] - Hypnotize [Numero Group]

Earlier this year Numero Group reissued two tracks from Clifton Dyson's first album "Slow Your Body Down" (1981),  i.e. "So Lonely" / "I'm Giving Up". The two songs were previously released on a QS single in 1980. 

Then they reissued the title track "Slow Your Body Down" from the album bundled with the two previous tracks. We surmised that the only other remaining track "Hypnotize" (which features Debra Wilson on vocals) would follow at some point and that day has come with "Hypnotize" being released today along with the other three tracks.

We actually posted the song in Nov '21 along with an alternate version by Ci Ci released on Creative Funk.

It's not yet available on Spotify so has been posted from YouTube until it is.

Original vinyl copies sell for between £60-£100 but it has been reissued on vinyl twice, by P-Vine in 1997 and original label After Hours in 2007.

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Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/04/2023 / 1981
Key/BPM:	2B/67
Price:	£1 / £3.49

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Clifton Dyson [2023] - Slow Your Body Down [Numero Group]

A couple of weeks ago Numero Group reissued two tracks from Clifton Dyson's first album "Slow Your Body Down" (1981),  i.e. "So Lonely" / "I'm Giving Up". The two songs were previously released on a QS single in 1980. 

Today the title track from the album has been bundled in with the two previous tracks, so going by the fact the the artwork is the album cover, perhaps the full album may eventually emerge? The only remaining track is "Hypnotize" so watch this space.

On original vinyl they sell for between £60-£100 but it has been reissued on vinyl twice, by P-Vine in 1997 and original label After Hours in 2007.

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Details

Rating:	7.9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/03/2023 / 1981
Key/BPM:	4A/119
Price:	£2,97

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

VA [2023] - Unreleased Gems (Compilation 1) [Boss Records]

An unusual compilation landed last Friday (17 Feb '23) titled "Unreleased Gems (Compilation 1". It transpires that all songs were written, and many recorded, (but unreleased) by Billy Nichols aka PapaDollaBill. Whilst it's available to stream, I've been unable to find it for purchase anywhere.

Nichols was a member of B.T Express and was the writer of their biggest hit "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" in 1974. Prior to that he joined Motown in 1964 and was a member of the road band led by Choker Campbell. His first job was working with Martha & The Vandellas and later became Marvin Gaye's musical director.

He is quite a prolific songwriter with his first recorded song "To Love To Love" being released on the flip side to "Summertime" by Billy Stewart on Chess in 1966. Millie Jackson recorded several of his songs along with a couple done by other artists on Spring such as Garland Green and Act 1.

As the songs on this compilation are all previously unreleased and by unknown artists (except for Willie Collins) it's difficult to date them but most sound like 80s recordings and as such fall on deaf ears to this listener mainly because of the transition from real musicians to early 'thin' computerised synthetic sound which is completely lost on me. 

However, there are one or two choice cuts. The clear standout is Walter Coleman with "Girl You're Tearing Me Apart" (which has that early/mid80s independent soul sound) with only really another two standing the test of time to these ears i.e. James (Bo) Wright  "It's Just a Matter of Time" and Ernest Nichols (a relative?) "I Almost Lost It". Outsiders are two tracks by Sandy & Beverley "Two Can Play That Game" and "The Luv U Started". But if you like the 80s sound there may be others that appeal so will post the full set of 24 tracks.

Thanks to Paul Regan (Brighton Boris).

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Details

Rating:	7.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	Boss Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	17/02/2023
Price:	£?

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

U-Nam [2022] - California Funk Machine vol. 2 [Skytown Records] (Full Album)

If you cast your mind back to March you may recall the first edition of California Funk Machine, Vol 1. The second volume is out today and attacks 80s dance tunes. The brains behind this project is L.A. based Parisian expat Emmanuel 'U-Nam' Abiteboul who has recruited a host of skilled musicians, far too many to mention them all.

All the tracks should be well known to you already and all but one are covers.

In track list order they are EWF (1981), George Duke (1983), Midnight Star (1986), Herbie Hancock (1983), Jesse Johnson (1986), U-Nam original, Kool & The Gang (1981), Maze (1989), Dayton (1983), Patrice Rushen (1984).

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Cover Versions
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Skytown Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/07/2022
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly [2022] - Twilight / God Made Me Funky (Shaun G Mix) [Self Released]

Another Shaun G(allagher) 'mash-up' this time using a tune from a Maze B side, "Twilight", that crossed over into the UK club scene in the mid 80s and was huge. The spoken parts are from Orange Muse's "Keep The Funk Alive" (2003), presumably CB's Spoken Mix.

It was the flip side to "Too Many Games" in 1985 and not really what you'd typically expect from Frankie Beverly's crew but it took off, possibly influenced by Harold Faltermeyer's synth instrumental Axel F ... as that what it reminds me of.

It was the group's only UK Top 40 single reaching #38 credited as "Too Many Games" but I'm sure many bought it for the flip side.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	02/07/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Saucy Lady & U-Key & Lee Wilson [2022] - Tell Me [Star Creature]

The ever prolific Lee Wilson teams up with U-Key and Boston based singer, songwriter and DJ Saucy Lady (aka Beantown Disco Queen) on a cover of The S.OS. Band's Jam & Lewis penned 1983 hit "Tell Me If You Still Care".

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Star Creature
Cat No:	None
Date:	08/07/2022
Key/BPM:	10A/103
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Soultrend Orchestra & Papik Feat. Al Castellana [2022] - Act Like You Know [Irma Records]

A new single from Italians The Soultrend Orchestra & Papik and featuring Al Castellana was released 28 Jan 2022. It's a cover of Fat Larry's Band 1982 dance classic "Act Like You Know" from "Breakin' Out" which should need little introduction.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Irma Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/01/2022
Key/BPM:	4A/105
Value:	£1

The Harold Thomas Band [2021] - Your Love Drives Me Crazy [JWE Group]

OK, I'm now convinced that airings on specialist soul radio shows influence the Amazon charts. Mark Merry and his 'soul scouts' (i.e. his 'Merry men') Paul Regan and Pete Ratcliffe over the last couple of weeks have unearthed some previously unreleased 80s recordings produced by Jim White released on his JWE Music Group logo. 

Along with a few others, this week's instalment included two tracks from The Harold Thomas Band "Your Love Drives Me Crazy" and "Can I Spend The Night" (which sounds, and probably is, identical to the Jim White & Motor City Orchestra track of the same name posted last week). 

Well, both of these tracks have 'miraculously' appeared in the Amazon Top 30 today from nowhere (along with another featured on the show which I posted on Sunday from Michelle Goulett)  ... except of course we now know better as, presumably, listeners to the show have bought the tracks and put them in the chart! It can't simply be a coincidence?

It wouldn't surprise me if the female vocalist on Jim White & Motor City Orchestra and The Harold Thomas Band is actually Michelle Goulett as the voice sounds similar! She is a blue-eyed soul session singer, with a great voice, who released a self-titled album in 1986 produced by Jim White and two of the tracks on her latest EP were featured on the album and were released as a single also in 1986. 

There are a number of other albums that have been released on JWE in the last few weeks e.g. Dee Dee Joseph & David, Detroit Sound Revue, Kyng Penn, Pete Dagdren, The All Ball Band, The Gosse Ile Band, The David Gunthner Band, Mel Shaker and Benevolent. There is also a compilation called JWE Music Collection Vol. 1 which I got excited about when I discovered it had a track by the legendary Levi Stubbs, but unfortunately it was a bit of a MOR style ballad, to my ears at least, but here it is if you want to check it out. However, there is another good track on it which I'll post separately.

Most, if not all, of the material is from the mid 80s (many having that crash, bang, wallop, electro dance music feel) but the ballads have stood the test of time, most of them have already been 'sniffed' out by the soul scouts above.

I think The Harold Thomas Band is probably the best of the bunch as it contains mostly ballads, so doesn't suffer the same 'aging' as the others.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	20/07/2021
Value:	£5.50

Cool-Notes [2021] - You're Never Too Young [Self Released]

The Cool-Notes released a reworking of their biggest hit "Spend The Night" (UK #11 in 1985) recently and hot on the heels of the success of that release they have another reworking, this time of their second single (as a soul group as previously they were a reggae/lovers rock band) and first hit from 1984 "You're Never Too Young" which just missed out on the top 40 (#42).

There are three mixes, George B Remix short (4:57) and extended (5:38) and my preferred mix the Steve Mac Mellow Mix, named 'mellow' as it uses the back beat from Lowrell's 1979 classic "Mellow Mellow Right On" (I bet he's making some royalties from the use of that song!).

Steve Mac is original band member Steve McIntosh who still keeps the band alive with another original member Heather Haywood (Austin/Austyn). The group was founded in Brixton, London in the late 70s,  they released their first reggae single in 1977. They were originally a seven-piece band which included Steve's wife, Lorraine McIntosh

The tracks only seem to be available currently on their official website, click image below to order.

I've also included some rare footage of them performing the original in 1984 from their YT channel.

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Steve Mac Mellow Mix

George B Remix Extended

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	09/07/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1.99 each or £3.25 for all 3