Cleo Sol [2023] - Gold [Forever Living Originals] (Full Album)

Having been relatively quiet on the release front for the last two years, London's Cleo Sol delivered a new album, "Heaven", only two weeks ago on 15 Sep, so it was quite a big surprise to discover another, "Gold", released on 29 Sep. 

We said that "Heaven" (which was her first release since "Mother" in Aug '21) was a strong set with at least six standout tracks from the album's nine tracks but wait until you listen to "Gold". It's outstanding and grabs you from the beginning and never lets up. It would be churlish to, and we couldn't anyway, select the standouts, just start from the beginning and listen through to the end. Some may label this as neo soul but it is just pure soul and doesn't need a label as we'd describe it more as traditional soul than neo soul.

We also stated earlier when we posted the new Jaszy Shaver album ("Voyage To Surrender") that it was a candidate for album of the year from a neo soul artist but has stiff completion from this one.

Cleo Sol (Cleopatra Nikolic) is from Ladbroke Grove, West London born to a Jamaican father and Serbian/Spanish mother who debuted in 2011 with "High". The latest album is now her fourth.

We suspect, as is often the case, DJs will pick up on the more uptempo track "Life Will Be" and ignore the ballads which would be a shame!

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:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Forever Living Originals
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/09/2023
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Cleo Sol [2023] - Heaven [Forever Living Originals] (Full Album)

Cleo Sol (Cleopatra Nikolic) is from Ladbroke Grove, West London born to a Jamaican father and Serbian/Spanish mother who debuted in 2011 with "High". 

On Friday she released her third album "Heaven" which is her first release since her last album, "Mother" (Aug 2021).

It's a strong set with at least six of the nine songs getting our vote: "Self", "Go Baby", Golden Child (Jealous)", "Heaven", "Miss Romantic" and "Nothing On Me" with "Self" and "Golden Child (Jealous)" being our top choices if put on the spot.

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:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Forever Living Originals
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/09/2023
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Cleo Sol [2021] - Mother [Forever Living Originals] (Full Album)

Cleo Sol (Cleopatra Nikolic) is from Ladbroke Grove, West London born to a Jamaican father and Serbian/Spanish mother who debuted in 2011 with "High". She has released her second full length album "Mother" on 20 Aug 2021.

It's a very laid back affair, with a few tracks standing out on first listen such as "Don't Let Me Fall", "Promises" and "Sunshine". A blog reader has also recommended "23". I think it's one of those albums you need to listen to a few times for some of the tracks to register as there are possibly some other 'growers' on ther..

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Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Forever Living Originals
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/08/2021
Value:	£7.99

UK Soul Chart Breakers 9th April 2020

Here are the top 10 'breakers' on the UK Soul Chart 9th April 2020

Blue Soul Ten - Cupid's Bow feat Syauqi Destanika [Greenhouse]

Neo soul stepper.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

The New Mosaic feat Erica T Bryan - Out Of Body 

I think I may have already posted this track, so may have also made the comment that her voice to me sounds similar to Tahira Memory, Jarrod Lawson's singing partner and the song sounds like something they would produce, which is a compliment.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6

Kevin Ross - Love's In Need Of Love Today feat Sonna Rele [Art Society]

Neo soul/RnB with 'insipid' vocals that so many RnB artists seem to have adopted that some may like ... but not me I'm afraid!

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.6

Antoine Dunn - I'm Yours [Harvey Marie]

Neo soul/RnB stepper which I'm afraid doesn't do a lot for me as it's just like so much other material that it doesn't move me.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.7

Jane Handcock - What I Need []

A nice neo soul ballad/stepper from this predominantly hip-hop artist that shows that she can sing on the 'right' material.  I'm liking this the more I listen, it gets under your skin, and the hook is so reminiscent of an old school tune that I can't quite place.  Not sure what the relevance of the Bobby Brown & Whitney Huston image is all about - it's from her official channel.

The YouTube clip sound quality is not great so click  her Soundcloud page to listen

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6

Ledisi - Anything For You

Deep neo soul ballad from 'The Soul Singer' artist.  This girl can 'sang'.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6

Cleo Sol - When I'm In Your Arms

Soft, breathy Sade-like vocals on this neo soul ballad.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.1

Midas Hutch - In Touch feat Charli Taft & Daul

Jerky neo soul/RnB with breathy lightweight vocals.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.8

Karen Jewels - Stronger feat Matthew McIntosh

Neo/modern soul with a steady driving beat.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.65

Silk & Nightwind - Ole Skool Thang

Soulful jazz with hints of Marvin Gaye samples.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75