James Monroe [2024] - Frontiersman Of The Galaxy / Funky Lady [Numero Group #NUM4800]

Another Numero Group digital reissue of an obscure 1977 recording. This one is from Lennie LaCour's Magic Touch label by James Monroe with "Frontiersman Of The Galaxy" / "Funky Lady".

It also appears to be his only release although 45Cat has merged this recording with another James Monroe who was a bluegrass artist, so almost certainly not the same artist.

It's a new one on us with the top side having a modern soul/crossover appeal and must be known as it commands between £300-£400.

The flip is rather pleasant which has 70s style spoken word/rap intro that repeats later, some funky licks but also a nice falsetto harmony section around 1:30. It's difficult to pigeon-hole as it's unusual so give it a whirl.

Both sides were released last year on "The Magic Touch Singles Vol. 6 (1977)". by Tuff City who have released ten volumes, the last Vol. 10 in Feb this year.  You can find them all on Tuff City Bandcamp store.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4800
Date:	13/05/2024
Key/BPM:	9B/107 / 9B/106
Price:	£1,79

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Ike Noble & The Uptights [2024] - Money Wont Change You / She's Got to Be Loved [Athens Of The North #Ath 151]

The first of three forthcoming digital and vinyl releases by Athens Of The North from Ike Noble & The Uptights.

It pairs two previously unreleased songs by Noble until they were released on a compilation "Look A Little Higher" in Jun 2022.

Both are cover versions leading with James Brown's "Money Wont Change You" (King 1966) and  then Tyrone Davis' "A Woman Needs To Be Loved" (Dakar 1968) retitled "She's Got to Be Loved". 

The latter was written by Gerald Sim and Floyd Smith (who married Loleatta Holloway) although, curiously, Noble's version is credited to Charles J. Holmes, perhaps a few lyrics may have been changed but essentially it's the same song!

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Funk / Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	Ath 151
Date:	24/05/2024
Key/BPM:	3B/156 / 2B/90
Price:	£2 / £9.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Motet [2024] - Love Time [Self Released]

The Motet is a six piece group from Denver, CO, founded in 1998. They've released ten studio and two live albums, their latest, "All Day", in Jan '23.

We last featured them with "Nautral Light" in Sep '23. Their second single since then, the funky "Love Time" (which has a bit of a Prince flava), was released on 24 Feb, once again featuring Sarah Clarke on lead.

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

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/02/2024
Key/BPM:	6B/126
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Acantha Lang [2024] - He Said/She Said (Lack Of Afro Remix) [Magnolia Blue Records]

Out today is a Lack Of Afro Remix of Acantha Lang's debut single "He Said/She Said" originally released in Oct 2020 and featured on her debut album "Beautiful Dreams" last June.

It's a tighter and even funkier take on the original which we will also post a video for, for comparison.

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

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Funk / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Magnolia Blue Records / Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/02/2024
Key/BPM:	10A/111
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Crack of Dawn [2024] - Crack Of Dawn [Sony] (Full Album)

An album from 1976 that has been reissued is Crack Of Dawn's debut, self-titled album.

The group was formed in Kingston, Jamaica, relocating to Toronto in the 70s. They were a popular live act and attracted the attention of Columbia and became the first black Canadian act signed to the label in 1975, Their first album was released the following year.

It contains a few covers, Mel & Tim's "Keep The Faith", and a good version of "I Can't Move No Mountain" originally recorded by Blood, Sweat & Tears in '72 but also by several others including Margie Joseph, Shirley Brown and Revelation. The song was written by the album's producer Bob Gallo (aka Robert John Gallo) and Michael Gately who also co-wrote several songs popular on the Northern Soul scene such as Eddie Regan's "Playin' Hide And Seek", Robert John (different artist) "If You Don't Want My Love", "Can't Stop Loving You" and "Raindrops, Love And Sunshine".

Curiously, "Put You Money Where Your Mouth Is" is credited on this release to the group's lead singer Glenn Ricketts but was also released in 1976 by Rose Royce credited to Norman Whitfield. Whilst not identical, they sound very similar!

The remainder of the album is generally funk.

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

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul Funk
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/02/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Sky Santana [2024] - Show Me The Money [Self Released]

The latest single from gender fluid Sky Santana (Aubrey Noelle Santana) from NYC is the funky "Show Me The Money", 

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	26/01/2024
Key/BPM:	11A/99
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Low-Down [2023] - Music Is The Answer / Somebody [Stream #STR011]

Low-down were formed in San Diego in the late 70s originally consisting of the founders John Lowe, Raul Gallegos (lead vocalist), Angel Hayes (guitar soloist), with Ken Reeves (Bass Guitar), Skip Pendleton (rhythm guitar player), Ray Baker (keyboard), Raymond Gulley (vocalist) and Prince Seawood (vocalist) joining later.

They released their first of only three singles ("Music Is The Answer" / "Somebody") on Javar (possibly a self-release as it's the only release on the label) in 1982 (which Discogs lists as 1979). The A side is a modern soul / boogie tune with flip being more funk oriented. Both sides are being reissued by Alberto Zanini (Cannonball Records) and Yann Vatiste (Epsilon Records) on their joint venture Stream label and is available to order now via Epsilon website.

Two more singles followed later in the 80s: "Hanging" / "Beautiful People" in 1986 and "You Got Me Hanging" (vocal and instrumental) both on Music City, again the only two releases listed for the label. The latter may be the same song as "Hanging" but we've been unable to find a sample of "Hanging" to compare.

We are informed that "Music Is The Answer" peaked at #72 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #20 on the R&B chart and also reached #61 on the UK Singles Chart, however, we are unable to confirm this as we can't find it listed in Joel Whitburn's book of R&B Hit Singles.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Boogie / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Stream
Cat No:	STR011
Date:	23/09/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£20

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Family Company feat. MacKenzie [2023] - I Like It [FamCo Records]

Family Company is an L.A. based collective incepted by the convergence of Josh Teitelbaum (drums), Alex Kyhn (bass), and Jason Goldstein (wurlitzer). They have backed various artists as a rhythm section, along with putting on tribute shows to Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, and most recently Stevie Wonder.

Their latest single "I Like It", and their last "Lockstep", features McKenzie. The artwork for both is identical suggesting perhaps that an EP/album is on its way?

A nice little retro funky groove.

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

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	FamCo Records / Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/09/2023
Key/BPM:	8B/95
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved