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.

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

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

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Howard Hewett [2021] - To Thee I Pray [Music Access]

I would guess that many 'real' soul connoisseurs may dismiss Shalamar as a bit of a lightweight dance act. Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley were both dancers on Soul Train before they were 'chosen' for the group. However, there should be no doubt about the soul credentials of Howard Hewett who has gone on to release ten solo albums.

Shalamar are currently doing the rounds on tour in the UK with several solo dates for Hewett. The group has undergone many line-up changes over the years with Hewett leaving in 1986 and then re-joining around 2000. The current line-up consists of Hewett, Daniels and Carolyn Griffith (who is the daughter of Carrie Lucas) replacing original member Jody Watley.

Hewett has chosen to re-record 1992 "Allegiance" album track "To Thee I Pray" as his new single.

There's a snippet of it in the video below posted on his YT channel back in April since when I've had this post lined up waiting for its release, which was only yesterday!

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

Details

Rating:	8.7 (9 for the original)
Genre/Style:	Quiet Storm / Slow Jam
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	05/11/2021
Key/BPM:	2A/57
Value:	£1

Betty Wright [1993] - For Love Alone [Ms.B Records #4453]

A perhaps forgotten and overlooked track from Betty Wright's 1994 album "B-Attitudes". "For Love Alone" played today by Gary Van Den Bussche on his 'Lunchtime Sandwich' radio show on Starpoint Radio. He does have a tendency of unearthing some great forgotten tunes as well as playing up front releases. I believe that it was also released as a single in 1993 which may have been promo only CDS.

As it starts it sounds very like something Anita Baker could have recorded and, as Gary commented to me, early Anita Baker 'with attitude'!

If you're interested in learning more about Betty Wright I did a tribute feature for her last May (2020) just after she died and also a Full Discography.

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

Details

Rating:	8.8
Genre/Style:	Quiet Storm / Slow Jam / Deep Soul
Format:	Album Track / Single
Media:	CD
Label:	Ms.B Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	1993
Key/BPM:	2B/59
Value:	£10-£20 approx.

Peabo Bryson [1978] - Feel The Fire [Capitol #4573]

A stone cold soul classic, that he wrote himself, which seemed to pass the general record buying public by as it only charted on US R&B charts, reaching #13 in 1978. 

Now 40 odd years later it still sounds as good as ever. Below I've posted him perfoming it live on 'Ladies Request' concert, which was also released as a DVD in 2005 and has been posted here if you want to view the whole concert.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Capitol
Cat No:	4573
Year:	1978
Key:	12A
BPM:	62
Value:	£2-£5