Modern Musings………grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

 

Main Menu :- main Menu

April 2007

 (These reviews appear first in Soul Up North, available from Howard Earnshaw, 19 Rectory Drive, Kirkheaton 44 1484 535999 £2 per issue  email soulupnorthhfe@aol.com web www.soulupnorth.org - Big thanks to Howard and all at Soul Up North for letting me feature this)

 

Gerald Levert                                    All cuts                                               (US Atlantic CD “In My Songs”)

 

In November of last year we were saddened to hear of the untimely death of one of contemporary soul’s outstanding voices, Mr Gerald Levert.  I was stunned to hear that he had passed away at just 40 years of age, and I’ll tell you that the artwork on this CD makes you well up, as it pictures G as a child and throughout his career.  He recorded this album shortly before his death, and the spoken intro from dad Eddie Levert (O’Jays) explains that it was the family’s wish that this material got a release.  Well, we thank them for that as this album is just chock full of the man at his best.  The ballads, the dancers, it’s all here, and you sure as hell can expect big things from “Wanna Get Up With You” and “DJ Don’t” over the coming months on the nations dance floors.  The former is my pick.  Of the slower material, the title track shows the mans voice off a treat, along with “Deep As It Goes”, with its suggestive lyrics.  I find myself saying this far too often these days, but RIP Gerald Levert.

 

 

N'Dambi                                             Can't Change Me (Ron Trent Remix)        (UK R2 Records 12")

 

N’Dambi first appeared on the scene in the mid to late 90’s with an album “Little Lost Girls Blues” on the independent Cheeky-I record label.  A further US album was released in 2001 (“Tunin’ Up and Cosignin’”), and last year she released “A Weird Kind Of Wonderful”, which to the best of my knowledge was for the Japanese market only.  The latter is the only album I don’t have and I believe this cut, in its original form, is on that set.  However, what we have here is a super remix delivered by Ron Trent; this record is totally awesome.  As deep, yet soulful as it gets for me, I just can’t stop playing this.  I’m sure I bore some of you with these comments, but if you think house music has nothing to do with soul, you really need to listen to this and let it wash over you in waves.  Don’t wait 10 years and come crying to me then!!!

 

 

Shuya Okino                          Most cuts                                           (JAP Epecial 12” “United Legends EP’s”/Geneon CD “United Legends”)

Time to confuse you dear brethren!!  The Shuya Okino CD appeared late 2006 out of Japan, in limited edition packaging; looks great but not so friendly for DJ’s!  The album has since been released in more regular packaging, AND even better news is that the best tracks (well, nearly all the tracks actually!) have been made available on 2 Especial 12’s.  Of course, yours truly has bought the lot (but don’t tell the wife!), having originally picked up the CD album.  It’s the vinyl junkie in me you know!!  Anyway, whatever your preference, do check either the vinyl’s or the CD out for some magic moments.  Perhaps my favourite cut is Clara Hill’s “If It Is Love”, but other notable moments come from Carleen Anderson (“Beautiful Sadness”) and Josh Milan (“Love Is The Key”).  I’m going to single out the retro 80’s sounding “Summer Love” for special mention though, with vocals from Nicky Guiland of Heavy, as it probably has the most potential to make it big on the UK’s modern room dance floors.

 

 

 

OK, I need to try to squeeze in the Simply Soul sales chart, so a few things in brief.  Check out some top-notch vinyl from Franck Roger feat. Zonkes “All In The Way” on Real Tone, France.  Vanessa Haynes “Morning Light” continues our trip around Europe, coming in on Irma out of Italy.   Phuture Sole in the US bring us Kenny Carvajal feat. Lafayette “A Higher Place” which is totally brilliant, and sounding very Silvetti “Spring Rain” like is Deepswing feat. Linda Jackson “Lift Up”, new for the inconsistent Generate Music label.  A great limited pressing out of Detroit (Superb Records) brings us the gospel house of Terrence Parker feat. Coco Street and “Let God Arise”.  On UK label Hustle Music we have Guy Robin feat. Anthony Moriah on the achingly soulful “Angel Of Love”.  On the CD front, check the Karl Frierson album “Soulprint” for the ace dancer “Ten Minutes”, Jimmy Levine’s “Share My Love” set for a great cover of Aretha’s “Wonderful” amongst others, the new Stan Mosley “Steppin Out” set for some quality real soul.  Finally, don’t miss the Stephanie McKay CD EP for the DJ Spinna remix of “Tell It Like It Is”,

 

 

SIMPLY SOUL MAIL ORDER HOT TEN SALES (March 2007)

 

1.      Various Artists - Soul Desirables (UK Expansion CD)

2.      Gerald Levert - In My Songs (US Atlantic CD)

3.      Unam - Back From The Eighties (UK Soul Vibe CD)

4.      Mikelyn Roderick - Copasetic Is (UK Dome CD)

5.      Lanu - This Is My Home (US Ubiquity CD)

6.      Various Artists - We Are Family 2007 (US Bungalo CD)

7.      Various Artists - Tokyo House Lovers (JAP King CD)

8.      4 Hero - Play With The Changes (UK Raw Canvas CD)

9.      Peven Everett - Power Soul (UK Soul Heaven CD)

10.  Melvin Williams - Crazy Like Love (US Blackberry CD)

 

 

50 Soul 2 check 4

1.        J-Red            In Your Dreams         (US Soul Mop Ent. CD)

2.        John Legend   Again            (US Columbia CD)

3.        Gina Darby                       Yes                (US Gina Darby Promo CDS)

4.        Amar Khalil     Sunny Day               (US Earmark CD)

5.        Unified Tribe   Don’t Wanna Be        (US IAM CD)

6.        Donald Harrison        You Love Me Back     (US Fomp Records CD)

7.        Vanessa Haynes       I Wonder                 (UK Change Of Weather CD)

8.        B. Lyle/Peabo Bryson Lost In Our Love       (US Heads Up CD)

9.        Amp Fiddler    Heaven                   (UK Genuine CD)

10.     Hil St. Soul/Dwele     Baby Come Over       (US Shanachie CD)

11.      Tim Dillinger    That’s The Kind Of…  (US Icons Pen CD)

12.     D. Taylor/G. Cope     Onedaful                 (US EMF CD)

13.     MG               Still              (US MEJE Ent. CD)

14.     William Green  Feel Me Baby  (US Music Montaj CD)

15.     Trey Lorenz    Love Me To Sleep     (US X-Ray Records CD)

16.     Javen            Not Gonna Worry      (US JCM/Rock Ent. CD)

17.     Lady A          So Glad                   (US Gumption CD)

18.     Steven Perrilloux       Do The Right Thing    (US Steven Perrilloux CD)

19.     Fred Hammond         More Of You   (US Verity CD)

20.     Oezlem                   Eyes Burn                (UK Phuture Lounge CD)

21.     Karl Frierson   Ten Minutes   (EU Phazzadelic CD)

22.     LA Stylez ft. Maysa   It’s The Right Time    (JAP Clay CD)

23.     Norman Hutchins         I Really Love You    (US JDI Records CD)

24.     N. Williams/N.James   Converstaion               (UK Eastside Rec’s CD)

25.    Edmund Simental      Midnight Rendevouz   (US Edmund Simental CD)

26.     Marcell & The Truth   Hopes Too High        (US Basement Boys CD)

27.     The Whispers Livin’ It Up                       (US Satin Tie CD)

28.     Trizonna McClendon  Remedy                   (US 4TheSoulReciprocity CD)

29.     Liv Warfield    Work For Me   (US B&M Records CD)

30.     Blackstone               Longest Time  (US Blackstone CD)

31.     Hezron          27 Years                 (US Hard Shield CDS)

32.     Lab Addicts    Movement               (US Lab Addicts CD”)

33.     3000 AD                  So Divine                 (UK Bomb Factory 12”)

34.     Leza             Treasure                 (UK Expansion CD)

35.     Jazzhole                  All The Way’s (UK Soul Brother CD)

36.     Joslyn feat. So Very  Stay High                (US Power Music CD)

37.     Nigel Hall                 Destination    (US Nigel Hall CD)

38.     James Day                       Waste The Pretty          (UK Expansion CD)

39.     Earnest Walker Jr.     Coolest Days  (US Earnest Walker CD)

40.     Luther Vandross       Shine            (US J Records Promo 12”)

41.     Craig T. Cooper        Hour Glass Figure      (US Craigland Records CD)

42.     Gary Taylor    My Blackness  (US Morning Crew CD)

43.     Paula Campbell         Won’t Love You Back (US Epic Promo 12”)

44.     Boney James  Shine            (US Concord Music CD)

45.     Kelly Price               This Is Who I Am      (US Zomba Gospel CD)

46.     Khalil             We Kicked It  (US EVE CD)

47.     Brown’s Bag   You’re Contageous    (UK Soulchoonz Records CD)

48.     Jaheim          Like A DJ                 (US Warner Bros. 12”)

49.     David Sea                Love Ain’t Love         (US Park Place CD)

50.     Spur Of The Moment We Can Get Together (US SOTM Records CD)

Soul & Jazz Dance 100
  1. K. Carvajal/R. Hall     Life Is           (US Habitat 12”)
  2. Arnold Jarvis   Justified Love (US Fuzion 12”)
  3. DJ Spinna fet. Heavy Change This World    (UK Papa 12”)
  4. Glenn Underground    Prelude                   (US Unified 12”)
  5. Leo Mendez Group     I Feel Love              (EU Love Monk 12”)
  6. Steal Vybe              Essence Of Life        (US Steal Vybe Music 12”)
  7. Nadirah Shakoor       Love Song (Pt2)       (US Yoruba 10”)
  8. Guy Robin/A Moriah   Angel Of Love (UK Hustle Music 12”)
  9. J-Man & Yenza         Smile            (UK UK Basic 12”)
  10. DJ Kawasaki   Save Your Love        (JAP Especial 12”)
  11. Fuzion/Chris Herbert  I’m So Glad (remix)    (US Camio 12”)
  12. Brand New Heavies    I Don’t Know Why     (US Delicious Vinyl 12”)
  13. Jenny Morrison         Brand New Life         (US Deep Haven 12”)
  14. Wookie feat. Lain      Live On                   (UK Soul Heaven 12”)
  15. Vanessa Haynes       Morning Light  (EU Irma 12”)
  16. K. Carvajal/Lafayette A Higher Place          (US Phuture Sole 12”)
  17. Fudge           Nightglows               (EU Tejal 12”)
  18. T Parker/Coco Street Let God Arise  (US Superb 12”)

19.  Terisa Griffin   Sunshine                 (US Dopewax 12”)

  1. Dolores Petersen       Got You On My Mind  (US Generate Music 12”)
  2. Kem              I’m In Love              (US Underground Access 12”)
  3. M. McClean/R. Burns  Share Love              (EU Soulstar 12”)
  4. B. Stingily/K. Lovelace         About Our Love          (US Home 12”)
  5. Candy Apple   No. 1            (UK Shack Music 12”)
  6. Fudge           Chasing Love  (EU KIF 12”)
  7. Anthony Nicholson    Chameleon               (US Clairaudience 12”)
  8. Hardsoul & Ron Carroll         My Life                    (UK Hardsoul Pressings 12”)
  9. Carolyn Victorian      Sunshine                 (US Whasdat 12”)
  10. Joillet            Rise(Benedetti Mixes) (US Soul Shine 12”)
  11. Secret Stealth         Just Can’t Get Away  (US Soundscape 12”)
  12. Kem              Heaven                   (US UA Promo 12”)
  13. Manchildblack Rain              (US West End Blue 12”)
  14. M.McClean/D. Temple          Always          (US Soul Groove 12”)
  15. M. Enochson/Masaya For You To See        (EU Sonar Kollektiv 12”)
  16. Café Soul All-Stars    Urban Jungle  (US You Ent. 12”)
  17. Franck Roger/Zonkes All In The Way         (EU Real Tone 12”)
  18. Taylor McFerrin        Broken Vibes EP        (US Rude 12”)
  19. Leela James   Good Time               (US West End 12”)
  20. Ron Trent                Love To The World    (EU Future Vision 12”)
  21. Darryl D’Bonneau       A Better Way (US Jellybean Soul 12”)
  22. Gary Bardouille         Starting Over (UK Soul Heaven 12”)
  23. Fuzion ft. Viola Sykes          Don’t Give Up (US Deepa Grooves 12”)
  24. Vincent Montana Jr   You Are My Everything(US Philly Sound Works 12”)
  25. Markus Enochson      Day & Night    (EU Sonar Kollektiv 12”)
  26. Alexander O’Neal       Lord              (UK BKO 12”)
  27. Fuzion/Wallace Gary   U (U Got Me) (US Fuzion 12”)
  28. D.C. Washington       I Miss You               (US Soul Shine 12”)
  29. Reel Soul                 I Get A Feeling         (UK Hustle Music 12”)

49.  Wil MiltonR. Carter    Run To Me               (US Vega 12”)

  1. Landslide/Don FreemanConundrum   (UK Sick Trumpet 12”)
  1. Ascendant/S Harris   Gyenyame (Only God)