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

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Autumn 2005

(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)

Jiva All cuts (JAP Giant Step CD “Sun & Moon”)

Jiva emerged as part of the exciting Atlanta music movement that came to our attention via the excellent “Groovement” EP on Earthseed music back in 1998. Cohorts like Donnie, and particularly India.Arie, have of course gone on to great things since then. This CD, released on Giant Step only in Japan at present, sees that impressive pedigree continue. You may well be familiar with some of the material here, as “Stars” and “I Realised” were available on one Giant Step 12” in 2004, “Love Chooses Lovers” was on a neat 10” single for the label in 2002 and the totally brilliant “Confessions Of A Man” saw the light of day last year on the compilation “Simply Good Music Vol. 1”. Like all truly great music, these are still sounding superb, indeed I had forgotten just how wonderful “Stars” is. Add to these new cuts like the rim-shot punctuated “Free Falling”, and the great up-tempo “Daydreamer”, and you have a totally unmissable set of jazz/soul. If you dig stuff like Fertile Ground, then this is for you. The question you gotta ask yourself punk, is can you afford to wait on a possible US release?? Well, can ya punk??

Wade O Brown All cuts (US Groove United CD “All Night, All Love”)

This is the second set delivered from the gravelly real soul laced tonsils of Wade O Brown, and ones immediate reaction is to suggest that had the likes of Wado been around in the days when soul was in more favour (say, the days when Luther, Alex and Anita were charting), he would have been a relative superstar! The Cornelius Mims penned “Put This On” is as good as anything off such class efforts as Rodney Mannsfield’s debut set. The real deal! The title cut takes the tempo up, and could well see some dance floor action, as could the mid-pacer “Just Good Friends”, which is reminiscent of Chuckii Booker’s classic “Games” with it’s loping beat………..super stuff. “Where Do We Go For Love” stays in the same kinda groove, ensuring that those infatuated with the dance floor will find enough here to make it an essential purchase. “So Glad” is a superior two-step moment from the pen of a couple of heavy hitters, Barry Eastmond and Gordon Chambers. The album heads towards a close with some superb mellow moments from this superior soul man, most notably the Luther-like “My All Is You”, and concludes with another superb stepper in “Now Is Mine”. Essential listening for lovers of quality soul from any era. Word!!

Vince Montana Jr feat. William ‘Smoke’ Howard That’s What Love Does (Original and Benedetti mix) (US Philly Sound Works CD-R)

This track will be a monster on the UK modern soul scene, and deservedly so. From the legendary Vince Montana, this has all those old skool charms that ensure it huge success in the UK, with William ‘Smoke’ Howard of the Ebony’s providing some rasping vocals. The original mix would have to be described as a piece of Philly heaven for fans of that sound. Louis Beneditti has been enlisted to beef it up for today’s dance floors, whilst not detracting from that old skool feel of the original, which is an astute move. I just find it quite frustrating that the more conservative amongst us latch on to toons like this, with scant regard to the other half dozen latest soulful dance records worthy of attention. Still, if records like this steer them slowly in the right direction, I would have to concede that this is a positive thing. Available via www.traxsource.com, with a vinyl release imminent I believe. Massive!

Full Flava Rescue Me/Too Much Too Late (JAP Dome CD “A Special Night”)

Quite a few JAP only releases around at present, mainly thanks to our man at Simply Soul mail order, but best not tell the wife about ‘em eh!! Interestingly, this album has released in Japan from our friends in London at Dome Records. Apparently NOT due for a UK release, this has some belting cuts fitting squarely into what is currently fashionable on the UK modern soul scene dance floor. I think the term “bouncy-castle” was developed to describe this kind of material and as with the steppers CD (see below), it’s a love or hate thing, depending on what cranks your handle. Top cuts for me on first hearing are Hazel Fernandez “Rescue Me” (NOT a rework of the Fontella Bass classic), and “Too Much Too Late” from Deeajay. As JAP releases go, I’d say it’s an essential purchase for club groovers and DJ’s, but if you listen from the armchair and are on a limited budget, I’d go for the more musically stimulating Jiva album.

Various Most cuts (US Da Producers CD “Official Steppers Music CD”)

Now look, I know we are in danger of a total steppin’ overload, but there is no denying the dance floor attraction of this phenomenon, despite the often less than thought provoking lyrical content. With that in mind, I have to tell you that this is choc full of winners, with “Get Up” by C. Chang just shading it for me. If you’re more of a party person than you are a rare record guide carrying, anorak-wearing soulie then this is for you. If not, you may well hate it and be wondering just what direction your beloved soul music is taking! Life’s to short…………I like it!

Café Soul All-Stars Most cuts (US You Entertainment CD “Love Pages”)

What a great and varied set this is. Tis the month for solid albums alrighty! Huge pre-release buzz on this, and deservedly so. This is a who’s who of some of the great names of soul and jazz over 3 decades…………….Glenn Jones, Peabo Bryson, Maysa, Roy Ayers, Denise Stewart, Christopher Williams, Jon Lucien etc, etc………….get the picture? Glenn Jones gets us underway with the great mid-paced dancer “What You Gonna Do?” Peabo Bryson features on “Don’t Make Me Cry”, and whilst a little schmaltzy and MOR, it does demonstrate his vocal prowess, indicating why he continues to maintain a steady position in the notional chart of top male soul vocalists. “Used To Be” features Christopher Williams, and is an R&B styled dancer (ya know, bling, bling….drop top…..), but Chris is a great vocalist, with none of the nasally irritation evident in many of today’s ten-a-penny wannabees, so it works pretty well. Great vocal tracks follow from Vesta (Williams) and Maysa (2 sublime cuts). The instrumental cuts are superbly produced and performed, and it is these that add the real variety to the set. From the jazz-house styled “Brazillian Heat” (Bobby Lyle) to the vibrant “Urban Jungle” (Roy Ayers & Kenny Garrett). I could see the Sunday afternoon jazz dancers going mad to the latter at Southport Weekender!! Essential for all sophisto-soul-aholics……………....ooh, and did I tell you it’s produced by Norman Connors, Duke Jones (Kid Creole & The Coconuts) and Jaques Burvick (Lonnie Liston Smith)!! Well now you know.

SIMPLY SOUL MAIL ORDER HOT TEN SALES (W/C 5/9/05)

1. Wade O Brown All Night, All Love (CD Album)

2. Black Gold Massive Stories (CD Album)

3. Jiva Sun & Moon (CD Album)

4. Ian Martin The Way (CD Album)

5. Cafe Soul All-Stars Love Pages (CD Album)

6. Prominent 42 Grams (CD Album)

7. Various Soul Of Brasil (CD Album)

8. Larry Heard Loosefingers (CD Album)

9. Full Flava A Special Night (CD Album)

10. Carleen Anderson Soul Providence (CD Album)

Chart compiled by Fish…the above and much more available on 0116 237 5461/www.firstexperiencerecords.com.

Fuzion feat. Chris Herbert I’m So Glad (US Fuzion 12”)

Chris Herbert of course was one of the original Blaze trio, along with Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan. They went their separate ways many years ago, and it’s fair to say that Chris has not been so prolific as the remaining Blaze since then. I believe his last release was on Shelter entitled “Home Is Where The Heart Is”, interestingly credited to the Original Blaze featuring Chris Herbert!! Some acrimony there?………….I know not! Anyway, if you cast your mind back to last time, you will recall my review of release #1 on the new Fuzion label (Maxine Inniss “Standing Strong”), at which point I said that if future releases were as strong, this would be a label to look out for. Well, nuff said, as you need this supreme slice of soulful dance in your collection. Absolutely superb stuff.

Mr A.L.I. About Us (US Unified 12”)

Another new label, this time out of Chicago, and another one to open its account with an absolute belter. This features Reggie Hall and Carla Prather on vocal duties, with great interplay and BV’s, amongst the lovely piano work and subtle strings, as they declare its “All About Us” on this real song with feeling. With the extended break, total running time is 12:38, but that piano work just holds you to it, although you would certainly choose to tail it during a DJ set. There’s a great Glenn Underground mix on the flip…………no bad thing for this boy, as GU (aka CVO………Chicago’s Very Own) is one of my favourite producers/performers of this genre at present. If you like deep, jazzy house, try to obtain a copy of his JAP only “Black Resurrection” CD before it’s too late!!

Simon Grey The Galactica Suite (UK Papa 12”)

One of my favourite cuts last year was the superb Simon Grey feat. Abby Joyce “Prophecy”, and Mr. Grey delivers another superb cut here. Very old skool in feel, this is a real throw back to the jazz-funk of yesteryear, though there are various mixes, some of which take it more squarely to the house dance floor. I’m sold on the original mix though with that throw back feel. Super bass-line and as funky as hell, again with Abby Joyce supplying the vocals. This pairing consistently delivers the goods. One of the best releases on this very credible UK label. You need this!

Donald McCollum U Don’t Want My Love (UK Dome 12”)

Here we have a toon that is set to become one of the years stand out dancers having the feel of a future classic; this could well stand the test of time. It’s the kind of record that successfully bridges the gap between straight ahead soul, and soulful house, which can only enhance its chances of success on the sometimes-fickle UK modern soul scene. I don’t know who Donald McCollum is, but I’d hazard a guess that there’s an album around the corner, as the B has two further cuts in the mid-paced “Lose My Kool”, and a cover of Isaac Hayes “You’re In My Arms Again”. All the plaudits will go to the dancer though, which trips along nicely with lovely rhodes style chords, an accomplished vocal, and that essential catchy hook. Must give big props to the ever-reliable Dome records for getting on to this via Sundae Soul in Germany. The story goes that Terry Jones brought this back from a DJ stint in Germany and alerted Dome to its potential. Recommendation in itself isn’t it?

Jonas Ebony & Ivory/Things Gotta Change (EU Playground CD “Sweet Dreams Guaranteed”)

It has to be said that hailing from Denmark and with the name Jonas, one might not be attracted to this album if it was in the racks at your local record mongers!! This in turn begs the question, how much good music do we miss? Probably lots. Jonas’ big inspiration is Stevie Wonder, and this is evident, right down to the title, on the cut “Ebony And Ivory”, a striding mid-pacer. I can’t help but be drawn to comparisons with Remy Shand, if you recall his album from a few years ago. The other cut finding favour in the UK, is the radio-friendly, lyrically great “Things Gotta Change” featuring Roy Hargrove on trumpet fills. This is a decent, if less than obvious album. Don’t let it pass you by!

There really is so much to tell you about, and I don’t mean also rans, I mean real quality stuff…….it’s ridiculous!! Anyway keep ‘em peeled on the 12’s front for the superb Franck Roger rework on Arnold Jarvis’ “Take Good Care (Of Me) on Real Tone, a superb newie from Halo & The Sidestreet Players “This Love” on new label City Deep, the decidedly dodgy looking but oh so good Patti Labelle DFA 12” remix of “When U Smile”, the Shadow Kings “Soul Music” new for Undo (and I have a feeling likely to go unnoticed!), and the great Li’Sha Project “Feel” on Salted, reminding us of those early Naked Music days in its Miguel Migs Mix. Last but not least, snap up the 12” of Studio Apartment feat Stephanie Cooke “One True Love” on New World, Japan. On the CD front, quick mentions for the Prominent “42 Grams” album for the unmissable “Step Into My World”, the new Ty Causey “Love Notes”, a pretty solid affair, and the Steal Vybe “Creations” album which I have been eagerly awaiting.

Til the next time………………PEACE!

Mark (September 2005)

Don’t forget, if you have material for review, contact me soulboy@randlem.freeserve.co.uk

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