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

 

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June 2006

 (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)

 

 

Unified Tribe                          All Cuts                                  (US IAM CD “Funktional Family”)

 

Having recently provided us with a taster of this CD via a two-track CD single released Stateside, Unified Tribe deliver what I believe to be their third album, and what a killer it is.  This is undoubtedly one of the albums of the year so far.  This 12-piece outfit show that real music can still be made on an indie budget.  The real standout quality on this CD is the vocal harmonies, typified on “Don’t Wanna Be”, one of the cuts featured on the aforementioned CD single.  Plucked strings and subtle brass stabs, along with a kind of staccato lead vocal from main man Magic, complete this real soul gem.  This is super radio play.  Another choice cut comes in the form of the bouncy, feel-good sound of the mid-tempo dancer “Happy Go Lucky”.  Further mid-tempo dance floor goodness on “Keep On Keepin’ On” with it’s catchy hook line.  Staying on the dance-floor, the final cut “If We Were Invaded” is uncannily reminiscent of Chuckii Bookers modern soul classic “Games”………not a bad recommendation in itself.  In the ballad stakes “Love’s On My Mind” has a sort of Boys II Men feel about it……..superb harmonies once more.  “That Beat” and “Get The Funk” offer a rougher edge for fans of a more funky sound.  A well rounded, crafted and thought out CD offering something for everyone: the name Unified Tribe is one to watch for.  Most definitely worthy of a major label deal, but it’s so good that that’s unlikely to happen!!

 

The Whispers                                                                              All cuts                       (US Satin Tie CD “For Your Ears Only”)

 

Walter & Scotty Scott and the boys return after 10+ years and sound as good as ever.  This has been around since just after we posted the last reviews, and I would guess this has been a consistent seller at all the usual UK specialist outlets.  The mid-tempo dancer “Get It On” gets us off in fine style, name checking all the greats of yesteryear.  “Livin’ It Up” is the real killer for me, a gorgeous, lilting stepper with a great catchy hook.  Just sublime!!  The key dancer is “Diamonds”, finding much favour amongst the club DJ’s.  But, these are The Whispers, and it’s probably fair to say that it’s on the ballads that they really come into their own.  “Don’t Say No”, “Love” and “It’s You” are typical Whispers quiet storm winners.  As with the Unified Tribe set, a solid album of dancers, mid-tempo’s and ballads.  A further contender for album of the year?  Go on, buy it and you decide.

 

Charles Spencer & Gregory Del Piero aka “So What” feat. Kenny Bobien    You                 (US Loveslap! 12”)

 

Readers of this page should be familiar with the name Kenny Bobien, who possesses one of the finest and most distinctive voices on the US house scene.  This is one of two new releases on the quiet of late Loveslap! label, and what a way to return.  Take your pick from either the “So What” mix, aimed firmly at the dance floor, or the slightly more laid back feel of the (Charles) Spencer & (David) Harness remix on the flip.  Kenny’s light and airy falsetto just glides along on a great rhythm, with an almost vocal ad-lib towards the end, where Kenny’s vocal shines.  As infectious as hell and a perfect example of the kind of quality vocal house that most definitely floats my boat.  You know, these records come and go in the blink of an eye, being almost ignored by certain factions of the UK modern soul scene.  Shame, but they’ll come back to have there day and bite you right in the ass (well, wallet actually!).

Arnold Jarvis                         Justified Love           (US Fuzion 12”)

 

On these pages, we do try to review only the best for you, across a pretty broad church.  Along with Kenny Bobien, Arnold Jarvis is one of the US house scene’s premier vocalists and you will be familiar with the Fuzion label, and the production duo Frankie Estevez and George Mena, form previous reviews.  So, it will come as no surprise if I tell you that this is a KILLER TOON!  This was available as a promotional MP3 (that’s heresy in some quarters!!) for what seemed like an age from www.traxsource.com before its release on a black roundy, roundy.  Now knowing I’ll want the vinyl, I do my utmost to avoid buying MP3’s, therefore only the real cream find there way into my cyber-cart………..you know, the ones I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT.  Well, this fits firmly into that mould, so I’ve been playing this at venues in that format for some time prior to the vinyl release.  Proper up-tempo soul music for 2006, make no mistake.  A great bubbling bass-line, great brass stab effects, and AJ’s effortless vocal combine to put you in soul heaven.  Miss this at your peril!

 

LA Stylez       Project                                                                       It’s The Right Time               (JAP Clay CD “The LA Stylez Project”)   

 

Bleeding you dry at the moment on the expensive JAP import front, is this compilation from the LA Stylez Project.  The result of a chance meeting with some legendary greats, such as Earth, Wind and Fire, the mastermind behind this project decided to put together a project reflecting the musical styles and influences of 80’s LA.  Well, after reading that you may well realise that it’s not all good……..it is well documented that the 80’s production values weren’t always “all that”!!  However, the good cuts really are unmissable, with top honours going to Maysa Leake with the quite brilliant dancer “It’s The Right Time”, a lovely punchy, well crafted 80’s styled dancer.  Other good moments come in the form of the slightly commercial sounding mid-tempo “LA Love” from Deborah French, and Tommy Blaize on the Spanish guitar laced “Anything Is Possible”.  There are more up-tempo cuts, the best of which comes from Jocelyn Brown with a Louie Vega Roots remix of “Saturday”.  Not a solid album considering what you’re likely to pay for it, but you wouldn’t want to be without that Maysa cut as it’s quite superb.

 

Diplomats Of Soul feat. Noel McKoy                                             Someday (Original mix)     (UK Expansion 12”)   

 

Noel McKoy sure is a busy fellow at present.  Vinyl currently circulating includes “Time” on US deVice with production from Richard Salter, and “Summertime” on UK Papa featuring the production skills of Yam Who?  Released prior to those was this rework of Donnie Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free”.  Taking an original classic like that and converting it into a dance floor winner isn’t to everyone’s taste I’m sure, but this really is well done and is very deserving of your attention.  The 12” contains mixes from Notenshun and the aforementioned Yam Who?, but it’s the original that works best for this man!

 

Roy Roberts  If You Can’t Put It Out        (US Rock House CD “Sicily Moon”)          

 

We like to bring you a bit of everything in Modern Musings, so it’s time for some “real soul” (whatever that really means…….sounds very condescending to everything else to me!).  Whatever, I think that term sets the scene for what we’re talking about here.  There’s quite a buzz on this new CD from veteran blues/soul man Roy Roberts at present, and when my man Brian Goucher taps you on the shoulder and says “have you heard the new album from…………yet?”, you take note.  Whilst much of it may not be to the taste of many reading this, those of you who enjoyed “Love Will Make It Alright” from the recent Lou Pride CD should check out “If You Can’t Put It Out”.  A great cut, but not an album for everyone.

 

Hil St. Soul     Most cuts                               (US Shanachie CD “Soulidified”)             

 

Am I missing something, or does Hilary Mwelwa not really get the credit she deserves?  Those distinctive tones and the guaranteed cool grooves and melodies are just a joy to behold.  This set gets underway with the great two-stepper “Hey Boy”, with catchy hook complete with plucked strings adding some class to an already superb arrangement.  “It’s OK” continues the vibe, tripping along nicely with clever acoustic guitar providing the melody, and Hilary’s sassy vocal delivery on top.  Great stuff.  Another pick for me is the gorgeous, sexy, lilting duet with Dwele on the ballad “Baby Come Over”, complete with risqué lyrics.  Overall, this is a solid album and I would sum up by saying that the fact that Hil St. Soul now shares the same label as the great Maysa Leak speaks volumes.  Essential listening.

 

 

Joslyn feat. So Very                                                            All cuts                                               (US Power Music CD “Joslyn feat. So Very”)

 

Following the success of their promotion of the excellent CD from The Lab Addicts, Di Lee and her “soulchoonz” set-up are now responsible for distributing this fine set from the oddly named Joslyn feat. So Very.  Opening the set is the synth-bass heavy mid-paced dancer “So Cool”.  The accomplished vocals of Joslyn Petty come to the fore on “Used To”…………..sounding good for inclusion on Starpoint radio and indeed in the cooler clubs.  There’s a decent rework of the Loose Ends classic “Hangin’ On A String” which flows quite nicely with a bubbling bass-line and swirling strings……nice!  Vocal qualities to the fore again on the piano laced “Do Whatcha Gonna Do”.  There’s a gorgeous Sade/Sweetback styled smoky ballad called “At The Same Time”.  The BIG dancer comes towards the close of the set, in the shape of “Jackie’s Playin’ Tonight”, set to be huge in the coming months and featuring Rhodes touches and vocal interplay between Joslyn and Rob Wannamaker.  The super-cool “Stay High” is another great radio moment closing the set in fine style with great use of strings and subtle brass.  Nothing substandard on offer here, with plenty of light and shade………………now then, Rob Wannamaker where do I know that name from?…………….answers on a postcard please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIMPLY SOUL MAIL ORDER HOT TEN SALES

(W/C 15/5/06)

 

1. Marva King                        Soul Sistah                            (Expansion CD)

2. Karen Bernod                   Life @ 360 Degrees              (Dome CD)

3. LA  Stylez                          LA Style Project                   (Clay CD)

4. Joslyn feat. So Very        Joslyn                                                 (Power Music CD)

5. Teena Marie                      Sapphire                                (Universal CD)

6. Tony Rich Project            Pictures                                             (Rich Media CD) 

7. Unified Tribe                     Funktional Family                (IAM CD)

8. Hil St Soul             Soulidified                             (Shanachie CD)

9. Mikelyn Roderick Copastetic Is                                    (Sampler CD)

10. Alison Crockett  Return Of Diva Blue – Remixed     (Gallery CD)

 

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

 

Finally, just room to tell you that I can now be heard on Starpoint Radio, where I’ll be presenting a guest show about once a month.  There’s no fixed schedule to these, so keep your eyes peeled at www.starpointradio.com for details.  Starpoint broadcasts around the world via the internet, and can also heard on Sky digital across Europe.

 

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

Outta here!    Mark (May 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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