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

 

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March 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)

Reviews below but first look out for Mark at the following:-

 

As is customary in a new year, the new releases are only just starting to filter through, so we have the usual quick look at what’s hot so far in the year 2005, along with my look back at some fave raves from 2004.  As always with the charts, it’s Artist/Title/Label, and don’t leave it too long before you chase down some of those releases from last year.  Particularly those elusive soulful dance 12’s, as they drift off into obscurity.  The year that was 2004 was very musically rewarding, and this appears to be an upward trend over recent years.  Long may it continue!!!

 

 

DJ Spen feat. Vonita White         My Devotion                                           (US Devotion 12”)

A member of the Basement Boys collective, DJ Spen delivers one of the few gems so far in 2005, with this killer slice of soulful house for Devotion Records out of San Francisco.  This is the third quality release from this Shelter Records subsidiary, the others being well worth your effort in tracking down.  Building through neat percussion and a deep baseline nice organ chords soon join the fray, and then in comes Vonita White’s great Ann Nesby like vocals.  This cut continues the tradition of quality gospel inspired dance floor friendly soulful music that gives us so much pleasure in the 21st century.  Yes, this has caused heads to turn when I’ve played it at venues recently.  A fairly typical vocal refrain in the middle leads us into a brilliant piano workout, maintaining the listeners interest in the cut, rather a prolonged repetitive vocal fade.  Quality vocals and great musicianship from a label to watch.

 

 

Samson                Soul Mate                                     (US Five Eight’s CD “Atmosphere”)

 

Samson Logan could very well be the same Sam Logan that had a cut “Happy Feelings” on a soundtrack album, the name of which escapes me, from a few years back.  Certainly sounds possible from what I recall of the vocals on that track.  Whatever, here we have a great mid-paced dancer set to see plenty of action on the nations floors in the coming months, albeit a little on the short side at 3 minutes 30!!  This is a fairly solid soul album actually, mainly down-tempo with the exception of the aforementioned cut, and I’m pleased to tell you that this particular album does not suffer from trying to be too “street”, as many of these guys seem to feel the need to do commercially.  Good production and accomplished vocals.  Very worthy of your attention.

 

 

Brian McKnight                        Most cuts                                                      (US Motown CD “Gemini”)

 

Brian McKnight gave us one of the finest albums of the 90’s with his debut set for Mercury.  I think it’s fair to say that since then his efforts have never lived up to the promise shown at the outset of his mainstream career.  Put simply, I just can’t recall re-visiting his other albums quite like I do the first!  Here he delivers us probably his best set since then.  A nice mix of mid and down-tempo cuts, it’s probably the mid-paced “Grown Man Business” that will wear out the shoe leather, but unfortunately, only at the real quality venues.  “Here With You” is another mid-pacer of note, but it’s on the slower material where McKnight always tends to really shine, and cuts like “Everything I Do” exemplify this.  It’s nearly as gorgeous and spine tingling as “One Last Cry” from that very debut set.  A very highly recommended album.

 

 

The Backroom feat Kimara Lovelace          Here I Am                           (US Soul Groove 12”)

 

I heard recently that Kimara Lovelace was very nearly signed to Philadelphia International in the late 70’s.  Interesting titbit maybe, but I have no idea whether it’s fact or fiction.  What I can be sure of is that here we have a cut vying for top spot in the soulful house stakes as we move into 2005.  Again, another label to watch for, with several quality releases on their books, Soul Groove deliver us a real soulful, guitar infused gem.  Backroom productions is basically the brainchild of DJ Shaheer Williams and here he creates a gorgeous, quite “girly”, uptempo soul dancer.  A real feel good cut this, and my only regret is that it should have been released in the summer!!

 

 

Louie Vega                             Sunshine/A Better Day        (US Vega LP/CD “Elements Of Life: Extensions)

 

Louie Vega is a genius of our time……make no mistake about that children……a GENIUS.  Hot on the heels of last years “Elements Of Life” project comes “Elements Of Life:Extensions”.  The two cuts causing me to go into raptures at the moment are “Sunshine” and “A Better Day”.  “Sunshine” is just pure modern day soul music, which features Blaze and regular Vega cohort Raul Midon.  Set to an irresistible rhythm pattern, this has the lot.  Stunning lyrics, a violin (yes, I said violin!) solo part way in, and running out with killer jazzy percussion.  Awesome stuff.  “A Better Day” again features Raul Midon, and is a slightly more laid back affair, being achingly soulful………”……..there’s a voice in every heart…….whispers clear for a better day……a better way…..”  Take your pick of CD or salivate over a luscious 4-pack vinyl collection, just TRUST ME and buy this record.  Some differences between CD and vinyl though I believe, with basically more cuts on the CD, but I believe most, if not all, of these extra cuts have been previously released on separate Vega 12”’s.  If you already have those, I recommend the vinyl wholeheartedly.  Once a vinyl junkie………

 

 

Reel Soul feat. Daemon               Take Me To A Place                          (US Ricanstruction 12”)

 

I’m running out of room, but I just wanted to make sure that I included this fantastic piece of soulful house, that will please even the most hardened ”real soul” fan……..whatever “real soul” is supposed to be???????

 

 

Frank McComb                 The Thing That You Do/I’d Be A Fool               (US Frank McComb CD “Straight From The Vault”)

 

Ditto Frank McComb, who is a bit of a hero of mine……quite why a guy of this quality has to resort to home made CD-R’s to get his music on the street is beyond me.  I’m glad he did though.  Miss this at your peril!!

 

 

Quick mentions for quality offerings from our friends the McKenzie-Burns team over in Chicago, who sent me the Chicago Sessions various artist CD, containing some previously available and some brand new material from some of Chicago’s finest under exposed talent.  Also the great Touch One, Rasmus Faber, Yukihiro Fukutomi, Stacey Mallory, JTE Project, Gaelle and Franck Roger 12”’s.  Add to that, killer albums from the Chapter and Gordon Chambers and the forthcoming Paul Simpson rework of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”, and it’s safe to say that another fine year is about to unfold.

 

 

50 Soul 2 check 4

 

1.       Galactic Muthaland        I Don’t Mind Tellin’ You   (Varsity Int’l)

2.       Carl Thomas      Dreamer (Bad Boy)

3.       The Jonz                       No Games (AMR Music)

4.       7 Sons Of Soul  Need You (Verity)

5.       Jill Scott                        Whatever (Hidden Beach)

6.       Anita Baker                   How Does It Feel? (Blue Note)

7.       Carmen Rogers  Just Believe (Expansion)

8.       Jay                   Color My Heart (R-Soul!!)

9.       Deitrick Haddon Stir The Gift (Verity)

10.   Gwendolyn Joy  Vanilla Tree (Expansion)

11.   Jiva                   Confessions Of A Man (Giant Step)

12.   LaShell Griffin    Get Away (Sony/Epic)

13.   Kashif               Superfly (Brooklyn Boy) 

14.   Felicia Adams   No One Else (Lady Boss)

15.   Willie Clayton    Whipped (Endzone)

16.   Kris Khellow      Let’s Just Give It Some Time (Soul Japan)

17.   Patti Labelle      New Day (Def Soul)

18.   Jazz Crusaders  Life In The City (True Life Jazz)

19.   Teena Marie      Still In Love (Universal)

20.   Roger Smith      Friday (Trippin’ ‘n’ Rhythm)

21.   Frankie Knuckles           What’s Going On? (Definity)

22.   Rahsaan Patterson        Straighten It Out (Dome)

23.   Parkes Stewart  Help Me (Comin’ Actcha)

24.   Denitria Champ  Good Life (Steve Harvey)

25.   The Sunburst Band        Everyday (Z Records)

 

26.   Leon Ware                    How Deep Does It Go (P-Vine)

27.   Fred Hammond  Not Just What You Say (Verity)

28.   The Temptations            Love To The Music (Motown)

29.   Trina Broussard Dreaming Of One (Motown)

30.   Angie Stone      Lover’s Ghetto (J Records)

31.   Michael Cooper  Steppin To A Love Song (Thump)

32.   Mike Jimenez    Someday We’ll Get By (Mike Jimenez)

33.   Incognito                       Everything Your Heart Desires (Pony Canyon)

34.   Everette Harp     Time Of Our Lives (A440)

35.   Ledisi                My Sensitivity (GRP)

36.   Boney James    Better With Time (Warner Bros.)

37.   Lalah Hathaway Better And Better (Mesa Bluemoon)

38.   Jeff Floyd                      Let Me Know (Wilbe)

39.   Queen Latifah    Hard Times (Universal)

40.   Sunny Hawkins  Where Would I Be? (Apgar St)

41.   Fertile Ground    Live In The Light (Blackout Studios)        

42.   Cheryl Lynn       Sweet Kind Of Life (Dreamworks)

43.   Rhonda Thomas Fly Away (Rhonvocals)

44.   Robin Duhe                   Real Deal (Blaise Two)

45.   Newbirth                        You Know You Want Me (Stonehurst)

46.   Penny Wells      Don’t Give Up (A.M.A.C.)

47.   Gerald Levert     Do I Speak For The World? (Atlantic)

48.   Bass X              Tonite (Liquid)

49.   Urban Mystic     Givin’ It Up (SoBe)

50.   As One             I Love You (Ubiquity)

 

 

Soul & Jazz Dance 100

 

1.       Rufuss                                This Could Be Love (Qalo Mota)

2.       Simon Grey/Abby Joyce       Prophecy (Purple)

3.       Steal Vybe                          Both EP’s (Steal Vybe Music)

4.       Kenny Bobien                      Hiya Luv (Victor)

5.       David Panda feat Frosche     Loving Back (Seasons)

6.       Copyright/Tasita D’mour       Release Yourself (Copyright)

7.       Antoine Claraman                Feel It Pt. 2       (Ambassade)

8.       Alexander Hope                   Big Mistake       (SuSu)

9.       280 West/Diamond Temple   Fly (Phuture Sole)

10.   Glenn Underground              Hard Tymes (Eargasmic)

11.   Dimitri From Paris feat. Omar            Strong Man(For Real) (Discograph)           

12.   George Mena/Frankie Estevez          The Journey (West End)

13.   Duron Tarik & Intense                       I Am (83 Wes)

14.   Kaskade                             Safe (Salted)

15.   Jay-J & Halo/Latrice Barnett  Make My Heart (Moulton Studios)

16.   RSL                                    The Mast (Giant Step)

17.   Harley & Muscle                  You Are So Beautiful (Little Angel)

18.   Louie Vega                          Mozalounge (Vega)

19.   Randolph                             About Last Night (Mahogani)

20.   Copyright feat. Imaani                       Running Away (Copyright)

21.   Soul Providers feat. Robin Rush        No Pressure (Elan Rouge)

22.   Working Underneath/Shay Bryant      Someone You Know (Space Kat)

23.   Chez Damier                       Your Love (Track Mode)

24.   Soul Creation vs Gema/Tyrah J         It’s Your Life (Soul Groove*)

25.   Mr A.L.I. feat. Carla Prather  Cast Your Spell (West End)

26.   Mark Grant feat. Russoul      There 4 Me (Blackstone)

27.   Louie Vega feat. Blaze                     Love Is On The Way (Vega)

28.   The Soulplanet Jazz Ensemble         Gotta Be Love (Soulplanet)

29.   Gabriel Rene                       Spirit (Soulfuric)

30.   Lars Bartkuhn/Passion Dance Orch   Dreamland (Needs)

31.   Soul Vigilantes/Jocelyn Medina         Shy (Love Monk)

32.   Abicah Soul Project             Bila (Waako)    

33.   Rufuss                                Keep Your Spirit Up (Qalo Mota)

34.   Barbara Tucker & Bryan Chambers    Deeper In Love (Zoo Groove)

35.   Norma Jean Wright              You Lift Me Up (Pt. 1&2) (Look At You)

36.   Dino & Terry feat. Alana                    Think Of You (Crash)

37.   Franck Roger/Chris Wonder  No More Believe (Kenlou)

38.   Lynette Smith                      Everything Must Change (Slaag)

39.   1050 East feat. Chris Dockins           Searchin’ (Cosmic Flux)

40.   Nikos                                  City Of Angels (Under My Skin)

41.   Solu feat. Kai Martin             Can’t Help Myself (Solu)

42.   The Rebirth                          Everybody Say Yeah (Kajmere)

43.   Andy Caldwell & Jay-J feat. Latrice    Give A Little (Naked Music)

44.   Big Moses                           Deep Inside (Big Moe)

45.   Pascal Rioux feat. Mr Day    Golden Days (Rotax)

46.   Rasmus Faber pres. Apollo & Melo   Divided, United (Farplane)

47.   Notenshun feat. Sandy Mill   Soul Music (Chilli Funk)

48.   Rhythm Slaves                    Let Your Love Shine On (Odds & Ends)

49.   Soldiers Of Twilight              City Life (Serial)

50.   Onda                                  Waiting For Your Love (Wave)

 

51.   Mr A.L.I.                              Missing You (NLC)

52.   Kenny Bobien                      Now I Can See (Under My Skin)

53.   The Moves                           If You Leave Now (Central Park)

54.   Blaze                                  Found Love (Remixes) (West End)

55.   Roy Davis Jr                        If You Wanna (Ubiquity)

56.   S.U.M.O.                            Stay (Sfere)

57.   Moses McClean feat. Roger Black     Let’s Be Free (Phuture Sole)

58.   Matty” Heilbronn/Monique Bingham   Go Getter (Papa)

59.   Fantastic Plastic Machine    Reaching For The Stars(Kitsune)

60.   Big Moses feat. Kenny Bobien          You Belong To Me (Big Moe)

61.   Yass feat. Tori                     Been Set Free (Mommo)

62.   Eminence                            Sunlight (Enuma)

63.   United Soul feat. D. Empress            Paradise (Duff Note)

64.   Pirahna Head pres.Soulchestra         Emotional Expression EP(M&G)

65.   Jiva                         I Realised (Giant Step)

66.   John Lucas feat. Tylene                    Join Me (Purple)

67.   Big Moses feat. Sir Isaac      Rain Clouds (Big Moe)

68.   Terry Hunter feat. Charlotte Small      Follow U (T’s Box)

69.   Knee Deep feat. Brooke Russel         I Won’t Let You Down (Knee Deep)

70.   DJ Jorj                                Til I See The Sun (Curious)

71.   FM Groove pres. Danielle      I Know You Want Me (Primal Groove)

72.   Chez Damier & The Cru                    Go (ATAL)

73.   Blaze                                  Just Having Fun (Papa)  

74.   Jay “Sinister” Sealee/Vik Brooks       I Just Wanna Be (Devotion)

75.   SK Radicals                        Someday I Will (Swing City)

76.   Crusho                                Someone To Love (Q Tape)

77.   Kai Martin                           This Time (Solu)

78.   Sicania Soul                        Starlite (Krivit re-edit) (Irma Unlimited)

79.   Sir Isaac                             He Watches (Big Moe)

80.   Arnold Jarvis                        Beautiful Love (Diaspora)

81.   Martha Wash                       You Lift Me Up (Purple Rose)

82.   L’Aroye                               B The One (Faces)

83.   Groove Junkies/Alexander Sky          I’ve Got It Bad (More House)

84.   Pirahnahead                        Dreams (Mahogani)

85.   Knights Of The Round Table  Saxed Up (Room Control)

86.   Jasmina                              Can’t Find You (Slaag)

87.   Shaheer Williams/Stephanie Cooke   Show Me (Soul Groove)

88.   Reel People feat. Angela Johnson     Can’t Stop (Papa)

89.   Connie Harvey                     Thank You Lord (Soulfuric)

90.   Alison Crockett                    Crossroads (Wah Wah) 

91.   Lefunken feat. Tyrah             Angel (Space Kat)

92.   Qanah (Sean Escoffrey)                    I’m Holding On (Optimum)

93.   Jon Cutler feat. Pete Simpson           Runnin’ (mn2s)

94.   Staci                                   Games (Slaag)

95.   Studio Apartment/Monique BinghamFlight (King Street)

96.   Seawind Project feat Emily McEwan  Free (Knee Deep)

97.   Directions                            Deep Talkin’ (Diaspora in Session)

98.   Louie Vega feat. House Of Rhumba   Steel Congo (Vega)

99.   Patti LaBelle                        More Than Material (Restricted Access)

100.            Yolanda Adams             Open My Heart (W/L)

 

 

 

 

Right, that’s it for this time.  Don’t forget, if you have material for review, contact me soulboy@randlem.freeserve.co.uk             Cheers,

 

                                                            Mark (Feb 2005)     

 

 

                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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