VARIOUS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This compilation sets the stage for another year of soulful sounds, showcasing a diverse array of artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary r&b and soul music. It's a captivating blend of smooth vocals, lush instrumentation, and infectious grooves, with each track offering a unique perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of soul music. The three-disc collection traverses a spectrum of styles and moods, from the sultry vibes of Patrice Isley's 'I Want You For Myself' and the infectious energy of Julian Jonah's 'Let's Not Say Goodnight' to the heartfelt emotion of David A. Tobin's 'Fallin In Love (Rob Hardt Remix)'. Highlights include the soulful sounds of Cornell C.C. Carter's 'Everyday', the smooth grooves of Diplomats Of Soul's 'I Love You', and the timeless classic 'Ain't No Sunshine' reimagined by The Paradise Projex. With its expertly curated selection of tracks, we see a testament to the enduring power of soul music to move, inspire and uplift.

Review: The UK's number one independent soul label Expansion Records commences each year with the label's most anticipated collection, Luxury Soul. The success of the series comes down to the quality of tracks sourced from independent soul artists, focusing on the major and emergent names of the year - this time including Will Downing, Con Funk Shun and Narada Michael Walden. For many of the 35 tracks featured on the compilation, this is the first time they'll have ever appeared on CD, having landed in the soul charts either at number one or in the top ten over the last 12 months. Further exclusives include The Requestors feat. Vivienne McKone, Kloud 9 feat. Kenya, and The Paradise Projex with an exclusive mix of 'Here & Now'. The release is to coincide with the Luxury Soul Weekender in January 2024, and includes tracks by three artists performing live at the event.

Review: For those who don't always pay as much attention as they should to the contemporary modern soul scene, Expansion's annual Soul Togetherness compilations are a godsend. There's naturally plenty to set the pulse racing on the 2020 edition, including a bunch of killer modern soul and 21st century ER&B gems that have never before appeared on wax. Highlights include the slick '80s soul revivalism of DW3's 'Never Gonna Stop', the smooth soulful house warmth of Will Downing's 'Right Where You Are', the early '80s boogie flex of Cool Million's 'Keep On', the sparking '70s disco heat of Privat Projekt's 'Don't Walk This Way' and the head-nodding positivity of Carmichael Musiclover's 'Pure Sweetness'.

Review: Although renowned for the quality of their soul and jazz-funk reissues, Expansion continues to champion contemporary soulful music - something the label has tried to do from the very start of its existence. For proof, check their annual Soul Togetherness compilations, which astonishingly have appeared every year for the last two decades. There's natural plenty of killer modern soul and 21st century R&B gems to be found on 2020's edition of the popular series, with highlights including the slick '80s soul revivalism of DW3's 'Never Gonna Stop', the smooth soulful house warmth of Will Downing's 'Right Where You Are', the early '80s boogie flex of Cool Million's 'Keep On', the sparking '70s disco heat of Privat Projekt's 'Don't Walk This Way' and the head-nodding positivity of Carmichael Musiclover's 'Pure Sweetness'.

Review: Those in the modern soul scene should already be familiar with Expansions' "Soul Togetherness" series; after all, the label has been putting out annual compilations of the best contemporary dancefloor-focused soul jams under that name since the dawn of the century. The 2019 edition contains plenty of soulful heat, from the synth-sporting '80s soul revivalism of DCR's "Positive Vibes" and the head-nodding, boogie-flavoured R&B of Shaila Prospere's "Plus One", to the Loose Ends-inspired warmth of Magoo's "Still Really Love" and the anthem-like sing-along that is Rockie Robins' "Good Life". SolatiMusic's stripped-back and seductive "Tell Me" is also brilliant.