Juno Recommends Soul: June 2024

Review: The Supremes and Magic Disco Machine deliver double the dancefloor delight with 'Bend A Little' on 7" vinyl for the avid soul DJs. The vocal version by The Supremes, previously exclusive to CD, finally graces vinyl, showcasing their undeniable talent and energy. On the flip side, Magic Disco Machine's instrumental rendition takes flight with infectious grooves and funky beats. It's a great little 45 for DJs and collectors alike, marking the first vinyl release for both tracks. Don't miss out on this electrifying addition to your music collection!

Review: Edwin Starr's poignant and bright original funk number 'Time' gets a notable reissue via Soul Brother, once again casting a retrospective light on the American Motown boy wonder's advanced songwriting capabilities and out-the-box subject matters. Never one to shy from important messages, 'Time' perhaps rivals Starr's 'War' in its laser-focused singular theme, yet this time errs more existential and metaphysical than political; here Starr muses on father time and his obscurant curtain, pondering the fact that the ticking clock is indeed something that all human subjects feel, yet not all sense the gravity of until it's too late. On the B comes the comparatively righteous romantic march, 'Running Back & Forth', which by comparison lilts through jovial croons and lovestruck reveries.

Review: Leon Bridges and Keite Young's rendition of 'Like A Ship' is a soulful masterpiece that pays homage to Pastor T.L. Barrett's gospel classic while adding a fresh Southern soul twist. Bridges' velvety vocals, combined with Young's passionate delivery and the stirring gospel choir, create a deeply moving musical experience. The track's heartfelt lyrics and uplifting melodies transport listeners to the heart of a joyous Sunday service, evoking a sense of spiritual renewal and celebration. With its classy organ solo and soul-stirring harmonies, this collaboration showcases the timeless power of gospel music while reaffirming Bridges and Young's status as rising stars in the world of soul and t&b.

Review: Miles Away: One, curated by label founder Dom Ore, is a soulful journey spanning continents, eras, and genres. Rooted in soul, this compilation seamlessly blends legendary musical figures with lesser-known gems, creating a cohesive listening experience. Disc one kicks off with Idris Muhammad's spiritual-jazz masterpiece 'I'm A Believer,' leading into modern soul and disco selections that showcase Miles Away's reputation. Highlights include Eugene Smiley's rare crossover-soul track 'Yes It's You' and Solid Gold Revue's infectious dance cut 'She's So Good.' The compilation also features enduring soul funk like 'No Communication' by True Transfusion and gospel-infused sounds like 'Fantasy Ride' by Uneda Dennard. Disc two takes a different turn, offering soundtrack and library music cuts alongside eclectic finds like Laine August's electro-pop gem 'Be My Friend' and Colour's stripped-back street-soul track 'Deeper.' The set concludes with Margaret Singana's timeless cover of Stretch's 'Why Did You Do It.' Painstakingly researched and officially licensed, each track is accompanied by in-depth liner notes, honoring the artists and their music. Miles Away: One is a worthy addition to any collection.

Review: Leon Bridges' rendition of Pastor T.L. Barrett's 'Like A Ship' is a divine collaboration with Keite Young, breathing new life into the gospel classic. Bridges' velvety vocals blend seamlessly with Young's soul-stirring performance, backed by a captivating gospel choir. The track's southern soul twist adds depth and resonance, while an organ solo elevates the spirit of the song to heavenly heights. 'Like A Ship' is a heartfelt return to gospel roots, showcasing Bridges and Young's exceptional talent and soulful synergy. It's a soul-stirring marvel that reaffirms Bridges' status as a rising star in the realm of soul and d&b.

Review: The Sinseers' 'For You' is the quintessential soundtrack to Southern California vibes. From the opening notes that evoke images of beautiful beach strands under the sun to the heartfelt chorus, the song transports listeners to another world. Led by Joey Quinones, a true son of East Los Angeles, Thee Sinseers defy categorisation as mere oldies players. Over the past five years, they've honed their craft, infusing r&b and soul with a modern twist. With 'For You,' they deliver a timeless blend of music that captures the essence of a bygone era while remaining fresh and relevant in today's scene.

Review: Junior Parker's Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On reissue on Mr Bongo's Groove Merchant Records is a treasure trove of funk, soul, and blues that showcases Parker's undeniable talent and enduring legacy. Originally released in 1970 under the title The Outside Man and later reissued with the iconic car cover in 1971, this album captures Parker's buttery vocals and soulful grooves at their finest. From smokey blues to raw funk outings and orchestrated soul ballads, Parker effortlessly navigates through various musical styles with finesse. The album's standout feature is its three Beatles cover versions, including 'Taxman', 'Lady Madonna', and 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. Parker's reinterpretation of these classics breathes new life into them, infusing elements of New Orleans funk, psychedelic soul, and funky blues. The influence of Parker's music is undeniable, with his tracks being sampled by iconic artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Shadow, and De La Soul. His ability to blend genres and create timeless grooves solidifies his status as a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and a legend in the music industry.

Review: Sade's debut album Diamond Life (1984) introduced a distinctive blend of minimalistic soul and jazz-infused pop, contrasting sharply with the synth-heavy trends of its time. Lead vocalist Sade Adu's modest contralto and understated elegance enchanted listeners, earning comparisons to legends like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. The album's standout track, 'Smooth Operator,' showed the band's penchant for crafting sophisticated, emotionally resonant music amidst a backdrop of serene instrumentation. Diamond Life navigates themes of love, commitment, and everyday struggles with an understated grace, epitomized by tracks like 'Hang On to Your Love' and 'Your Love Is King.' Sade's ability to convey depth and desire with concise lyricism and atmospheric melodies set her apart as a master storyteller in the realm of blues-infused pop. The album's subdued tones and atmospheric production create a stunning sonic landscape that remains impactful. Diamond Life made Sade a household name as a pioneering figure in minimalist soul, setting the stage for her illustrious career and leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

Review: Before his breakthrough as a solo artist, Luther Vandross was part of the quintet singing group Luther along with Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa V. Reed, and Christine Wiltshire. The group recorded two albums with little success. By the time This Close To You was recorded, Luther took the lead in the band with his standout voice and showmanship. A natural frontman, the Luther project closed as he naturally went solo shortly after and signing to Epic records. Luther later on bought the rights to the first two albums and after man years of rumors, they are now reissued. Recorded and released in 1977, the album is blend of soul, disco and ballads. Luther Vandross fans will rejoice at discovering and rediscovering him front some more disco sounds. The album is a great glimpse into his legendary voice in its infancy.

Review: San Franciscan soul crooner and multi-instrumentalist Kelly Finnegan shares the 7" vinyl edition of his 2023 single 'Leave You Alone', following on from its original cassette and digital release. A lo-fi testament to unrequited love, moving on and giving in, regaling a love story from the femme perspective and recalling the soulful themes of singer Bettye Swann. This time, the record also comes backed by a B-sider, 'Thom's Hartbreak', is a sonic thank you letter to Thom Bell & William Hart, two names synonymous with the 60s-70s Philly Sound.

Review: Stronger Than Pride marks a subtle shift in Sade's sound, emphasizing a more stripped-down, meditative approach to romance and introspection. Recorded after a hiatus, the album exudes a breezy, unhurried vibe, with compositions that loop back on themselves and melodies that leisurely unfurl. While not as minimalistic as later efforts, the album showcases softer rhythms and lighter melodies, allowing Sade's airy vocals to shine. Songs like 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride' and 'Turn My Back on You' capture emotional honesty and candor, buoyed by sparse arrangements that enhance Sade's directness. Throughout the record, Sade's writing maintains a mantra-like quality, repeating phrases to imbue the songs with quiet anguish and introspection. Leroy Osbourne's background vocals add warmth to Sade's cool melodies, enhancing the emotional resonance of tracks like 'Paradise' and 'Nothing Can Come Between Us.' The band's cohesion and faith in each other are evident on Stronger Than Pride, with each member contributing to flesh out Sade's ideas or provide space for them to bloom. While lacking the glitz and melodrama of previous hits, the album's emotional clarity and restrained production make it a compelling addition to Sade's discography, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their signature sound.

Review: Promise solidified Sade's signature sound with lush, unhurried compositions that blended jazz, Brazilian pop, and soul. Building on the success of their debut, Diamond Life, this album established Sade as masters of mood music, transporting listeners with their sophisticated arrangements and Sade Adu's soft-touch vocals. The lead single, 'The Sweetest Taboo,' epitomizes the album's accessibility, with its infectious midtempo groove and breathy vocals. However, it's the opener, 'Is It a Crime,' that steals the spotlight, showcasing Sweetback's (the trio behind Sade) talents with Hammond organs and djembes, while Adu's vocals soar over big band-style crescendos. Throughout Promise, Sade explores the varied stages of love and relationships, with Adu's autobiographical lyrics conveying melancholy and introspection. Tracks like 'War of the Hearts' and Jezebel' delve into the complexities of human emotion, while 'Tar Baby' addresses themes of racial identity and unexpected pregnancy with sensitivity and depth. With each track, the band reaffirms their commitment to crafting music that moves and transports listeners - an approach that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Review: Franka Oroza's debut track Indecision is a soulful gem that shows her folk-jazzy vocal style against the backdrop of Timmion Records' Cold Diamond & Mink house band. The song unfolds with a rootsy organ-led groove, setting the stage for a captivating performanc as her vocals effortlessly glide between firm and delicate tones, adding depth to the poignant lyrical content. With echoes of Joni Mitchell, Franka delivers a love song that is both introspective and soul-stirring. For fans of independent downtempo soul, this track is a must-listen, offering a unique voice and a timeless sound from the Timmion stable.

Review: Dewey Kenmore's It's Never Too Late is the ultimate summer jam, bursting with sun-drenched Latin-soul vibes that are sure to lift your spirits. With The Boogaloo Assassins lending their background vocal talents, this track is infused with an extra layer of sweetness, perfectly complementing Dewey's raw vocal stylings. From the first note, you'll be transported to a block-party paradise, where the fire hydrants are open, and popsicles abound. The instrumental on the flip side ensures you can groove all night long. With its soulful and smooth groove, It's Never Too Late is destined to become your go-to anthem for the summer season.

Review: One of the key record producers and pushers of the 60s-70s Philly Sound - which upended the generic norms of soul and r&b to establish a brasher and more bombastic sound - Thom Bell has gone down in time as the holy son of soul, forming one part of its so-called holy trinity along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. This new compilation is an exciting retrospective on the man's best works, bringing greater-known groundbreakers - Delfonics' 'Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time', Stylistics' 'Betcha By Golly, Wow' - with lesser-spotted lovables from the likes of Nancy Wilson's 'Joe' to Deniece Williams' 'Silly'. Bell was known for his introduction of the celeste, the French horn and the harpsichord to soul music - all can be heard throughout the comp at various points, testifying his staunch commitment to expanding upon an already established sound.

Review: This Now Playing album on Atlanta celebrates Donny Hathaway with a tracklist that embodies his signature themes of love, hope, and introspection. Featuring iconic hits such as 'The Ghetto - Part 1,' 'A Song For You,' and the soulful duet 'Where Is The Love' with Roberta Flack, Hathaway's emotive vocals and profound lyrics take centre stage. Addressing social issues, tracks like 'Little Ghetto Boy' add depth to the collection. Concluding with the uplifting 'Someday We'll All Be Free,' this compilation resonates with soul-stirring melodies and resilient messages and allows Hathaway's legacy to shine brightly and leave an indelible mark on listeners with his timeless and enduring spirit.

Review: Shrine Records, though a commercial failure in its time, has risen from obscurity to become a holy grail for collectors of rare soul music. Founded in 1964 by Eddie Singleton and Raynoma Gordy, the label's lack of commercial success belied its treasure trove of musical talent. Despite minimal sales, Shrine's twenty singles became highly coveted among collectors, spurred on by their discovery on the Northern Soul scene in the 70s and 80s. The recent resurgence of interest in Shrine Records has led to the rediscovery of hidden gems from artists like the Cautions, Cairos, and Les Chansonettes. Thanks to the efforts of individuals like Eddie Singleton and Ady Croasdell, original master tapes have been retrieved, revealing previously unreleased tracks from artists such as the Prophets and Tippie & the Wisemen. The "Shrine Northern - The 60s Rarest Dance Label" Kent LP, KENT 526, released last year, celebrated the label's legacy. Now, with the release of a 7x7" box set, Shrine's revival continues. Featuring another 14 sides worthy of single releases, this box set is a testament to the enduring allure of Shrine Records and its contribution to the soul music landscape.

Review: Sio's latest album is a deeply personal and emotive journey, featuring her impeccable storytelling and soul-stirring lyricism across 11 tracks. Produced in collaboration with Daev Martian, the album reveals a new level of vulnerability from Sio. Standout tracks like 'Twilight' and 'No Lymyt' blend neo-soul with Amapiano and with spoken word interludes adding depth to the sonic experience, Sio's poetic magic shines through. An exploration of life, introspection and legacy.

Review: Roberta Flack's Now Playing album is a testament to her enduring artistry. Blending her signature soulful vocals with a timeless elegance, it showcases Flack's emotive range across a selection of jazz-infused tracks, each imbued with depth and intimacy. From the sultry allure of 'Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye' to the classic heartache of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' via the devastatingly emotional 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', Flack captivates with her effortless storytelling and vocal prowess. Now Playing not only reaffirms Flack's status as a legendary interpreter of sonl but also highlights her ability to connect deeply with listeners through music that transcends generations.

Review: Wolfgang Valbrun carries the torch for all great soul musicians with an incredible debut album, which looks at the human frailty that has shaped by his lived experiences and hard-won articulation of current affairs. Resting on the intersectional axis of soul, rock and blues, Wolfgang provides introspective insight through raw and unapologetic lyrics, married with the dynamic musicianship of his band. Over ten tracks, Valbrun analyses relationships, money, religion, greed, growing civil unrest and the antagonism by authorities towards the marginalised; using these as springboards into self-reflection and via the prismatic medium of soul music, arrives at the conclusion that humanity is inherently lacking, and that we must learn to live with this, rather than striving to become totally whole.

Review: This is the first reissue of the much-anticipated compilation gathering together many gems from the Louisiana born singer Bettye Swann. This compilation gathers and enormous 22 tracks from the career to highlight her career. Bettye rose to to acclaim with her 1967 soul classic 'Make Me Yours' which not only climbed to #21 on the Billboard 100 but also became a #1 on the rhythm and blues charts. Once she signed to Capital record a few years later, she had a second top 40 hit with 'Don't Touch Me'. The compilation has so many underrated songs from her career that just didn't get the attention that they deserved - see the excellent 'Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)' and the amazing cover of 'Tell it like it is'. There is so much great music here to discover. This reissue by Music On Vinyl is on 180 gram vinyl complete with insert.

Review: P-Vine in Japan have put this one out on CD before now but do the right thing and issue it once more here on vinyl. It's a classic album from the five-piece soul vocal fronted by Phil Perry who is still in the game as a solo artist. The band hailed from St. Louis, Missouri with a soul sound so rich and distinctive you will fall in love with it from the first harmony. Perry's own falsetto is the defining feature here with sumptuous strings and sublime rhythms helping him to soar to magical emotional heights. The original Dreaming Out Of Season album came on Paula (Jewell) Records in 1972.

Review: Numero Group's Minibus is a condensed masterpiece, distilling the essence of their sprawling 2012 art object, Eccentric Soul: Omnibus, into a double album of soulful delights. Spanning from 1966 to 1980, this collection traverses the diverse landscape of American soul, seamlessly blending group harmony, funk, disco and modern soul. Housed in a deluxe gatefold with detailed notes and photographs, it's a treasure trove for music aficionados. Minibus fills a crucial gap in any Numero enthusiast's collection, reaffirming the label's reputation for unearthing and celebrating extraordinary musical discoveries.

Review: Black Ruby was the superb sophomore long player from the wondrous soul singer Ruby Andrews. It first appeared on the Zodiac label in 1972 and didn't give rise to any big hits but that didn't stop it from becoming a favourite with those who know. This reissue saves you the financial damage of copping an original and sounds superb from the opening lushness of '(I Want To Be) Whatever It Takes To Please You' to the lung-busting vocal expression of 'You Made A Believer Out Of Me' via heart aching blue-eyed sounds of 'My Love Is Comin' Down'.