Out Now! - New Soul4Real Releases: Magic Sam (S4R31) & Aretha Franklin (S4R32)

Out Now! - New Soul4Real Releases: Magic Sam (S4R31) & Aretha Franklin (S4R32)

MAGIC SAM - THAT´S ALL I NEED / EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY DAY (SOUL4REAL)

ARETHA FRANKLIN - CAN YOU LOVE AGAIN / I´M TRYING TO OVERCOME (SOUL4REAL)

MAGIC SAM - THAT´S ALL I NEED / EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY DAY - (SOUL4REAL)

What better way to herald Soul4Real's first foray into the blues: two wonderful sides by the late great Magic Sam!

Born Samuel Gene Maghett in Mississippi in 1937, in his teens he made the familiar migratory journey north where he established himself – along with the likes of Otis Rush – as one of the great exponents of the 'West Side' Chicago blues sound.

In 1967, Sam signed to Delmark and cut his first LP, the critically acclaimed 'West Side Soul' from which the two tracks featured here are taken. "Every Night and Every Day" is delivered in his familiar style, whereas "That's All I Need" reveals a more soulful side to Sam's vocals, pointing towards the blues-soul style that was to dominate the genre into the 70s and beyond.

His tragic death, aged just 32 in 1969, deprived the world of a wonderful blues talent, but he left a fine legacy of influential and inspirational work admired by fans and musicians alike.

Mike Lofthouse

ARETHA FRANKLIN - CAN YOU LOVE AGAIN / I´M TRYING TO OVERCOME (SOUL4REAL)

Atlantic records impresario Jerry Wexler had many strings to his bow, but undoubtedly his greatest stroke of genius was leading Aretha towards the Fame Studios in 1967 to conduct her first sessions for the label. A lady with many quite uneven Columbia albums to her name would turn the world of soul music upside down and reveal the Queen of Soul to the world. The music created was both harrowing and spine-chilling in equal measure, leaving everyone in its radius in a state of soulful euphoria.

“Can” was recorded during the ‘Hey Now Hey’ LA album sessions circa 1972, with Quincy Jones at the helm, and is a scintillating slow burner of exquisite beauty.

“I’m Trying” is a glorious 1969/70 outtake from her ‘Spirit in the Dark’ LP, cut at Criteria with Wexler and the MSS boys in tow.

A friend of mine recently alluded that you sometimes don’t realise the true greatness of a track until it is embossed in 7” vinyl. So true!

Jan Barker