A simple topic set up to inform on all new soul related releases...

updated june 2025

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Acid Jazz notes

We’re thrilled to announce a brand new single from Dee C Lee, out now on all digital platforms 👆.

‘Walk Away’ was written by Dee and former fellow Style Councillor Mick Talbot, who brings his distinctive piano and Wurlitzer playing to the track.

Walk Away · Dee C Lee Walk Away ℗ Acid Jazz Acquisitions Ltd. Released on: 2024-01-04 Composer: Mick Talbot Composer: Dee C Lee

 

Edited June 18Jun 18 by Mike
into edited

bbe have a few Brian Jackson things coming up, though they are a couple of months off

For now here's a recent July release

I like modern stuff; not all of it of course but I try to keep an open mind when listening to new stuff. We're no longer in soul's 'golden age' (the 60's & 70's), so we can't expect great new tracks every week, but you only have to watch TV shows like THE VOICE to see plenty of gospel trained black UK singers who have the chops to cut good to great tracks. OUR STYLE of soul (both NS, deep soul., modern soul) isn't exactly what's in vogue though, many artists these days wanting to make tracks in hip hop or 'new R&B' styles. Must admit, much of this material leaves me cold. But those type of tracks aren't aimed at the type of soul fans that we are. Whereas the specialist soul label stuff (& I'd include Daptone in that category) is aimed / marketed towards us.

Back in the 60's / 70's lots of UK soul fans were quite snobbish -- if it wasn't a US recording it didn't fully fit the bill. I'd include myself in this bunch too, though the classier side of British stuff (Jimmy James & the Vagabonds 60's output , the Real Things "Children of the Ghetto") certainly ticked all the boxes for me. It can be the same today, with British recorded stuff not being given much credence.

ANYWAY, enough waffling ... I think some current UK recording teams can often come up with decent stuff. Mayfield Records, out of Portsmouth, try very hard to cut & release quality soul. Some of their past product has been decent -- I started taking notice after catching one of their acts (Gloria Miller) live in a Corfe Castle pub many moons ago. I've bought a few of their things since then (though obviously they have to make money to stay in business, so they cut many 'outside artists' & not all of their 'in-house' output would appeal here). They do though continue to put out decent stuff. The guy who runs the studio is an 'old soul' fan, so they do covers of some of his old faves ("Too Late To Turn Back Now" being a recent example of this). They also endeavour to make good original soul tracks.

Their Hannah Reem has a track out real soon; "Do You Know" -- to be included on the EP 'Sublime Soul Part 1 -- At present, a sample of this can only be heard on the label's Facebook page & the short clip of the song shows it to have promise (IMO). In the past they've put out vids of Hannah's work, he's one that was for promo purposes ...

27 minutes ago, Roburt said:

I like modern stuff; not all of it of course but I try to keep an open mind when listening to new stuff. We're no longer in soul's 'golden age' (the 60's & 70's), so we can't expect great new tracks every week, but you only have to watch TV shows like THE VOICE to see plenty of gospel trained black UK singers who have the chops to cut good to great tracks. OUR STYLE of soul (both NS, deep soul., modern soul) isn't exactly what's in vogue though, many artists these days wanting to make tracks in hip hop or 'new R&B' styles. Must admit, much of this material leaves me cold. But those type of tracks aren't aimed at the type of soul fans that we are. Whereas the specialist soul label stuff (& I'd include Daptone in that category) is aimed / marketed towards us.

Back in the 60's / 70's lots of UK soul fans were quite snobbish -- if it wasn't a US recording it didn't fully fit the bill. I'd include myself in this bunch too, though the classier side of British stuff (Jimmy James & the Vagabonds 60's output , the Real Things "Children of the Ghetto") certainly ticked all the boxes for me. It can be the same today, with British recorded stuff not being given much credence.

ANYWAY, enough waffling ... I think some current UK recording teams can often come up with decent stuff. Mayfield Records, out of Portsmouth, try very hard to cut & release quality soul. Some of their past product has been decent -- I started taking notice after catching one of their acts (Gloria Miller) live in a Corfe Castle pub many moons ago. I've bought a few of their things since then (though obviously they have to make money to stay in business, so they cut many 'outside artists' & not all of their 'in-house' output would appeal here). They do though continue to put out decent stuff. The guy who runs the studio is an 'old soul' fan, so they do covers of some of his old faves ("Too Late To Turn Back Now" being a recent example of this). They also endeavour to make good original soul tracks.

Their Hannah Reem has a track out real soon; "Do You Know" -- to be included on the EP 'Sublime Soul Part 1 -- At present, a sample of this can only be heard on the label's Facebook page & the short clip of the song shows it to have promise (IMO). In the past they've put out vids of Hannah's work, he's one that was for promo purposes ...

Many good points made there Roburt

On 23/02/2024 at 07:34, Mike said:

After months of non-stop touring in support of his critically acclaimed debut album, Jalen Ngonda returns with a brand new single, "Illusions." With its sophisticated arrangement and infallible, soulful groove, Jalen's voice exudes the class and maturity one may expect from an artist who has refined their craft on the road.

 

Pure Class!!! Could have been 'cut' in the Mid 70's, has a Real authentic Vibe to it .Thank You for sharing=0)

On 03/07/2025 at 12:20, Thinksmart said:

The new 7:45s album 'Spinning' out a couple of weeks ago has three songs that are very Northern Soul in style that I'll embed below.

I'm always in two minds about this, I'm generally more comfortable when an artist is not trying to deliberately create the NS sound but I'm also grateful for new releases carrying on this aspect of Soul Music.

Thanks for posting this. I can't believe I have completely missed them up until now. I'll certainly be looking out for a gig to see how they do it live.

I think it's an album that explores a range of soul styles and they do them all really well. The fact that there's some Northern sounding tracks in there sits really well with me. I think it's bloody wonderful that youngsters are making music of this quality in Manchester.

On 25/07/2025 at 12:20, Mike said:

bbe have a few Brian Jackson things coming up, though they are a couple of months off

For now here's a recent July release

digital release today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKCaw2zdZiU

First thought that comes to mind is -

Do we really need another version of what is already an established classic of its type?

3 hours ago, J C Orritt said:

First thought that comes to mind is -

Do we really need another version of what is already an established classic of its type?

I think there is always room for other versions as long as they offer something different to the original. Depends on your buying habits and whether you are stuck in a time warp as some are. Not saying you are , I personally would not buy this even though I quite like it. Not a new thing is it different versions. What's the count on Open the Door to Your Heart, thread on here long time ago,think it was 14 or maybe more,could be wrong,I often am,think Mike did a poll on that as to what was the best,I think Darrell came out on top but if memory serves there were plenty of votes for other versions.

6 minutes ago, Twoshoes said:

I think there is always room for other versions as long as they offer something different to the original. Depends on your buying habits and whether you are stuck in a time warp as some are. Not saying you are , I personally would not buy this even though I quite like it. Not a new thing is it different versions. What's the count on Open the Door to Your Heart, thread on here long time ago,think it was 14 or maybe more,could be wrong,I often am,think Mike did a poll on that as to what was the best,I think Darrell came out on top but if memory serves there were plenty of votes for other versions.

I have no objection to "other versions" in general but do agree entirely with your point that "as long as they offer something different."

I found this version lacking anything fresh or particularly noteworthy..

5 hours ago, Mike said:

digital release today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKCaw2zdZiU

It does add a new dimension to the song, but I'd prefer an edited version (losing about 2 minutes including some off the start).

The Hannah Reem video above adds to the debate that straight covers add nothing to originals and a waste of time, nothing against Hannah she is a great singer but the covers leave me cold even though she songs them brilliantly.

If a cover is to be done rework the original not just a carbon copy.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by Shinehead

Artist - The Harlem Gospel Travelers Song - Searching For The Truth Album - Rhapsody Producer - Ifedayo Co Producer- Eli “Paperboy” Reed Mix - Vince Chiarito Master - Kevin Blackler

On 20/07/2025 at 14:38, Smudger said:

Womack Sisters link from Daptone website ,side A really good mid tempo the sister on lead sounds very similar to her mother,Side B slower but good.

https://daptonerecords.audiosalad.com/?xurl=ef41536d321c549b4253efab5daaebaf175a573b

Out now & available , check Google for stockists , some showing out of stock

34 minutes ago, Happy Feet said:

Out now & available , check Google for stockists , some showing out of stock

Nice one. Excellent vocals

Racetrack in France Brian Jackson, Masters At Work, J. Ivy, Moodymann, Josh Milan BBE BBE800SDG5 | 2025-09-12

Her older stuff is well liked, this one ain't too bad either ...

Edited September 12Sep 12 by Roburt

here's the 'official' video

Video - New: Michelle David & The True-tones - Speak To Me

#soul #soulsource

New from backatcha records previously unreleased

https://youtu.be/5sdXAe-qCnE?si=MMlPWl_BHfbnKx9b

https://www.backatcharecords.com/product/chain-reaction

Two previously unreleased gems from a Chain Reaction studio session recorded in London, in 1977 - now available back-to-back on this 7” single. ‘You Gave Me The Reason’ is a modern soul uptempo dance-floor burner coupled with ‘Let’s Be Lovers’, a mellow and funky instrumental adaptation of the Holland-Dozier hit, ‘Why Can’t We Be Lovers’. By the mid-70s, former Techniques singers Bruce Ruffin, Bobby Davis and Dave Collins had established individual recording careers with The Upsetters, The Sensations, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, and Dave & Ansel Collins amongst others, reuniting in 1975 to form Chain Reaction, a fine-tuned, first-class soul trio performing ‘inna soul style’. Produced by industry veteran Stanley Pemberton of Congress Productions, Chain Reaction's blend of sweet vocal harmonies, funk-inflected grooves and Motownesque arrangements has long been favoured by soul collectors and beat-fiends alike. 

Edited Monday at 13:305 days by Smudger
Updated info

NOT REALLY NEW ... as it was made available around 9 months ago (though I hardly ever do digital) ... BUT caught the group on TV last night & they have been mentioned on here before ...

this track really is the d*gs b*loxs ... Annie & the Caldwells "Wrong" ...

5 hours ago, Roburt said:

NOT REALLY NEW ... as it was made available around 9 months ago (though I hardly ever do digital) ... BUT caught the group on TV last night & they have been mentioned on here before ...

this track really is the d*gs b*loxs ... Annie & the Caldwells "Wrong" ...

Quality video too 👍

Heard this played at the weekend, Angels of Libra 'I Fell In Love', new from Germany.

Edited Tuesday at 17:414 days by Thinksmart