Jmsoul

Tracy Hamlin Pays Homage to Late Starpoint Singer Renee Diggs with Her Cover of “You’re My Sunny Day” Ever-versatile vocal sensation Tracy Hamlin is adding her love light to the rays of summer with a very special early August EP release on her own DMH Records label: a cover of “You’re My Sunny Day” that was a Quiet Storm turntable hit in the summer of 1980 for the R&B-Pop band Starpoint. The feel-good love song is a perfect fit for 2018 remixes by Hamlin who has recorded three versions to cover a plethora of romantic scenarios: a slow version on side A and a mid-tempo version on side B of a limited-edition vinyl 7” 45 single, plus a remix coming a month after on Quantize Recordings with Earl Tutu, John Khan and Hamlin’s longtime club music collaborator DJ Spen. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Tracy Hamlin came to know Renee Diggs as a member of Starpoint, a band of locals done good from nearby Annapolis, MD. “’You’re My Sunny Day’ is my tribute to Renee,” Hamlin states, “a recording on which I continue to honor her legacy as an amazing vocalist and for being my greatest vocal inspiration. I had the opportunity to work with her and sing background vocals on Oasis, the only solo project she recorded before her untimely death from heart failure in 2005…which happened the year my first CD was released. In 2011, I was the featured vocalist with Starpoint for their Reunion Concert in Lyon, France - their first in 25 years. I was the only vocalist they thought could handle Renee's vocals - a heartfelt honor.” “You’re My Sunny Day,” originally written by Renee Diggs with Starpoint group mate/longtime lover Ernesto Phillips, was recorded by the R&B sextet on its self-titled Chocolate City/Casablanca Records debut LP – their first of a ten-album run between 1980-1990. Until now, it has been a rare crate digger’s delight. Hamlin is breathing vibrant new life into it 28 years later. Hamlin’s collector’s item vinyl 45 will be exclusively available for about a month before digital downloads are independently released via her own label, DMH (the moniker being the initials of her departed mother’s name), as were her first three albums Seasons (2005), Better Days (2009) and This is My Life (2013). Hamlin is Executive Producer of all her works, including “You’re My Sunny Day” and her last three projects: the house music set Home (Quantize - 2013), No Limits (Expansion Records - 2015) and the ep Just Talk to Me (Expansion Records - 2016). You can hear it and buy from it here... https://jmsoul.jimdofree.com/

MusicConnex proudly present a celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the UK’s longest running soul label, Expansion Records. On Friday 30th September, Expansion marks 30 years with a major Party with live music and DJs at one of London’s finest venues the Brooklyn Bowl in the 02, North Greenwich. The live artists are Alton McClain and Tracy Hamlin reflecting Expansion’s position as both purveying greatness from previous decades in soul music to supporting the best new contemporary artists of the genre. Alton McClain Alton McClain & Destiny were with Polydor Records in the late 1970s and early 80s, signed to the label looking for a new Diana Ross & The Supremes and got a sound with “It Must Be Love” more akin to The Emotions with music that has endured to this day by lovers of disco, soul, two step and rare grooves. Alton McClain has never performed live in the UK before, and as part of her show will be a tribute to her late husband Skip Scarborough, a classic songwriter of the period whose hits included ‘Lovely Day’ (Bill Withers) and ‘Love Ballad’ (George Benson). This special tribute will include songs like ‘Can’t Hide Love’ (Earth, Wind & Fire), ‘Don’t ask My Neighbors’ (The Emotions), ‘Lover To Lover’ (Maxi Anderson) and ‘Tell Me Please’ (Freda Payne). Expansion has its own CD dedicated to his work, “The Skip Scarborough Songbook”, in addition to the reissues of all three Alton McClain & Destiny albums. Tracy Hamlin Tracy Hamlin has a recent background as a lead singer with Pieces Of A Dream, Starpoint and as a solo artist since 2005, and came to Expansion last year as a solo artist for an album “No Limits”. Much earlier this year she blew a 1000+ UK audience away performing alongside Kashif and with the popularity of her own recordings. We are thrilled to have her perform with us at such an important night for us at Brooklyn Bowl. Joining Alton McClain and Tracy Hamlin on the night will be a mix of DJs with a shared passion for soul, playing until the early hours to make this THE soul party of 2016. Friday 30th Sept 7pm – 4am. DJs Bobby & Steve (Zoo Experience) Luke Howard (Horse Meat Disco/Rinse FM) Lotus Disco Terry Jones (Village Soul) Ralph Tee JM (Mi-Soul) Tickets are £25 in advance £30 on the door. See full info here Tickets are £25 in advance £30 on the door. Tickets here For £5 Discount use code: soulsource (limited offer on advance tickets only)