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I am enjoying this, very varied across dancers in Northern Soul, Crossover to early Modern Soul plus some slower deep, Southern style songs. Beyond the few songs compiled already this is a good release in its own right.

My order arrived today. It is a huge, definitive, enjoyable book that will take a life to absorb fully.

Got my order in for some reading over Christmas.

The book looks great so I have ordered from Steve. I am looking forward to it immensely.

I'm sure all those who enjoy soul music will say this is well deserved (an understatement).

I will listen again to his new collection CD on Kent as a mark of appreciation.

I'm enjoying that very well produced collection of Betty's music.

Some of Jerry Butler's early 1970s albums have not been reissued yet (including the one with Stop Stepping On This Dream). Sharon Ridley's album too I don't think has had a proper reissue.

Yes the Papik album is excellent, I mean this as a compliment but it's great bed-time listening. The last double album was a bit over ambitious and too many novelty cover versions but this seems a return to form.

Soul Love is excellent this year, more soulful and less House music sounding than previous installments. Enjoying the Eric Benet, After 7, Dave Hollister, Bob Baldwin & Papik releases too. Diane Ducane is on the reissued Casino Classics CD box set too.

The new two new songs by Kim Tibbs are great plays. The new releases keep coming. Outta Sight's 'Soul on the Real Side #6' is out on 25th as is a collection of Kenya's music including new tracks and mixes I envisage. The new album by Myles Sanko is good, his last album was stunning and this is slightly more jazzy. John Legend's album is due 2nd December.

Yes it is a great time for Modern Soul - both new and classic. Those Dean Rudland CDs are good with excellent sound quality so I hope he continues them. I am listening to new After 7 as I type which is great. Listening to new Joe Thomas (Joe) advance sounds good too. There is a new Preston Glass release I paid for a download of yesterday (no CD as I can see so far). It's fairly enjoyable but only a couple of songs seem to stand up to previous works. I see too a Heston release on download without CD which has more of an acoustic feel and didn't really connect with me to buy it. Some great individual songs around too such as Something About You by Michon Young and Thought It Would Be Easier by Kandance Springs. Flicking between Solar Radio, Soul 365, Jazz FM and other UK digital soul stations via internet radio keeps highlighting ever more strong new soul music.

New Soul Love 2016 and Ethereal Magic 2 releases received today. Soul Love 2016 has a few extra tracks in the deluxe online version that you get as a free add on if you order the CD at Amazon (and possibly others).

I enjoyed this more than the first volume. I think that is about me not the first CD though. I kind of feel instinctively it is more my experience for soul artists to be covered by pop and rock artists rather than the other way round, but this stands up in its own right.

Two more 1970's era Modern Soul compilations coming in November on Interstate 'This Time Will Be Different' covers Philly and 'This Love Is For Real' covers Chicago. The tracklistings avoid the obvious plays so worth a look.

Loving the double Expansion releases of Soul Togetherness and Spirit of Philadelphia 4. Getting the Soul Togetherness CD via Amazon means you can download the extra tracks in the digital deluxe version for free. The Ryle, Phonte and Eric Roberson and Kindred The Family Soul albums have now arrived and as good as I hoped. Ryle is from the band Cool Million. It strikes me as positive that Modern Soul sound can incorporate the post-disco boogie style. I got a new compilation release by Dean Rudland in the J&D label imprint called 'Extra Added Soul' that is well worth picking up along with the Northern Soul and Funk specific CDs. Tony Monson's Ethereal Magic volume 2 on Expansion is due soon, the first was a welcome addition to their coverage as I've enjoyed the radio show. Also looking forward to Eric Benet release, the song I heard from it on Solar was good. There is a good double of Melba Moore due soon with plenty of her Buddah tracks. It would be great for Kent or Expansion to compile Buddah properly. We haven't had many Modern Soul releases. 'Some Modern Soul' is still one of my favourite releases ever.

Often it is that they fail to pick up a distributor at the festival or further phase of funding to complete a final edit and mastering for release (or both). Lots of small scale funded films sit 95% done in limbo.

Hi everyone, I just read on Soul Tunes that Kashif has died aged 56.

I enjoyed the Maxwell but it is a slow grower and subtle. It is an album that took a few listens to appreciate and takes its time. Less immediately accessible that a lot of recent Soul albums. New Phonte and Eric Roberson joint album arrived today.

How 'soulful' is the Louie Vega? I will have to have a listen. Thanks.

Anyone heard the Leon Timbo album? On my list. New Eric Benet due soon I think too. Loved the Anglo-Saxon Brown reissue this year, Spinners on Expansion and Rockie Robbins were great too. So many great reissues. Forgot the James Hunter Six new album this year but I struggle with new albums in mono, it seems so artificial. It's not like it's going to be played at The Flamingo and needing to be in mono. The Anderson Paak album although marked as Rap related R&B is more like a modern soul album and one I share interest with my son on. I enjoyed it more than Mayer Hawthorne who musically is enjoyable but his lyrics are far too shallow for adult listening. I think Ace and labels are owed thanks for getting more comfortable with 1970s and early 1980s soul and including it more on their compilations. It has been welcome and at this distance blends in well with earlier songs.

I am cultivating my kids. My older son now sees strong links across soul to hip-hop and is a devotee of Isley Brothers, George Clinton, Motown, Stax, popular northern soul and funk. It's only so long before his interest takes him to a nighter with me then he'll be hooked for life. If that doesn't work then back-dropping robots.

Yes the reissues side has been particularly strong this year and very enjoyable listening. I was not sure about Kylie Auldist so will check that out. I need to hear of the new Bob Baldwin. Got this far and none of us mentioned Gregory Porter yet.

I am waiting for the new Kindred to arrive from USA, not heard it beyond radio plays. I don't know Kejam Majek so will check it.

Hi everyone, it is the time of year with Soul Togetherness release due very soon where we feature Modern Soul in the year. There have been many releases in this year such as Soul on the Real Side #5, Soul Survivors compilation, British Collective, Sean Escoffrey, Incognito, Frank McComb, Anthony David, Ryle, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Charles Bradley, Zo!, Natasha Watts, Greg Dean, Suffers, King, Babyface, Jaheim and many more I have forgotten. Disco Soul Gold has continued its excellent growth and a new, unexpected Spirit of Philadelphia volume 4 is released next month. Reel Music have Soul Love 2016 coming soon as is the album by The Excitements. Then it will be Soul Lounge and Luxury Soul soon. It has also been a great year for Modern Soul Radio with Solar leading, JazzFM back on DAB playing more soul, CrackersFM, CruseFM, HotFM and dozens more internet radio stations plus MixCloud of course. This feels like a gold era for Modern Soul that carries the sound onwards of Northern Soul. How is it shaping up for you this year?