DURAND JONES and the INDICATIONS are one of US soul's best kept secrets. The five piece formed in 2012 when, as students at Indiana University in Bloomington, they discovered a mutual love for vintage, classic soul music. Their 2016 self-titled debut album impressed many with its raw take on the genre – channelling the great sounds of people likes Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and Eddie Floyd. Described as "old school soul with a new school honesty", the LP brought the Indications gig after gig – almost all sell out affairs.

The band are now all set to release a new album – 'American Love Call' which they describe as "more Gamble and Huff than Sam and Dave". To help promote the set the boys are about to embark on a mini European tour which kicks off at London's Rough Trade tomorrow (January 18). Then it's off to Nottingham (Rough Trade again) on Saturday January 19, Bristol's Rough Trade on Sunday January 20th, then back to London's Dingwalls on Tuesday January 22. After that the Indications head off to mainland Europe. The venues will supply all the details.

In the meantime we humbly suggest that sneak previews of 'American Love Call' reveal that the 12 tracker is shaping up to be one of 2019's first BIG albums. It's a lovely, pastiche free contemporary take on the classic soul idiom - we can point you to a magnificent 'Court Of Love' for starters, but there's a plethora of quality here. Interestingly too, despite their name - DURAND JONES and the INDICATIONS – the band boasts two lead singers – Mr Jones and the drummer Aaron Fraser; one a gruff tenor; the other a sweet, trilling falsetto – a perfect and classic soul pairing. Full review of the album here at SJF very soon.

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2019 16:13

I've never heard of 'em and I'd be surprised if you have.... talking about a harmony group called STRENGTH & POWER. I'm told that they've been around for almost 40 years and in their latest incarnation they are: Ivan Rush, Kevin Satterfield, and Yahya Kamau. Hailing from Washington DC, they seem to have slipped under the radar... till now. You see several soul tastemakers have been playing both sides of their latest single.... 'Loving You' / 'Eye Of Your Storm' and getting very positive responses. Easy to hear why, both cuts are proper, old-fashioned harmony soul – the kind we thought had long ceased being made.

'Eye Of Your Storm' is particularly sweet and will recall those great cuts by outfits like the Whispers, the Dramatics –even (from more recent times) Tony, Toni Tone. It's clear from what they craft that the trio have oodles of soul experience under their belts.

STRENGTH & POWER- Loving You / Eye Of Your Storm - Out Now

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 January 2019 20:04

Over the last 18 months or so we've followed the progress of London-based singer GIGI HAROLD. Using the simple name G G she's released some decent blue-eyed soul. Now she's back and using her full name – Gigi Harold and, teaming up with Austrian producer STJ, she's just released 'Fall In Love With You Anyway'.

In its original incarnation the song is a mournful meander but it offers more in the John Denas house mix.... electro house that is. Not surprising, since STJ cites his influences as people Ultra Nate, Faithless, and Roger Sanchez. The cut also comes in a Delbys Marquez chill-out mix.

Prince connoisseurs will know about the Peterson Family of Minnesota. Over the years they've collaborated in all kinds of ways with the Purple One. In particular PAUL PETERSON struck up a very close working relationship with Prince. Discovered aged 17 and dubbed "Saint Paul", he worked with Prince in The Time (he played keys); he featured in the 'Purple Rain' movie and worked with The Family. Since then, he's worked solo and as a writer and producer and last year he was the musical director and front man for the show 'Nothing Compares 2 Prince,' which sold out 2 nights at the Sydney Opera House.

As 2019 unfolds Saint Paul has gone back to making his own music as he releases the single' You Got 2 Love'. Paul says: "This new song 'You Got 2 Love' is an up-tempo song I wrote and produced with my nephew, Jason Peterson DeLaire. He and I were talking about a concept for this incredible track we had come up with, and we both wanted it to be something uplifting and something funky. Minneapolis Funk is ingrained in me, so I really didn't have a choice but to tip my hat to the sound on this production. It just so happens that artists like Bruno Mars and producers like Mark Ronson are inspired by it as well. Thankfully, they've reintroduced fans to the funk, and this has totally inspired me to write a new record."

SAINT PAUL PETERSON; "You Got 2 Love," OUT NOW.

Last Updated on Monday, 14 January 2019 15:28

Brooklyn-born soulstress NICOLE WILLIS is something of a veteran.... she's been in the biz for over 30 years! In that time her feisty and funky albums like 'Tortured Soul' and 'Happiness In Every Style' have garnered her plenty of followers.

For her newest recording she's put together a tight, new, little band - Banda Palomita. The group is comprised of Ndioba Gueye (electric bass), Julius Heikkilä (guitars), Antti Kujanpää (keyboards, synths, sequencer), Ilari Larjosto (drums, engineer, producer) and Luiz Orlando Sá Do Carmo (percussion). Their mission statement is to create disco-flavoured soul and funk for the contemporary dance-floor.

See if they've succeeded by investigating their latest single.... 'I Call Your Name'. The infectious electro-funk mover is out now and heralds an upcoming album... 'My Soul Sensation'. We're told the long player recreates the flavours of people like Rod Temperton, Bobby Caldwell & Maurice White. We'll reserve judgment on that till we've had a good listen; in the meantime we can recommend 'I Call Your Name' – it's out now on Persephone Records.