Soul and Jazz and Funk Latest

Latest offering from UK soul/jazz guitarist DAVE MASCALL is a remix of a tune from his 'Acid Lounge vol 3' album. The cut is called 'Reading My Mind'' which begins 'Breezin' fashion before the soulful vocal of Julia Quinn kicks in. Add plenty of jazzy guitar licks and some sweet vibes and you have a really intriguing affair. The new mix is out now via Dave's web site .

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 February 2020 20:04

Lydell Williams is an indie soul singer/songwriter who hails from Little Rock, Arkansas but currently works out of Richmond, Virginia. His last release was his ode to his new home state.... 'Virginia Is For Lovers' but for his latest offering Lydell changes direction for a Prince-inspired groove, 'I Need You'.

The song comes from Mr W's upcoming album 'Without You' and it's a meandering, sparsely arranged, slow simmering jam. Out now!

FERGUS HAMBLETON is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. It's an understatement to say that he's a veteran... he's been in the business for something like 50 years.... working in the folk, pop, reggae and blue-eyed soul fields! Maybe Mr H is best known for his work with Jamaican musician Jo Jo Bennett at the core of the Sattalites but Fergus also pursues a solo career and right now he's busy promoting his latest solo album..... 'Neighbourhoods.'

The LP's key cut has just been released as a single. Tune in question is an eerie and atmospheric 'Walking In A Storm'. With some sinister 60 style guitar, laid back vocals and a fade out horn solo, it has a catchy blue–eyed soul sort of appeal.... maybe think Mayer Hawthorne with a nod to Richard Hawley! Out now.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 February 2020 20:05

         "Life is good - I woke up this morning!" So says 78-year-old Otis Williams, accompanying his quip with a hearty, self-deprecating chuckle. As the last surviving original member of the legendary Motown group, The Temptations, the Texas-born baritone singer has quite a responsibility to shoulder, it seems, but remains philosophical about it. "I guess God felt as though I could handle it all and sixty years later, The Tempts are still carrying on, so that's something I've come to realise and accept. Somebody's got to do it, and I guess I was the chosen one."

The Temptations have been visiting the UK regularly for fifty-six years now and are set to return this autumn when they'll play eight shows in tandem with their old Motown sparring-partners, long-time rivals and forever friends, The Four Tops. "We've been coming to England since 1964," says Otis, explaining  The Temptations' enduring love affair with the British public. "I think we made a lasting impression when we first went there, making ourselves known by singing songs like 'My Girl' and wearing sharp suits and doing beautiful choreography. That embodied the thing that The Tempts did, and it became something that the British people expect to hear. And that's why I think we're so loved there."

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 February 2020 20:02

We kicked off 2020 enjoying a fab new single from MAYSA.... 'It's Gonna Be Alright'. We "hugely recommended" it ... and why not? Ms Leak is synonymous with soul quality and with input from Chris Davis, Kim Waters and the redoubtable Phil Perry, what's not to like?

We were told that the single heralded an upcoming LP on Maysa's own Blue Velvet Soul Records and while we wait for the album we can enjoy 'It's Gonna Be Alright' one more time in an ab fab new remix courtesy of Brit mix meister, Nigel Lowis. Mr L retains all the charm and smooth soul of the original but adds a few sweet touches of his own... there's a little feel of Quincy Jones's 'Secret Garden', some sophisticated Philly flourishes (well it is Nigel Lowis!) and a few other sweet surprises for good measure.

Without wishing to go over the top, I'd suggest that the Nigel Lowis mix of Maysa's 'It's Gonna Be Alright' will be one of THE tunes of 2020... is that going over the top???

Last Updated on Sunday, 23 February 2020 19:17