Connecticut's DAWN TALLMAN was brought up and taught to sing in the Gospel tradition but her powerful delivery soon meant she was in demand as a session singer amongst the soulful house community. Now known as "the first lady of Gospel House", DAWN is set to release a new, dynamic single – 'U Turn', a song inspired by a sermon where the theme was opting for a more powerful, meaningful life path. DAWN'S soulful and conviction-packed delivery might make you do just that!

The song is currently available in three mixes. The first comes from DAVIDSON OSPINA who's already worked with people like JOCELYN BROWN, BEYONCE and RANDY CRAWFORD. OSPINA gives the tune a real club edge. BLAZE man, JOSH MILAN handles the second mix while GEORGE MENA takes the controls for the third tweak.... and this is the one that really hits the spot. MENA is known for his melodic approach and he's won accolades for his work with JOHN LEGEND, JENNIFER HUDSON and BILLY PAUL amongst others. The midway electric piano break is a real delight and an investigation is a must for soulful house heads.

DAWN TALLMAN'S 'U TURN' is available now on Traxsource Promo with a full release on February 13th on Diva Down Ent.

Last Updated on Monday, 06 February 2012 13:22

US soul commentators are expecting big things from new Chicago-based soul man CLONDA BRITTMAN. The buzz is all about the lead single from his upcoming album. The tune is called 'Love Ain't Supposed To Hurt' and it's easy to hear why said commentators are making comparisons with CEE LOO GREEN. The song is totally contemporary though its roots are deep in soul's heritage while CLONDA'S delivery is full-on and committed. It's a proper modern soul tour de force and bodes well for the upcoming album – 'A Man In Love With Love'.

Find out more @ www.facebook.com/clondamusic

Soul singer DAVID PEASTON died on February 1st. He was 54 years old and news agencies report that the cause of death was medical complications caused by his diabetes. PEASTON was born in St Louis in 1957 and was part of an important soul and gospel dynasty... his mother, MARTHA BASS was a member of the CLARA WARD SINGERS and an acclaimed performer in her own right while his sister FONTELLA BASS has enjoyed an equally distinguished soul and gospel career.

Originally a schoolteacher, PEASTON relocated to New York in 1981 where, after appearing at the famous Apollo Theatre talent shows, he became a resident on the syndicated TV show, 'Showtime At The Apollo'. He made his recording debut in 1989 with the wonderful 'Introducing...'. The follow up, 'Mixed Emotions' was equally soulful and critically well-received but PEASTON'S career never really took off....possibly because of his problems with diabetes, which eventually meant the amputation of both his legs. DAVID PEASTON is survived by his wife MARYLYN and two sons.

February 1st saw the passing of another important figure in the Soul world - music entrepreneur, DON CORNELIUS. CORNELIUS, best known for creating the iconic 'Soul Train 'TV show, was found dead at his home in Sherman Oaks. Police had been called to the house and when they arrived in the early hours of the morning they found CORNELIUS with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Though the LA Police Department are investigating, they say there were no signs of foul play.

'Soul Train' was arguably America's most important TV soul show and was responsible for giving exposure to black artists at a time when it was difficult for such artist to break into the mainstream. At the time of his death, CORNELIUS was 75 and working on a movie based around the 'Soul Train' show.

Reissue specialists ACE RECORDS open their 2012 account with a set of great releases. Of most interest to soul collectors will be a two CD set on EDDIE HOLLAND. The collection is part of Ace's collaboration with Motown and features all the songs EDDIE recorded at the label between 1958 and 1964 when he was trying to build a career as a vocalist. Success proved elusive and EDDIE eventually joined brother BRIAN and LAMONT DOZIER in the Hitsville engine room and the rest, of course, is history. The set is a fascinating insight into the early days of Motown with EDDIE himself offering firsthand accounts of what went on in the accompanying booklet.

More esoteric, maybe, is a PAUL KELLY collection – 'Hot Runnin' Soul'. KELLY was an archetypal Southern soul singer-songwriter who's long deserved some kind of retrospective. The album contains all of his solo recordings from 1965 to 1971 which were issued on labels like Lloyd, Dial, Philips and Happy Tiger. As collectable is 'Absolutely Right' – a look at the career of New York girl group, THE APOLLAS whose 'Pretty Red Balloons' and 'Sorry Mama' became Northern soul standards. The release collects together all their recordings for Tiger, Loma and Warner Bros. These three albums are all released on the Ace imprint, Kent.

Compilation-wise, there's 'Mod Jazz Forever' – Kent's latest look at that very special 60s hybrid of soul, jazz, blues and Latin that became the life soundtrack for the mod denizens of 60s cellar clubs. Artists featured on the set include TROY DODDS, REUBEN WILSON, TOBI LARK, MARK MURPHY and BUDDY GUY.

The main Ace label offers two exceptional new compilations. The first is the label's latest look at the output of the London American label. This time around they turn the spotlight on 1957 and as ever the showcase programmes big names and big hits alongside lesser know gems. Amongst the black music stars featured are FATS DOMINO, CLYDE McPHATTER and CHUCK WILLIS. Then there's a look at the work of top 60s writing and producing team FELDMAN, GOLDSTEIN and GUTTEHRER . Working chiefly out of New York, they crafted pop and soul hits for all kinds of artists. The CD – entitled 'Smash, Boom, Bang!' - features classics like JERRY BUTLER'S 'Giving Up On Love', RAY POLLARD'S 'The Drifter' and CHUBBY CHECKER'S long in-demand 'At The Discotheque'.

Finally Ace have also just released a second volume on the work of JOHNNY OTIS. OTIS died in January and the collection is a fitting and apt tribute to the man who was dubbed 'The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues'. Couple this with volume 1, and you'll have a concise overview of a true musical pioneer.

Last Updated on Sunday, 05 February 2012 10:51

Back in the day soul was big business in Japan. For whatever reason, however, the last decade has seen a cooling in the Japanese passion for proper soul music. Now, Tokyo-based SWEET SOUL RECORDS is attempting to reverse that trend by aggressively promoting soul in all its forms. Their plan is two pronged. First, they consistently promote international soul artists throughout Japan and secondly, they create their own special brand of soul.

To that last end, in 2011 they issued their first compilation – 'SOUL OVER THE RACE' – a collection of Japanese takes on old soul favourites. The set was so successful that the label has just released Volume 2. For the 12 tracker NOBUO MIYAMAE, owner and DJ of the renowned "Little Soul Café" in the hip Tokyo suburb of Shimokitazawa, was put in charge of song selection while the musicians involved in the album have played with top Japanese artists, and visiting stars like STEVIE WONDER and JOHN LEGEND.

'SOUL OVER THE RACE Volume 2' features soul classics and rare groove items like THE JACKSON SISTERS' 'I Believe In Miracles', BOBBY HEBB'S 'Don't You Care', LEROY HUTSON'S 'Lucky Fellow' and THE ISLEYS' 'Harvest For The World' - all given bright, new readings by up and coming Japanese artists like KAORI SAWADA, EMI HINOUCHI , SAYUMI, and FASUN. It all makes for a fascinating listen and there'll be a full review @SJF very soon.

In the meantime find out more @ www.sweetsoulrecords.com