Though her name be new and unfamiliar to many, DEEDEE FOSTER has, in fact, performed on stages around the world as a background artist alongside the likes of Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Rihanna, Anastacia, Celine Dion, and Christina Aguilera. Now, though,  the Cincinnati-born, LA-based vocalist is about to step out of the shadows as a solo artist with her debut album, 'The Light,' which follows in the wake of a previously-released EP.

'The Light' contains 10 tracks rendered in an attractive singer/songwriter-meets-soul-pop vein. Its highlights include 'Ashes,' a strong tune with a feel-good vibe and an anthemic chorus; the chugging, self-assertive message song,  'Strength'; the uplifting 'Hope To Dream' and a sultry laidback blues called 'Why.' The album will also include her current single, 'Go That Way.'

The Light will be out on the 14th July http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/deedeefoster/items/195950

For more information on DeeDee Foster please visit -

http://www.deedeefoster.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeeDeeFosterMusic/

https://twitter.com/deedeefoster

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 June 2017 15:02

The ever lovely GLADYS KNIGHT begins her 5 date tour of the UK this week. This tour follows on from last year's sell-out UK shows.

The tour dates are:

JUNE

29th London - Royal Albert Hall

JULY

1st Bournemouth BIC

2nd Birmingham Symphony Hall

4th Glasgow Royal College

5th Manchester Apollo

More info? www.ticketline.co.uk

Last Updated on Monday, 26 June 2017 18:03

Latest release from (Chris) KINGDON is a summery, lazy instrumental, '(Baby) Bring It On'. We're told that the inspiration for the tune was the music of the Blackbyrds circa 'Walkin' In Rhythm' and, yes, '(Baby) Bring It On' sure has that relaxed, easy-on-the ear feel. It has an odd hypnotic quality and it's hard to pin point its attraction – but believe me it is... attractive that is!

Last week we reported that Chris's sometime partner Stuart Mather has released his own new single, 'Homeless' (see our news archive). Sources reveal that the duo are working together on a new long player as a follow up to their successful 2015 album 'Life's So Sweet'.

In the meantime, enjoy the aural sunshine that is Kingdon's '(Baby) Bring It On'... out on June 30th via DSG

STANTON MOORE is a veteran of the New Orleans' music scene. For almost 30 years now the drummer's been the mainstay in Big Easy combo, Galactic while still finding time to play in a trio with David "Tork" Torkanowsky (keys) and James Singleton (bass).

Like all New Orleans' musicians Moore, Torkanowsky and Singleton were deeply affected by the death of Allen Toussaint and soon after his passing in November 2015, they began working on a tribute album to the man everybody saw as the Godfather of the New Orleans soul and funk scene. Next month, the long player – 'With You In Mind: The Songs of Allen Toussaint' will be released on Cool Green Recordings / Mascot.

Moore tells us that the music on the album crosses effortlessly from funk to jazz and back and to help the players in that task, Moore has drafted in an A team of Crescent City musicians – amongst them Jolynda Kiki Chapman, Cyril Neville, Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison, Trombone Shorty, Maceo Parker, and Wendell Pierce.

Payton and Harrison appear on two of the album's instrumentals. The first is a version of 'Java', the 1958 instrumental Toussaint recorded on his first solo album (the all-instrumental The Wild Sounds of New Orleans by Tousan) that became a top-5 hit for Al Hirt in 1963. The other is 'Riverboat,' Toussaint's 1960 record with Lee Dorsey. The album's other key instrumental is the bitter/sweet 'With You In Mind' which gives the collection it's titling.

Amongst the vocals there's a version of 'Here Comes The Girls' with Cyril Neville on lead and a spoken treatment of 'Southern Nights' on which Wendel Pierce recites the lyric before Payton lays down first an organ solo then a trumpet feature.

Stanton Moore; With You In Mind: The Songs of Allen Toussaint;Released: 21st July 2017 via Cool Green Recordings / Mascot Label Group

Last Updated on Sunday, 25 June 2017 18:45

This time last year PETER SYMPHORIEN was singing in pubs and clubs but after signing with DSG Records he became a soul cult artist almost overnight as his Philly-flavoured 'Sate Of Mind' soared right across the soul world. The tune, helmed by Nigel Lowis, echoed the best of Philadelphian sweet and sophisticated soul.

Pete, fronting the same Soul City People band, is now set to drop a new single – 'Fight For The Right'. Once again Mr Lowis is at the controls and this time he dips his sonic brushes into a tougher, funkier Philly palette that captures the sound of things like 'Backstabbers' and 'Let's Clean Up The Ghetto' (indeed I swear the guitar riff is nicked from 'Ghetto'). Pete's big vocal – part Eddie Levert, part Teddy P – maintains the Philly feel across the cut's generous five and a half minutes.

PETER SYMPHORIEN & The SCP - Fight For The Right - 30th June – on DSG