THE DECISIONS: ‘Color Me Blue’ (Soul Direction)
THE DECISIONS were a soul harmony group from Atlanta and like dozens of similar outfits they enjoyed limited, local success and remain unknown in the mainstream. However, over the years their recorded output has...
CHRIS BANGS; Dream World (Acid Jazz)
UK soul/jazz/dance multi-tasker CHRIS BANGS has had a busy few years. In 2022 he collaborated with Mick Talbot on the ‘Back To Business’ album; the following year there was his own ‘Firebird’ set; earlier...
FALLING FOR IT!
If you’ve been tuning to the more savvy soul stations in the last few weeks, odds are that you will have come across a delicious, laid back soul vibe –‘Keep Falling For It’ from...
THIS IS GOLDWAX!
GOLDWAX RECORDS was one of THE great Southern soul labels. Founded in Memphis in 1964 by hardware store owner and country fan Quinton Claunch, it folded in 1969 after Claunch fell out with then-co-owner...
JOHNNIE TAYLOR: ‘One Step From The Blues’ (Stax/Craft)
Latest release from Craft Recordings – a re-issue label known for its meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation – turns the spotlight on a real soul legend – JOHNNIE TAYLOR. Johnnie...
THE STORY OF THE BLUES….
Memphis born VANEESE (pronounced Van-EESE) THOMAS is one of soul’s best-kept secrets. Not that well-known in the mainstream, soul insiders revere her work. She’s enjoyed a lengthy career in music. For starters, she’s worked...
MIAMI SOUL (AND FUNK AND DISCO)!
Last year SOUL JAZZ RECORDS released a wonderful tribute/compilation album of the soul, funk and disco that came out of Miami (more specifically the TK Records stable) in the late 60s/early 70s. The collection...
THEE HEART TONES; ‘Forever & Ever’ (Big Crown)
Since January we’ve enjoyed a series of sweet, lo-fi soul singles from THEE HEART TONES We’ve learned that the band is a group of young musicians (the oldest is just 21!) from Hawthorne, California....
THE HARLEM GOSPEL TRAVELERS: Rhapsody (Colemine)
Over the last few years, the HARLEM GOSPEL TRAVELERS have established themselves as a Premier League contemporary gospel ensemble whose music is also revered by non-believers for its uplifting passion and real soul. Fans...
