The CHERRY RED group of label’s recent release schedule is stuffed with all kinds of soul goodies to tempt soul fans of every hue. Their Shout imprint offers a twofer on LEON HAYWOOD. The 2CD pack pairs two of the man’s mid 70s albums – ‘Back To Stay’ and ‘Keep It In The Family’. Pick of the RPM subsidiary’s soul releases is the first time reissue of underrated MADELINE BELL’S 1971 eponymous set which was originally issued in Philips. If a ever a soulstress deserved re-evaluation, it’s dear old MADELINE.
Cherry Red’s bbr label has a trio of great newies – JON LUCIEN’S ‘I Am Now’, MARLENA SHAW’S ‘Sweet Beginnings’ and TOM BROWNE’S ‘Love Approach’ – which of course spawned the massive ‘Funkin’ For Jamaica’.
However, perhaps the most interesting reissue for collectors is another RPM album – ‘The Fontana Years – 1963-1968’… a fabulous retrospective of KIKI DEE’S early work prior to joining Motown. The big 32 tracker is a heady mix of 60’s pop, dramatic ballads and early Brit-soul of the DUSTY SPRINGFIELD variety (hardly surprising since KIKI, of course, was for many years one of DUSTY’S backing singers). Highspot of the set is the in-demand ‘On A Magic Carpet Ride’.
Watch out for reviews of these albums @SJF very soon.
