Soul radio listeners over the last few weeks will surely have become familiar with a sweet ‘n smooth soul ballad called ‘No Pain No Gain’. It’s rightly been all over the place and the tune’s all set to become an instant classic. The thing that’s surprising people, though, is that the song features a comeback of sorts from a bona fide soul diva…. FREDA PAYNE! That’s right the ‘Band Of Gold’ lady enjoying a late career renaissance.

For this wonderful tune Ms Payne is joined by Harlem-born soul man CLIF PAYNE … we’re reliably informed that they’re not related … but their voices sure do gel! (Clif, by the way, has an impressive CV… including being personally selected by Michelle Pfieffer to sing at her wedding!).

‘No Pain No Gain’ was produced by Preston Glass and it’s an ultra-smooth, romantic ballad that stands comparison with classics like ‘On My Own’, though in the fab Nigel Lowis Downtown mix, the flavour’s more Philly… think ‘Me And Mrs Jones’! With just a little luck this could be a surprise Christmas hit!

CLIF PAYNE & FREDA PAYNE – NO PAIN, NO GAIN – released on DSG – 18TH NOV