UK soul artist, SOULFUL EMMA LOUISE – S.E.L. (her preferred moniker) – has been making waves in the soul world for 18 months or so. Her wonderful ‘Flowered Tears’ became something of a modern soul anthem –winning itself a coveted place on the legendary, annual ‘Soul Togetherness’ compilation.
The big follow up –a version of Des’ree’s ‘You Gotta Be’ didn’t quite take off. Most commentators felt it was just the wrong kind of song … dreary and melancholic – and S.E.L’s treatment did little to raise the spirits.
The good news is that for her latest outing little Emma Louise goes straight back to soulsville….. Philadelphia to be precise. Her and her team have chosen to record a cover of the classic Terri Wells fronted Dexter Wansell classic, ‘The Sweetest Pain’ and the Quantize team (DJ Spen, Gary Hudgins and John Morales) have done a wonderful job with the remake.
Across most of the several mixes they keep the lovely Philly vibe and allow S.E.L’s voice do the work. The 8 minute plus M&M mix in particular will keep dance floors full through the summer while the more percussive Afro-beat “Mo Black Soul” mix will become a mainstay in the boxes of those DJs who are a tad more adventurous.
