Expansion’s annual modern soul fest that is ‘Togetherness’ has just hit the sales racks and once again Ralph (Tee) and Richard (Searling) have done a tremendous job in seeking out the sounds that are right on the current modern soul vibe. It matters little whether the selected music was made this year or way back in the day, what all these 15 tracks have in common is that little bit of indefinable magic that makes their sound so irresistible and addictive.
Pick of the 2013 music is Charlie Wilson’s gorgeous groove, ‘I Still Have You’. The tune’s been doing the business all year but for ‘Togetherness’ it’s freshly presented in a Soulpersona Mix. Hard to say whether it’s better than the original…. let’s just say with a hint of classic Drizabone about it, it’s every bit as excellent. And speaking of Drizabone, they have a key cut on this set too. It’s ‘New York City Nights’ … offered her in a pacey “Disco” remix that is the sweetest of foot tappers. Other featured 2013 goodies include McKoy’s ‘Love Is The Key’, Personal Life’s ‘Classic Lady’, Bluey’s ‘Got To Let My Feelings Show’ and Muzart’s ‘The Party After’. You can find full reviews for the source albums from which these cuts came in our reviews archive.
Other 2013 in-demand items are Zo! With ‘We Are On The Move’ (thumping bass line on this), ‘Something’ from the 76 Degrees West Band (Raheem DeVaughn on vocals), Kenya Henry’s ‘Gimme Dat’, Raffia’s ‘Into My Life’, a posthumous cut from Vesta Williams – ‘Can We Talk About It’, Sheree Brown’s ‘Bein’ In Love With You’ and Tom Glide’s ‘Sweet Heaven’ (featuring veteran Timmy Thomas on vocals).
The newest of the two “oldies” dates from 2010… it’s ‘Give It What You Want’ from the The Funk Factor who do a great job giving a 21st century spin to the classic Philly sound. Of statelier vintage is the Chi-Lite’s 1984 outing ‘Runnin’ Round’ – which passes muster despite an electro backing track.
This is the thirteenth ‘Togetherness’ collection – and there’s nothing sinister or unlucky about that number. The set’s every bit as good as the previous 12 and like all of them, an essential item for any modern soul collector/fan/dancer.
(BB) 4/5
