“Reach down in my Soul” by Sy Smith (2008 release from the album called Conflict.A truly soulful number with funky grooves make this single for me stand out on her recently released album called Conflict. She is helped along vocally when Wes Felton joins in half way through the tune and provides are really credible rap. But take no credence away from Sy Smith and her vocal abilities. She is spot on her with regards to her vocal abilities on this track. The drum line is strong and yet is so simply constructed. The same goes for the bass line. I’m telling you this. As soon as you hear it you are going to want to hear it again. It's that good. Please click on the track below to hear this track.
From the Usa to good old England, and the track in question was from a group called LKP. “I’m ready” by LKP (2008 release) is the track in question. LKP stands for (Stands for Lil Kriss P) so I’m told. Soulful and yet slow to mid tempo track that really works, and shows that the Uk can produce high quality Rn’b music that wouldn’t sound out of place in any USA Rn’b chart. Really caught the imagination of many an Rn’b Dj last year, and I can see why. It has an easily likeable groove and melody, and LKP voice together with the backing vocals make this tune stand out. In fact I like the lead vocals and the backing vocals working in unison on this track that make it so nice to listen to. Played this track about two weeks ago, and though originally released in Jan 2008 first time out. Still sounds good. Click on the link to see what I am talking about. You can go to the My Space website of this group, and hear this song there.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=68460139
The next tune that I played has been getting enormous amounts of attention since it came out on prom during the latter stages of 2008. The tune in question is called “Amorous” by Jesse Boykins 3 (2009 release). Slow, soulful and sexy is what I like to describe this tune as. An acoustic guitar sets the pace, which is armed with a great selection of jazz chords in abundance, which makes this tune sound even dreamier then, possible. (I believe the guitarist name on this track is called Steve Wyreman if you would like to know?) The soft drum pattern style and lazy sounding bass line in the background adds even more weight to this to this effect. Then Jesse Boykin’s voice cuts in. Equally lazy and yet summer sounding all at the same time which makes you want to turn up the radio volume even more to hear this classic. Reminds me a little of Raheem De Vaughan when he came out with the album called “The Love Experience” back in 2004, and the track called “You”. It got that immediate feeling about if you heard that track? Please click on this track to hear more of this track there, and few others more.
The next track up was “Computer Love” by Maskerade (2008). A more traditional and up to date sound of today’s current Rn’b scene. This sounds like a track that could have been made for Donnell Jones. It’s got that slow to mid tempo that Donnell excels in. soft drum pattern and bass line, even softer like keyboards melodies and handclaps (or it sounds like it) make you immediately listen to this tune. Then Maskerade voice kicks in. He sounds a bit like another current day Rn’b singer that I have loved over the years, That singer is called Rell; remember him? Anyway Maskerade voice is paced just right over a delicious groove. And what a voice he has. Just lovely. He is helped along with great backing vocals on this track as well. Instead of me nearly fainting over this track. Please have a listen to it by click on the link below.
computer love - maskerade
Stayed new school with the next track. Yep I stayed with a more recent sounding tune with my next selection. The tune is question was this “Lets just be friends” by Kyra Simone, London, England. (2007 release). A nice slow jam, that ventures on the Neo Soul territory. Nice bass line and drum pattern on this track that adds weight to the track. Equally good are the backing vocals on this track with makes the song classier. No one can doubt the quality of Kyra voice on this track though. Great vocals. I just hope that artists like Kyra get more a chance in this competitive side of Soul music she is definitely a talent to be looked at. Please click on the link below to hear this song again on this page.
Another tune from London on my decks again in front of and I have to confess now that I have played this tune on a semi regular basis now for at least 1 month on the show and it still doesn’t sound old. “Imagine” by Lei-an, England (2008 release from the album called “Imagine me”) is a tune that I love. To be honest it sounds like it could have been released in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. It has that type of vibe about it. Starts off with a nice guitar riff, then the groove kicks in together with the melody of the track. Lei-an voice finally enters the fray and I must say that it fits this song like a glove. If Uk Soul/Rn’b music is to be taken seriously then tunes like this will not harm its reputation one bit when its comes to making the soulful side of Rn’b music. It’s starting to get good airplay on the up to date Rn’b show’s here in the Uk, and surely it’s only a matter of time that the Usa picks up on this.
Well once again time had reached for me to play the Rare Groove selection part 1 of the show. For those of you that listen in each week I need not say anything more. For those of you that is new to this well. Each week I play two sections of the Rare Groove selection. 3 songs in each section these songs are either bonafide rare grooves, or songs that people have simply forgotten about. (However, if you want to know what was played in this part of the show you will have to listen to the show!)
Nice selection in the Rare Groove selection I must say myself. Anyway moving away from that to this.“It never rains (in sunny California) by Tony, Tone, Toni (1990 release from the album called Revival. Well what can you say about this brilliant, brilliant tune that hasn’t already been said. Probably the boys (Tony, Toni Tony) best ever track, and that is hard to say as they have released so many great like this over the years. I love that violin riff at the start of the track together with the simple drum pattern and bass line. Wow that makes you pay attention. Then the lead singer Raphael Saadiq on this track kicks in. Wow. What a lovely voice he has. But what makes the song sound even stronger is the interplay between the Raphael Saadiq and the rest of the group on this track. A truly wonderful piece of music, and wonderful vocals added for good measure. Please have a listen to this track by clicking on the link below.
The next track to be played is for a group that heralded from Denmark and Germany called Cool Million. That track that I played from them is called “Get up on the floor” (2008 release from the album called “Going out tonight”). This sounds great. It’s got that old style 1980’s groove to it even though it was made in 2008. And I am saying this about the whole album not just about this track. Mid tempo groove that starts of nicely with a Keyboard riff, then comes the injection of rhythm with a nice steady drum beat, bass line. A horn section that comes in and out of this tune is added to the mix, which adds flavour and colour. Then after about 30 seconds Donald McCollum voice comes to the fore. Soulful and well paced enough to match the music and of course riding on top of the music when required. He is helped along with some backing singers, which makes the whole vocal experience on this record sound even better. Have a listen to this track here below by clicking on the link below.
I decided on some different flavours entirely here for the next track. Some Soulful House music on the show I thought would sound nice for my listeners and break up the Soul music onslaught selection that I had played so far. “Feel the music” by Blaze feat Alexander Hope (1997 release) was the track that I hope my listeners would like.
Starts off with a couple of singers belting up the lyric “Feel the music” in a repetative loop the background. Then the music kicks in first the keyboards, then the vibraphone, and then the drum pattern and bass line. Wonderful it really is the way the start of the song with that concept. After about 40 seconds into the song Alexander Hope delicate and soulful vocals kick in, and yet always in the background you can hear the tinkering of someone playing a light and jazzy piano solo. Of course the chorus of “Feel the Music” vocal riff by John Milan and Kevin Hedges of Blaze fame kicks in whilst Alexander Hope sings the lead. For a House music track this is so soulful and jazzy that you will love this track. Please have a listen to it by click on the link below.
Time was now racing ahead for me to play The Rare Groove selection Part 2 of the show. I had 10 minutes left to play this as well. It was a race against time to get them in this week. One or two of the tracks I had to cut short, as I would never have played them all. I mentioned earlier on within this report that each and every week I play 3 songs from yester-year or bonafide rare grooves. However, if you want to hear them then please listen into the show so that you can hear them.
Well that was it for this week. If you listened to the show for the first time then I hope that you will continue to listen in next week. I’ll have more tunes for you. If you have any comments that you wish to make about anything that I have mentioned in this weeks show; or any of the artist/s that I have managed to put down on this week blog. Please leave your comments down on this site. I would love to hear them. Please don't be shy. Just click on the "Comments button" OK? Don't be afraid to have your say here.
If you are an up and coming artists who would like to have their material played on this show. Please get in touch. Just click on the "Comments button" OK? Don't be afraid to have your say here.
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