Column

The Andy Davies soul column (September/October)

First up this month is the new release on my Streetsoul Label. Fellow B&S columnist Snowboy first featured this track on his 1996 album M.F.O.S (Many Faces Of Snowboy). "Where Is The Love" is a 70's throwback sounding tune featuring the vocals of Bob Batterbee who went on to front the Northern Soul band "Soft Tone Needles" before finally relocating to Australia.

Back in 1996 the track was only available on Vinyl album or CD but there were a few white label Promo 12" around too. Snowboy & I decided that this would make a nice 45 so I licensed the track from Acid Jazz Records & it is now finally out there. With the help of some Radio DJ's like Grumpy Brown, June Furlong, Ginger Tony, Stretch Taylor & Paul Phillipsplus with the live DJ's giving it some regular spins it is now really working out there at the soul gigs!! The B side is the [i]Reprise[i] which is a haunting almost instrumental version. Get it now at www.streetsoulrecords.com.

There are some good Soulful House tunes around at the moment. Bo Moore featuring Kavon Brown Love, Joy & Happiness hit's you straight away with its deep, cool vocals. Neil Pierce has a new track out featuring Taliwa called Time Is Now which is very strong but my favourite at the moment has to be Dolls Combers feat Sofia Subina Beautiful Face which is sublime & in my opinion is a proper Soul Record!!! Tunes like this can get overlooked so my advice is go to Traxsource & download it!!

A wicked gospel vocal House track to keep an eye out for is by Davidson Ospina & Oscar P feat the wonderful Vicky Martin Called Only You these are awesome vocals & the D.O.O.P mix is the one that jumps out at me!! Danny Clark featuring SuSu Bobien is another Gospel House tune that deserves a mention as once again SuSu Bobien delivers a fantastic vocal. Deep City Soul featuring Jacqui George We All Fall Down has had the Guy Robin remix treatment and I prefer this version myself as it sounds so soulful. The last one of these to mention this issue is the wonderful Terisa Griffin Please Don't Save Me Maurice Joshua Main Mix. I love this as it's not a really heavy house track and retains all it's soulfulness as well as having a nice old fashioned verse & chorus! Look out for the Westcoast Soulstars forthcoming track Because Of You not sure of a release date just at the moment but this is a killer tune that will be massive on the dance-floors! Some are lucky enough to have a promo copy & it's getting a few spins at the moment. I played it at Phil Kingswood's Mansfield Modern Soul Sessions recently & it got a great response!

There is a new Lalah Hathaway album due on October 18th on Stax Records called Where It all Begins. This will be her 7th album and although I don't have a whole album to review yet I have heard the lead off single which will be If You Want To. One of the writers is Rahsaan Patterson, the tune itself is very R&B influenced but also very solid and I believe it will be a big track. The hook line itself is quite infectious and grows on me every time I hear it. If the album is anything like the first single then I'm sure it will be a good seller.

The Bournemouth Soul Weekender is now selling very quickly so it's advisable to get tickets as soon as you can if you want to go. The Weekender is being held over the weekend of October 28, 29, 30 at The Carrington House Hotel & includes DJ's Bob Masters, Paul Clarke, Chris Bangs, Kev Beadle, Gary Dennis, Andy Davies, Stretch Taylor, Mark Webster, Ginger Tony, Ed Stokes, Bob Jones & Steiner, Tickets are £45 for the whole weekend & are available at Crazy Beat Records 01708 228678 or Music Meltdown 01273 413800. The only number you need for accommodation is 01202 399250.

The Blackpool Tower Weekender is being help over the weekend of November 11th-13th and the Modern Room includes DJ's Terry Jones, Andy Davies, Pete Haigh, Colin Curtis & Jim Hargreaves. Always a good gig & one not to miss.

ANDY DAVIES

If you want your gigs mentioned in this column then please email any info to me at andydaviesccl@hotmail.com or mail@streetsoulrecords.com Thank you!

FOR MORE SOUL NEWS/VIEWS CHECK OUT ANDY'S COLUMN IN B&S' NEXT PRINTED EDITION (OUT OCT 3RD)...

IN THE MAG; ANDY'S REVIEW FOR KENNY THOMAS' NEW ALBUM "BREATHE" AND NEWS OF A RATHER MARVELLOUS NORTHERN SOUL CD FEATURING GLORIA JONES AND JIMMY McFARLAND.