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The Andy Davies soul column (April)
I am going to start this month's column with the new release from my Streetsoul Records label. C&C Music Factory's Share That Beat Of Love has had the Regrooved treatment by Neil Thompson & it is that track the features as the A side of a new vinyl 45.
STREETSOUL RELEASES
The original version which appeared on the Anything Goes album from 1994 has been used as the B side. The Regrooved version has been getting spins for a couple of months now & is a massive tune on the Modern Soul scene. Championed by various DJ's like Paul "Stretch" Taylor and many others on radio & particularly in the clubs, this tune is now one of the most in demand at the moment!! There has been a limited press of these 45's so my advice is to buy one while you still can as there are no Digital Downloads available to purchase. Check out my site www.streetsoulrecords.com to buy.
SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 47
The biggest Soul/Black Music event of them all happens over the weekend of May 6th-8th. The Southport Weekender has now moved to Butlins in Minehead and still has some places left now that the promoters are able to fit more people in! The live acts are also now confirmed and are as follows: Raphael Saadiq , Naughty By Nature, Sounds Of Blackness, Alice Russell, N'Dambi, Avery Sunshine, Rasmus Faber, Ben Westbeech plus a special Soul review featuring Dexter Wansel, Al Johnson & Marilyn Ashford Brown. Lots of the world's best DJ's will be appearing too and you can go to the website for more details and bookings www.southportweekender.co.uk or call 0844 879 7210.This really is an exciting move & I for one can't wait to DJ there!!
LUXURY SOUL WEEKENDER
The Luxury Soul Weekender is at the Birmingham Hilton Hotel from May 27th-29th.Weekend passes without accommodation are now available and you can call Ticketline 0161 832 1111 or visit www.jazzfm.com for details of how to purchase them. The live act for this event is Eric Benet and the Weekender also features DJ's such as Myself, xxxxBob Jeffries, Gary Dennis, Richard Searling, Ralph Tee, Terry Jones, Colin Curtis and many more. This is a fantastic event and again one not to be missed.
There are some nice tunes around on vinyl at the moment and it's good to see Expansion releasing Tom Glide's Luv Is Comin' Up as a 45.I really like the Chris Bangs Soul In One remix and there is a Cool Million Remix on the flip side too! I love the new Jonny Montana feat Pete Simpson 12" Maybe We Could Be Free Fine vocals & four good mixes to choose from. Yass, Tony Loreto & Arnold Jarvis have a strong tune out called Let Go but I think contender for tune of the moment has to be Ziggy Funk feat Taliwa Everyday A fantastic chugging backbeat & cool vocals!! The tune is not too Housey & is getting many plays at the moment! A nice "Real Soul" double header is the new 45 from the Soul Intention label. They have unearthed a gem with Otis Williams Take Me Back b/w I Got To Have You this is certainly one the collectors will go for.
THE SOUL ESSENCE WEEKENDER
Talking of the more collectable Soul, The Soul Essence Weekender takes place at the Raynescourt Hotel in Great Yarmouth from April 8th-10th. DJ's including Bob Cosby, Gavin Page, Steve Plumb, Bob Jones, Steve Guarnori, Soul Sam & many others will be playing at the event which has a main room plus a Deep Lounge for the more esoteric soul & the collectable ballads. The number to call for bookings is 01525 375404
SOUL JUNCTION/JO STANCE/TERRI TOBIN
AND WILLIAM ROSARIO NEWS
Soul Junction have released another great two sider on 45 from Jesse James I Gave You Love With An A+ b/w Are You Gonna Leave Me this is definitely one to buy if you like quality Real Soul and the 45 was released in conjunction with Jesse's recent live performance at the Prestatyn Weekender.
The new album from Jo Stance is doing well on Ricky Tik Records. A retro style sound that gives us 12 tracks. The main ones for me are Changes which is a jumpy sort of tune, my favourite is Hey Girl which is a Northern Soul sound & stands out as track of the album for me, a jazzy tune called Gone mixes up the styles a bit and there are also good tracks Sticky & I'll Find You Included so all in all a nice album to own!
Seductive Souls Is This Love is a fantastic way to start with it's Funky feel. Jazz cuts from Tape Five, Milano Jazz Dance Combo and Renegades Of Jazz with Karabine sit very nicely in the middle of the album with cracking tracks from Monday Michiru Weak and the Soulful House Lose My Worries from Inaya Day & Ralf Gum, DJ Kawasaki ft Carolyn Harding It Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' & Papik Staying For Good finishing off. It's all here!! Soul, Funk Jazz & Soulful Dance. Well done to Ginger Tony for producing a quality eclectic album that is a treat for music fans & refreshing to hear.
Neo-Soul fans are going to like the new album from Teri Tobin Love Infinity on Sol 2 Kep Ent Records. 13 songs that are influenced by 70's Soul / Neo-Soul which are smooth, sultry & very soulful! The first track that jumps out at me is Free which I think is a great soulful tune. Other tracks that stand out are Feels So Good, I'm In Love and Touch The Sky If you like your soul cool & relaxing then you can buy this from CD Baby or I-Tunes. I believe this is getting some heavy radio play at the moment. I'd like to thanks Darla Tobin-Blakes for sending me the album to review.
Download wise I'm absolutely loving William Rosario feat. Duane Harden Lastin Luv It's a Soulful House tune with gospel style vocals & has a great chant From Now On running through it which makes it a kind of anthemic tune already! look out for it!
Many gigs coming up so I will be back here again in May to tell you all about them!
Andy Davies
Please feel free to contact Andy with any soul news/event news that you feel would benefit others at andydaviesccl@hotmail.com or mail@streetsoulrecords.com Thank you.
