Natalie Williams - This Girl (2006)

Natalie William's has to be one of the most underrated Soul singers in the UK. In 2012 she began working with Incognito and in the following year this talent lady was a MOBO nominee. As far as I can tell she is currently still touring with Incognito as one of it lead singers which just about says it all. The track I'm featuring today is taken from her 2006 album Secret Garden.  It's a great retro sounding track which should please Old Skool 70s "Modernists" as well as delighting Propa Modern Soul lovers. Love the hippy style official video with VW Camper Van. Enjoy!

To find out more about NATALIE WILLIAM'S why not visit her website.

Just click on her photo below to whizz you there!

Vinyl lovers will be delighted!

The original version featured here plus remixes was issued as a 12!

Details below! Happy hunting!

DISCOGS DETAILS HERE

or do the CD thing

Amazon UK

Faith Evans - Love Like This (1998)

Time for another brief trip to the late 1990s and revisit to Faith Evans in her hey day.  So, it was a commercially successful track, so what? When it's good, it's good and I don't particularly care if its commercially successful as long as it has what it takes to be soulful and touch the parts other types of music can't. Just love this one because, pun intended, it keep the Faith. Enjoy!

The CD single taken from the Album...

Album still available and perhaps one of her most soulful.

Amazon UK.

Maxine Braham - I Wish (2004)

I have this fabulous album that I bought on spec by a lady called Maxine Braham. It's called 'If' and was released in 2004. That's about it. Lots of great tracks matched only zip info about Ms. Braham.  So if anyone can fill me in about her it would be great. In the meantime I'm going to feature I Wish from it and leave it with you. Sorry, today's item is on the brief side. All this commuting by air to between Spain and the UK sometimes leaves me a bit worn out.  Today is one of those sometimes as feet hit Blighty in the early hours.  Enough of my personal grouching and on with the music.  (This is one of several tracks from her album I plan to feature over time). Enoy this choice soulful mid-tempo stepper.

Approaching scarcity levels on CD Universe. 

Copies may still be available at better prices from Amazon UK,

Marzette Griffith - Keep On Steppin' (2007) & Nothing But A Party (Extended Mix)

Welcome to the King of Steppers. Marzette Griffith is one of Chicago finest entertainers with a superb vocal range. He is a former lead singer of Essence from back in the day as well as ASAP in the 90s before embarking on a solo career.  Both of today's feature tracks are all about getting it on  on the dance floor. These cuts are infectious, exciting and adrenaline fuelling.  I have selected the extended version of Nothing But A Party which is much better than the album version, although that's pretty sound. Also, a link to see Marzette Griffith performing live to prove what a great soulful vocalist he is. But first of all from his 2007 album And Now Marzette Griffith...  Keep On Steppin' . This is a mid-tempo stepper for those who like top keep their dance floor moves down tempo , smooth and chilled.

Ok. Let's go for the main vein with Nothing But A Party (Extended Version) which is a reworking of the original  4.41 version from the album Touch My Lips. This picks up the tempo and is made quite literally for partying hard.

If that doesn't make you want to go and step then there's not much hope for you and it's time to get your slippers on and stay in watching the TV.  As for me I plan to keep steppin'.

Marzette Griffith isn't just one of those studio artists. He his great live and a pleasure to watch as a performer.  Also check out the dancers and the moves they make. Steppin' is nothing like Northern Soul dance steps.

Click on the pic below to visit his website. There's more to Marzette Griffith than meets the eye.

Brenda Bee - Love Is Always Around (2014)

Those who like their Soul Retro sounding 70s it's your lucky day  today. The Contemporary Soul Music scene is international and today's featured artist  hails from the Netherlands.  Dutch singer Brenda Bee released an album  entitled Sweet Disguise (2013), (some sources say 2014) When I first heard this I thought it was a 70s cut  that I'd not previously come across. It had all the hallmarks of that period including the sweet vocal delivery of female songstresses. I was delighted to learn that it was not genuine 70s. Brenda Bee is a blue-eyed Soul singer with just one album release. Not only does she have that amazingly  soulful voice but the string sounds of the arrangement are just so typical 70s it's untrue.  

If I was mean I would suggest to some of the Modern Room 70s specialist DJ's should cover it up and get it played. Unfortunately, with so many suffering from vinyl obsessed addiction that would not be possible as this is unavailable in that format as far as I'm aware.

Ok lets play...

Her album is only available in the UK (as far as I know as a download)

Amazon UK or you can try CDBaby

Just to prove how good this young lady is I'm leaving you today with a couple of bonus links, See Ms. Bee in action in a rehearsal/radio studio doing a cover of John Mayer's Gravity. Man is that awesome. Blows my mind because its pure, pure, pure Soul. Just brilliant, just amazing.

Here's more: Brenda Bee doing Mystified in a more contemporary vein...

Kickin' !!!

Lisa Deveaux - Get Up On It (2011)

Like your rare groove with a touch of soulful funk and ready for filling the dance floor to capacity? Today's track meets those criteria.   Get Up On It is the opening track from Lisa Deveaux's album Language of Love (2011).  For some reason I'm reminded of AWB but with a a top female vocal.  Get a load of this make 'em monster mover.

Now see her doing the number live! (Brief PROMO clip)

Also got to recommend the softer, jazz orienteated and superbly soulful side of Ms. Deveaux. Take a look and listen to her track  Language of Love (2011) from the album of the same title.

Fancy hearing and seeing a little more? Take a look at her performing Closer live on stage.

By way of a bonus. Anyone who loves their internet radio soul connections there's a video podcast link that includes an interview with Lisa Deveaux which is worth the time and effort. Additionally, you get to here some mighty fine dj patter as well great choonz.

Catch some info about the tasty and flava-some Ms. Deveaux by clicking on the photo below.

Her album Language of Love (2011) is still available as a CD but also as downloads.

CDBaby   Amazon

Egheosa - Ease Ur Mind (2006)

I've tried to find some information about Egheosa but have not had much luck. Apparently she has been a backing singer for Glenn Jones and Tony Terry. Additional she has been a member of some R&B bands but information in this respect is thin. Her exact home location is not clear but she appears to hail from Miami, Florida and is a graduate of  The Howard University and the winner of the Downbeat Magazine Award.

If you like your Soul music rare, hard to find and little known then start here with Ease Ur Mind.

Soul Buffet (2006) is still available from all the usual sources. CD Baby appears to have most of her recorded output. Amazon would probably also be worth a try.

Stacie Orrico - Take Me Away (2006 UK 2007 US)

Stacie Orrico was born in Seattle of Italian parents.  Only 12 years old when she signed her first label deal she eventually moved to Virgin Records before deciding to exit the music business for a while. She has released three albums in total and according to latest updates was working on a new one.  When asked about her musical influences she replied :

"All of my influences are very soulful musicians – my favorite artist is Lauryn Hill, and I've always loved Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Ella Fitzgerald."

Today's featured track is taken from her Beautiful Awakenings (2006) album.  Take Me Away is made for Modern Soul Room dance floors. A mid-tempo charmer that's really catchy.  Give it a whirl.

As a bonus I'm providing two more links today. The first is a for I'm Not Missing You also from the Beautiful Awakenings album. The other is from the Live DVD of her tour in Japan showing her performing live and revealing what an awesome talent she is. 

Watch her performing Stuck with a jazzy Soul flava. This is no fluffy R&B tonsil tickler. This is a full on Soul songstress. Fabulous voice.

For those of you who want to see more of this young lady live and have the time to spare why nit watch the full 1 hour 6 minute concert in Japan. Because it was recorded live she was definitely not lip sync-ing like so many do.

Told you she was talented...and then some.

The album is available from Amazon UK.

Andre Lee - One Night Stand (2008)

Andre Lee has a distinctive story telling style of vocals reminiscent of Joe Tex back in the 60s . If you enjoy Southern Soul then you'll enjoy this tale about a One Night Stand.  The backing chorus on this is superb. It's just a shame a proper horn section a la Memphis Stax is missing replaced by a synth. Oh well! I suppose the expense was too great for the real thing. Imagine this being performed with a Mar-keys style horn section in the background instead of the synth.  ("Oh, Yeah!") Let's not take anything away from Andre Lee's vocals. Nor from the song itself. 

So, give a big hand for the the Balladeer of Southern Soul as he tells you the tale of a One Night Stand. (By the way it's not smutty but it does reflect 21st century life more than the 60s!)

One Night Stand is taken from Andre Lee's second album Straight From The Heart (2008), his first released back in 1998 entitled So Good. (Still just about available. See Amazon UK for the few remaining copies).  One Night Stand and the other tracks from Straight From The Heart are available as downloads.

Elliot Luv - Certified Sexy (2011)

Looking back over the past days I've noticed that we've had the ladies predominating in the daily features so it's time to get a few male performers to appear. Elliot Luv is based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Today's featured track, Certified Sexy, is taken from his second album Soulcial Engineering (2011).  Click on the album cover below to hear it on Soundcloud. 

Album available for CD Baby as downloads.

Or on Amazon UK as downloads.

Love the sound of this one. It's such an original cut  with a distinct hip-hop feel but in a Soulful setting. Given it's taken from and called Soulcial Engineering that can hardly be surprising. Still, I won't hold ther hip-hop part against it.

Want to know more about Elliot Luv?

Click on the photo below,

Tamia - Stranger In My House (2000)

Yes, it was big back in 2000 and hardly surprising. But when good is excellent then excellent deserves a feature. So, in case you forgot about this one or just plain missed it back then when we entered the new millennium now's the time to put it right. Tamia has been active since the mid 90s when she was featured on the Quincy Jones release You Put A Move On My Heart. Her first eponymous album Tamia (1998) was released although she had had releases alongside other illustrious Soul performers like Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Babyface, Barry White and  The Wu Tang Clan. Since that debut albums she has released a further  five, the last Beautiful Surprise in 2012.

As always it's paramount to listen to the lyrics and the story they express. Then really you have to decide does the performance match the content. I've always thought it did. Why not write a comment. Opinion is always free. 

  When love falls apart, with the suggestion of infidelity happening, has not been  portrayed bettered than with these lyrics. A great song superbly performed. Not one for the dance floor but then not all good Soul music was meant for dancing. Sometimes it's better for reflection and for the soul.

The down side is the video. Given the sensuous, highly erotic portrayal by Tamia you have to wonder what moron would want to cheat on her???? Or am I missing something here?

And now for something completely deeper...

From 2008. The lyrics are everything.

Hmmm. Guaranteed to make you think. interesting interpretation of  very interesting lyrics.

Comments please?

Visit Tamia's website. Click on the photo beneath.

Heather Headley - In My Mind and In My Mind (Freemasons Remix)

Heather Headley, Trinadadian born, is one of the top soulful performers working in the States. Her career has been varied and interesting and I'll provide you with a link so you can check out her bio. Today's belated feature track is a double take. I'd like you to take the time to listen to what is one of the best Soul tracks I've heard in the last ten years namely the original version of In My Mind from her 2006 album. Then I'd like you to lend an ear to hearing the Freemason Remix of  In My Mind which I also think is a great remix aimed squarely at the dancers out there.  I think they're both awesome versions proving the obvious: songs can be interpreted differently which is why Remixing can be a great thing if it's done the right way. OK. On with the music.

Now listen to it turned up tempo by The Freemasons.

According to the discography the original version appeared on her album in 2006 but the Freemason remixe(s) came a year earlier? Very strange. Anyway whichever way they came out just be happy they did. This is a very fine choon whichever version you like. Da business.

This is the album you need to get hold of...preferably on CD.

Amazon UK

Want to know more about Heather Headley?

Click on her photo for the full SP on her website..

Wikipedia Link: HEATHER HEADLEY.

Leela James - Miss You (2009) & Tell Me You Love Me (2010)

Better later than not at all with today's featured artist and track. if you were wondering why the delay then the simple answers goes like this: received a massive batch of new CD albums today and just had to start listening, didn't I? Apart from which novels don't write themselves so there has to be obligatory daily word output as well. Enough of that. What you really want to know is something about today's feature. 

OK Soul fans. Time for the Rolling Stones to get the Soul treatment courtesy of Leela James, one of the most soulful female vocalists of a very soulful 21st Century contingent currently performing. Ms. James has taken one of the classic Stones tracks and given it a significant remake over improving on it IMHO. Back in the day when the Stones were getting off the ground they like to do covers of Blues and Soul numbers. Now it's their turn... Miss You is taken from the Let's Do It Again (2009) album which is essentially Leela James proving she can take the oldies and do them better. OK. Let's see what you make of her make over.

In an entirely different vein Tell Me You Love Me is taken from her 2010 album My Soul released on the resurrected STAX label. Here you get to see the gentler. Here she is in a less grittier but oh so soulful romantic mood. I can't quite place the sample. I know I should know it but it escapes me. This like Miss You has a distinct retro feel about it. Definitely a case of returning to pure Soul roots but living and working it in the new millennium. Enjoy the video of Leela James singing the song.

The 2 Album (Covers).

Let's Do It Again (2009) Album Cover.

My Soul (2010) released on STAX.

For those of you who like your Soul more in a  more House vein see what you think of this remix?

Miss You (The Tony Loreto Mix)

Not toe-tapping? Call the funeral home and start making the arrangements.

For more on Leela James click on the photo beneath to visit her website.

Sandra St. Victor - I Am Better (2011)

Sandra St. Victor hails from Dallas, Texas. She is better known as the one time lead singer of The Family Stand (Remember Ghetto Heaven?) A graduate of the world famous Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts she is a singer/songwriter/producer /arranger and talented instrumentalist who plays the piano and clarinet.  During the 80's she worked as a backing singer touring with Chaka Khan, Glenn Jones, and Freddie Jackson.  Her solo debut only happened in 1993 but it was not until 1996 and the release of her first official album Mack Diva Saves The World that her career got properly underway.

  Moving to Europe at the start of the new millennium she formed a touring group known as the daughters of Soul whose membership included at one time or another:  Nona Hendryx (of LaBelle), Joyce Kennedy, Deniece Williams, Caron Wheeler (of Soul II Soul,)  Lalah Hathaway, Indira Khan (daughter of Chaka), Simone (daughter of Nina Simone), and Leah McCrae (daughter of George & Gwen McCrae). 

Today's featured track is taken from a Josh Milan compilation production, Honeycomb MusiC Vol.1 (2011).

The album is still available on Amazon US.

Also from Amazon UK.

You can listen to I Am Better (2011) on youtube (video below).

You can find out more about Sandra St. Victor by visiting her site.

Hear some more choons from the lady. Click on the photo below.