Benjamin Gordon - "Take Me Home"

It's important to note that the real strength of this cut is the magnificent vocal work of guest Adeleye Omotayo, who has such emotion is his voice that it is at times gutting. From the restrained growl of the first few lines to the naked emotion as he quavers "felt the water falling from my eyes / hold me closer let me see / take my hand and hear me cry" at the mid-way point, Omotayo is a force throughout and a name I've now added to my musical radar.

This is the latest single from UK producer Benjamin Gordon's forthcoming Where Did We Get Lost? and if "Back To You" and "Walls Fall Down" didn't already have you marking April 3rd on your calendar maybe the third time's the charm.

Audrey Powne - "Flowers"

I've only made brief mention of Melbourne, Australia act Leisure Centre here on RR, but the contemporary soul group and Hopestreet Recordings roster member have found their way into my playlists and heart.

Despite the group being on my radar, I missed the fact that band-member Audrey Powne released a solo single earlier this year, but thanks to a Bandcamp article about the Brownswood comp Sunny Side Up, I discovered this gem.

It begins with a glissando harp run and then a swelling horn line and by 0:05, I'm completely won over because these things check some psychological boxes for me. All this before the drums kick in and Powne intones "When you bought me roses / I should've questioned your motives." That first five seconds might not be enough for some people, but if you're not all in by the 30 second mark, by all means close the tab on your browser and walk away because I don't know what to say.

I've always looked forward to more from Leisure Centre and the Hopestreet label, but I've added Powne to the list of Melbourne music I'll always press 'play' on.

The Mandatory Eight - "Turn It Out"

No shade against the A-side, "Soul Fanfare #3" but this is one of those instances where the flip-side is even hotter than the ostensible single. Leeds UK's The Mandatory Eight may draw inspiration from classic backing-bands like the Bar-Kays, but they deserve a spot at centre-stage. This 7" comes out on ATA Records, a label that should be familiar to RR readers.

IMANI - "Just Another Love Song"

Not surprised to find this on Bandcamp's Album of the Day page. The lead-off track to Out Of The Blue, a holy grail record from early 80s San Fran, the song belies the title. Portugal's Mad About Records are responsible for the re-issue and making this available for significantly less than the original 500 copies are going for.

Paper Tiger - "The Cycle ft. Steve Spacek"

Has it really been 14 years since Steve Spacek released Space Shift? When I saw his name featured as guest vocalist on this track from Paper Tiger's forthcoming Rogue Planet LP, I did a quick Google search to see just how long ago that broken-beat soul masterwork came out. It's been almost a decade and a half since "Dollar"'s slippery spacey vibe first entranced me (not to be confused with Aloe Blacc's "I Need A Dollar" from 2010).

While he's had some singles and 12" it wasn't until last year's Natural Sci-Fi on Eglo that he was well and truly back and it appears that's continuing on into 2019. Leeds UK sextet Paper Tiger create a wonderful, funky cut for Spacek's vocals to float atop and make me wish for a record where they feature as his backing band the whole way through. It's a great pairing. Rogue Planet comes out April 5 and while it doesn't feature any other collabs, the other tracks streaming on Bandcamp suggest they don't need the talents of a vocalist like Spacek to make a record that sings.

 

Admiral - "Lonely Palms Couch Party"

I don't know what or where a "Lonely Palms Couch Party" is, but if this is the soundtrack I want to be invited. Such a relaxed groove to this tune. That underwater bass line and the crisp snap of the snare keeping the party moving while the organ stabs make it interesting.

The Devonns - "Come Back"

For something that was dashed off, this track has some staying power. Chicago throwback soul group The Devonns apparently wrote "Come Back" in ten minutes. That's less time than I have spent listening to it as I've gone back-to-back-to-back with this tune.

As someone with a son named Isley, I may just be a pushover when it comes to a group that creates a warmth to their recording that bathes the listnere in sound and uses horns and strings to augment a bouncy tune. R.E.M's Ken Stringfellow guests on guitar and percussion and I have to wonder if that glockenspiel is him.

The Come Back b/w Think I'm Falling In Love 7in drops June 8th via Record Kicks but can be heard below or found on the label's Record Kicks 15th compilation. 

And FYI, it's pronounced "De-vaughns," for when you're recommending this group to a friend.

Yazmin Lacey - "Something My Heart Trusts"

It's only one song, but velvet-voiced Yazmin Lacey is back with her second release via First Word Records. Following up March's "90 Degrees" is this slow-burner with a groove that Lacey luxuriates in.

Officially out tomorrow, you can stream it now, below.




I can't fault First Word for the baby-step approach to Lacey's releases but I WANT MORE GOODNESS!!

The Tibbs - "Lies"

Dutch funk/soul band The Tibbs released their full-length record Takin' Over mid-2016 on RR fave Record Kicks and have likely been touring the heck out of it, leaving little time for the studio.
But this morning, in my inbox, "Lies" landed and the actual 45 will be dropping December 1st.

What a  showcase for Elsa Bekman this tune is - she gets breathy, she growls, she howls and she absolutely OWNS this performance. She may be backed by the solid musicians in the band, but when she sings "I've gotta do this by myself," it's in some way a statement about her role on this cut.

Deva Mahal - "Snakes"

Clearly tied into the  gospel origins of soul music, this biblical allegory of a torch song from NYC's Deva Mahal is a stunner. Great voice and an impassioned delivery. Plus, handclaps.

If you don't end up belting out the chorus of "look to the mountains" alongside Mahal, I question your commitment to living.

Myles Sanko - "Forget Me Not (Rob Hardt remix)"

Always happy to have some new Sanko in my inbox. Can't wait to hear the original tune and the b-side "Promises" but for now the disco-strut of the Rob Hardt remix is a groovy way to approach the weekend.

The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY - "My God Has A Telephone"

In the world of drummers stepping out from behind the kit to take the mic, it seldom works out, but when it does, boy does it ever.

Aaron Frazer, timekeeper for Durand Jones & The Indications, hinted at his vocal chops on "Is It Any Wonder" from last year's Durand Jones & The Indications LP. With his new project The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY, Frazer just dropped a gospel gem that's coming out as a 45 on Colemine Records.

(The Ohio soul label is also set to release the third record from Ikebe Shakedown, who were previously on RR fave Ubiquity Records).

Even before I heard Frazer's falsetto on "My God Has A Telephone," I knew I was going to love this cut. The ascending / descending bass guitar line that is tagged with a glockenspiel chime before the beat kicks in is the subtle promise that this sh*t is going to BURN.

SO HOT.

Chris LaRocca - "Wild"

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

August 23rd. That's the date Chris LaRocca drops Voila, his new EP and you need to book some time off that day to absorb the record and probably some more time to head home and play it under the covers with your lover.

Forget #followfriday on social media, today with "Wild" it's #f**kfriday (even though this dropped on Wednesday).

Get it on.

Yazmin Lacey - "A Mother Lost"

The entirety of the Black Moon EP is worth your time, but start with the subtle, jazzy "A Mother Lost." Yazmin Lacey's vocals manage to somehow seem both light and effortless, while conveying weight and depth in this beautifully sad song.

Mel Alston Jr. - "The Big Picture"

It's not the song they've embedded on their piece about the best new soul releases, but kudos to Bandcamp for bringing Dayton, Ohio's Mel Alston Jr. to my attention. After listening to leadoff track "The Day After Forever" I just let the LP keep rolling and when "The Big Picture" (track 3) hit, I was all in on this soul-singer. Great plaintive voice, fantastic production, this is some top-shelf r&b.

Profusion - "Where Do I Begin?"

Formed from a connection on MySpace (!!??) Profusion is a collaboration between Emeson and K15. Subtle beats and smooth vocals = contemporary soul.

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - "Sleep Demon"

Since the rise of Courtney Barnett I've been enjoying a lot of indie-rock coming out of Australia (Heart Beach, Julia Jacklin, anon.) but thanks to the folks at Hope Street Recordings, it's becoming a great source of soul music as well. My first discovery from the label was the country-soul of The Meltdown (think Jeb Loy Nichols) and now comes The Cactus Channel and Sam Cromack's collaboration, Do It For Nothing. Cromack's the guest vocalist and boy does he bring the heat. Torch-song level emotion throughout the EP, but particularly on "Sleep Demon" below.

Keep your eyes on Hope Street and your ears on their roster!

Abhi/Dijon - "Often"

They've only got eight tracks on Soundcloud and "Often" is the first one in about a year, but GODDAM, does it make me eager for more. Contemporary electro-soul with breathy vocals and subtle production? COUNT ME IN.

Jimetta Rose - "Rhythm Of Life"

Rose just dropped her new album The Light Bearer last Friday. Lead-off track "Rhythm of Life" is an insistently shuffling tune that marches onward the way time does - but with a little bit of a swagger-step that you'd expect from something produced by the Goddess Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Nubiyan Twist - "Nubiyan Twist: Work House Mode"

The final track on London UK 12-piece Nubiyan Twist may be the end to the record, but let it be the start to your week. Ease on in and sip that coffee while you bliss.