Juno Recommends Soul: November 2022

Review: There's a reason that original copies of Marcia Hines' 1976 single 'You Gotta Let Go' change hands for genuinely eye-watering sums online: it's genuinely brilliant. One of the 'Holy grails' of Australian soul and funk, the track was originally released on a tiny Sydney-based label and, bar plays from a few local DJs, largely sank without trace. Happily Selector Series has delivered this much-needed reissue. As with the original 45, it pairs the astonishingly good 'You Gotta Let Go' - a classic chunk of soaring, orchestra-sporting sing-along dancefloor soul from the era when disco had yet to be defined - with the sweet and cheery 'Don't Let The Grass Grow', which sounds like a long-lost Jacksons record featuring a very young Michael Jackson.

Review: Djar One has been busy slinging out funky 7"s since 2015, doing some choice remixes and cut-up breakbeat joints for the DJs to get busy with, and he's back on his Beats House label with another sure shot. This time he's taking to Gloria Jones original stomping classic, 'Tainted Love', and giving it a respectful re-rub to do even more damage on the floor. On the flip, we get a rushing version of Roy Redmond's take on 'Ain't That Terrible', which sounds like a mighty juggernaut crying out for the talc to get thrown down on this essential single.

Review: Jalen Ngonda is the latest talent to join the excellent ranks of US label Daptone. Here he serve sup his first music after a life formed in just outside of Washington D.C.. Since age 11 he has been deep into the joys of soul music and now he is a standalone artist with incredible skills. Here hex pores mid-tempo and mellow sounds with their own unique take on his Motown roots. 'Just Like You Used To' has a warm rhythm section that allows Jalen's vocals to soar. Flip it over for 'What a Difference She Made' with its lush strings and plaintive vocal.

Review: Djar One has been busy slinging out funky 7"s since 2015, doing some choice remixes and cut-up breakbeat joints for the DJs to get busy with, and he's back on his Beats House label with another sure shot. This time he's taking to Gloria Jones original stomping classic, 'Tainted Love', and giving it a respectful re-rub to do even more damage on the floor. On the flip, we get a rushing version of Roy Redmond's take on 'Ain't That Terrible', which sounds like a mighty juggernaut crying out for the talc to get thrown down on this essential single. This particular edition comes as a fetching magenta pressing too, so don't sleep if you love a bit of coloured wax.

Review: Now this is the kind of disco-soul we should be propping up. An outsider disco favourite, Sweet Clover's 1979 'You're What I Need' is a creaky, wonky honker of a tune, blending traditionally 'theque-worthy vocals with lo-fi, laboured beat, unusual for productions at the time. Production was handled by writer and producer Willie McClain, a criminally little-known talent behind a slew of acetates backing names like Ernest Rodgers and Arena Allen. The talkbox on the B2, the unreleased 12" version, is sublime. Don't miss out on this mega-weird new reissue from Kalita.

Review: A crunchy and honest reissue of Loleatta Holloway's 'I Can't Help Myself', which has only seen a smidgen of recognition compared to what it deserves so far. Originally featured on the 'Cry To Me' LP for DJs, the song is a strutting ode to dashed expectations in love. The B-side, 'Mrs So & So's Daughter', meanwhile, meditates through dry, electric funk. Astonishing remaster from Kent Dance.

Review: Intriguing new reissue from Ernie & The Family McKone on the acclaimed Boogie Back, just one of many labels to focus on obscure street soul, freestyle and R&B since the early 90s. One side is a freestylectro remix of an absolute classic, while the B's 'Make A Move On Me' is much sultrier, replete with digital organs and soft strings against a steady-sexy house backing.

Review: On first listen, one might consider 'Now That You Want Me Back' a time-honoured reissue, but it's actually one Stone Foundation's most recent bits, featuring on their last album 'Outside Looking In'. The funk and soul ensemble here team up with Melba Moore for a funky, phoned-in vocal linkage, spanning only the best performances the modern soul landscape has to offer.

Review: We haven't heard any new music from super soul group The Ironsides since back in 2020. Boy, how the world has changed dance then, Anyway, their sound has not and is just as life-enriching as ever across these two new tunes. First up is the glorious 'The Changing Light' with its lush sounds and catchy melodies and then on the flip is 'Sommer' which is just as able to melt your heart. The good news is they also have a new album coming on the label either next year or the year after so keep those eyes and ears peeled.

Review: Stone cold classic double sider of sumptuous soul here from Superfly. Frankie 'Zhivago' Young fist offers the glorious 'Someone Stole Your Love' which has long been an A-grade- 45rpm with soul collectors who really know. The lo-fi production and muted chords convey real pain beneath the aching vocal. On the flip, 'I'm Yours' is another standout that has somehow never actually before been pressed on 7. It comes here with a top-notch picture sleeve. A real must-have for soul fans.

Review: Soul, disco, funk and boogie all combine to superb effect here on this new one from Savoir Faire on Miles Away. The A-side is a glorious two-stepper with Cassandra Wright's next-level vocals shining bright up top next to a deeper male vocal as the drums and funky bass unravel on 'Holding On.' Flip it over and the pace picks up but the soul remains high on 'You're The Best' which has a more yearning vibe and hip swinging claps next to lush strings and call and repose vocals over a squelchy boogie bassline. Super stuff.

Review: Some seriously classic soul vibes shine bright on this new 45 rpm from Dayton Grey. It's one that will have Northern Soul fans in a spin too, literally and emotionally, with its gorgeously sweet and smooth vocals. They soar over nimble drums and swooping strings that add the lushness on A-side 'Love Is On The Line.' On the flip, 'He Won't Love You (Like I Do)' slows things down and wallows in more mournful vocals and sombre melodies over heavier-hearted drums. Both tunes are life-enriching for different reasons.

Review: Gil Scott-Heron's 'Pieces Of A Man' was the first LP recorded by the poet and musician, made and released in 1971. Owing to the album's importance, BGP have released two of its most standout tracks, the title track and 'Think I'll Call It Morning', on a limited 7" that will doubtess prove exceptionallyy handy for DJs who need to get straight down to business.

Review: Mr Bongo take a trip back into the golden era of boogie with this choice reissue from the mighty Elite label. There were countless classics on there back in the day, but they were rarely pressed in mammoth quantities and so some have become highly prized items in the ever-ravenous second hand scene. Beverley Skeete laid down some killer singles in the early stretch of her career, and 'Warm' is one of them. Originally out in 1985 and sounding as funky as ever, it's a great opportunity to cop this jam, which comes backed with the lilting finery of 'If The Feeling Is Right', an evergreen downtempo soul jam originally put out in 1983.

Review: Originally planned for release last year to mark the 50th anniversary of the album's creation, Gil Scott-Heron's most renowned full-length returns in stunning, audiophile quality sound. This time round, the album has been stretched across two discs, both of which have been pressed at 45rpm for louder sound. Created by Scott-Heron and musical sparring partner Brian Jackson with the assistance of producer Bob Thiele, Pieces of a Man remains an incredible album, with a string of classic cuts - think 'Home is Where The Hatred Is', 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and 'Save the Children' - being joined by such lesser-celebrated delights as the fizzing 'Lady Day and John Coltrane', the blissful 'I Think I'll Call It Morning' and 'A Sign of the Ages'.

Review: The Vee Gees began as 'The African Americans', but their name was later changed to 'The Versatile Gents' aka. The Vee Gees following a spate of creative differences over their original name. 'Talkin' was born from the breaksy sweet soul sound of the early '70s, which touched on the wall of emotive sound that pigeonholed the sound of rare groove. The song is devotional and improvisatory, spiffingly showing off Robert Evans' pitch-perfect dialogue with the thing upstairs.

Review: The mighty Tramp label welcomes Reno And The Chosen 3 for some classic soul gems here. The first cut is 'Soul Bagg' and is powered by some great Hammond Organ work that's lively and dances over rolling drums and nice twanging guitar riffs that have a subtle but psyched-out 60s feel. The party picks up with the more swinging sounds of 'You Are My Sunshine' on the backside. This one has a big female diva vocal and some high-grade Northern Soul energy that will light up any floor.

Review: Still peddling pure and fast jazz-funk disco, and coming straight from the source, Afrodisia are an ingeniously named German band whose stated intent was to transcend colour and creed through the mode of music. The band barely squeezed by with four EPs and an LP to their name; these two new cuts were recorded for a second album, which never saw the light of day. The A cut is the highlight, being the dreamiest and creamiest of the two.

Review: All-female disco and soul band Say She She finally unveil their long-awaited debut album here. 'Prism' is the sort of album that transports you to another world with its lush melodies and dreamy soundscapes. Made up of Piya Malik (who is part of El Michels Affair), as well as Nya Parker Brown and Sabrina Cunningham, the band are perfect harmonisers who here nod to the sound of the late 70s. Their scoring vocals and multi-instrumentalist grooves lift you off your feet across a series of tunes that have been, on the whole, self-released. What an achievement it is too.

Review: Dreamy, lo-fi souldance from Curtis Lee, a rare name in the world of soul and funk who released but one small on Canton, Ohio's Spade Records in 1979 - this now cutely-reissued single, 'Steppin'. Featuring the crooner doubling up with an uncredited female vocalist on a late-night boozy rendezvous, we're keen to learn a new meaning of the word "steppin'". 'Funkadize Me Please' is an equally charming and naive B-side, predictive of the stark minimality found in much UK soul.