Juno Recommends Soul: March 2023

Review: Say She She are the latest all-girl soul group to watch out for. This new single from the trio is an infectiously bluesy and 'discodelic' number, channelling a Bond-theme sophistication in its laid-back meander through funky-drummer rhythms and harmonious singing. The song concerns a troublesome love interest. "You're trouble/going nowhere" repeats the refrain, as impeccable vocal skills are demonstrated, and emotional gaps in our souls are filled.

Review: The story of Teddy Pendergrass is a great but rather tragic one. The legendary vocalist had a truly great voice that is well known in the soul world but later in life was confined to a wheelchair after a car crash, although his career continued until his retirement in 2007. John Morales is an equally legendary producer who single-handedly invented the idea of the remix. It is he who has assembled this collection of some of Teddy's greatest moments under the fitting title of The Voice. All his classics are here from 'Don't Leave Me This Way' to 'If You Don't Know Me By Now.'

Review: Warren Raye is a lesser-known figure on the international soul and funk circuit, but in 1986 he unveiled his new funk contraption, The Infernal Blues Machine, to plenty of local acclaim. This damnably infectious funk engine was comprised of Raye plus three more cogs, Greg Middleton, Gregg Parker, Mike Kavanaugh. But in order to power the machine, there needed to be a human touch. 'It's The Feeling I Get' is a case in point - a downtempo, glorious and glitzy track that flagrantly shows off the miracle of soul.

Review: The Altons turn up the heat with another platter produced by the Inland Empire's own, Bosco Mann. A soulful duet at its core, 'Float' finds the group exploring new realms of pop excellence. The sophisticated arrangement and instrumentation gives the tune a cinematic feel that builds to a crescendo of psychedelic, swirling of strings - immersing the listener in a wash of Morricone-tinged euphoria. A track that wouldn't be out of place in the next 007 blockbuster. On the flip is "Cry for Me", a latin-tinged mover featuring Adriana Flores on lead vocal. Her pleading, soulful delivery gives the bouncy, hook-laden tune a seriousness that's simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking.

Review: Germany's gold standard soul, funk and sick label Tramp has dug deep again for this one. It's a reissue of Joe Washington & Wash's 1975 EP Blueberry Hill. It's a slice of wax that is hard to find and pricey on the second hand market and it's not hard to see why. The A-side title track is a funky number with big wind stabs and loose-limbed drums, hand claps and organic percussion. Pure vibes. 'Look Me In The Eyes' gets more raw and vulnerable with a slow motion, string-laced soul sound that will melt the heart.

Review: Thee Sacred Souls dropped a well-received debut album last year after a great run of singles, all of which came on the Penrose label out of Spain. They have already started with more singles post that LP and 'Future Lover' is next up. The title tune takes up the a-side with its slow-motion soul, languid guitar licks and gorgeous vocal harmonies. Fans of Leon Bridges or Khruangbin will love this one. 'For Now' then strips right back to a beautiful falsetto and star-gazing guitar that makes you ache for you don't know what, but it's a lovely feeling.

Review: Kent Records continue their mission to reissue a string of perhaps-released, perhaps-not music from the untapped vaults of Northern soul. 'Who' might just be the next standard for the diggers' genre; performed on vocals by obscure soul-feeder Jackie Dee, the track is a lo-fi yet ultimately danceable jam, dealing with the disbelief of it being you, as opposed to anyone else. An unreleased version of the song by The Dave Hamilton band on the B-side amps up the funk, brightening up the bass and rhythm guitar elements for a breezier take on things.

Review: The Classic Example are a classic example of exemplary boy-girl soul greatness. While they're best known for their self-titled 1972 album, they otherwise remained relatively obscure in their heyday, save for a couple more single releases. While the bulk of their music came out on GSF, recent years have seen to their unearthing by Kent Records, who have taken on the job of reissuing a string of perhaps-released, perhaps-not music from the vaults. 'Right On' is the known one of the bunch; an ant-hater anthem for the ages. 'I Found Me A Girl', meanwhile, is a triplet-time soul jam for the sense of relief that sets in on falling in love.

Review: Cantaro Ihara won himself plenty of friends in the deep-digging vinyl community last year with a very special Japanese cover of free soul star Weldon Irvine's 'I Love You' on a lush little 45rpm. It is now a hard-to-find and expensive record that has been remixed by the one and only beatmaker DJ Mitsu The Beats. He adds one his tight, textbook beats under the lush and airy vocal harmonies to make for something playful and jazzy. On the flip is an instrumental version that really showcases DJ Mitsu The Beats next-level production chops. Cop this one while you can, because it's sure to fly just like the original.

Review: Karma Chief is a sub-label of the excellent Colemine and here they welcome back Trans-Atlantic trio Say She She. The group is made up of Londoner Piya Malik, New Yorker Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and DC native Nya Gazelle Brown and this is their third single from their debut album Prism. Once again it deals in loose-limbed funk grooves and crystal clear vocal top lines with plenty of talented soul musicians also involved. Members from the Daptone label have helped to produce this one which pairs a 1970s early soul vibe with fresh modern production.

Review: We are big fans of New York label Big Crown here at HQ. It seems they rarely put out a dud and this one is no exception. Norwegian outfit Les Imprimes have kicked off a new collaboration with the crew here with new soul single 'I'll Never Leave' drenching you in musical warmth ahead of a full-length album to come. Romance is the lyrical subject and the vocals flow as freely as the arrangements. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Morten Martens is behind the band - well, it's just him right now - and this is a finer taste of the LP to come.

Review: It's back to 1969 for this one from Little Caesar And The Euterpeans, a record which has been sold not so long ago for well over two grand on second-hand markets. 'This mysterious outfit relates on three 45rpms but sure did find a sweet spot when they got in the studio. 'It Was Love' is lo-fi soul with yearning vocals matched by yearning horns and powered by prickly stick work. There is a more high-speed funk feel to 'Big Ole Good Thing' with its racing bass and expressive sax leads.

Review: Originally surfacing on King's Music City Records in the 1970s, Tramp now treats us all to a reissue that will bang at any party: 'Teach Me How To Bump' is a mod and soul groover powered by snappy drums while sleazy Hammond organs bring the colour next to a growling male vocal. 'Bring It On Back To Me' is much more powerful and direct with yet more Hammond organ madness.

Review: While many Northern soul bits might deal with subject matters that lie on the more generic end of the spectrum, Ty Karim's 'Lighten Up Baby' almost certainly does not fall into that category. Lyrically concerning a love interest who has grown cynical of the reality of the LA songstress' affections, Karim here insists the subject "consider her heart" and the sincerity with which she chose her favourite person. So lighten up, and allow the A to play through all the way, before flipping this one over to the B, where the bright spark is rather sadly put out. 'All At Once' dashes our hopes with a bluesy stepper that regales the story of said lover leaving Karim for another. Don't let the sadness deter you though, as both are bangers!

Review: Kent Records continue their mission to reissue a string of perhaps-released, perhaps-not music from the untapped vaults of Northern soul. Charting spins at the legendary 100 Club on Oxford Street - a seminal hub for the proliferation of the genre in the 1990s - among its first ever plays, San Francisco TKO's 'Make Up Your Mind' is a hot-harmonizing, instantly recognizable slow jam that urges the listener to make a move. "Who do you want? Why don't you answer, tell me right now!" 'Ooh Baby Baby', meanwhile, jams even slower, seeming to offer an alternate take on the drama: Penny Lewis' lead vocals admit "I did you wrong/what a price to pay", as sublime soprano vocals reach a beautiful high.

Review: Large band rosters tend to beget ever-larger band names. Such is the case with Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, the funk outfit most famous for their worldwide hit 'Express Yourself', a song that is as arguably ubiquitous as oxygen. The hit was housed in a six track album, though, and most people aren't aware of the other five pieces. This reissue from MOV reminds us once more of their treasured existence in the world. 'High As Apple Pie' is a cinematic slow-builder, creeping up to a squealing, drum-heavy ravaging. Meanwhile, B-side cuts like 'I'm Aware' are arguably just as hit-worthy.

Review: A never-heard-before unearthing of another Northern soul curiosity, 'Let's Get Together' is a formerly lost gem by Natural Impulse, an eight-piece soul group from San Francisco whose diverse lineup included Jess Gonzalez, Andres Soto, Hank Oden and Geoff Gilbas. This jubilant get-on-upper pines after a 'baby' for whom the lead singer couldn't live without; the twist is that this rather wistful assessment hardly registers any sense of melancholy in the listener. Instead, you've got all manner of horns, breakbeats, electric pianos and solos operating in harmonious unison, painting an entirely happy picture of new love. Cop it while you can.

Review: Italian musician and producer Fabio Puglisi is behind the Soul Basement project which started back in 1997 as a four piece ensemble. They released a number of albums with Fabio at the centre and wowed fans and critics alike around the world. This is a brand new single that sees him link up with singer Alvin Le-Bass on 'Take Me Back' and then 'Trying Hard' features Lana Gordon. That A-side tune is a lush mix of downtempo lounge vibes and timeless soul vocals with clean electronic production. On the flip, there is more of a jazz feel with warming, glowing chords and meat little melodies as the lush vocal harmonies make your heart soar.