LRK Vinyl & CDs

Review: LRK Records has put together a special limited edition 45rpm by Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers. Due to high demand, the popular 'Soul Clap' (Radio Edit) from their album is now available on vinyl and this energetic version condenses the original into a dance floor-ready anthem with funky Bohannon rhythms and James Brown-inspired grooves which has already received extensive airplay. Additionally, the festive track 'Always Christmas Eve' comes on the A-side of this special grey coloured vinyl.

Review: Brooklyn-born artist Johnny Burgos wore multiple hats as a singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer. His retro-soul style echoes a raw, uncompromising sound and delves into themes of beauty amid pain and hope amidst despair. Drawing inspiration from icons like Michael Jackson, OutKast, and Lauryn Hill, his music seamlessly blends r&b with hip-hop, funk, pop, salsa, and reggae. With the opener here 'Hit Me Like', he goes slow and sentimental with louche drums and tender chords under the heartbroken vocals. 'Get Back' is just as melancholic and beautiful with heavy kicks and vulnerable vocals.

Review: Claire Davis hails from Canada, and she's an undisputed modern queen of soul channelling the likes of Etta James and Sharon Jones in her fierce, impassioned vocal delivery. On this new single for LRK, she's worked with Toronto's Kyla Charter and Scott McCannell to whip up two powerful slices of vintage-sounding R&B which hark back to the glory days of Motown while benefitting from the fullness of a modern-day production. You can tell Davis is committed to the final sound of her recording, capturing a raw live energy and a warmth which adds all the more impact when she's kicking her lover to the curb on 'Long Gone'.

Review: Paul Mac Innes is a real modern soul boy with a Motown twist. His latest single 'Falling By The Wayside' was written at some point before the pandemic hit and has been produced by Mattias Axelsson who also loves Motown. The original was shelved during lockdowns but then the pair decided to pull it out again during a post-Covid live show. It went down a storm and so it was time to finish it properly. They head to a studio in Gothenburg with some talented musicians and perfected the lovely tune that is now presented here on a tidy 7".

Review: Music Is My Life is a fourth much anticipated new album from Natasha Watts, who has long been a key presence on the contemporary UK soul scene. It is now almost 15 years since Watts first broke through onto the scene and she still finds plenty of new ground and conveys heart rending emotions with her work. This new album is said to be full of her signature gritty, mature, and well-rounded soul and another showcase of her unique and beautiful voice, which is what has made her such a leading independent artist over this last decade plus.