LRK Vinyl & CDs

Review: Canadian recording sensation Gary Beals dropped his new single 'All of Me' back in summer ahead of his latest new album The Melody Within which arrived in autumn. It's another joyous and uplifting single that has big claps and shiny keys all topped off with his soaring and super sweet vocals that carry an infectious energy and capture the spirit of summer. On the flip is a more downbeat soul slow burner with sentimental lyrics and pained acoustic guitar lines that really tug on the heartstrings. He says, "All of Me is just another extension of the feelgood music I've always desired to make" and we agree.

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: 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: The latest spin from Cambridgeshire-based LRK Records is something of a touchy-feely delight. It comes courtesy of Washington, D.C-based modern soul maestro Eric Scott, whose expansive sound is slick, soulful, polished and pleasingly emotive. For proof, check the smooth, soulful positivity of A-side 'Peace Bomb', a plea for global peace whose musical backing - simmering (synthesized) orchestration, tactile vocals, undulating Hammond lines, languid drums and his own delicious bass - is almost perfect. He offers up something similarly smooth - if a little more groove-based - over on the flip, where 'Reach Out For Me' is as loved-up as they come.