Soul4real Vinyl & CDs

Review: Two tracks, originally unreleased when they were recorded in the late 70s and only surfaced later on the 1993 Ace compilation Greatest Performance, which showcase the exceptional range and emotional depth of this New Orleans artist. Johnny Adams' soulful gem, 'It's You Baby, It's You' along with 'Think About You', finally sees its debut 7" release. On Side-A, 'It's You Baby, It's You' is a positive and uplifting soul anthem. Driven by a strong horn section and a touch of funk, the track radiates joy and energy, with Adams' signature powerful vocals anchoring the vibe. His voice soars, wrapping the listener in its warm embrace. Side-B delivers 'Think About You', equally stunning, featuring big strings that elevate this beat-ballad to stunning heights. It matches the A-side's intensity, with Adams pouring his heart into every note. The arrangement complements his vocals perfectly, offering a lush, emotional experience. This release gives fans a chance to rediscover one of New Orleans' finest, adding a classic touch to the Soul4Real catalog.

Review: Sam Diss has a buttery voice that immediately melts the heart. His tunes on the likes of Outta Sight and Kent Dance and albums on Pure Pleasure always sell out. This 7" single was written by the man himself and is one of his many majestic cuts from a career that started in the late 60s and found him recording for the next 30 odd years. An original will be hard to find and probably too costly if you do so grab this limited edition 7" and prepare to get smoochy as soon as you drop the needle on the record.

Review: 'Haven't I Been Good To You' has never actually been available on vinyl before aside from on one compilation back in 2006. It was recorded back in 1967 and is as raw and emotional as soul gets. It was a debut for her on Warner and was a rather controversial tune that divided the option of fans. Lorraine never managed to reach the heights of this one again and left the music industry in the 1970s Jerry Ragovoy produced the subtle sounds to accompany the most fantastically expressive vocals. A real gem.

Review: Who doesn't like a sentimental soul 7" in their bags to drop as that magical end-of-the-night tune? Well not us, that's for sure, and this one more than fits that bill. Paul Kelly's buttery smooth vocals and romantic overtones make 'You Make Me Tremble' a real classic of the genre. The chords are warm, the drums gentle, and the sentiments intimate. The flip side of this 45rpm from Soul4real is 'Come With Me' which is even more heartbroken, with its quivering strings and oh-so-delicate vocals.

Review: "You've never really lived" is usually the kind of thing one might hear in a school playground, but Frederick Knight meant it to lament a close love interest's lack of ever having fallen in love. "Do you know how it feels to fall in love?" trills the Alabama soul great's distinctively high vocals, as a complex yet lulling backing beat sends us bowling straight down the love train's tracks. Fun fact: these tracks are never-heard-before rarities, preceding the artist's biggest run of commercial success in the mid 1970s. The B, as well, is a highly sampleable and minimal synth-soul affair, with honest sonics and sad themes to boot.

Review: The Soul 4 Real label do a damn fine job of digging out the deepest cuts from soul legends you know and those you don't. Jimmy Lewis may not be a household name but he wrote for the likes of Ray Charles, and with his 1974 album Totally Involved he revealed himself to be something of a pinnacle of real soul music. From a similar era when he was recording for Hotlanta, the two tracks on this 12" were previously only available on a CD compilation but they absolutely deserve to be ringing out on this beautifully crafted 7".

Review: Electric guitarist and singer Barbara Lynn was an undisputed legend of Memphis funk, blues and soul. Her paean for desirability, 'Unloved Unwanted Me', was a full-on lamentation of the human condition in album form. While the album was originally shelved for a time in 1968, it later found a way out of production hell and managed to rock the worlds of all listeners around, despite its distinct lack of guitar compared to Lynn's other albums.

Review: Newban is a band that hailed from Westwood, California, and was made up of Sharon Bryant, Jonathan Lewis, Porter Carroll and Joseph Phillips alongside Mark Slifstein, Keith Johnson, Albert Jones and Gregory Press. After the release of their first single they rammed themselves Atlantic Starr but then put out a couple albums in 1977, Newban and Newban 2. That's the backstory sorted, and so to this reissued 7" which kicks off with the deep cut funk of 'If I Could (Make You Mine)', a tune with sung-spoken lyrics and rousing horns. 'Rhythm & Rhyme' is smoother and more seductive, with a quieter soul sound seducing as it unravels.

Review: The Staples' "Take This Love Of Mine" is a soulful trip through love's many different complexities but delivered with unmatched passion and sincerity. Mavis Staples' rich, emotive vocals effortlessly convey the meaning of the song's poignant lyrics and evoke a profound sense of longing and devotion. Backed by lush instrumentation and tight harmonies, the track showcases the group's musical prowess while offering up messages to which we can all relate. Add in the irresistible groove and heartfelt delivery of flipside cut 'Precious, Precious', and this is a powerful 7" from The Staples' that fuses the best of soul and gospel music

Review: One of two new Soul4Real 45s releases, Candi Staton's 'I Can't Stop Being Your Fool' is a candid expression of heartsickness and toxic attachment. The Alabaman southern soul laid these two recordings bare at least 20 years into her towering career, in which time Staton had embarked on a new career leg at Warner Bros. Never paired before, 'I Can't Stop...' and 'You Bet Your Sweet, Sweet Love' share in similar themes, confounding the listener in projective throes of uncertainty, over such topics as whether the thrill of love might be worth it despite fraught or downright abusive downturns; Staton's lyrics are tired, grief-stricken and persevering, though the background instrumentation is always jolly, suggesting either an eerie facade, or a romanticised, brunt-borne happiness.

Review: Carla Thomas delivers two soulful gems on this hot 7" from Soul 4 Real Records. On Side-1, 'Loneliness', written by Isaac Hayes, channels a classic soul vibe reminiscent of Gladys Knight and the Pips. With its polished horn section and an exquisite bridge to the chorus, the track captures both the heartache and elegance of the era. Thomas's smooth delivery evokes shades of Diana Ross, while the shiny brass arrangement brings to mind Burt Bacharach's lush orchestration, adding a modern gloss to her Stax roots. On Side-2, 'If It's Not Asking Too Much' features Thomas in a more stripped-back, intimate sound. With labelmate Deanie Parker on songwriting duties, the track features a brooding bluesy edge. The tango rhythm, driven by an organ and a second keyboard, creates a haunting atmosphere that highlights Carla's powerful yet restrained vocal performance. This side is equally fitting for starting or ending a soulful evening. With these two tracks, Carla Thomas proves why she was and remains a queen of soul, blending elegance and emotion in every note.

Review: This fine new double-sided soul release from Soul4Real features two legendary producers and one legendary singer. When Dionne Warwick joined Warner Brothers in 1972 it brought an end to her work with Bacharach and David and saw her hook up with new soul producers of the era such as Holland/Dozier/Holland, Jerry Ragovoy and Thom Bell. The ensuing collabs are some of the best in her career and include two incredible mid-70s tracks that feature here. This essential 45 was unheard for almost 40 years but then made it to CD in 2003 and now vinyl. Essential stuff.

Review: Originally released in 1979 via Zodiac Records during a New Zealand tour, this track was a rare overseas issue of Tolliver's workione that now finds new life thanks to Soul4Real. 'Can't Get Into You' returns for this reissue casting a long-overdue spotlight on the Ohio-born artist whose powerhouse vocals deserved far more recognition. Side A's 'Can't Get Into You' is a soul-drenched, emotionally raw performance showcasing Tolliver's ability to channel heartache into song. The production is classic late-70s deep soul, with lush instrumentation and impassioned delivery that instantly grabs hold. On Side-B, 'The Show Must Go On' is an unreleased gem, revealing Tolliver at her most dramatic and expressive. With sweeping strings, rich orchestration and a gripping vocal performance, it's a shinning example of her underrated artistry. Despite a career spanning decadesiworking with Lou Ragland, recording across countless labels, and performing worldwideiTolliver never found mainstream success. This release serves as a reminder of her undeniable talent, finally giving her music the recognition it deserves.

Review: The Valentinos had plenty of early success but still, their story is often seen as one of missed opportunities. The group was led by Friendly Womack Sr. who taught his sons gospel songs before they pursued secular music and that rather led to a struggle between serving up gospel and secular sounds. History tells us the friendly "June" Womack recalled their desire for another hit like 'Looking For A Love' which had been a significant seller in their early days. Two tracks from that era had remained unreleased until now when Soul4Real Records pressed them up here and both are seriously good soul swingers.

Review: Whatever condition your condition is in, Soul4Real have brought together a crack team of the finest soul physicians to ensure you're feeling good. Having scoured all the shelves in the soul pharmacy - and handing out said potions like candy, despite them having only just made it through the trial stage - we can vouch, as your guinea pigs, that Soul Prescription is indeed the curatorial penicillin, a cure-all panacea for the soul-starving. From Arthur Alexander's magnificent 'I Need You Baby', which reached legendary status during the tape-swapping epidemic of the late 70s/early 80s, to repeat prescriptions of Maxine, Gil Scott-Heron and the Isleys, this one's anything but a placebo.

Review: Soul4Real returns to southern roots with a collection of 11 tracks from legendary names Malaco, Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and Alarm Records. In the 1970s and 1980s, Malaco in Mississippi and Muscle Shoals Sound in Alabama were pivotal in shaping southern soul as Alarm Records in Louisiana added its own unique contributions to the scene. This album shines a light on that great time and opens with Dorothy Moore's classic 'Girl Overboard' followed by stellar performances from male singers including Bobby Bland and King Floyd. Three tracks debut on vinyl, with Jimmy Jules' 'Having A Little Talk With Love' one of those standouts to be making its first appearance.