Symphonical Vinyl & CDs

Review: Originally released on the Soulful Thangs Vol. 7 compact disks for Latin Soul Recordings in 2007, the song 'It's So Hard To Say So Long' by the Equasions took on a life of its own. A timeless soul and funk single recorded in San Antonio in 1971, revered by sweet soul collectors internationally, has now become available for the first time in over 50 years through Symphonical Records. In partnership with band leader and songwriter, Robert Williams, this group also features high school classmates Vernon Shannon, James Hartfield, Ricky Cotton, and Lamar Sumter. 'It's So Hard To Say So Long', is a poignant sentiment to lost love, yet hope created through beautiful harmonies, whereas 'World Of Loneliness' is a psychedelic reflection of society of the era, which Robert mentions remains true today. Big shout out to Symphonical for putting out this very desirable 7"

Review: Originally released in 1972, these are the only known recordings from Tulsa soul band Outback. The A-side is an eclectic, psychedelic funk ballad with lyrics drawn from religious scripture and drawing powerful parallels to Black slavery in the U.S. They lend a deeply spiritual and socially conscious edge to the track which is potent in groove as it is message. The B-side, 'Reggie's Thang,' takes a different turn and is a raw, psychedelic instrumental showcasing the band's musical range and experimental edge. Together, these are a time machine back to powerful moments in soul and funk history, now rediscovered and sure to be appreciated all over again.

Review: Long-lost Tidewater soul classic 'An Extraordinary Dream' gets a welcome reissue here by Symphonical with input from the last surviving band member Larry Gray. This timeless love song was recorded in 1969 at Charlie McClendon Studios and was the first of two singles by Gray and his group, The Soul Seekers, which was made up of five Huntington High alumni who helped shape the region's musical scene. Led by Gray who was fresh from five years at Stax Records with Otis Redding, the group backed numerous touring acts and this single was produced under Wilson Harrell's Check Productions. It's a lovably forlorn and low-slung soul sound with heavy-hearted melodies, horns and aching vocals.

Review: Symphonical's The Key To Our Love series has proven exceedingly popular with soul lovers and this third volume shows there is still plenty of mileage in it yet. As always there is an in-depth exploration of black and brown American artists here who are the foundations of the sound. Most of those featured will be obscure to many - but not for long, as their music makes a lasting impression. There is the vulnerable lo-fi sound of Laurene Lavallis's 'Love Don't Change,' Delbert & The Stewart Sensation's sentimental swooner 'How Far Can Our Love Go?' and Carrie Riley & The Fascinations offer up some lovely harmonies on 'Living In A Lonesome House Without You' amongst many other standouts.

Review: A year after the first superb volume, The Key To Our Love Vol.2 again dedicates itself to the sweetest soul sounds of black and brown musicians from days gone by. The label say that each release is put together in direct collaboration with the creators, which is also important practice. And so to the sounds - they come from the late 60s onwards and were all put out on private press indie labels so have remained rather obscure. There is heart-aching material like Andre & Zero Plus's 'Sparkle In A Woman's Eye' with its sumptuous strings and vocal harmonies and more sentimental lullabies like Fred Moss's 'I'll Always Love You.' Perfection.

Review: Get your lugs around this, the first single from Leo Vidal & The Rayvelles, and you will soon be keen to know more. 'Haunted By Your Love' is a modern take on the West Coast oldies sound from Leo Vidal, a 70s soul singer from rural Virginia who brings his East Coast harmonies to croon about lost love. The Rayvelles is the duo of Fergal McBride and Tuck Nelson and are the creative force behind Echo Ray Studios in London, a space that channels the soul of Motown into contemporary music. Backing vocals are provided by Cassandra Dali and Marietta Smith while the flip has a remix by Call Sender who layers in some inviting dub weight.