Back in stock: Soul

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


On its digital release earlier in the year, Celeste's debut album rocketed to the top of the album charts, thus making her the first British female artist to see her first set get to number one for over five years. Finally available on vinyl in a "deluxe edition" that boasts a couple of bonus tracks and an accompanying booklet, Not Your Muse remains a classy and inspired debut, with Celeste's smoky, timeless vocals fitting producer Jamie Hartman's accompanying backing tracks - a mixture of pared-back folk sounds, lavishly orchestrated easy listening, synth-laden power-pop and fuzzy, retro soul-influenced numbers - like a particularly comfortable glove.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Songs in The Key of E is a new offering the legendary soul man Everis, arriving in limited edition vinyl form just in time for Christmas. It features a number of superb new hair raising soul songs with some top guests too including a pair of award-winning singers, two international rappers, and a cult UK MC and sound system legend. There is an old school r&b tinge to the production and songwriting, with lavish keys and nice fresh beats all topped with emotive vocals that all swell the heart.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Across a run of three outstanding EPs since 2017, Yazmin Lacey has slowly and steadily brought her cool and assured strain of neo soul into earshot, regularly popping up on festival line-ups and aligned with a resurgent UK jazz scene. Now we finally get to hear her stretch out on an album which takes its inspiration from the raw honesty of voice notes as a means of communication. Teaming up with the likes of Craigie Dodds, JD.REID, Melo-Zed and executive producer Dave Okumu, she's more than delivered on her promise with an outstanding, deep and nuanced album that hits true from the first beat to the last breath.

Review: 'On A Magic Carpet Ride' was a single originally written by Randazzo/Pike who worked on a lot of Little Anthony records. It is a Northern Soul classic, as is a much sought after and hugely expensive version by Bradford born singer Kiki Dee, who was the first white British female to be signed to Motown in 1970. This cheeky one-sided 7" makes the soul stunner available once more in original form and is full of big bouncing drums, string stabs, soaring vocals and unbridled upbeat joy.

Review: Soul gems from the 60s - well, 1969 to be precise - don't come much more coveted than this one from The Notations. An original copy of this 45 rpm will quite likely fetch over 1500 quid. The r&b group was formed in Chicago, Illinois and featured Clifford Curry, LaSalle Matthews, Bobby Thomas and Jimmy Stroud. They went on to put out four albums and around 15 EPs but none as cherished as this one. 'Trying My Best To Find Her' now lands on a one-sided 7" and is a superb Northern Soul-style, high-energy soul cut with raw drums and aching vocal harmonies that soar and soar and soar.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks ***


This album is one of the greatest r&b records ever. That's just a fact. Jill Scott herself has never even managed to surpass what she lay down on this stone-cold classic all the way back in 2002. The production is stylish and warm, seductive and sensual throughout, with jazz, neo soul, funk, r&b and hip hop all carefully infusing each track. The lyrics are empowering as they celebrate blackness and female strength, but also at times witty and playful. It's a go-to date night album for people all over the world and how it missed out on a Grammy for Best Album or Best Vocal Performance when it was first nominated we will never know.