Happy, soulful and jazzy New Year to everyone of our customers.

I would like to wish all our customers a Happy New Year and a prosperous, soulful 2011.  Whilst it is a challenge to keep the flag flying in these difficult economic circumstances, I am confident that this year will see some great new music and wonderful reissues/ classics for us all to enjoy.

2011 kicks offs in a powerful vein with four Jazz dance albums that were previously only available in Japan from Sleepwalker, Indigo Jam Unit, Nu Tropic, and M Swift Meets 24 Carat.

Tad Robinson is a new name but his fine Southern Soul set is one to savour and there is a new quality independent Soul album from Philly soul man William Smoke Howard.

On the reissue side, check the Phyllis Hyman and David Simmons albums mentioned last week plus a new 2 CD compilation from Shalamar will fill the gap in the market for a comprehensive selection of their classic hits and includes the twelve inch versions too.

Also due in is the Breakwater classic ‘Splashdown’ and a two on one from Bernard Wright featuring ‘Nard’ (Classic) and ‘Funky Beat’.

80’s Soul classics is a fine double CD from Vinyl Masterpiece and continues their excellent series such as Nighttime Lovers, Disco Giants and Masterpiece.

If you are going to the Luxury Soul weekender at the Hilton in Blackpool this weekend, pop into the dealer/ merchandise room and say hi to us at our regular stall.

Soulfully yours

Malcolm.

SLEEPWALKER - INTO THE SUN CD 14.99	M SWIFT PRESENTS 24 CARAT - BLUE IN BLACK CD 14.99	INDIGO JAM UNIT – PIRATES CD £14.99	NU TROPIC - KINGDOM OF LOVE CD 14.99
WILLIAM SMOKE HOWARD - GIVE ME YOUR HEART CD 14.99	TAD ROBINSON - BACK IN STYLE CD 14.99	DAVID SIMMONS - THE WORLD BELONGS TO ME CD 12.95	PHYLLIS HYMAN - SOMEWHERE IN MY LIFETIME CD 14.99
SHALAMAR - ULTIMATE BEST OF SHALAMAR CD 9.99	BERNARD WRIGHT - NARD/FUNKY BEAT CD 11.9	VARIOUS ARTISTS - 80's SOUL CLASSICS CD 19.99	BREAKWATER – SPLASHDOWN CD £12.95

TOP RELEASES - ALBUMS OF THE WEEK (w/e 24th DECEMBER 2010) click artist/titles for review/soundclips

MASA SEXTET - DEEP COVERS CD 29.95	SLEEPWALKER - INTO THE SUN CD 14.95	DAVID SIMMONS - THE WORLD BELONGS TO ME CD 12.95	PHYLLIS HYMAN - SOMEWHERE IN MY LIFETIME CD £14.95
CLIFFORD JORDAN - GLASS BEAD GAMES CD 19.95	MUSIC INC - MUSIC INC CD 19.95	MUSIC INC/CHARLES TOLLIVER - LIVE AT SLUGS CD 19.95	PHAROAH SANDERS - IZIPHO ZAM CD 19.95
BILLY HARPER - CAPRA BLACK CD 19.95	CECIL McBEE - MUTIMA CD 19.95	CHARLES TOLLIVER - IMPACT CD 19.95	SHAMEK FARRAH - FIRST IMPRESSIONS CD 19.95

WES BERWISE’S DECEMBER ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Eric Benet - Lost In Time (CD Of the Year)

Just in case you haven’t noticed, Christmas is upon us. The time of the year when we look forward to the festive season of peace and goodwill to all men, with great anticipation and enthusiasm. indeed, we cleverly participate in the charade of attempting to appear nonchalant, as we subtly gives hints and aid memoirs to our friends and loved ones, hopefully verifying exactly what we might like to receive in return for them recognizing that, well - at the very least – we’ve managed to survive another twelve months since Santa Claus was contractually obliged to break and enter (and uniquely welcomed), into our homes to fulfill his yuletide obligation.
This is also the time that I find myself being asked as to what CD releases over the last twelve months that I might recommend as gifts, so I was not only pleased but also immensely relieved when I had the pleasure of listening to “Lost In Time”, the fifth long playing release of the Soulful troubadour, Eric Benet.
Having had the privilege to have listened to so many new releases over the past year, I can happily report that Mr Benet is definitely on top form with this release. Benet’s decision to literally go back to his Milwaukee roots and rediscover the classic soulful sounds of the best that that era had to offer, is made evident in every track, as he appears effortlessly to move from some of the most gorgeous ballads and mid tempo songs, to some of the most inspiring head nod and dance tracks that have been released this year.
His staunch fan base will comforted to hear that there appears to be no hint of the moroseness that afflicted some his recent albums recorded during the period whilst he was going thru his infamous “Halle-gate” phase, and instead a positive uplifting air carries throughout many of the tracks. Strong song writing and wonderful production touches along with the decision by Benet to really use the full range of his vocal ability, truly does make this album a pleasure to listen to from start to finish.
Collaborations also work seamlessly, and the teaming up with artists such as Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Faith Evans and the legendary baritone of The O’Jays, Mr Eddie Levert helps to deliver even more value to the proceedings.
Put simply this album is sheer quality. So if you’re still looking for that soulful stocking filler, this album will definitely do the job! (Hint Hint…)
Very Highly Recommended!!
Have a great Christmas and stay blessed.
Wes

ERIC BENET - LOST IN TIME CD £16.95 - SEE REVIEW

VIEW ALL TITLES BY THIS ARTIST

WES BERWISE ON COLOURFUL RADIO Wes entertains his fans with two weekly sessions. Wes Berwise’s ‘Soul Food’ show is on Sundays from 1pm-3pm, and is a mix of the latest mid-tempo and classic urban jams; ‘Midnight Encounter’ is from Midnight-2am on Tuesday mornings, and includes Wes’ pick of ‘future classics’, the best of the newest ballads and slow jams, as well as little known gems from the past, which deserve another airing. Wes’ shows are sponsored by Soul Brother Records and we would like to congratulate him on his success.  Wes is a frequent visitor to the shop and customers who have met him would agree he is a worthy winner. Colourful Radio is on DAB, or www.colourfulradio.com and check out Wes’ page http://www.colourfulradio.com/presenter/wesberwise/

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