WES BERWISE’S ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Marcell and The Truth - Symbols £12.95
It’s not often that I find myself playing the same CD over and over -  that’s what I found happening when I first listened to Marcell and The Truth’s second album, “Symbols”. This, the latest release from the Baltimore based band, convincingly reassures us that real soul music is alive and well. The strong soulful but smooth vocals of Marcell Russell, reminds me of touches of Luther Vandross, intermingled with Frankie Beverley – not a bad combination! The songs show a welcome return to solid song writing, do you remember when songs had a beginning, middle and an end? Well these guys do and have put that knowledge into penning some beautiful, thought provoking and foot tapping songs. Reassuringly the production - a failing on many a promising independent release - is right on point, and show cases both the songs and the vocalists admirably. If you’re into REAL soul, this well produced and accomplished CD is in my opinion one the best recent soul offerings.

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Check out his shows on DAB, www.iamcolourful.com.  Fans of Teddy Pendergrass and Teena Marie may like to tune into the special features on these artists scheduled for Tuesday morning (Midnight – 2 a.m) on February 9th.

Soul Brother Records sponsors Wes Berwise’s shows on Colourful Radio:  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.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK
JAHEIM – ANOTHER ROUND CD £15.95
Jaheim has always processed a great soulful voice, his material bordering soul and R&B. This his fifth album has a more soulful approach , and will appeal more to soul fans as well as R&B. ‘Ain’t Leaving Without You’ which samples Whatnauts ‘Help Is On The Way’ is a first rate groove driven soulful dancer. ‘Whoa’ a nice upper mid tempo stepper, whilst ‘Her’ has an interesting rhythm and ‘Otha Half’ is an ice soulful beat ballad. ‘Closer’ and ‘Till It Happens To You’ are good soulful R&B slow jams. Good album.

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PREMA – IN FUSION CD £12.95
Malaysian singer Prema has a sweet soulful voice not dissimilar to Corrine Bailey Rae in places. This well produced album was recorded in NY with legendary musicians like Wah Wah Watson Peter Erskine etc providing the musical backdrop. ‘Underwater’ is a good groover and the more up tempo ‘Miracle’ is outstanding with a semi funky groove. The mid tempo ‘Mandalay’ and ‘So Right’ slower ‘Destiny’ and ‘Angel’ have a really nice feel. ‘Mystical Rhythm )Oye Como Va’ is an interesting take on the Tito Puente classic. Nice album, a bit different from much of today’s music.

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CORINNE BAILEY RAE – THE SEA CD £13.95
Corinne’s second CD re-affirms her status as a major singer/ songwriting talent.  Her languid vocal suits the understated production and music especially strong are ‘Paris Night New York Morning’ & ‘Feels Like The First Time’.

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WHISPERS ORCHESTRA – T.W.O. CD £12.95  (ANTICIPATED 8 FEBRUARY 2010)
Really good smooth Soul album featuring Phil Perry, Alyson Williams, Russell Thompkins and The Whispers on vocals ,with the magnificent Whispers Orchestra behind them. Check ‘Inside Lovers Outside Friends’, ‘Family’, ‘Ready Or Not’ , ‘Miss Aprodisiac’ and the inst ‘Jafunk’, 

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MICHAEL ROSS – A SPECIAL THING CD £12.95 (ANTICIPATED 9 FEBRUARY 2010)
Michael Ross is a Smooth Jazz guitarist of repute in the playing style of George Benson or Norman Brown.  On this excellent album full of smooth grooves, it is vocal tracks that take centre stage.  The opener ‘A Special Thing’ is a beautifully crafted song whose vocal has a touch of Jon Lucien and Will Downing to it.  ‘Don’t Make Your Move So Fast’ has a dreamier ambience, whereas ‘Come On Over’ is a strong ballad.  Smooth Jazzers will love the languid ‘The Blaze’, whilst ‘The Secret Door’ is funkier and ‘The River Walk’ is another strong groove. Excellent.

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SILHOUETTE BROWN – TWO CD £12.95
Kaidi Tatham and Dego have established themselves as the premier acts of the West London sound (Agent K, 2000 Black etc). Lady Alma provides the soulful vocals on the second Silhouette Brown album which is slightly more laid back than the first. ‘Strawberries In Vinegar’ has that distinctive heavy bass and off key broken beat groove, ‘We Used To Run Steady’ is slightly slower but still groove driven. ‘Bitter Pills And Butterflies’, ‘Casualties Of Honey’ ’Constant Questions’ and ‘Hear Them Often Say’ are hypnotic mid tempo tracks.

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TOUR DE 4FORCE – QUIET MOON  CD £14.95
Really nice well produced gospel inspired soul album reminiscent of the Perri Sisters material featuring Scherrie Payne (Supremes), Theresa Davis (Emotions), Jim Gilstrap, and Joyce and Pam Vincent (Dawn). on vocals. ‘Godsend’ is a nice catchy upper mid tempo, the slinky ‘Early Morning’ and ‘We Got Love’ are highlights but the killer track is the mid tempo stepper ‘Heaven Bound’.

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BREAKESTRA – DUSK TILL DAWN CD £13.95/ LP £19.95
If heavy seventies (c 70-73) style Funk is your thing, then this set is your thing.  From the dirge like ‘Needs A Little Love’ to the JB inspired ‘No Matter Where You Go’ the band deliver full-on groove after groove.  ‘Come On Over’ bubbles beneath a female lead vocal.  Check also the gritty ‘Show You The Way’. For variety check the California/ psychedelic the Soul of ‘Set The Sun’. The stripped down sound is reminiscent at times of the Meters but with horns thrown in – one of the strongest contemporary Funk artist’s album.

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GIL SCOTT HERON – I’M NEW HERE CD £13.95
One for the Gil Scott Heron completists, the sharp songwriting is still there but the ravages of time have unfortunately taken their toll on that rich baritone voice.  Personally I prefer to remember him in his 70’s prime on classics like ‘Bridges’, ‘Secrets’, ‘Pieces Of A Man’, ‘1980’ and ‘Reflections’. 

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GEORGE SMALLWOOD – JUST FOUR YOU CD £13.95 LP £19.95 (very ltd)
Re-issue of an extremely rare soul album originally released privately in 1981 by the blind soul singer from Washington DC.. Inc the funky ‘Funk By The Pound’, the ballads ‘Best Love Of My life’ and ‘Listen To The Rain’ along with dancer ‘Lady Disco’. CD incl 4 bonus tracks incl the soul dancer ‘Hey Mama’ and the beautiful mid tempo ‘Touching Is My Thing’.

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KELLEE PATTERSON – KELLEE CD £11.95
Second album from beauty queen Kellee produced by Gene Russell in 1976. Incl her great version of Barry White’s ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A little More’, a vocal version of ‘Mr Magic’, a more uptempo cover of ‘I Love Music’ and the jazzier ‘Once Not Long Ago’. 4 bonus tracks from her ’79 album ‘All The Things You Are’.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS - DISCO LOVE 2CD £13.95 DLP £17.95
Mixed and unmixed CD features 14 underground up tempo soul, disco funk and disco tracks from the 70’s . Highlights are Black Rock ‘New York City Bump’ Sweet Daddy Floyd ’I Just Can’t Myself’, Tomorrows People ‘Lets Get With The Beat’ Crosstown Traffic ‘Love Your Family’ Bob Williams ‘I’m Alright’ Midas Touch ’Nitelife (Get It On’, Quinn Harris  I’ll Always Love You’,  JNB ‘I’ll Be The One’ Bad News Band  ‘Rockin On Down’ New Ghetto Express  ‘Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On’. Good comp.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS – 10 YEARS OF SOUL HEAVEN TRIPLE CD £15.95
Ten years of great Soulful House is compiled by DJ and musical genius Louie Vega. 49 tracks from the likes of Elements Of Life, Dennis Ferrer, Detroit Experiment, Bah Samba, Mr V.  This selection documents the last 10 years of this music’s development.

SINGLE OF THE WEEK
SILHOUETTE BROWN – ALBUM SAMPLER 12” £10
Kaidi Tatham and Dego in Silhouette Brown guise featuring Lady Alma on vocals. ‘Leave A Note’ is head nodding Soul, ‘Strawberries In Vinegar’ is 80s style synth led Boogie.  Sadat X (Brand New Nubian) guests on ‘Get With It’ & ‘Causalities Of Honey’ Soul/Jazz.  Quality.

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