ANTHONY HAMILTON - AINT NOBODY WORRYIN'
Anthony is fast establishing himself as the leading major label soul man. His gruff southern soul voice is perfectly accompanied by some really soulful grooves. 'Cant Let Go' is a great beat ballad allowing his soulful voice to shine, 'The Truth' and 'Pass Me Over' are beautiful melodic mid tempofloaters with catchy hooks. 'Preachers Daughter' is a slightly faster hypnotic groove that builds like a 70's Whitfield epic. 'Sista Big Bones' is a sly infl. Synth led funky dancer, 'Change Your World' a classic soul ballad ala Johnny Bristol, and best of all the title track a future classic. Very strong album, if youre into SOUL you need this.
Also highly recommended 'Comin' From Where I'm From'& 'Soulife'

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LARRY BRAGGS - PLACES
Tower Of Power vocalist releases a solo album with many of TOP playing on it. His voice is similar to Lenny Williams which sounds like it could have been made in the 70's. 'Why Do I Cry' is a mid tempo track that will appeal to the modern soul crowd, who will also appreciate the dancer 'For Crying Out'. 'Willing To Learn' and 'Help' are both dramatic beat ballads, 'Are You Happy' and the atmospheric 'Ride' are slinky mid tempo tracks that build, whilst 'Halftime' is an AWB style chanted funky groove with a sax player sounding like Maceo. A fresh sounding, very refreshingly different and album. Outstanding.

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WENDELL (B) BROWN - GOOD TIMES
Big voiced Wendell produces a great traditional soul album of mainly mid tempo tracks and ballads. Wendell's soulful voice excels on the slower mid tempo groovers like 'Yall Aint Ready , 'Good Times' and 'I Aint Never Been Down Like That', and beat ballads 'Anything', 'Cant Get Enough Of Your Love', 'Heaven Sent Me An Angel' and 'Just Don't Understand You', although the stepper 'What Would You Do' is also good. Nothing revolutionary , just good quality soul throughout.


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CARTER ANDERSON - NOT THE LAST GENTLEMAN
Carter has a really soulful voice and he produces a quality old school soul album that will appeal to lovers of Will Downing or Will Wheaton. The songs are mainly mid tempo relationship songs 'Because You Love \me' and the title track or ballads like the outstanding 'Left In The Dark'. The standout dancers are 'The One That Got Away' and 'You Make My Day', but this is primarily a laid back album to listen to.


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G.L.O - THE SHINE
The brainchild of UK's Meshack who wrote, plays, arranges and produces the entire album. It reminds me of early 80's bands like Aurra with strong female vocals, male and female bv's, funky chunky bass lines, synths and solid beats. Mainly upper mid tempo dancers, the highlights are 'Don't Take My Love For Granted', 'Never Fall In Love' and 'UR Everything'. The catchy mid tempo message song 'Ghetto Fantasy' and the slower 'Scandalous' and 'Quiet Storm' provide a nice contrast, well worth checking out.
LISTEN
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J RAWLS - ESSENCE OF SOUL
J Rawls produces an interesting album feat underground Soul/R&B singers. Highlights are Tavaris 'Smile Again' a mid tempo dancer, 'Pleasure Before Pain' a typical song from the dependable Eric Roberson, and Middle Child's more R&B tinged 'Woman Enough', 'Soul' and 'What If'. The outstanding tracks are the soul dancers, Jonell 'I Miss You' and Venus Malone 'Inhale Exhale' (sampling Sweetest Pain) .
LISTEN
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NYR - NYR
Nyr Raymond possesses a good soulful voice and this selection of contemporary mid tempo melodic soul tracks should put him in the spotlight. The album is solid throughout but the highlights are the dancers 'Destiny', No One' , the catchy mid tempo 'End Of You And Me', 'Fire' and 'Amazed By Your Smile'. Also check 'Call Me' and the Leon Ware infl 'Dance 4 Me'. Good album
LISTEN
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FLOETRY - FLO'OLOGY
Floetry have built up a strong following for their brand of hip hop soul, and this albiet more down tempo set will satisfy their fans. 'In Your Eyes', 'Blessed 2 Have' and 'Supastar' are mid tempo dancers. mid tempo 'Closer' and 'My Apology' are highlights as are the beat ballad 'Let Me In' and the slower 'Lay Down' 'Sometimes U Make Me Smile' and 'Imagination'. Gets better with each play.
LISTEN
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DOMU - RETURN OF THE ROGUE
Kicking Off with the aptly titled 'Arrival' a jazz fusion dancer in which the bass player is reminiscent of Jaco Pastorius, the album fuses soul and jazz and broken beats. 'Ghetto Samba' is another heavyweight tune that builds on the latin rhythm with clever keys and a lovely male soul jazz vocal. Also check out 'So Precious' a quirky 4 to the floor, the infectious 'Unfazed'and the future funk jam of 'Last Encounter'
LISTEN
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INCOGNITO - ELEVEN
Bluey has to be the most consistent artist, he produces the 11th Incognito album and maintains the high standard of the previous ten, no suprises just great music 'We Got Music', 'Come Away With Me'and 'Show Me Love' are uptempo dancers with all the usual hallmarks. ''Baby Its Alright', 'When Tommorow Brings You Down' , 'Will I Ever learn' and the albums highlight 'Its Just One Of Those Things' are all good mid tempo tracks with 'Jacaranda' and 'Let The Mystery Be' being jazz funk instrumentals. Maysa, Carleen Anderson, Imaani and Tony Momrelle share vocal duties. Another strong Incognito album, Just buy it !

Also Recommended 'Who Needs Love' and 'Adventures in Black Sunshine
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JIVA - SUN AND MOON
Truly outstanding album that mixes that 'Organic' Atlanta vibe with an Incognito/Brand New Heavies sound, featuring Rhonda Thomas amongst many vocalists, is now released outside of Japan. 'Love Chooses Love' is a really nice upper midtempo jazzy soul floater, 'Sun And The Moon' is a more uptempo groove with a heavy bass line, 'I Realize' is great Incognito style dancer, and 'Daydreamer another breezy dancer. 'Confessions Of A Man' is a midtempo soul track featuring Alex Lattimore who sounds similar to Luther. Their hit 'Stars' is featured by both the beautiful original bossa version, the Louie Vega EOL, and the (previously unreleased) 'Tauriva' remixes. This is a great album that will appeal to both soul and jazz fans.

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PJ MORTON - EMOTIONS (SPECIAL EDITION)
Atlanta based Morton produces a good midtempo acoustic soul album in a similar style to Anthony David's of last year. Again it is the songs that make this album work. The catchy 'No Ordinary Love', 'How We Were', 'Heavenly Father', and 'My Superstar' are the standout tracks, but this is essentially an album to listen to throughout, and it has a definite Stevie Influence. Quality music. New edition includes two extra tracks.

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ANGIE STONE - STONE HITS
Compilation of some of the best tracks from her three albums plus three unreleased tracks, most notably 'I Wasn't Kidding' a great mid tempo groover sampling 'Baby I'm Scared Of You', although 'Little Boy' is a nice slower mid tempo track. Incl 'Wish I Didn't Miss You', 'Brotha', 'No More Rain', 'Everyday', 'Pissed Off', 'U-Haul' and a re cut of the duet 'More Than A Woman' with Joe.

Also highly recommended 'Black Diamond' and 'Mahogany Soul'
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WILL DOWNING - SOUL SYMPHONY
Typically assured and smooth performance from the golden voiced vocalist. His ballads like 'A Promise' and ''Make Time For Love' are classy and soulful, whilst the midtempo dancer 'Soul Steppin' hits a modern style groove. A superlative set that oozes class.


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UNIFICS - UNIFICS RETURN
The 60's Group reform, with Al Johnson sharing lead vocals with Charlie Lockhart. This album will appeal to traditional soul fans and is simular in style to recent Temptations albums. The killer dancers are 'I Want You To Love It' and 'You Gotta Let Me Know' whilst the mid tempo steppers 'A Lifetime And A Half' and 'This Is The Night We Love' hit the spot. Also check the ballad 'Anyone Can Tell You' and their cover of 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted' Strong throughout.

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BRUNO-E - ALMA SESSIONS
Strong soul meets jazz album from Bruno (who has featured on many soulful house tracks). 'Alma' is a nice mid tempo track featuring Xantone Blacq soulful vocals, whilst 'Alma (take two)' is an almost different track with a light bossa beat that really grooves. 'Feel' is a ince jazzy soul floater with a sultry female vocal, and Patricia Marx adds her wistful vocals to three tracks, but the killer track is 'Welcome Home' a brilliant slab of mid tempo soul feat Xantone again. Interestingly varied album.

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COMPOZITIONZ
New male harmony group who also sound like the Temptations in places (there are five of them as well). 'Get up' is a great uptempo SOUL track with horns that will get played heavily in clubs and radio, 'Alright', 'Body Glove' and 'Take Me In' are good midtempo songs that allow their voices to shine. The ballads 'Anything' and 'Allow Do 2 Love U' are also good, the album is consistantly good throughout.

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PEVAN EVERETT - LATEST CRAZE
Fans of Peven wont be disappointed with his third album, which contains gems such as the dancers 'Get What You Got'and the good groove of 'Don't Go'. Observational lyrics shine on 'Ghetto' and the aptly titled 'Street Walker'. Also check the contagious 'See Saw'. A good soulful set from an underground hero.


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STEVE SPACEK - SPACE SHIFT
The UK's own Spacek once again delves into the minimalist slightly left field side of soul and much like Peven comes up with the goods. Includes cover of Billy Paul's'Let The Dollar Circulate' produced by JD (Slum Village) and mid tempo tracks like the moody 'Im Glad' and the erotic soul of 'Smoke' featuring Leon Ware.


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RHIAN AYANNA - S/T
Singer/Songwritter Rhian possesses a beautiful voice with amazing clarity. Her music is many acoustic that allows her voice and the lyrics to speak for themselves. 'Ivory Moon' is a great midtempo groove with a driving baseline that was feat on our 'This is Soul 2005' album. 'Thank You (Lovin You) is a nice mid tempo track with a really catchy hook line. 'Words' , 'Breathe You In' and 'Beauty' are also highlights In this laid back but quality album

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KINDRED - IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER
Eagerly anticipated follow up to their landmark 'Surrender To Love' album, this has a slightly more mainstream feel but is Quality throughout. Check the stunning ballad 'Where Would I Be', the infectious 'Sneak a Freak' and the riff laden 'As Of Yet'. Also try the lilting serenity of 'My Time' or the soulful title song. Fatin's vocals soar throughout the album; he is a great singer in the tradition of Teddy, Womack etc.
This is Contemporary Soul Music of the highest calibre.
(In This Life Together)
Also Highly Recommended 'Surrender To Love' CD £9.95 (until 31st Dec)
(Surrender To Love)
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DWELE - SOME KINDA
Another eagerly awaited follow up to big album, Dwele delivers an album that's possibly better than his heralded debut 'Subject'. His distinctive vocals and arrangements are evident again throughout. Highlights are the groove ridden 'Holla', funky mid tempo foot taper 'Pimp's Dream', Catchy mid tempo dancers 'I Think I Love You' and 'Know Your Name' the beat ballads 'Weekend Love'and 'My Lova', Also check out the mid tempo groove's 'Lay It Down ' and 'Some Kinda' and the ballad 'Wake The Baby' feat Boney James' soulful sax. Quality throughout. Also highly recommended 'Subject' CD £9.95 (Until 30th Nov)
(Some Kinda)
Also highly recommended 'Subject' CD £9.95 (Until 30th Nov)
(Subject)
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BLACK GOLD MASSIVE - STORIES
Great album of mainly uptempo grooves featuring the sassy soulful vocals of Cindy Mizell backed by one of the UK's finest bands Mr Gone. 'Don't Give Up Now' is a strong dancer with a driving bassline, 'Set Me Free' is a nice mid-tempo plodder with synth strings. 'Call Me Anytime' an irresistible soulful funky dancer and probably the best track, although 'Just Make A Move' and 'Introduce Me To Love' are both Good dancers and the cover of 'Let It Flow (Sausalito Calling) is also great. Refreshingly different album which is highly recommended.

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EARTH WIND AND FIRE - ILLUMINATION
Strong EWF album, although the introduction of a lot of guests actually distracts from rather than adds to the quality of the album. 'Pure Gold' and 'Pass You By' are classic EWF mid tempo ballads, 'Work It Out' and 'Love Dance' vintage EWF grooves and 'Liberation' is typical of their instrumentals with vocal background humming. The real highlight is the collaboration with Raphael Saadiq 'This Is How I Feel', a horn accompanied beat ballad that draws on both the bands and Raphael's distinctive sounds to produce a future classic.

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ERIC ROBERSON - THE APPETIZER
Eric has his own style, and this follows a similar path the 'The Vault' and 'Esoteric', at the soulful end of R&B. The album comprises mainly of new songs like the mid tempo 'N2U' featuring Martha from Floetry, and 'What I Gotta Do'. There's a couple of dancer's that will get attention 'Painkiller' and 'Hesitation' and a couple of nice ballad's notably 'Just a Dream' but the real killer is one of his early tracks 'The Moon' making its first appearance on CD from his aborted Warner's album 10 years ago.
The Appetizer
Also Recommended:
The Vault 1.5 CD £14.95
The Esoteric CD £14.95
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ATAR AND THE FUNKADROME - FUNKADROME
Bright and Breezy British Jazz-Funk (ala Light Of The World), the Funkadrome are a 15 piece tight band with a great horn section. This is a really good album, mostly uptempo grooves like 'Undercover', 'You Set My Soul On Fire', 'Runnin', 'Funkadrome' and 'Another Day'. There are also some nice mid tempo tracks like 'Crusin Supernova', 'Clear Blue Skies' and possibly best of 'Trippin'. Strong throughout…parrrrty!


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ALICE RUSSELL - MY FAVOURITE LETTERS
Bah Samba singer Alice possesses a beautiful voice that shines throughout this album. The songs are heavily influenced by late 60's/early 70's raw soul and jazz, and her vocals by singers like Lorez Alexandria, Marlena Shaw and Tina Turner. There are many highlights although some of the tracks take a few spins to get into. 'What We Want' is a funky jerky groove, 'A Fly in The Hand' is pure funk, 'Munkaroo' and 'All Over Now'are softly funky grooves. 'To Know This' is a deep jazz groove (similar to Lorez's Baltimore Oriole'), 'Im Just Here' is moody jazz,'Mirror Mirror' is haunting and 'Remember To Forget' very hypnotic. This is a terrific album that's worth investing time in.


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LATOYA LONDON - LIFE AND LOVE
Latoya possesses a powerful soulful voice and has won American Idol contest and appeared on the Park Place album from a couple of years ago. Her album is quality soul throughout with good songs and production. 'Practice Makes Perfect' is a nice mid tempo track, and 'Meet Me Halfway' a good ballad, but the real killers are the catchy mid tempo 'More' and the funky mid tempo dancer 'Scandilous'.


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GABBIE MCGEE - CERTIFIED SOUL
Independent soul with a slight jazz tinge, this is a varied album from Gabbie who has a strong voice and sounds similar to Antonique in places. 'Now I Know' is an organic mid tempo groover, whilst 'Something So' a catchy foot tapper with a nice hook. The breezy radio friendly 'Sunshine and Colors' is another highlight, and 'Diva By Design' is spoken word over percussion. Interesting and well worth checking out.


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SYLEENA JOHNSON - CHAPTER THREE: THE FLESH
Third album from full voiced diva whose music straddles Soul and R&B. The duet with Anthony Hamilton 'More' is a standout and her vocal dexterity is used to the full effect on the ballad 'Slowly' also check her rework of Natalie Cole's 'Annie Mae'. This is another album that sounds stronger each time you hear it.


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