SOUL RECOMMENDATIONS OCTOBER 2016

Review: John Heartsman and Circles are precisely the sort of fellas you'd expect to see land on Athens Of The North, the most recent boogie-jazz reissuers to come out of the US of A. This material from the late 70's is like gold on the second hand market, and more like a mirage given the fact that original copies are her impossible to come by. Anyhow, this is proper soul-jazz goodness at its best, so if that's your thing, then get on it real fast. "Mr Magic" appears here as an edit from Fryers, but it's not million miles away from the original, its subtle organs still intact and that catch, funky swing still very much at the core of the tune. Heard the Idris Muhammad version? Check it to compare. "Talking About My Baby" is looser, more soulful affair with a faster tempo and Heartsman's rugged vocals in its underbelly. Quality.

Review: Taken from Leroy's fourth album Hutson II (an album that many would argue was his richest vein of form), AOTN have selected two cuts that do well to express Leroy's versatility and skill. "I Think I'm Falling In Love" is a one-track reason why The Impressions hired Hutson to replace Mayfield; heartfelt, gutsy vocals delivered with a near spoken word solemnity, every inch of its power remains intact after 40 years. "Love To Hold You Close", meanwhile, is a much dreamier, yearning affair with lush sweeping strings and a silky finish that could woo the poet out of the coldest of souls.

Review: Carmelita is a digger's dream, a name that'll make eyeballs turn in their sockets when come across in second-hand record bins. She is only known for her Northern soul classic "Rosebud", but it appears that she may have had a few EPs that went below the radar. Tramp Germany have done us the favour of reissuing - and largely resurfacing - "Mitchie Mitchie Mo-Jo", a latin-funk stomper backed by an incredible percussion roll and Carmelita's own rugged but beautifully deep voice. "Under The Trees" is dreamier, more magical, and contains something of the mystical in its circling flutes. A real find - don't miss it.

Review: The Numero group can hardly ever do any wrong and, as per usual, they've steamrolled their way to the top of our charts with a monstrously good new soul compilation. It was ten years ago this year that they released their Homeschooled compilation, which also championed the young talents of the 70s soul scene in the USA, so The Afterschool Special feels like a natural release from their end. And there's just so much talent in here. Number 66 in the series features must-have 7" rarities such as "Runnin' Wild" by Scott Three, who already sounds as mature as any adult, the squeakier voice of Jimi Hill, a gloriously funky little head-trip in "I Love You Still" by Cash, and so much more. This compilation is literally four sides of pure heat, and it's certainly yet another highly recommended Numero bombshell.

Review: There's a truly unique story behind this latest discovery from DJ Amir. Another great find from his Strata master tapes licence acquisition, TJ was written on the label of an undated, unmarked demo reel. No other information besides the beautifully raw soul on tape. Literally nothing is known about who TJ was (or were). Similarities with Shuggie Otis or perhaps Darondo are strong as the stripped back lightly treated guitars and his hazy, yearning vocal technique come on strong throughout. From the full bodied soul funk of "Love Flower" to the looped faraway harmonies and simple guitar backbone of "Time Is Wasting", the music is as strong the mystery itself. Beautiful.

Review: Legendary funk and soul organist John Hurd only ever released one single alongside The Revised Brotherhood Band, 1971's "Tragedy" and "Those Things". He was famously mentored by the great Roger Troutman, and you can hear that unpredictability in this single, which is why the Tramp label have done us an absolute favour by reissuing this rare and magnificent 7". "Tragedy" is pure naughtiness, a raw and improvisational soul cut with a nasty, funked-out kinda lean that sits somewhere between Isaac Hayes and James Brown. "Those Things" is where you can really hear Hurd's organ skills, and those keys jump out of the vinyl and into mid-air thanks to the help of a whirlpool of brass and percussion. Ya need!

Review: Shaun Escoffery, a veteran of the UK soul for around two decades now, returns with his fourth album Evergreen. Some thirteen tracks long, this album lives up to its title as Escoffery once again shows his take on soul music to be fresh and vibrant. Joss Stone shares the microphone with Escoffery on the title track, whilst the always-excellent Andreya Triana also features on a very atmospheric cover version of Eurythmics song "Here Comes The Rain Again." Otherwise this is all Escoffery and we are particularly fond of the supremely soulful and nostalgic "Love Shine Down". British soul at its finest.

Review: Alabaman soul six-piece St Paul & The Broken Bones follow up 2014's LP debut Half The City with a lavishly produced lesson in levelling up. Broader in sound, style and confidence, the range on Sea Of Noise hits hard from the off; the Lee Fields-level of emotional cries on "Sanctify", the bluesy rock twangs and gospel chorus of "Waves", the lean arrangement and full-spotlight Charles Bradley vocals of "I'll Be Your Woman", the poppy stomp and sing-along-ability of "Brain Matter", the gutsy belts and Stax horns of "Burning Rome"... All brought together with consistency and character, albums like these never stop offering something new on every single listen.