The gang over at UK soul label IZIPHO have let us know that their latest vinyl 45 is now good to go. It’s a splendid old school soul double A sider EVERY DAY I TRY/ BABY GIRL from a sort of “mystery” soul stylist, MEL DAY (below) who’s backed on the recordings by the equally mysterious TITO LOPEZ COMBO. When we announced this release back in March we knew very little about Mr Day, naively thinking (from the sound of his songs ) that the recordings (very much in the preaching manner of the great Joe Tex) were old tracks resurrected by the resourceful team over @ Izipho. However, we’ve had our s ..read more

You probably know that it’s RECORD STORE DAY again, this Saturday 20th April. There’s lots and lots of goodies on offer and amongst the gems at the famed Putney SOUL BROTHER shop is a 12” single mix of CHINA BURTON’S in-demand soulful dancer, ‘You Don’t Care About Our Love’. This BIG, BIG track was first released in 1979 by on Logo Records and original copies now fetch something like £400! ‘You Don’t Care About Our Love’ was Mark “China” Burton’s only record and it was recorded in March 1979 at Lansdowne Studios, Notting Hill, with producer Adam Sieff and arranger John Altman. China’s memoir r ..read more

BRAINSTORY is a Californian trio – brothers Kevin and Tony Martin (on guitar/vocals and bass, respectfully) and Eric Hagstrom (drums). Since the back end of last year we’ve enjoyed a series of quirky, catchy singles from ‘em. Every time we reviewed a single we’ve said that what the band peddle isn’t classic soul – but  things like ‘Nobody But You’, ‘Gift Of Life’, ‘Listen’, ‘Too Yung’ (their spelling, by the way), ‘Peach Optimo’ and ‘Hanging On’ delivered (amongst other flavours) a charming spin on blue-eyed soul. What impressed was the boys’ naïve musical enthusiasm and how they melded a ..read more

ARTHUR “POOCH” TAVARES died on Monday 15th April. He was aged 74 and had been suffering with ALS – a form of motor neurone disease. His wife Gini posted the news: “To all our friends and family. After a courageous battle with ALS, Pooch passed this Monday night (4/15/24). I feel peace in my heart knowing he no longer suffers. I want to thank family and friends for their love and visits while he was able to enjoy them. The funeral information will be published when it’s ready, so please respect my private grieving time at home. A ringing phone 24/7 is overwhelming now. Thank you. -Gini” Pooch w ..read more

Over the last few months we’ve enjoyed some lovely, new and  classy brit soul from  veteran UK soul man VICTOR HAYNES. In February we had a gorgeous  ‘Let The Lovin’ Start’. It was  proper grown up soul music and the silky, reassuring  vocal betrayed Victor’s years of experience in the business. Our Vic is now following through with an equally, gorgeous and silky ’Like The Old Days’. From the title you can probably tell that the single is a throwback sound packed with nostalgic references – mentions of dear Luther and Teddy and bigging up the values of loving relations ..read more

MALTED MILK (below) is a French soul, blues and funk band marshalled by singer/vocalist Arnaud Fradin. Working out of Nantes, the band have been something of an institution on the French soul scene for 25 years. We first heard of them back in 2015 when they worked with the wonderful Toni Green on an album called ‘Revival’ which featured splendid covers of things like  Ann Peeble’s ‘Slipped, Tripped And Fell In Love’ which showed where the band and Ms Green were coming from. Indeed Monsieur F has always been  clear that Malted Milk’s soul was set deep  down in Memphis though he a ..read more

Here’s a quick heads up re. a new dance offering from SOULFULEDGE (the musical alter ego of soulful house maestro Russell Pollitt).  It’s a light and frothy dancer, ‘Sweat Is On the Dancefloor’ featuring the honeyed vocals of long-time collaborator HANNAH CLARE. The track delivers all  the familiar Soulfuledge trademarks – a simple, uncluttered dance vibe, deep bass lines and plenty of glitter ball sparkle! The title says it all really! ‘Sweat Is On The Dancefloor’ will be good to go via Traxsource 26th April with general release 3rd May ..read more

We were introduced to Dutch 5-piece  ensemble, ROSEYE last month via their single ‘Sacred’. It was  an intricate thing – cinematic in places, smooth and gentle and a showcase for lead singer Tallulah Rose’s haunting voice. Not soul – but a neo-soul vibe about it. Hear more of the same on the group’s just released album, ‘Every Move’. Of that album, the band say: “We’re all about diving into that deep connection music brings – mixing up explosive, groovy vibes with some trippy and peaceful sounds. Our album ‘Every Move’ touches on some personal themes like sexuality, spirituality ..read more

 We’ve been following the trajectory of UK quintet, THE JAZZ DEFENDERS since the release of their 2019 album ‘Scheming’. We learned that the band first came together in 2015 and consisted of leader and pianist George Cooper, Nicholas Dover (sax), Nick Malcolm (trumpet), Will Harris (bass) and Matt Brown (drums). We also learned that the fivesome came together via their mutual love and respect for soul-jazz and classic hard bop – the music of the Golden Age of Blue Note, if you would. And that ‘Scheming’ LP proved that the combo really did “get” those genres. Now five years down the line t ..read more

Latest release from the prolific Fool’s Paradise label delivers a bangin’ collaboration between Italian production duo, THE DEEPSHAKERZ and TURNTABLES NIGHT FEVER. Said “banger” is ‘Oh Phunk’. The Deepshakerz are Italian producers and DJs Domy Berardino and Mirco Sonatore who are known for their eclectic fusions of vocal, techno, Chicago House and Afrobeat sounds and there’s all that and more on ‘Oh Phunk’ – a full-on bass groove, hooks-a-plenty and playful vocal stabs. Little wonder, it’s already winning bags of support! The Deepshakerz, Turntables Night Fever ‘Oh Phunk’ is released on April ..read more