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  • Chris Huggins

    Mick

    Chris Huggins

    Soul Shake Sounds

    Dean Anderson Soul Show 20/8/26.

    Once again Andy Etheridge and myself were guests on the Dean Anderson Soul Show on Radio Newark.

    Leaving Great Yarmouth about 4pm we eventually made it to Newark just before 7pm so we made it in pretty good time despite taking almost 2 hours to get out of Norfolk.

    We met Dean in the Navigation pub for a catch up and swift half before show and to our surprise long time friend Arthur Fenn arrived for a catch up.
    We were soon in the studio along with Arthur for the 8pm start. Not sure how the shows normal listeners take our fairly unusual style of slow/mid tempo but Dean says it’s your time you play what you want.
    However the online chat did seem very quiet yet again but the few that did stay seemed to enjoy what we played and Arthur was very interested in most of the tracks.

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  • Rob Moss

    Mick

    Rob Moss

    Detroit Soul / Hayley Records

    I Care About Detroit LP

    Hayley Records second album “I Care About Detroit” is now available featuring 13 previously unreleased Detroit soul gems from some of the Motor City’s finest artists including Jimmy Delphs, Pat Lewis, Barbara Mercer, the Dramatics, Deon Jackson, Inez Foxx, Ja Neen Henry and many more.

    Side one kicks off with one of the finest Detroit tracks to ever be discovered – Inez Foxx ‘Because I love him (I just can’t put him down)’ featuring velvet vocals, screaming horns and a throbbing instrumentation that hypnotizes the listener from start to finish. The Capitols rehearsal version of their sublime ‘Don’t say maybe baby’ features two lead vocalists, Sammy George and Donald Storball, providing an interplay that enhances and intensifies the released, studio version. ‘My dear heart’ has been a stable on the rare soul scene for decades but gains a refreshing dynamism in it’s original, Golden World form through Barbara Mercer.

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  • Micky Gynn

    Mick

    Micky Gynn

    Soulful Football

    To say I am relieved to be back, talking about quality soul music, is an understatement. It has been a traumatic 18 months for me, with both my parents sadly passing away. God bless them both. What better way to send respect them, by talking about some of my favourite soul records. The 1st one is as good as it gets:

    Arthur Foy “Love Dreams” / “Get Up And Dance” (M.C.S. Records) 1980 7′
    Let’s start with a real rarity from 1980. Arthur Foy with an amazing vocal performance, on the stunning Love Dreams 45. Sad to say, Arthur passed away in 2018. A top 10 record for me from my collection. When I purchased this stunning record, I was still playing professional football. It was I would guess, around 1987, or a year or 2 later, the year we won the F. A. Cup against Spurs. 
    Had to mention that. Lol. Either Soul Bowl or Voices from the Shadows. Izipho Soul Records reissued this masterpiece in 2021, a welcome release for soul fans across the world.
    God bless you Arthur !!

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  • Tim

    New look. Same Soul.

    Welcome to the all-new Soul Discovery.

    After many years of hard work and loyal service our old server and website was feeling the strain. It was no longer keeping up with the demands of a modern online experience. The website had become bloated, slow and often dropped connections making for a frustrating user experience. Our podcast was failing to keep pace with requests made on it by cutting edge streaming and content delivery services, and although our more recent shop addition was still hanging in there, it was only a matter of time before that too started to suffer.

    We, therefore, last year, took the decision that it was time to move on, and so we set about thinking about what a new (version 4 for anyone who’s counting!) and modern Soul Discovery would look like.

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  • Krystle Wallace

    Mick

    Krystle Wallace

    Krystle is a native of Jersey City but proudly claims Newark, New Jersey as her home for the past 11years. Krystle has dedicated her gifts and leadership skills to her community and family. Those talents have yielded her many awards, of which are: a Mayoral Citation from the late Glenn D. Cunningham, a Woman of Hudson County award from Councilwoman Viola Richardson and the Mary McCleod Bethune award from the NAACP of Hudson County, to name a few.

    Krystle also volunteered her time weekly for 7 years ending around 2014, to help at-risk teenagers. While studying to become a realtor, she has been licensed for the past 10 years. Although she is a strong believer in Christ, trouble struck her home. While coming home from work one evening, Krystle was sexually assaulted by a coworker, who she considered to be friendly with. She calls this event, the moment that flipped her world upside down.

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  • Sharon Shares 

    Mick

    Sharon Shares 

    Extracts From My Book – The Last Note Book By Sharon McMahan

    I Have No Choice

    Detroit was fully engaged as a music town. It housed some of the greatest jazz musician in the word.
    It is a known fact that most of all the so-called Funk Brothers who were used by Berry Gordy at Motown, originally were jazz musicians and played at Bakers Keyboard Lounge and other jazz venues in Detroit.

    My Aunt Brent who live upstairs, had learned to play the piano, as a young girl. She taught me a couple of songs when I started out writing. They had a piano upstairs too. There was the sounds of pianos upstairs and downstairs. We could hear each other whenever we played songs. Sometimes we would play something and answer each other whenever we played a song. For instance, I would play the left-hand part of a song and Cindy would would answer me with the right-hand. They had a younger brother too, my cousin Paul but he didn’t play.

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  • Chris Huggins

    Mick

    Chris Huggins

    Soul Shake Sounds

    I started collecting soul music in the very early 80s, sparked by hearing my older brother playing jazzfunk around the house. That early exposure opened the door to a lifelong passion. Before long, I found myself drawn into the modern soul scene, especially after discovering The Backstreet Soul Club in Norwich. It was there that I first met fellow collector Andy Etheridge, who became a longtime friend. Together, we travelled across the country to various allnighters, including the legendary Rock City.
    My first DJ set came on Boxing Day 1987 at the Burnley and Pendle Soul Club, thanks to an invitation from Pat Allen.

    I was fortunate to live close to Soul Bowl and the late John Anderson, and I was a regular visitor, always on the hunt for something special. My all-time favourite soul record is by Ebony Expressions –  ‘Farewell My Love’ (owl), which happened to be the last record I ever purchased from John.
    As the years have passed, my tastes have evolved. I’ve grown to appreciate the slower, deeper side of soul, which has become the main focus of my collection today. These days, I’m more of an armchair collector, but the love for the music — and the memories it carries — has never faded.

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  • THE DIF’RENCE – 4 II C

    Mick

    THE DIF’RENCE – 4 II C

    Some artists perform songs. THE DIF’RENCE creates experiences!

    Hailing from Newport News, Virginia, THE DIF’RENCE—also known as 4 II C—is an exceptional R&B/Soul vocal duo featuring Jerry Hairston and Joe Shivers. Known for breathtaking harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and an unmistakable old-school sound infused with contemporary soul, the duo continues to captivate audiences with performances that are both timeless and unforgettable.

    With more than 40 years of combined professional experience, THE DIF’RENCE has built a reputation as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier live vocal acts. Their ability to blend classic soul, smooth R&B, Motown, funk, and pop into a polished, high-energy performance has earned them invitations to some of the region’s most prestigious stages, including the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, the Virginia Beach Funk Fest, and the Hampton Jazz Festival After Party.

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  • Sinsuke Fujieda

    Mick

    Sinsuke Fujieda

    Saxophonist / Flutist / Composer / Producer

    Originally from Mito, Ibaraki, and currently based in Tokyo, Japan, Sinsuke Fujieda is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, and music producer. He performs on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute, and also occasionally plays overtone-based instruments such as bamboo clarinet, overtone flute, and khoomei.

    He is the founder and owner of the independent label SoFa Records, through which he releases and produces his own work with full artistic and creative control. His work connects composition, improvisation, sound, and lived experience.

    As the leader of SINSUKE FUJIEDA GROUP, his music has reached jazz, spiritual jazz, and vinyl listeners around the world. His vinyl releases through France’s Superfly Records have received international attention. The first pressing of Fukushima sold out worldwide.

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  • Breeanna Maree

    Mick

    Breeanna Maree

    Poet – Artist – Writer – Lyricist

    Breeanna Maree is an artist from Palmdale, California with a particular love for ry and spoken word. Drawn to poetry for its emotional expression using the beauty of words, Breeanna began sharing her voice with her community, being featured as a recurrent artist at local open mics and the Antelope Valley Fair. She has also lent her voice to events hosted by a nonprofit organization in her local community which granted her performances at Cold Crush in Palmdale, art shows, and led her to inspire voices at a local women’s shelters.

    Her print work includes a book of poems exploring love’s dichotomies published in August of 2022 and a poem featured in Colorism Essays and Poems Volume 2. She has also been published on a variety of poetry blog websites. Breeanna’s poetic contributions to the world of art continue to blossom as she prepares for the release of her debut spoken word poetry album Sincerely, Breeanna Maree set for release on November 11th, 2023.
    By sharing her voice, she hopes to inspire those seeking the expression but struggling to find the words and anyone else who opens their hearts to the poetic empathy and striking imagery her poetic stories are sure to provide. 

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  • Ronnie Laws

    Mick

    Ronnie Laws

    Interview On Soul Discovery Show

    Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, and Musical Visionary, stands as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in modern music. With a career spanning more than five decades, Ronnie Laws has redefined the sound of contemporary jazz, funk, and soul, creating melodies that became the blueprint for much of today’s popular music.

    Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Ronnie Laws grew up in a deeply musical household guided by his mother, Miola Laws who was a choir director and organist whose love of gospel, harmony, and spiritual expression shaped the creative foundation for her children. From that nurturing environment came one of music’s most talented families including Hubert Laws, Eloise Laws, and Debra Laws. Each of whom has made significant contributions to jazz, R&B, and popular music.

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  • Rod Dearlove

    Mick

    Rod Dearlove

    Voices From The Shadows

    The Sam Dees Interview

    We sat there, huddled together like conspiritors, in a caravan on a windswept site on the north-east coast. For us all it was an experience we’ll never forget.’Fifteen years of relief pouring out over a mere four hour spell. We cannot publish the entire text of the interview for a variety of reasons, but below is the bulk of it.

    THE CAST
    Sam (“Are these guys for real!?!”) Dees
    Pat (“Oh yes they are”) Person Moore
    Tim (“I can’t believe this is happening”) Brown
    Jan ( Just one more photo…”) Barker
    Mike (“Oh my God” ) Charlton
    Mark (“Near to tears”) Caldcleugh
    Rod (“Unbelievable”) Dearlove
    Suzanne (“Stunned into a 4 hour coma”) Cameron
    Lorraine (“Pinch me so I know it is real) Dearlove

    Within its near thirty-year life span soul music divides into many different sub-categories and I felt that
    “The Show Must Go On” album represented the zenith of the marriage between seventies technology and sixties emotion. Other records from Sam Dees cemented that bond with catalyst of imagination and genuine quality, but more more than even that, I knew he was a songwriter and producer bar none.
    In effect, I felt Sam Dees was nothing short of a soul genius.

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