All posts by Mick

WIKSTROM & LEWEN

“Time To Make A Change (ftg Tommy Blaize)” / “Good, Good Feeling (ftg Louise Marshall)”

Label: Home of The Groove Records
Catalogue Number: GGOO3
Release Date: Monday 16th June 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

Both tracks, on the 7-inch, are taken from the MP3 only 2020 album “Vintage R&B”.
It’s an Anglo-Swedish affair, delivered to you by Swedish songwriters, composers and musicians, Henrik Wikstrom and Anders Lewen, together with UK producer Andrew Stannard.

It was Andrew Stannard who initially had the idea to add some authentic sounding classic soul and R&B to the Universal Music catalogue. He reached out to Lewen and Wikstrom, both excellent songwriters and composers in their own right. Wikstrom is a renowned song and music writer in Europe, and creates great melodies. Lewen a proficient guitarist and multi instrumentalist, playing on the global Soul and Blues scene for over 30 years, is a self-confessed vintage music enthusiast. Lewen has knowledge of the relevant equipment and instruments used back in the day to capture that feel and that sound. His experience includes working closely with Sven Zetterberg (incl. “Heartaches was all you got”), Magnus Carlson, Elin Ruth and James King amongst others. For the whole Vintage R&B album, the music was recorded in the European mainland and then the vocals were laid down in the UK.

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Paul Murphy – Jazz Room

Presents: COZMOS “Watusa” / “Meditations On Integration”

Cozmos – Watusa Live in the Studio!

Label: Jazzroom Records
Catalogue Number: 043
Release Date: End of June 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

When a limited edition 45 single landed on the desk of Jazz Room Head Honcho Paul Murphy he contacted the guys straight away. “Do you want a 45 piece of wax released on Jazz Room Records?” Bells were ringing!

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Shaun LaBelle feat. Maysa, Bobby Lyle & Stokley.

“Mon Cher Amour” / “Your Love Kept Calling My Name”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP112
Release Date: June 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

IZIPHO SOUL is thrilled to be releasing two star studded jazzy soul winners – back to back on a 7” picture sleeve single – Mon Cher Amour” b /w “Your Love Kept Calling My Name”

‘Mon Cher Amour’ is a sensational new release, featuring top vocal smooth-jazz recording artist Maysa and the legendary Bobby Lyle on piano. Known for his selective collaborations, Bobby Lyle was thrilled to join Shaun on this project after hearing the captivating track.

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Mic Culture Robbie Love

I’m Robbie Love, also known as Mic Culture Robbie Love. A proud R&B singer, songwriter, and entertainer with deep roots in soul. In 2024, my single ‘24-7’ received three Grammy nomination considerations: Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song. But the story doesn’t begin there.
I was raised in a rock and roll household, guided by the soulful spirit of my mother the legendary Queen of Northern Soul, Ms. Mary Love. From childhood, I was surrounded by the greats of the ’60s and beyond, and their music shaped the artist I am today.

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Gospel According To Soul Discovery  

Collectors Soul

Holden Brothers  “If I Didn’t Have You” (HB)
Robert Owens “Show Me Your Face” (Universal-Dutches Music)
Sammie Wallace “Heaven Bound” (Ideal Records)
Rich ‘Christie’ Feat Monique Reed “Free to believe” (DL)
Minister Bowie “I’m a winner” (Rolling Cloud)
Maurice “How can you say you love me” (CDS) Re-Mix – Soul Discovery CD
Bernard “Kingdom of love” (Cross Town Music West)
The DCW & Project L. Sydney Davis “Show my love to you” (MM)

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Dr Bob Jones

The Surgery

A Lifetime in Black Music

Bob Jones career in the music business started in May 1966. His music policy was, as it is now, the highest quality black music, featuring soul, dance and jazz, and he has been recognized worldwide as one of the first DJs ever to play jazz to a dance floor as early as 1971. It’s seems unbelievable to think Dr Bob is still filling dance – floors across planet Earth 55+ years since he started in May 1966. In 1979 he was instrumental in DJing at the world’s first ever soul and jazz Dance Weekender at Caister in Norfolk, England, and went on to play at 24 Caisters.

He has played in numerous clubs and venues across England, Europe and the world and In 1987, Dr Bob DJ’d at the first Southport Dance Weekender, started by Northern club promoter Alex Lowes. This event has gained full respect from the music industry worldwide with the good Dr playing 44 Weekenders [22years] He also DJ’d at the famous Monday night Jazz Sessions at London’s Wag Club alongside Gilles Peterson, Kevin Beadle and Sylvester, and was resident at the now famous Sunday Jazz Sessions at Dingwalls , Camden Lock, London with Gilles Peterson Patrick Forge & Kev Beadle.

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The History of Paul Tilman Smith, so far…

A lot of people don’t realize why myself and drummer record producer Norman Connors are dear friends today. Firstly, he was with me on my gig when he met his first wife. His self don’t even remember. I remember cause he was lucky to catch her,lol. I was sitting back with nobody.  Also, we were the youngest drummers on the New York Jazz scene right after John Coltrane died. I knew all of John’s drummers and was gonna try and steal their job if John hadn’t died.

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The Janice Lakers Quintet

“He Loves You”/”Shaker Song”

Label: Super Disco Edits Records / Brushed Up
Catalogue Number: SDE71
Release Date: March 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

Recorded in 1979 this demo by The Janice Lakers Quintet was just i guess 5 people having FUN! The Quintet consisted of Janice Lakers – vocals; Dick Cady – piano; Mike Edwards – woodwinds; Larry Turner – bass; Fred Taylor – drums.

They chose to do two covers versions, the first being Seawind’s now classic Jazz Dance Rare Groove track “He Loves You”. The group give it a much different feel where its not quite as funky as the original but with the whisking Fred Taylors drums and Larry’s Bass it floats along like a Seagull riding a thermal without a care in the world. Mid way into the song Mike Edawards and Dick Cady kick the song into gear with some accomplished Clarinet and Piano playing.

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Johnny Adams “It’s You Baby, It’s You” / “Think About You (S4R45)

Kim Tolliver “Can’t Get Into You” / “The Show Must Go On” (S4R46)

Johnny Adams
New Orleans has always spawned a potpourri of musical styles. Native Johnny Adams, fondly nicknamed “The Tan Canary” due to his multi-octave range, epitomised the soul/blues ballad genre. However, he is probably best remembered for his late 1960s country-oriented hits “Release Me” and “Reconsider Me”, the latter of which demonstrated his stratospheric falsetto.

Adams’ recording career commenced a decade earlier on Joe Ruffino’s Ric set-up, for which he released several 45s including “A Losing Battle”, a Top 30 R&B chart entry. It culminated with a series of excellent Rounder albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including the much-acclaimed One Foot In The Blues.

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Beres Hammond 

“Don’t Wait Too Long” / “You Don’t Have to Lie”

Label: At Home of The Good Groove Records
 Catalogue Number: GG002
Release Date: March 2025
Format: 7′ Vinyl

At Home of The Good Groove Records HQ, we are absolutely delighted to present our
second release – a pair of sublime tracks making their long-awaited debut on 7-inch
vinyl.

Jamaican music legend Beres Hammond has captivated audiences for over 40 years
with his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, earning him the title “King of Lovers Rock”,
with a loyal global fan base. Influenced by the American soul and jazz records his fathercollected – featuring icons like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke – as well as the rich
sounds of ska and rocksteady, Beres crafted a sound that remains timeless.

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John Lamkin

“Jazz Room Records kicks off 2025 with a massive scorcher.
welcomed reissue of trumpeter John Lamkin’s extremely rare 1984 jazz-funk album appropriately titled, Hot”

Label: JazzRoom Records
Catalogue Number: JAZZR041
Release Date: Digital album releases March 7, 2025
Format: LP Vinyl / Digital

Brilliant from start to finish, this 6-track recording incorporates everything from heavy blend of funky jazz grooves and soaring trumpet solos, to Latin rhythms, and boogie-inspired bass lines. Standout tracks include the jazz dance heater “Ticket”, the Brazilian-tinged “722”, the laid-back jazz-funk bopper “Aiya”, and the soulful “Flower” to name a few. With original copies now going for $200-300, it’s great to see this incredible recording receiving a proper reissue release. Don’t walk, run to snatch up a copy when this one hits the record

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