Category Archives: Articles

The Ironsides

‘Changing light” / “Sommer”

Label: Colemine Records
Catalogue Number: CLMN-176
Release Date: 14th October 2022
Format: 7’

Breezy instrumental soul from California’s The Ironsides. Featuring members of Monophonics, ‘Changing Light’ is a cinematic and orchestral track that is uber-pleasing to the ears. The B-Side, “Sommer” is a cover of an obscure 1973 song by Stig & Steen, but the mood seems very modern with the help of some excellent production by brothers Max and Joe Ramey.
Terry Cole

The Lovemasters

“If you see Kate” / “Let’s stay together”

Label:  North Broad Street Records
Catalogue:  NBS 007BL
Release Date: 3rd Sept 2022
Format: 7’

As North Broad Street Records goes from strength to strength, September will see the arrival of the seventh vinyl release in their series of quality previously unissued soul recordings. NBS 007 takes us to the Windy City for two fine tracks by the group who previously gave us a northern soul classic on Jacklyn Records. A key figure in this particular origin story is West Yorkshire record collector and DJ Dave Box. When Dave passed away in 2018, the UK soul community lost a vital connection with some of the finest Chicago soul artists of all time. Boxy’s involvement on the soul scene goes further back than most—Normanton Baths soul nights from 1967, the all-nighters which followed in the early 1970s, and in more recent years, the Wilton and Frobisher events. Dave’s close friendship with a number of recording artists culminated in some UK stage appearances which discerning soul fans had only dreamed of experiencing. His commitment to the scene was unyielding, and the legacy continues with this latest release by North Broad Street.

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James Lately

“What you’re doing”

Label: MD Records
Catalogue: MD-120
Release Date: Sept
Format: 7’

Here you have the first release of the previously unissued version of the Johnnie Mae Mathews flip to ‘Two Sided Thing’ sung by James Lately. This was uncovered in the Pioneer vaults being digitised as part of the MD Pioneer project.
Interestingly we have also uncovered the original recording of the ‘Two Sided Thing’ which was also recorded at Pioneer Studios.

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Tomangoes ft The Gambrells

 “Love’s gotta hold on me” / “Since you’ve been gone”

Label: MD Records
Catalogue: MD-119
Release Date: Sept
Format: 7’

So, the story of the Tomangoes keeps growing and unfolding. For years it has been rumoured that the band may have been a studio band with Dusty Williams heading up on the vocals. MDs wor with Pioneer Studios has evidenced that there were in fact three members of the band; Claude ‘Dusty ‘Williams and two guys where we only currently have the names James and Lamar.  We are continuing our search for more information on this and will bring you the story in full as soon as we can. You can always keep up to date on the story as we publish in the Soul up North fanzine by Howard Earnshaw.

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Kim Tibbs

THE SCiENCE OF COMPLETiON VOLUME 1.

Label:  Izipho Soul Records
Release Date: 16th September 2022
Format Options: Red Double Vinyl (Limited Edition of 200 Copies) / Black Double Vinyl & CD.

Recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, TN, USA and co-produced by Lawrence Boo Mitchell, son of the late great Willie Mitchell.Twenty five musicians played their part on this project and have created the most authentic 70s soul you will ever hear in 21st century music, attention to detail even went as far as retrieving Al Green’s microphone from the original Hi sessions to enhance that vintage sound!

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Robert IMtume Owens

Reflecting on my life, there was never a time when music wasn’t a part of it. In fact, at the age of 7, I remember walking down 52nd and Hooper in South Central, LA, and hearing a voice say to me, “You are a singer and you will sing.” That voice turned out to be correct. I went on to sing in the California state choir that was directed by Andre Crouch when I was 8 years old. I sang soprano at the time because I had a really high voice. I’ve been singing ever since, though now, I’m definitely more of a tenor.

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Don Bryant

“A world like that” / “It was jealousy”

Label: Creative Soul
Catalogue: CS-1002
Release Date: August 2022
Format: 7’

Written by Memphis performer and songwriter, John Paul Keith, ‘A World Like That’ is a response to the racially motivated fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by a serving police officer in 2014. Don gives a moving vocal performance with sympathetic accompaniment from a seasoned set of Memphis based musicians including Charles Hodges and Howard Grimes, which sadly proved to be the legendary drummers last recording session.

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The Harlem Gospel Travelers

Things are looking up for The Harlem Gospel Travelers, who return here with a new album, a new lineup, and a new lease on life. Produced by Eli Paperboy Reed, Look Up! marks the group’s first full-length release as a trio, as well as their first collection of totally original material, and it couldn’t have come at a more vital moment. The music still draws deeply on the gospel quartet tradition of the ’50s and ’60s, of course, but there’s a distinctly modern edge to the record, an unmistakable reflection of the tumultuous past few years of pandemic anxiety, political chaos, and social unrest. The songs are bold and resilient, facing down doubt and despair with faith and perseverance, and the performances are explosive and ecstatic, fueled by dazzling vocal arrangements punctuated with gritty bursts of guitar and crunchy rhythm breaks. 

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Michon C. Young

Love Life Experiences Volume 3 – Conversation Piece  
Released on 27th May 2022, its a welcome return in 2022 for Michon Young, following on from 2018’s LLE V2 – Driving To Purpose, which featured Let’s Go To Work, It’s All About Me, Go Get It and incl guest appearances from Carmichael Musiclover & Audley Reid. 

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“September sun” / Morning song”

Composed, arranged, produced and mixed by Tom Funk & Don Pascal
at Lazy Robot Records.
Recorded at Lazy Robot Studios and Lloyd Haines Drums Studios, London, UK

Tamar Osborn : Saxophone & Flute
Myele Manzanza : Drums
Tom Funk : Piano, Keyboards, Guitar, Tablas, Rainstick, Bass on “September Sun” Additional Drums on “Morning Song” Don Pascal : Clave, Percussion, Bass on “Morning Song” Ozan Nidayi : Congas on “September Sun”
Mastered by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks Mastering
Artwork painting by Philippe Goulier Additional design by Absolute Print
Lazy Robot Records & Afro Atlantic 2022 ©

Ruby Winters

I can’t help but love you” \ “If only (we had met sooner)”

Label: Creative Soul 
Catalog: CS-001
Release Date: End of July 2022
Format: 7’ Vinyl  

George Kerr and Ruby Winters were riding high in the US R&B charts in 1967. George had hits that year with The O’Jays and Linda Jones; Ruby had scored a hit for Diamond Records with ‘I Want Action’. George’s production talent brought him to the attention of Diamond Records, and was introduced to the label owner, Phil Kahl by his friend Teddy Van, who was a staff producer for the label. So the scene was set for a pairing of these two immense talents, and recording sessions were scheduled to include another of Diamond’s artists, Johnny Thunder, who had previously recorded duets with Ruby.

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Kim Tibbs

“Where would I be without you ?”

Label:  Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue: ZP74
Release Date:  Out Now
Format: 7’

Question: How do you create a perfect newly recorded modern soul masterpiece that sounds authentically mid 70s?Answer: You have KIM TIBBS write, sing, play, produce and record it at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, TN. with Lawrence Boo Mitchell at the controls. 

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