Ariel

Label: Jazzroom    
Catalogue Number: LP JAZZR 031
Release Date: February 2024 
Format: LP Vinyl

A Jazz Dance Favourite that Jazz Room Records Head Honcho Paul Murphy was hepped to by Brownswood and 6Music Jazz Supremo Gilles Peterson at the 20th Birthday Bash of London’s most Underground of Clubs: Shiftless Shuffle.

Murphy: “I’d quite forgotten all about it, but when I saw the reaction on the dancefloor it was “Mental Note Time, get on the case for a full investigation and let’s see some Vinyl re-issue action!”

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Bella Brown & the Jealous Lovers 

Label: LRK Records     
Catalogue Number: LP: LRK-LP07 / CD: LRK-CD07 / DIGITAL:LRKLP07DD
Release Date: 2nd February 2024 
Format: LP Vinyl / CD / Digital Album

A Fusion of Retro Soul/Funk and Modern Grooves Los Angeles-based retro soul/funk sensation Bella Brown & the Jealous Lovers are set to ignite the music scene with their highly anticipated LP, “Soul Clap.” Born from the creative genius of Grammy Award-winning vocalist/songwriter Carol Hatchett, Bella Brown emerges as a diva with a fiery stage presence, drawing inspiration from the likes of Tina Turner and Sharon Jones, and channeling the empowered female leads of 70s Blaxploitation films.

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The New Lost Generation

“Thinkin’ Bout Cha” (Bringing Forth) / “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”

Label:  Izipho Soul Records 
Catalogue Number: ZP95 
Release Date: 26th January 2024 
Format: 7’

Legendary Chicago group The Lost Generation rebranded at the turn of the new millennium as The New Lost Generation, the lead track from their self titled album yielded “Thinkin’ Bout Cha”- an anthem on the Chicago Stepper scene and much admired by those in the know on the Modern Soul scene. The album version was over 12 minutes long – Now 7-inch friendly, we present The “Bringing Forth” Edit by Philip Ward who has weaved his magic, reconstructing the song and bringing forward Fred Simon’s spoken part to the intro, whilst including extra vocal acrobatic segments from lead vocalist Charles Jackson.

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Jesse James / Yvonne Baker

“Don’t Forget That I Love You”  / “I Need Love” 

Label: North Broad St Records
Catalogue Number: NBS009BL
Release Date: January 2024
Format: 7’

I suspect a number of people have been thinking that it has been all quiet on the East of Scotland front with NBS lately, but most won’t be surprised to hear that the guys gave been beavering away in the background on various deals and the processes needed to set these in flight. And now the guys are delighted to reveal the next track, a release of what looks like the songwriter’s demo of the Intentions – Don’t Forget That I Love You by none other than famed Philly producer and songwriter Jesse James. This was sourced via legendary record collector and member of the Intentions Dennis Brennan, who was very keen to see what is likely the original cut made available. Colin already had a long and fruitful relationship with Dennis over the years of buying records resulting in a strong friendship, so Dennis was keen to do business with the guys.  Unfortunately during the negotiations Dennis became ill and the guys at NBS pushed through the negotiations and contracts as quick as possible to aid Dennis in his treatment, an immense expense in the USA. Sadly, Dennis did not survive to see the release, but he would have been very happy to see the realisation of his wish to see it out there. 

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The Ellis Hall Group

“Those Passing Words” / “What Will I Do”

Label: Ellis Hall Records
Catalogue Number: SDE68
Release Date: November 2023 
Format: 7’

We are back after a fairly quiet summer.  A case of me playing too much golf and just not being able to find the quality i like when releasing new music. But stop the press, after about 7 years of trying we have finally secured this amazing modern soul winner from 1978 by The Ellis Hall Group.  Hailing out of Boston Massachusetts the group recorded a show reel for tv music show “Nightshift”.  This is where we first heard the incredible “Those Passing Words” and straight away knew we had to have the original studio version.

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Soul Prescription- Various Artists   

Label: Soul4Real Records
Catalogue Number: S4RLP04
Release Date: 7th December 2023 
Format: LP

Whatever condition your condition is in, Soul4Real have huddled together a team of the finest soul physicians to make you feel good.
We scoured all the shelves in the soul pharmacy and discovered some potions that were only just through the trial stage. Just one listen to the brilliant Aretha, Gladys, Walter Jackson and the Purify’s tracks convinced us not to wait for FDA approval, so we took the plunge and shared them with the world on vinyl for the very first time.

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New Kent Records 45’s

The Mayberry Movement
“I Can See Him Making Love To You” / “What Did I Do Wrong”

Label: Kent Records
Catalogue Number: CITY 090 
Release Date: 24th November 2023 
Format: 7’

This pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure – perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate. This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful and vital than the Anderson Brothers which was huge on the Northern Soul scene, but without this take for competition at the time. Maybe the steamy finale to the Mayberry’s version was a bit too much for radio play, but surely the brilliance of the ballad A side would have compensated for that. Their loss; our gain.

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Julian Jonah 

Julian Jonah Featuring: Dutch Robinson A-Side & Sugar Rainbow B-side “If You Wanna Know (What’s Missing)”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP96
Release Date: November 2023
Format: 7’

We are proud to announce Julian Jonah’s highly anticipated follow up to last year’s Now’s The Time For Us b/w Coming Back For Your Lovin’. This time around there are two incredible versions of the same song – If You Waanna (Know What’s Missing) One featuring the lead vocals of Dutch Robinson, the other Sugar Rainbow.  Julian Jonah was originally known as one of the main producers and influencers of the early-house scene. He is now focussed on an early 80s U.S. styled soul / funk sound, reminiscent of labels such as Prelude.

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Blue Mode / El Chavo

“Smells Like Teen Spirt” / “Hola Muneca”

Label: Jazzroom 
Catalogue Number: JAZZR 032
Release Date: 23rd January 2024
Format: 7’

The A-Side is one of the biggest tunes from the grunge era and is given a Jazzy Funky Groovey version by Blue Mode. Nirvana were influenced by everything from The Gap Band to Louie Louie and a fair smattering of 80’s indie and this production by Chip Wickham mix’s in a swinging ‘60s’ Blue Note vibe with Acid Jazz sound and brings it bang up to date with Nu-Jazz experience.  First time on 45 and is already a DJ favourite after being included in Paul Murphy set”Jazz Room on BBE Records.

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Mary Love

 ‘More Love (And Then Some)’

Label: Record Shack
Catalogue Number: RS.45-065
Release Date: 28th Oct 2023 
Format: 7’

Mary Love is a much loved Soul-music legend, her sublime recordings are of equal quality to the likes of Linda Jones, Betty Everett and Betty Wright, but the deserved commercial success did not happen.
Nevertheless, she had a global career, appreciation came from those Soul loving people up there in the North of England where she became the ‘Queen of Northern Soul’!

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The George Semper Music Archives – Joel Semper Brockman

Semper sounds have been heard in television, film, and radio, a highlight being 2009 Eddie Murphy film Norbit, ‘The Hands of Time’. Creating music until his last days Geroge Semper transitioned in 2009 in his birthplace of Trinidad & Tobago, WI. Greatly inspired by his fathers musical talent and body of work Joel started The George Semper Music Archives. The archives include Semper and his collaborators’ 5 decades music catalog and restored master recordings!

A digital development consultant Joel resides in the San Francisco, California “Bay Area”. His musical journey began in learning more about his Fathers career. George and his Mother met at a turning point in US culture, a time when Semper backed Ray Charles at the Moulin Rouge hotel-casino.  She, a southern Anglo Belle and George, created a booking company with  some of the first racially integrated live shows on the Las Vegas strip.

Born into a creative world with mixed ancestry enriched Joel’s cultural and social perspectives with a diverse range of experiences.  In his teens, like his Father, Joel pursued a music career as promoter and producer launching a successful live venue, independent record label, and leading production company securing a multi-artist production deal &  platinum status. In his twenties, he moved to New York City, and worked with finance, consulting and tech companies, providing staffing & digital solutions. During this time he contributed to the development of the world’s first social site led by Peter Friedman talkcity.com and the first mobile YouTube Eveo.com.

Joel is a married proud father of two sons, whose journey continues with new discoveries of his Fathers music.

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The Natural Soul Brothers Ltd / The Four Thoughts

“Cement, Plaster & Gold”  /  “Kisses & Roses” 

Label: Soul Direction
Catalogue Number: SD019
Release Date: 24th November 2023 
Format: 7’

Staying in my favourite state of Philly, we continue with 2 sublime tracks from the Wally-O- Production stables.
The home of Herb Johnson & The Impacts, The Topics and the soul duo of Jeri Payne and Joe Freeman aka. Jeri & Joe. The two tracks featured in this latest Soul Direction Release are both prime examples of the forgotten and obscure talents from this Wally Osborne production line. 

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Jessie Laine Powell

Like No Other Love’  / ‘Love Supreme’  / On The Edge / Pure Love 

Jessie Laine Powell has been deemed a timeless classic soulful voice. Born in Lexington Kentucky, Jessie grew up in a home filled with the gospel music of the church and that of her talented siblings. But it was the jazz influence of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn, and the Lawrence Welk Show that stirred her soul and began to dominate her musical taste.

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