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****Soul Discovery Top 10's for 2007****

Cambridge 105FM
www.209radio.co.uk
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Top Choices for 2007

Mick O'Donnell / Soul@209radio.co.uk
My Top 30th on 30.12.07

Brian Goucher/ www.soulessence.co.uk
It’s been a fabulous year for new, recent and decent soul tunage, its been turning up in abundance at just about every outlet I know. In fact its been so good that my acquisition of vinyl is at an all time low, the latter was forced upon me at the beginning of the year due to personal circumstances, as the year has progressed I just simply concentrated on the cd’s. You know what I havn’t missed the vinyl either, well that’s not strictly true, I miss the deeper sevens landing on the doormat. Anyway Mick asked me for my top ten of 2007, so here goes, in no particular order, a serious play in the house all through the year has been Theryl “Love makes the world go round” stunning meandering balladry with enough of a beat to tap your feet too. On the same tip comes Parker’s “This worlds gone mad”, a quite brilliant subtle dancer that will without doubt stand the test of time and go onto become folklore. I know it’s getting big raps elsewhere too. Two other tunes that have also hogged the laser flicker are Choklate with “ Incredible” and Kameela “ Nothing Else” tracks from albums not normally associated with soul music but as essential as anything Iv heard this year. Both got a huge response when aired on Mick’s show.
Then there is Kashious with his anthemic “ All over again” another subtle dancer that again will have its day, and for more of the same give Big Joe “Just walk away” a spin straight after, stunning tunes. Tad Robinson “Aint that loving you” is another that simply won’t be filed away, again I think this one will come back and haunt a few that didn’t take the plunge, one hell of a voice on a quite superb production. Who could forget David Sea “Hook up to the heart”, this one suffered because of the quality of the rest of the album, I think many missed this, its another top top dancer.
More recently Ann Nesby “This could be love” has shattered the silence here at home, but again the masses went for the more obvious dancer, she sounds so so good at the minute. And finally Oak III with there breathtaking O’Jays soundalike “All about staying together”.Well there you have it 10 tunes that get me shuffling and stepping my way around the house, not a ballad in sight, now that’s a breathtaking list of killer tunes for another day.
Soul on
Gouch

Steve Dolan www.stevessoulsounds.co.uk
An almost impossible task given the amount of material around, however to
help narrow the field I have decided to select from material actually released
in 2007. The list of one's that narrowly missed but deserve recognition
include "Fathers Children, Lenny Williams (that CD has really grown on me),
T.K. Soul "Try Me", Patrick Henry "Bye Bye Baby", Chris Jasper "Invincible"
Sammie Relford I've Been Thinking About You", Jerry L "Lies" and Carl Sim's "I'll Go Crazy
Early contenders for 2008 if they ever get released include Lee Fields "At The
End Of The Day"; Al Lindsey "Call Me" and Wendell B "She Didn't Have Ta Hurt
Ya Boy Like That."
Top Ten
Bigg Joe "Running Back To Me"
Kashious "To Make A Difference"
Floyd Taylor "Sweet Love"
Mr. Sam "I'm Coming Home"
Lil Falley "I Wanna Make Love 2 U"
Lola "Don't Go Away"
Oak III "Yes I Do"
Onyx 1 Ft Terrence Forsythe "You Never Fail To Amaze Me"
Vick Allen "Good Love"
Special "Girlfriend To Girlfriend"

Mike Ward mikeindasoul@aol.com
Lori Jenaire “Fruition” The Whole Album
G.Cole “Something Special”
Terry Cumming “Right Time” Live
KJ “Hey You”
Micehelle Taylor “One Look”
Laura “What Kinda Love”
Devon “Keep it Real”
Neysa “Touch Me”
June Rochelle “This Christmas”

Mark Hougton/ A New Chapter markh.realsoul@blueyonder.co.uk
Al McDaniel -They Don`t Know/Very Special Lady (CPA) -
For collectors/DJ`s like myself who are constantly looking for new sounds there are the those rare occasions when you stumble across something with that "wow" factor. These two cuts (among a few other quality tracks) did just that. From the gospel tinged "They Don`t Know" through to the midtempo future anthem "Very Special Lady" it was good enough to snatch top place as my best of 2007.
Trudy Lynn - You`re The Only One (Sawdust Alley) -
From when i first tipped this track back in April i knew this would be a certainty for my Top 3. Reaction from Soul audiences and other DJ`s since then have confirmed my initial reaction. A fantastic piece of midtempo 70`s flavoured soul music.
Embers - The Last Time I`m Saying Goodbye (Bluewater) -
Thanks to Mark Merry for making me aware of this timeless joyous dancer. This single from a forecoming LP (which promises to be a corker) could well go big at Crossover and 70`s venues in 2008 .
Duhart/Katz - Get My Swerve On (Cribnote) -
A midtempo contempory dancer featuring some lovely strings and the powerful female vocals of Asia. Another tip for 2008.
Lee Fields - My World/Love Comes and Goes (Truth and Soul) -
Another 2 tracks which dispel the myth that there no good Soul records made anymore. Crossover Soul for 2007.
Power - Once Upon A Time (in love with you/ Get Your Love (Power) -
Former Malaco recording act Power returned in early 2007 with a vengence . Overall a superb cd with the midtempo "Once Upon A Time" and dancer "Get Your Love" edging it as the top cuts from the album
Sharon McMahan -When Will Love Come To Me (So.Calitown) -
Sharon`s main claim to fame is writing the classic "Someday we`re gonna love again" for Barbara Lewis (although she did herself release a lovely 45 on Columbia). This comeback features a couple of excellent tracks with the lovely sax driven midpacer "When" just edging "Summer Livin`" as the cream cut
Simone De - Since I Lost You Baby/Show Me (Premiere/Selecta) -
These 2 standout dancers proved so popular for Mick on the show that Paul Mooney decided to release them on a 7. Take your pick over which track or format .
Darryl Askew - We Can Make It (DAS) -
Quite simply a laid back, but magic piece of Soul music
Kashious - Starting All Over Again/Bad Luck (Gordon)-
A big thank you to Steve Dolan for bringing this great new talent to Mick`s and ultimately our attention. Whether it be the raw but very soulful "Starting" or the heartfelt ballad "Bad Luck" you have soul music of the highest quality
Patrick Harris- Missin` Your Love (Lyn-Rome) -
A beautiful haunting ballad from yet another great new talent
Theryl "Houseman" DeCloet - Love Makes The World Go Round (Theryl "Houseman" DeCloet) -
Thanks to Brian Goucher for bringing this classy "fingersnapping" version of the Deon Jackson classic to my attention
Chris Jasper - Invincible (Gold City) -
Instant classic from the first time i heard Mick play it on the show. More plays could make it a Soul anthem
LJ Reynolds -So Good (Born again) -
From the "Fosters Babies" soundtrack top class contempory Soul with the legendary LJ and daughter Latoya in great vocal form
Al Hughes - Turned Around (Kat) -This quality contempory dancer has crept up on me and grown from repeated plays in recent weeks
Joint Heir - Your Love Is Amazing (Joint Heir) -
Another thumbs up to Mr Dolan for bringing my attention to this excellent 80`s sounding dancer which went down a storm at the Soul 4 Real weekender (Bilbao) in July.
Lola (featuring William Bell) - Shake Hands (Wilbe)
Standout track from the recent cd . A lovely floating duet reminicent of William`s classic duet "Private Number"
Clifford Thompson - Baby Don`t Hold Back (Goldwax) -
Timeless Southern Soul with real instruments from the legendary label
Eric Cross -Oh Baby (Eric Cross) -
From the son of Stax recording artist Wendy Rene comes this laid back, subtle retro soul with a touch of class
Earl Gaines-Let Me Live My Life (Blue- FYE) -
Soul/Blues veteran Earl shows off his distinctive vocals on this excellent old school midtempo track
Worthy mentions to…..
Pee Wee Callins, Melissa Young, Carl Joiner, Neal Sharpe, Robert Owens, Geoff McBride, Ronnie Mcneir, B Dupree, Hermon Hitson, JD Experience, Renee Jones, Anita Easterling, Patrick Henry, Betty Sea, Carl Sims, Sammie Relford and J.
Cheers
Mark H

Mark MerryThis Worlds Gone Mad - Parker - This Worlds Gone Mad - Moe Soul
The Last Time I,m Saying Goodbye - The Embers - Show Must Go On - Bluewater Records
All About Staying Together - Oak III - Sweet & Nasty - Oak III
Missing Your Love - Patrick Harris - Long Time Coming - Lyn Rome
Baby If You Only Knew - Euge Groove Featuring Jeffrey Osbourne - Born To Groove - Narada
Love Comes & Goes - Lee Fields - Truth & Soul
Surprise Surprise - Sterling Harrison - South Of The Snooty Fox - Hacktone
Woman / I Forgot Too Remember - Floyd Taylor - You Still Got It - Malaco
Take Everything In - Angie Stone - The Art Of Love & War - Stax
Can You Feel Me - Howard Hewett - If Only - Machine Production

Mike Charlton/www.soulessence.co.uk
Michael Rainey “Wrapped Too Tight (If He Ain't)” (Rainey CD 2006)
Butch Williams “Keep On Lovin' Me (The Way You Do)” (Williams CD 2007)
Parker 'This World's Gone Mad' (Moesoul CD 2007)
The Fantastic Four “Loving You Is Hurting Me” (Motown)
'Cellarful Of Motown Vol. 3 CD 2007
Jimmie Delphs “Do You Know What I Mean” (S.S..I ‘45’ 1977)
Rozetta Johnson “You Better Keep What You Got (Shotgun ‘45’ 2007)
David Lenyard & The Music “It’s Never To Late” (Flying Eagles ‘45’ 1975)
George Jackson “Walking the city streets” (Kent CD 2007)
Mark IV “Signs of a dying love” (OBT 12’ 1977)
Lee Fields “At the end of the day” (Promo 2007 )Thanks to Steve Dolan for this gem!)

Fish / www.firstexperiencerecords.com Tel: 01162375461
Wahoo - Don't Take It Personal (Fine) 12"
April Hill - The Search (Soulbrother) cd album
Raw Artistic Soul feat Jon Gibbons - In Their Eyes (Gogo) cd album
Jafrosax - Grow (Konami) cd album
Darlene McCoy - Unity (EMI Gospel) cd album
Floyd Taylor - Sweet Love (Malaco) cd album
Terry Hunter feat Terisa Griffin - Wonderful (Soul Heaven) 12" Remix
Angie Stone feat James Ingram - My People (Stax) cd album
Phil Perry - The World Is A Ghetto (Shanachie) cd album
Robert Owens & Dj Spen - A Greater Love (MN2S) 12"

Colin Dilnot: In Dangerous Rhyhm
Sharon Jones & Dapkings “100 Days & 100 Nights” (Daptone CD)
She has swept everything before her this year and this moody number is one her best
Lee Fields & The Expressions “My World” (Truth & Soul 45)
An atmospheric side from the veteran singer - one of his best in years with deeply meaningful song for these troubled times which haunts you for ever once you've heard it - a true classic
David Sea “Believe In Me” (Shotgun 45)
First time out for this Sound Of Birmingham recording which has all the hallmarks of that studio's recordings - terrific start for Paul Mooney's label
Millen Sisters “She's Not” (MySpace)
A great song from 2 highly talented sisters who I hope will get the chance to cut an album
Big Joe Louis “Go Go” (Train Timmion 45)
What a sound - UK blues singer turns up one of the funkiest numbers of the year with a blasting groover!
Reverend Cleatus & Soul Saviours “Saviour Stew 2lbs Of Funk (In A 1lb Bag Soul Cookers )
A raw Hammond led number from a very good CD.
Eli "Paperboy" (Reed & The Trueloves It's Easier Q-Dee 45 )
A throwback sound from the Boston blue-eyed soul singer who is a great talent
Robert Moore “Make It Alright” (Freestyle 45)Another veteran singer pops up and recorded a killer version while in the UK for a gig!
Derek Martin “Flashback” (Stateside CD The Roulette Recordings)
So many great sides still be unearthed - this has to be one of my greatest dreams fulfilled ever - from the moment Richard Searling played this as an acetate - I thought this would have bee massive beyond massive at Wigan. I always thought it was Derek and now we know - a superb CD from a mega talent.
George Jackson “Walking the city streets” (Kent CD 2007) Can't Be SatisfiedTalking about mega talents - he's the man on a mellow number from an excellent CD from the ever consistent Ace/Kent

Paul Mooney www.millbrand.com
SOUL MUSIC was very much alive in 2007 and the musical highlights were essential new albums by Mavis Staples, Bettye LaVette, Lamar Thomas and Sharon Jones. I’d also like to praise Sharon McMahan, Simone De, Butch Williams, Al Lindsay, Oak III, Patrick Harris, Kashious, Bobby Hutton, Marcelle & The Truth and Eli Reed for delivering some outstanding tracks this year.

2007 saw many excellent reissue projects and it’s always an added bonus when previously unheard material is found in the vaults. My favourite vintage discoveries were by George Jackson on Kent and Rozetta Johnson on Shotgun and Soulscape.

Grapevine/Soul Junction came to an end after seven years but I continued to work with Garry Cape and enjoyed helping him to establish Soulscape Records which already has a strong catalogue. I am particularly proud of Personal Woman by Rozetta Johnson which was my favourite classic soul album of the year.

It’s a privilege to work in the music industry and I’m thankful that 2007 was another busy and successful year. We signed many new publishing deals at Millbrand Music and formed a sister company called Selecta Records, launching the Selecta and Shotgun labels with singles by Sheba Potts-Wright, Bobby Hutton, Simone De, David Sea and Rozetta Johnson. The response was very encouraging and I’m looking forward to 2008 which will start off with the amazing “Fool Of The Year” by Sam Dees.

At Millbrand we became more involved in media licensing this year and I was delighted to place ten classic soul songs in a new movie called Clubbed which will be released in 2008.

Unfortunately, 2007 saw the passing of many artists and it was very sad to lose Bob Relf in November. I’ll miss him as a friend and a valued client.

Time passes by so quickly. I had my 50th birthday on December 10th, the day that marked the 40th anniversary of the death of Otis Redding. I really can’t imagine a life without Stax or Motown and I thank God for the voice of Levi Stubbs.
Paul Mooney
www.millbrand.com

Colin Brown
Jackie Moore - Tired Of Hiding - Kayvette
Ted Taylor - Something Strange Going On In My House - Ronn Records.
Julius Williams and Indeya - Together As One - So.Co. Records.
Prime Time - I Owe It To Myself - Total Experience.
Ronnie Dyson - The More You Do It.. - Columbia.
Gwen McCrae - Lead Me On - Columbia.
We The People - Right Now - Lion Records.
Betty Wright - If Ever I Do Wrong - Alston Records.
And last but not least 2 Deep Tunes :-
Jimmy Johnson - Don`t Answer The Door - Magnum Records.
Ike and Tina Turner - Hurt Is All You Gave Me - Modern Records.

Steve Plumb - www.soulmusic.co.uk
Top10 ‘Orwell spins’ of 2007
Mary Gresham - I’ll never let you walk alone - Soundscape CD
(A future 70’s classic!!! Due out on CD in 2008)
Young Devines - Ain’t that sharp - Note
(My best friend for most of 2007!)
Detroit Emeralds - Long live the king - Westbound LP(Cracking 70’s Northern dancer that I really have faith in!)
Wali Ali - (Oh) I need your lovin’ - Jobete LP
(Took me a while to find this little baby! Soul Music at it’s best!)
Jerry Butler - The best love I ever had - Phil Int 45
(Gamble & Huff meet The Ice Man at Sigma - Stunning dancer!)
French Coffey - Nothing from nothing - Pick a Hit
(What a version! Played this to death in 2007!)
Teeah Louise - You happened to me - Coastal
(Fabulous mid tempo mover from the lead singer with Tearra!)
Jesse Butler - Let my love bring out the woman in you - Southbound LP
(Still to have its day…but it will!)
Insights - I need your loneliness - Palmetto
(Picking up in 2008 where ‘The Tempests - Someday’ left off!)
Tapestry - It’s not the world that’s messed up - Capitol
(The type of record that could cross over to the Northern Rooms in 2008! Brill 70’s dancer with all the right ingredients!)

Eddie Hubbard / www.myspace.com/banburysoulclub
George Jackson “Walking the city streets” (Kent CD 2007)
Simple, uncluttered Southern Soul at it's best.
Cavaliers “Living in the land of heartaches” (Kent CD)
Brilliant " Big city " Soul , very similar to Kenny Carter's best records
Angie Stone “Here we go again” (Stax CD)The best track from the years most complete album, could have picked virtually any track from this set.
Anne Nesby - Step
Another superb outing from a great album , this sleeper has grown on me so much in recent times .
Chaka Khan “Angel”
Another fantastic ballad performance from a returning legend, such quality !!
Debi Dixon “In love always”
Larry Hamilton “You can have it your way”
Bobby Warren “The time has come for us to be free”
Trudy Lynn “You're the only one”
Four great independent sides that I first heard via " Soul Discovery " on 209radio, talk about Soul music, which you never knew, existed, I feel we're in a golden period at the moment, similar to the mid to late 80's when the little labels carried the flag for Soul music.
Lesli Valentine “Love on a two way street” (Tears full of Soul CD)
Superb femme version of The Moments classic, one of my all time favourite songs.
Cheers
Eddie

Mick Gynn /Collector-Part-time DJ
New -In no order of preference
Yolanda Rabun “I want to love u (Saxony)
Euge Groove Featuring Jeffrey Osbourne “Baby If You Only Knew”
(Narada)
Tamara Stovall “After love is gone” (Positive)
Leni Holmes “Treat your woman right” (Backstreet)
Butch Williams “Keep on lovin me the way you do” (Star Gazer)
ReactivatedToast “It’s just an illusion” (Charm City)
Central “Power system-Master plan” (A Jan A)
Jimmie “Okera Hightower” “Love & Live” (BCN)
The Upperhand Band “Get it together” (Spy)
Star Fire & Atkins All Star “Oh Baby” (AAS

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