If you have a sweet tooth like me, a bit of Confection is always going to be welcome. Soulchoonz has already given us a tasty treat with the exclusive 12” single of “Fantasisin'” and “I Choose You”. That rightly got a few pulses racing – mine included. I have been since very eager to hear more – and here it is, just in time for the jolly rotund man in a red suit to deliver you a copy for Christmas. I always felt that the closing of the 80s saw the demise of proper soulful dance music. Swingbeat was a totally new beast and sounded increasingly outdated and embarrassing with every week that passed, and today's modern – sharp intake of breath! - R&B is totally devoid of anything that may make it memorable or special. The 80s, you see, may have been the decade of mechanisation as far as music was concerned, but it was also, for me, the decade of the feel-good groove. Van McCoy once said that “I am always mindful of groove, but why can't the groove be elegant?” The answer is that it can be. Here we are in 2007 with this wonderful duo, Confection, made up of Josh Beagley and Juanita Tippins from all the way Down Under. The music on here is exactly what this doctor ordered: soulful, dancefloor friendly grooves with plenty of elegance and kick-ass melodies. If you still adore the sounds of the 80s – up to, say 1985, then this will be up your street. Memories of Paul Laurence, Kashif, Juicy, The SOS Band Evelyn King are all brought to the surface. The tapping rhythms, the synths, the slap bass and real lyrics and real singing all auger well for our listening pleasure. The Flyte Tyme styled groover “Fantasisin'” is one of THE releases of 2007 and the edited (and for these ears the preferable) version is here in all its CD glory. Within seconds I am transported back to the summer of 1984. How wonderful is that? NEW music that feels happy and evokes such happy feelings?! “I Choose You” - the Paul Laurence sound revamped for the 21st Century – is a serious basspin trembler and toe-tapper; again one of the strongest efforts of 2007. Of the new songs...oh yes, I am in 80s heaven here, folks!!!! The cheeky “Flirt” is, perhaps, a bit on the poppy side BUT the cheeriness and infectious edge will surely win you over. I was blown away by the quirky “I Gotta Thing (4 U)” resplendent with spacey keyboards and percussion courtesy of Sunil de Silva. Furthermore, the superb “Feel It Comin'” has its roots in the mid-80s Chic sound. Bernard Edwards would surely be pleased with what the guys have done here. For me the absolute stonking KILLER is the modern classic “You Got The Love”. All I needed was to hear the opening guitar and the rollickingly good rhythm and I was immediately in soul music heaven. You can poke all your R&B and Rap and what have you. The whole lot can go to hell in a hand basket via next day delivery as far as I am concerned – all for the sake of this one song. This should be massive on the dancefloors. The kids have already rucked up the shagpile to it, and proves to me what children of admirable taste they are. This is a remarkable set and I heartily recommend it as one of the guv'nor releases of the moment.
Showing posts with label Soulchoonz Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soulchoonz Records. Show all posts
Monday, 9 February 2009
Confection - Confection - Soulchoonz Records
If you have a sweet tooth like me, a bit of Confection is always going to be welcome. Soulchoonz has already given us a tasty treat with the exclusive 12” single of “Fantasisin'” and “I Choose You”. That rightly got a few pulses racing – mine included. I have been since very eager to hear more – and here it is, just in time for the jolly rotund man in a red suit to deliver you a copy for Christmas. I always felt that the closing of the 80s saw the demise of proper soulful dance music. Swingbeat was a totally new beast and sounded increasingly outdated and embarrassing with every week that passed, and today's modern – sharp intake of breath! - R&B is totally devoid of anything that may make it memorable or special. The 80s, you see, may have been the decade of mechanisation as far as music was concerned, but it was also, for me, the decade of the feel-good groove. Van McCoy once said that “I am always mindful of groove, but why can't the groove be elegant?” The answer is that it can be. Here we are in 2007 with this wonderful duo, Confection, made up of Josh Beagley and Juanita Tippins from all the way Down Under. The music on here is exactly what this doctor ordered: soulful, dancefloor friendly grooves with plenty of elegance and kick-ass melodies. If you still adore the sounds of the 80s – up to, say 1985, then this will be up your street. Memories of Paul Laurence, Kashif, Juicy, The SOS Band Evelyn King are all brought to the surface. The tapping rhythms, the synths, the slap bass and real lyrics and real singing all auger well for our listening pleasure. The Flyte Tyme styled groover “Fantasisin'” is one of THE releases of 2007 and the edited (and for these ears the preferable) version is here in all its CD glory. Within seconds I am transported back to the summer of 1984. How wonderful is that? NEW music that feels happy and evokes such happy feelings?! “I Choose You” - the Paul Laurence sound revamped for the 21st Century – is a serious basspin trembler and toe-tapper; again one of the strongest efforts of 2007. Of the new songs...oh yes, I am in 80s heaven here, folks!!!! The cheeky “Flirt” is, perhaps, a bit on the poppy side BUT the cheeriness and infectious edge will surely win you over. I was blown away by the quirky “I Gotta Thing (4 U)” resplendent with spacey keyboards and percussion courtesy of Sunil de Silva. Furthermore, the superb “Feel It Comin'” has its roots in the mid-80s Chic sound. Bernard Edwards would surely be pleased with what the guys have done here. For me the absolute stonking KILLER is the modern classic “You Got The Love”. All I needed was to hear the opening guitar and the rollickingly good rhythm and I was immediately in soul music heaven. You can poke all your R&B and Rap and what have you. The whole lot can go to hell in a hand basket via next day delivery as far as I am concerned – all for the sake of this one song. This should be massive on the dancefloors. The kids have already rucked up the shagpile to it, and proves to me what children of admirable taste they are. This is a remarkable set and I heartily recommend it as one of the guv'nor releases of the moment.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Various - The Nu Vintage Soul Connection - Soulchoonz Records
In the UK we’re lucky to be served by some tremendous indie soul labels and interestingly each label seems to have cornered its own particular sound. Though a relative newcomer, the soulchoonz label has captured a mood too. Everyone knows know you can count on ‘em for ultra sophisticated, modern soul grooves. However, with this brand new 12 track compilation the label is sensibly spreading it wings and exploring sounds maybe a bit more adventurous than we’ve come to expect. Sure, there’s plenty of that bright and breezy but mis-named “modern” soul so beloved of the North West’s huge soul contingent. For starters there’s a great and hugely danceable retro groove in Kimia Collins’ ‘Yours’, while you can go the whole retro hog with Michelle Tavares’ cover of Teena Marie’s ‘ I Need Your Loving’. But if you want something meatier try Lisa Bell’s ‘Tell Me Why’ or Alana Bridgewater’s ‘Deception’ – that one could give Jill Scott a run for her money. Dare I say there’s rap here too (‘Now You Know’ from Kayte Burgess) and a big, bassy, funk interlude from the Nu Vintage studio crew. Different again is the re-mix of Ian Martin’s ‘Movin’ On’. Not quite soulful house, it’s a big percussive shuffle spiced with Soul II Soul violins. Interesting? I’ll say – like the whole collection.
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