Winston Ward - The Warmth Of Of Your Love - 2010 -

This man is no stranger to us, and if you have rightly supported the excellent trio, Lov'N'It over the past year then you are indeed already familiar with this man's silky, soulful delivery. Having worked within the music scene here in the UK over the past 14 years, Winston has garnered a lot of kudos and respect and so smoothly steps out , carrying the torch for UK soul music with this, his new single "The Warmth Of Your Love". Available to download from iTunes, this comes in two versions: a shorter edited version and an extended mix. Of course, where quality is concerned we are not left wanting and what I'll do here is focus on the extended version which I think will be the version we will all plumb for.

This is, by definition a Soulful House track. I know that many have yet to dip their toes into the House Music scene, but should those brave enough do so they will be wonderfully surprised at the sheer talent of the artists and songs that they will find there. Many new US House songs come complete with strings, horns and a real boogie / disco flavour, compounded with warm 70s keys and THAT resounding beat. Along comes Winston from jolly old Blighty and adds a little more magic to that genre with his fine uptempo offering. From the rattling bongos, Brazilian party whistle and classic hi-hat house beat a la Sterling Void / CeCe Rogers Winston Ward throws in some warm Lonnie Liston Smith styled keyboards, flanged vocals and real soulful vocals that our very own Omar would be proud of. This isn't bass heavy, and my only criticism - IF you can call it that - is that it needs a bit more oomph in the bass department. That aside, soulful vocals, soulful instrumentation and the racing hi-hat make this a dancefloor bubbler of excellent proportions. G’wan! Head over to iTunes and download now! A real joyful song and highly recommended!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Fede4Real - Jazzylicious - 2010 - Fede4real

Fed4Real is the alter-ego of Frederico Manuel Nomo Fernandez and following his recent soulful offering, "Funk Temple", this young gentleman dishes up a real treat in the jazzy form of Jazzylicious. Born in 1981, it's wonderful that someone of this age is making great music such as this. Having a real ear for tunes as well as being a singer, film maker, actor and fashion model this chap has more strings to his bow than you can account for. Fredrico really has the knack of a great jazz performer. Take, if you will, a listen to the immaculate crafting of "Paradise" which contains all the elements of a quality vocal jazz recording. Laid back, chilled and sounding as if this was cut live in one take, the vocals are dreamy, almost melancholic and eminently attune to the music that he has created. I think the word we're looking for is 'atmospheric'! The melody and attunement of vocals reminds me of the same pattern as Keith Washington’s "Kissing You" - and a perfect song for a candle-lit dinner. Upping the tempo is the title song with some keys tasty enough to remind us of Lonnie Liston Smith and piano that would have Bob James nodding in assent.

In "The Way It Feels" I hear a flavour of Gary Taylor's recent work, although vocally not in the same league Frederico adds some wispish, ethereal quality to this style and again this comes to mind on the excellent "Searching For You" with it's seductive spoken intro. "Oldschool mama" sets a scene - I can envisage a very warm, cosy recording studio with Fede and his musicians hustled in and simply laying this down. Fede's loving this and his vocals are almost ad-lib in style, riffing off and in his vocalising he is surely attuned to what he is laying down. this cat is feelin' it and that ain't a bad thing in my book! Vulnerability and indecision are part and parcel of falling in love - should there be such a thing - and Fede perfectly nails this vocally and musically. His performance is wonderfully impromptu and adds credibility to his music. He is, essentially, espousing deep feeling and concerns to himself yet to a wider audience. How clever is this?! Check out the superb synth behind all this and the chord changes that make this extra special. If you have yet to check out Fede4real and soak up what this young man of many talents has to offer!

Barry Towler
The Vibe scribe

Dr E - Elevated - 2010 - Give Us Free Records

Dr E is a relative newcomer on the scene yet carries with her a wealth of experience that is indeed enviable in today's climate of ever-younger, mass-produced and incision-sharp marketing techniques. With a pretty countenance, a vocal style that leans towards the Erykah Badu / Billy Holliday school of vocals and abundant with a sense of fun, grace and sass we have a set that works on the party areas of the soulful brain as well as giving us a jazzy twist and element of stylistic swish! I warn you that some songs may not be immediate, and that's OK - we are conditioned these days as we live in a time of immediate gratification. Songs such as "Dance To My Song" when given a few spins edge under the radar and hit home. This, to me, is clever and a sign of something and someone with a little more to offer than many today. "Halle Berry" for instance is a lovely sax-filled swayer that is clever in picking up the down-to-earth themes that India.Arie is so good at and, let's face it, tells things as they are. Dr E is one of those artists who scribes a good song and lays it down on the line. Doing this soulfully and with class is a good thing and you will not be disappointed!

"Elevated" deals with positivity and espouses, in a funky, slow and bluesy way the old adage that change comes from within. the greatest soul sings - mayfield, Brown, Franklin - all knew about this and instead of chundering on about bling, cars, the club or getting down in bed, Dr E offers real insightful stuff here and having worked through this painful process myself, I can really and wholeheartedly understand this groove and where she is coming from. Who said wisdom no longer flourishes? Having already alluded to stylistic breadth, fans of acoustic guitar and a rootsier sound will soon pick up on "Your Everything". How simple a song can be with a good voice and an acoustic guitar! I think I can see Dwayne Wiggins and Sheree Brown smiling. I certainly smiled when I took a listen to "Walk This Road". The sax here is delicious and the feel reminds me, slightly of The Temptations "This Is My Promise". Easily my favourite song, this song oozes superior style and effortlessly and, for me, makes the purchase of this CD a must on this and this alone. fear not though - check out more songs such as "Good Girl Down" and the sultry sax-drenched "Giving My Life To You". Tasty stuff and more than worth a purchase for these alone. Recommended.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Rena Scott - Take Me Away - 2010 - Amor Records

The evergreen rena Scott has waited over 5 years to deliver this, her new album, but every moment has been worth the wait. I would say that for me at any rate, this rates as her best, most dependable, solid and consistent set in YEARS. To be fair, I don't think any track is going to disappoint you and that said i do have my favourites on here - and these are manifold. Rena Scott's instantly recognisable vocals are deployed heavily here in wonderful unison with some seriously sexy, chilled and sublimely soulful arrangements. Like other great female vocalists such as Susaye Green, her voice improves with age and hearing her expert pipes atop haunting and sensuous efforts such as the opening song, "Each Day Is Better". The swishing beat, the haunting synths and cool keys are droolsome and I could imagine fans of Susaye Green's recent work with Portrait's Michael Saulsberry. Loathed as I am to confront cover versions, Rena works magic on the Emotions' "Don't Ask My Neighbors" and Maze's "Joy And Pain", making these haunting, refreshing and flavoursome songs fit in perfectly with the flow of the new material.

Following the lovely, smiley rendition of "Joy And pain" we have a KILLER song dedicated to Rena's beautiful daughter, Nina who shares vocal duties. This is the prize possession of this album as far as I am concerned and it's one of those beautiful songs that is warm, touching and celebratory yet not at all sickly, schmaltzy or sugary. having played this song over and over again it is certainly one of my favourite songs of the moment. "It's So Wrong" is a dramatic number with real verve and comes at with a classic Gladys Knight delivery. I could easily imagine Gladys delivering this song, but don't get me wrong...rena is more than up to the plate on this one. I'm already very ensconced ibn the set by this point and being a fan of sax was very buoyed by the inclusion of said instrument in "Something I Wanna Say". Add the sexy rhythm and synths to this then we've got a real doozy on our hands here. For a great uptempo number please head over to track 11, "I Don't Wanna Wait" - it's a great number on it's own and yet I can imagine a remix with a more prominent and strident bassline - throw is a a little sax and a few strings this could be a very strong modern dancefloor / House number. Rena's vocals are perfect with depth, sensitivity and passion as well as gusto to bring something like this about. All told a great, great album and well no self-respecting soulful household should be without it.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe.

Various Artists - Monsters Of Funk And Soul - 2010 - Unique

Unique Records delve into their inventory for a worthwhile compilation of tunes that does not compromise on style or quality. These tracks are new, or fairly recent at least BUT could easily fool many four-to-the-floor buffs as being unreleased Northern monsters. Who would have thought that they would still be making music like this today - but I, for one, am glad they are. We have such a diverse landscape of sounds today in the broad church of soul, funk and jazz that anything like this is welcome. I have never understood those who refuse to acknowledge anything past 1969, or before the '90s, or even those millions who have no idea that R&B isn't a recent phenomenon. This set represents quality, and born from a quality label that has been on the scene for an amazing 22 years. You'll recognise a few tunes that I've waffled on about of recent years such as "Lean On Me" by Al Supersonic & The Teenagers and Glen Anthony Henry's early '70s styled set, "Relax And Love". The aforementioned hit is included here on glorious CD, and from the latter we have the awesome songs "Fired Up" and "I Don't Know". Delicious enough, but that isn't it. Of course not!

I was bowled over from the start with the KILLER Norther styled 60s belter "Am I Dreaming?" from Laura Vane & The Vipertones. This stomping, driving beat with vibes and punchy horns would easily slot into Richard Searling's "Old Bastards" set at Southport - many hours of sheer enjoyment i experienced during those late night sessions! I can cheerfully pour the same accolades onto "Good And Plenty" by the great-sounding Soul Snatchers, and "Shoot The Birds" from Plenty Enough should easily kick up the jolly old talcum powder too. Well worthy of a spin, too, is the excellent Meters / JBs sounding "Quick Sand" by Japan's very own Osaka Monaurail. Turn this UP! It's so funky that it hurts! Vocally we are in a gruff, tough and very gritty soulful mode. The Eternal Godfather would be pleased, that's for sure. A real joy to listen to is the cover version of Bobby Hebb's evergreen "Sunny" by Eli Goulart E Banda Do Mato. With Portuguese lyrics and real and proper Brazilian instrumentation this is a standout track. My final pick is a surprise for me as I love the original so much, and never would I think that I would like a funky / jazzy / retro cover of The Beatles 1964 chart-topper "I Feel Fine". This is, trust me, a real belter ! Yet another essential - if not Monster - release!

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Preston Glass - Colors Of Life - 2010 - Expansion

As 2010 draws to a close we embrace yet more soulful magnificence, and yet again we have Ralph Tee and Expansion Records to thank for this latest of gems to hit the streets. "Colors Of Life" is the third set from legendary Producer Preston Glass, and following on from the collaborative "Music As Medicine" set we are treated to what I personally feel is a much stronger and essential release. Themed on colours, I can, without hesitation, recommend this set and suggest that you order a copy ASAP. In all we have 19 tracks and many of our most cherished and favourite artists sit comfortably with new talents, all gelled together by the expert oversight of Preston Glass. There are many highlights, and the set kicks off with three of the strongest tracks you will be hear at the time of writing. If you like a cool steppers groove with the benefit of Johnny Britt on trumpet and Preston himself on guitar, then look no further than the first tune, "Olive Branch". Our vocalists are Sharon McMahan and Laundon Kendricks and their harmony is MAGIC. The haunting synths, courtesy of Tomi is little short of sublime, and if I've played this song once I've played it a dozen times today alone.

My second of our soulful hat trick is the BRILLIANT Cool Million mix of Keni Burke's "Orange U Ready" and as usual Rob Hardt and frank Ryle have excelled themselves with this ultra-soulful groove; a groove that fits Keni Burke hand in glove. I cannot get enough of Keni Burke and pray that a new album comes to light soon from this genius. Brenda Holloway supplies our third massive song...who back in the mid 1960s would believe that in the far distant second decade of the 21st Century would be be listening to this great Lady of Motown, and that her voice would still resound so strong and soulful. As I always say, quality will always stay the day. The different, flange-effected Latin feel of "That Purple Passion" has all the hallmarks of a Michael Omartian / Roberta Flack collaboration from her "oasis" set, and as such this is a remarkable cut on many levels. How sad it is to hear the late, great and towering giant of talent who was Ali Woodson again. We lost this wonderful man way too early and fans of his recent work with Tour De 4force 1 will love this latest effort. One of THE voices of our time gone way too soon, and thank you, Preston Glass, for giving us another opportunity to enjoy this man once more.

Ron Tyson of the Temptations hits big time with the glorious "Bluer Shade Of Blue"...his Tenor sounding great against this 21st Century styled Stylistics-like tune. Russell Thompkins Jr would also have cracked this tune, but our hero Ron really is at home here. The piano line and harmonies hark back to early 70s Motown and make this a real treat on the ears. Newcomer Trizonna McClendon is someone I've trumpeted recently and here she is with the magnificent jazzy "Luscious Lavender". With gentle brushing drums, haunting synths and catchy keyboard riffs this makes for a great listen. Preston Glass himself delivers "Everybody Bleeds the Color Red" with a great piano line worthy of Motown / Invictus / Lamont Dozier - a song that really makes your soul feel good. Oh, how wonderful to be graced with tracks like this! His "Melancholy Grey" is also a real burner and will grow on you each play. Margo Lewis' "Brown" is a real cool, slinky funky number, and a sucker for a groove and funky Mtume type guitar lick is always gonna win me over! For these tracks I heartily recommend the album. If you love your soul music as much as you say you do then your collection is screaming out for this album. ESSENTIAL.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Tom Glide And The Luv All Stars - In The Name Of Luv - 2010 - Expansion

Another top-draw release from Ralph Tee and the boys at Expansion; one i didn't expect to receive nor expect to be so darn good! From the US we have a mighty collaboration of artists headed by the aforementioned Tom Glide, who's roster of talent includes vocalists Tim Owens and Orlando Johnson, and musicians as strong as Byron Miller, Larry Dunn, Patrick Green, Alex Al and James Gadson amongst many others. bar a few ballads this set is mainly uptempo and party orientated, perfectly in touch with the best of the best sets from the UK and Europe at the moment. This is an exciting project to both receive and listen to and it warms the cockles of my heart to see so many notable names on board from the US making proper music that will certainly make your senses sing! I am especially pleased to hear Tim Owens in action again...his 1991 set for Atlantic boasted numerous cream cuts and the promise of future classy releases. Unfortunately as the decade progressed the homeboys took over and any shade of quality was ditched for whatever urban tripe MTV favoured that month. Yet here he is, alongside Orlando Johnson doing what he does best - making crackin' music.

As you may expect from the inclusion of Larry Dunn there is a distinct Earth, Wind & Fire rhythm threading through all the songs, and I think that the brassy stabs and rhythm guitar are right in the bag from the word go - Tim Owens' totally enjoys his part in "Get It Off" immensely, and the flavour is both totally today yet mid 1970s to boot. Also, the following cut, "What's Your fantasy" enjoys some funky licks, percussion and soulful, zingy strings. This is blindingly good and still doesn't equal the amazing ballad which is track three, "I'm Crazy", featuring Orlando Johnson on vocals, a voice that has the echo of Lenny Williams in places. I am, as you should be aware, a sucker for a string section. What the guys have cooked up here is almost in THAT mid 1980s Columbia mode...Think Rodney Franklin's "Love Is The Answer" or Philip Bailey's "It's Our Time"...I have played this song so many times I'm sure the CD has burn marks on it! The strings are simply out of this world and all concerned have conspired to give this a wonderfully haunting atmosphere. If only there were more songs of this nature about today. I, for one, would be a much happier man.

The slammin' beats and Philly-ish guitar break boundaries with the edgy horn riffs on the uptempo number "I'm Not The Same Man" - a track that could easily become a modern soulful house thumper. Now this is a tasty thought, especially as it's increasingly the case that US House music resembles quality 70s soul dance material! the strong horn-filled EW&F effort "Can You Feel It" won't disappoint, nor will the super-strong "Luv Is Comin' Up"; a track that should get some feet on the floor. This is brilliant material from the US in 2010 and I cannot get enough of it! "Come To Me" rollicks along atop a shifting, shuffling gait, funky guitar licks and horns, and better than most of today's US material. The Zapp-like slammer "Love Me Like U Do" features vocalist Rahmlee, complete with hand-clapping beat. This is almost Roger Troutman circa 1980! Putting the CD to bed is the lovely and serene ballad, "In The Name Of Luv" which features Orlando Johnson. Albums like this, from the USA at least, are very few and far between. Every track a winner; no fills and no compromises. Another essential soul set for your collection.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Solomon Burke - Nothing's Impossible - 2010 - Ear Music

One cannot look at, nor listen to, this album without feeling incredibly sad. Incredibly sad, yet heart-warmed that this special album actually happened. We have, in 2010, lost two of the all-time greats: Willie Mitchell and now Solomon Burke. This album is remarkable in that after 35 years of trying, the two legends finally made it into the studio together to craft a beautiful album of southern soul that only Willie could produce, and Solomon could deliver. Recorded between 2008 and 2010, this album will appeal to anyone who loves either gentleman and if the style of Al Green's latest set - or Even Anthony Hamilton, come to that - is to your taste then you will equally love this. One o the strongest, most emotive cuts on offer here is the opening song, "Oh What A Feeling". It's slow, lazy, southern style is peppered with unhurried live drums, understated real strings and a thoughtful, bluesy guitar. Solomon at 70 is - was - as powerful and remarkable now as he was back in the early - mid 1960s and one can hear a lifetime of experience mingled in with that vocal swagger. This is the stuff of legend.

I would recommend the gorgeously string-laden "Dreams" as your next port of call. Mitchell is definitely at home on this sort of material, and restrained but passionate and insightful, Burke ministers over this groove. The horn section and organ take us way back to the early 70s and stylistically remains an aspect of timelessness. Credit, then, to these two giants of music and all those including Willie's sons who have tirelessly and meticulously learned what we may call the pre-tool production style to a tee. The title of the set, "Nothing's Impossible" allows Solomon some real room to expand and soar his voice uplifted by stirring strings and raw, edgy horns. A song that really grabbed my heartstrings is "You Needed Me"...this version of the old Anne Murray song penned by Randy Goodrum in1978 is really stripped down and given the Royal Studios treatment. We could almost forgive ourselves for re-imagining this as a brand new song and not an interpretation.

From Burke's own hand comes the traditional Mitchell uptempo number "You're Not Alone", and a fine piece to lift the spirits it is too. the horns get you every time, don't they?! The bitter taste of when a lover has moved on is tackled sensitively with "New Company" and again smacks of the traditional sound we all know and love. Now, I believe this to be the last works of either gentlemen, and as I said at the outset this is both very sad, but also very joyous. Willie Mitchell and Solomon Burke are a match made in musical heaven - a place I am sure they very much are now - and amazing that we have waited until the second decade of the 21st Century top receive the combined efforts of these towering talents. The crack is that both gentleman have remained true to themselves and what we have here is nothing short of what we could ever have hoped to have expected. Smouldering, raw and edgy ballads, horn-filled dancers and more pleading testifying than you will get outside any Southern Pulpit. A fitting and timeless tribute to both of these amazing, much loved, and now deeply missed gentlemen. An essential release.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Matti Roots - Beatroot - 2010 - Otherway Records

There have been a number of solid, essential albums over the past few years...albums that take you by surprise; grab you totally with mind, heart and soul and is uncompromising in soul and quality. Albums by the likes of Jazzanova, Liquid Spirits, Paul Mac Innes and T.B.O.I., Basement Soul Band, Richard Earnshaw and so on have been such recent monsters and so I am proud to add another modern day monster to the list...Matti Roots' sublime "Beatroot" set, due for release November 22nd. EVERY track is superb, well crafted and laid down with love. A young, British artist previously known for his remix work - Justin Timberlake springs to mind - this is an artist that many connoisseurs may regard with caution and choose to pass over. MONUMENTAL ERROR! Being of that nature I easily could have looked at this and turned up one's nose but one listen had me hooked within less than 30 seconds.

It's definitely in today's groove yet encompasses all that is decent, good and honest about the best of our music. In other words, the connoisseur will buy into this as much as the fly-by-night less informed 1-Xtra radio listener. It flows with a savvy tightrope of quality soul with a commercial - but uncompromising edge. It's both fresh and warmingly familiar. Encompassed in this set I hear sounds such as Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder, Paul Mac Innes, and Mario Winans (the Motown set, before he went down the toilet with P Diddy.) There are no standout tracks. Purely and simply as ALL songs are standout tracks. That said, one song in particular touches me more than the others. More on that in a moment. From the vibrant opening, "Let's Get Back Together" with it's 70s guitar and live drum line and soulful delivery to the unashamedly programmed 80s uptempo Stevie Wonder type number "Lust" - I can even imagine better contemporary talents such as Justin Timberlake working well on this kind of groove. The current single, "OCD" is exactly what I had in mind when i talked about the crossover between the connoisseur groove and the popular radio song. Forger R&B crassness - this is the real deal.

The funky "What Am I Gonna Do", complete with sitar is essential and will definitely please, but I can guarantee one track to floor you is "Dope" featuring none other than ex-Supreme Susaye Green. This downtempo number gives me chills, and although many could not imagine Susaye singing a song with a young artist such as this, the result is devastatingly wonderful. Sounding as good as ever, and Matti stood shoulder to shoulder at the mic sounds soulful, self-assured and totally within his creative comfort zone. Both compliment each other perfectly, and Susaye gives me chills when she let's her more than ample vocals fly. Fans of Paul Mac Innes' "Welcome To The Bunker" album from 2007 will instantly fall in love with "Rough Love", and the classic "See You Again" will take you back, stylistically, to a better, halcyon era. Remarkable. The eerie and sensitive "I Miss You" would not be out of place on Mario Winans' superb 1997 Motown set and the tones and piano changes are more akin to, say, Brian McKnight's "Anytime". If this concept sounds tasty to you then please check this out. It gives me chills. Enough said.

I mentioned earlier about one particular track. "Don't Worry" is a compositional masterpiece. I have played this over and over and over and over again. Within 20 seconds of first hearing it I was welling up. We open with 90-odd seconds of beautiful forest full of birdsong, and ice-cold piano playing that would make Bob James proud. THEN we have some spine-tingling harmonies that are straight from the book of Mario Winans. If that wasn't enough Matti introduces some subtle yet amazing steel guitar - used to devastating effect by Lalah Hathaway and Chris Walker in 2005. Now, I'm in pieces by this time, then Matti suddenly changes up the groove into a wonderful and joyous warm, summery west coast number which Basement Soul Group used to their credit on their "Soul Talkin'" set. A track that would make a great cruising song down the coastal road by the beach. This song is beyond perfection. Sobering us up is the superb "Closure" with it's continuing, joyful, west coast flavour but it's the closing track, "Raw" which again gives rise to the jolly old lump in the throat. This is intelligent, grown-up soul / R&B of the highest order. It's so wonderful to not only have a musical rollercoaster these days, but an emotional one, too is also more than welcome. In these days of depression, austerity and gloom, albums and artists like this are a beacon of light. Matti Roots is a modern-day genius and for my money easily one of THE albums of not only this year but recent years.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Thelma Houston - Breakwater Cat / Never Gonna Be Another One - 1980 / 1981- Funkytown Grooves USA

Dare I say it, but I'm not the greatest fan of Thelma Houston but still to this day love her 1985 smash "Hold Me So Tight" which was, of course, a classy production from Jam & Lewis when they had their own special, magical sound. This two-fer will definitely appeal to fans of the Lady and for me the CD only really starts on track 11 which is her latter LP, "Never Gonna Be Another One". For these ears the 1980 set is too listless and weak and Disco-fied and seems to be quite messy production-wise. The 1981 album hits the ground running with a sax-filled, funky guitar lickin' midtempo called "Never Give You Up" which is SUPERB! This is the material that suits Thelma Houston well, and it towers over the previous year's meagre offering. Tracks like this make the whole reissue more than worthwhile and yet again I cannot thank the Funkytown Grooves chappies enough for making this type of material available on CD.

Next up is the warm and summery "There's No Runnin' Away From Love" with THOSE great, warm Fender Rhodes keyboards and smooth backing vocals. The production and instrumentation is fluid yet stylistically tight and directed, totally overshadowing tracks 1 - 10. If funky guitar licks and Keni Burke styles drum rhythms are your bag then I suggest the BRILLIANT midtempo effort "If You Feel It" which is a real breath of fresh air. I love this song and so pleased to now have this on glorious CD! Ending the set is another gem, "Hollywood" which also adds weight to the second half of the CD. Vocally Thelma Houston is on top form here, and songs like this make me wonder how we may have experienced her vocals with the backing of - say - Chic or Jaques Fred Petrus. Sadly this never came to pass, BUT this type of song gives us an indication and on the strength of the four aforementioned cuts I heartily recommend this CD!

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe