Basic Soul

Compiled by Richard Searling, the 2nd instalment of ‘You Better Believe It’ features 23 (22 on vinyl) rare and modern soul gems from the vaults of Atlantic, ATCO, Cotillion, Reprise and Warner Bros. 1967-1979. It opens in fine style with Al Hudson & The Soul Partners’ up-tempo ‘I’m About Loving You’, before moving through to Darrow Fletcher’s version of ‘Rising Cost Of Love’, Johnny Bristol’s ‘Strangers In Dark Corners’ and ‘You’re All I Need In This World’ from Prince Phillip Mitchell. The Chicago soul sound is represented by Frankie Newsome’s ‘We’re On Our Way’ and Windy City’s ‘Hey It’s Over’ which are both pure class. Other standouts include the haunting ‘Signed, Miss Heroin’ by the legendary Sam Dees, presented here with an alternative mix, the heart wrencher ‘I Want Sunday Back Again’ from Bettye Swann, and Betty Lavette’s ‘Waiting For Tomorrow’, both of which are previously unreleased recordings. Further evidence, should you need it, of why after all these years Searling is still held in such high regard on the soul scene.

Kindred Spirits launch their new imprint, Free Spirits Series, in fine style with this much sought after rarity. ‘Alborada’ was originally released on Trova Records in 1976 by The Prime Element, a band formed by Argentinian musician / composer / arranger, Carlos Franzetti shortly after his move from Buenos Aires to New York. It fuses spiritual and modal jazz with soul and a heavy dose of Latin, to take us on a truly satisfying musical journey, with delights such as ‘Southamelodic’, ‘In The Dawn Of Time’, ‘The Prime Element’ and ‘Lola’. One not to be missed!

Paolo Fedreghini and Marco Bianchi together with Schema’s co-founder Luciano Cantone are The Invisible Session. There are no real surprises here just the type of solid Italian jazz we have long come to expect from Schema. Jenny B handles most of the vocal chores throughout this set and particularly shines on the stunning mid-tempo groove ‘Til The End’ and the single ‘To The Powerful’, a deep and mystical affair.

Nomo’s 2nd album continues the heavy percussion and horn laced Afro-jazz vibe established on their 1st self-titled outing from 2004. ‘New Tones’ is a consistently good set throughout but pay special attention to ‘Hand And Mouth’ and the title track (spelled ‘Nu Tones’ for some reason) which has a bass line reminiscent of that on Lonnie Liston Smith’s ‘Expansions’. This one is destined to mash up the dance floors in the coming months. Also look out for the recent 12" on Kindred Spirits which features 4 tracks from the 1st album.

Geoff Wilkinson is back with US3’s fifth album with a live jazz flavour with live musicians contributing on trumpet, double bass, jazz guitar, piano and saxophone. Vocals come from two new rappers Akil Dasan and Gaston, both of whom were found by Geoff in New York’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe. This style may have been done many times before but "Schizophonic" has a real sense of fun in the lyrics and in the Brazilian/Jazz rhythms and grooves. Not sure this will appeal to the hiphop heads but it will certainly find a home with Nu-Jazz and modern thinking Jazz heads. Give it a listen – you’ll be hooked.

At the end of 2004 the four track limited 12″ sampler was released and all the tracks blew me away, proving Omar had not lost his touch. Two of those tracks are included here and still sound as good as ever. “It’s So” became a massive broken Beat anthem and is still heard here, there and everywhere. What we have here are fourteen tracks and proof that Omar is at the top of his game. He’s covered all the bases with heavy Hiphop beats featuring Common and Rodney P, hints of R&B with Sing and “Stylin”, Latin Jazz on “Be A Man” and of course “Feeling You” with Stevie Wonder back on top form. The quality never lets up and to finish the album off is the simply brilliant “Ghana Emotion”, which I just can’t get enough of. The standard has been set for album of 2006.

2006 is certainly going to be quite a year for Max Cole, with three projects being released over the following months. First we have Max’s excellent debut for the ever consistent Wah Wah stable. Max has a lovely if unique voice which just gets better and better with every play. The single “Mo High” which was released in 2005 stood out to be that little bit different, but those not convinced will find a slightly different vibe here and it’s a pleasure to listen to. Initially a bedroom producer who knows that it’s not all about electronics he is also a dab hand at various instruments, giving this the live feel suited to Max’s vocals and wonderful guest vocalists Deborah Jordan and Lucy May. The next two projects from Max are Moto Tengu and Other Worlds: can’t wait.

Yet another corking compilation from Tru Thoughts and it features all their heavyweight artists including Alice Russell, The Nostalgia 77 Octet, The Bamboos, Diesler and more. If you’re a vinyl junkie there is a chance you may have picked up a few of these tracks: if not this is a must. Tracks worthy of your attention are Quantic & Nickodemus’ "Mi Swing Es Tropical", Diesler’s remix of Nirobi & Barakas "Bungee Jump Against Racism", Polar Pair v Maddslinky’s "Over My Head" and DJ Vadim’s remix of Alice Russell’s "A Fly In The Hand". Check out the Tru Thoughts website now because you can purchase this for a bargain reduced price.

Mr Peterson is currently churning out compilations at an alarming rate but you’ve got to give it to him, they are always quality selections. Here is the second instalment of all things Brazilian and it keeps with the same formula as the first. CD1 is old school from the 60’s and 70’s, and CD2 features tracks from the last few years and of course includes various big name remixers. My preference is CD1 but I’m not convinced we needed to hear another version of ‘California Soul’. The other thirteen tracks are an excellent mix up with sprinklings of funk, samba and jazz. My current faves from CD2 are tracks by Bugz in the Attic, Zero Db, Bruno E Sexteto and some ace drum & bass from Drumagick.
Gilles is recording 6 podcasts to cover the different aspect of Brazil’s music culture. Check them out here: www.brahma.com/gillespeterson