Label: Daptone Records Released: October 2, 2007 Label: Concord Released: October 16, 2007 It would seem that the essential component of soul music (old school or new) would be the soul itself, yet that is often just what modern soul and R&B lack. Too often even a good R&B singer has a tough time overcoming assembly line songwriting and synthetic… Read more »
Label: Exile Productions Ltd. Released: November 6, 2007 In over 40 years of performing, Van Morrison has released records on a variety of labels. Until now, there has apparently not been a best of culled from his entire catalog. Still on Top is a single volume anthology of Van the Man’s hits ranging from his time in the mid-60s with… Read more »
Label: Roadrunner Records Released: 2007 I’m gonna cut to the chase here. “Shout” is the biggest slice of musical joy I’ve heard since U2 released “Beautiful Day” seven years ago. The song bursts with unadulterated happiness. It’s hooks and harmonies grab you right from the start. A tide of pop beauty rolls in on driving rhythms, infectious bass lines and… Read more »
From the press release: THE ONLY CAREER-SPANNING VAN MORRISON “BEST OF” ALBUM AVAILABLE; OUT NOVEMBER 6TH (Los Angeles, CA) – More than 40 years since bursting out of Belfast with Them, Van Morrison continues to make great music, continues to tour the world, and continues to inspire and engage new generations of fans and artists alike. Here on Still On… Read more »
Label: Alive Naturalsound Records Released: August 21, 2007 Nathaniel Mayer is a legend in soul music, though lesser known outside of the genre. Once known for his sweet soulful voice, there is little of that remaining on his latest effort, released 45 years after his most famous song, “Village of Love.” His now thin, raspy voice may not be what… Read more »
Mongrels is a Canadian five piece that is in sense a supergroup of lesser-knowns, drawing members from Tricky Woo, Bionic, Blood Sausage and Local Rabbits (I haven’t heard of all of them either). They mix a stoner 70s hard rock influence with garage and soul to create heavy, sludgey grooves for singer Amy Turok’s wailing voice. Two drummers add heaviness… Read more »
Label: Q Division Released: June 2007 Soul and R&B have in many cases become so wrapped up in the influence of hip-hop that they’ve forgotten their own identities. When things like this happen, sometimes it’s best to hear someone get back to basics to reclaim a genre that’s losing itself. Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the True Loves may be just… Read more »
Label: Epic/Legacy Released: 1970 (reissued August 28, 2007) Released in 1970 to fill the gap between Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin’ On, Sly and the Family Stone’s Greatest Hits compiles many of the top tracks from the band’s early years. While every song on this album is also contained on the later Anthology release along with selections from their… Read more »
Label: Sugar Hill Records Released: June 12, 2007 Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles do more than just channel the past. True, Diamonds in the Dark is partially images of days gone by, but the package is fresh. Touching on every raw influence of rock music, the end result is an album that is both clean and warm, touching the… Read more »