5 Songs About: Infidelity

'Contagious' by The Isley Brothers
Eternal, 2001, DreamWorks Records
Probably most notable about this song is how a story was able to stretch over the course of four songs and seven years, 'Contagious' features the two main protagonists in this story, R Kelly and Ron "Mr Biggs" Isley, marking their third outing with a spat over Chante Moore.  The tension reaches critical levels as, in true soap opera fashion, the two lovers are caught in the act.

'S##t D##N M##### F####R' by D'angelo
Brown Sugar, 1995, EMI Records
Undoubtedly the darkest song taken from the bible of what was neo-soul music.  The genius of this somber jazz number lies in its simplicity.

'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' by Gladys Knight & The Pips
1967, Motown Records
Most associated with Marvin Gaye, we thought it would be fun to include Gladys Knight's version, which came out a year before Gaye's.  Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, the song was initially recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, as well as The Isley Brothers - both versions of which were not passed for release.

'Smooth Operator' by Sade
Diamond Life, 1984, Epic Records
Sade's first top ten hit in the US, this is probably the song that depicts the ultimate playboy fantasy - a man who flies across the world leaving a broken heart at every stop.

'Just Be Good To Me' by The SOS Band
On The Rise, 1983, Tabu Records
Another song that's had its fair share of covers, this time by Mariah Carey, Beats International and Shayne Ward, the list couldn't be complete without this definitive 80s classic.

'blackSUMMERS'night' artwork + tracklist + video

Finally!

Well, I say 'finally' but it isn't actually here yet.  Although it seems unlikely that anything can stop the release of the album that is already 7 years too late.

To give some background, after an 8-year hiatus, soul-singing legend-in-the-making Maxwell returned in 2009 with the first of a planned trilogy of album releases: 'BLACKsummers'night', 'blackSUMMERS'night', 'blacksummers'NIGHT'.  Following the huge success of 'BLACK...', '...SUMMERS'...' was due the following year, but that sadly turned into 7 years.

But none of that matters now, 'cos it's here.  Nearly.  blackSUMMERS'night will hit stores on July 1st and we now have a video for the new single 'Lake By the Ocean' to enjoy as well along with the tracklist.

1. All The Ways Love Can Feel
2. The Fall
3. Ill
4. Lake By The Ocean
5. Fingers Crossed
6. Hostage
7. 1990x
8. Gods
9. Lost
10. Of All Kind
11. Listen Hear
12. Night

What I'm listening to... (May 2016)

Well, the immediate answer of what I've been listening to over the past few weeks is a steady flow of Prince records... Yes, I'm doing no better with dealing with that news at all, so aside from 'Sign O'The Times', 'Purple Rain', 'For You', 'Crystal Ball' and numerous other albums and songs, I have managed to extend my musical therapy with a few other sounds that I was keen to put your way...

'Into Forever' by Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra featuring Josephine Oniyama
Stumbled onto this one by chance and I'm very happy that I did.  This is an excellent song - the title track from an excellent album which really captures more of what this song delivers.  Make sure you check out this video because the visuals are brilliant.

'Fascinating, Devastating Man' by Eleanore Mills
This comes from one of two Soul Brothers reissues that the label will be riding high with this year: This Is Eleanore Mills.  It was a complete toss-up as to which of the albums I'd highlight here so it's only right that we name check Eramus Hall's Your Love is My Desire as well.  Pick up both for some classic connoisseur soul.

'Luvlite' by Hidden Jazz Quartet featuring Bajka
Hidden Jazz Quartet are doing well this year following the release of their 'Raw and Cooked' album which is generating a solid buzz.  Apart from this track, highlights also come in the form of the Omar-assisted 'High Heels' which is a great northern soul-esque number.

'Hello Baby' by Lack of Afro [Review]

Hot on the heels of the brilliant Junior Oliver release ‘Bristol Fashion’ mere months ago, Adam Gibbons once again throws on the Lack of Afro cape and unveils no less than his fifth studio album, ‘Hello Baby’.

What’s even more exciting about the album is that, like ‘Bristol Fashion’, this adds a further string to the bow of Gibbons’ own LOA Records – the independent record label he founded in 2015 to nurture his own indelible passion for quality music and talent.  And “indelible passion” seems an apt description when discussing Gibbons and music.  Just like Warner Bros Records creating Paisley Park Records for Prince in a bid to channel his creative energies into projects away from his own – because they simply couldn’t keep up with his output – that same unrelenting desire to constantly create music is what many people adore in Adam Gibbons, and why the Lack of Afro brand means so much to people.  And why LOA Records can only be destined for success!

“I was impressed with the way he just 'got it' straight away, he understood the sound I wanted to create.”  Long-time friend and collaborator, Angeline Morrison, brought up when we previously discussed the Gibbons contribution to her awesome Freestyle Records release, 'Are You Ready Cat?'. “He collects a lot of analogue equipment and knows his way around all of that, so his ability to create an authentic vintage feel on tracks is superb.”

‘Hello Baby’ boasts an eclectic mix of Lack of Afro’s trademark fiery northern soul stompers and disco-funk boogies all expertly balanced out by Gibbons’ production skill and brought to life by a diverse mix of vocalists including Joss Stone, Juliette Ashby, long-time friend and collaborator rapper Herbal T, and fellow LOA Records artists Emma Noble and Elliott Cole.  Standouts throughout the album include 'I Got The Rhythm', 'Take You Home', 'Fires Glow' and 'All My Love' but it's an album with very little to falter.

LOA Records have found unique and innovative ways to engage and nurture their audience: the “5 in 10” series, limited edition CDs, cassette releases and most importantly... genuine talent.  LOA Records is oozing with it and is amassing a staggering catalogue for such a young label.  2016 is certain to be a big year for them but also for anyone wise enough to be following them.

Should you need even more of a fix of Lack of Afro-ness be sure to check out his remix of ‘High Heels’ for the Hidden Jazz Quartet.  Bliss.  
And for more info on Lack of Afro, LOA Records and their artists, visit the label's home page here: http://loarecords.com/

'Changes' by Charles Bradley [Review]

The screaming eagle of soul.  If you've listened to a Charles Bradley album before then you know that's an apt description of his prowess.  The third album release from the marquis act at Daptone's Dunham Records sees Bradley embrace that moniker like never before.  And like no one else could.

The Daptone Records family - and it's extended members - boast an indelible list of vocalists including the power house that is Sharon Jones but Charles Bradley forged his own path following the release of 'The World (Is Going Up In Flames)'.  The ultimate in Cinderella stories, Bradley was discovered by guitarist Thomas Brenneck before releasing his debut album in his early-60s.

With Brenneck again on production for 'Changes' - and also marking the third time that Bradley is backed by Brenneck's Menahan Street Band - the style on this release shifts away from the psychadelic soul of 2013's 'Victim of Love' and steers things back towards more classical soul stylings.

The album's title track sees a brilliant reworking of Black Sabbath's 'Changes', but further highlights come courtesy of 'Nobody But You'and 'Things We Do For Love' and the album's gem 'Slow Love'.  It's a very family affair throughout: although the Menahan Street Band provide the music throughout, they do step aside on two tracks to provide shine for The Budos Band ('Ain't It A Sin' and 'Changes') while Saun & Starr provide additional vocals on songs as do the Gospel Queens.

If you've never purchased a Charles Bradley album, this serves as an excellent introduction so while 2016 is already bursting with quality releases, don't let this one slip through your fingers.