Monday, January 27, 2014

NEW RELEASES - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - DUSTY HEARD THEM HERE FIRST; SHARON RIDLEY - FULL MOON; KENT'S CELLAR OF SOUL VOL 3

DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - DUSTY HEARD THEM HERE FIRST

The roots of Dusty Springfield – all the great American soul songs that inspired her own UK grooves over the years – served up here in the original recordings that often pack a lot more punch than Dusty's later versions! Most of the set stands strongly as a collection of great 60s soul singles from the US – with just a few later numbers mixed in towards the end – and together, the cuts really illuminate the roots that Dusty Springfield drew from the American scene, and show the singer as one with a much deeper commitment to soul music than some of her contemporaries. And while we'll be the first to admit that we're huge Dusty Springfield fans, and really love her own records – we're also pleased as punch to have a set like this to enjoy! Titles include "Nothing In the World" by Marie Knight, "Packin Up" by Margie Hendrix, "Needle In A Haystack" by The Velvelettes, "Girls It Ain't Easy" by The Honey Cone, "No Stranger Am I" by Norma Tanega, "That Old Sweet Roll" by The City, "Every Ounce Of Strength" by Carla Thomas, "You Can Do It" by Evie Sands, "Crumbs Off The Table" by The Glass House, "Am I The Same Girl" by Barbara Acklin, and "Doodlin" by Baby Washington. ~ Dusty Groove

SHARON RIDLEY - FULL MOON

One of the few full albums ever cut by the great Sharon Ridley – a hell of a great singer from the east coast scene, and one with the fullness of the best club divas of the time – but an approach that goes way way deeper overall! There's a sexy slink to the album that echoes Ridley's previous gem for Sussex – but the style's a bit more modern soul, with some sweet arrangements co-penned by Jerry Peters – who works with Sharon here to really push the envelope of her sound! Sharon sings with a bit of jazz at times – in ways that almost echo the best work of Marlena Shaw – and the set really shows a presence that goes way beyond most of Ridley's contemporaries. Titles include "Changin", "Just You and Me", "Full Moon", "Guess I'm Gonna Have to Say Goodbye", and "Nothing Else Means More To Me Than Our Love" – and a remake of "You Beat Me To The Punch". Great package – with heavy book-like cover, new liner notes, and bonus tracks that include "Changin (edit)" and "Changin (hot tracks rmx)".  ~ Dusty Groove


KENT'S CELLAR OF SOUL VOLUME 3 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Hardly the kind of music you'd want to keep in the basement – as the set's overflowing with classic soul from the 60s – especially the kind of underground nuggets we love so much! If we had to pick a style, we might say that the collection's heavy on Northern Soul rompers from the American indie scene way beyond Detroit – but there's also lots of other tasty flavors on here too, including some special west coast numbers and early funk tracks that really give the whole thing a great sense of variety – while still keeping to the upbeat, lively rhythms that make the set so great! Every track's a winner – and although most of these tracks never charted at the time, most have gone onto win big fame through constant circulation between DJs and collectors over the past few decades. Titles include "Sock It To Em Soul Brother" by Bill Moss, "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles, "Sign On The Dotted Line" by Gene Latter, "Peaches N Cream" by The Ikettes, "Tramp" by Lowell Fulsom, "I'll Never Forget You" by Marke & Chris Jackson, "Take It Baby" by The Showmen, "Ooh Wee Baby I Love You" by Fred Jackson, "Giving Up" by The Ad Libs, "With This Ring" by The Platters, "One Eye Open" by Maskman & The Agents, "Baby Please Come Back Home" by JJ Barnes, "Gotta Give Her Love" by The Volumes, and "Believe In Me Baby (part 1)" by Jesse James & The Dynamic Four. ~ Dusty Groove


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