Stacey Kent, Art Hirahara – Songs From Other Places

Stacey Kent, Art Hirahara – Songs From Other Places

Stacey’s new album finally arrived on vinyl after its initial release last fall. It’s an album which was recorded with pianist Art Hirahara and occasional flute by husband Jim Tomlinson, who also produced the album. Some of the songs have been released as singles since last summer and were recorded during lockdown. So it is…

Silas Short – Drawing

Silas Short – Drawing

One of the records that got lost in the pre-Xmas shuffle was this debut EP by 24-year old Chicago-based Silas Short. His brilliant lo-fi indie album “Drawing” came out on the equally fancy Stones Throw label (Kiefer, Peyton, John Carroll Kirby, etc) and features seven invigoratingly subdued, sometimes tender neo-soul pieces, all pretty unique and…

The Wants List 5

The Wants List 5

Another compilation out now: the 5th installment of “The Wants List” on Soul Brother Records, the London-based Soul and Jazz record shop which turned into a veritable music label in 1997, first as Passion Music, later as Soul Brother Records. They have come up with an incredible amount of compilations, artist anthologies and a total…

Luxury Soul 2022

Luxury Soul 2022

Every new year starts with a 3-CD compilation of the finest indie soul tracks, courtesy of Ralph Tee who compiles the songs for the ever so reliable Expansion Records. This time around, 34 tracks have found the way onto the latest edition. Very few have been mentioned here before, like the wonderful “Gotta Have You”…

James Mtume R.I.P.

James Mtume R.I.P.

Another genius has made his transition. Or how do you call someone who played on the freaky 1972 Miles Davis LP “On The Corner” and then five years later started an amazingly successful and productive career in soul music circles, being responsible for co-writing and producing some of the most precious tunes in soul music…