togetherness2003

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Soul Togetherness 2003 - Expansion UK

The next in the Soul Togetherness Odyssey, a mix of top tunes hitting the Modern Soul Rooms of the UK. For me an improved selection over last years release, compiled principally by Richard Searling. The cuts range from the 70's right through to now, such is the contradiction of Modern Soul.

The Top tracks for me are:

Tower of Power – a 2003 track that is hidden away on the European issue of a current album. Ok for us but why does it have to be this way. A very old school, in terms of harmonies and chorus, tune and not really typical to ToP. This one will or should hit both the Crossover and Northern rooms as well, if only they would embrace CD's!

Impromp2 – the upbeat cut, but not necessarily the best if you like your Soul, from the album also about to be released on Expansion, and one of the best and most consistent albums of the year.

Kelli Sae – can't say any more as she is featured extensively on this site. Dome and Expansion eh!

Futures – if only for the fact that it brings out that old upbeat Philly feel that always raises raises the temperature and a smile to your face. There is better but this is a monster right now.

Denise Tichenor – into upbeat and uplifting gospel territory. Gorgeous strong vocal, bouncy rhythm and carried along by the harmonies. Why does the UK Soul scene detest rap so much as to justify tampering with this track. (This is a whole nother argument but it's starting to bug me but Rap is Soul, ask Portia Maultesby, if you need to.) Top tune though.

Ebony Alleyne – recently dropped from a project by Sony but certain cuts have surfaced, this one probably being the best. In the Dionne Warwick envelope this midtempo groover has packed some floors by those able to put politics behind them. Vocally I'm not sure that Ebony is soulfully strong enough but tracks like this indicate she can sure cut a groove.

Frank Popp Ensemble – the weird track I suppose, taking the riff straight out of the Soul Communicators, thus giving it and making it really a 'Northern' track. I don't really know whether it has crossed over, maybe it's unable to do so in the Blue Juice way of things. Check the film if that doesn't make sense.

Chestnut Brothers – concludes the album in fine style with an uplifting and anthemic piece of soul gospel.

So that's enough tracks to make any album a pretty good one. And that's not to say tat the remaining tracks are any less good because to each his own and I'm sure you may come up with a different selection. Those coming close are Unified Tribe,a working combo, Gift of Dreams, a fine brassy jazz funky groove, Niteflyte, one of the top cuts of the year in the halls, and the mellowed down track, Melody Stewart

Comprehensive sleeve notes and further title details etc reproduced from Expansion below

Our fourth 'Soul Togetherness' compilation is without doubt our strongest so far, including massively in demand modern room monsters and sought after collector's gems side by side. Once again the assembled body of work represents the Togetherness sound played by our modern soul DJs in and around the UK and Internationally too. Over the past eight years the modern room sound of Togetherness has stretched beyond our own events at Fleetwood and Stoke to Sweden, Austria, Italy and more recently back to the UK at Hilton events for Jazz FM in Blackpool and Birmingham. Once again we are proud to present an exceptional selection of music for both the high calibre knowledgeable crowds who support our events, and those discovering our scene for the first time.

RICHARD SEARLING

1. Nothing Like It (4:52)

Tower of Power

(Emilio Castillo/Leo Sachs) Arikat Music (ASCAP)/Baby Darling Music (ASCAP)
Produced by Emilio Castillo
(P) 2003 SPV Recordings, under exclusive license from Or Music LLC

Exactly thirty years on from 'So Very Hard To Go'' and 'This Time It's Real'', the extraordinary Tower Of Power show they've still got what it takes at the highest level. Furthermore this is the second time Soul Togetherness has visited the group this side of year 2000, with 'It Really Doesn't Matter'' included on our first selection and amounting to state of the art modern soul in recent years. This track comes from their most recent album, although only a bonus cut to be found on the European issue.
Visit Tower Of Power at www.bumpcity.com

2. New Beginnings (4:26)

Melodie Sexton

(Paulo V.C. Costa/Kazuo Morioka) Luanda Music Publishing Inc
Produced by Osny Melo & Melodie Sexton
(P) 1998 Kinos Music

Melodie Sexton has recorded a few projects in recent years, but this track from 1998 is the one that has put her on the map with modern soul fans in recent times. To use a Dean Johnson-ism, this is 'bouncy castle' soul at it's finest, simple, effective and extremely infectious on the dancefloor where demand has been building over the past year or so. Demand has escalated since copies of the Japanese import have dried up.

3. Give It Up (4:58)

Impromp2

(J. Britt/S. Thomas/F. Washington/B. Penzias) 816 Music (ASCAP)/Odie Mae Music (BMI)/Freddie Dee Music (BMI)/Bernelads Music (BMI)
Produced by Freddie Washington & Bernhard Penzias for Bernelands Entertainment
(P) 2003 Big 3 Records, under exclusive license to Expansion Records

Without doubt, Impromp2's 2003 CD 'The Definition Of Love'' is one of the Top 5 albums of the year alongside Frank McComb's 'The Truth''. Both those are in the main produced by Steve Harvey, though on this, one of the bonus tracks to the UK issue, the song is driven by the signature bass sound of producer Freddie Washington. You may recall that's Freddie's sound was integral to all the great records from the soulful heyday of Patrice Rushen and that fire is re-created here in one of the best soulful dance tracks of the year.

4. Take It All (4:45)

Unified Tribe

(Magic) Copyright Control
Produced by Magic for Magic Muzik Productions
(P) 2003 Magic Muzik Productions

'Take It All'' comes from one of this year's top independent albums 'Mixed Messages'' by 13 piece soul, jazz and r&b combo Unified Tribe from New York, Southern California and Texas. Aside from their own albums Unified Tribe's production company have worked with artists such as The Whispers and Phil Perry, with founding member Magic also working with Maurice White and George Duke. Definitely a quality modern soul dance record from a multi-cultural group with a unique sound.
Visit Unified Tribe at www.unifiedtribe.net

5. Can't Wait (3:53)

Kelli Sae

(Burke/Mayfield/Smith) Copyright Control
Produced by K. Smith & Skoota for AGW Entertainment
(P) 2003 Kwurk Entertainment

2003 has been a great year for Kelli Sae both as vocalist with Incognito on their current album/tour and with this track from her second solo album 'Heroine'' released on her own label. If the song sounds familiar, it's no doubt the influence from the Keni Burke/Curtis Mayfield song 'Can't Do Without Love'' recorded by The Whispers which impacts the arrangement and has made this one of the top modern soul dancers of the year.
Visit Kelli Sae at www.kellisae.com

6. Party Time Man (5:13)

The Futures

(Marshall/Wortham) Assorted Music Inc
Produced by Sherman Marshall
(P) 1978 Assorted Music Inc, DBA Philadelphia International Records

Some say this has become as popular on the soul scene as Ace Spectrum's 'Don't Send Nobody Else'' in the past twelve months, driving the original 7'' on Philadelphia International to a value upwards of £100. From the same album 'Past, Present & The Futures'' which contains the timeless rare groove 'Ain't Got Time Fa Nothing'', this state of the art Philly track is a feel good, somewhat frantic dancefloor filler has got people wondering why it took 25 years to become this huge. Only Philly International could make a disco track of such timeless quality.

7. Be There In The Morning (TBA)

Renee Geyer

(Geyer/Logan/Sullivan) Mushroom Music Publishing
Produced by Frank Wilson
(P) 1979 Mushroom Records (Aus) Pty Ltd, licensed courtesy of Festival Mushroom Records

It's a million miles from Frank Wilson's 'Do I Love You'', but Frank produced this supreme version of a song that up until recent years was better known in its form by Norman Connors. Brought to the UK soul scene's attention by Richard Searling, and favoured by top modern soul spinners such as Terry Jones, original album versions can be found on RCA and Polydor to whom this lady was signed outside of her native Australia and Mushroom Records. The Australian 7'' 45 is also collectable.

8. Feel It (3:36)

Gift of Dreams

(R. Brownlee/B.J. Miller) Bullwip Publishing Co
Produced by Gift of Dreams
(P) 1983 Jam Power Records

Originally from a mini-LP (the picture sleeve version being incredibly rare) this West Coast group would have had an album release on Expansion back in 1988 had they not split up at the time and thought it not in their best interest. Twenty years on from the original release their breezy brass laden sound, somewhat a cross between Maze and Breakwater, remains as fresh as ever and sought after. This and 'By Your Side'' from the same sessions were top Richard Searling spins from the 80s.

9. Merry-Go-Round (3:25)

Ruby Andrews

(R. Dunbar) Unified Publishing Inc
Produced by R. Dunbar
(P) 1977 ABC Records Inc, licensed courtesy of Universal

A favourite artist to both northern and modern soul fans alike, this song comes from the 'Genuine Ruby'' album of the 70s, released a year after 'I Got A Bone To Pick With You'' made it's impact on the UK fraternity. Ruby also recorded the original version of 'Casanova'' which Coffee scored a disco hit with in 1980. Always an in demand track, we include 'Merry-Go-Round'' to commemorate Ruby's live appearance at the 'Soul Togetherness' weekender this October 2003 in Fleetwood. She is currently working on new songs with Jo Armstead.

10. If You Believe (5:15)

Niteflyte feat. Jean Carne

(T. Campbell/N. Demetraides) Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Produced by Tony Campbell & Ralph Tee
(P) 2003 Tee Zone, under exclusive license to Expansion Records

A track that has caught the imagination of the modern soul scene this year, 'If You Believe'' was originally written and recorded by Act Of Faith on their 1997 album 'Release Yourself''. After the group's lead singer left, the group's Tony Campbell formed Niteflyte and on their third album 'U Turn'' secured the vocal services of Philly soul legend Jean Carne for this magnificent re-make. The idea was to use a contemporary song but take Jean back to the style of 'My Love Don't Come Easy'' when Philadelphia International ruled the modern soul world!

11. There's No Me Without You (3:31)

Denise Tichenor

(Arthur E. Pullam) Creative Neptune Music Publishing
Produced by Arthur E. Pullam for Pullam Productions
(P) 1997 Creative Neptune Music, licensed courtesy of DTK Enterprises, Inc

A so-called 'virtual soul' record for about a year, this was discovered by Andreas 'The Crazy Dutchman' Hellingh and largely broken in the UK's North West by Togetherness DJ Mike Stephens. Removed of its original rap (as it appears here), the record is the first of two soulful gospel records on this year's selection. Denise is a former recording artist for Tyscot ('Refreshingly Neecy''-'89/''Lead Me''-'92), the label that recently brought us the Rance Allen Group (see 'Village Soul'). She can be found on American TV performing on the 'Bobby Jones Gospel Hour' (Bobby himself known to the modern soul world courtesy of his recording of Glenn Jones' 'I Am Somebody'')

12. I Must Say Goodbye (4:47)

Melody Stewart

(Fitz Walton/John Farley/Peter Dowse) Le Greca Publishing (Pro Canada)
Produced by Joe La Greca and Joe Marandola
(P) 1980 D.J. Productions

Little is known about the mysterious Melody Stewart, except to say that this song comes from her album 'Action Satisfaction'' released in Canada (from which this is not typical). With each Soul Togetherness we like to mellow it down for at least one song, and on this occasion we let Melody do the honours with this is extremely moody and atmospheric piece of soulful bliss. Credit goes to Soul Brother Records for discovering it, while spins from Ralph Tee on Jazz FM, Solar and Thames has created interest.

12. In Love With A Stranger (4:19)

Ebony Alleyne

(Ebony Alleyne/Ian Levine/Clive Scott) Copyright Control/Kastlekat/Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Produced by Ian Levine & Clive Scott
(P) 2003 New Vision Arts

Ebony Alleyne performed live at Soul Togetherness in 2002 and brought the house down. From the sessions she recorded for Sony, this has been one of the most sought after and until now has only been pressed on a limited edition Okeh 7''. Ebony is an extremely talented UK artist with a very bright future. Watch for her again soon with brand new music and a brand new label. Inspired by retired (for now!) Togetherness DJ Ian Levine and his love of 70s soul, this also boasts outstanding musicianship from Snake Davis and a live string section.

14. Breakaway (3:34)

Frank Popp

(Frank Popp/Peter Horsch/Sam Leigh-Brown) Edition Unique Club Music/AMV Alster Hamburg
Produced by Frank Popp
(P) 2003 Unique Records, Germany

This record first came to light a few months, royally championed by Togetherness event hosts Kev Roberts and Richard Searling at their respective radio shows and gigs (and it's a firm favourite of Terry Jones too). It was discovered in the UK by Acid Jazz's Eddie Pillar and is now, quite simply, massive. From Germany, Frank Popp is a top DJ, writer and producer whose singer on this record is Sam Leigh-Brown from (wait for it), Manchester! (Family's dad is another Manchester musician, saxophonist Norman Brown). More northern than modern in appeal (courtesy of its 'Soul Communicators' horn riff), Frank Popp could quite easily have a pop hit with this.

15. Travelin' On (6:30)

The Chestnut Brothers

(Al Chestnut/Ty Chestnut/Patricia Simpson) Copyright Control
Produced by Al Chestnut, Ty Chestnut and Paul Wicklife
(P) 2003 Abdul Entertainment

We conclude this year's Soul Togetherness with perhaps the best modern gospel records of the year that has taken the soul scene by storm. The track is taken from Al and Ty Chestnut's CD release 'Peace Suite'' which they have been performing live as part of their 'Stop The Violence' tour. Born in Columbia and raised in Philadelphia they have previously recorded with Luther Vandross, Najee and the late Grover Washington Jr.
Visit www.abdulentertainment.com

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