I am sure that Just Soul will have many Marvin Gaye albums reviewed, as I am a huge fan and have lots of his records. But this behind ‘Vulnerable’ is my second favourite Marvin album. He wrote this album when he left his first wife Anna; it’s a bitter, sad, bewildered soul classic. Smooth, and twisted, ‘Here, My Dear’ shows the self-absorbed and negative side to Mr.Gaye. Maybe this album should have been called ‘Vulnerable’ because even with the layered vocal overdubs you can still here his pain and weariness in his angelic voice. This really is an album were Marvin takes his mask off, and sheds his skin, so to speak. He lets his guards down an almost stands musically naked, the record expresses the wounded this man began and ended with. It’s a portrait of his self-hate, torment, and heartbreaking life experiences and the music is an exploitation of that. Each track represents the emotion, powerfully and emotionally; it touches you. ‘I Met A Girl’ and ‘Everybody Needs Love’ are beautifully put together tracks. ‘Anger’, ‘Sparrow, ‘A Funky Space Reincarnation’ are songs that have become strong favourites. This album has been immaculately woven together. Its lyrical stories convey truth and honesty in its purest form of manifestation. ‘When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You’, is an inspiring number with a long name, but a powerful message. Marvin Gaye released this in a time were he was unaware of his addiction for drugs, depression and hard living. Aware of the fame, he felt that this is what artists do to create music, suffer. ‘Here, My Dear’ is an exact representation of a man souls being torn by emotional damage and mental issues. His ex-wives, unable to pay big fees, and all of this for one man to handle was harsh, although it enabled his talent to bloom and we have ‘Here, My Dear’ to prove it.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Twelve compiled songs by the godfather of Rap Music Gil-Scott Heron, brings ‘Ghetto Style’. Recordings released between 1970s/72, are released all from the legendary Flying Dutchman Company. This album is more than just music it represents a certain political time in history and a touching performance of poetry, from a writer who takes life in his hand and uses the ink it the pen to change so many views. ‘The Revolution will not be televised’ is his most famous recording, it is an endearing poetic piece of magic. He raps about the contemporary culture, the mind numbing affects of artificial ways, the endless American political war and its racism of White America. Scott-Heron delivers confidence that is embracing, inspiring and admirable to a youth. Unless you know that Gil-Scott Heron recites intense and intoxicating lyrics, then please don’t buy this record. If inspiration is running dry on your end of the pond, then ‘Ghetto Style’ will be the answer to your unsatisfied question. The beauty in the words, the power of there meaning, his emotion in his voice, all makes Gil-Scott Heron the legend he is today, in the musical world. He hasn’t just touched the lives of those who are just into Rap; he has reached everyone on a universal degree. I have many favourite songs so it would be unfair for me to name names, but for the record ‘Piece’s Of A Man’, ‘Or Down You Fall’, ‘Speed Kills’, ‘Lady & John Coltrane’, and at the top is ‘When You Are Who You Are’, that has one of the most incredible messages I’ve ever heard. The lyrical content remains to this day angry and confrontational yet seems sweet and embodied in its blissful rhythms and jazz sax’s. ‘Small Talk At 125th & Lenox’ is another classic poetic ringing track, with echoing messages and spell bounding vocals. ‘Ghetto Style’ is just teasing you with the talent of this man.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Sarah Lois Vaughan contributes probably the finest Jazz album of the Ella, Dinah, and Billy years. ‘Time After Time’ is an unquestionably impressive, timeless, passionate collection of sixteen old Jazz songs. Her talent can be witnessed on her romantic and pain felt Jazz Ballads. Sarah’s invariable voice will spiritually and emotionally connect. Somehow this artist was a golden star of its era. With unhurried classical Jazz bands in the background, and her almost opera like vocals, comprehends exactly what she feels. ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ begins with a dramatic quartet of strings, violins and drums, which gives her voice an entrance and a half. Sarah Vaughan manages to keep the power of her voice smooth, even on the long notes. Unfortunately not many people want to go back and understand the roots of what makes today’s music modern. These vocalists will be an inspiration to millions of the 2005 soul movement, Sarah Vaughan will undoubtedly apart of that. ‘What A Difference A Day Makes’ is a Jazz classic; which is catchy and capturing. ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’ is an outstanding feely song; that has sad lyrics with haunting string sections. ‘Trouble Is a Man’ is one of my favourites of ‘Time After Time’; this album holds too many great songs that not everyone gives a chance because they are too rapped up in the neo soul world. ‘The More I See You’ is my other favourite, I am unable to explain just how good it is, I just advice you that you go see for yourself. ‘East Of The Moon’ and ‘September Song’, I worship with passion, as they are both lyrically deep and inspiring. Sarah Vaughan won’t be around to release any more neo soul music, so this is what she left behind after her distressing death that touched many people. ‘Time After Time’ is just one album of hers that I happened to find in my collection, her entire discography is worth the purchase. This album will be a favourite of mine for many years ahead.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Since the release of Mystic Voyage, Roy Ayers soon released one of the most influential Funk albums of 1976. R.Ayers is known to be the brainchild of Funk, the legend of Jazz and an excellent vocalist in his own right. ‘Hey Uh-What You Say Come On’, an introduction to the album, has a cheesy yet uplifting combination of rhythms and old school sound effects. His string arrangements, and synthesizers are all to be expected on each track, ‘Keep On Walking’, which is a firm favourite of mine, has a deep groove and vibe piano’s that chills out your soul. ‘Third Eye’ is another great heart felt cadence that fortifies the mind and spirit. The enormity of this one mans talent excels with ease. To the ear simplicity is heard, but to the musically trained her, this album is intricate with many fusions from Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin Rhythms and more. ‘It Ain’t Your Sign it’s Your Mind’ has pleasant singing with instrumental compositions. Rapidly ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ draws closer to the speakers, the tune that brings summer memories and warmth to the soul. ‘Just Bee’s and thangs and flowers’, are the lyrics to the stand out song. This album brings reconciliation and innovation, rather than dark and negativity like other soul classics. The things that Black people went through in these times and days were not so happy, which is why a lot of soul expresses pain and unhappiness. ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ is a much-needed record at that time, and up lifted many of the African Americans who were suffering from realities tribulations, and the world as well. Let this album take you on a magic carpet ride to paradise, as you’ll be in sunshine and possibly get stuck in the groove of this record forever. It’s ahead of its time, even though it was released years ago. A timeless and unforgettable album by the one and only respected musical genius, Roy Ayers.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Young Disciples and The Brand New Heavies were the first days of Carleens music career. It now all seems so far away, with two solo albums under her belt and ‘Soul Providence’ released on Dome Records, this is the finest you’ll here from her. This album was recorded in Surrey, at Paul Weller’s studios, with a live band that complimented her soft tones of singing. Each track is different from the one you hear before, which makes the album interesting and addictive. Each time you play ‘Soul Providence’ you will hear something new that you didn’t hear the last time you pressed play. Rock with a very soulful twist is all over the album. Currently living in the countryside of England, Carleen has recorded this entire album in the UK. The featured vocalists are Paul Weller and Jocelyn Brown. The P.Weller feature is on a Leon Ware song called ‘Wanna Be Where You Are’, the two sound great together. ‘Sweetness’ is possibly my first favourite song with its blast of Gospel fusion. The emotional vocals sound effortless yet mind blowing, I love her singing on this album because it sounds so at ease and free. From the intriguing front cover, to the slight rock and roll influence, Carleens music is fresh from the usual New Soul release. ‘All In My Mind’ is another favourite because it is Funkier than her usual sound. Her voice sounds like a mixture of Joan Armatrading and Aretha Franklin, when she lets it loose on the Gospel tracks. Her coalition of musical genres inspires and is a feel good factor, as the uplifting lyrics make ‘Soul Providence’ have a special vibe. Her lyrics do cover pain but also express joy, with songs like ‘Little Wouldn’t I Do’. The song that is emotionally touching is ‘Salvation Is Free’, with incredible piano by Mark Edwards who co-produced the magical album with Colin Walker. I suggest that those who want to be surprised and have a new love in their lives then buy ‘Soul Providence’, Carleen Andersons most impressive works.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]