ChilliFunk Records has release some of the finest music over the eight years or so, now have no fear, as a compilation has been made and compiled by Notenshun. Bringing you the best from Nathan Haines, Vanessa Freeman, Notenshun, Verna Francis and T.Kolai. With a cool artwork that presents the grooved up record in class, Soho Soul is Funky Soul to the max, with fusions of classical and Latin genres. I am a big fan of Verna Francis and Vanessa Freeman, both brilliant UK Soul divas in there own right, have songs remixed by Blackbeard and the Rebirth. My favourite track is the first. It features Soul legend Marlena Shaw who surprises us with her talented ability of spoken word. Another act who lends their poetic soul to this compilation is Rich Madina on ‘Springtime Rain (Drum and Bass Remix). It’s beautiful Jazzy chords and improvised piano sections, compliments the inspiring writings and atmospheric mood. ‘Pause…’ is a fantastic up-tempo beat by Verna Francis. It proves to the USA and the globe, that UK does have a lot of underground talent and Soul, unfortunately being incredibly ignored because the UK seems to financially misunderstand Soul. It’s a shame because ‘Soho Soul’ has released some of London’s finest producers, re-mixers, artists and DJs we’ve got around. Vanessa Freeman has a powerful vocal gift, reaching high notes from the depths of her soul. Verna Francis is more of a smooth Funky soul singer, who fuses James Brown rhythms with sultry singing. Nathan Haines is a brilliant producer, and gives the album a raw edge. Yam Who! Do a vocal mix of Nathan’s ‘O Misterio’, which sounds very uplifting and salsa like. Notenshun do a great instrumental number called ‘Cool Down’, it has an old Soul/Funk feel going on, and it’s really impressive. Fragile State remixes ‘T.Kolai – Exodus’, which is mind blowing. They have lent their talents to other compilations like ‘Buddha Bar’, ‘Buddha Chillout’ and ‘Marrakesh – Hip Guide’. You can tell because they add an African choir with the beat, and it gives it a world music feel. The whole album is very well put together, produced, and made. It's soulful music for funky people.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

‘XTC’ was the first Anthony Hamilton CD that was signed to Uptown Records but unfortunately never saw the light of day. This album is pretty hard to find in popular record shops. The melodies and production definitely capture and old school R&B/Soul feel. In my opinion Anthony has improved on his more current albums like ‘Coming From Where I’m from’ and ‘Soulife’. His vocals don’t seem so strong like they do now and it’s as if he is finding himself. ‘XTC’ has sexy grooves and lyrics of love/relationships, with a few guest appearances on certain tracks. The magical thing about Mr. Hamilton is that he brings the special sound of 70’s Soul into modern music; he is an artist you can reminisce with. The beats are in the style of 90’s R&B, along with the arrangements and vocals. Tracks like ‘You’re My Type of Woman’, has a really cool vibe to it, with the lyrics about love. ‘Fallin’ has a great bass line and beat; over all is pretty impressive. This record has simple production but made in an effective way. ‘Nobody Else’ has an off putting pop sound to it, and the vocals are quite disappointing. The next song, which I am fond of, is ‘I Wanna Be With You’, it has a more complete sound to it, and offers an old school beat. I seem to be using the words “old school” a lot but it’s the only way I can describe Anthony Hamilton’s production style on ‘XTC’. The Bill Withers/Al Green vocals are here, but the music is not polished enough. The best song on XTC is ‘Spend Some Time’, and the fender rhodes compliments the strings. From one track to the next A.H glides smoothly and easily, with beautiful lyrics/vocals. ‘Forgive Me’ and ‘Thank You’, has wonderful production. Anthony Hamilton is an amazing, incredible, original artist and performer. A lot of people should be writing notes down from this act because he is a true professional at what he does and has the key to longevity.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

This album brought a big sense of relief to me because I thought R&B was turning out to be a load of nonsense. The Music Industry’s realized that this genre is a good source of money earning. However, these sexual and brainless videos on the screens are clouding youth’s minds of what true talent is. Thankfully we have do have soulful R&B artists who bring back the romance to music. Many with a real gift try to break though and don’t always manage to achieve the goal but now things have changed. There was a time when Motown released some classic Soul albums and these became household names. If you dig deep you will find that we do have special independent labels still bringing quality music that reaches peoples hearts, for example Hidden Beach. The dynamic duo of previous album ‘Surrender To Love’ returns with a superb set ‘In This Life Together’. The best way to describe the sound is ‘grown and sexy’, where Aja and Fatin sound like a modern day Tami Terrell and Marvin Gaye but with there own elements. ‘Where Would I Be (the Question)’, is the first single and proves us that these two are seriously in love and talk about love in a detailed way, giving us a true experience. Guest appearances are from female rapper Archie Eversoul on ‘Turn It Up’, and the beautiful India Arie on ‘Struggle No More’. The project wouldn’t be complete without the talented musicians and producers from James Poyser, Dinky Bingham, Ahmad Godfrey, Tracy Carter, Chuch Treece and others, where they recorded the eighteen tracks at the A to Z studios in Philadelphia. The album has a commercial friendly feel to it compared to the first release. I prefer ‘In This Life Together’ because it’s original, creative and puts a lot of other commercial artists to shame. I highly suggest you get your soulful paws on this incredible and vigorous record.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Acoustic guitars, Luther Vandross like vocals and a smooth RnB is the first musical taster that you'll hear from Mr. Brown’s album. Relationships, love, life and issues are just a few of the subjects spoken about. 'About her' is the beginning to the soulful album from Wade O' Brown. You can hear his Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross influences through out. 'All Night, All Love', has fourteen sophisticated slow jams for lovers looking for love or in love. 'Just Good Friends' is my favorite track; it has a really nice groove and confident vocals. 'Wholeheart' is another great track, due to its infectious bass line and rhythmic beat, with influential lyrical content. Another soul slammer is 'My All Is You', impressive arrangements and instrumentation. He does sound very RnB but in a very musicianship, mature way. He is a grown man talking about grown man experiences; some may find it hard to relate to, but still vibe to it, some how. 'Where Do We Go from Here (the Sexy Mix) has a very 'Marvin Gaye - I Want You' feel to it. 'So Glad' is also a cool up-tempo groove. Over all Wade can definitely provide us with a solid new album. 'All Night, All Love' is for anyone who likes love grooves and bedroom rnb ballads. Many new up and coming RnB acts look vulnerable, but it is only until you’ve fully checked out there music, that your view is completely altered. W.O Brown shows gives the listener and honest and crafted musical journey that can only be truly experienced by hearing the full set of songs. The music could be a little more expanded, but saying that I am getting a bit tired of the Rock fusions in RnB and Soul. This is straight quality and real music from the soul and rhythm of a true Black artist.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

BBE Records have put together a wicked collection of the finest in rare grooves and seventies soul from artists like the New Rebirth, Michael Wycott, James Brown, the Supremes, Donald Byrd and Eddie Hazel. Peter Adarkwah who is the founder of Barely Breaking Even eleven years ago directed the project. Funk filled bass lines and soul saturated melodies, vary from track to track. ‘Look Up To You’ by the amazing Michael Wycoff, is a personal favourite, due to its sassy vocals and jazz improvisation. ‘Love and Happiness’ by Monty Alexander, is a classic soul track in its own right, an entrance with a jam session and singing then soon begins. Other good tunes from ‘Strange Funky Games and Things’ are by the Miracles, Barbara Mason, the Reflections, Jay Dee, American Gypsy, and Nature Zone. ‘Do It Baby’ by the Miracles is a great up lifting number. Over all this compilation from BBE R is an impressive and memorable release. ‘Bill Conti – Reflections’ is another favourite of mine with its rhythm arrangements and vocal moods. There are many infectious grooves created by some very popular artists. These are hand picked gems, that not many people would be aware of unless the purchased this compilation. ‘SFGAT’ has lots to listen to, and it is an open-minded musical journey that takes you through some of histories most slept upon releases. All that is need for this release is good promotion, as it is a very work while purchase. It has a few disco tracks on there from ‘Donald Byrd – Loving you’. ‘James Brown – Stone To The Bone’ has to be the best track from the entire album, it has pure Funk, and a straight James Brown vibe to it. This can cool the atmosphere or lively up a house party, ‘Strange Funky Games and Things’ is definitely a compilation to look out for.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]