Various Artists
New Soul Woman
2008 - Expansion Records

This double CD – nicely packaged – features many songs that we are all familiar with, and cheekily throws in a few teasers from forthcoming artists to boot. And why not? A number of songs have appeared on various compilations also, but all drawn together here we have a bubbling mix hot feminine soulfulness that's not easy to locate all in one package anywhere else. Without pouring over every track on here – and there are 30 in all – I'll just highlight those that may be less familiar, or those that herald greater things in the future! Lovers of Kloud 9 will take immediately to the cheerful jogger, “Blew My Cool” from songstress Eleana Young which contains all the good elements of a song penned by Kendle Duffie! My favourite song is “Out Of Luck” by Jackie Campbell; a strong bass-driven ballad with plenty of warm keys and sneaky JB horn stabs in the mix this is more of a traditional soul ballad with a catchy hook to boot. Sani's “Surrender”, a tune from 1996 is superb and produced here in the UK by our very own talent Victor Haynes and Peter Moy. I was not familiar with this song, but have seriously taken to it now mainly due to the strong vocals, eerie synth and soulful sax a la Marion Meadows style which runs throughout.

Steve Harvey is yet another fantastic export from the UK to the States, and not unlike Rod Temperton, the US atmosphere and soul tradition suits them a lot better. Tiffany's “Tell Me” is more of a street offering than we have been used to of late from Mr. Harvey, and if you bought his essential De'Valicious Vol. 1 then you will likewise adore this. “Joy From That” by Tonia Smith is a real belter and will get the old toes tapping, and thanks again to Kendall Duffie and his Kloud 9 (or 4.5) production camp. Excellent, and a prime example of good modern, upbeat positive soul. “Strip It Down” by Velma is another song I had not been too familiar with, but from 1997 this stands up very well indeed and does not struggle against newer recordings on here. I mentioned Victor Haynes earlier, and from the excellent “Voices In Control” set from 1996 is included the superb stepper “That's What Love Can Do” by Yvonne Shelton. Quality soul. Recent gems such as Preston Glass' “Love Will Get Us Through The Times” featuring Latoya London is included, as is the wonderful Linn Segolson and her “Troubled Times” - a real modern day essential if ever I heard one. If nothing else, this set reminds us what stunning talent and quality have graced Expansion records over the past decade or so, and a few inclusions show us what lies ahead. What can be better than that?

Barry Towler

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Various Artists - New Soul Woman