We are delighted to open this collection with r&b sensation Keisha Cole.
The song is an adaptation of “Never Too Much” and included here
as one of two tributes to Luther Vandross who passed away this year. From Oakland,
California, Keisha sang on the movie soundtrack to “Me & Mrs. Jones”
before a deal with A&M that lead to one of this year’s top urban albums
“The Way It Is”. Along the way she cut this song that’s been
exchanging hands for a year the soul scene’s Internet swap shop, though
it did appear on the “Barbershop 2” soundtrack.



2. Get Up

Da Producers



Without a doubt, “The Official Steppers Music CD” has been one of
2005’s best album releases, and this song is a great example of how fine
the music is. Da Producers, the team that remixed “Let’s Get It
On” for Marvin Gaye recently, are two veteran DJ, Producer, remixers Paul
Simpson/Kwasi Pecou, and two relative newcomers Craig Chang/Miles Dalto. They
have a mix of Barbara Mason’s “Yes I’m Ready” in the
pipeline and with their sound truly capture the flavour of modern soul.



3. My Sensitivity (Gets In The Way) (Hex B Mix)

Ledisi



There is no doubt that Ledisi is truly one of soul music’s future superstars.
Her live shows have already been acknowledged as a sensation, and her albums
are becoming classics. This is our second tribute to Luther Vandross on this
collection, the original version of this appearing on the various artist album
“Forever, For Always, For Luther”. As an exclusive to this album,
we are very fortunate to bring you the much sought after ‘Hex B’
remix that’s been filling floors all years through much traded MP3s and
CDRs.

4. Funky Love

Nate James (featuring Carmen Reece)



Championed by Jazz FM before they became Smooth FM, “Set the Tone”
was a huge r&b record ahead of his debut album of the same name from which
“Funky Love” is a huge modern soul anthem. From East Anglia, Nate
James is a UK star in the making and says that other UK artists Omar and Craig
David inspire his new school/old school style. He’s also been described
as the ‘UK’s answer to Eric Benet’ and we hear at Expansion
hope that he realises his true potential.

5. Movin' On (Togetherness Mix)

Ian Martin



Another of 2005’s biggest modern soul tunes, this comes from a phenomenal
album “The Way” released by Expansion earlier in the year. Ian Martin
is one of LA’s top bass players and his album was crafted with the UK
modern soul scene in mind. A further ‘Extended Mix’ can be found
on limited edition 12” single, but this ‘Togetherness Mix’
is still longer than the original CD version – though check the album
for “Brother”, “Knockdown Side” and other essential
soul gems.



6. Waitin' For The Rain (Tom Moulton Remix)

The Fantastic Johnny C

Originally a 7” three and a half minute ‘b’ side to “Don’t
Depend On Me” on the Phil-La of Soul label, this has been transformed
into a seven minute plus Philly masterpiece by the legendary Tom Moulton. Released
in 2005, it’s one of a handful of tracks chosen by Paul Simpson (of Da
Producers) to remix or have remixed as part of a 50 year celebration CD the
of Philadelphia’s Jamie/Guydon Distribution company. (Stand by for Expansions
“Sprit of Philadelphia Vol.2” compilation, by the way!)

7. Close To You

The Chi-Lites

Not only did we lose Luther Vandross in 2005, but Eugene Record too. He wrote
numerous classic soul tunes for his own group The Chi-Lites (including “Have
You Seen Her”), himself as a solo artist (“Overdose Of Joy”),
and other artists too many to mention over three decades. In this tribute we
include the little know soul gem hidden away for years on a Japanese only released
mini-EP but is too good to be missed. He last performed with The Chi-Lites on
a PBS TV special in March 2004.

8. Star

Brigette

One of the classiest modern soul dance tracks of the year, this features Al
McKay from Earth Wind & Fire on the guitar chugging intro that sets off
this absolute gem. Already a No.1 street soul track thanks to DJ Bigger (Blues
& Soul), the track flew on limited edition 7” and is taken from her
must have album. Production is courtesy of Steve Harvey (Frank McComb, Donnie
etc), who’s band support Adriana Evans, Lenny Williams, Maysa and Ledisi
at the Blackpool Hilton January 2006 Luxury Soul weekend.

www.steveharveymusic.com

9. The Real Thing

Stacye Branche



Stacye joined Expansion on last year’s Togetherness compilation, and we
are delighted to have her back with this fine rendition of a Stevie Wonder favourite.
As she did with “Inside Me” in 2004, she has completely made this
song her own and given it an irresistible modern soul group with some Incognito
style horns and plenty of class. The track has been completed especially for
this album after demos circulated on CDR earlier in the year, so is an exclusive
here.



10. Beyond The Limits Of Love

Chris Walker

Houston, Texas singer Chris Walker last impressed us with “Love Tonight”
from his album “Sincerely Yours” in 1993. It was even included on
Expansion’s now much sought after compilation “Winners Circle Vol.2”.
Back in 2005, this feel good soul dancer comes from an album he and writing
partner Ray Davis have produced, in part, to raise funds for the American Diabetes
Association. It follows up his two albums in the 90s for Pendulum Records following
which Chris has toured as Music Director to Al Jarreau.



11. Hypnotic Love

Maysa



Maysa Leak needs no introduction, and neither does this track from her Expansion
released “Smooth Sailing” album from last year. A Jazz FM/Smooth
FM favourite, the track has taken on a new life this year in the modern soul
clubs hence being included here. Maysa’s just cut a brand new track with
Kloud 9 for a 2006 compilation “The Vibe Room” and is one of the
featured guests in the January line up of artists at the Blackpool Luxury Soul
Weekender.



12. All I Want Is You

Sly Slick & Wicked



With each ‘Togetherness’ compilation we like to include an old school
flavour or two so to reflect the vibe of modern soul events around the country.
After all, so-called ‘modern soul’ is anything from the 70s onwards,
and this 1979 gem has been left on the shelf far too long. Starting out on Sweet
City Records before released by Epic, the song is written and produced by Dunn
Pearson during the same period as his own “Groove On Down”.



13. I'm In Love With You

Bobby Patterson



Such a great record, we include this late 60s gem in honour of Dallas based
singer Bobby Patterson – one of our live guests at the ‘Togetherness
2005’ weekender in Blackpool. Bobby recorded numerous sides for Jetstar/Abnak
through the 60s then went on to produce artists such as Fontella Bass, Chuck
Jackson and Johnny Taylor in the 70s. Much of his work own work was in a southern/Stax
style with a twist of Motown.

and much of the ‘modern soul’ we like today stems from records like
this. It’s classic ‘real soul’ the way it used to be.

14. DJ

DJ Gomi (featuring Kenya Hathaway)

A student of Quincy Jones at Berklee, then a programmer/collaborator with Junior
Vasquez in New York, Gomi is now an established DJ and recording artists in
his own right. He has released three albums since 2002, his latest being "Neo
Maestro: EV (Evolution), NYC Beats” featuring this track. Kenya’s
is sister to Lalah Hathaway, both of them daughter to Donny of course, and a
recording artist about to go solo after cameos on the smooth jazz scene. She
has recently been on tour with George Benson and has an album due on GRP.

15. Gotta Lotta Luv (Eric Kupper Mix)

Lenny Williams

We conclude this year’s selection with a tune that remains as popular
today as it was fifteen years ago. It would have been on our first “Soul
Togetherness” album had it not been on the excellent “Fusion”
compilation in Sweden the same year! Since then Expansion has issued it on a
12” yet the track is still hugely in demand. In 2006 we bring Lenny to
the UK to headline at the “Luxury Soul” weekender in Blackpool,
so it’s time to make it available on CD in the UK for the very first time.