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Welcome to Expansion Records
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| Various - Soul & The City - EXCDP45 |
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Price: £12.99
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1: Best Kept Secret - TL Cross
2: Getting Happy - The Family Stand
3: Family Affair - Black I feat. Omar
4: Make You Mine - Heavy
5: The Morning After - Mike Hammond
6: Outside The Box - Ra-Re Valverde
7: Look At Me Now - Morrison Slick
8: Outa Time (12" Original) - DJ Spinna feat. The Free Radikalz
9: Boyfriend - Martha Redbone
10: Lady - Russell Taylor
11: You Can't Be Late - Jeremy James
12: Heaven - Gil Small feat. Laurone McClendon
13: Movin' On - Nick Rolfe
14: Someday We'll All Be Free - Jewell Zaire & TL Cross
15: When I'm With You (DJ Spinna Remix) - Traciana Graves
16: Marvin - Peter Hadar
17: Grand Larceny – Lavell |
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About this Album
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Profile
Expansion Records (in conjunction with Dan Dodds/Soul Jones of underground-soul.com) present a showcase of extraordinary independent soul from New York City. The album focuses primarily on new artists thriving in the city’s clubs and generating international interest through independent web sites & limited self releases. None of the tracks here have been previously released in the UK, and many are exclusive to this collection (including an NY based collaboration with Omar). Six worldwide exclusives include productions by the Avila Bros (‘Music’ Leela James, ‘Pure Gold’ EWF & ‘Baggage’ Mary J Blige) and Da Gutta Fam (‘Get It On Tonite’ Montell Jordan & ‘Whereareugoin’ Musiq). Album also marks the return of The Family Stand featuring Sandra St. Victor since their 90s chart hit “Ghetto Heaven”.
‘Best Kept Secret’ – TL Cross (4:13)
First up, you may remember Queens based artist TL Cross from his days as Levar ‘Lil’ Tone’ Wilson lead singer for Motown/Polydor 90’s teen group Ladae. Well now he’s all grown up and part of production trio Da Gutta Fam (including Brian ‘BeeZo’ Palmer & Sergio ‘PLX’ Moore), who along with this track have produced amongst others Musiq (‘Whereareugoin’), Montell Jordan (‘Get It On Tonite’) & Dave Young. When TL packs out venues in NY like SOB’s, The Canal Room or Joe’s Pub this is the song they go wild for. Contemporary soul at its finest, I’m crap at keeping secrets.
www.tlcross.com
‘Make You Mine’ – Heavy (3:55)
We have to stay in Queens for another 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Long enough to flirt on this song with Nicky Guiland and Casey Benjamin, depending on who you’d prefer. ‘Make You Mine’ is the kind of skippity playground funky soul track that gives brand new NY soul a good name. The mixed sex duo known as ‘Heavy’ both met at La Guardia High School (think Bruno, Leroy, Coko and dancing on yellow cabs) and have been on the verge of breaking thru for a few years now. It’s looking good, only recently they featured on the front of Billboard magazine’s Independent Soul feature. They are currently in the studio finishing their long awaited debut album ‘JAzzmonEY$$.
www.heavymusic.net
‘Getting Happy’ – The Family Stand (3:47)
You remember their classic … “Ghetto Heaven … she needs a little Ghettooo Heaven”. No longer on a break, The Family Stand have re-united and returned with the original line up of Peter Lord, V. Jeffrey Smith and Sandra St. Victor. Even without hearing the rest of the songs on offer it took me only seconds to decide upon ‘Getting Happy’ for this compilation. I love the Slop that appears all over ‘Super Sol Nova Vol.1’ but nothing can beat a rush-induced feel good soul monsta. Check out the strings, vocal interplay, warm keys and you’ll hear just how good it is…
www.thefamilystand.net
‘Family Affair’ – Black I Feat. Omar (3:46)
Black I consist of Eric Brown (lead/backing vox, drums and keys) and Michael Griot (5 string electric/upright bass’s, keys, guitars and backing vox). Represented by guitarist Teddy Crockett who also guides Heavy and Nick Rolfe, Black I are an eclectic live soul band strongly influenced by drum and bass. This cover, a fresh take on Sly & the Family Stone’s classic ‘Family Affair’, appeared on their diverse 2006 debut set ‘For Pleasure’. British soul super hero Omar who regularly performs to sold out venues in NY (supported by Black I), shares the lead and is all over this track with his superb distinctive vocals.
www.blackimusic.com
‘The Morning After’ – Mike Hammond (4:11)
“How about breakfast in bed, French toast a few scrambled eggs, orange or apple juice, coffee, tea… me?” It’s a line I’ve tried on a few occasions and more often than not end up making Coco Pops. But this sublime Saturday morning ballad is beautifully sung in falsetto by Mike Hammond appearing on his self titled debut album. As a vocalist, Mike has appeared on stage or opened for Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle & Billy Joel. He’s also recorded with DJ Rogers Jr., Incognito and 50 Cent. Kevin V. Louis is playing the muted trumpet. There are not enough ballads on contemporary soul comps these days.
www.myspace.com/mikehammondmusic
‘Outside The Box’ – Ra Re Valverde (3:56)
Last year was broken down for me as before Ra-Re and after Ra-Re (BRR and ARR). Surfing Myspace I really wasn’t prepared for a song to floor me like ‘Outside the Box’ did. The beat was up first, then bass and bass keys. Followed by a melancholy guitar riff, backing vox and Ra-Re’s lead taking over “Normality don’t exist for me, mostly I live on the other side. Fine with me...” The lyrics celebrate the independence to make music without restriction and that for me sums up the spirit of the artists featured on this compilation. Ra-Re is an extremely talented songwriter having collaborated with Rahsaan Patterson (she’s also a featured vocalist on ‘After Hours’) and 9 songs from Trina Broussard’s killer 2004 album ‘Same Girl’. Another student from La Guardia High School, look out for her debut album ‘A Beautiful Mess’ in 2007.
www.myspace.com/rarefootagemusic
‘Look at Me Now’ – Morrison Slick (4:17)
In need of the most explanation. In 2002 I stumbled across an amazing Doo Wop influenced modern soul song called ‘Didn’t I Say You’re Mine’ by a group called Morrison Slick. Lost in amongst a lacklustre collection of new music presented by Steve Harvey (the comedian) titled ‘Sign of Things to Come’. There were no sleeve notes so it took me a full 3 years to track the group down. It turned out that Morrison Slick, a 4-man New York vocal harmony group, were a revised line up of Ladae (with TL Cross & Brian Palmer sharing lead vocals) and have a complete album in the vaults at Flyte Tyme Records called ‘Kiss Da Sky’, Executive Produced by Jam & Lewis. If anybody has heard the promo’s ‘Happy Endin’ feat. Faith & ‘Superstar’ 1st played on the digital airwaves by The Sourmash Collective; you can appreciate the potential this album has. With so many greats to choose from, we’ve gone for ‘Look at Me Now’, a killer produced by The Avila Bros. This is a worldwide exclusive track.
www.myspace.com/daguttafam
‘Outta Time (Extended Club Mikz)’ – DJ Spinna feat. The Free Radikalz (6:06)
Making his name at Rawkus in the late 90’s, DJ Spinna has produced and remixed artists such as Angela Johnson, Mary J Blige, Michael Jackson, Lynden David Hall & Shirley Bassey. This is an extended version of a track taken from his latest album ‘Intergalactic Soul’. The Free Radikalz are a side project featuring DJ Spinna, Selan and show stealing vocalist Delouie Avant who used to be with the group Goodfellaz (he sang lead on their hit ‘Sugar Honey Ice Tea’). This 12” only - extended version is a belter, fatback future funk with the group partying like they’re running outta time.
www.paparecords.co.uk/artists.htm
‘Boyfriend’ – Martha Redbone (5:21)
By now everyone should know Martha. Her 2nd CD ‘Skintalk’ was a brilliant mix of soul, funk and pop with a native American twist that rightfully received numerous plaudits and was regularly “album of the month” when reviewed by the music press. Delving a little further back to her debut set ‘Home of the Brave’ to include a song that is still relatively unknown in the UK. If you asked New Yorkers which Martha Redbone song they like best they would probably start humming ‘Boyfriend’. A sing-along gem that sounds like the Isley Bros have been watching far too much ‘Will & Grace’.
www.martharedbone.com
‘Lady’ – Russell Taylor (3:26)
Russell was part of the NYC contingent that made the trip down to the ATL Soul Summit. Hailing from Philadelphia, Russell recorded the album in Harlem and resides in New York. ‘Lady’ was one of the 3 songs that he sang in the acoustic sessions in Atlanta, with style and soul that announced the emergence of a genuine soul star. Hotly tipped to follow in the footsteps of indie cult hero’s Eric Roberson & Donnie, press the skip button on this electric soul track at your peril. His debut album ‘Somewhere In Between’ is out now in all good wreckastow’s.
www.myspace.com/russelltaylor
‘You Can’t Be Late’ – Jeremy James (3:31)
Another cat who made the Summit in Atlanta was Jeremy James. JJ stood out in the crowd, probably something to do with the Mohawk hairstyle he had, but it wasn’t until later when I heard him playing guitar with Angela Johnson that I really began to notice him. From the Bronx, Jeremy James is an acoustic soul artist who has shared the bill with Rahsaan Patterson, Musiq, John Legend and Erykah Badu. You may also remember him as the bloke that duetted with Angela Johnson on ‘Let’s Get Together’ from her ‘Got to Let It Go’ album. Nelson George recently included the song ‘Well Be As It May’ in his first feature film starring Queen Latifah. But we’ve gone with the spiritual ‘You Can’t Be Late’, an emotional look back on life moments before Jeremy gains access through the pearly gates. Album ‘For You’ set for release later this year.
www.jeremyjamesmusic.net
‘Heaven’ – Gil Small feat. Laurone McClendon (4:58)
It’s purely by accident that following Jeremy James we get into ‘Heaven’. Gil Small is a Producer based in Amityville, The Bronx. He’s worked with Cassandra Wilson, Asaph Womack, Rodney Kendrick & Traciana Graves during his career and is now working on a Quincy Jones style producer record called ‘Gil Small: The Maestro at Work’. The project will showcase new and upcoming artists, one of which is featured vocalist Laurone McClendon, also based in NY. He’s in a Christian group with his siblings called The McClendon Family who are signed to Rough Cut/Jive Records. Surprisingly given the title and his background, ‘Heaven’ is a secular soul/R&B tune which showcases Laurone’s outstanding vocals.
www.myspace.com/groovecityproductions
‘Movin’ On’ – Nick Rolfe (5:31)
A belter of a choon that includes all my favourite funky pet sounds, full brass arrangement, live drums, wah wah, Hammond B3, female backing vox, an uplifting bridge and a sing-along chorus … “ba ba baa da, ba ba baa da”. Rolfe is a successful pianist who has toured extensively, nationally and internationally as either band leader or sideman. This track is taken from his 3rd vocal album ‘The Mind of An Evolutionary’ which also features Teddy Crockett, Black I and Russell Gunn.
www.nickrolfe.com
‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ – Jewell Zaire .feat TL (4:04)
Written and performed originally by Donny Hathaway in 1973. On the sleeve notes to ‘Extensions of a Man’, Donny states that he felt this song was of “standard” quality, meaning that he thought it would become a standard. Even if he did say so himself I can hear exactly what he means on this version by two young artists. The song is stripped down to keyboards, skins and voices. Produced by Da Gutta Fam they’ve unearthed a real Jewell (do you like what I did there?), one that really shines vocally, starting low but breaking out only when the soul dictates.
www.myspace.com/jewellzaire
‘When I’m With You (DJ Spinna Remix)’ – Traciana Graves (7:53)
Like Russell Taylor & Jeremy James, Harlem born Traciana Graves also featured during the acoustic sessions at the Soul Summit in Atlanta. Largely raised in France, Traciana’s debut album ‘Songs of a Prodigal Daughter’, produced by V. Jeffrey Smith, is an intoxicating mix of different musical styles, influenced by cultures from all over the world. In the flesh Traciana enraptured the conference attendees with a charismatic and passionate performance. For this track DJ Spinna takes Traciana and leads her onto the dancefloor, at the kind of clubs where he’s on the VIP list.
www.tracianagraves.com
‘Marvin’ – Peter Hadar (4:18)
Peter has written and produced tracks for Carl Thomas, Eric Roberson, Chante Moore & Joe. Last year he finally got the chance to step out with his own unique sound on his debut release ‘Memories of the Heart’. This haunting yet understated track is a socially conscious plea inspired by Marvin Gaye. Independent music and the artists creating it are free to make the kind of lyrical statement that isn’t always encouraged by the major labels, something which has been sadly overlooked since early 70’s Soul and the growing popularity of Hip Hop. We could do with more soul artists tackling these kinds of issues. Relationships, love & sex are not the only emotive subjects that a soulful voice can express. Speaking of love, you can take in another great Peter Hadar number ‘First Sight’ on ‘Soul Togetherness 2006’ (I had to plug that).
www.peterhadar.com
‘Grand Larceny’ – Lavell (3:31)
Bringing this CD to a close is the last and final exclusive from Da Gutta Fam. Lavell Evans is an R&B/Soul singer straight from the streets of Harlem with a range and melodic tone, not too dissimilar from Donell Jones. In this song young Lavell is the victim of a stolen heart in the dramatic ‘Grand larceny’ which builds with each verse using Wonder style synths. Currently in the studio singing backgrounds for Jaheim, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jaheim has to return the favour in a couple of year’s time. So a potential superstar or a future independent soul hero, either way a good note to end a compilation showcasing the sound of the five boroughs. Liberated Soul from the streets of New York.
www.myspace.com/vellvegas |
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