September Soul Music Newsletter

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    SoulTracks Soul Music Newsletter September 2008
     
    HAPPY SEPTEMBER SOULTRACKERS!    What a Summer it has been.  We've seen some great shows and have heard some phenomenal music.  And right now we're getting ready for THE event of the Fall: The SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, which will be held in Detroit on October 3, and an All-Star Detroit music tribute on Saturday, October 4.  It is going to be a weekend of fantastic music. Dozens of artists have confirmed that they'll be there, and we hope you will too. For more information about the shows, tickets and hotel accomodations, CLICK HERE.   In the meantime, we have a bunch of great new music to write about, so kick back, grab your coffee and enjoy your monthly dose of Soul!  

    Chris

     

    New Music Reviews Isaac HayesSoul music lost one of its all time greats last month with the death of Isaac Hayes. As a songwriter, singer and musician, he was a troubador who paved the way for a generation of young artists.  We take a look back at the career of this seminal artist.  

    Eric Benet - He has won a lot of fans with his brand of smootheric benet soul, and he has returned with a fine new album that should get the women swooning again.  Check out our review.  

    Eddy Grant may have appeared to be a one hit wonder when he topped the charts with "Electric Avenue," but a new compilation shows there was much more behind the music of this international artist.  

    Solange - She may be best known as Beyonce's sister, but withsolange her new album "Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams," Solange steps out on her own as an artist to be reckoned with.  

    Craig David burst onto the scene seven years ago with the rap of being a pop music lightweight.  But his quietly released new album "Trust Me" has our L. Michael Gipson eating a bit of crow.  

    Dave Holister's days of being known as a soul loverman may holisterbe behind him if he keeps making top notch Gospel albums like his newest, Witness Protection.  

    Nick Mundy - He's made a name for himself as a songwriter for over a decade, and Nick has now put himself on the CD cover with his new disc, "Just Songs."  

    Faith Evans has lived a life of notoriety, and our Melody Faith EvansCharles applauds Evans' brutal honesty in her new autobiography, "Keep the Faith"   

    Janelle Monae has been hailed as one of the most creative new artists, with her album "Metropolis: The Chase Scene" receiving incredible critical praise. Come see what our Christian John Wikane says about this release.  

    Sir Wick - In the new world of adult music, this maestro's hotsir wick disc "An Interpretation of a Universal Language" shows that you can make tunes for "grown folks" without them being snoozers.   

    SWV - The Sisters with Voices were among the most popular singing groups of the 90s, and group member Taj has written her first book, "Player HateHER," about how girls and women treat each other, and how to avoid the pitfalls of this unkind treatment.   

    Southside Johnny is the pride of New Jersey, and his new big Southside smallband disc, "Grapefruit Moon," finds him at the top of his interpretive game.  

    Also check out reviews of the new albums by Little Jackie, Maria Howell, Spensha Baker and Honey Brown as well as the latest goings on in Soul Music in our our News Section.

     
    Where Are They Now?  Average White Band  AWBThey've been one of the most important funk groups of the past four decades, and AWB is still going strong, with a new Live album and great show after great show around the world. So we thought it was a good time for SoulTrackers to catch up with the Average White Band and get reacquainted with this incredibly talented group.  Click Here to see our Where Are They Now? Feature
    SoulTracks Popularity Index - The Spinners  

    Spinners smallThe death of bass singer supreme Pervis Jackson had SoulTrackers taking a look back on the incredible five decades of music that have been brought to us by The Spinners. So much so, that they have nabbed our top spot as our most popular act on SoulTracks for the past month.  Click Here to see this month's Popularity Index, with our top 25 artists.

     

    Save the Date! October 3 SoulTracks AwardsDramatics The SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards have grown into a must-see event for lovers of modern soul music.  Last year's awards were truly magical, and this year's show should will be even better, as the show will include a special Lifetime Achievement Award for the legendary Dramatics. This year's awards will be held on Friday, October 3 at Detroit's beautiful Max M. Fisher Music Center.  And on Saturday, October 4 we have a tour of the legendary Motown Museum and our All-Star Jam.  It will be a weekend to remember!  READ MORE.  We hope to see you in Detroit in October! 
     
       
    Featured Artist   Leigh Jones  Leigh Jones   She may look like a fashion model, but she's got the pipes of a true soul star.  Cali-based singer Leigh Jones is about to burst onto the music scene, with legendary soul pioneers Berry Gordy and Al Bell singing her praises.  And we think you will too when you hear her debut album Music In My Soul. She's our Featured Artist this week and you can hear here album by visiting our  LISTENING ROOM.  You can also check out our review of Music In My Soul by clicking here.
     
    Choice Track Free Music! PJ casual small P.J. Morton   PJ Morton took the soul music world by storm three years ago with Emotions,
    his debut album and one of the finest soul albums of the decade.  So we're very excited to be previewing for SoulTrackers the first cut from his new Live From L.A. album, "Blah Blah Blah" as this month's Choice Track.  It is FREE TO DOWNLOAD, so get it by CLICKING HERE.
     
    Autographed CD of the Month Phil Perry - ready  PHIL PERRY Not many artists hit their stride after 40 years in the music business, but Phil Perry certainly has.  And SoulTracks' 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year is now returning with his first album of new compositions in seven years with the excellent Ready for Love (click on title to read our review). And we're very proud to offer Ready for Love as our CD of the Month, AUTOGRAPHED BY PHIL and with ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO CHARITY via the PhiLill Foundation that was formed by Phil and Lillian Perry.    To listen to or purchase the disc, just click here .
     
    Top 10 Albums   Evelyn EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING Soul and dance music fans waited way too long between albums by Evelyn Champagne
    King, but the wait is all over with her newest album, Open Book, and her fans flocked to it last month, making it our most the #1 album on our sales charts. But not far behind were new releases by Leon Ware, Heston and newcomer Rob Murat.    To see our entire top 10 chart, CLICK HERE
     
    Video of the Month - Kinsman Dazz Band - "Wake Up"
    Song of the Month - Darnell Kendricks - "What a Wonderful Night"
    Listen Now! - The Fresh Soul Playlist