Rance Allen Group classic albums

Rance Allen Group - A Soulful Experience (Truth 1975) / Say My Friend (Capitol 1977)

Although all real soul music originated in the church, the first artists to truly blend soul and gospel music were the mighty Rance Allen Group. Signed to Stax in the early 70s, their output was released on the subsidiary Gospel Truth label with the pinnacle of their releases being the aptly titled album A Soulful Experience. Co-written and produced by the mercurial talents of David Porter, the album contains uplifting gems such 'Ain't No Need of Crying', 'I Give My All to You' and 'The Painter', as well as the near-ten minute epic opener "Ring My Bell" and funky break-laden 'Talk That Talk (parts 1 &2)'. As things started to get shaky at Stax, the Allen brothers snagged a deal with Capitol and delivered the equally wonderful album Say My Friend. This was a masterful collaboration with the legendary Mizell Brothers, Larry and Fonce, who themselves had been fusing genres. The Mizells had already successfully blended soul and jazz to create a new distinctive sound with artists such as Donald Byrd, Johnny Hammond, Bobbi Humphrey and Gary Bartz. Herein they created the underground classics 'Peace of Mind' and 'Truth Is Marching On' as well as the heavenly 'Reason To Survive', all exposing Rance’s immense vocal powers to the full. Essential groundbreaking gospel-soul music.

Windy City Soul

Windy City - Let Me Ride (Chi-Sound 1977)
This aptly titled Chicago harmony soul quintet signed to Carl Davis' Chi-Sound label a year prior to releasing this blissfully soulful album, Let Me Ride. A beautiful record which is packed with many magical mid-tempo moments, including three gems ('Win Or Lose', 'Fool Or Your Man', 'Good Guys Don't Always Win') from the pen of deep soul genius Sam Dees. The slow burning title-track is almost acapella and displays their amazing harmonies to full effect, whilst the exceptionally mellow final cut 'If By Chance' takes the tempo down yet another notch. Although this is their only album, they did manage to release a later single on the Chi-Sound subsidiary Kelli-Arts, the awesome double-header 'I Still Love You / Just For You'. Magical soul.

Deborah Bond - DayAfter

Deborah Bond - DayAfter (2003)
This is quite simply one of the best soul albums of this past decade. In a period where many so-called soul artists are sacrificing substance for style, one really has to dig deep to find gems such as this splendid debut from Real Soulstress, Deborah Bond. Deborah possesses a voice reminiscent of Chaka Khan, which is evident on the opening track 'See You In My Dreams' - a gem of a track that oozes a freshness that's unfortunately lacking from so much contemporary soul music. A Sade influence can be heard on the haunting closing track 'Things Will Never Be The Same' and in 'Keep On' which samples Sweetback. Whereas 'Sweet Lullabies' is just that - a simply beautiful track from a thoroughly magnificent album.
Visit Deborah's MySpace page.

Randy Brown - Welcome To My Room

Randy Brown - Welcome To My Room (Parachute/Casablanca 1978)
Randy Brown is a great soul vocalist and this, his first album, is the REAL DEAL. This must be one of the best soul albums of all time, so it's amazing how it hasn't crossed over into the mainstream, but fortunately time serves all great art. This record fits nicely next to Marvin Gaye, LeRoy Hutson, Teddy Pendergrass, Leon Ware et al. In other words, soul masters. In terms of soulfulness, this album has it all - something for lovers of deep soul (I'd Rather Hurt Myself), 70s modern soul (Always In The Mood) and rare groove (Love Is All We Need) - all in one package! I read somewhere that many soul fans hail the song "Too Little In Common" as the greatest of all time, it's easy to see why - real honest deep soul sung from the heart, soul doesn't come much deeper than this! Randy went on to record 3 more LPs for Casablanca, namely Intimately (1979), Midnight Desire (1980) and Randy (1981).

J R Bailey – Just Me N' You

J R Bailey – Just Me N' You (MAM 1974)
For one of the all-time underground soul classics, look no further than this gem of an album. Still unknown to many unfortunate ears, J R Bailey and his Just Me N' You set is comparable with soul's greatest. Like many cult soul artists, Bailey penned all of this beautiful album and numerous soul classics for other performers. A few highlights to mention, although there are many, are the sublime opus "After Hours / Heaven On Earth", and the original versions of "Love Love Love" (also recorded by Donny Hathaway) and the title-track (later cut by Eramus Hall). This is an album overdue wider critical acclaim, acquire it if you can.

Stepper's Delight

Beverly & Duane (Ariola 1978)
There have been some great soul duos over the years. One such, Beverly & Duane, were signed to Ariola in the late 1970's to record this joyous album which will appeal to fans of modern soul and rare groove. From the album they had hits with the uplifting groovers 'Glad I Gotcha Baby' and 'We Got To Stick Together', great tracks. However, if you dig deeper you will find two definitive steppers in the delightful 'I Wanna Be With You', beautifully led by its shaking piano, and the heartfelt yearning of 'Living In A World'. Sublime stuff.

Con Funk Shun - Secrets

Con Funk Shun - Secrets (Mercury 1977)
Some of the greatest soul ballads and quiet storm gems often come from unexpected sources. Many soul purists may have missed many a fine stepper by overlooking albums from some of the 70's and 80's finest funk bands. Some of the greatest street soul songs appear on albums such as this one by Con Funk Shun. Secrets, their second album on Mercury, is a balance of funk and soul with jazzy touches and slick production which help to make this album a fresh softer affair than some of their other output. The big single from the album was the aptly-titled "Ffun" but the hidden secrets (excuse the pun) on the album are the magnificent mid-tempo groover "Who Has The Time", the beautiful stepper "I'll Set You Out OK" and the cosmic instrumental "Indian Summer Love" (which is more than slightly reminiscent of Kool and the Gang's wonderful "Summer Madness").