May Newsletter!

Happy April, SoulTrackers!  

In February we began our decade-by-decade poll of the Greatest Soul Songs of All-Time. Last month you voted Marvin Gaye’s "Sexualmarvin gaye Healing" as the best song of the 80s and now SoulTrackers are voting for the Best Songs of the 90s — and as of now Boyz II Men are just nipping Johnny Gill and D’Angelo.  Wanna get your vote in?  JUST CLICK HERE   The next few months will be HUGE for Soul Music. Check out our Upcoming Releases page to see what is coming out.  And of course, we have our usual mix of reviews, news and free music. So sit back, grab your coffee, and get ready for your monthly dose of soul!   Chris   PS – And come be a friend of SoulTracks at Facebook!

 

Music Reviews  

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton -We’ve been loving Toni for almost 20 years now, but we were getting a little worried about the direction she was going with her career…until now. We’re definitely lovin’ the Toni of 2010 and her upcoming disc, Pulse.  Her Pulse is strong  – and she has ours racing.  

erykahErykah Badu received a TON of publicity and controversy for the first video from her newest album New Amerykah, Part 2, but the bigger question is, how’s the music. Our Howard Dukes gives his take on the disc.  

usherUsher is hitting his 30s, but he’s entering his artistic middle age kicking and screaming.  He bares his emotional all on his newest disc, Raymond vs. Raymond, but the result is a disc that shows an artist searching for his sound. See our J. Matthew Cobb’s review.   cool

Cool Million came out of nowhere in 2008 with an album that celebrated the funky soul of the 80s. The production duo is back with a non-stop dance party album, with the help of friends Eugene Wilde, Meli’sa Morgan, Leroy Burgess and more.  

groverGrover Washington was a soul and jazz legend and he has been sorely missed since his untimely death. So fans will be glad to hear a special new live album that captures some of his greatest songs in a comfortable setting.  

atheneAthene Wilson is a new singer with a great old school touch.  Her voice is classic and she delivers an adult soul gem with her new album It’s About Time.  

eddieEddie Holman topped the charts almost 40 years ago with the classic "Hey There Lonely Girl," one of the greatest ballads in soul music history. We take a look back at that hit and his career after.    

 Other Reviews 

Live Tropical Fish – The Day Is Too Short To Be Selfish fortune
The Bird and the Bee – Tribute to Hall and Oates David Mensah – Music is the Food of Love
Prema – In Fusion
James Fortune & FIYA – Encore
Various Artists – C Notes for Haiti
Jonathan Butler – So Strong    

CRAnd check out our News page for the latest soul information, including an update on the continuing recovery of Angela Bofill (good news!)my plea to indie soul artistsYou don’t need to try to be Rihanna

 

Where Are They Now? The Temptations   TemptationsThey may be the greatest soul group of all time.  And this month they return with a brand new album, Still Here. So what better time to take a look back at the unique and fascinating career of the Temptin’ Temptations and bring you up to date with what’s happening with these Motown favorites today.       Read more about the Temptations
 

Hot Artist IndexMaxwell

Maxwell is getting ready for his big tour with Jill Scott, and his fans came out in full force to read about it and him, making him ultra-hot and the most popular artist of the month in our SoulTracks Hot Artist Index.       Come see our entire Hot Artist Index

 

SoulTracks Readers GuidesAnd don’t forget our regular guides to the best of soul music:   SoulTracks Radio Station Guide SoulTracks Independent Record Store Guide The Greatest Albums and Songs of All Time   Soul Music Interviews  Follow SoulTracks Twitter Facebook (new address!) 
 
   

CD of the Month!    jonathan Jonathan Butler 

He’s a singer and guitarist extraordinaire, and has been bringing it for over two decades. So we’re very glad that Jonathan Butler is back in style on his newest album, So Strong,  (click here to see our review) and we’re even happier to be bringing it to SoulTrackers in May as  our CD of the Month.We think you’ll love it as much as we do!     CLICK HERE to listen to our CD of the Month!

 

Choice Track Free Download darnell  Darnell Kendricks  

He’s created quite a following worldwide, but the talented, humble singer/songwriter from Detroit is still not a household name in teh US. That could change with his newest album, Smooth Soul Cafe.  And we’re glad to be giving SoulTrackers a chance to hear what is so smooth and soulful about Darnell Kendricks by making his hit, "Please Believe Me" our Choice Track FREE DOWNLOAD.  Get ready to hear a new favorite!  
  CLICK HERE to visit our free download page 

 

Top 10 Albums   vivian green    Vivian Green  

After 5 years away, Vivian Green returned in style in April, taking the top spot in our sales charts with here newest, Beautiful. But there were plenty of artists right behind her, including Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Live Tropical Fish and more.     To see our entire top 10 chart, CLICK HERE.

 
SoulTracks Video Countdown! ann marie

Strong women are the order for the new batch of videos Ann Marie has put together for this week.  Check out great new vids by Monica, Leela James, Angela Johnson, Melanie Fiona, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and more! 

See the SoulTracks Video Countdown

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Song of the Month

Various Artists

80s Soul Classics, Vol. 8

Choice Cut

Walter Beasley

"Come Live With Me"

Choice Cut

Paul Anthony

"Ready to Learn Your Love"

Choice Cut

Heidi Tann feat. Kinsman Dazz Band

"Island Summer"

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