Thee Sacred Souls - Running Away/Loves Comes Easy 7" (Penrose)(2023)

 

Thee Sacred Souls are world class in the new soul scene. Running Away is an uptempo song with sweet vocals on top. Love the sharp back-up vocals. The B side is a slow burn soul lament of the old school type. Great single. From 2023. Listen to Love Comes Easy is here

Fred/Instrumental Band - Love Can Last Forever/Love Can Last Forever 7" (Stylart Records)(2020)

 

Slow burn soul release on the Stylart label.  New soul music from Fred. Nice horn chart. B side is an instrumental version of the same song. Here is a taste of the vocal side. This is my first purchase of 45s from the Timmion label out of Helsinki, Finland. More to come!

Various - How Is The Air Up There? 80 Mod, Soul, RnB, and Freakbeat Nuggets from Down Under (RPM Records)(2018)(3 CD Box Set)

 

Wow..this is great! All the bands and songs are from New Zealand (NZ). While NZ was also enamored of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Pretty Things, The Kinks, and Manfred Mann all toured NZ in quick succession. As such, NZ bands from the 60s tend to be fuzzier, dirtier, and grungier than other music scenes. So, if you like 60s garage on the crunchy side, you will like this a lot. A must buy for anyone into 60s dirtier side!

Hemsley Morris - You Think I'M A Fool/Ernest Ranglin - Heart Beat 7" (Clancy's)(2023)Europe

 

Rocksteady music from 1968(?) but released in 2023. Can't tell if this is a reissue or newly released. Hemsley Morris has a nice voice and rides the Hot Milk riddim well. Reggae fans will recognize the riddim. B side is an instrumental of the riddim credited to guitarist Ernest Ranglin. Good release. Get it. Check out Hemsley Morris here.

Ras Talent - African Trap/African Trap Version 7" (I Aim, I Destiny, I Jah) (2022) Euro reissue

 

2022 reissue of a 1980 release by Ras Talent. Straightforward roots tune. Not a barn burner. Version side is the better side. I give this a C. There are better roots tune from the era available. Check it out here.

Various - parasol's sweet sixteen volume 1 (Parasol Records) (2000) CD

 

Parasol Records is legendary in the pop music community. They have consistently released great, melodic rock, pop, indie music for years. This is volume 1 of a series of compilations they released. This is from 2000. It has now been 25 years since they came out, yet it still sounds good because melodies are eternal. Parasol was a label that turned me on June and the Exit Wounds - I Can See You

I am trying to get all volumes!

Wellesley Braham - Never Get Weary/Version 7" (Love Love Love) reissue 2023

 

Great late 70s roots reggae tune. I have heard this 45 on mix tapes and on the radio but thanks to the good folks at TRS Records, I now have my own copy.  European reissue. At one time, all reggae sounded this good. This is a must. Check it out here.