SOUL UNSIGNED OUT SHOPPING

Features » Exite Radio » Soul Unsigned

Phil Driver / 2010-08-15 13:56:59

I was out shopping with Mrs Soul Unsigned last weekend, and as we moved from shop to shop (actually, make that from shoe shop to shoe shop), within less than an hour I’d heard music from Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire and Chic.

This got me thinking about how the outside (i.e. non-soul) world perceives the current soul scene. Browsing around any modern day record shop, the average man in the street could be forgiven for thinking that soul music ended with Luther Vandross and Alexander O’Neal in the mid 80s. And that all we seem to be left with now are black pop singers (Rhianna, Leona Lewis) or white pop singers with a vaguely soulful voice (Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone).

As a soul fan, it’s very frustrating. Every day I hear high quality soul music from new and unsigned artists, which is far superior to anything that the music press now describes as “soul” music. I think it’s a real shame that the few remaining large record labels no longer want to, or dare to, take a punt on a new “proper” soul artist. And by that, I don’t mean someone like Andy Abrahams. Where is he now by the way? Back on the bins?

Check out the Soul Unsigned show on Exite Radio, every Thursday evening at 20:00, for a selection of the best independent soul music from around the world.

Playlist (Aug 12th Show)

Seductive Souls – Is this love
Wadz Ft Leon Beal – We can make it
Dorian Wright – Feel so high
Josephene – Shivers
Chocolate Butterfly – Perfect paradox
AgapeSoul – Don’t say you love me
Conya Doss – What we gon do
Cross Country Collective – Give it 2 ya
Jumbo Aniebiet – Love change the world
Beverley Trotman – Heaven help us
Bill Ortiz – Ease my mind
Sway Penala – Lovely lady
Steve Russell – Gots ta be
Liz Yancey – Friend
Rik Mol – Gin tonic night

Email: soulunsigned@aol.com
Website: www.soulunsigned.com