blues
blues
         
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100 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN SOUL ALBUMS 1994-2025 Again, is it "Southern Soul" or "Soul Blues"? Mainstream Blues & R&B outlets refer to all this music as simply "Soul Blues" or "Retro-Soul" but for three decades now we have this thriving "Southern Soul" genre- a network of labels, artists, DJs, promoters, websites that self-identify as "Southern Soul" rather than "Soul Blues". It resembles more a movement than a genre of music. Complicating matters further is that this music needn't have been and often isn't created in the South. It need only be appreciated and consumed by the network, the "movement" we refer to as "Southern Soul". Clearly those who are Soul Blues (Little Milton, ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Rawls are not included) We were tempted to start with the year 1986 because of two milestone artists and songs whose influence has continued today. In 1986 both Clarence Carter's "Strokin'" and Marvin Sease's "Candy Licker" became giant chitlin' circuit hits. These songs get name-checked consistently in this "movement". The "what women really want in the bedroom" trope is ubiquitous. We then look to labels like Ichiban Records in the late 80s. However, It's releases were more Soul Blues and Traditional Blues to be considered contemporary southern soul. Labels like ACE (USA) and Avanti in the early to mid 1990s hearlded a whole new contemporary sound. It really isn't until the year 1995 when there was a noticeable increase in Southern Soul albums becoming available. It is of our opinion 1994's Jesse Graham album "Soul Music" released by Ichiban was the beginning of contemporary southern soul. '94 also brought us great albums by Robert "Duke" Tillman ("Hurt By Love Before"), Chuck Strong ("Stolen Love")" via Ace Records. Ollie Nightingale album "I'll Drink Your Bathwater" released by Ecko Records is another quasi-start of Southern Soul as we know it today. Miss Butch Records (distributed by Mardi Gras Records) came in existence the same year with a Jimmy Lewis Southern Soul album. This same year saw Bobby Rush sign with Waldoxy Records and release "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" and Carl Sims released "House Of Love", which reportedly sold north of 40,000 copies. 1995 was also the year artists like Mel Waiters, Rue Davis and Bill Coday released their first nationally distributed albums. Then in 1996 Peggy Scott-Adams released "Bill" from her first modern Southern Soul album "Help Yourself", David Brinston released his classic album "Hit & Run" (Jomar Records), Pat Brown released "Equal Opportunity" (Ace Records), Willie Clayton dropped "Ace In The Hole" (Ace Records) including his hit duet with Pat Brown ("Equal Opportunity"), Johnnie Taylor made his dramatic comeback with "Good Love" (Malaco Records), Lee Shot Williams dropped his hit first Ecko album "Hot Shot" and I could go on. Bottom line 1994/1995 were pivotal years. And in 1996 Southern Soul's profile reached it's highest profile to date. My colleague and friend Daddy B Nice would start this period in 2000 with Sir Charles Jones' enormous hit LP "Love Machine" and the late Senator Jones' radio show. See his 21st Century Southern Soul (2000-2020) . I think this is also very reasonable as Sir Charles notably added a Contemporary R&B flavor to the genre, which is still fairly prominent today.
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1.
Gone way too soon. Frank Mendenhall
passed away in 2007 at age 59 but not before he released three albums including
"Hard Times" - simply one of the greatest Southern Soul/Rhythm & Blues
albums ever created. Mendenhall possessed a weary, doleful voice that oozed n'
ached Soul. On his first two albums ("Time" & "Sweet Love") Mendenhall displayed
his eclectic roots of Soul, Blues, Reggae, somewhat pedestrian adult
contemporary balladry but outside of "Time" and first hit "Shont Dont Dont" he
hadn't yet perfected his trademark sound. When "Hard Times" dropped six long
years later it was clear Mendenhall has created a masterpiece. Gone was the
faux-Reggae conceits and the wimpy beat ballads. In it's place was song after
song of hard hitting Southern Soul, rhythm and a little Blues with a propulsive
groove bumping on top of an organ/bass foundation. To my ears Clarence Carter's
"Slip Away" is a template Mendenhall uses time and time again to great effect.
Just about every song on "Hard Times" has at some point gotten it's share
of airplay.
Chuck puts on a vocal clinic with remakes of "Hurt Keeps Getting Stronger" & "I Was Born All Over". Roberson wrote "Hurt" and it's perhaps his best song. It's also one of the best vocal performances of his career showing great range and power- reminiscent of the great Jackie Wilson. Just listen to how he sinks his teeth into Deadric Malone and Johnny Copeland's "Born All Over" and see what I mean. Two more excellent updates appear via "Lollipop Man" & "Got To Have Your Love"- both superior to the originals. "Got To Have Your Love" dates back to his "disco period" and retains much of it's flavor and "Lollipop Man" is now his signature song. There's not a bad song in the bunch. This is probably the high water mark of his Ecko discography and one of the better albums of it's kind. 3. 
Willie Clayton "Ace In The Hole" (Ace 1996)
Here we have the pinnacle of Clayton's rich discography. The sheer quality of material is staggering. We have two gems by Bob Jones (the huge hit "Equal Opportunity" with Pat Brown and slick "Bartender Blues"), two winners by Ronnie Lovejoy (the hard blues "My Baby's Cheating On Me" & soulful "In Need Of A Good Woman"). Clayton does a great version of Robert "Duke" Tillman's hit "Hurt By Love" and Gwen McCrae's classic "Rockin' Chair". Clayton also adds a decent pop/R & B ditty called "Happy". As if that wasn't enough there's also a superior version of "Three People Sleeping In My Bed", this time a duet with Lynn White. This should be your first purchase. 4.
Taylor experienced a career resurgence in 1996 when his single "Good Love" (produced by the late Rich Cason) rose to #39 on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart (his highest placement since 1982's "What About My Love" (#24 R&B)), which propelled the album of the same name to #15 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. Another single, "Slide On", also charted at #87 (R&B) while "Last Two Dollars" has become a favorite. Taylor followed up this success with "Taylored To Please" (featuring "Disco Lady 2000") and "Gotta Get The Groove Back" ("Soul Heaven", "Big Head Hundreds"). Malaco also released the posthumous collection of outtakes, "There's No Good In Goodbye". 5. 
Bill Coday "Sneakin' Back"
(Ecko 1995)
Debut CD for Ecko contains a smokin' update of his signature hit "Get Your Lies Straight" and contains equally good blues & southern soul cuts like "Doctor Thrill Good", "Maybe I'm In Love With You", "Young, Fine, Sweet And Tender" & funny "Her Love Is Good Enough To Put In Collard Greens". A stunning comeback for Coday. Incredibly this was his first full length of all new material despite 40 years of performing and recording.
6.
The "Beach Music" scene of the Carolinas, etc.. also uses the term "Southern Soul" to describe it's music but it's a more restricted style than the Southern Soul represented on this list. The tempo usually must be one you can "shag" to (a swing dance adopted by both North & South Carolina as the state's official dance). The Chairmen decided to expand and infiltrate our Southern Soul with "All In The Family Southern Soul", a re-tooled, repackaged album released first as "Timeless" (2002), then "Timeless 2 R&B" (2003), then "All In the Family" (2004) -each time with new tracks added. The song "Three Women" became a Southern Soul smash, which lead to a further reissue as "All In The Family Southern Soul" in 2006 with another hit, "The Blacker The Berry" added. 7. 
Robert (Duke) Tillman
"Hurt By Love Before" (Ace 1994)
Tillman scored a regional hit with "I've Been Hurt By Love Before", (covered by Willie Clayton a year later but not before "the Duke" covered Clayton's booty-shakin' "Weak Fa Ya" here.) Tillman either wrote or co-wrote 8 of the 12 tracks. Not just the great title cut, he also wrote "Only The Lonely Knows", a fantastic Memphis mover with lush horns and a creamy refrain that would be a hit it in the right era. Often Tillman's style is similar to that of Chuck Strong- sweetly sung, easy-going, mid-paced soul songs. But Tillman is another league vocally and captures the spirit of classic soul like few others can. Sam Cooke's swinging beach rhythms are often the template as evidenced with "Mama's Baby, Daddy's Maybe" and "I'm Not Tired". He equally excels on ballads like the lovely "I Need Someone" and is a good interpreter of classics such as Don Robey's "Pledging My Love". One of the best retro-soul albums of the decade. 8. 
Barbara Carr
"Bone Me Like You Own Me" (Ecko 1998)
Once again Carr is tough-as-nails on this hard-hitting soul blues platter. This time she's raunchy too. "Bone Me Like You Own Me", "Long On Talk, Short On Love", "Show Me No Mercy" & "If The Lord Keeps The Thought Of You Out Of My Head Than I'll Keep Your Booty Out Of My Bed" need no explaining. "Not A Word" gets remade here as a duet with Bill Coday. "Juke Joint Jumpin'" lives up to it's title. The production on this and all Ecko releases is superb.
9.
Ollie Hoskins was the
lead singer of the Dixie Nightingales, a Gospel group, which became
Ollie & The Nightingales when they signed with Stax in 1968. From
there they scored hits with "I Got a Sure Thing," "You're
Leaving Me," and "I've Got a Feeling." Hoskins went solo at the turn
of the decade, billing himself as Ollie Nightingale and scoring a
couple of R&B chart items ("It's a Sad Thing" and "May the Best Man
Win") in 1971-72. The Nightingales soldiered on, recruiting singer
Tommy Tate to replace him in the studio.
Nightingale remained a popular blues and soul singer around Memphis.
In 1995, he had a resurgence with Ecko Records where he remained
until his death. This debut album for the label features great songs
and performances, especially the title cut, "Cafe Woman" and "She's
In A Midnight Mood In The Middle Of The Day". The production is
sharp and bright and Ollie's voice is full of bite.
10 A star was born! Southern Soul's first and foremost sex symbol Sir Charles Jones broke free from the pack in 2001 with this monster of an album. Buoyed by now classics like "Friday" and "Is Anybody Lonely?", "Love Machine" managed an impressive #28 placing on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and reportedly sold in the six figures. Jones' sound brought more of a sexy, silky, contemporary R & B flavor to Memphis-inspired Southern Soul and it paid off. 11. The title track is a classic pop/ soul song- an upbeat jam with a Marvin Gaye-like vocal. The sheer quality of these 11 songs is special- slow soul wailers like "Old Feeling" & "Last One" and toe-tapping, head-bobbing ear candy like "Trouble Maker", "Dirty Lover" & "Home Recka"- this truly is a "lost" retro-soul classic. The album was produced by Marshall Jones. It was repackaged and re-titled with the new single "Slow Down (From The Runaround)" the following year. 12. Despite the title this isn't a "greatest hits" album but an all new collection of modern day Southern Soul. This is of the "deep" variety with none of those contemporary R&B/Hip Hop flourishes becoming increasingly popular. It's a damn shame Jones isn't more well known. It may be old fashioned but it's timeless. 13. 
Denise Lasalle "Wanted" (Ecko 2004)
"Snap, Crackle & Pop" is a hilarious answer song to Theodis Ealey's mega-hit "Stand Up In It" & Dr. Feelgood Potts' response "Make It Talk" (& many others). Leave it to the queen to tell us "what a woman is really all about". It's another shuffle-bumpin southern soul jam with an irresistible hook that you can't help but tap your toes, dance or bob your head to. A smash. Period. The similar-sounding "Wanted Man" is sure to follow. Denise still has a strong, thick, authoritative voice and still has some quality songs in her. "Doormat Woman" is a soulful romp that continues the "equal opportunity" theme. "A Woman Needs Money" tells the players that a woman needs more than sex (similar to label mate Sheba Potts-Wrights successful "I Can Hear Your Macaroni"). Another highlight is the thumping blues of the Little Miltonesque "They Made A Blues Fan Out Of Me" where she cites her influences. "The Thrill Is On Again" is basically "Thrill Is Gone" part 2. As is common with new Ecko Records releases the artist remakes a couple tunes from past Ecko albums like Barbara Carr ("Bone It Like You Own It") and Bill Coday ("It Was A House Until You Made It A Home").
14. Carl Marshall is on top of his game. His signature song "Good Lovin' Will Make You Cry" gets an update graced by the vocals of Rue Davis, titled "Good Lovin' Testimony". But the centerpiece of the album is "I Lived It All". The song made it's first appearance in 2002 on Marshall's "This Is For Grown Folks" but it was given proper attention this go 'round, even being released as a single. Another highlight is the David Brinston guest vocal on "Let's Dance Let's Shag", another song Marshall tweaked and gave a new home (it was first released as "Let's Dance" released on his rare "Let's Dance" CD).
15.
Donnie
Ray has arrived. He's had some hits in the past ("Let's Go Dancing",
"I'll Be Good To You") but his albums were only flirting with
greatness. On "Don't Stop My Party" he pops the question. 11
cuts of pure cream. Right from the drum intro of track 1 ("Is It
Your Place Or Is It Mine?") all the way through the closer the
quality is relentless! Ray, a decent record producer on his own,
wisely gives the job to hit man John Ward who again provides that
"big" sound Ecko is known for. Ray & his fellow songwriters must've
had their Wheaties n' whiskey when composing these tunes. There's
more hooks in here than Bill Dance's tackle box. "Is It Your Place",
"Something 'Bout The Music", "Don't Stop My Party", "Back Up And Try
It Again" (Curtis Steele, Daryl Wilson) & "Sexified" (Raymond Moore,
Ward) may cause a booty-shakin' pandemic. Sometimes things just
click in the studio. These tracks create excitement, incessantly
tickling the ears into submission. On the slow tip "Sweeter To Me"
is the best Tyrone Davis-inspired cut I've heard in a decade (even
from Tyrone!). Ray has a deliciously yearning voice and you just feel he's at
his peak on this album.
16.  Chuck Roberson "Love Power" (Ecko 1998)
More
upbeat soul, blues and R & B. Here Chuck improves upon two songs
previously released by the late Ollie Nightingale (the hit dancers
"Booty Scoot" & "Make It Sweet"). Another great blues cut shows up
("You Ain't Cheatin' By The Rules") in which he rebukes his lover
for giving more lovin' to the other man than him at home. Also the
joyous title cut is pure ear candy.
17.  Tyrone Davis "Relaxin'
With Tyrone" (Malaco 2000)
Tyrone Davis' hit single making days were long gone by the time he signed with Malaco in 1996 but his creamy, come hither voice remained as strong and supple as ever. "Relaxin'" was his fourth effort for the label and the one that still stands out 17 years later. The set kicks off with the one-two punch of "Sugar Daddy" (when Davis adopted his older father figure persona) and "Kiss You Where I Miss You" which is just as sexy as it sounds. As if these two hits weren't enough there is also a superb remake of Ronnie LoveJoy's "Sure Wasn't Me" and a tribute to Johnnie Taylor, who had passed just months earlier. 18. 
O.B. Buchana "It's Over" (Paula 1999)
Auspicious debut by this soulful singer (and songwriter) featured two strong singles: "Two Steps Behind" and "Backup Lover"; both midtempo charmers. Aaron Weddington co-wrote every track- five with Robert Smith and three with Buchana including a modern day "Back Door Man" in "Back Door Tipper", which was also covered by Louisiana bluesman Kenny Neal. At the core this is Memphis soul albeit with modern flourishes that marked O.B. as an artist to watch. 19. 
Peggy Scott-Adams
"Help
Yourself" (Miss Butch 1996)
Outstanding comeback CD by Peggy is a modern soul masterpiece. All ten tracks were written by Jimmy Lewis, including the now classic "Bill"- a song about a woman discovering her husband is cheating not with a woman...but "Bill"! Via word-of-mouth and radio requests the song grew and eventually peaked at #50 on the Billboard R & B singles chart and crossed over to #87 on the Pop chart, an extremely rare feat by a Southern soul singer these days. Other excellent, earthy songs like "Help Yourself" and "You, Her And His" helped propel the album to #9 on the R & B album charts (#72 Pop). 20. 
Lee Shot Williams
"Hot Shot" (Ecko 1996)
First for Ecko is suited for "Shot" and features a big southern soul hit in "I'll Take The Risk". There's also ripping versions of his classics "I Like Your Style" & "Boogie Down On The Weekend". The set also contains what may be his finest moment, "Times Are Tough". The lyric: "Times are hard. Time are tough. Even Tarzan is mad about the world's situation. They stole his vine! His only means of transportation." Despite the humor there's an earnestness to the track that's truly Soulful. 21. Four words: "Stand Up In It". Perhaps no song (which peaked at #68 on Billboard's "Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs" chart and spent five weeks at #1 on The R&B/Hip Hop Single Sales Chart!) has had as many answer songs and rip offs as this mega-classic. Ealey claimed an "old lady told him" what "women really want" and it became a song everybody wanted. Interestingly the musical track had it's beginning as a different Ealey track, "I'm The Man You Need", from his first LP for Ichiban Records entitled "Headed Back To Hurtsville". A dozen years later Ealey wrote new lyrics and a slightly altered melody to the track, which was co-written by El' Willie, and it became one of the biggest songs the genre has ever yet seen. Interestingly, Ealey cut a new version of "I'm The Man You Need" and titled his follow-up LP with it. 22. 
Mel Waiters "A Nite Out" (Waldoxy 2003)
Third for Waldoxy is his strongest yet. Although the "girls night out" concept has been done to death, Mel charms on the infectious "Girls Nite Out". In it he comes home to find his woman getting all dressed up for a night with the girls. Mel, the man who wrote "Got My Whiskey" & "Pop It Baby", shows he's no hypocrite and accepts the fact. Track 2 is "Whiskey & Blues" which has Mel reclining in a juke joint; drink in hand. He tells the DJ to play some Bobby Bland, Z.Z. Hill & Johnnie Taylor and the bartender to keep his whiskey glass filled. Why? "I Got this great big old heartache and it just won't quit". Great imagery- truly captures the mood. Both Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Bland get name checked again on the funked-up smash "Smaller The Club" (as in "smaller the club-bigger the party-something about those rooms"). This is a proper sequel to "Hole In The Wall". Other highlights in an album full of them is the bouncy, southern soul "Your Kitchen Was Closed", stepper "Two Step" and the sensual "Satisfy You (Before You Satisfy Me)". 23. 
Shirley Brown "Woman Enough"
(Malaco 2004)
Big-voiced Shirley Brown's heyday was the mid 70s and like so many Soul and Blues stars of the decade Brown signed with Malaco Records in the 80s where she has remained 'til the present. "Woman Enough" was the album that had the most impact on the SS market. Both "Poon Tang Man" and "(I've Go To) Sleep With One Eye Open" were chart toppers on the SBR (Soul And Blues Report) Top 25. Additionally "Too Much Candy" and "Stuck On Stupid" proved to be popular. 24. 
Willie Clayton "Gifted" (Malaco
2006)
Malaco Records dubs itself "The Last Soul Company" and with a roster that's included ZZ Hill, Dorothy Moore, Tyrone Davis, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor and Denise LaSalle you can understand why. With the recent signing of Willie Clayton and Marvin Sease they're showing no signs of straying from that fertile Soul/Blues sound. If this release on Clayton is any indication Willie has found the right home for he reaches his full potential on "Gifted". The right songs. The right sound. The right performances. 13 tracks of modern Soul gold. The masterful Al Green-kissed "Going Crazy" from his last record ("Full Circle") was a portent of great things to come and "Gifted" is the fulfillment. Although he hasn't completely abandoned mainstream R & B (as evidenced by the sumptuous lead single "Boom Boom Boom") Clayton seems less concerned with connecting with the same audience that listens to a Pop artist like R. Kelly. Though quite listenable the Hip Hop pandering found in some of his his recent work is gone from this project. At it's heart "Gifted" is classic Southern Soul circa 1968 (ala Clarence Carter/Atlantic Records) albeit modernized (programming) for the present. 25. 
Jesse Graham "Soul Music" (Ichiban 1994)
26.
It seems that everything Bigg Robb touches turns to gold. Midas
touch? I'm dating myself here. He's also one of the hardest working
Southern Soul producers. This is the third release this year. First,
"8 Tracks & 45s", then "Best Of Da Problem Solvas" have already hit
the street. "Old School" gives a home to Pat Cooley's "Younger Man,
Older Woman". It's in there. (like Ragu). Robb's new version of Carl
Marshall "Good Lovin' Will Make You Cry". It's in there. "Grown And
Sexy", the one with Sir Charles? Yep in there. But that's not all!
If you order now you also get the Zappified slow jam "Old School
Lovin" by Sure 2 B. Wait! That's not all. We'll also throw in new
tracks by Napoleon ("Party Like The Rich Folks"), Special ("Put Your
Hands On Me"), Da Problem Solvas ("Pot Liquor N' Cornbread") remixes
Bigg Robb on Bigg Robb ("Keep On Swingin", "I'm Ready To Party")
and...sound like a commercial. Sorry Bigg Robb does that to me. Buy
this CD. Period. No bad tracks. 27.
Dynamite
modern soul blues album features improved versions of his hits
"Trapped" & "17 Days Of Loving", plus new gems like the smooth title
track, "I'm Gonna Tell My Wife (And My Woman Too)", a sequel to
"Trapped". The production is immaculate this time with real
musicians and plenty of horn-laden southern soul like George
Jackson's "Bucket Of Blood" & anatomically correct "Double D". It's
to Sim's credit that he can take a classic like Johnnie Taylor & ZZ
Hill's "Mr. Nobody is Somebody Now" and do it justice. 28. He's done it again. Actually better than before. A perfect Southern Soul single with "My Life". Like "Check To Check" and "I'll Get By" Cunningham has painted another aural picture sympathetic of the Everyman's life. This midtempo swayer is simply inspiring and all hooks. Brilliant! It will be hard to find a better song in 2008. "A lot of things I had to go without/I still find it hard to talk about". That line gives me chills every time. Like his previous LP's "Served" straddles the line between mainstream R & B and "Party Blues". 29. 
Sonny Mack "Going For Gold" (Ecko 2011)
Impressive debut album by Sonny Mack. Vocally he sounds strikingly similar to former Ecko-ite Carl Sims. As far as "Going For Gold" it's your usual mix of bumps, blues and slowies Ecko are experts of. What could be Mack's calling card is the midpaced shuffle "Mack The Blues Man" while "La La La", which was obviously inspired by the Delfonics song "La La Means I Love You", has one of the best refrains I've heard all year. I can't get it out me noggin'. Still my favorite has to be the downtempo tears in your beer weepie "Moon Over Memphis" 30. 
Latimore
"Back 'Atcha" (LatStone 2007)
After a recording drought of six years (and after a now obscure, one-off album with Mel Waiters' Brittney) Latimore returned on a new specialty label formed with Stone (unimaginatively called LatStone) and released this dynamo of an album. The fed up and fatigued "My Give A Damn Gave Out (A Long Time Ago)" was a great success for Latimore and the album spawned two further gems with "'Nanna Puddin'" and "Edna Mae". 31. 
Kenne' Wayne
"Old Fashioned
Love" (MTE
1996)
Generous (15 tracks!) debut from superb soul tenor. Strong showcase features southern party soul ("After The Party Is Over", "Old Fashioned Love", "In And Out Of Love"), soul ballads ("Innocent Until Proven Guilty", Billy Vera's "At This Moment") and blues "Walking The Back Streets Of Hell". Wayne wrote or co-wrote 12 of the 15 cuts and establishes himself as a singer to watch in the genre. 32. 
David Brinston
"Sidepiece Motel" (Ecko 2017)
I don't know why he has before and wish David Brinston wouldn't leave Ecko Records again to record on his own. While he has produced some fine music ("Good Woman (With Some Bad Habits)" from 2006 comes to mind) it's just glaringly obvious Brinston and Ecko are made for each other. This album crackles, pops, crackles again, and snaps with catchy bumps...then popcracklesnaps, etc. Both the title cut and the slowie "I Drinks My Whiskey" are instant classics. That voice, a gruffer, nasally Al Green, is instantly recognizable and comfortable like thick warm socks on a chilly day. 33. 
Roy C
"In Too Deep" (Three Gems 2004)
Don't even finish reading this review before you go buy yourself a copy of this generous 16 track (!) retro-soul clinic. When you mix that full-throated voice with gospel, doo-wop and blues-soaked soul songs you got something that is sorely missing in R & B today. Real soul music. There's no samples, no guest rappers, no processed beats- just soul songs by a soul singer. While the horn parts are synthetic most of this music is played by living, breathing humans. You actually grow to like the synth horns. Because it's all cream it's hard to single out the better tunes but "If I Could Love Your Forever" is on e of those pretty, soul-aching cuts we have come to expect. "I'm In Too Deep" has an addictive refrain. I heard it this morning and I'm still singing it tonight. The romping "I'm Coming From The Old School" is another answer song to all those "candy lickers" out there. Roy C don't care what the kids are doing these days 'cuz he makes love the "old fashioned way". Ever keen to relationships, Roy speaks the truth on "If You Cheat On Him". In other words, if you cheat with him you probably will eventually cheat on him too. The hit "I See Angels" is simply gorgeous and one of his very best recordings. Roy's never afraid to speak his mind- on "Your Man Hooked On Another Man" he repeats "Shame Shame Shame", thus not cozying up to the Rainbow Coalition by any means. And "I Smell A Rat" continues the lineage of "I Found A Man In My Bed". This along with "Sex & Soul" should be your first purchases.34. 
Ronnie Lovejoy
"Still Wasn't Me" (Goodtime 2000)
Final album from modern soul blues king begins with a sequel to his biggest hit re-titled "Still Wasn't Me". Essentially it's the same song with altered lyrics. Perhaps the true sequel is the clever R & B stroller "Evidence" where the shoe is on the other foot. Not only did he see his woman cheating at a Motel 6 (instead of a Holiday Inn- good one!) BUT Ronnie's got the goods on her. Ronnie reached up and touches her at the motel door. In fact he's got her panties too! Busted! The song even features a fine blues guitar solo by Don Evans. Another gem is the upbuilding "Nothin' Bother Me". Although he's been abused, locked down and sick he's gonna keep on keeping on. But 3 tracks later we discover it's not before he found out "What The Blues Is All About". Romantic Ronnie is represented by "Spend The Rest Of My Life", "This Bed Ain't Big Enough" and "My Time". On the latter he tells a man to leave the girl alone- he had his chance but now it's Ronnie's time to show her love. Once again- all songs written and co-produced by Lovejoy. Sadly this proved to be the last hurrah for Ronnie as he died soon after... but not before leaving us with more "evidence" of authentic Rhythm & Blues. 35. It's ludicrous that such a talented singer like Vernon Garrett hasn't gotten more attention. This is well-produced soul/blues/R & B- full of gutsy singing and catchy hooks.Vernon tackles the famous title track with confidence, as he does with "If You Don't Know Me By Now". Both these songs are duets with Brenda Lee Eager. She sounded so good I searched the Net for a cd of hers and couldn't find one! A Shame I tell ya! There's an update of "Crossroads 2002", which would sound great on the radio and would be a hit in a better world. Same goes for the fabulous opener "My Trial Of Love". Soul/Blues fans of Little Milton, Z.Z. Hill, Artie "Blues Boy" White and Johnnie Taylor will dig this album 36. 
O.B. Buchana "Shake What You Got!" (Ecko 2004)
Smash Southern party soul platter features the hits "That's My Bad", featuring a Carolina shaggin' rhythm (and that maddening staccato piano hook) and the booty-shakin' title track. You get the feeling that Ecko rolled out the red carpet for Mr. Buchana because there are no throwaways here- nearly all potential radio hits. True, they did resurrect two past Ecko hits ("Both In The Wrong" & "Booty Scoot) but O.B. actually wrote 5 of the cuts- most notably the excellent "I'm In Love", which has one of the catchiest refrains I've heard all year ( "Excuse me lady...I'm in love"). The way he squeezes out that "excuse me lady" gets me every time. He also wrote the loverman dancer "After Midnight" (almost ruined by the moaning at the end! Does anybody think that's sexy?). John Ward and Robert Smith contributed two strong jams as well ("Good Stuff" and "Sue's Cafe"). Another bonus is O.B.'s heartening song to his father ("Daddy"). We all know mama is great and there's many odes to her but pops rarely gets his propers. Nice. "Shake" is one of the better discs of it's kind in years. 37. 
Marvin Sease
"Who's Got The Power" (Malaco 2008)
With each new Marvin Sease disc you know what you're getting: Funky workouts with Sease's philosophy on the birds and the bees ("The Power Of Coochie"), old school Soul balladry ("I'm Coming Home", "Denying Our Love") and midpaced Memphis movers ("She's My Woman", "I Can't Let You Go"). The only question then becomes how good is the material. Well these thirteen Sease originals will satisfy any fan of the genre. There may not be a new stone classic or a hit as catchy as, say "Sit Down On It", but there's plenty of greatness. The 60s-styled "Denying Our Love" is as close to Otis Redding as you're gonna get nowadays. As I've said before Sease may be known for his sex shtick but he's a master of Deep Soul slowies. 38. Rather than resign with Malaco/Waldoxy Artie opted to start his own label, A Chill Town. The horns are real- not synthesized and the song selection is superb, as is Artie's singing. "Can't Get Enough", "Love You Don't Know About" & "Crazy About My Baby" are delicious upbeat southern soul. This album has less straight Blues cuts. It's very much a Southern Soul album. "Not The Same Person", containing one of the best vocals of Artie's career, is dedicated to the late great Johnnie Taylor. Other highlights include the masterful "My Best Friend", a slow blues with Artie complaining that his best friend, a man he "ate barbeque out the same plate" with, has stolen his wife, his woman and now is after his girlfriend!. Once again special praise must be given to Artie's band. Ronnie Hicks & The Machine Company Band as well as a full horn section provide energetic rhythm and sharp solos. Ronnie Hicks leads the band from the keyboards, Greg Miller is on the lead and rhythm guitar, and the foundation is laid down by drummer Lester Holmes and bassman Kenny Hampton. On the horns are: horn arranger Willie Henderson on the baritone saxophone; Sonny Seals on the alto and tenor saxes; Hank Ford also on tenor sax; Billy McFarland on the trombone; and trumpeters Ken Anderson, Steve Hawkins, Burgess Garder, and Paul Howard. Chico Banks plays some mean guitar on "My Best Friend" and "I've Been Down So Long". 39. 
Nellie "Tiger"
Travis "I'm A Woman"
(CDS 2008)
Ms. Travis is one of the hottest Divas in the Soul Blues about now. She's done it with attitude and a truly soulful voice. She's the Gladys Knight of Southern Soul. Of course in her hometown of Chicago she's mostly known as a 12-bar Blues belter who plays sings several days a week. But in the chittlin' circuit she's becoming a huge favorite. Like her last CD, "Wanna Be With You", this new one is mostly produced by Floyd Hamberlin Jr. and that has it's plusses and minuses. He has a tendency to program/write his share of monotonous cuts like "Mama Didn't Raise No Punks" and the pedestrian "I Saw It On Oprah" but more often he comes up with some of the catchiest programming around like the hilarious ditty "Slap Yo' Weave Off" and the booming, anthem "I'm A Woman" which is the best song about female empowerment I've heard in years. Hamberlin also serves up two knockout ballads. "Don't Talk To Me" is an emotional tornado sung by a scorned woman and "Running On Empty" a devastating number about a dying marriage. Travis is a powerhouse on the microphone. Also included is a terrific duet ballad with soulman Stan Mosley ("Who Knows You") and Travis' signature song "Amnesia". This is a very good CD, as good as anything on the circuit, but I have a feeling Nellie hasn't even hit her peak yet.
40. Wendell B(rown) does a very R&B-flavored Southern Soul and by the time this record dropped (simultaneously with the more R&B-leaning "Back To Bidness") Brown was already well-known for his deep, smooth baritone that may remind one of Luther Vandross mated with Will Downing with a hint of Barry White. After releasing one record as Wendell Brown he began being noticed in 1995 as just Wendell B. for "Good Times", then his reputation cemented with "Time To Relax: Love, Life & Relationships" but "In Touch With My Southern Soul" is hands down his most prosperous this far.
41. Terrific release reveals Rue's remarkable ability to sound like many singers all in one. Besides the undeniable Johnnie Taylor inflections ("True") he's also a dead ringer for Z.Z. Hill on the stunning deep soul "Can I Hold On To Your Hand". Davis gives an assured, raspy vocal like it was 1964 in Muscle Shoals. From there he becomes Bobby "Blue" Bland on the slow blues "Do You Want To See Me" and even can sound like Joe Cocker as on "Won't You Try Me". What a talent! Sometimes this gift has overshadowed his own persona as it's hard to know for sure who Rue Davis is. Nevertheless, this 14-song collection should have made Davis a household name. The production may sound dated at times but Davis' talent shines through.
42. This is one of the best modern "Southern Soul" albums of the decade. Mostly due to Memphis-born Booker Brown's roaring, Soul shoutin' voice that invokes comparisons to Wilson Pickett! I kid you not this guy has a classic Soul voice- emotive, raspy and well, full of "passion of love". Sure live horns and real players is always preferred (the guitar licks are organic) but as far as "synthetic" production goes this is superb- a big bottom sound produced by Percy T Friends and the ubiquitous Morris J. Williams. Percolating, vibrant- at times scorching- Southern Soul dancers like "Backyard Party", "Passion Of Love" (in two versions), "Cuchie Cuchie" & "I Need Your Love" are all knockouts. On the slow Deep Soul tip Brown sinks his teeth into Quinn Golden's "Still Lonely" and the gospelish "Same Thang" with an impressive duet turn by Linda Govan. 43.  Chuck
Strong "Stolen Love" (Ace
1994)
Without a doubt Tyrone Davis is Chuck's biggest influence and these programmed Southern Soul tracks are not far removed from material Tyrone himself was putting down (Interestingly, Tyrone covered "Don't Make Me Choose", which was co-written by Strong) at the same time. It's hard to pick a favorite as all tracks are decent, percolating pop/soul items but "You Left A Goldmine For A Golddigger" is certainly the catchiest. The song, Strong co-wrote with Winston Williams, was later covered by Little Milton. The only issue one could take with this pleasant album is that it lacks grit and goes down too smooth for most Deep Soul fans.
Johnnie Taylor "Gotta Get The Groove Back" (Malaco 1999)
The final LP recorded by Johnnie Taylor before his death was made even more melancholy with the inclusion of the gripping "Soul Heaven". Johnnie pays tribute to great singers who he dreams were jamming in another realm. Johnnie soon joined them. This song, by Rich Cason, has become a standard during every death of a soul singer. Of course the first cover version was dedicated to JT. Another hit was the thumping "Big Head Hundreds" that's off-sprung from "Money (That's What I Want)", even borrowing the "money money money" hook. JT went out an a high. 45. 
Vick Allen "Soul Music"
(Soul 1st 2012)
Vick Allen enjoyed an almost Michael Jackson-like string of hits on "Truth Be Told" and especially the follow up "Soul Music". Just like MJ's "Thriller" & "Bad" delivered Top 10 hit after Top 10 hit in Pop, Allen's two album run resulted in no less than ten songs charting on Southern Soul charts. It's rare for an album in this genre to be rolled out the way "Soul Music" was. While most SS albums boast one or two singles Allen's LP was promoted by six singles in a very organized manner. Most momentous was the the title cut, "If You Can Beat Me Rockin'" (written by Omar Cunningham) and "Forbidden Love Affair (The Preacher Song)", the latter written by the ridiculously underrated Luther Lackey. The album cemented Allen's status as one of Top 10 most successful artists appreciated by the SS network. Unfortunately as of writing there has been no follow up full length. Instead Allen has released a number of digital-only singles. It frustrates a large percentage of record buyers who still wants CDs. 46. Tremendously underrated artist's debut Ecko album. After a luscious ballad to open the album ("A Woman's Worth") and a strong midtempo number ("Haters") the album delivers a series of three catchy funk-influenced jams ("Slide And Boogie", "She's Got A Crock Pot", "Good Time Tonight"). In fact all ten cuts are top tier.
47. Auspicious debut by sandpaper-voiced soulman. Southern Soul/Modern Soul/Soul/Blues/Retro-Soul or whatever you want to call it these days. Hitmen Rich Cason, Floyd Hamberlin, Sam Mosley (no relation) and Bob Johnson contribute the best songs on this terrific long player. Vocally Mosley reminds me of Wilson Pickett and his take on "Don't Knock My Love" is, well, a knockout! The soulful headbobber "Rock Me" was his first hit and the heart-tugging "Why Can't You Love Me" is simply gorgeous. It's simply one of the best slow soul songs of the decade thus far. There's also some pumpin' dancers like "Don't Make Me Creep" and "Hit It & Quit It". Stan Mosley is a contender for the throne vacated by Johnnie Taylor at his death. 48. Carl
Sims "It's Just A
Party" (Ecko 2004)The "Godfather Of Southern Soul" tag is basically the sub-title of Sims' Ecko Records debut. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant (I mean what would that make Johnnie Taylor? "Grandpappy Of Southern Soul"?) as it's just great to have a new disc by the man who scored big several years ago with "I'm Trapped". IT'S JUST A PARTY is his first disc since the obscure, hard-to-find BRICK HOUSE on Entune Records from 2002. Sims' had higher profile when he cut two albums for Malaco ("M & M MAN" is his best) but seemed to be out of the game for awhile due to Entune's scanty reach. It is a blessing that Ecko with it's stronger distribution snagged Sims. "PARTY" is the usual Ecko (mostly programmed) mix of dance party shakers, slower relationship songs and stories about cheating delivered with a sense of humor. Standouts are the upbeat "Playa Haters" which is vintage Ecko programmed ear candy party soul music that producer John Ward has mastered. This is a hit if I ever heard one. "It's Just A Party" is sure to hit radiowaves as well. There's some mediocre filler here too that keeps this from being unstoppable ("I Wanna Do Wrong With You", "I've Been Cheatin'") but that is made up for by the head-bobber "It Ain't A Juke Joint Without Without The Blues", the unique "Coochie Key" with it's steady bubbling (or burbling?) synth bassline and the gorgeous love song "I Would Be Missing You", which contains Sims' best vocal on the disc. Keep 'em coming Ecko.
49. Except for one album released by the now defunct CDS Records ("Special Delivery") Big G (George Staten) has self-released all 28 (!) of his albums including compilations on his own Stone River Records imprint. He steadily became one of the most revered artists in contemporary Southern Soul with his downhome classic Soul leanings not far removed from the late Roy C (Hammond). In fact it's rare to read a review of a Big G album without a Roy C mention. "Last Pay Check" is simply his best album and title cut perhaps his biggest hit. This set also contains the gorgeous ballad "Somebody Like You". 50. Eddie's one of those cult artists that you'll hear and say to yourself: "why the heck haven't I heard of this guy?!?". With a rich voice on par with Joe Simon and Roy C (and add latter day James Carr), Holloway had released three soul & blues albums that hit on the street but didn't get enough press. This generous compilation could rectify that. I say "generous" because even though a total of 31 tracks appeared on the discs "I Had A Good Time", "Hollerin' N' Poppin" & "Shake N' Bump", there were only 26 actual songsreleased as several made more than one appearance. "The Greatest Hits" picks the sweet 16 from this bunch making it the definitive Holloway portrait thus far. A mix of down home Memphis soul wailers and percolating dancers. While not all cuts are Grade A material ("Slippin' On My Love" is generic programmed filler) his best known singles, "I Had A Good Time", "Pop That Koochie" and "Shake N' Bump" are all here as are terrific covers of "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby", "Chokin' Kind", "Nine Pound Steel", "I Found A Love" & "If Loving You is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)". Being that Holloway's discs are either out of print or difficult to find this collection and it's bargain price is essential. Roy C fans should definitely grab this now. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***SEE ALBUMS 51-100 HERE (C) Blues Critic LLC 2025. All written material found on this website is the property of Blues Critic and may only be used with permission and full accreditation (either "Blues Critic" or "Dylann DeAnna of Blues Critic") given plus a link to this website. |
Frank Mendenhall
"Hard Times"
(Wurst Act 2004)
Chuck Roberson "Meet Me Tonight"
(Ecko 1997)
Johnnie Taylor "Good
Love" (Malaco 1996)
The Chairmen Of The Board "All
In The Family Southern Soul" (Xcel 2006)
Ollie Nightingale
"I'll Drink Your Bathwater" (Ecko
1995)
Sir Charles Jones "Love
Machine" (Mardi Gras 2001)
David Brinston
"Hit And Run" (Jomar 1996)
Charlie Jones "The Ultimate Charlie Jones" (Ambush
2009)
Carl
Marshall "Love Who You Wanna Love" (CDS 2010)
Donnie Ray
"Don't Stop My Party" (Ecko 2006)
Theodis Ealey "Stand Up In
It" (IFGAM 2004)
Bigg Robb Presents
Carl Sims "M & M Man"
(Waldoxy 2001)
Omar Cunningham
Artie "Blues Boy" W
Wendell B "In Touch With My Southern Soul
Rue Davis
"Somebody Wants You" (Avanti 1997)
Booker Brown "Passion
Of Love" (East West 2004)
Ju Evans
"All About Soul" (Ecko 2020)
Stan Mosley "The Soul Singer" (Malaco 1998)
Big G
Eddie Holloway "Soul N' The Blues: The Greatest Hits" (Empire Musicwerks 2005)