Detroit Soul

As we’re near the closing of both a year and a decade, we’re going to spend these next few weeks celebrating the talents and voices of some of the most unsung or under-sung recordings of 2009. Let’s start with single producer and compilation projects that you need to cop like yesterday:

The Foreign Exchange (Leave It All Behind): electronica never sounded as melodic or romantically soulful as this Grammy nominated underground project. Easily the best project of 2009 thanks to Nicolay’s seductive production. Little Brother’s Phonte throws down his MC mic and credibly croons his way into our hearts with supporting artists Musinah, Yazarah, and Darien Brockington each doing star turns and making the whole project simply shine.

PPP (Abundance): While Foreign Exchanges’ LIAB got all the glory, D-town’s former Platinum Pied Piper’s official sophomore project was winning over the underground one eclectic, lyrically profound track after another. A hybrid of 80s new wave, 60s soul, and plenty of R&B to keep this party going, PPP’s Coultrain, Karma Stewart, Jamlia Raegan, and Neco Redd all ensured abundance was more than a title, but a gift to soul fans everywhere.

Various Artists (Silky Soul Music…An All-Star Tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze) :We should all have a son as generous as Frankie Beverly’s. An all-star cast of A-list talent that includes Kem, Musiq, Ledisi, Mary J. Blige, Mint Condition and a surprisingly good Joe. This homage sets a new benchmark for tribute projects from here on.

Shawn Lee (Shawn Lee Presents Soul In The Hole): Compilations are best when they introduce little heard from talents, UK producer Shawn Lee definitely mines some of the best in subtle, but flavor-rich Franny Franklin, Kariem Kendra, Paul Butler, Darondo and Ms. Lee on this ode to contemporary Northern Soul.

Soul Persona (Soulacoaster): You almost want to give it up to the jazzy producer, Soul Persona, just on the strength of “Don’t Go” by in-demand newcomer Darien who perfectly fits Persona’s brand of organic midnight soul. The creamy performances by Deborah Jordan, Kia Bennett, and East Bay rapper, Rep Life, are just icing on an already delectably rich cake.
Champs of ‘09

Zo! (Just VisitingToo): Tangential member of the Foreign Exchange family, DC-based producer Zo! has been delighting indie fans with his take on retro material for years, but Phonte cool cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “My Flame,” Yazarah gliding through Minnie Ripperton’s “Perfect Angel,” and Darien Brockington trying his adroit hand at a multi-layered “Highways of My Life Pt1 & 2”, one of the least covered in the Isley Bros. catalog, make this one of Zo’s best yet.

Various Artists (Natalie Williams Presents The Soul Family Vol. I): Rising blue-eyed soul artist from the UK compiles an incredible who’s who of the UK soul scene including Vula, Jonas, Taiwah, Nate James and a sweet-voiced unknown, Neil Thomas.

Various Artists (Oh Happy Day) Robert Randolph (of Robert Randolph and the Family Band) and the Clark Sisters Grammy nominated performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” Need I say more? Yes? Well Al Green, Heather Headley, Michael McDonald, Queen Latifah, Mavis Staples and Joss Stone should do the trick.

Bennson (Let The Love): Australia producer Bennson serves up classic retro-dance from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s for the disco heads and jazzy afro-beats for the house set. For a Back To The Future moment, cop “Step To The Plate” and be catapulted to your ol’ roller-skating days with love.

Khari Lemuel (Morning Music) –Uneven to a fault, with two many dang songs to boot (25!), multi-talented Chi-town talent Khari Lemuel still gave me some of my most repeated plays in 2009 with his joyously spiritual cuts “Happy To Be,” “Good Morning Love,” “I God We,” and the infectious “The Hug Song.” Now if he’d only give up the performers’ roster so I could praise his singers too!

TAGS: Bennson, Foreign Exchange, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Khari Lemuel, Natalie Williams, PPP, Queen Latifah, R&B, Shawn Lee, SoulPersona, Zo!