Daddy B. Nice's SouthernSoulRnB.com - Guide to Today's Top Chitlin' Circuit Rhythm and Blues Artists


 

Daddy B. Nice's Corner

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Click here for the 2022 Corner.

February 1, 2020: See Daddy B. Nice's "2019: The Year In Southern Soul" (click here)

Daddy B. Nice Announces THE WINNERS of the 2019 (13th Annual) SOUTHERN SOUL MUSIC AWARDS. The winners are posted at the end of each list of finalists.

A permanent listing and a link in Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index to Southern Soul Music will be made on behalf of each performer. Find the artist's name and touch/click the desired entry to be whisked away to the exact page and page-location of the appearance.

Best Mid-Tempo Song:

Top Contenders:

"Bottle After Bottle" ----- P2K DaDiddy
"Good Times" ----- Lomax
"Whiskey Drinking Woman" ----- Mose Stovall feat. Big Daddy E
"Rodeo" ----- Itz Karma feat. Jeter Jones
"She's Just My Girlfriend" ----- Donnie Ray
"Hitcha Wit Da Tool" ------ Till 1
"I Can Back It Up" ----- Choppa Law
"You Walk Like It's Good" ----- Jarvis Greene
"Superstar" ----- Vick Allen
"Change My Mind" ----- Sassy D
"Big Train" ----- Tucka
"I'd Go Back" ----- Big G
"My Cake" ----- Mr. Campbell
"Until The Morning Comes" ----- Tucka feat. Audi Yo

Best Mid-Tempo Song: "Big Train" by Tucka

Listen to Tucka singing "Big Train Coming" on YouTube.


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Club (Fast/Dance) Song:

Top Contenders:

"Cowboy Ride" ----- Stan Butler
"Sunshine" ----- Solomon Thompson feat. David J
"Out In The Country" ----- R&B Pooh
"Why Me?" ----- Gentry-Jones
"Party Hard" ----- J.Red The Nephew
"The Ladies Love To Slide" ----- T.K. Soul
"Sleeping Pill" ----- Hisyde feat. Chrissy Luvz
"Get It! Get It!" ----- Ms. Jody
"Fish Fry" ----- Jennifer Watts feat. Unkle Phunk
"The Boots On Song"----- Big Yayo (feat. Omar Cunningham)
"Drop Pop & Roll" ----- Willie Clayton

Best Club Song: "Cowboy Ride" by Stan Butler

Listen to Stan Butler singing "Cowboy Ride" on YouTube.


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Ballad:

Top Contenders:

"Just Cruzin'" ----- O.B. Buchana
"Love Stand" ------ Mr. Smoke
"Still Learning 'Bout Love" ----- Wendell B & The Soul Music Representatives
"Beautiful" ----- Wendell B
"She's My Baby Forever" ------ Jaye Hammer
"Two Lovers" ----- J-Wonn
"Ride Or Die" ----- T.K. Soul
"A Woman Like You" ----- Darnell Da Bachelor
"No One" ----- Vick Allen
"This Woman Of Mine" ----- Lamar Brace
"DJ Let Me Grind On Her" ----- Avail Hollywood
"If You Think You're Lonely Now" ----- Shunte' Nicole feat. Big Yayo
"Tell On You" ----- L.J. Echols

Best Ballad: "Cruzin'" by O.B. Buchana

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Cruzin'" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Song By Longtime Veteran:

Top Contenders:

"So Damn Good" ----- Sheba Potts-Wright
"In A Coma" ----- Chuck Strong
"Whiskey Drinking Woman" ----- Mose Stovall feat. Big Daddy E.
"She's My Baby Forever" ----- Jaye Hammer
"Too Late" ----- LaMorris Williams
"Girls' Night Out" ----- Karen Wolfe
"Can I Take You Home" ----- Ghetto Cowboy feat. Tucka
"Inside Man/Outside Help" ----- Omar Cunningham
"You're What's Needed In My Life" ----- Lee Fields
"That Young Thang" ----- Big G
"Good Ole Boy" ----- Carl Sims
"My Bed" ----- Omar Cunningham
"Boss Queen" ----- Stephanie McDee
"Snappin' Turtle" ----- Theodis Ealey
"Hey Hey Bobby Rush" ----- Bobby Rush

Best Song By Longtime Veteran: "Whiskey Drinking Woman" by Mose Stovall feat. Big Daddy E.

Listen to Mose Stovall feat. Big Daddy E. singing "Whiskey Drinking Woman" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Female Vocalist:

Top Contenders:

Sassy D ----- "Change My Mind," "She Wanna Ride" (feat. Jeter Jones), "Southern Soul" (feat. ColdDrank), "The Way You Move" (feat. Tucka)
Crystal Thomas ----- "Teach You How To Love Me," "I'm What You're Looking For" feat. Luziana Wil
Ms. Jody ----- "A Man Like That"
Annie Washington ----- "3 Legs," "Thick Pocketbook"
Val McKnight ----- "Down Low Brother," "I'm A Horny Woman"
Champagne ----- "Mouth On You" feat. Highway Heavy), "Ride It" (feat. Highway Heavy)
Lady Soul ----- "I'm Ready"
West Love ----- "Stop Looking"
Dee Dee Simon ----- "Big Gun," "Walk That Dog"
Angel Faye Russell ----- "My Baby Boo"
Miss Portia ----- "For My Ladies' (feat. Cupid), "Caught Up" (feat. Tyree Neal)

Best Female Vocalist: "(Let Me Put My) Mouth On You" by Champagne featuring Highway Heavy

Listen to Champagne singing "Mouth On You" on YouTube.

Read Daddy B. Nice's "Behind The Scenes 2019 Awards: Champagne.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Male Vocalist:

Top Contenders:

Wendell B. ----- "Beautiful," "Still Learning 'Bout Love (feat. Soul Music Representativs)
Tucka ----- "Until The Morning Comes," "Big Train," "Jungle Love," "Ain't No Getting Over Me"
Willie Clayton ----- "Love Games," "Can We Slip Away?"
Vick Allen -----"No One," "Superstar,"
O.B. Buchana ----- "Just Cruzin'," "I Hump It"
Stan Butler ----- "Cowboy Ride"
Bigg Robb ----- "I Did My Time," "Don't Be Ashamed"
R.T. Taylor ----- "It's A Mule"
Donnie Ray ------ "She's Just My Girlfriend"
Avail Hollywood ----- "Unbelievable Booty," "DJ Let Me Grind On Her"
J. Red The Nephew ----- "I Forgot I Was Married," "Party Hard"
Bishop Bullwinkle ----- "No Woman No Cry," "Do You Hear Me Now?"
T.K. Soul ----- "Ride Or Die," "The Ladies Love To Slide"
Jeter Jones ----- "We Come To Party," "She Wanna Ride" feat. Sassy D, "Rodeo" feat. Itz Karma, "Package"
Bobby Rush ----- "Hey Hey Bobby Rush," "Good Stuff"
Calvin Richardson ----- "If You're Thinking About Leaving"
J-Wonn ----- "21 Again"

Best Male Vocalist: "It's A Mule" by R.T. Taylor

Listen to R.T. Taylor singing "It's A Mule" on YouTube.

Read Daddy B. Nice's "Behind The Scenes 2019 Awards: R.T. Taylor.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Debut:

Top Contenders:

Mr. Smoke ----- "Love Stand,""Weekend," "Whoa Ni"
R.T. Taylor ----- "It's A Mule"
Luziana Wil ----- "I'm What You Looking For" feat. Crystal Thomas, "I Wanna Know"
R&B Pooh ----- "Out In The Country"
Tasha Mac ----- "Get It My Way"
Itz Karma ----- "Rodeo" feat. Jeter Jones, "I Like Da Way"
J-Fitz ----- "I Could've Stayed At Home," "Yard Party" feat. Vick Allen
Malcom Allen ----- "Got To Find Me A Lover"
West Love ----- "You Better Go," "Stop Looking," "He's Doing That Donald Trump"
Dee Dee Simon ----- "Walk That Dog," "Upgrade," "Big Gun"
Hisyde ----- "Sleeping Pill" (feat. Chrissy Luvz)
Darnell Da' Bachelor ----- "A Woman Like You"
2 Buck Chuck ----- "Sugar Daddy," "In The Club"
Marquee Of Soul ----- "Party On The Weekend"
Volton Wright ----- "That Thang"
Jennifer Watts ---- "Rock Wit It Baby," "Fish Fry" (feat. Unkle Phunk), "Hit It"
Chrissy Luvz ----- "Can't Catcha Fish Without A Hook," "Sleeping Pill" (feat. Hisyde)
DJ Wildman Tim ----- "Funky Blues," "Country Party"

Best Debut: "Love Stand" by Mr. Smoke

Listen to Mr. Smoke singing "Love Stand" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Collaboration:

Top Contenders:

"Mailman" ----- Fat Daddy feat. Sir Charles Jones
"Still Learning 'Bout Love" ----- Wendell B., Magic One, Jason Little, Curtis Jefferson
"Until The Morning Comes" ----- Tucka feat. Audi Yo
"Sleeping Pill" ----- Hisyde feat. Chrissy Luvz
"Rodeo" ----- Itz Karma feat. Jeter Jones
"Trail Ride" ----- Sir Charles Jones feat. Jeter Jones
"Whipped Again" ----- O.B. Buchana feat. Pokey Bear
"Sneak Up On It" ----- Ghetto Cowboy feat. L.J. Echols
"She Wanna Ride" ----- Sassy D feat. Jeter Jones
"Yard Party" ----- J-Fitz feat. Vick Allen
"Sunshine" ----- Solomon Thompson feat. David J
"Game Of Chase" ----- David J feat. Miss Portia

Best Collaboration: "Still Learning 'Bout Love" by Wendell B, Magic One, Jason Little & Curtis Jefferson

Listen to Wendell B and The Soul Music Representatives singing "Still Learning 'Bout Love" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Outa-Left-Field Song:

Top Contenders:

"Stay" ----- Chris Ardoin
"He's Doing That Donald Trump" ----- West Love
"No Woman No Cry" ----- Bishop Bullwinkle
"Enjoying My Life" ----- King Fred
"Won't Stop Loving You" ----- Nekita Waller
"Strong Woman" ----- Fat Daddy
"I Did My Time" ----- Bigg Robb
"You Can Ride It" ----- O.C. Soul & The Soul Patrol Band
"Mouth On You" ----- Highway Heavy feat. Champagne

Best Outa-Left-Field Song: "I Did My Time" by Bigg Robb

Listen to Bigg Robb singing "I Did My Time" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song:


Top Contenders:

"Hoe To A Husband" ----- Summer Wolfe
"I'm A Horny Woman" ----- Val McKnight
"It's A Mule" ----- R.T. Taylor
"Stop Looking" ----- West Love
"Neckbone Lady" ----- Mz. Connie feat. L.J. Echols
"Wrong Man" ----- Highway Heavy feat. Fya Redd
"Good Stuff" ----- Bobby Rush
"I'm Rockin' With Da Thick Girls" ----- Lil' Jimmie
"Living Years" ----- Stevie J. Blues
"Willing And Able" ----- Adrian Bagher
"Sugar Daddy" ----- 2 Buck Chuck
"Country Party" ----- DJ Wildman Tim feat Slack

Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song: "Good Stuff" by Bobby Rush

Listen to Bobby Rush singing "Good Stuff" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Cover Song:

Top Contenders:

"Why Me?" ----- Gentry-Jones
"Ain't No Getting Over Me" ----- Tucka
"No Woman No Cry" ----- Bishop Bullwinkle
"Down Low Brother" ----- Val McKnight
"Beast Of Burden" ----- Bishop Bullwinkle
"Return To Sender" ----- J.J. Caillier
"Rocking Chair" ----- Charlesia Jones feat. Charles Jones III
"Last Few Dollars" ----- Stacii Adams
"Right Thing Wrong Man" ----- Stephanie Luckett
"Drowning In A Sea Of Love" ----- Sir Charles Jones
"Blind Cripple & Crazy" ----- L.J. Echols

Best Cover Song: "Why Me?" by Gentry-Jones

Listen to Gentry-Jones singing "Why Me?" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Producer:

Top Contenders:

Highway Heavy ----- "(Let Me Put My) Mouth On You" (Champagne), "Wrong Man" (Fya Redd), "Missing You" (Dave Mack)

John Ward ----- "Just Cruzin'" (O.B. Buchana), "She's My Baby Forever" (Jaye Hammer), "Down Low Brother" (Val McKnight), "A Man Like That" (Ms. Jody), "I Hump It" (O.B. Buchana)

Beat Flippa ----- "She Wanna Ride" (Jeter Jones & Sassy D), "She's Just My Girlfriend" (Donnie Ray), "Can I Take You Home?" (Ghetto Cowboy), "My Bed" (Omar Cunningham)

Ronald "Slack" Jefferson ----- "It's A Mule" (R.T. Taylor), "I'm What You Looking For" (Luziana Wil feat. Crystal Thomas), "Rodeo" (Itz Karma feat. Jeter Jones), "Three Legs," "Thick Pocketbook" (Annie Washington), "I Can Back It Up" (Choppa Law), "Out In The Country" (R&B Pooh)

Joe Nice ----- "Party Starter" (feat. Nelson Curry & Blakfist), "Don't Disturb This Groove" (feat. Nelson Curry)

Tucka ----- "Big Train," "Tipsy," "Until The Morning Comes," "Ain't No Getting Over Me," "Jungle Love"

Best Producer: Ronald "Slack" Jefferson

Listen to Itz Karma and Jeter Jones singing the Slack-produced "Rodeo" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best CD:

Top Contenders:

Mr. Smoke ----- Who Want Smoke?
Slack ----- My Music My Friends Southern Soul Compilation
Bishop Bullwinkle ----- The Da Vinci Code
T.K. Soul ----- Untouchable
Val McKnight ----- Stroke That Cat
Vick Allen ----- Untouchable
Big G ----- Let's Party
Bigg Robb ----- Good Muzic
L.J. Echols ----- Call 911
Bobby Rush ----- Sitting On Top Of The Blues
Calvin Richardson ----- Gold Dust
Jaye Hammer ----- Double Trouble
Chris Ardoin ----- Evolution
Joe Nice ----- Southern Soul Mixtape
Jay Morris Group ----- Like Food To My Soul
Adrian Bagher ----- Willing And Able
Ghetto Cowboy ----- Southern Soul Legend
Sir Charles Jones ----- Sir Charles Jones & Family Vol. 1
Willie Clayton ----- Excellence
O.B. Buchana ----- Face Down
Ms. Jody ----- Get It! Get It!
Pokey Bear ----- My Sidepiece Hit The Lotto
Avail Hollywood ----- Still King
J. Red The Nephew ----- Platinum Soul
C-Wright ----- A New Heart
Jennifer Watts ----- The Foxy Lady Of Southern Soul
Itz Karma ----- Karma: Unleashed
Lamar Brace ----- From The Soul
Stan Mosley ----- Soul Resurrection
Gregg A. Smith ----- The Real Deal
Lady Q ----- Class N Session

Best CD: My Music, My Friends Southern Soul Compilation by Slack

Listen to R.T. Taylor singing "It's A Mule" from Slack's "My Music, My Friends Southern Soul Compilation" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Congratulations to all!



SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

And remember: Automatic links to mp3's, CD's, song samples and other citations and references to the artists above are available by going to the artist's name in either Daddy B. Nice's CD Store or Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index.

--Daddy B. Nice

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Monthly Top 10 Singles Charts, continued from right-hand column...



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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------JUNE 2019-------

1. "I Forgot That I Was Mar-
ried"
-----J. Red The Nephew

Five minutes long, but so com-pelling it goes by in what seems like three, "I Forgot That I Was Married" traces a distinguished southern soul heritage all the way back to Ronnie Lovejoy and that "case of mistaken identity" in "Sho' Wasn't Me." J. Red follows up Soul Certified and J. Red the Nephew and Friends with his third winning collection in three years, Platinum Soul. Read Daddy B. Nice's 4-star review.

Listen to J. Red singing "I Forgot That I Was Married" on YouTube.

2. "Party Hard"----J. Red The Nephew

If "I Forgot That I Was Married" is the conceptual center of J. Red's Platinum Soul album, "Party Hard" is its thumping heart. At first it didn't register, but the hook kept returning, and I'd think, "Where is this coming from? Oh yeah! That party song with the disco-pounding tempo and delicate, Van Morrison-like, saxophone fills!"

Listen to J. Red (The Nephew) singing "Party Hard" on YouTube.

3. "I Hump It"-----O.B. Buchana

Buchana's "I Hump It" is the genial flip-side to last year's "The Mule" from Parking Lot Love Affair, in which O.B. transforms the forbidding macho of the latter into a bubbly, ingratiating braggadocio.

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "I Hump It" on YouTube.

4. "I'm What You're Looking For"---- Luziana Will featuring Crystal Thomas

This is the kind of music southern soul thrives on--from unknown sources with novel vocals (Luziana Wil)--music that embodies the obscure and scruffy character of southern soul itself. And who's the featured collaborator? Crystal Thomas, the lady I've called the present-day Thomisene Anderson for repeatedly giving just this kind of roots-real performance.

Listen to Luziana Wil & Crystal Thomas singing "I'm What You're Looking For" on YouTube.

5. "Sleeping Pill"----Hisyde featuring Chrissy Luvz

When I first saw Hysyde's name popping up in concert flyers, I thought it was one of the strangest names I had ever heard. I pronounced it His-Side, but in the song he pronounces it High-Side, which makes more sense. Chrissy Luv released her first southern soul single ("Catch A Fish Without A Hook") earlier this year, but that vocal can't match her mind-blowing, sublimely-understated performance on "Sleeping Pill."

Listen to Hysyde & Chrissy Luvz singing "Sleeping Pill" on YouTube.

6. "No Woman, No Cry"-----Bishop Bullwinkle

Hell naw!, I wouldn't feature a reggae song in a southern soul column, but this is Bishop Bullwinkle singing with a robust power I haven't heard from him before. It's a straightforward rhythm and blues treatment, and in Bullwinkle's passionate testimony I'm hearing lyrics I never understood (or bothered to pay attention to) in the thousand-plus times I've listened to the Bob Marley version.

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "No Woman, No Cry" on YouTube.

7. "Return To Sender"-----J.J. Callier

Elvis did the definitive "Return To Sender" back in the sixties, of course, but J.J. Callier (the zydeco artist who contributed so vitally to Sharnette Hyter's "Stilettos And Jeans,") crafts a "Return To Sender" with an undulating groove that owes a lot more to Ronnie Bell's "I'll Pay The Shipping Cost".

8. "Can We Slip Away?"-----Willie Clayton

Don't confuse Willie Clayton's old-school, professional, vocal technique with conservatism. He's never been afraid to take chances like he does here, namely an insistent, sucker-punching bass hook that seems to perfectly mirror the sexual craving in the lyrics. And for going-out-on-a-limb precedents, only think of "Wiggle" or "Boom Boom Boom".

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Can We Slip Away?" on YouTube.

9. "Say Go"-----Chris Ardoin

Half the time, and particularly in the choruses, it sounds like Chris is saying, "Say No!," which may say more about your Daddy B Nice than Chris Ardoin. Regardless, it's the boundless energy he captures with the strokes of his button accordion that has me jumping for joy.

Listen to Chris Ardoin singing "Say Go" on YouTube.

10. "Can You Handle It?"-----Kami Cole

This song is a hoot. It combines elements from (most liberally) Nicole Jackson's "Can We Go There, Baby?" with a nod to Betty Wright's "Tonight Is The Night," most poignantly the line, "Tonight is the night/ When I make you a grown man."

Listen to Kami Cole singing "Can You Handle It?" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------MAY 2019-------


1. "Just Cruzin'"-----O.B. Buchana

Another great, nostalgia-steeped, summer-driving song in the musical lineage of the Young Rascals' "Groovin'," from O.B.'s fresh-sounding new album, Face Down. "Just cruzin' down in Mississippi/...With the southern soul wind blowing on me."

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Just Cruzin'" on YouTube.

2. "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman"-----Mose Stovall featuring Big Daddy E.

No free YouTube on this jewel, so if you're not lucky enough to hear it on the radio, you'll probably never buy it. The spectacular opening and main chords hark back to David Bowie's masterpiece, "(We Can Be) Heroes".

5-18-19 Update!:

Listen to Mose Stovall and Big Daddy E. singing "Whiskey Drinking Woman" on YouTube.

3. "Love Games"-----Willie Clayton

Willie's new album Excellence is a reminder of what a skillful singer can do with a raft of tasteful material. Still and simply, one of the best in the game.

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Love Games" on YouTube.

4. "Juke Joint"----- Eloveation featuring Theodis Ealey

That darn'd Chuck Berry-lovin' Theodis is still some cool dude, dressed in his New York black, singing like his life depended on it (see last half of video). It's one of the best vocals of his career. Give credit to Eloveation, of course, not only for their musicianship but their prescience in giving Theodis the first verse.

Listen to Eleveation and Theodis Ealey singing "Juke Joint" on YouTube.

5. "Just Another Day"------P2K DaDiddy

What Keith Taylor (P2K) brings to the southern soul table is a disarming, low-key approach to vocalizing, best illustrated by his hit single, "Caught Up In The Middle". "Just Another Day" is like that: a song that makes you want to be its "friend".

Listen to P2K singing "Just Another Day" on YouTube.

6. "Until The Morning Comes"----- Tucka featuring Audi Yo

Tucka guested on Audi Yo's well-received "Can't Nobody," and Audi Yo returns the favor on Tucka's mid-tempo anthem, "Until The Morning Comes," from Tucka's hit-laden Working With The Feeling" album.

Read Daddy B. Nice's 5-star ("southern soul heaven") review.

7. "My Bed"------Omar Cunningham

Omar does what he does best, singing a tide-pulling melody, and producer Daniel Ross (Beat Flippa) sets an unexpectedly lush and brass-laden table.

Listen to Omar Cunningham singing "My Bed" on YouTube.

8. "Ride Or Die"----T.K. Soul

Once you get past the off-putting and confrontational titles--"Ride Or Die," "Love Is The New Hate," "Girl Bye"--the actual music is accessible and rewarding. From T.K.'s new CD, Untouchable.

Listen to T.K. Soul singing "Ride Or Die" on YouTube.

9. "Yard Party"-----J-Fitz featuring Vick Allen

J-Fitz first caught my attention with "Inbox".

10. "Mirror Girl (Dancing In The Mirror)"-----C.J. Hill

Intriguing new artist with interesting material.

Listen to C.J. Hill singing "Mirror Girl" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------APRIL 2019-------

1. "Beautiful"----Wendell B.

Tha' Boss delivers.

Listen to Wendell B singing "Beauti-
ful" on YouTube.


2. "Stay"----Chris Ardoin

The opening button-accordion hook sounds like a rooster announcing a brilliant new day, and the dazzling instrumental track (with live rhythm section) combines with an unusually evocative vocal. Zydeco artist Chris Ardoin (pronounced ar-do-in) said his audiences doubled when he got the "swing-out" crowd. Now he's crossing-over to southern soul. He revisits The Staples Singers' "Do It Again" in "Just Kickin' It," another song from his new album Evolution.

Listen to Chris Ardoin singing "Stay" on YouTube.

3. "Rodeo"-----Itz Karma featuring Jeter Jones

By now everyone recognizes that Jeter Jones is about as close to being the "cutting edge" as anyone in southern soul music. Right? He has a nose for a hit.

Listen to Itz Karma and Jeter Jones singing "Rodeo".

4. "She's My Baby Forever"----Jaye Hammer

Oh, you forgot what that "old-school" southern soul sounded like? Here ya' go. As sweet and seasoned as they come, from Hammer's new CD, Double Trouble.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "She's My Baby Forever" on YouTube.

Read Daddy B. Nice's review.

5. "DJ Let Me Grind On Her"----Avail Hollywood

I marvel at the vocals on Avail's new album Still King. In the early days there was a little "smoke and mirrors," the vocals disappeared at times. The first verse is the game-changer, robust and full-fledged. Hollywood's never sung with such strength and clarity.

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "DJ Let Me Grind On Her" on YouTube.

6. "Mail Man"----Fat Daddy featuring Sir Charles Jones

Think of it. Your first southern soul single becomes the #1 Song of the Year. A dream come true. And the next year--2019--you have the King of Southern Soul, Sir Charles Jones, singing alongside you on a five-minute-plus stab at another number-one single. That's the fate of Fat Daddy, who has a deep well of southern soul inspiration behind his work.

Listen to Fat Daddy and Sir Charles singing "Mail Man" on YouTube.

7. "The Ladies Love To Slide"----T.K. Soul

Beneath its synth-funk-disco exterior, there's a good and even personable dance-floor jam. Play it a few times. From T.K. Soul's unexpectedly idiosyncratic new album, Untouchable.

Listen to T.K. Soul singing "The Ladies Love To Slide" on YouTube.

8. "Stop Looking"----West Love

Here's a new singer who arrives with the chops and poise of a veteran. Promoted and produced by Stan Butler, she's also marketing two other credible singles, "You Betta Go" and "Doing That Donald Trump".

Listen to West Love singing "Stop Looking" on YouTube.

9. "Sugar Daddy"----2 Buck Chuck

Here's another new artist with the chops and confidence of a vet. Chuck's got a number of quality singles circulating from his new album Sugar Daddy, but the title cut is arguably the strongest.

Listen to 2 Buck Chuck singing "Sugar Daddy" on YouTube.

10. TIE: between...

"Changed My Mind"----Sassy D

Listen to Sassy D. singing "Changed My Mind On YouTube.

and...

"Lonely (If You Think You're Lonely Now)"----' Nicole featuring Big Yayo

Listen to Shunte' Nicole and Big Yayo singing "Lonely" (Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now") on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------MARCH 2019-------

1. "Neckbone Lady"-----Mz. Connie featuring L.J. Echols

The instrumental track has a bit of "Mad Dog 20/20" to it, and sure enough, it's L.J. Echols (you know? the guy with the Neckbone Band?), pushing this song past this month's formidable competition. And with only one previously published single to her credit--Daddy B. Nice's #19-ranked song of 2018, Why You Gotta Act Like That--Mz. Connie throws down a southern soul vocal for the ages.

Listen to Mz. Connie singing "Neckbone Lady" on YouTube.

2. "Unbelievable Booty"-----Avail Hollywood

With this song and new album, Still King, Avail Hollywood is officially back, singing with a strength and panoramic scope that eclipses his already significant catalog.

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Unbelievable Booty" on YouTube.

3. "Jungle Love"----- Tucka

I hear a little Bo Diddley in the instrumental track and a little Buddy Holly in the vocal. From Tucka's new, "every-song's-a-classic" album, Working With The Feeling.

Listen to Tucka singing "Jungle Love" on YouTube.

4. "Won't Stop Loving You"----- Nekita Waller

Connecticut southern soul! Who woulda thought? Hey, Peggy Scott-Adams recorded her classics in Van Nuys! If it's got that down-south feeling, it can come from anywhere. And I love the video with the impromptu dancers. Never would have heard this instant classic if not for DJ Sir Rockinghood!

Listen to Nekita Waller singing "Won't Stop Loving You" on YouTube.

5. "Let's Roll (Tonight We're Gone Sip On Tennessee Whiskey)"------J. Hall featuring Theodis Ealey

Remember when Theodis rolled out J. Red (The Nephew)? J. Hall is nothing like J. Red--and much less flashy--but he's got the same steadfast sense of style and identity. And the lyrics, a recitation of southern soul titles from the past, will have grown folks zoning out with sloppy smiles on their faces.

Listen to J. Hall singing "Let's Roll" on YouTube.

6. "Wrong Man" (Reloaded)"-----Highway Heavy featuring Fya Redd & Omar Cunningham

I liked Fya Redd's "Wrong Man" when it charted at #4 in January (elsewhere on this page), and I like it again on this remix, which is getting to be one way for an artist to aggressively market a song he or she really believes in. (Only think of Karen Wolfe's "That Chick Ain't Me" or Magic One's "High Heels & Jeans".) As to producer Highway Heavy's insistence on listing himself, not the vocalist, as the featured performer on every project, I'm having a hard time with it. Producer Christopher Mabry (LaMorris Williams, J-Wonn) became Big Yayo. Will Heavy go that way? He has a new single out in which he IS the performer, but--curiously--it's hiphop.

Listen to Fya Redd and Omar Cunningham singing Highway Heavy's "Wrong Man" (Reloaded)" on YouTube.

7. "Issue It"------Lady Q featuring Jeter Jones

Speaking of good rhythm tracks, you can't do much better than Lady Q's "Issue It," another gem from her Class n Session debut album brought to fruition by Producer of the Year Ronald "Slack" Jefferson.

Listen to Lady Q singing "Issue It" on YouTube.

8. "Two Covers"-----J-Wonn

Now here's a guy who knows nothing about rhythm tracks. That's why his collaborations with Big Yayo ("I Got This Record," "Cowgirl") were so transcendent; Big Yayo brought the bass. J-Wonn's always high in the "clouds" of melody (and if you've seen him in concert, the euphoria of performance). But while his songs lack solid bass lines, his success is undeniable, and although its subject is domestic quarreling, "Two Covers" flies like a bird.

Listen to J-Wonn singing "Two Covers" on YouTube.

9. "Inside Man, Outside Help"-----Omar Cunningham

Omar's vocals on this one and "Wrong Man" (with Fya Redd above) are strong and convincing. Omar wrote "Inside Man, Outside Help" and Highway Heavy produced. Heavy must be working 24-7.

Listen to Omar Cunningham singing "Inside Man, Outside Help" on YouTube.

10. "Liquor House Muzik"----------------C-Wright

A LaMorris Williams production. LaMorris is back.

Listen to C-Wright singing "Liquor House Muzik" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------FEBRUARY 2019-------

1. "Sunshine"------Solomon Thompson & David J.

Buoyed by the humor and edgy, straight-faced craziness that served Solomon so well in "Neighbors," he and fellow wild guy David J merrily kick their way through a song that takes off on the comment Allen made at the beginning of "I'll Take Your Word For It". A woman says, "I have got a girl who is so good--if you threw it up in the air it would turn into sunshine." Vick pauses and replies, "Well, I don't want to meet her." Solomon quotes the exchange verbatim and interjects, "I do!", and "Sunshine" ensues.

Listen to Solomon Thompson and David J. singing "Sunshine" on YouTube.

2. "Thick Pocketbook"-----Annie Washington

Proof that "Show Pony" wasn't a fluke, "Thick Pocketbook" not only transitions from zydeco to straight southern soul but clarifies Annie's simple but potent, non-melisma, Mel Waiters-like vocal style. Don't change your name to Ms. B, Annie; we already have a Miz B.

Listen to Annie Washington singing "Thick Pocketbook" on YouTube.

3. "Hitcha Wit Da Tool"------------Till 1

Is Till 1 a recording artist or a body builder? Hard to tell sometimes; he sure likes to display that naked chest. And like Cold Drank, his catalog too often reverts to urban-styled vocals, but "Hitcha Wit Da Tool" is his best southern soul song since "Oooh Baby" and a treat to listen to.

Listen to Till 1 singing "Hitcha Wit Da Tool" on YouTube.

4. "You Make Me Feel Good"------Lady Q

Aided by Jeter Jones and Producer of the Year Ronald "Slack" Jefferson, the barrel-chested songstress with the masculine vocal style pounds out a gritty ballad for the ages. From her debut album Class N Session.

Listen to Lady Q. singing"You Make Me Feel Good" on YouTube.

5. "Kitty Kandy"-------Nelson Curry

Good rhythm track propels this unassuming dance jam from the Best Male Vocalist of 2018.

Listen to Nelson Curry singing "Kitty Kandy" on YouTube.

6. "Walk That Dog"-----Dee Dee Simon

Well-produced debut by an accomplished new artist.

Listen to Dee Dee Simon sing "Walk That Dog" on YouTube.

7. "All About Us"------LaMorris Williams

Missed LaMorris in 2018--figured he was in a "shell" writing--but he's kicking off 2019 with an acoustic slow jam I can only describe as droopy. In fact, it reminded me of the first few times I heard "Impala" (before it was called "Impala"); it was so slow. But if "All About Us" is half as intoxicating as "Impala," it will be real good.

Listen to LaMorris Williams singing "All About Us" on YouTube.

8. "Main Squeeze"-----Kierra

Another adroit debut, with the vocalist carrying a rocking-the-cradle tempo with confidence.

Listen to Kierra singing "Main Squeeze" on YouTube.

9. "Southern Soul In The Sky"-------P2K DaDiddy

Listen to P2K singing "Southern Soul In The Sky" on YouTube.

10. "I Wanna Do You"------Vick Allen

Listen to Vick Allen singing "I Wanna Do You" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------JANUARY 2019-------

1. “Down Low Brother”------Val McKnight

Vivacious Val delivers a vocal so unique and unprece- dented it eclipses the original recorded by the gritty Barbara Carr, whose X-rated catalog makes today’s divas look like choir girls. The tale of a woman discovering her husband with another man was one of a wave of "he-turned-out-be-gay" tunes recorded in the wake of the resounding success of Peggy Scott-Adams' "Bill". From Val's new Stroke That Cat album.

Listen to Val McKnight singing “Down Low Brother” on YouTube.

2. "Whipped Again"------O.B. Buchana & Big Pokey Bear

I’m encouraged when old stars (Buchana) mingle with new stars (Pokey Bear). It gives continuity to the music, bestowing legitimacy on the new star and sprinkling relevance like fairy dust on the old star. Also can't say enough about the crisp but charmingly modest production on both "Down Low Brother" and "Whipped Again" by John Ward; you wouldn't know either one was an Ecko project. From the Memphis studio's new sampler, Blues Mix Volume 27.

Listen to O.B. & Pokey singing "Whipped Again" on YouTube.

3. "Big Train"-----Tucka

As a vocalist, Tucka is quite simply unsurpassed, and the driving acoustic-guitar sound of this tune and the Working With The Feeling album as a whole is intoxicating.

Listen to Tucka singing "Big Train" on YouTube.

4. "Wrong Man (Highway Heavy Mix)"-----Fya Redd

The two best new producers in southern soul music both work out of Baton Rouge. They're fierce competitors and they both rely primarily on the organ/keyboard for their instrumental sound. Beat Flippa is the more well-known, but Highway Heavy (Pokey Bear, Cold Drank, Johnny James) is rapidly making a name for himself, lacking only his name on an album cover. This slinky ballad is a nice change-up after the freneticism of Johnny James.

Listen to Fya Redd singing "I'm In Bed With The Wrong Man" on YouTube.

5. "This Woman Of Mine"-----Lamar Brace

Strong new vocalist who turned some heads with last year's "Rock Me, Baby" returns with an even more accomplished bid at a southern soul hit single.

Listen to Lamar Brace singing "This Woman Of Mine" on Number One Music.

6. "Make Me Wanna Do Wrong"-----Tucka

The Pied Piper of Louisiana will add to his long caravan of fans with this ratcheted-down, reggae-rhythm-section-dominated gem.

Listen to Tucka singing "Make Me Wanna Do Wrong" on YouTube.

7. "Blues Heaven"-----Jaye Hammer

The blues belter does it Johnny Taylor "Soul Heaven" style. From Blues Mix Volume 27.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "Blues Heaven" on YouTube.

8. "Don't Stop Stepping"-----Sassy D. featuring Mr. Amazing Prince Of Blues

Listen to Sassy D and Mr. Amazing singing "Don't Stop Stepping" on YouTube.

9. "Step Just Because"---- Stacii Adams

Listen to Stacii Adams singing "Step Just Because" on YouTube.

10. "In The Club"----2 Buck Chuck

Listen to 2 Buck Chuck singing "In The Club" on YouTube.

***********
SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado 80308
Or e-Mail:
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com
************


 


Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 Souther Soul Singles

The Top 25 Southern Soul Songs of 2019


1."Big Train" ----- Tucka

Tucka trades erotic languor ("Sweet Shop," "Candy Land," "Book of Love") for his own unique version of the blues.

Listen to Tucka singing "Big Train" on YouTube.

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2."Cowboy Ride"----- Stan Butler aka Deacon Low Down

Stan Butler returns in a new guise and vocal style with the catchiest dance tune of the year.

Listen to Stan Butler singing "Cowboy Ride" on YouTube.

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3. "(Let Me Put My) Mouth On You"-----Highway Heavy featuring Champagne(w/ Tyree Neal on guitar)

She was either the most courageous or the most infuriating and scandalous new vocalist of 2019, but the beauty of the instrumental track and the soulfulness of the vocal could not be denied.

Listen to Champagne singing "Mouth On You" on YouTube.

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4. "Just Cruzin'"----O.B. Buchana

Imagine The Rascals' "Groov-
in'"
blended and pureed with Johnnie Taylor's "Soul Heaven" and you have the cozy ambience of O.B.'s spectacularly-sung "Cruzin'".

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Just Cruzin'" on YouTube.

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5. "I Did My Time"---- Bigg Robb

Southern Soul samples hiphop (instead of the other way around) in Bigg Robb's impressively authoritative survey of doing time and its effects on loved ones.

Listen to Bigg Robb singing "I Did My Time" on YouTube.

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6. "Change My Mind"----Sassy D

Sassy D captures a youthful inno-
cence and charm not heard since LaKeisha.

Listen to Sassy D singing "Change My Mind" on YouTube.

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7. "Beautiful"----Wendell B

Com-
bined with the Barry White-deep vocals, Wendell's synth-
esizer fills left southern soul fans as limp with pleasure as Trekkies listening to the white noise of the USS Enterprise moving through space.

Listen to Wendell B singing "Beautiful" on YouTube.

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8. "It's A Mule"----R.T. Taylor

For serious and strong lovers only.

Listen to R.T. Taylor singing "It's A Mule" on YouTube

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9. "Whiskey Drinking Woman"----Mose Stovall featuring Big Daddy E.

A little of David Bowie's "Heroes" and a whole lot of southern soul.

Listen to Mose Stovall and Big Daddy E. singing "Whiskey Drinking Woman" on YouTube.

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10. "Love Stand"-----Mr. Smoke

A slower-tempo-ed, southern soul version of The Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".

Listen to Mr. Smoke singing "Love Stand" on YouTube.

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11. "Rodeo"----Itz Karma featuring Jeter Jones

Listen to Itz Karma and Jeter Jones singing "Rodeo" on YouTube.

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12. "She's Just My Girlfriend"----Donnie Ray

Listen to Donnie Ray singing "She's Just My Girlfriend" on YouTube.

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13. "A Man Like That"---- Ms. Jody

Listen to Ms. Jody singing "A Man Like That" on YouTube.

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14. "What You Looking For"---- Luziana Wil featuring Crystal Thomas

Listen to Luziana Wil and Crystal Thomas singing "What You Looking For" on YouTube.

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15. "I Forgot I Was Married"----J. Red The Nephew

Listen to J. Red The Nephew singing "I Forgot I Was Married" on YouTube.

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16. "Stay"----Chris Ardoin

Listen to Chris Ardoin singing "Stay" on YouTube.

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17. "Superstar"---- Vick Allen

Listen to Vick Allen singing "Superstar" on YouTube.

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18. "Unbelievable Booty"----Avail Hollywood

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Unbelievable Booty" on YouTube.

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19. "No Woman No Cry"----Bishop Bullwinkle

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "No Woman No Cry" on YouTube.

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20. "The Ladies Love To Slide"----T.K. Soul

Listen to T.K. Soul singing "The Ladies Love To Slide" on YouTube.

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21. "Sleeping Pill"----Hisyde featuring

Listen to Hisyde and Chrissy Luvz singing "Sleeping Pill" on YouTube.

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22. "A Woman Like You"----Darnell Da' Bachelor

Listen to Darnell Da' Bachelor singing "A Woman Like You" on YouTube.

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23. "Still Learning 'Bout Love"----Wendell B. And The Soul Music Representatives

Listen to Wendell B and Soul Music Representatives singing "Still Learning 'Bout Love" on YouTube.

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24. "Return To Sender"----J.J. Caillier

Listen to J.J. Caillier singing "Return To Sender" on YouTube.

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25. "In A Coma"----Chuck Strong

Listen to Chuck Strong singing "In A Coma" on YouTube.


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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Monthly Singles Charts

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------DECEMBER 2019-------

1. "She's Just My Girl-
friend"
----- Donnie Ray

One of the great things about music is we can allow our celebrities to live out scenarios--good or bad--we couldn't or wouldn't accomplish ourselves. Although most women disapprove of the whole "sidepiece/other woman" culture, they know it’s ingrained in a certain type of man, a man whom Donnie Ray captures with stubborn, passionate precision. Donnie Ray's best since Who's Rocking You?" Beat Flippa on the track!

Listen to Donnie Ray singing "She's Just My Girlfriend" on YouTube.

2. "It's A Mule"-----R.T. Taylor

Obscure, from an overlooked album, and from an obscure artist (whose name--even if he was famous--would be hard to remember), this song reminds me of--and makes me feel as good as--the original "Mississippi Boy," which was just as obscure once upon a time. Like "M.B.," "It's A Mule" doesn't sound like much at first, but stay with it and you'll realize it runs on 100% below-the-belt heart. Slack on the track! Read Daddy B. Nice's five-star review.

Listen to R.T. Taylor singing "It's A Mule" on YouTube.

3. "Still Learning 'Bout Love"----Wendell B. & Soul Music Representatives

Wendell B., Jason Little, Curtis Jefferson & Magic One collaborate on a six-minute, quintessentially "Boss"-like, and Barry-White-deep Wendell B. slow jam. This song is going to rocket up the charts and blow up You-Tube.

Listen to Wendell B. & friends singing "Still Learning 'Bout Love" on YouTube.

4. "Package"------ Jeter Jones

Evocative package, too, with a push and pull like a full-moon tide. I'd characterize this song--or at least the genesis of this song--as a Jeter Jones homage to T.K. Soul's electronic style: find a good hook and work it to death.

Listen to Jeter Jones singing "Package" on YouTube.

5. "Out In The Country"-----R&B Pooh

Very catchy, mid-tempo song by a new artist promoted by Jones Boys Entertainment (Jeter Jones, et.al.). New video just posted (12/7/19)!

Listen to R&B Pooh singing "Out In The Country" on YouTube.

6. "Get It My Way"-----Tasha Mac

Tasha Mac is yet another prime offering from the Jones Boys and producer "Slack" Jefferson. Her style owes a lot to Crystal Thomas and Lady Q, her predecessors in the Jones constellation. Jeter sings a verse.

Listen to Tasha Mac singing "Get It My Way" on YouTube.

7. "Can I Take You Home?"----Ghetto Cowboy featuring Tucka

This is the charismatic hit single from Ghetto Cowboy's new album, Southern Soul Legend.

Listen to Ghetto Cowboy and Tucka singing "Can I Take You Home?" on YouTube.

8. "Got To Find Me A Lover"-----Malcom
Allen

One of the best of many worthy singles on producer Ronald Jefferson's Slack: My Music, My Friends Southern Soul Compilation.

Listen to Malcom Allen singing "Got To Find Me A Lover" on YouTube.

9. "Left Hand Man"-----Lamar Brace

Here's a young southern soul artist making his bid to move up in the ranks. "Left Hand Man" is the new single from his just-released album, From The Soul.

Listen to Lamar Brace singing "Left Hand Man" on YouTube.

10. "Living Years"----Stevie J.

Domestic strife, southern soul style from the seasoned singer/guitarist. From the new Sir Charles Jones sampler, Sir Charles Jones & Family Vol. 1.

Listen to Stevie J. singing "Living Years" on YouTube.

***********

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Send product to:
SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado 80308
Or e-Mail:
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

************

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------NOVEMBER 2019-------

1. "Cowboy Ride"-----Stan Butler aka Deacon Low Down

This is an incredible song, with a new persona and new vocal style for Stan Butler, a joy to hear and watch. "Cowboy Ride" is this year's "Black Horse" (Best Mid-Tempo Song 2018 by Jeter Jones). Halfway through, a vaguely eastern musical motif is tossed into the mix like an exotic fish into a gumbo.

Listen to Stan Butler singing "Cowboy Ride" on YouTube.

"Boss Queen"-----Stephanie McDee

Give Stephanie McDee a tough singing assignment and an acoustic guitar (brilliantly wielded by Tyree Neal, who also graced last month's #1 by Champagne and Highway Heavy), and Steph' is unbeatable. Reminds me of her bluesy riffing--again with Tyree--on "When I Step In The Club".

Listen to Stephanie McDee singing "Boss Queen" on YouTube. (Scroll through the first 2 minutes and fifty seconds of talk to get to the song proper.)

3. "Girls Night Out"-----Karen Wolfe

This new single from Karen Wolfe is published by Sweet Success Records, not Anna Coday's label.

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "Girls Night Out" on YouTube.

4. "So Damn Good"-----Sheba Potts-Wright

A song to make a man feel good, and Sheba's first new single in quite awhile, from the Ecko Records' sampler, Blues Mix 29: Grown & Sexy Soul. Read Daddy B. Nice's review.

Listen to Sheba Potts-Wright singing "So Damn Good" on YouTube.

5. "I Like Da Way, Pt. 1"----Itz Karma

The singer who starred with Jeter Jones on the April 2019 hit single "Rodeo" has just released her southern soul debut album, Karma Unleashed.

Listen to Itz Karma singing "I Like Da Way" on YouTube

6. "Ready"----Lady Soul

The singer who's worked with T.K. Soul ("The Lady Soul Slide") and Beat Flippa ("Tighten Up") releases a song as erotic in its way as last month's #1, "Mouth On You" by Champagne.

Listen to Lady Soul singing "I'm Ready" on YouTube.

7. "He's Giving Me The Eye"-----Zelda Thomas

A southern soul debut--simple and direct.

Listen to Zelda Thomas singing "He's Giving Me The Eye" on YouTube.

8. "Rockin' Chair"-----Charlesia Jones feat. Charles Jones III.

The mix and production are sketchy, but the reason to watch this video of Gwen McCrae's oft-recorded and sampled "Rocking Chair" is to watch Sir Charles' fascinating progeny, especially his look-alike son. Daughter Charlesia's lead vocal is sweet. From Sir Charles new compilation, Sir Charles Jones & Family, Vol. 1.

Listen to Charlesia and Charles Jones III singing "Rockin' Chair" on YouTube.

9. "For My Ladies"-----Miss Portia feat. Cupid

Listen to Miss Portia & Cupid singing "For My Ladies".

10. "I Could've Stayed At Home"----J-Fitz

Listen to J-Fitz singing "I Could've Stayed At Home" on YouTube.

***********

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Send product to:
SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado 80308
Or e-Mail:
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

************

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------OCTOBER 2019-------

1. "(Let Me Put My) Mouth On You"-----Highway Heavy featuring Cham-
pagne

The power to shock (especially sexually) is part of what southern soul has always had to offer its fans, regardless of what made it onto the radio. Think of Bobby Rush singing X-rated versions of "Bare Mouth Woman" ("with no teeth in her head") to raucous audiences in small clubs. Think of mainstream southern soul artists as cherished as Clarence Carter ("Strokin'"), Marvin Sease ("Candy Licker"), Millie Jackson, Jackie Neal, Ms. Jody, LaMorris Williams, Sweet Angel, Chick Willis and Bigg Robb: they all provoked and titillated their audiences with sexual explicitness. "Mouth On You" is great music and a continuation of Highway Heavy's (Charles Lewis's) work with Pokey Bear ("My Sidepiece") Cold Drank ("Three"), Sweet Johnny James and most recently Fya Redd ("Wrong Man").

Listen to Champagne singing "Mouth On You" on YouTube.

2. "Tell On You"-----L.J. Echols

The first single from L.J.'s new album, Call 911, also has a deep-soul, Highway Heavy-like organ/keyboard background that resonates with melody and message long after listening.

Listen to L.J. Echols singing "Tell On You" on YouTube.

3. "A Man Like That"-----Ms. Jody

In the same way Floyd Hamberlin is the perfect songwriting vehicle for Nellie "Tiger' Travis and the late Jimmy Lewis for Peggy Scott-Adams, the duo of John Cummings and John Ward is the perfect vehicle for Ms. Jody--relaxed, homespun and yarn-spinning. From Ms. Jody's new album, Get It! Get It.

Listen to Ms. Jody singing "A Man Like That" on YouTube.

4. "Too Late"----- LaMorris Williams

LaMorris reminds us he's right up there with J-Wonn as southern soul's answer to, "Who is the romantic vocalist to succeed Al Green?" Refreshingly realistic lyrics.

Listen to LaMorris Williams singing "Too Late" on YouTube.

5. "Fish Fry"-----Jennifer Watts featuring Unkle Phunk

The lyrics say zydeco but it's not; it's r&b with a strong twist of early rock and roll. It's just pure fun. Check out the debut album, The Foxy Lady Of Southern Soul.

Listen to Jennifer Watts singing "Fish Fry" on YouTube.

6. "Trail Ride"-----Sir Charles Jones featuring Jeter Jones

"Old Town Road" (Lil' Nas featuring Billy Ray Cyrus), the black country song that went viral after (or before?) being banned by country radio, must have had a profound influence on Jeter Jones. He did his own version earlier this year, and this duet with Charles appears to be yet another iteration of the infectious foot-stomper.

Listen to Sir Charles Jones and Jeter Jones singing "Trail Ride" on YouTube.

7. "In A Coma"-----Chuck Strong

One of Daddy B. Nice's original Top 100 southern soul artists, Chuck Strong returns with a powerful ballad that mirrors something I told a friend after the demise of my second marriage: "I feel like Rip Van Winkle awaking from a twenty-year nap."

Listen to Chuck Strong singing "In A Coma" on SoundCloud.

8. "Enjoying My Life"-----King Fred

The idiosyncratic Fred Hicks records one of his most imaginative songs yet. From his new album, A Taste Of Soul.

Listen to King Fred singing "Enjoying My Life" on YouTube.

9. "Hey Hey Bobby Rush"-----Bobby Rush

The first three cuts from Bobby Rush's new album,"Sitting On Top Of The Blues" are all terrific uptempo radio fodder. "Hey Hey Bobby Rush" features the best live horn section heard in a southern soul song in a coon's age. "Good Stuff" features some of the best blues harp to be heard since Bobby's last, Grammy-winning album, Porcupine Meat, and lyrically, "Get Out Of Here (A Dog Named Bo)" recounts the travails of a would-be, courting blues singer--pure Bobby Rush.

Listen to Bobby Rush singing "Hey Hey Bobby Rush" on YouTube.

10. "Here In The South (Remix)"-----John Cummings

Yes, this is the same, Ecko-affiliated songwriter--Big John Cummings--profiled in the bullet capsule for Ms. Jody's "A Man Like That" above (#3, October '19). From the new sampler Blues Mix 29: Grown & Sexy Soul, this electronic/funk remix recaps the even better (well, arguably) Cummings original published in Blues Mix 11: Sweet Soul Blues.

Listen to John Cummings singing "Here In The South (Remix)" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Send product to:
SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado 80308
Or e-Mail:
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

*****************

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------SEPTEMBER 2019-------

1. ”You’re What’s Needed In My Life”-----Lee Fields

Wouldn't it be ironic if Lee Fields, who left southern soul and the chitlin' circuit for greener pastures in the "Little J.B" mainstream, should turn out to be the embodiment of everything southern soul strives to be? From Fields’ new album It Rains Love.

Listen to Lee Fields singing “You’re What’s Needed In My Life” on YouTube

2. ”Get It! Get It!”------Ms. Jody

Ms. Jody’s oh-so-cool, strong and “centered”--as they say (blush) in Boulder, Colorado--on this zydeco-flavored tune and on her new album of the same name in general.

Listen to Ms. Jody singing “Get It! Get It!” on YouTube.

3. ”Do You Hear Me Now?”-----Bishop Bullwinkle

What a way to go out. With a rambunctious “Do ya hear me now?!” Posterity look kindly upon Bishop Bullwinkle. From his new, posthumous album, The Da Vinci Code.

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Do You Hear Me Now?" on YouTube.

4. ”I Can Back It Up”-----Choppa Law

I had this guy pegged as a “pretender” based on his previous work, but this song blew me away— the instrumental track and the vocal. Suddenly he’s a man among boys. From Choppa’s new album, No Strings Attached.

Listen to Choppa Law singing ”I Can Back It Up” on YouTube

5. ”Party On The Weekend”-----The Marquee’ Of Soul

See related letter in Daddy B. Nice's Mailbag.

Listen to the Marquee of Soul singing “Party On The Weekend” on YouTube.

6. “That Young Thang”-----Big G

From Big G's new Let’s Party album. See Daddy B. Nice’s review.

Listen to Big G singing “That Young Thang” on YouTube.

7. "Got My Mojo Working"-----Angel Faye Russell

Listen to Angel Faye Russell singing "Got My Mojo Working" on YouTube.

8. "I Love You"----Darnell Da' Bachelor

Listen to Darnell Da' Bachelor singing "I Love You" on YouTube.

9. "Big Gun"-----Dee Dee Simon

Listen to Dee Dee Simon singing "Big Gun" on YouTube.

10. "Hey Ms. Sexy Thang"---- Sirnature Alexzander

SirNature's first chart appearance since "Let's Party" in 2008.

Listen to Sirnature Alexzander singing "Hey Ms. Sexy Thang" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------AUGUST 2019-------

1. "Love Stand"------Mr. Smoke

From Mr. Smoke's debut album, Who Want Smoke?, "Love Stand" is a ballad in the deep, soulful tradition of "I'm Trapped" by Carl Sims, who coincidentally released his annual single this month (scroll down to #9), two decades after he helped jump-start contemporary southern soul in Shreveport, Louisiana. The beat goes on, and the torch is passed.

Listen to Mr. Smoke singing "Love Stand" on YouTube.

See Daddy B. Nice's Mr. Smoke: New Album Alert!

2. "A Woman Like You"-----Darnell Da' Bachelor

"The house is always clean, woman / When I come home." Lyrics like these are the reason southern soul is snubbed by "urban" main-streamers, but Darnell "gets" southern soul. It's personal (not political), straight-
forward (not satirical) and unlike many first-timers, Darnell truly understands southern soul technically. This is a debut that, while maybe not as powerful as J-Wonn's "I Got This Record," can be put up beside it on the top shelf.

Listen to Darnell Da' Bachelor singing "A Woman Like You" on YouTube.

3. "No One"------Vick Allen

This is the most southern-soulful of the tunes on Vick's new Untouchable album. Naturally, I love it for that--especially the synth-instrumental echoes of vintage Jesse Graham and Eddie Holloway. I'll post a congratu-
lations to any reader who can identify the even earlier soul-music source for the "You will never, ever find anyone" line in the chorus.

Listen to Vick Allen singing "No One" on YouTube.

4. "Don't Be Ashamed (Swing-Out Mix)"------Bigg Robb

We're talking about vocally-enhanced soulfulness on a level no one else has ever achieved, a sophistication (paradoxically) that we southern soul fanatics take for granted, as we would a "natural" voice. Following up last month's #1 single, from Bigg Robb's new Good Muzic album.

Listen to Bigg Robb singing "Don't Be Ashamed (Swing-Out Mix)" on YouTube.

5. "I'd Go Back"-----Big G

Some people say "live" musicians such as Big G uses with deft skill in "I'd Go Back" just won't "fly" in certain southern soul markets. That would be a shame, wouldn't it? I don't know any deejays who have gone that far; if you do, tell them to write me.

Listen to Big G singing "I'd Go Back" on YouTube.

Watch for the upcoming CD Review.

6. "3 Legs"-----Annie Washington featuring Tim Williams

Annie Washington almost took the name "Ms. B" until your Daddy B. Nice advised her that southern soul already had a Miz B. The original Miz B. had a lusty underground hit with "My Name Is Dollars" (still un-YouTubed) co-performed with a deep-voiced, masculine partner, and perhaps Annie was inspired by that tune in bringing Tim Williams into "3 Legs"--male brawn to match her female brawn. The result is a song that, while not "When A Man Loves A Woman," is drenched in a Percy Sledge-like, deep-soul ambience. Haven't a clue--well, just a couple--what "3 Legs" really means.

Listen to Annie Washington and Tim Williams singing "3 Legs" on YouTube.

7. "You Walk Like It's Good"-----Jarvis Greene

Nice stepping tempo, melody and atmosphere. I'm not sure, but I believe this is the new Georgia artist who has recorded a few songs under, variously, "Jarvis" or "Jarvis Greene" in the last couple of years, including a funny, X-rated track I would have given special kudos to but can no longer find in my library or YouTube.

Listen to Jarvis Greene singing "You Walk Like It's Good" on YouTube.

8. "She Wanna Ride"------Sassy D. featuring Jeter Jones

I went back to listen to Jeter's "Black Horse" to see how closely "She Wanna Ride" copied it and it's much the same. "She Wanna Ride" is also a dominant refrain in "Black Horse"--both produced by Beat Flippa. Former hiphopper (aren't they all?) Sassy D is quite the collaborator. In addition to Jeter Jones her cohort list includes Adrian Bagher, Roi Anthony, ColdDrank and Mr. Amazing Prince of Blues, but my favorite Sassy D is her girlish-tinged, double-tracked, solo lead on "I Changed My Mind".

Listen to Sassy D. "She Wanna Ride"

9. "Good Ole Boy"-----Carl Sims

See #1 Single above.

Listen to Carl Sims singing "Good Ole Boy" on YouTube.

10. "Strong Woman"-----Fat Daddy

I've been suppressing this song from Fat Daddy's debut album Gone To Love You Right because, like Bishop Bullwinkle appropriating Bigg Robb's instrumental track for "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw," Fat Daddy cannibalizes Jesse Graham's "Mr. Mailman". Now, after a year of abstinence, I still crave hearing "Strong Woman," with its thumping bass line and ethereal strings--and, truth is, I've gotten used to it.

Listen to Fat Daddy singing "Strong Woman" on YouTube".

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------JULY 2019-------

1. "I Did My Time" -----Bigg Robb

Bigg Robb takes over this riff--one of the greatest in rap history, from the Geto Boys' "My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me"--and kills it with his deep-voiced, alpha-male, yarn-spinning self-assurance. From his cornucopia of a new album, Good Muzic.

Listen to Bigg Robb singing "I Did My Time" on YouTube.

See the Geto Boys in Daddy B. Nice's Top 20: The Soulful Side Of Rap & Hiphop.

2. "Why Me?"-----Gentry-Jones

The first things you notice about this long-overdue cover of the late Reggie P.'s classic "Why Me" are the flaws: the inferior vocals (and "inferior" to Reggie P. leaves a lot of room to be soulful), the distortion caused by the amplified bass and percussion. And yet this song--all six minutes of it--just keeps growing on you. It rocks, and has the potential to be bigger than "Roll It, Roll It," and a classic in its own right.

Listen to Gentry-Jones singing "Why Me?" on YouTube.

3. "Good Times"-----Lomax

Here Lomax is very close to the southern soul heaven he captured like a jar of fireflies in "Swing It".

Listen to Lomax singing "Good Times" on YouTube.

4. "You Can Ride It"----O.C. Soul & The Soul Patrol Band

O.C. Soul is one of those fascinating characters I refer to in my review of 2 Buck Chuck, whereby a passionate convert to the southern soul genre achieves a unique perspective on timeworn themes that a veteran artist could never recapture. You might call it the sharpness of an outsider. And so O.C. Soul, who has a very unusual and charismatic voice, tackles Marvin Sease material (no comparisons, of course) with amusing aplomb.

Listen to O.C. Soul & The Soul Patrol Band "You Can Ride It" on YouTube.

5. "That Thang"----Volton Wright featuring Slack

The opening track of Slack's (aka producer Ronald "Slack" Jefferson's) agreeable, nineteen-song collection, My Music My Friends: Southern Soul Compilation: Various Artists.

Listen to Volton and Slack singing "That Thang" on YouTube.

6. "Superstar"----Vick Allen

Just a coincidence, but the guitar hook is a close cousin to the guitar riff in Bigg Robb's "I Did My Time" (above). From Vick's new album, Untouchable, not to be confused with T.K. Soul's new album, Untouchable.

Listen to Vick Allen singing "Superstar" on YouTube.

7. "Funky Blues"-----DJ Wildman Tim

Great funk hook cut with southern soul. The vocal tracks might remind avid southern soul fans of Pyramid City Band's "Party Time". From Slack's My Music My Friends: Southern Soul Compilation.

Listen to DJ Wildman Tim singing "Funky Blues" on YouTube

8. "My Cake"------Mr. Campbell

This song is Number One in Mobile, Alabama. Released on YouTube in early January to little fanfare, it harks back to Campbell's fine debut in 2017, "I'm Stepping Out".

Listen to Mr. Campbell singing "My Cake" on YouTube.

9. "We Come To Party"-----Jeter Jones

Another cut in Jeter's new, understated, groove-dominant, "Black Horse-It'z Karma" style. From Slack's southern soul compilation (see above).

Listen to Jeter Jones singing "We Come To Party" on YouTube.

10. "Bottle After Bottle"-----P2K Dadiddy

Brand new from P2K. Fantastic instrumental track--almost a leap to a symphonic level.

Listen to P2K singing "Bottle After Bottle" on YouTube.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Send product to:

SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado 80308

Or e-Mail:

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SINGLES CHARTS CONTINUED IN MIDDLE COLUMN OF THIS PAGE.....





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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Send product to:
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