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.

See Daddy B. Nice's 2015: The Year In Review (click here)

Daddy B. Nice Announces THE WINNERS of the 2015 (9th Annual) SOUTHERN SOUL MUSIC AWARDS. The winners are posted at the end of each list of finalists.

Music published before 2015 was eligible if the bulk of its chitlin' circuit airplay came in 2015. Because of its length and complexity, the List of Finalists is one of the rare features for which your Daddy B. Nice does NOT provide links. Links to mp3's, CD's and song samples are available by going to the artist's name in either Daddy B. Nice’s CD Store or Daddy B. Nice’s Comprehensive Index. A permanent listing and link in Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index will eventually be made on behalf of each performer for each nomination listed.

THE CATEGORIES:

Best Mid-Tempo Song
Best Club Song
Best Ballad
Best Song by Longtime Veteran
Best Female Vocalist
Best Male Vocalist
Best Debut
Best Collaboration
Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song
Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song
Best Cover Song
Best Arranger/Producer
Best Songwriter
Best CD
Hardest-Touring Crowd-Pleaser.

--Daddy B. Nice

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Best Mid-Tempo Song:

Top Contenders:

"If You're Sexy, Clap Your Hands"----T.K. Soul, Nathaniel Kimble
"Back-Doored By A Man Called Jody"----Donnell Sullivan
"B.O.B. (Battery Operated Boyfriend)"----Karen Wolfe
"You've Got To Be A Freaker"----Miz B.
"Good Good"----Bigg Robb
"I'm Gone"----Columbus Toy
"I'm That Man"----Andre' Lee
"She's Dragging That Wagon"----L.J. Echols
"My Sidepiece"----Louisiana Blues Brothers featuring Pokey
"Can I Touch Your Spot"----Tucka
"Rock Me, Baby"----Willie Clayton
"Do You Like To Party?"----Heart 2 Heart Band
"Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"----Bishop Bullwinkle
"Step Out"----J. Red
"The Guitar Song"----LaMorris Williams
"If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It"----Pokey
"Much Right Man"----Billy "Soul" Bonds
"I Can't Eat"----Certified Slim
"Hoe Digger"----Lacee
"I'll Be The Other Man"----Tyree Neal
"Cold Pepsi (And A Hot Man)"----Jeter Jones
"Chasing The Wind"----Jesse Robinson
"It's Party Time"----Val McKnight
"I Ain't Leaving Mississippi"----Jaye Hammer
"Certified Lady Lover"----Chris Ivy
"Big Leg Woman"----L.J. Echols, Luster Baker
"Make That Body Rock"----Terry Wright
"Ohhh Baby (She Got Them Tight Jeans On)"----Till 1

Best Mid-Tempo Song: "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" by Bishop Bullwinkle

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Fast Song/ Club Jam:

Top Contenders:

"Let's Do It"----Adrian Bagher, Big Cynthia, Veronica Ra'elle
"Let's Party"----Lebrado
"It's Time To Party"----Solomon Thompson
"Cowgirl"----Big Yayo, J'Wonn
"Hold It And Roll It"----Donnie Ray
"Put It On Ya"----Mr. David
"Dark Side Of Love"----Calvin Richardson
"Shake It"----Steve Perry
"I'm On Fire"----J.B. Hendricks, Cupid
"T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday)"----Pokey, Adrian Bagher, Vince Hutchinson
"I Feel Good"----Urban Mystic
"Let's Hear It For The DeeJay"----Jaye Hammer
"Good Foot"----Pokey
"Do You Want To Party"----Steve Perry
"One Big Party"----Solomon Thompson

Best Club (Fast/Dance/Jam) Song: "Cowgirl" by Big Yayo, J’Wonn & T-Baby

Listen to Big Yayo singing "Cowgirl" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Ballad:

Top Contenders:

"You're Just Standing In A Good Man's Way"----Terry Wright
"By Myself"----Alvin Garrett, Ruben Studdard
"I Need A Grown Woman"----J'Wonn
"When We're Making Love"----Mr. X
"Taking Care Of Business"----Stephanie McDee
"Please Let Me Hold You"----Lomax
"Wasted"----Avail Hollywood
"The Remix"----Big Yayo
"What If I?"----Katrenia Jefferson
"(My Love Don't) Expire"----Sir Charles Jones
"Some Preachers"----Bishop Bullwinkle
"V.I.P."----Mr. Sipp
"I'm The Right Man"----Jaye Hammer
"Karma (She'll Take Care Of You)"----Jureesa "The Duchess" McBride

Best Ballad: "Wasted" by Avail Hollywood

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Wasted" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Song By Longtime Veteran:

Top Contenders:

"Over In The Woods"----Chuck Roberson
"Try Me"----El' Willie
"Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog (My Wife Has To Walk Her Cat)"----Billy "Soul" Bonds
"I'm So Blue"----Willie Clayton
"Grown Folks Business"----Denise LaSalle
"This Must Be A Cheating Town"----Carl Marshall
"Shake It"----Steve Perry
"Rock Me, Baby"----Willie Clayton
"Never Had It So Good"----Bobby Conerly
"From The Inside"----Jo Jo Murray
"Your Wife Is My Woman"----Stan Mosley
"Plus Size Woman"----Booker Brown
"If You're Sexy Clap Your Hands"----T.K. Soul, Nathaniel Kimble
"Mississippi Delta"----Theodis Ealey
"Let's Party Tonight"----Sorrento Ussery
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"----Robert "The Duke" Tillman
"Come And Go With Me"----Simone De
"Big Hip Woman"----Rue Davis

Best Song By Longtime Veteran: "Your Man Is Home Tonight" by Willie Clayton

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Your Man Is Home Tonight" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Female Vocalist:

Top Contenders:

"I Want Your Body"----Mz. Pat
"Big Boy Stuff"----Sheba Potts-Wright
"B.O.B."----Karen Wolfe
"Lady Soul Slide"----Lady Soul
"You've Got To Be A Freaker"----Miz. B
"Taking Care Of Business"----Stephanie McDee
"What If I?"----Katrenia Jefferson
"The Best You Ever Had"----Roslyn Candy, Veronica Ra'elle
"If He Knew What I Was Thinking"----Ms. Jody
"Hoe Digger"----Lacee
"It's Party Time"----Val McKnight
"New Pair Of Shoes"----Angel Faye Russell
"Karma"----Jureesa McBride
"Man Gone Do"----Adrena

Best Female Vocalist: "B.O.B. (Battery Operated Boyfriend)" by Karen Wolfe

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "Battery Operated Boyfriend" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Male Vocalist:

Top Contenders:

"Wasted"----Avail Hollywood
"Stick To Your Drink"----Mel Waiters
"Sweet It Be"----Wilson Meadows
"I'm Gone"----Columbus Toy
"I Need A Grown Woman"----J'Wonn
"Back-Doored"----Donnell Sullivan
"Hold It And Roll It"----Donnie Ray
"What's Your Flavor"----Tucka
"When It's Good"----Certified Slim
"My Sidepiece"----Pokey
"Can I Touch Your Spot?"----Tucka
"Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"----Bishop Bullwinkle
"Step Out"----J. Red
"The Guitar Song"----LaMorris Williams
"Thank God It's Friday"----Pokey, Vince Hutchinson, Adrian Bagher
"If You're Sexy, Clap Your Hands"----T.K. Soul, Nathaniel Kimble
"Chasing The Wind"----Jesse Robinson, Doug & Melvyn Williams
"By Myself"----Alvin Garrett, Ruben Studdard
"Let's Party"----Lebrado
"Your Man Is Home Tonight"----Willie Clayton
"Rock Me, Baby"----Willie Clayton
"From The Inside"----Jo Jo Murray
"I'm That Man"----Andre' Lee
"Certified Lady Lover"----Chris Ivy
"Knock Down Inn"----Lomax
"Big Leg Woman"----L.J. Echols, Luster Baker
"I'm The Right Man"----Jaye Hammer
"I Ain't Leaving Mississippi"----Jaye Hammer
"You're Just Standing In A Good Man's Way"----Terry Wright

Best Male Vocalist(s): "My Sidepiece" by Pokey & "Thank God It's Friday" by Pokey, Vince Hutchinson & Adrian Bagher

Listen to Pokey singing "My Sidepiece" on YouTube.

Listen to Pokey, Vince Hutchinson & Adrian Bagher singing "T.G.I.F." on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Debut:

Top Contenders:

"Cotton Candy"----Ronnie Bell
"Lady Soul Slide"----Lady Soul
"It's Time To Party"----Solomon Thompson
"Move Your Body (Zydeco Mix)----Greg Watson
"Cowgirl"----Big Yayo
"That's My Boo"----Luster Baker (Mr. Juicy)
"Swinging"----Zeke Potter
"People Get Ready"----Dolores The Exquisite Songbird
"Jelly Roll"----Lady Ebony
"Southern Girl"----Doctor Dee
"Swoohl Up"----Shohn Marshall
"Love Don't Owe Me Nothing"----Lady Di
"Dance Tonight"----Blackwater R&B Band
"Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"----Bishop Bullwinkle
"Mississippi Blues Child"----Mr. Sipp
"I Want Your Body"----Mz. Pat
"My Sidepiece Reply"----Veronica Ra'elle, Ms. Portia (w/ Lacee)
"Groove It While You Move It"----Veronica Ra'elle
"Operator"----C-Wright (w/ Tucka)
"One Big Party"----Solomon Thompson
"Ohhh Baby"----Till 1
"Leave Your Loving With Me"----D. Saunders
"I'm Gonna Leave My Ego At Your Door"----Eddie Cotton
"Candy Lover"----Mys Niki
"He Put A Rocking Chair On Me"----Leaundra Lively

Best Debut: "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" by Bishop Bullwinkle

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Collaboration:

Top Contenders:

"They Call Me Pokey (Remix)"----Pokey, Tucka, Tyree Neal
"Everybody Ain't Cheating"----Sir Charles Jones, Lacee
"Cowgirl"----Big Yayo, J'Wonn, T-Baby
"My Sidepiece Reply"----Veronica Ra'elle, Ms. Portia, Lacee
"If You're Sexy Clap Your Hands"----T.K. Soul, Nathaniel Kimble
"That's Messy"----Cupid, J. Paul Jr., Messie Cee
"I'm On Fire"----J.B. Hendricks, Cupid
"Thank God It's Friday (T.G.I.F.)"----Pokey, Vince Hutchinson, Adrian Bagher
"Blues And Barbeque"----Bigg Robb, Denise LaSalle
"Let's Do It"----Adrian Bagher, Veronica Ra'elle, Big Cynthia
"Is She Waiting On You?"----Donnie Ray, Jaye Hammer
"Jigga Jigga"----J'Wonn, Mel Waiters
"If It Ain't The Blues"----Pokey, Cupid
"Operator"----C-Wright, Tucka
"Chasing The Wind"----Jesse Robinson, Doug Williams, Melvyn Williams
"Big Leg Woman"----L.J. Echols, Luster Baker
"By Myself"----Alvin Garrett, Ruben Studdard
"Zydeco With Me"----Jeter Jones, Lil' Jabb
"Mr. Sexy Man (Remix)"----Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Nelson Curry, Joe Nice
"We Do We"---Ves, Kenne' Wayne

Best Collaboration: "Big Leg Woman" by L.J. Echols & Luster Baker

Listen to L.J. Echols & Luster Baker singing "Big Leg Woman" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song:

Top Contenders:

"Chasing The Wind"----Jesse Robinson feat. The Williams Brothers
"He Went To Bed With A Woman But Woke Up With A Man"----Billy "Soul" Bonds
"When It's Good"----Certified Slim
"I Owe It All To The Blues"----Carl Marshall
"Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"----Bishop Bullwinkle
"Play Your Position"----Demond Crump
"I'm Gonna Leave My Ego At The Door"----Eddie Cotton
"Tip It Up"----O.B. Buchana
"He Caught Me With The Wrong Drawers On"----Another Mystery Lady
"Let's Hear It For The DeeJay"----Jaye Hammer

Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song: "Chasing The Wind" by Jesse Robinson & The Williams Brothers

Listen to Jesse Robinson singing “Chasing The Wind” on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Blues/Chitlin' Circuit Song:

Top Contenders:

"If He Knew What I Was Thinking"----Ms. Jody
"Older Man Looking For A Young Thang"----Larome Powers
"Bootleg Whiskey"----Grady Champion
"The Right Stuff"----Sheba Potts-Wright
"He Caught Me With The Wrong Drawers On"----Another Mystery Lady
"Another Jody Song"----Stevie J.
"Mississippi Blues Child"----Mr. Sipp
"I Ain't Leaving Mississippi"----Jaye Hammer
"My Sidepiece"----The Louisiana Blues Brothers featuring Pokey
"This Must Be A Cheating Town"----Carl Marshall

Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song: "My Sidepiece" by Pokey

Listen to Pokey & The Louisiana Blues Brothers singing "My Sidepiece" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Cover Song:

Top Contenders:

"Mississippi Boy Part 2"----Charles Wilson, J'Wonn, Big Yayo
"(Impala) The Remix"----Big Yayo
"Try Me"----El' Willie
"This Must Be A Cheating Town"----Carl Marshall
"People Get Ready"----Dolores The Exquisite Songbird
"Your Man Is Home Tonight"----Willie Clayton
"Good Love (Remix)"----Bigg Robb, Mz. Jackson
"My Sidepiece (Reply)"----Veronica Ra'elle, Ms. Portia, Lacee

Best Cover Song: "Your Man Is Home Tonight" by Willie Clayton

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Your Man Is Home Tonight" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Arranger/Producer:

Top Contenders:

Tucka: Tucka ("Can I Touch Your Spot?," "What's Your Flavor?")

James Jackson & John Ward: Jaye Hammer ("I'm The Right Man," "Let's Hear It For The DJ"), O.B. Buchana ("Tip It Up")

Avail Hollywood: Avail Hollywood ("Wasted,") Koko Soul ("Drinking Again: Part 2")

Willie Clayton: Willie Clayton ("Your Man Is Home Tonight," "Rock Me, Baby")

Luster Baker: Luster Baker ("My Boo"), L.J. Echols feat. Luster Baker ("Big Leg Woman")

Robert Smith (Bigg Robb): Bigg Robb ("Good Good," "Sugar Shack Remix" w/ Mz. Jackson), w/ Bishop Bullwinkle ("Hell Naw To The Naw Naw")

Beat Flippa: Louisiana Blues Bros. feat. Pokey, ("My Sidepiece"), Pokey, Vince Hutchinson, Adrian Bagher ("Thank God It's Friday"), Pokey ("If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It"), Adrian Bagher, Veronica Ra'elle, & Big Cynthia ("Let's Do It")

LaMorris Williams: LaMorris Williams ("The Guitar Song")

Chris Mabry (Big Yayo): Big Yayo ("Cowgirl" feat J'Wonn, "The 'Impala' Remix)

Best Arranger/Producer: Beat Flippa

Listen to Beat Flippa's arrangement of Pokey, Vince Hutchinson & Adrian Bagher singing "T.G.I.F. (Thank God It’s Friday)" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best Songwriter:

Top Contenders:

Omar Cunningham: Karen Wolfe ("Battery Operated Boyfriend")

John Cummings: Jaye Hammer ("I Ain't Leaving Mississippi")

Alvin Garrett: Alvin Garrett feat. Ruben Studdard ("By Myself")

James Jackson: Jaye Hammer ("I'm The Right Man," "Let's Hear It For The DJ")

Bishop Bullwinkle & Bigg Robb: Bishop Bullwinkle, "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"

Luster Baker: L.J. Echols feat. Luster Baker ("Big Leg Woman"), Luster Baker ("My Boo")

Robert Smith (Bigg Robb): Bigg Robb ("Good Good")

Avail Hollywood: Avail Hollywood ("Wasted")

Best Songwriter: Bigg Robb & Bishop Bullwinkle: "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw"

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Best CD:

Top Contenders:

MISSISSIPPI FOLKS---O.B. BUCHANA
HEART & SOUL---WILLIE CLAYTON
YOU'RE JUST STANDING IN A GOOD MAN'S WAY---TERRY WRIGHT
SHOWTIME---BIGG ROBB
PUT IT ON YA--MR. DAVID
TASTE LIKE CANDY---L.J. ECHOLS
I'M THE RIGHT MAN---JAYE HAMMER
I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)---BEAT FLIPPA
GROWN FOLKS BUSINESS---ADRIAN BAGHER
I'LL BE THE OTHER MAN---TYREE NEAL
INDEPENDENT WOMAN---VAL MCKNIGHT
TALKING 'BOUT MY GOOD THANG---MS. JODY
MISSISSIPPI BLUES CHILD---MR. SIPP
NO REGRETS---KAREN WOLFE
ALL MY BEST---OMAR CUNNINGHAM
BEST OF---BOBBY CONERLY
LOVE ZONE---RICKY WHITE
LOVE BRINGS ME BACK TO YOU---CARL MARSHALL
I CAME TO GET DOWN---SHEBA POTTS-WRIGHT
SHE'S MY HONEY BEE---DONNIE RAY
DA GQ COUNTRY BOY---JETER JONES
THE TRUTH---ANDRE' LEE

BEST CD: I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)---BEAT FLIPPA

Sample/Buy Beat Flippa's I GOT THE BLUES VOL. 1 at Amazon.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Hardest-Touring Crowd-Pleaser:

Top Contenders:

T.K. Soul
Avail Hollywood
Nellie "Tiger" Travis
J'Wonn & Big Yayo
Mr. Sipp
Grady Champion
Big Pokey Bear
Bobby Rush
Cupid

Hardest-Touring Crowd-Pleaser: T.K. Soul


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

--Daddy B. Nice

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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Monthly Singles Charts, Continued From Right-Hand Column


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

-------MAY 2015---------

1. "(This Must Be A) Cheating Town"--------Carl Marshall

What a rhythm section! Funk stretched to almost reggae's hesitation. Carl Marshall revisits Frank-O Johnson's classic with spectacular ferocity. Jamonte Black's skillful background is her best yet.

Listen to Carl Marshall singing "Cheating Town" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Carl Marshall's Love Brings Me Back To You CD, including the "Cheating Town" mp3, at iTunes.

Read Daddy B. Nice's new CD Review.

2. "Dark Side Of Love"--------Calvin Richardson

Calvin Richardson reworks an old Staples Singers groove, coming up with another great rhythm track. Unlike Anthony Hamilton (another neo-soul performer your Daddy B. Nice considered for his original Top 100 Southern Soul Artists)(neither ended up on the list), Calvin actually plays the chitlin' circuit regularly along with Charles, Mel, T.K. and the southern soul boys.

Listen to Calvin Richardson singing "Dark Side Of Love" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Calvin Richardson's "Dark Side Of Love" mp3.

3. "(My Love Don't) Expire"-----Sir Charles Jones

Sir Charles satisfies the void left since songs like "Take Care Of Momma" and "For Better Or Worse." The most vintage-sounding of all the songs on the new CD. Convincingly--for true Charles fans, therapeutically--fresh.

Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Expire" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Sir Charles Jones' PORTRAIT OF A BALLADEER CD.

4. "People Get Ready"----Dolores The Exquisite Songbird

This song transcends the word "cover." It has power and originality. Vocal, lead guitar and production all great. No YouTube yet, however, and the amateurish videos of Dolores live onstage don't even hint at the professionalism of the newly-arrived, finished product. For deejays requesting service, contact Chuck Arrington at 708-339-0295.

5. "If You Sexy Clap Yo Hands"-------T.K. Soul featuring Nathaniel Kimble

A good-time, swaying, mid-tempo groove, this isn't quite as uplifting as 2014's "Now This Is A Party (For The Grown Folks)," but it's close enough. Kimble meshes well with Soul, and your Daddy B. Nice just realized the two singers have the same last name. (T.K. stands for Terry Kimble.)

Listen to T.K. Soul & Nathaniel Kimble singing "If You Sexy Clap Your Hands" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy "If You Sexy Clap Yo Hands" mp3.

6. "Hold Still"-------Pat Cooley

When I heard this throwback, Barbara Lewis-like ballad on the radio a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was new. In truth, I didn't realize it was Pat Cooley at first, and the song, "Hold Still," was on Pat's last album (COUGAR). I even praised it in my CD review. Pat has designated it the single from her new greatest hits CD and it deserves a second chance.

Sample/Buy Pat Cooley's new AT HER BEST CD, including the "Hold Still" mp3.

See PAT COOLEY, Daddy B. Nice's Featured Artist for May 2015.

7. "Swinging"-------Zeke Potter

Not to be confused with the Gulf Coast's Zeke ("Party All Night Long"), Zeke Potter is one of the best of another wave of new male southern soul vocalists. Deejays can request service at 770-820-2653 from Dexter Williams (of the Williams Brothers, including LaMorris), who claims Zeke began singing at the tender age of 3, being the lead singer of the Georgia gospel group Little Zeke and The Potter Boys.

8. "That's My Boo"/"My Main Thang" -----Mr. Juicy/Luster Baker (w/T.K. Soul)

Mr. Juicy is the performing name taken up by Luster Baker, who has a dance jam, "My Main Thang"--a duet with T.K. Soul--knocking around the Delta radio outlets the last few months. "That's My Boo" is an affecting and authentic southern soul ballad.

Sample/Buy Mr. Juicy's "That's My Boo" mp3

Listen to T.K. Soul & Luster Baker singing "My Main Thang" Live Onstage on YouTube.

Also sample/buy Luster Baker's "My Main Thang" featuring T.K. Soul

9. "Do You Like To Party"-----Heart 2 Heart Band featuring Tom Burton

This is a local Georgia band (of all places!) whose solidly-sung, call-and-response, dance anthem has seeped into Delta radio and Delta clubs on the charismatic power of its lead singer's vocal.

Listen to a sample of "Do You Like To Party" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy "Do You Like To Party" mp3.

10. "(You Are The Jam In My) Jelly Roll" -----Lady Ebony

This would catch your attention in any era of R&B, going back to the 1950's, or any decade in between. Big-lunged, throwback vocalist recorded in a fittingly vintage manner.

Sample/Buy Lady Ebony's "Jelly Roll" mp3.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

-------APRIL 2015---------

1. “She’s Draggin’ That Wagon”--------L.J. Echols

No one takes more care creating the sound and groove of a record than L.J. Echols. In 2013 L.J. poured his finest work into his younger sister Krishunda Echols' debut, "Mad Dog 20-20," a masterpiece of blue-collar southern soul. "She's Draggin' That Wagon" is L.J.'s long-awaited new single, full of bounce, mystery and homespun swagger.

Listen to L.J. Echols singing "She’s Draggin’ That Wagon” on Facebook.

2. "My Sidepiece (Reply)"-------Veronica Ra’elle, Lacee & Ms. Portia

Give it up for Louisiana's Pokey. Singing with an intensity and power not heard since the late Reggie P., he's cruising toward stardom like a Mack truck driven by Arnold "Terminator" Schwarzenegger. Here the put-upon ladies of the Gulf Coast respond in kind to his "My Sidepiece," which is closing in on an astounding half-million views on YouTube.

Listen to Veronica Ra’elle, Lacee & Ms. Portia singing "My Sidepiece (Reply)" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy the Pokey original on The Louisiana Blues Brothers LOVE ON THE BAYOU CD.

3. "My Sidepiece"------Pokey

"My Sidepiece" has won over the fans and sounds indisputably raucous on the radio a year after its release. When Pokey sings "Sidepiece," he sounds like a hound baying at a treed coon. The title refers to a girlfriend/mistress on the "side," and it has already entered southern soul lore, referenced by Stephanie McDee ("Annie Mae's Cafe"), Bigg Robb and others and remixed by producer Heavy. Pokey's also the creative force behind a new sampler crashing the southern soul album charts: Beat Flippa, I Got The Blues Vol. 1.

Listen to Pokey & The Louisiana Blues Brothers singing "My Sidepiece" on YouTube.

Listen to Pokey, Tucka, Tyree Neal, etc. singing "My Sidepiece: Part 2" on YouTube.

4. "(Can I) Touch Your Spot"-----Tucka

The musical energy emanating from Louisiana is phenomenal, and Tucka is a huge piece. He's created a unique musical world of sweet melodies, pillow-soft arrangements, sugar-coated vocals and a-lover-of-women persona. If "Touch Your Spot" doesn't make the ladies hot, I don't know what will.

Sample/Buy "Touch Your Spot" on Tucka's new GROOVE CITY CD.

5. "Rock Me, Baby"--------Willie Clayton

Still not officially released, this ditty is gathering the most buzz of any Willie Clayton single in memory. Sweet, mid-tempo, "Rocking Chair"-like, "Rock Me, Baby," will also remind veteran Clayton fans of the wondrous "Wiggle In The Middle," one of the great early, slow-tempo dance jams of contemporary southern soul.

6. "I Owe It All To The Blues"-------Carl Marshall

“I Lived It All,” not "Good Loving Will Make You Cry," is the song I measure all other Carl Marshall songs by. That will explain why I like the “Alberta"-like “I Owe It All To The Blues.” From the first few bars into the song, when Marshall double-tracks his voice, I was hooked. If Carl needs to vamp on guitar to sing like this, go for it, man, because it's good to hear your fine self again.

Listen to Carl Marshall singing "I Owe It All To The Blues" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Carl Marshall's new LOVE BRINGS ME BACK TO YOU CD.

7. "Another Jody Song"-----Stevie J.

More great blues from Jackson, Mississippi's own Stevie Johnson. Written and co-produced (along with Stevie) by the ubiquitous Omar Cunningham, and promoted by Pete Peterson (Bobby Jonz, Chuck Roberson, etc.).

Read about Stevie J's upcoming album BACK TO THE BLUES and the single "Another Jody Song" at BMan's Blues Report.

8. "If He Knew What I Was Thinking"------Ms. Jody

And more great blues, this time from Ms. Jody, in the tradition of "Every Woman For Herself," from her upcoming album, TALKIN' BOUT MY GOOD THANG. One reservation: Ms. Jody dilutes the immediacy of the lyrics by attributing the story to a "young lady who gave me a phone call the other day...and this is what she said." Although this third-person technique worked to perfection with "When Your Give A Damn (Don't Give A Damn)," here the lyrics would be more intense--more powerful--coming straight from Ms. Jody. Can you imagine Etta James attributing "I'd Rather Go Blind" to someone who called her?

See a sneak preview (courtesy of Amazon/China) of Ms. Jody's new TALKIN' BOUT MY GOOD THANG CD.

9. "Tiptoeing Through The Bedroom"/"Grown Folks Business"----Denise LaSalle

Denise LaSalle enters the autumn of her career. That's what these thought-provoking tunes proclaim. The voice (never a "belter" like her peers Peggy Scott-Adams or Shirley Brown) is even weaker now. You can sense the fragility of the flesh behind the performance, yet Denise's character and moxie are still as strong as ever. The subject matter, a mother’s scolding of a pestering child ("Grown Folks Business"), is almost embarrassingly domestic for a southern soul audience expecting sexual double entendres on the order of La Salle’s signature “Don’t Mess With My TuTu.” Young folks may not understand what all the fuss is about. Grown folks will be fascinated by Denise's daring in once again doing what hasn't been done before.

Listen to Denise LaSalle singing "Grown Folks Business" on YouTube.

Listen to Denise LaSalle singing "Tiptoeing Through The Bedroom" on YouTube.

10."What If I"----Katrenia Jefferson

The choruses are almost operatic--a little too much, perhaps--but the verses are southern soul heaven, and the more I hear it, the more "What If I" abides and rewards.

Listen to Katrenia Jefferson singing "What If I" on YouTube.

Buy Katrenia Jefferson's "What If I" single at CD Baby.

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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 Review For. . .

----------MARCH 2015------------

1. "Wasted"--------Avail Hollywood

Like the opening chords of the truly great songs (LaMorris Williams' "Impala," J'Wonn's "I Got This Record"), you know within the first few bars that "Wasted" is something very special and very deep. This is arguably Hollywood's best single yet, even more remarkable than the durable "Drinking Again." From his upcoming WASTED CD.

2. "The Remix, Baby" ("Impala")-----Big Yayo

Big Yayo. This guy's in a zone (see "Impala," "I Got This Record," "Cowgirl," etc.), and I hope I don't jinx him by saying everything he touches turns to gold. Here he strips down his instrumental track from LaMorris Williams' "Impala" and constructs entirely new lyrics (which quite possibly pre-date "Impala"). The new lyrics aren't necessarily better, but they're irrefutably authentic. And after the initial novelty of comparing the two versions fades, the listener is rewarded with a completely new chorus and hook to fall in love with.

3. "Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog"------Billy "Soul" Bonds

I've been listening to this beautifully winsome song, which Billy has kept "under wraps" for almost five years, loving every minute of it. The only thing keeping it out of the top spot or runner-up spot in this month's review is my relative familiarity with it--the fact that it isn't quite as "fresh" as Avail's "Wasted" or Yayo's "Remix." See related story in Daddy B. Nice's "News & Notes" (Feb. 8, 2015) in the center column of this page.

Listen to Billy "Soul" Bonds singing "Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy "Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog" mp3 or CAT DADDY CD at CD Universe.

4. "I'm So Blue"----Willie Clayton

Another ballad with opening chords that signify depth and greatness. This tune will remind fans of soulful Clayton classics like "Going Crazy." From the new UNTAMABLE CD.

Sample/Buy "I'm So Blue" mp3 or UNTAMABLE CD at iTunes.

5. "Older Man (Looking For A) Young Thang"------Larome Powers

Pat Cooley put down the first version ("Older Woman, Younger Man") and Denise LaSalle improved on it ("Older Woman"). Now Larome Powers serves up a male-gender version that's equally compelling. From his new CD, STEPPING OUT, including his recent hit single, "What's The Name Of That Thang?"

Listen to Larome Powers singing "Older Man, Young Thang" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy "Older Man Young Thang" mp3 or STEPPING OUT CD.

6. "Hold It And Roll It"------Donnie Ray

Imagine Donnie Ray doing his best Steve Perry ("Booty Roll") imitation and you have "Hold It And Roll It." Does your Daddy B. Nice give undue credit to this easy-going dance jam? All I know is it's a grown-folks line-dancer's dream, and who loves line-dancing more than Southern Soul Nation?

Listen to Donnie Ray singing "Hold It And Roll It" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy "Hold It And Roll It" mp3 or SHE'S MY HONEY BEE CD at Amazon.

7. "Big Boy Stuff"-------Sheba Potts-Wright

One of Sheba's best vocals and arrangements in years, brimming over with the pop pizzazz of her early hits ("Slow Roll It," "Lipstick On His Pants") and taken to the ultimate level by a nifty, Snoopish, high-register keyboard riff.

Listen to Sheba Potts-Wright singing "Big Boy Stuff" on YouTube

Sample/Buy "Big Boy Stuff" mp3 or I CAME TO GET DOWN CD at Amazon.

8. "Put It On Ya"--------Mr. David

Mr. David, who last launched the evocative ballad "Mr. Right Now," returns with a hard-hitting dance jam. Don't look now, but Malaco/Waldoxy/Malaco World Music's Tommy Couch, Jr., who terminated his southern soul producing a few years ago, has no less than three singles on this month's Top Ten: Billy "Soul" Bonds' "Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog," Larome Powers' "Older Man, Young Thang," and Mr. David's "Put It On Ya."

9. "What's Your Flavor?"----Tucka

Subtle and insinuating, this tune from the new Tucka CD is too seductive to ignore. If you've succumbed to Tucka's talent already, you'll fall for this one without any hesitation.

Listen to Tucka singing "What's Your Flavor" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Tucka's "What's Your Flavor" mp3 or GROOVE CITY CD.

10. Tie between:

"When It's Good It's Good"----Certified Slim
(I'd recognize a Luther Lackey-written tune anywhere, and it's good. Well, scratch that. Curtis Yabro--Slim--wrote and produced, perhaps under the "influence.")

And:

"Try Me"-----El' Willie
(The Willie lavishes some real care--not always the case in the past--on both the vocal and production of this old James Brown tune. It reminds us of what a rich baritone he has. )

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

----------FEBRUARY 2015------------

1. "You Got To Be A Freaker"-------Miz B.

The seldom-recorded Memphis diva who thrilled southern soul fans a decade ago with the Senator Jones-produced masterpiece, "My Name Is $$$$$," returns with a dancing groove (written by herself and Morris Williams) whose hit potential may have been underestimated by even the singer and her juking, John Ward-led backing band.

Listen to Miz B. singing "You Got To Be A Freaker" on YouTube.

Buy Miz. B's "You Got To Be A Freaker" mp3 on the Ecko Records sampler BLUES MIX 15: DOWN HOME SOUL.

See Daddy B. Nice's "Memphis Stars" feature (FEB 2015) in the Miz. B. Artist Guide.

2. "Good Good"-------Bigg Robb

Don't know how this gold nugget of graceful swinging leaked out. Robb must have given a demo to hot new internet station WAGR in Lexington, Mississippi. Either that or your Daddy B. Nice has overlooked something real "good-good" from the Bigg Robb back catalog. It hits the sweet spot of mid-tempo southern soul like the b-i-g man did in "Back To The Sugar Shack."

3. "Taking Care Of Business"---------Stephanie McDee

Inundated with plastic, urban-style soul from countless, talented divas, your Daddy B. Nice will still and always prefer the grizzly-bear-tough vocal stylings of Stephanie McDee, who has more soul in her left thumb despite the bland-as-vanilla-pudding instrumental background and unpleasant mixing of this title tune from her upcoming album.

Listen to Stephanie McDee singing "Taking Care Of Business" on YouTube.

4. "You Went To Bed With A Woman But Woke Up With A Man"-----Billy "Soul" Bonds

In an interview with Daddy B. Nice three or four years ago, Billy referred to this (already recorded!) song, which recalls the risque notoriety of songs like Peggy Scott-Adams' "Bill." That's an indication of how long and how much product Bonds has been holding back (along with the choice single "Every Time My Neighbor Walks His Dog, My Wife Has To Walk Her Cat" for his highly-anticipated CAT DADDY album.

Listen to Billy "Soul" Bonds singing "You Went To Bed With A Woman But Woke Up With A Man" on YouTube.

5. "I'm Gone"-------Columbus Toy

Columbus Toy straps on his southern soul boots and delivers his best and most mature single yet.

Listen to Columbus Toy singing "I'm Gone" on Facebook (click video and scroll to #3).

6. "We Got The Right Stuff"-----Sheba Potts-Wright

Sheba delivers a theme out of the O.B. Buchana canon in her classic vocal and instrumental style, reasserting her claim as a queen of contemporary southern soul. From her new (three-years-in-waiting), John Ward-produced album, I CAME TO GET DOWN. See Daddy B. Nice's "Memphis Stars" (FEB 15) in the Sheba Potts-Wright Artist Guide.

Sample/Buy Sheba Potts-Wright's "We Got The Right Stuff" at iTunes.

7. "Backdoored (By A Man Called Jody)"-----Donnell Sullivan

The young performer and "Back Door Lover" (Listen to "Back Door Lover" on YouTube), has the tables turned on him, lyrically-speaking--with excellent musical results. And folks, it looks as if the zydeco accordion, whose sound I have always loved, has been thoroughly integrated into southern soul.

8. "Move Your Body (Zydeco Remix)"-----Greg Watson

Here's a young artist who hasn't a clue what he's doing--at least from a southern soul perspective. The R&B (primary) version of "Move Your Body" (from the same new indie CD, PIECES OF ME 2) is an atrocious funk screed. The rest of the set features the same plastic-hard, urban r&b. But on this single cut, featuring that great zydeco facilitator, the cajun hand organ, Watson softens enough to actually deliver a rousing and beguiling, first-class southern-soul dance jam.

Sample/Buy Greg Watson's "Move (Zydeco Remix)" at Amazon.

9. "Stick To Your Drink"----Mel Waiters

A modest little song with a unique and well-produced musical format. Warning: If Mel's buying the round, don't switch from draft beer to Hennessy. That's not hole-in-the-wall etiquette.

Sample/Buy Mel Waiter's "Stick To Your Drink" mp3 at Amazon.

10. "Please Let Me Hold You"-----Lomax

You'd think your Daddy B. Nice would be crazy about this song--its soulfulness, scope and vocal acumen--but it also makes me uncomfortable. In trying to shoehorn mainstream urban balladeering and full gospel choruses and southern soul verses into one obviously "big" song, Lomax's ambition becomes a little disconcerting--and ultimately a distraction.

Listen to Lomax introducing and singing "Please Let Me Hold You" on YouTube.

Listen to the full version of "Please Let Me Hold You" on ReverbNation.

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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 Review For. . .

----------JANUARY 2015------------

1. "Cowgirl"-------Big Yayo featuring J'Wonn & T-Baby

Southern Soul electronica, baby. I've been club-dancing over many decades (that's what makes me such a foolproof critic), and this may be the best dance-'till-you-drop jam I've ever heard, courtesy of the best young producer--and now Bigg Robbish lead-singer--in southern soul, Big Yayo of Jackson, Mississippi. The first deejay to play this record, by the way, was Cadillac Zack at WMPR.

Listen to Big Yayo's "Cowgirl" on YouTube.

2-8-15! Listen to the new COWGIRL OFFICIAL VIDEO on YouTube.

2. "Battery Operated Boyfriend"-------Karen Wolfe

Like the best Karen Wolfe vocals, warm and homespun, with melody and arrangement that'll reward the more you listen. She's got a hit on her hands (the song was written by "Man Enough's" Omar Cunningham), but your Daddy B. Nice told Karen that if she and the girls were going to be like that, we boys were going to resort to something called a flesh-light; it doesn't use a battery, but it accomplishes the same thing.

3. "Mississippi Boy Part 2"-----Charles Wilson featuring J'Wonn

At the behest of Charles Wilson and bringing along J'Wonn, Big Yayo (who produced) takes on the most covered song in southern soul. It would have been nice to hear J'Wonn get more than a verse (which is electric), but Charles brings his vocal "sugar" and makes a strong bid to take it over again psychologically from the song's longtime co-claimants, Floyd Hamberlin and Will T.

Sample/Buy Charles Wilson feat. J'Wonn singing "Mississippi Boy: Part 2."

Listen to Charles Wilson, J'Wonn & Big Yayo singing "Mississippi Boy: Part 2 on YouTube.

4. "Lady Soul Slide"-------Lady Soul

T.K. Soul discovered this Dallas singer, and why not? Who beats the bushes (due to his constant touring) better than T.K.? He also produced, giving the jam a goosed-up, Rascals' "Groovin'" feel overlaid with heavy percussion (hand-claps). Lady Soul's message: move those hips.

Listen to Lady Soul singing "Lady Soul Slide" on YouTube.

5. "Time 2 Party (Let's Get It Started)"------Solomon Thompson

Don't sit down yet.

Listen to Solomon Thompson singing "It's Time 2 Party" on YouTube.

Buy "Time 2 Party" mp3 on HISTORY CD at CD Baby.

6. "I Need A Grown Woman"----J'Wonn

A new ballad--"new" meaning not included on last year's I GOT THIS RECORD CD--from the young vocal genius. Steady and stately, with a newfound maturity.

Listen to J'Wonn singing "I Need A Grown Woman" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy J-Wonn's "I Need A Grown Woman."

7. "Bootleg Whiskey"-----Grady Champion

Sordid stories of the road from Kris Kristofferson...Oops!...I mean Grady Champion...(I've gotta have fun some way, don't I?) with Grady sounding as hoarse as Janis Joplin. No wonder the kid's crossing over.

Sample Grady Champion singing "Bootleg Whiskey."

8. "Sweet It Be"-----Wilson Meadows

Like fine wines, Wilson Meadows just keeps getting better with age.

Sample Wilson Meadows' "Sweet It Be" at Brimstone Records.

9. "When We're Making Love"----Mr. X

Remember that eerily evocative guitar from Ms. Tabatha's morbid ballad "Cheating On Her, Cheating On Me"? A taste of that permeates Mr. X's atypical but affecting ballad.

Sample/Buy Mr. X's "When We're Making Love."

10. "I Feel Good"-----Urban Mystic

Listen to Urban Mystic singing "I Feel Good" on YouTube.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 Souther Soul Singles

Daddy B. Nice's TOP 25 SOUTHERN SOUL SONGS OF 2015


1. "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" ------Bishop Bullwinkle

Once in awhile, a song comes along that makes everyone feel like they've been creating inside a "box". "Hell To The Naw Naw" was such a record.

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on YouTube.

2. "My Sidepiece"----The Louisiana Blues Brothers featuring Pokey & Major Clark Jr.

With an intensity and power not heard since the late Reggie P., Pokey sang "Sidepiece" like a hound baying at a treed coon, and in so doing aroused all of southern soul kingdom.

Listen to Pokey, Major Clark, et. al. singing "My Sidepiece" on YouTube.

3. "Your Man Is Home Tonight"-----Willie Clayton

Given the obscurity of the genre, the remaking of southern soul classics--in this case, the Tony Troutman song popularized by Artie “Blues Boy” White--makes super sense, and to hear a master vocalist like Willie Clayton playin’ on the sophisticated texture of the guitars--a “wall of sound”--made this the best version yet.

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Your Man Is Home Tonight" on YouTube.

4. "Cowgirl"-------Big Yayo featuring J'Wonn & T-Baby

Southern Soul electronica, baby. With J'Wonn rockin' out.

Listen (and watch the official video) to Big Yayo and J'Wonn singing "Cowgirl" on YouTube.

5. "Chasing The Wind"------Jesse Robinson featuring The Williams Brothers

Surrounded by elegant production, one of Jackson, Mississippi’s best-kept secrets teamed with co-lead-vocalists Doug & Melvyn Williams in interpreting heartbreaking lyrics by Brazilian poet Assunção de Maria.

Listen (and watch the official video) to Jesse Robinson singing “Chasing The Wind” on YouTube.

6. "T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday)"-----Pokey featuring Vince Hutchinson & Adrian Bagher

Driven by Beat Flippa's keyboard/organ and Pokey's party-up ferocity, this was the mind-blowing anthem that epitomized the energy and originality of the breakthrough CD of the year, BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 CD.

Listen to Pokey & Friends singing "T.G.I.F." on YouTube.

7. "Wasted"--------Avail Hollywood

For those who suspected Avail a one-hit ("Drinking Again") wonder, this was the deep and indelible ballad that proved he was one of the big boys.

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Wasted" on YouTube.

8. "Big Leg Woman"--------L.J. Echols featuring Luster Baker

This deceptively simple melody showcased L.J. Echols at his most evocative and Luster Baker as the most intriguing new singer/songwriter of the year.

Listen to L.J. Echols & Luster Baker singing "Big Leg Woman" on YouTube.

9. "Good Good"------Bigg Robb

The only performer who can hit the "sweet spot" of Southern Soul with a vocal-enhancer, Bigg Robb was joined this year by another exception to the rule: producer-turned-performer Big Yayo (see #4 "Cowgirl" above).

Listen to Bigg Robb singing "Good Good" on YouTube.

10. "B.O.B. (Battery Operated Boyfriend)"-------Karen Wolfe

Far from the show-biz fakery of mainstream R&B, with a voice that sounded like she was merely pausing--looking up from scrubbing clothes in a cast-iron tub on a rural back porch--Karen Wolfe delighted once again with her singular vocal art.

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "Battery Operated Boyfriend" on YouTube.

11. “By Myself”-------Alvin Garrett featuring Ruben Studdard

Like all great songs, this one came out of nowhere and reminded us of all we have lost--specifically, the glory days of Stax.

Listen to Alvin Garrett and Ruben Studdard singing "By Myself" on YouTube.

12. "If You're Sexy Clap Your Hands"----T.K. Soul featuring Nathaniel Kimble

With church-bell-like keyboards, two Kimbles--T.K. and Nathaniel--pursued T.K.'s fascinating theme of the pleasures coming to those who work hard with modest expectations (all the better when you succeed) explored in "#1 Fan" and "They Wanna Party With Me."

Listen to T.K. Soul & Nathaniel Kimble singing "If You're Sexy Clap Your Hands" on YouTube.

13. "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi"-------Jaye Hammer

Jaye Hammer was a stud on this redolent southern soul rocker lauding country life in the Delta.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi" on YouTube.

14. "Step Out"-----J. Red

It was a break-out year for J. Red (The Nephew), whose stepping song "Step Out" achieved the same anthem-like status that put Lomax over the top with "Swing It" last year.

Listen to J. Red singing "Step Out" on YouTube.

15. "Ohhh Baby (She Got Them Tight Jeans On)"-------Till 1

The southern soul/zydeco hybrid of the year, “Ohhh, Baby” started out like Tucka singing “Don’t Make Me Beg” but developed its own identity with an absolutely pulverizing Cajun-accordion hook.

Listen to Till 1 singing "Ohhh Baby" on YouTube.

16. "The Guitar Song"-----LaMorris Williams

Just when we'd begun to overlook him with the emergence of even newer stars like J'Wonn, Tucka and Pokey, LaMorris' vocal and production on "Guitar Song" reminded us that he wasn't going anywhere.

Listen to LaMorris Williams singing "The Guitar Song" on YouTube.

17. “From The Inside”-----------Jo Jo Murray

Replacing last year's young Windy City phenom Theo Huff on this year's Top 25 Singles, Chicago’s longtime, legendary soul man Jo Jo Murray painted a vivid portrait of life behind bars from the perspective of the family life left behind.

Listen to Jo Jo Murray singing "From The Inside" on YouTube.

18. "Can I Touch Your Spot?"-----Tucka

What Tucka has accomplished in the space of two or three years is astonishing: an instantly identifiable style charged with a sexual energy so alluring it generates effects that recall the urinary ejaculations of teen-aged girls dripping down the aisles of theaters during early Beatlemania.

Listen to Tucka singing "Touch Your Spot" on YouTube

19. "It's Party Time"-----Val McKnight

Val McKnight personifies the gal who has to play "second fiddle" to the pretty girl, the gal who has to be "brash" to get attention, the gal who when she gets lucky enough to score a relationship soon has to endure the humiliation of separation. Welcome to her happy world.

Listen to Val McKnight singing "It's Party Time" on YouTube.

20. "Let's Party"-----Lebrado

This uplifting, Bruce Billups-produced anthem catapulted Lebrado back to his rightful place in the first rank of southern soul singers.

Listen to Lebrado singing "Let's Party" on YouTube

21. “She’s Draggin’ That Wagon”--------L.J. Echols

No one takes more care creating the sound and groove of a record than L.J. Echols. "She's Draggin' That Wagon" was L.J.'s long-awaited new single, full of homespun bounce, mystery and swagger.

Listen (and watch the official video) to L.J. Echols singing "She’s Draggin’ That Wagon” on Facebook.

22. "Zydeco With Me"------Jeter Jones featuring Lil' Jab

This trail-ride grafting of southern soul and zydeco brought out the best of young Jeter Jones' singular, whiskey-toned tenor.

Listen to Jeter Jones and Lil' Jab singing "Zydeco With Me" on YouTube.

23. "Hoe Digger"-------Lacee

Lacee took a standard (no gimmicks) approach to a mid-tempo, middle-of-the-road song and came up with a bonafide southern soul classic.

Listen to Lacee singing "Hoe Digger" on YouTube.

24. "V.I.P."----------Mr. Sipp

This young Jackson guitarist with thoroughbred talent exploded out of the gate in 2015 with one of the sweetest guitar licks heard in quite some time.

Listen to Mr. Sipp singing "V.I.P." on YouTube.

25. "I'm The Right Man"-------Jaye Hammer

Hammer brought his new, panoramic vocal approach to bear on an original ballad by new songwriter James Jackson, discovered by Ecko Records' John Ward.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "I'm The Right Man" on YouTube.


Go to Daddy B. Nice's CD Store to buy these records.

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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 Preview For. . .

-------DECEMBER 2015---------

1. "He Caught Me With The Wrong Drawers On"----(Another Mystery Lady)

Here's something I've never done before--touting an unknown artist with a #1-ranking single--but I can't close out the year without giving "Wrong Drawers" the recognition it deserves as the greatest underground record of the year after Bishop Bullwinkle's "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw."

DJ Big Money (662-834-1025) plays the song every shift at 102.5 WAGR (Lexington, Tchula, Yazoo City, Mississippi), but he won't give out the name. There's a long southern soul tradition of female singers adopting aliases so as not to be disowned by their families, and I suspect that's the case here, only this singer may not yet even have an alias. Outrageously licentious, unrelentingly deadpan and funny, "He Caught Me With The Wrong Drawers On" cries out to be distributed as an artist's record and posted on YouTube.

2. "Mister Sexy Man (Remix)"------Nellie "Tiger" Travis featuring Nelson Curry and Joe Nice

Listen to Nellie "Tiger" Travis featuring Nelson Curry and Joe Nice singing "Mr. Sexy Man Remix" on YouTube.

3. "Ohhh Baby (She Got Them Tight Jeans On)"-------Till 1

“Ohhh, Baby” starts out like Tucka singing “Don’t Make Me Beg,”—-almost a cover--an homage both to the song and the singer—-but then it develops its own identity, with a killer Cajun-accordion chorus.

Listen to Till 1 singing "Ohhh Baby" on YouTube.

4. "Let's Party Tonight"----Sorrento Ussery

Absent for the last decade, the spectacularly sonorous Sorrento Ussery returns with a great song and wonderfully-balanced arrangement limited only by its demo-quality programming.

Listen to Sorrento Ussery singing "Let's Party Tonight" on YouTube.

5. "Karma (She'll Take Care Of You)"----Jureesa "The Duchess" McBride

Six minutes pass in what seem like three in this expertly-produced ballad. Jureesa's a real singer--she could hold her own in mainstream urban--but she knows her southern soul.

Listen to The Duchess Jureesa McBride singing "Karma (She'll Take Care Of You)."

6. "You're Just Standing In A Good Man's Way"-----Terry Wright

The title tune of Terry Wright's substantial new album, and a companion piece to "I Done Lost My Good Thang," the CD's centerpiece.

Buy Terry Wright's YOU'RE JUST STANDING IN A GOOD MAN'S WAY CD at Soul Blues Music.

7. "Big Hip Woman"------Rue Davis

The grizzled veteran sounds like a young fella. And the song sounds like an attempt to recreate the success of Lil' Jimmie's "She Was Twerkin'".

Listen to Rue Davis singing "Big Hip Woman" on YouTube.

8. "Man Gone Do"-----Adrena

Adrena hits the southern soul bulls-eye. The mid-tempo "Man Gone Do" will join and even surpass "Right Here With Me," a ballad already getting lots of air play.

9. "Dump Truck"-----Mr. Juicy (Luster Baker)

Listen to Luster Baker singing "Dump Truck" on YouTube.

10. "I'm That Man"----Andre' Lee

Another "substantial" CD from a longtime veteran.

Buy Andre' Lee's new THE TRUTH CD at Soul Blues Music.

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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 Preview For. . .

-------NOVEMBER 2015---------

1. "Big Leg Woman"--------L.J. Echols featuring Luster Baker

With an outstanding vocal, L.J. Echols presents an off-beat, almost smooth-jazzy approach to a traditional southern soul subject. Adding immensely to the atmosphere is featured artist Luster Baker (aka Mr. Juicy), who had a tasteful single, "That's My Boo," earlier this year and co-sung "My Main Thang" with his mentor, T.K. Soul.

Listen to L.J. Echols featuring Luster Baker singing "Big Leg Woman" on YouTube.

Buy L.J. Echols new TASTE LIKE CANDY CD at SOUL BLUES MUSIC.

2. "I'm The Right Man"-------Jaye Hammer

Hammer brings his new panoramic vocal approach to bear on an original ballad by James Jackson. "I'm The Right Man" is aided by a winsome guitar lick--refreshingly powerful and upfront for southern soul.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "I'm The Right Man" on YouTube.

Buy Jaye Hammer's new I'M THE RIGHT MAN CD at SOUL BLUES MUSIC.

See Daddy B. Nice's New CD Review.

3. "He Put A Rocking Chair On Me"------Leaundra Lively

The attraction of this song by a new artist is its unique soprano register and its startling similarity to "Sam," the one-hit-wonder classic by Judi Brown Eyes.

Listen to Leaundra Lively singing "He Put A Rocking Chair On Me" on YouTube.

Buy Leaundra Lively's "He Put A Rocking Chair" mp3 from Ecko Records' BLUES MIX VOL. 18 SOUTHERN SOUL PARTY sampler at iTunes.

4. "Tip It Up"------O.B. Buchana

Hammer isn't the only Ecko Records artist branching out into new styles. I don't think anyone would guess this catchy and energetic, steel-drum & calypso, Belafonte-accented street chant is none other than southern-soul traditionalist O.B. Buchana.

Sample/Buy O.B. Buchana's new MISSISSIPPI FOLKS album at Soul Blues Music.

5. "Mississippi Delta"------Theodis Ealey

Bruce Billups produced the mesmerizingly percussive instrumental track on this new tune from Theodis.

Listen to Theodis Ealey singing "Mississippi Delta" on Spreaker/YouTube.

Buy Theodis Ealey's new "Mississippi Delta" mp3 at CD Baby.

6. Get On The Good Foot"--------Pokey

Pokey dedicates this song to James Brown, but it owes more to New Orleans street bands and reminds your Daddy B. Nice of Stephanie McDee's "Lion Of Judah," a DaddyBNice #1 single in 2013 that the audience perhaps wasn't ready for. It will be interesting to see if southern soul's artist of the moment can power this sound onto the top of the charts.

Watch line-dancers working out to Pokey's "Good Foot" on YouTube.

Watch Pokey himself dancing to "Good Foot" in the neighborhood on his Facebook page. (Poor audio.)

Buy Pokey Bear's new "Good Foot" mp3 at Amazon.

7. "Good Love"-----Bigg Robb featuring Mz. Jackson

Today's southern soul stars weren't the first to explore new styles and sounds. Johnnie Taylor was already experimenting in the late nineties, most notably with the Billboard-topping, Charles Richard Cason-written "Good Love," here re-introduced by the "good-lovin'," "good-good" Bigg Robb.

Sample/Buy Bigg Robb's SHOWTIME CD, including "Good Love," at Soul Blues Music.

8. "Make That Body Rock"---------Terry Wright

Sample/Buy Terry Wright's YOU'RE JUST STANDING IN A GOOD MAN'S WAY album, including "Make That Body Rock" at Soul Blues Music.

9. "Independent Woman"-----Val McKnight

Listen to Val McKnight singing "Independent Woman" on YouTube.

Buy Val McKnight's new INDEPENDENT WOMAN CD at Soul Blues Music.

10. "Do You Want To Party"----Steve Perry

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Do You Wanta Party" on YouTube.

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

-------OCTOBER 2015---------

1. “Your Man Is Home Tonight”--------Willie Clayton

Given the obscurity of the genre, the remaking of southern soul classics--in this case, the Tony Troutman song popularized by Artie “Blues Boy” White--makes super sense, and to hear a master vocalist like Willie Clayton playin’ on the sophisticated texture of the guitars--a “wall of sound”--is worth the price of admission. No YouTube or Retail at this time.

10-25-15 UPDATE: Buy Willie Clayton's new CD, HEART & SOUL, including "Home Tonight," at Soul Blues Music.

Listen to Tony Troutman singing the original "Your Man Is Home Tonight" on YouTube.

Listen to Artie “Blues Boy” White singing "Your Man Is Home Tonight” on YouTube.

Willie's version is the best yet, and that is high praise.

10-11-15 Update: Sample/Buy Willie Clayton's "Your Man Is Home Tonight" on his new HEART AND SOUL CD at iTunes.

2. “From The Inside”-----------JoJo Murray

The City of Chicago’s legendary soul man is showcased on a splendidly-produced background track, with vivid lyrics that resonate with heartbreaking effect: a look at prison "from the inside" of a family man’s mind. No YouTube or Retail yet.

3. "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi"-------Jaye Hammer

Jaye Hammer is a stud on this redolent southern soul rocker lauding country life in the Delta. Big John Cummings composed.

Listen to Jaye Hammer singing "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Jaye Hammer's new CD THE RIGHT MAN, containing "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi," at Soul Blues Music.

4. "Zydeco With Me"-------Jeter Jones featuring Lil' Jabb

One of many choice cuts on vocalist Jeter Jones sophomore CD, DA GQ COUNTRY BOY, "Zydeco With Me" has the lilt of an anthem and a chorus you won't forget. Makes you wanna go on a trail ride.

Sample/Buy Jeter Jones' DA GQ COUNTRY BOY at CD Baby.

5. "A Man Who Understands"------Clayton Knight

Clayton Knight is a unique new singer/songwriter discovered by Ecko Records. "A Man Who Understands" boasts a refreshingly rough chorus and rollicking background singing.

Listen to Clayton Knight singing "A Man Who Understands" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Ecko's BLUES MIX 18: SOUTHERN SOUL PARTY, containing the first release of Clayton Knight's "A Man Who Understands," at Soul Blues Music.

6. "Certified Lady Lover"-----Chris Ivy

The rhythmic current runs deep in this solidly-sung, mid-tempo track by the "young gun of southern soul" who debuted with "Turn Road" under the name Mr. Ivy in 2010. No YouTube or Retail yet.

7. "Knockdown Inn"-----Lomax

Just in... A mid-tempo classic from Lomax that takes a couple of listenings to work its magic.

8. "Plus Size Women"-----Booker Brown

Southern Soul and Blues with a buoyant, big-band swing style.

Watch the official video of Booker Brown singing "Plus Size Women on YouTube.

Buy Booker Brown's "Plus Size Women" mp3 at CD Baby.

9. TIE (Between...)

"(I'm Gonna Leave My) Ego At Your Door"-----Eddie Cotton

This exceptionally-titled gem is by Eddie Cotton, one of a new clique of commercially-viable, guitar-blues-oriented, Jackson, Mississippi-based musicians including Grady Champion and Mr. Sipp.

Listen to Eddie Cotton singing "Ego At Your Door" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Eddie Cotton's "Ego At Your Door" on his new ONE AT A TIME CD at CD Baby.

and....

"V.I.P."-----Mr. Sipp

One of the sweetest guitar licks heard in Southern Soul Nation in quite some time.

Listen to Mr. Sipp singing "V.I.P." on YouTube.

Buy Mr. Sipp's MISSISSIPPI BLUES CHILD CD, containing "VIP," at Amazon.

10. TIE (between...)

"New Pair Of Shoes"----Angel Faye Russell

Listen to Angel Faye Russell singing "New Pair Of Shoes" on YouTube.

Buy Angel Faye Russell's "New Pair Of Shoes" mp3 at Amazon.

and...

"Candy Lover"-----Mys. Niki

Listen to Mys. Niki singing "Candy Lover" on YouTube.

Buy Mys Niki's "Candy Lover" mp3 at CD Baby.

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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 Preview For. . .

----------SEPTEMBER 2015------------

1. “Chasing The Wind” ----Jesse Robinson & The Williams Brothers

"I always thought that I had time for everything..." With the sweetest, most graceful lyrics and melody, this song brought tears to my eyes the first few times I heard it. But for all that the song wouldn’t be notable without Delta guitarist and soul singer Jesse Robinson, one of Jackson, Mississippi’s best-kept secrets. Written by Brazilian poet Assunção de Maria. (Remember the Latin influence in Sam Cooke’s popular singles?) Co-lead-vocalists Doug & Melvyn Williams are fabulous, as is the uncredited female background singer.

Listen to Jesse Robinson singing “Chasing The Wind.”

Buy Jesse Robinson's STRAY STAR CD at CD Baby.

2. “Never Had It So Good”---------Bobby Conerly

Now part of Conerly's excellent new "best of" album (see Daddy B. Nice's 5-star review), the story of this once-in-a-lifetime tune begins in 2008 (Wonderful Love CD) and 2010 (NEW OLD SCHOOL CD), when it fell successively like a lone tree in the middle of a dense forest, unseen, unheralded. Quite simply, it deserves a chance to be a hit.

Listen to Bobby Conerly singing “Never Had It So Good” on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Bobby Conerly’s mp3 of "Never Had It So Good" or SOUL SINGER: THE BEST OF BOBBY CONERLY CD at Blues Critic.

3. “By Myself”-------Alvin Garrett featuring Ruben Studdard

Another piece of traditional southern soul--real Americana, if you will. The high-powered R&B’ers team up to remind us of the glory that was Stax and Memphis back in the golden days.

Listen to Alvin Garrett and Ruben Studdard singing "By Myself" on YouTube.

Buy Alvin Garrett's "By Myself" mp3 at Amazon.

4. “Let’s Hear It For The DJ”-------Jaye Hammer

When your Daddy B. Nice suggested in a CD review last year that Hammer’s vocal style overlapped a little too much with O.B. Buchana’s style, I never dreamed Hammer could pull off something like this. Imagine Hammer in Prince's pinched clothes and delivery. (Difficult, huh?) The vocal is radically different--clipped, distanced--not Ecko’s style at all. It’s very percussive, and yet the song rocks in a catchy, cumulative way Hammer has never achieved before. From the upcoming Ecko BLUES MIX 18: SOUTHERN SOUL PARTY CD, and from Jaye Hammer's own upcoming new CD, I'M THE RIGHT MAN.

5. “Let’s Party”------Lebrado

This is a major new hit for Lebrado. No links yet (too fresh). I'm hearing it on DJ Cathe B.'s Saturday pm show on WDLT Mobile's "All Blues Saturdays."

See Lebrado's "Let's Party" on Cathe's Countdown.

6. "Love Doctor"-----Tucka

Does the Deity have a pipeline to Tucka? Where does Tucka receive the inspiration for all these first-rate hooks and romantic words? He is like Cupid brought to flesh. But then, we already have a Cupid, don’t we?

Listen to Tucka singing "Love Doctor" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Tucka's GROOVE CITY CD at Blues Critic.

7. "Everybody Ain't Cheatin'"------Sir Charles Jones featuring Lacee

Basically a mainstream-urban-sounding “stepping” beat, with the two crooners fully engaged. It's a refreshing message and at the same time a backhanded compliment to the power of southern soul music and its “cheating” songs.

See Sir Charles Jones & Lace's "Everybody Ain't Cheatin'" on Cathe's Countdown.

8. “It’s Party Time”----Val McKnight

Vivacious Val's most accomplished vocal yet, grafting her street-savvy, talking style onto a first-rate melodic line. And congratulations on her signing with Ecko Records.

Listen to Val McKnight singing “It’s Party Time."

Buy Val McKnight’s INDEPENDENT WOMAN CD at Blues Critic.

9. "One Big Party"-----Solomon Thompson

This begins like a pretty generic dance jam until Solomon suddenly slips into a different key on a climactic note towards the end of first verse, bringing you abruptly to attention. Like... whoaa... It kick-starts the groove and you coast for the duration.

Watch the official video of Solomon Thompson singing "One Big Party."

Buy Solomon Thompson's "One Big Party" mp3 or HISTORY CD at CD Baby.

10. "Let Me Work It"-----Lomax

Lomax is in fine form on this mid-tempo rocker. Think of it as a souped-up version of Omar Cunningham’s “Give Me A Chance,” complete with well-placed, double-tracked harmonies.

Listen to Lomax singing "Let Me Work It" on YouTube.

Buy Lomax's "Let Me Work It" mp3 or LIFE LESSONS CD at CD Baby.

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

----------AUGUST 2015------------

1. "Hoe Digger"-------Lacee

Lacee Reed has been given short shrift on this website--a combination of Lacee's passive approach to marketing and your Daddy B. Nice's own ineptitude at keeping abreast of her frequently exceptional recordings and gigs. Here she takes a standard (no gimmicks) approach to a mid-tempo, middle-of-the-road song and comes up with a bonafide southern soul classic. She stands with Ms. Jody, Nellie "Tiger" Travis and Karen Wolfe in the first rank of new-generation divas.

Listen to Lacee singing "Hoe Digger" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Lacee's "Hoe Digger" from the BEAUTIFUL CD at Amazon.

2. "Let's Do It"-----Adrian Bagher, Veronica Ra'elle & Big Cynthia

T.K. Soul always liked to be known as the "boy boy". "Bad boy" is evident in the vivid story-telling of Adrian Bagher's very first, Jackson, Mississippi-based hit, "Around The Corner (99 Problems I Can Help You Solve)." Here in "Let's Do It"--from the highly entertaining BEAT FLIPPA: I GOT THE BLUES album--Adrian comes off like the ghost of Little Richard, blazing a new rock and roll frontier.

Listen to Adrian Badger and friends singing "Let's Do It" on YouTube.

Buy Adrian Badger's "Let's Do It" mp3 on the BEAT FLIPPA: I GOT THE BLUES album.

3. "Is She Waiting On You?"-----Donnie Ray featuring Jaye Hammer

Southern Soul singers to the very core. The primary singer, Donnie Ray, is overshadowed by Jaye Hammer because of the repetition of "Hammer" in the chorus lyrics, which contain the song's most memorable line, "Is she waiting on you, Jaye Hammer?"

Listen to Donnie Ray & Jaye Hammer singing "Is She Waiting On You?" on YouTube.

Sample/Buy Donnie Ray's & Jaye Hammer's "Is She Waiting On You" in the Blues Mix compilation, Vol. 16: Grown up Soul.

See Daddy B. Nice's NEW CD REVIEWS.

4. "Jigga Jigga"------Mel Waiters featuring J'Wonn

Mel (RIP) toured military bases for a living in his youth and in truth would have made an excellent drill instructor, and when J-Wonn's playful-as-a-pup vocal enters the song, the contrast with that faint trace of Mel's military background is stunning. Grown-folks music transformed into "young-folks" music. A miracle. The common denominator of the two singers, though, is high energy. Not released before Mel's passing, it's questionable whether "Jigga Jigga" will be released commercially.

Listen to Mel Waiters featuring J'Wonn singing "Jigga Jigga" on YouTube.

5. "If It Ain't The Blues"--------Pokey featuring Cupid

This song is arguably the centerpiece in the dazzling array of music contained in Beat Flippa (Various Artists) I Got the Blues, Vol. 1. I can hardly wait for Vol. 2.

Listen to Pokey and Cupid singing "If It Ain't The Blues" on YouTube.

See Daddy B. Nice's NEW, 5-star CD REVIEW.

6. "Groove It How You Move It (Twerk)"-------Veronica Ra'elle

Every once in awhile an artist comes along who makes you wonder why no one thought of filling that particular, vacated niche--in this case, sexy young diva--and of all the aspiring female vocalists introduced on Beat Flippa (Various Artists) I Got the Blues, Vol. 1., Veronica Ra'elle arrives apparently poised to catapult herself into a genuine career. Unlike "Sugar Daddy," this new single isn't on BEAT FLIPPA, the YouTube video has poor audio quality and Veronica Ra'elle plays to an empty club. (It's part of becoming a professional.) The instrumental track to "Twerk" is taken from Chris Ardoin's "Party Till The Sunrise."

Listen to Veronica Ra'elle performing "Groove It How You Move It" in front of an empty club on YouTube.

Sample (1 minute) Veronica Ra'elle singing "Groove It How You Move It" on YouTube (with better audio quality).

7. "Operator"--------C-Wright featuring Tucka

Not much to be found on C-Wright (aka Mr. Ziggaboo). With a low-budget but nevertheless memorable, faux-horn section, "Operator" was recorded without fanfare a few years ago, but it sounds as fresh as last night's rain. You can even detect a certain early roughness and lack of focus in Tucka's by-now extraordinary vocal style.

Listen to C-Wright featuring Tucka singing "Operator" on SoundCloud.

8. "I'll Be The Other Man"------Tyree Neal

With Tyree's typically tasteful guitar and the sumptuous accordian accompaniment, this ballad is as traditional and mellow as any old-school southern soul. "I'll Be The Other Man" is also the title tune of Tyree Neal's upcoming 2-CD album. (Listen to a preview of the new CD at Blues Critic.) Tyree's come a long way since the days when he was chiefly known as the cousin of the late, great Jackie Neal.

Watch the official video of Tyree Neal's "I'll Be The Other Man" on YouTube.

Buy Tyree Neal's "I'll Be The Other Man" on Beat Flippa: I Got the Blues, Vol.1.

9. "Cold Pepsi (And A Hot Man)"------Jeter Jones

Jeter Jones is the young artist whose southern soul debut was marred by instrumental tracks--catchy though they were--already familiar to fans from Bobby Jones and Chuck Roberson songs. The author of the tracks, Eric "Smidi" Smith, then got into a rights dispute with "Sweet" Pete Peterson, the executive producer, chronicled over the last couple of years in Daddy B. Nice's Mailbag. But the news here is that Jeter Jones has rebounded and reinvented himself in a much more comfortable and natural style.

Watch the official video of Jeter Jones singing "Cold Pepsi (And A Hot Man)" on YouTube.

Buy Jeter Jone's "Cold Pepsi"on his new Da Gq Country Boy CD.

10. "Leave Your Loving With Me"-------D. Saunders

Here's yet another overlooked unknown, D. Saunders, working with an old Spinners or Temptations riff, with (if I'm not mistaken) programmed horns at the outset of this exuberant number pushed aside halfway through by a live saxophone (Sweet Angel? JR Blu?) instrumental break, with the real sax coasting through the remaining verses.

Listen to D. Saunders singing "Leave Your Loving With Me."

Buy D. Saunders' "Leave Your Loving With Me" on his "The New Old School" CD.

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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 Preview For. . .

-------JULY 2015---------

1. "The Guitar Song"-----LaMorris Williams

LaMorris was the first of the current "new wave" of southern soul talents with his incredible single "Impala," in which we first heard mention of the now well-known Jackson producer, "my buddy Big Yayo." Just when we'd begun to overlook him with the emergence of even younger new stars like J'Wonn, Tucka and Pokey, LaMorris reminds us of why we thought he was such a unique vocalist when he hit the scene.

Listen to LaMorris Williams singing "The Guitar Song" on YouTube.

2. "T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday)"-----Pokey featuring Vince Hutchinson & Adrian Bagher

Put on your marching shoes, dancers, and put those arms and hands high in the air. Reach for your inner mojo and prance to the finest club anthem to come down the pike since Big Yayo's "Cowgirl" in January.

Listen to Pokey & Friends singing "T.G.I.F." on YouTube.

Buy Pokey's "T.G.I.F." on the BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 CD.

3. "Some Preachers"-----Bishop Bullwinkle

I don't think you'll be hearing this follow-up to "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on the radio. It's true underground African-American "folk" culture, undiluted and outrageously raw, and it's the reason your Daddy B. Nice got into southern soul in the first place. If you think Bishop Bullwinkle "crosses the line" with lyrics like:

"Some preachers ain't shit.
Some preachers, they need to quit...."

....There's much worse. Listen to "retired preacher" Bullwinkle's full story in the song. You'll understand his anger and passion, and you'll realize he's following in the huge footprints of Clarence Carter, Marvin Sease and Bobby Rush.

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Some Preachers" on YouTube.

4. "I Want Your Body"----Mz. Pat

It's thrilling to hear someone exploring the unique musical territory of southern soul's greatest and probably most under-rated diva, Shirley Brown--and with the technique to do it. Mz. Pat deserves further kudos for telling a man to "take your clothes off."

Listen to Mz. Pat's "I Want Your Body" on YouTube.

Buy Mz. Pat's "I Want Your Body" on the BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 CD.

5. "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It"------Pokey

You listen to this song, shake your head and marvel at how casually and humorously--how non-ironically--Pokey brings off the couplet....

"I got the sausage
And you got the biscuit."

....Also love Beat Flippa's old-fashioned, sixties-style, rock and roll organ and the rousing female background chorus.

Listen to Pokey singing "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It" on YouTube.

Buy Pokey's "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It" on the BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 CD.

6. "Much Right Man"-----Billy "Soul" Bonds

Brand new Bonds song, with Billy's trademark vocal tone, as sweet and singular as anyone on the planet.

Listen to Billy "Soul" Bonds singing "Much Right Man" on YouTube.

Buy Billy "Soul" Bonds' "Much Right Man on his CAT DADDY CD.

7. "The Best You Ever Had"-----Rosalyn Candy featuring Veronica Ra'elle

Readers, get used to me going to the "well," otherwise known as BEAT FLIPPA, I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1, for the next month or two. You might as well buy it. Your Daddy B. Nice didn't give it a five-star review for nothing.

Listen to Rosalyn Candy and Veronica Ra'elle singing "The Best You Ever Had" on YouTube.

Buy Rosalyn Candy's "I Was The Best You Ever Had" on the BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES, VOL. 1 CD.

8. "Blues & BBQ"----Bigg Robb featuring Denise LaSalle

The attraction here is the Queen Of The Blues and the friendly banter. Minimal hooks from Robb lately ("Getting It In," "Fill It Up"). This one sounds circa 2005, a real throwback. What if, after all the trust and acceptance given him by the chitlin' circuit, Bigg Robb should turn out to be the Trojan horse for Ohio-based funk that we thought he was in the beginning? Just a thought. (Smile.)

Listen to Bigg Robb & Denise LaSalle singing "Blues & BBQ" on YouTube.

9. "I Can't Eat"-----Certified Slim

Listen to Certified Slim singing "I Can't Eat" on YouTube.

10. "Hold It In The Road"----Mr. Sipp

Listen to Mr. Sipp singing "Hold It In The Road" on YouTube.

Watch Mr. Sipp singing "Hold It In The Road" Live Onstage on YouTube.

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

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

-------JUNE 2015---------

1. "Hell 2 Da Naw Naw"---------Bishop Bullwinkle

A one-in-a-thousand, hybrid gospel/southern soul song arising from a preacher's (or would-be preacher's) frustrations with the hypocrisy of his fellow churchgoers, "Hell To The Naw Naw's" six-plus blissful minutes go by way too quickly. Already a hit in Florida (Tampa, Orlando), the song has amassed 150,000 plays on YouTube and an astounding number of enthusiastic comments. And who wouldn't love someone named Bishop Bullwinkle?

Listen to Bishop Bull Winka singing "Hell To The Naw Naw" on YouTube.

Listen to Bishop Bullwinkle singing "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" Live Featuring J. Anthony Brown From the Tom Joyner Morning Show on YouTube.

2. "Step Out"-----J. Red

Your Daddy B. Nice has no hesitation in saying this is J. Red's best yet, with the groovy anthem-like quality that made Lomax's "Swing It" so special. And it's a line dance!

Listen to J. Red singing "Step Out" on YouTube.

Learn the line dance to J. Red's "Step Out."

3. "Southern Girl"-----Doctor Dee

Jackson, Mississippi's local favorite Dr. Dee takes a giant step in his recording career with his first professionally-produced ballad. The lead vocal and instrumental background have a pristine, acoustic beauty similar to last year's "Now This Is The Party For The Grown Folks" by T.K. Soul.

Listen to Dr. Dee singing Johnnie Taylor live onstage.

4. "That's Messy"------Cupid featuring J. Paul Jr. & Messie Cee

Solid new hit song from Cupid. The video takes place in a beauty-slash-barbershop. After three listenings, it's impossible to keep from singing "Messs-eeee, Messs-eeee" on the harmony choruses.

Listen to Cupid & Friends singing "Messy" on YouTube.

5. "Swool Up (In Them Jeans)"------Shohn Marshall

Proud to say your Daddy B. Nice finally found this record--a real keeper--by luck on an "Urban Flava Southern Soul Party Mix" by DJ Bubba Yae (William McDonald). Killer bass line with the words "You sho nuff hold up them jeans." The bass line, incidentally, is from Marvin Sease's "Do You Qualify?" via Lebrado's "Coffee."

Listen to Shohn Marshall singing "Swool Up In Them Jeans" on YouTube.

6. "Shake It Fast, Shake It Slow"---------Steve Perry

A first-class dance jam with a rhythm track the way only Steve Perry knows how to do it--perfect for endless, mindless dancing.

7. "I'm On Fire"---J.B. Hendricks featuring Cupid

"I'm On Fire" already charted here last year (June 2014)). Shreveport's Hendricks reprises the single with the star power of Cupid on board and more power to him.

Listen to J.B. Hendricks and Cupid singing "I'm On Fire" on YouTube.

8. "Dance Tonight"----Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band

Great rhythm track on this jam, which repeats "party to some southern soul" more times than you can count. This integrated band from the Carolina beach music scene loves their southern soul.

Sample Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band's "Dance Tonight."

9. "Mississippi Blues Child"-----Mr. Sipp

Like Grady Champion before him, Mr. Sipp is another young award-winning, Delta bluesman on the rise, with a CD Release Party in Jackson Thursday, June 5th.

10. "Play Your Position"-----Demond Crump

Local Jackson, Ms. musician Demond Crump, author of "Neighborhood Rat," returns with a new tune.

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

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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SINGLES CHARTS CONTINUED IN MIDDLE COLUMN....

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

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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SINGLES CHARTS CONTINUED IN MIDDLE COLUMN....

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