1.  Swamp Dogg "Resurrection" (SDEG) LISTEN

"Resurrection"  is his most provocative (and best) offering in decades ... winding, horn-heavy slice of energetic Soul- that Swamp Dogg sound.... the centerpiece of the record is the twelve minute titled track, an unflinching treatise on the history of Black folk in America.

2.  Sterling Harrison "South Of The Snooty Fox" (Hacktone) LISTEN

The late Sterling Harrison never got his due as the exceptional Soul singer he was during his life...  Fortunately for us he left a potent collection of tracks aka "South Of The Snooty Fox", that shows Harrison was a cut above the average Soul/Blues journeyman. "Snooty Fox" is the definitive Sterling Harrison moment.

3.  "Bigg Robb Presents Blues, Soul & Old School" (Over 25 Sound) LISTEN

Everything Biiiiiiiiiigg Robb touches turns to gold. Midas touch fo' sure. The brutha is busy too! This is the third release this year. His "8 Tracks & 45s" then "Best Of Da Problem Solvas" are already out there and now this party in a box! Good news for those who want to get Pat Cooley's "Younger Man, Older Woman". It's in there. (like Ragu). Bigg Robb's new version of Carl Marshall "Good Lovin' Will Make You Cry".

 4.  Simone De "A Definitive Collection" LISTEN

2007 is off to a great start with this superb collection by Simone De. ...real instruments rather than programming.... richly Old School Soul, which is always timeless to folks with good taste. Despite the title "A Definitive Collection" isn't a "hits" compilation (Though it sounds like it!). All new material....De wrote or co-wrote all ten 10 slices of modern Soul. An essential purchase.

5. O.B. Buchana "Goin' Back Home" (Ecko) LISTEN

...his best since his Ecko debut ("Shake What You Got!"). Why? A higher percentage of good hooks and better rhythm tracks...."Goin' Back Home" has the bass upfront like on the propulsive "Booty Mover" (2 versions), perhaps the label's best dancer since the irresistible "Booty Scoot"... and Big John Cumming's "I'm Goin' Back Home". How can you not agree with these lyrics?

6.  Mr. Sam "Lookin' 4 Love" (MiLaja) LISTEN

The terrific title cut preceded the full length CD by several months and made it's mark on dozens of Southern Soul playlists... hook-filled set of modern Soul music, possessing a yearning tenor of his own and a sense of melody. "12 Steps 4 Cheaters" is a stone cold gem....silky "I'm Coming Home" and "Work Yo Body", an irresistible dancer...Sam Fallie is a triple threat: Artist/Producer/Writer.

7.  Dr Feelgood Potts "Going Down To Memphis" (Pottstown) LISTEN

This is a straight up Blues album that's found a Southern Soul audience. Those only familiar with Potts' two enjoyable "Southern Soul/Blues" discs for Ecko Records may be stunned by this sizzling set of harmonica blues recorded in the heart of Memphis....10 originals tunes were completed at Sam Phillips' (of Sun Records fame) Recording Studio with a small unit of session musicians...Potts sounds like he's found his true voice on the mic, ...Of course they also come to hear Southern Soul/Blues as well and now Potts has conquered both.

8.   Betty Harris "Intuition" (Evidence) LISTEN

Jagged, unpolished Soul, Blues & Rhythm & Blues for comeback gal Harris. Now three-plus decades since her official 1970 retirement she's returned with a 16-track set entrusted to the prodigious hands of producer Jon Tiven....Add a crack band that plays this kind of music all day and you got a keeper! Featuring a hook big enough for a whale, the opener "Is It Hot In Here?", is simply overpowering in it's sexiness and ripe for Triple A radio..."Intuition" ranks up there with his Pickett album ("It's Harder Now")....a vital new recording that's classic in arrangement but sonically NOW.

 9. Bigg Robb "8 Tracks & 45s" (Over 25 Sound) LISTEN

Bigg Robb is in the hizzy and that can only mean one thing- party time for "grown folks"!...the madcap producer brings a cast of characters including Charlie Wilson, Blowfly, Henry "Big Woo" King (of Da Problem Solvas), Shirley Murdock, Karen Graves, Sure 2 B, Special & others to a straight up party record... on the pulse of the "grown and sexy" spirit in the Chitlin' Circuit... Pure booty candy.

10. Lola "Give Her What She Wants" (Wilbe) LISTEN

Ms. Lola Gulley is the newest find by the Stax Records legend William Bell....Daaaamn! But the girl ain't triflin', she found her way through the door to center stage...She has a mighty soulful voice that makes me think of Mavis Staples and Mr. Bell gives her a set of funky Rhythm & Blues and Southern Soul...The girl's good...he (Reginald Wizard Jones) and Bell continue to "Give Her What She Wants".

11. Denise LaSalle "Pay Before You Pump" (Ecko) LISTEN

The first single, however, is a re-working of Floyd Hamberlin's "Mississippi Boy" (re-titled "Mississippi Woman"), which has already been a regional hit for Will T and Charles Wilson...The rhythmically similar "It's Goin' Down" was written by LaSalle. Here the "Queen" promises to put the smack down on a rival hen. ... LaSalle is one of those rare Blues singers that seems to appeal equally to female and male fans. The ladies cheer when she talk smack, putting men in their place but the menfolk simply eat it up too because she's got the chops. Both will "pump" this one to the top of the charts.

12. Craig King "Breakthrough" (Bonedog) LISTEN

This fine release from Bonedog Records once again hits the right chords for Soul music like real Memphis-styled horns, Staxy-rhythm, greasy organ, soulful vocals. Folks, it never gets old and the formula works for newcomer Craig King who reminds me of the underappreciated Earl Thomas....Bonedog Records is a label that uncompromisingly keeps the classic period alive.

13. Fred Bolton "I'm Gonna Get Mine" (Wilbe) LISTEN

William Bell's Wilbe Records has given us another great sounding R&B/Soul record. Elastic-voiced tenor Fred Bolton makes his presence known... Radio friendly ear candy like "I Can't Lose (With The Stuff You Use)", "Must Be Jelly", "Baby It's You" should all be pulled as singles...Another winner from the Bell camp, which also boasts Jeff Floyd.

14. Simeo "Hottest In The Game" (Jomar) LISTEN

"Get Low" shake it down to the floor! Get Low"! Ladies, please listen to the brutha! That's one hot dancefloor jammy...R & B-flava southern soul. Simeo used to play with Cameo ("Word Up"!) and sang lead for Larry Blackmon's pet project Cashflow...Every cut is hot. Big booty bottom bass on "Windows". He's singing "We roll roll southern soul soul". The walls are shaking, speakers rumble and the windows are rattling....Alright back to Simeo. "Hottest In The Game"? Maybe. Maybe! Peace.

15.  Charles Wilson 'The After Party" (CDS Records) LISTEN

I've been waiting for my man Charles Wilson to make a record that truly lives up to his potential. And he sho 'nuff does on this one. 10 brand new southern soul songs (plus the 11th hidden bonus track "Mississippi Boy")...Every song could be a hit. "That Boom!"..."Plumber Man"....On the slow tip we have the super sweet "Broke Into My Heart" ..."Christmas In Memphis"....Charles' best record yet.

16. Eugene Smiley Sr "Legends" (K-City) LISTEN

...the kind of Soul/Blues record critics such as myself love to discover. All original songs and real instruments, which in itself is a selling point. Memphis movers like "I'm The Only Man", "You're Gonna Miss Me" & "Holdin On" plus Downhome Bluesers "Straighten Up, Woman" & "Voodoo Woman". Horns, Bluesy guitar and organ Soul music never gets old.

17. Bigg Joe "I Like Bigg Girls" (Baby Boy) LISTEN

Although cliché-ridden the title track to Bigg Joe's "I Like Bigg Girls" is monsterously catchy. It's a gimmicky piece of fluff that could potentially hide the fact Bigg Joe is an excellent singer. Being dubbed the "Luther Vandross of Southern Soul", Joe's blessed with a smoky urban voice that can chew up the slower jams ala Luther and there's plenty here.

18. Patrick Harris "Long Time Coming" (Lyn Rome) LISTEN

...an impressive introduction from this versatile singer mixing chuggin' Southern Soul with Downhome Blues and lil' Contemporary Pop/R & B...Two downright great tracks merit mention first. The upbeat, head-bobbin, shoulder rollin' "Give Her What She's Been Missin'" is one of those modern Memphis Soul shuffle bumpers that folks like Theodis Ealey have been scorin' with. Harris has a strong rasp to his singing and the production is thick enough to compete with big leaguers in this genre...Of the ever crowding school of independent "Southern Soul" singers Harris ranks highly in my book.

19. Lady Bianca "Through A Woman's Eyes" (Magic O) LISTEN

...the Lady really sings the Blues on the poignant "Welcome To The Momma's Club", accurately describing the bad breaks of being tied down to a "husband who's out in the street". ...It's from a woman's POV as is the title track, it being a gorgeous, torchy Soul burner. It's also a sequel to "Momma's Club" in theme (trouble in the homefront?). It's the best thing Aretha Franklin hasn't done in decades!...These slower to midtempo numbers are where Bianca knocks you out. Recommended.

20. Michael Rainey "Too" (Rainey) LISTEN

"Too" is a well produced set of R & B/Soul that incorporates a wide array of style placing it outside any one radio format,- though it belongs on true Southern Soul airwaves. It's much better than most of what's played on Southern Soul radio these days... No bum tracks (all written by Rainey). "Boom Bam" deserves to be a hit.

21. T.K. Soul "Undisputed" (Soulful) LISTEN

...currently the "king of Southern Soul". The first single, "Party Like Back In The Day", is sitting in the Top 5 on Southern Soul charts..."Undisputed" (the album) is a crowd pandering/pleasing set capitalizing on the momentum T.K. has built up over the years. Very much a "Pop Southern Soul" album...the ladies sure do love the man! ... Another strong, slow creeper is "You're So Special" and the ode to moms, "Flowers", is truly gorgeous. Overall this has less for the clubs and more for the bedroom but it's easy on the ears for sure. Expect it to dominate Southern Soul for the rest of the year.

22. Steve Perry "It's Okay" (Bluesland) LISTEN

The king of the slow jam? Ladies love Steve Perry is back with another irresistible slow jam sure to connect with the Chtilin Circuit...his best set of songs to date!

23. Lenny Williams "It Must Be Love" (Lentom) LISTEN

As evidenced by his recent records Lenny Williams hasn't lost a step vocally. His "Can't Nobody Do Me Like You Do" spent an entire year on Southern Soul charts... "It Must Be Love" rewards the listener with that classic Lenny yearn and "I Be Missing You" features a modern Contemporary R & B arrangement with rat-a-tat verses and call-and-response backups... Still lovin' Lenny.

24. J.T. Watkins "Why Not Tonight, Girl?" (Arrow Heart) LISTEN

For those of us that've made the search beyond what mainstream radio force feeds to the public we often strike gold over the number of great Soul & Blues artists we find making a living under the radar of the major radio companies. J.T. Watkins has one of those timeless Soul voices mixing the back-of-the-throat warble of Joe Simon with the deep timbre of James Carr...The title cut is a great Country Soul ballad may not be en vogue these days but will delight real Soul music connoisseurs...If don't know J.T. pick up this new one and find his Ace Records debut.

25. Vickie Baker "I Could Show You" (FaLife) LISTEN

... she still has that sweet Southern Soul voice. "I Could Show You" mostly that trusty Chitlin' Circuit-style of "Soul/Blues" we all love ...witty cuts like the title cut...This fills in the void we've had since Peggy Scott-Adams is taking a break..."Get Me Weak" talks bullshhh or perhaps "the truth" on "Straight Talkin'", ala Millie Jackson, but then gets all soft on the gorgeous slowie "He Say She Say" where she vows "to stand by my man". Recommended!

26. Poonanny "Signifying Monkey" LISTEN

Joe Poonanny "the Blues Comedian" is called the "lyingist man in show business! Talking s**t and swallowing spit" by the announcer and this 19 track collection of funky R & B songs and jokes is his title defense. The ribald "Signifying Monkey" is one of those rare projects that can get away with dialogue inbetween the songs 'cuz Poonanny is 100% character...Only Poonanny could make an album like this but be warned: You may have to listen to it with headphones just like you did with your Richard Pryor albums back in the day!

27. David Brinston "Here I Go Again" (Ecko) LISTEN

Now on his fifth record label, Ecko, Brinston delivers the goods with simple melodic bumps, ballads and beach. Though it's heavily synthetic music a singer like Brinston can still make it sound soulful. 

28. Big G "Simply Me" (Stone River) LISTEN

Big G stays true to form on "Simply Me", laidback, downhome Soul in the Roy C vain...Heavy bass and drum bottom and lots of saxophone (by Lorenzo Brown) permeate these simple songs about love, bopping your booty and gettin' it on. The strongest melody belongs to "1 800" about a lonely guy who sees a commercial imploring him to cure his heartache by picking up the phone...G's pinched voiced bodes well for the slowies as on "Can't Stop Thinking About You" and an effective version of "I'd Rather Go Blind"...Recommended for Deep Soul fans.

29. L.J. Echols "Well Runs Dry" (Baby Boy) LISTEN

...has a higher percentage of strong songs than the majority of modern Southern Soul/R & B discs I've heard lately. Upbeat shuffle bumpers like "Girl U Look So Good", "Thank You Mama", "Give It All You Got" & the title track, melodic slowies like  "Hold On", "One Reason" & the Hurricane Katrina tribute "Doing Fine", plus a fine stepper ("Lady In Black") all given a high caliber machine production. Not a dud among these nine tracks...this is a very good "party blues/Southern Soul" outing.

30. Monique Ford "Ladies Get Your Own" (Laryan) LISTEN

Album number 3 from sweet-voiced Monique Ford has a good mix of bumps and ballads with good production. You gotsta love a sista who sings (on "Don't Tease Me") "Don't tease me if you can't please me. Don't be in a rush I'm gonna need some foreplay. Start from my head and end at my feet. Make sure you lick that special place right inbetween! I need a candy licker!". Oh Lawd! You hear that Marvin Sease? But don't think Monique needs the sexy lyrics to get over 'cuz she can sang as good as any of 'em.