Review: The Altons make their Daptone debut with Heartache in Room 14, pressed here as a limited sky-blue vinyl LP with an MP3 download code. Known for their streak of standout singles on Penrose Records, this release sees Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce sharing lead vocals, adding a heartfelt, almost cinematic quality that cuts through today's soul. Expect moody ballads, tejano-inspired duets and splashes of Bond-esque psychedelia. Heartache in Room 14 isn't just another soul album - it's primed to be 2025's must-have in this exclusive sky-blue pressing.
Review: After a run of hit singles on Penrose Records, The Altons are primed to release their debut album, Heartache in Room 14, on Daptone. Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce share lead vocals, creating a romantic depth often missing in today's soul. The album dives into moody ballads and tejano-flavoured duets, with hints of Bond theme psychedelia that give it a cinematic edge. Heartache in Room 14 promises to be more than just another soul record and is rather is a must-have for 2025.
Review: Heartache In Room 14 marks The Altons' highly anticipated full-length debut on Daptone, promising a soulful, cinematic journey. Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce share lead vocals, creating a rich, emotive interplay that's hard to come by in modern soul. With tracks like 'Waiting' and 'Perdoname', the album weaves through melancholic ballads, tejano influences, and a touch of Bond-style psychedelia, making it clear why they're a standout act. Already primed to be a must-have of 2025, Heartache In Room 14 blends classic warmth with undeniable chemistry.
Review: Once dubbed "the screaming eagle of soul", Charles Bradley passed away in 2017 after a late career surge that saw him finally find the commercial success that had long eluded him. "Black Velvet", his second and final posthumous set, draws on material recorded with long-term producer Tommy "TNT" Brenneck over the course of his career. Much of the material is either exceedingly rare (see his covers of songs by Nirvana, Neil Young and Rodriguez, as well as a sought-after funk duet with LaRose Jackson) or previously unreleased (see "Can't Fight The Feeling", "Fly Little Girl" and the never-before-heard "full band" take on Bradley classic "Victim of Love"). More importantly, it's all exceptionally good, making this a fitting farewell to Floridian soul singer.
Review: The Budos Band are the quintessence of Staten Island Soul. Since the release of the 2005 debut, their exciting new afro-influenced take on the instrumental music has been captivating listeners across the globe. "The Budos Band II" is an amazing release on Daptone.
Review: Leon Dinero's rendition of 'One Way Love' breathes new life into James Hunter's classic, transforming it into a smooth rocksteady gem. Backed by the Inversions and guided by Victor Axelrod's expert production, Dinero infuses the track with a laid-back groove and soulful vocal delivery that feels both timeless and fresh. The relaxed rhythm and heartfelt performance lend the song an authenticity that might leave listeners wondering if this version predates the original. Hunter's exceptional songwriting shines through, transcending genre boundaries with its elegant melody and sharp lyrics. Dinero's 'One Way Love' is a stunning example to the enduring power of a well-crafted song.
Review: The 7" record has been the preferred format for reggae for over 60 years now. Releases like Leon Dinero's Heartbreak offer that classic record feeling in more ways than one. The A-side features Leon Dinero's 'Heartbreak,' a classic Reggae track with distinct early Rocksteady influences. The vintage recording exudes authenticity, with a sound that harkens back to the roots of the genre, almost reminiscent of mono recordings from the past. On Side-2, 'Cuts Both Ways,' another classic reggae tune that embodies the essence of the genre. With its infectious rhythms and soulful melodies, this track is sure to get any Reggae enthusiast moving and grooving. Leon Dinero presents a treat for Reggae DJs and classic 7" collectors with their hip double-sided single 'Heartbreak/Cut Both Ways' on Daptone Records
The Family Daptone - "Hey Brother (Do Unto Others)" (3:52)
Soul Fugue - "The 100 Knights Orchestra" (4:58)
Review: Soul and funk heads won't want to miss this very special seven-inch from the Daptone Records crew, and not just because it's the label's 100th "45". The A-side features an all-star '60s soul cover of the Frightnrs rock-steady cut featuring vocal contributions from Saun and Starr, James Hunter, Lee Fields, Naomi Shelton, Duke Amayo, the Frightnrs and two legends who are no longer with us: Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones. It's a one-off that won't be repeated for obvious reasons, but more importantly it's very, very good. Over on the flip main man Bosco Mann takes charge, conducting and producing "two opposing armies" of woodwind and horn players from the label's expansive musical roster. As you'd expect, it's something of an epic.
Review: Lee delivers two powerhouse performances from his album Sentimental Fool. 'Two Jobs' channels the conviction of James Brown with Bobby Bland's swing, showcasing Lee's command and swagger. The track's deep piano intro and frantic shuffle captivate listeners with a sound few can replicate. On 'Save Your Tears for Someone New,' Lee delivers a masterclass in rhythm and soul, his ferociously soulful voice shining in this dark r&b ballad. With each note, Lee proves why he's considered one of the best soul singers alive, leaving listeners wanting more.
Review: Frightnrs are considered one of Daptone's best artists but they have put out any new music since 201 after the tragic passing from ALS of the front man, Dan Klein. That wrong is righted here with Always, a new posthumous long player that comes on black wax as well as a coloured version. As fans would expect, it is a raw and soulful offering from the Queens-based reggae outfit that has been built around vocal stems that Klein recorded before his death. It forms a fitting final album from this outfit who also did more than reggae revivalism by adding elements of Motown, doo-wop, Blues and gospel.
Menahan Street Band - "How Did I Get Here?" (2:40)
Review: The superbly classy Daptone label comes on strong with another perfect formed 7" of retro soul. This time, the label's in house crew Menahan Street Band provide their famously authentic grooves, with big horns, rolling licks and drawn out leads on 'How Did I Get Here?' which on the a-side has vocals from LaRose Jackson. Soaring high and filled with rich soul, it's another timeless tune. On the flip is the instrumental. It's a story telling tune with some cosmic synth work and nice old school tambourines for an old/new fusion that gets you movin'.
Review: Daptone recently released a killer collection of archival cover versions by in-house band the Dap-Kings and their sadly departed lead singer Sharon Jones. One of the headline attractions on that set, the band's righteous, call-to-arms soul version of Woody Guthrie's folk anthem 'This Land Is Our Land', is also featured on this must-have reissue of a "45" that first dropped in 2004. It's superb, but even better is A-side 'What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes?', a floor-friendly conscious soul/funk crossover written and recorded at the height of the second Gulf War with Iraq. As usual, Jones' impeccable lead vocal is supported brilliantly by the band's fiery instrumentation and Bosco Mann's fuzzy, sixties-style production.
Making Up & Breaking Up (& Making Up & Breaking Up Again)
Get Up & Get Out
Long Time, Wrong Time
People Don't Get What They Deserve
Slow Down, Love
Review: Revivalist funk and soul veterans Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings appeared to have drawn the curtain down on their career back in 2011, with the release of the well-timed retrospective Soul Time. Happily, they were just on hiatus, and three years on return with their first album of new material since 2010. For those who enjoy their sweet, soulful, faithful recreation of original '60s and '70s soul, this should be cause for rejoicing. Certainly, Give The People What They Want lives up to its title, delivering a blend of strong songs, heart-aching lyrics, nostalgic production and superb playing.
Review: Female vocalist Sharon Jones continues to fly the flag for raw femme funk with her fifth album for US label Daptone, ably assisted by the labels in-house band - The Dap Kings. The new record is a collection of rare tracks and B-Sides going back as far as 2002. The only new track appears to be the Motown-esque "New Shoes", which, like the rest of the album, could be mistaken as a lost soul classic.
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (3:00)
Here I Am Baby (3:16)
What Have You Done For Me Lately? (2:46)
Take Me With U (2:51)
Inspiration Information (3:59)
Giving Up (3:05)
Rescue Me (2:22)
In The Bush (3:28)
It Hurts To Be Alone (2:56)
Trespasser (2:38)
Review: Late soul singing sensation Sharon Jones has a collection of her finest coves all pulled together in one essential album here. It's chocked with classics from the off with 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours' filled with big soul vibes, Motown production and funky guitar riffs to die for. 'What Have You Done For Me Lately' is a cover of a Janet Jackson tune that actually lead to a legal battle over who write it first and is a more raw and hard hitting tune. 'Rescue Me' is painfully short but super sweet, with a funky and tropical world vibe reimagined beneath big horns and lung busting vocals from Sharon.
Review: Before she passed away last year, Sharon Jones spent a couple of months recording what would become her final album with the Dap Kings. Released posthumously, Soul of a Woman is every bit as good as her previous collaborations with Bosco Mann's revivalist soul and funk band. Naturally, Jones death has added extra poignancy to the album's more melancholic moments (see "Just Give Me Your Time" and "Pass Me By" and "When I Saw Your Face"), but these sorrowful outings are contrasted by a string of rousing soul and funk anthems in her confident and effortlessly soulful style. With Mann and the rest of the Dap Kings excelling themselves in a bid to guarantee Jones' legacy, Soul of a Woman may well be Jones single finest album. It's certainly a fitting send off for one of soul's finest voices.
Review: Presenting two previously unreleased tracks from the late Queen of modern soul, Sharon Jones, and her Dap-Kings. 'Don't Wanna Lose You,' penned by sax stalwart Neal Sugarman, exudes soul sophistication with its infectious groove and vibe. Sharon's powerful vocals soar over the track, showcasing her unparalleled talent. On 'Don't Give a Friend a Number,' the mood shifts to a haunting, r&b-infused atmosphere. Sharon delivers a commanding performance as she confronts an unfaithful lover, with eerie background vocals adding depth to the track.
Going The Distance (From The Motion Picture "rocky")
Review: Big repress alert! This is the much-loved debut album from the Menahan Street Band, which is a talented collaboration of musicians including the great Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, El Michels Affair, Antibalas and the Budos Band. Led by producer Thomas Brenneck (who has worked before with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Budos Band and also Amy Winehouse), the record was recorded in the bedroom of his Menahan Street apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is a soulful, instrumental exploration that showcases the immense talent of the group and draws on all of their diverse influences to create a unique and captivating sound that pushes the boundaries of instrumental music into sumptuous and soulful worlds.
Review: Jalen Ngonda is the latest talent to join the excellent ranks of US label Daptone. Here he serve sup his first music after a life formed in just outside of Washington D.C.. Since age 11 he has been deep into the joys of soul music and now he is a standalone artist with incredible skills. Here hex pores mid-tempo and mellow sounds with their own unique take on his Motown roots. 'Just Like You Used To' has a warm rhythm section that allows Jalen's vocals to soar. Flip it over for 'What a Difference She Made' with its lush strings and plaintive vocal.
Review: Jalen Ngonda's latest single, That's All I Wanted From You, features his exceptional talent for soul music. Released on Daptone Records, the track features beautifully orchestrated melodies under Ngonda's stirring vocals. With a perfect blend of raw edge and melody, the song includes female backing vocals that evoke a soothing nostalgia. The tight rhythm section propels the track into a rousing bridge, making it a standout piece. Ngonda, originally from Washington, DC, and now based in London, has excited audiences with his vintage soul appeal and unique personality. Having played major festivals and sold-out shows in Europe, his signing with Daptone has generated significant buzz. 'That's All I Wanted From You' is available on 7", and it cements Ngonda's status as a modern soul artist with an old soul charm.
Review: Presenting a standout 45 from Jalen Ngonda and his bandia release that's already making waves. With 'Illusions' gracing the BBC Radio 2 A-List and 'Rapture' lighting up BBC Radio 6, these tracks deserved a spin on vinyl. Packed with sophisticated arrangements and grooves so smooth they practically glide, Jalen's voice holds it all together with a richness only seasoned live performance brings. Both sides are primed to ignite dancefloors, adding class to soul nights around the world.
Review: Jalen Ngonda shares two 7"-incarnated selections from his debut album Come Around and Love Me. Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Jalen perform live knows that he is one of the most captivating performers on today's soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm - disarming packed rooms of rowdy concert-goers, leaving them silent as they hold fast to every syllable sung. For his studio project, however, Ngonda and his team at Hive Mind Studios in Brooklyn developed skulful blends, heavy arrangements and introspective lyrics with a Motown sophistication, leaving the listener in a blissful wash of wonderment. Ngonda creates a classic approach that is rooted in the sounds of revered pioneers, without falling into imitation; most symptomatic of this is the beautiful cinematic soul echoer 'What Is Left To Do', a song sure to dazzle for years to come.
Review: Jalen Ngonda is a hotly tipped soul artist who finally unveils his long awaited debut album. Come Around and Love Me was written at Hive Mind Studios in Brooklyn, NY with musicians form the wider Daptone family and producer and arrangers Mike Buckley and Vincent Chiarito from Charles Bradley's Extraordinaires. The result is a modern soul sound tinged with r&b, the harmonies of The Beach Boys and hooks of the Beatles, but all with a timelessness and classic edge that is sure to make it a lasting pleasure.
Review: 1970's The Olympians came at the height of the Greek ensemble's popularity, and at a point where pop music was making its way into the mainstream through all sorts of subgenres. By that, we mean that this particular album is seeped in a distinctly jazzy kind of vibe, one which makes it both singular in its approach, but also very representative of the era in which it was conceived. Cool, sexy and laid-back, these eleven tracks a truly soulful in every sense of the word but, the interesting thing about them is that their not the usual US kind of sound; you can tell that there is something different in here, something European and a bit more wide-eyed to the choice of sounds and arrangements. Daptone coming through with the quality, as per...
Review: Orquesta Akokan returns with vibrant interpretations of Rosalia's hits 'Con Altura' and 'TKN,' showcasing their Grammy-nominated Cuban flair. Led by vocalist Jose 'Pepito' Gomez and featuring Cuban talent like lyricist Kiko Ruiz, known for his work with Buena Vista Social Club and Orquesta Maria Alejandra y Cubania, Orquesta Akokan infuses these tracks with a classic rawness sure to energize global dancefloors. The band's self-titled debut album, recorded live at Havana's historic Estudios Areito, embodies the Yoruba term "Akokan," meaning "from the heart." Produced by Jacob Plasse and arranged by Mike Eckroth, this release on 7" encapsulates Akokan's heartfelt musical gift, blending originality with Cuba's rich musical heritage in every beat and melody.
Review: Caracoles propels Orquesta Akokan's GRAMMY-nominated mambo into the contemporary era here with sounds infused with akokan-a Cuban Yoruba term for heartfelt expression. Led by producer Jacob Plasse and pianist Michael Eckroth, the album is their third and it delves deep into mambo's rich tapestry. Collaborating with Cuban artist Kiko Ruiz, who is known for his work with Buena Vista Social Club, the album intertwines everyday Cuban narratives with Palo Mayombe spirituality that adds layers of depth. Rooted in the traditions of Benny More and Perez Prado, Caracoles revives mambo's essence as both celebration and prayer here while invoking spiritual resonance through impassioned grooves.
Review: These days, there are countless bands authentically recreating the fuzzy sounds of 1960s and '70s Black American soul and funk. That wasn't the case when the Poets of Rhythm released their first records in the 1990s. Their attempts to create a new (old) funk sound arguably peaked with 2001's Discern/Define, the German combo's second and final full-length. Here reissued on wax for the first time since with a slightly expanded track list, the album remains a classic collection of funk-some gems that digs deep for inspiration. Yes, there are nods to James Brown, Stax Records and the Meters, but also dusty reggae-soul, Blaxploitation soundtracks and obscure Latino funk. In a word: essential.
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