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Before her untimely death at the age of 54, Teena Marie, known as the Ivory Queen of Soul or simply Lady Tee and as one of the only white artists ever signed to Motown Records, was working on her 14th and latest album, Beautiful. Recorded at her home studio and finished except for final mixes, Beautiful was seen through to its conclusion by Teena's 20-year-old daughter Alia Rose, who sings with her Mom on two tracks, a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Give Me Your Love" and "Rare Breed," which she co-wrote (Alia co-wrote two more songs on the album, "Sweet Tooth" and the title song). The first single, "Luv Letter," is an homage to Teena's Motown roots, with nods to Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," and a dedication to Alia's father, who just happened to be a postman, like in the Marvelettes' song of the same name. Beautiful is a mother's gift to her daughter, who returns the gesture the only way she knows how, by completing it. The end result is a true labor of love.

	Love Committee started in 1967 under the name of The Ethics in Philadelphia. The members were Ron Tyson, Joe Freeman, Carl Enlow and Andrew Collins. They worked with percussionist Vince Montana (known form Salsoul Orchestra, and Member of MFSB) and Thom Bell (known from Delphonics and Stylistics) but by lack of success the group split up in 1970.
Buy This CD From VINYL MASTERPIECE Now!

Funky Town Grooves just released a great 80s re-issue of th dutch formation Mai Tai.

The band was formed in 1983 when successful Dutch record producers Eric Van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma brought together three former backing-singers Jetty Wheels, Mildred Douglas and Caroline De Windt.
Mai Tai (from the well known tropical cocktail) went on to become the most successful soul/disco act in Dutch history so far.

Mai Tai’s debut-single was "Keep On Dancing'(1983) was well received locally, but it wasn’t until the release of the second single "What Goes On" that the band reached the Dutch Top 40. Tracks that then followed Body & Soul and Am I Losing You Forever also reached the Dutch Top 40.

The new awaiting album by Howard Johnson is now for sale. It is released sooner than expected. It contains ten tracks in 'Old School' style. I've added some extra samples for this album. Check it out. The album is flying out the door!

Buy This CD From First Experience Records From The UK Now!

Michael Jeffries just released a new album called 'Family Affair' on MJM Artist Records. This album is a collaboration with his daughter Aniko and Son Mike.

Michael Jeffries is born in Memphis and raised in San Francisco. You probably know Michael Jeffries as the lead singer of the Tower of Power. This was in the period from 1977-79. He also did the lead vocals on 'Private Passion' and 'Keep on Lovin' Her' for Jeff Lorber's album 'Private Passion' in 86.

"Motown" does Philly. Philly does "Motown". Philadelphia producer Phil Hurt, who has 11 gold and platinum records, is releasing “A Soulful Tale of Two Cities.”

The concept is simple. Let the Motown stars record the Philadelphia classic soul jams. Have the troops from the Philadelphia International school record some Motor City tracks.

Chris Jasper - Inspired...By Love, By Life, By The Spirit

If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you know Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group. Buy From CDBABY

Headlined by the new single "No More," Mr. I is executive produced by Ronald Isley and Antonio `L.A.' Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. Artists putting in guest appearances include T.I. ("Put Your Money On Me") and the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on the album's climactic closing version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," produced by Jerry `Wonda' Duplessis (of the Fugees). This album not only marks Ronald's first solo foray, but the milestone 50 years in the recording business! Mr. I continues the Isley tradition of working with today's hottest young producers. In addition to Fuego (who co-produced "No More" with Max Gousse) and Duplessis, other producers include Greg Curtis (known for his work with Keyshia Cole) on four tracks, Tricky Stewart, Kajun, and Song Dynasty. "This is my first time working with all of these producers," Ronald says, "and each of them has been able to capture what I'm about musically. All of them are so into the music of the Isley Brothers, they grew up on it. They've come with some incredible songs and once they saw what I could do with what they brought, they were flabbergasted!"

The Bravest Man In The Universe is Bobby Womack's first album of original material since 1994's Resurrection. Co-produced by Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) and Richard Russell, the album was recorded at Albarn's Studio 13 in West London and New York's Manhattan Center between October and December 2011. The album features guest vocalist Lana Del Rey on the song, Dayglo Reflection .