This Thing Called Love: Soul Blues Grooves (and Some Pain And Heartache Too) (CD)

Release Date: 10/06/23

Prompted by a journalists past remark that 'the best soul today is called blues' here's a bunch of grooves that are soul, blues and funky.

Back in the 90s the barriers were coming down and there were a whole set of U.S. performers who could very loosely be called 'Soul/Blues'. These are superb performances, productions and sound... but mostly a bunch of artists who just don't accept musical barriers.

One of the pioneers of Soul and Blues was Denise LaSalle and this is the only non-studio track... one of her early hits. The incredibly talented Deitra Farr songs here offer a very personal take on life and love. Tamara Peterson/Tramell helped husband Lucky Peterson's vision and she is a formidable talent in her own right. Destini Rawls is the daughter of Johnny Rawls and Johnny sings with Destini here.

The Little Nikki track was written and produced by Andrew Jr Boy Jones... an amazingly energetic and sizzling live talent. Deborah Coleman was a guitar toting modern blueswoman, but she loved the opportunity to mix it up. Lisa Bourne's only album featured this lovely ballad with a crack team of L.A. musicians backing.

Percy Strother's two tracks come from his only JSP album which could have been the catalyst for this compilation. Another artist who completely mixes up Southern Soul and Blues is Lonnie Shields, who at one time was on the verge of a major breakthrough. Bill Flick is featured with two songs. Somewhere along the line Bill Flick became Willie Edwards. Confusing as hell. Jackie Payne is a wonderfully gifted singer also deserving of fame.

One of the contributing factors to the quality of Lucky Peterson's JSP albums was the songwriting and producing skills of Steve Washington... and here we have a track from Steve's own album. Steve is waiting for label owners to wake up and call him.

What a voice Lucky Lopez Evans had. A Chicago resident who found found himself in England and recorded this fabulous song.

I don't think any other label can pull together quite such a set of recordings and quality original songs in this barrier breaking genre.

John Stedman