Mariah Carey ‎- Daydream -1995 R + B Sealed LP

Aphrose – Roses

Label:    LRK Records – LRK-LP04
Format:    Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Sealed
Country:    UK
Released:    Oct 12, 2023
Genre:    Funk / Soul
Style:    Neo Soul

A1        Roses    
A2        YaYa    
A3        Heavenly Father    
A4        In The Time Of Sorrow    
A5        Honey (Don't) Come Back    
A6        What You Don't See    

B7        Weapons    
B8        Chop The Cake    
B9        Soft Nuclear    
B10        Good Love    
B11        Higher    
B12        Zag

"Aphrose is  the musical alter ego of Toronto-based singer/songwriter  Joanna Mohammed. (“Aphrose” is her mother’s birth name by the way). She debuted on record back in 2019 with the album ‘Element’ but through the good offices of UK boutique label LRK RECORDS we’ve got to know a lot more about Ms A. Via their Canadian network, LRK have released three successful Aphrose singles –  the  sweet and lovely ballad ‘Good Love’, the foot-tapping, follow up ‘Ya Ya’ and the harmonic ‘Roses’. And now a full album… named for the ‘Roses’ track.

Like all good long players, the 12 track set offers plenty of variety. If you want  to dance then there’s   the aforementioned ‘YaYa’ ; at the other extreme there’s room for contemplation on ‘In The Time of Sorrow’ which is prefaced by a brief interlude. ’Heavenly Father’, which is actually a recording of Aphrose’s’ grandmother, Rose engaged in prayer. Like much of the album a very personal touch." [Soul and Jazz and Funk review]

Natasha Watts – Music Is My Life

Label:    LRK Records – LRK-LP05
Format:    
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Country:    UK
Released:    Sep 22, 2023
Genre:    Funk / Soul
Style:    Neo Soul

1        I Am Me
2        Home
3        Not What You Think
4        Part Of My Life
5        Heavan Sent
6        I Do, I Did, I'm Done
7        Right The Wrong
8        Brighter Days
9        R U Ready?
10        Feels Like Sunshine
11        Goodbye

"UK-based indie/neo soul chanteuse Natasha Watts is back with her fourth album “Music Is My Life”. The singer and songwriter, who had huge success back in 2009 with Cool Million, opens her 11-track album with “I Am Me”, a shining and sophisticated soul number which already had remix treatment by Atjazz. She follows it up with a slightly house-ish “Home” and a more rolling and rocking “Not What You Think”, including a fat bass line and some great backing vocals. She works with singer Elizabeth Troy and guitarist Tony Remy on the beautiful, midtempo soul swayer “Part Of My Life”, her voice in control at all times, no exaggerated shouts or listen-what-I-can-do-with-my-voice attitude. I really dig the feel-good soul of “Heaven Sent” which closes the first side of the limited edition LP." [GinaLovesJazz review]

Claire Davis – Get It Right

Label:    LRK Records – LRK-LP03
Format:    
Vinyl, LP, Album
Sealed
Cover Images To Follow
Barcode: 8904383007446
Country:    Europe
Released:    2023
Genre:    Funk / Soul
Style:    Soul

A1        Get IT Right    3:03
A2        What's Mine    2:41
A3        Long Gone    2:45
A4        Intuition    2:58
A5        Love Stories    3:48

B1        Good For You    3:18
B2        Set Myself Free    3:31
B3        Times Have Changed    3:05
B4        Here Comes The Fall    3:38
B5        Colours    2:59

"A gem of the Toronto Soul and R&B scene, Claire Davis‘s Get It Right consists of some of her most personal writing to date. Drawing from the reflective nature of the pandemic, her compositions and lyrics examine themes of self-worth, relationships, and even family dynamics.:

“The concept behind the album is about knowing your worth and putting the work in. I think this is a poignant message for many people as we emerge from a tumultuous time. We have had the opportunity to assess what we actually want to return to, what’s truly for our benefit and for the greater good. Much of the lyrical content in the album is inspired by my own personal journey of struggling to break toxic cycles within my family and learning to forge my own path.”" [Canadian Beats review]