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January 26, 2018:
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Daddy B. Nice Announces THE WINNERS of the 2018 (12th Annual) SOUTHERN SOUL MUSIC AWARDS. The winners are posted at the end of each list of finalists.
A permanent listing and a link in Daddy B. Nice's
Comprehensive Index to Southern Soul Music will be made on behalf of each performer. Find the artist's name and touch/click the desired entry to be whisked away to the exact page and page-location of the appearance.
Best Mid-Tempo Song
Nominees:
"You're The Kind Of Woman I Need (Remix)"----Columbus Toy, Miss Lady Blues
"Black Horse"----Jeter Jones
"Caught Up In The Middle"----
P2K DaDiddy, Vick Allen
"Tickle Box"----C-Wright
"Show Pony"----Annie Washington
"You're Not The Only One"----Big G
"I Won't Give You Up"----Andre' Lee
"Same Hotel (Big Yayo Soul Swing Remix)"----Nelson Curry
"Ain't No Getting Over Me"----Tucka
"Why You Gotta Act Like That"----Mz. Connie
"Soul Brothers Moonshine"----P2K, Sir Charles Jones, Jeter Jones

"Down In The Club"----King Fred
"It's The Weekend"----Magic One
"Make Me Wanna Do Wrong"----Tucka
Best Mid-Tempo Song: "Black Horse" by Jeter Jones
Listen to Jeter Jones singing "Black Horse" on YouTube.
Best Club Song
Nominees:
"Mr. Ain't Gone Do Right"----Carolyn Staten
"The Mule"----O.B. Buchana
"Mississippi Lit"----Chris Ivy
"Swing Out With Me"----Ms. Innocents feat. Mr. Cotton & Uncle Phunk
"Sweet Dick Johnny"----Johnny James, Highway Heavy
"Southern Soul Bounce"----Ms. Jody
"Rodeo"----Miss Lady Blues

"I Ain't Gone Cheat No More"----Jeter Jones
"I'll Do Me A Big Girl"----David Brinston, Lucky Love
"Pokey At The Trailride"----Pokey Bear (w/ The Deaconaires)
"Wanna Party"----Solomon Thompson
"Step It Out"----Sir Charles Jones, Prince Damons
Best Club Song: "The Mule" by O.B. Buchana
Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "The Mule" on YouTube.
Best Ballad
Nominees:
"I'll Pay The Shipping Cost"----Ronnie Bell
"100 Years"----Sir Charles Jones
"In The Mood"----Pokey Bear & Cupid
"Squeeze Me"----Sir Charles Jones
"Sha La Do Be Do"----Snatch Nelson
"This Woman Of Mine"----Lamar Brace
"Spoil You"----Cupid feat. Roi Anthony
"I'm Gonna Wait"----Beatrice
"High Heels & Jeans (Remix)"----Magic One, Wendell B., L.J. Echols, Avail Hollywood
"Can I Take You Home?"----Montrell

"That Bitch Ain't Me"----Karen Wolfe
"Hide And Seek"----Ms. Jody
"Parking Lot Love Affair"----O.B. Buchana
"The Blame"----
Fat Daddy
Best Ballad: "Squeeze Me" by Sir Charles Jones
Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Squeeze Me" on YouTube.
Best Song by Longtime Veteran
Nominees:
"The Mule"----O.B. Buchana
"Squeeze Me"----Sir Charles Jones
"I Won't Give You Up"----Andre' Lee
"Let's Play Hide And Seek"----Ms. Jody
"I Want You"----Vick Allen
"Sidepiece On The Side"----Willie Clayton
"Cheating Together"----Mose Stovall
"Parking Lot Love Affair"----O.B. Buchana
"How Low Can You Go?"----L.J. Echols
"I Done Found Your Good Thang"----Rick Lawson
"Basement Party"----Uvee Hayes
"100 Years"----Sir Charles Jones
"You're Not The Only One"----Big G
"Make Your Toes Curl"----Mr. David
"Still Called The Blues"----Donnie Ray

"Dance"----Lebrado
"Don't Be Ashamed"----Bigg Robb
"That Bitch Ain't Me"----Karen Wolfe
Best Song By Longtime Veteran: "You're Not The Only One" by Big G
Listen to Big G singing "You're Not The Only One" on YouTube.
Best Female Vocalist
Nominees:
"Sleeping With The Enemy"----Toia Jones
"I'm Gonna Wait"----Beatrice
"Big Sexy"----Anissa Hampton
"Show Pony"----Annie Washington
"Southern Soul Bounce"----Ms. Jody

"That Good Good"----Sweet Angel (w/ Mattie)
"That Bitch Ain't Me"----Karen Wolfe
"Drank Of My Love"----Crystal Thomas
"Down Low Brother"----Val McKnight
"Mr. Right"----Mz. Juicy
"Why You Gotta Act Like That?"----Mz. Connie
Best Female Vocalist: "That Bitch Ain't Me" by Karen Wolfe
Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "That Bitch Ain't Me" on YouTube.
Best Male Vocalist
Nominees:
"Feel Me"----J-Wonn (w/ Keith Sweat)
"Girl, You Bad"----Avail Hollywood (w/ DJ Trac)
"The Blame"----
Fat Daddy
"Black Horse"----
Jeter Jones
"Down In The Club"----King Fred
"Parking Lot Love Affair"----
O.B. Buchana
"100 Years"----Sir Charles Jones
"Let The Rain Come Down"----Lomax
"Same Hotel (Big Yayo Soul Swing Remix)"----Nelson Curry
"Squeeze Me"----Sir Charles Jones
"Ain't No Getting Over Me"----Tucka
"Club Booty"----David Brinston
"

I Want You"----Vick Allen
"This Woman Of Mine"----Lamar Brace
"It's The Weekend"--Magic One
Best Male Vocalist: "Same Hotel (Big Yayo Soul Swing Remix)" by Nelson Curry
Listen to Nelson Curry singing "Same Hotel" on YouTube.
Best Debut
Nominees:
"Ain't No Fun"----Dolla Bill Dodson
"Mister Right"----Mz. Juicy
"Can I Take You Home?"----Montrell
"Sweet Thing"----Dabron
"Sweet Dick Johnny"----Johnny James (w/ Highway Heavy)
"Show Pony"----Annie Washington
"Caught Up In The Middle"----
P2K Dadiddy (w/ Vick Allen)
"I'm Gonna Wait"----Beatrice
"The Blame"----Fat Daddy
"Big Sexy"----Annisa Hampton
"Do You"----Sweet Nay
"Why You Gotta Act Like That?"----Mz. Connie
"On A Mission"----Big Woo
"Sugar Daddy"----Bo Dollar
"Rock With It, Baby"----Jennifer Watts

"Wanna Be A Player"----Corey Rudolph
"Ms. Wendy"----Jay Morris Group
"Call On Me"----Big Daddy E.
"Shake A Leg"----G. Rockafella
"Suga Suga"----Gilley Wiltz
"Lumberjack"----Lady Q. (w/ Jeter Jones)
Best Debut: "The Blame" by Fat Daddy
Listen to Fat Daddy singing "The Blame" on YouTube.
Best Collaboration
Nominees:
"Call On Me"-----Sir Charles Jones, Calvin Richardson & Omar Cunningham
"High Heels & Jeans (Remix)"----Magic One feat. Wendell B, Vick Allen, L.J. Echols & Avail Hollywood
"Let Me Take Care Of You" (Highway Heavy)----Adrian Bagher & Cold Drank
"Cheating In The Next Room"----Beatrice feat. Rhomey
"Can't Nobody"----Audi Yo feat. Tucka
"Soul Brothers Moonshine"----
P2K, Sir Charles Jones, Jeter Jones
"Feel Me"----J-Wonn feat. Keith Sweat
"Whipped Again"----O.B. Buchana & Pokey Bear
"Born Alabama"----Big "Ro" Williams, Sir Charles Jones & Mose Stovall
"Somebody Get This Fool (Remix)"----Jeter Jones, Vick Allen
"Come Ride With Me"----Adrian Bagher, Tyree Neal, Johnny James
Best Collaboration: "High Heels & Jeans
(Remix)" by Magic One feat. Wendell B, Vick Allen, L.J. Echols & Avail Hollywood
Listen to Magic One, Wendell B, Vick Allen, L.J. Echols & Avail Hollywood singing "High Heels & Jeans (Remix)" on YouTube.
Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song
Nominees:
"The Viagra Man"----The Cadillac Man
"Stank Stank"----Rico Baby
"Southern Soul Fresh"----Gentry-Jones
"Lucas Love Train"----Frank Lucas
"Party Time"----Pyramid City Band
"Tore Your Drawers"----DeMond Crump
"The Donald Trump"----West Love feat. Stan Butler
"Sweet Dick Johnny"----Johnny James & Highway Heavy
"Why You Mad At Me?"----Terrance Davis
"Tickle Box"----C-Wright

"Show Pony"----Annie Washington
Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song: "Sweet Dick Johnny" by Johnny James & Highway Heavy
Listen to Johnny James singing "Sweet Dick Johnny" on YouTube.
Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song
Nominees:
"Still Called The Blues"----Donnie Ray
"Down In The Club"----King Fred
"To All The Good Men"----Katrenia Jefferson
"I'll Do Me A Big Girl"----David Brinston (w/ Lucky Love)
"Alabama Folks"----Rena Ree
"Still Called The Blues"----Donnie Ray
"I Need A Fix It Man"----Pat Cooley
"Wrong Man"----Highway Heavy, Fya Redd
"Sneak, Creep And Freak"----Sebastian Gowdy

"Blues Heaven"----Jaye Hammer
"Parking Lot Love Affair"----O.B. Buchana
"I'll Pay The Shipping Cost"----Ronnie Bell
Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song: "I'll Pay The Shipping Cost" by Ronnie Bell
Listen to Ronnie Bell singing "I'll Pay The Shipping Cost" on YouTube.
Best Cover Song
Nominees:
"Sunshine Lady"----J.T. Watkins
"Right Thing, Wrong Man"----Stephanie Luckett
"Last Few Dollars"----Stacii Adams
"Ain't No Getting Over Me"----Tucka
"The Real Mississippi Boy"----Will T. feat. Billy Branch
"Do It Again"----Coco
"Nookie Thing"----Jonte
"Zydeco Dance"----Stevie J feat Ra'Shad The Blues Kid
"Suga, Suga (Candy Girl)"----Gilley Wiltz w/ Lil' Runt

"Alabama Folks (Mississippi Boy)"----Rena Ree
Best Cover Song: "Ain't No Getting Over Me" by Tucka
Listen to Tucka singing "Ain't No Getting Over Me" on YouTube.
Best Producer
Nominees:
Highway Heavy (Charles Lewis)----"Sweet Dick Johnny" (Johnny James)(w/ Cee Rock); "Let Me Take Care Of You" (Adrian Bagher & Cold Drank); "Wrong Man" (Fya Redd); "Come Ride With Me" (Adrian Bagher, Tyree Neal, Johnny James);
Bigg Robb (Robert Smith)----"Sleeping With The Enemy" (Toia Jones); "Don't Be Ashamed" (Bigg Robb);
Ricky White----"Still Called The Blues" (Donnie Ray); "I Need A Fix It Man" (Pat Cooley);
John Ward----"Whipped Again" (O.B. Buchana & Pokey Bear); "Down Low Brother" (Val McKnight); "Club Booty" (David Brinston); "Parking Lot Love Affair," "The Mule" (O.B. Buchana); "I Done Found Your Good Thang" (Rick Lawson);
Mike Darden----"Mr. Ain't Gone Do Right," "Just The Way You Want It," "Ladies' Night" (Carolyn Staten)
Beat Flippa (Daniel Ross)----"Black Horse" (Jeter Jones); "In The Morning" (Cupid); "I Want You" (Vick Allen); "You Deserve Better" (Jeter Jones);
Christopher LaMont----"Mr. Right" (Mz. Juicy)
Big Yayo (Chris Mabry)----"Same Hotel/Soul Swing Remix" (Nelson Curry); "Do It Again" (Coco); "Lipstick On My Zipper" (Big Yayo);
Ronald "Slack" Jefferson----"Juke Joint" (Jeter Jones &, P2K); "I Need's A Drank" (Jeter Jones); "Lumberjack" (Lady Q); "Welcome To The Boom Boom Room" CD-Various (P2K Dadiddy); "High Heels & Jeans" (Magic One);
Andrew Caples (Andre' Lee)----"Can I Take You Home" (Montrell)
Ronald "Ron" G. Suggs, Jr.----"Like You Used To (Remix)," "Sharing Ain't Easy," "Beat Beat" (Miss Lady Blues);
Donavon Scott----"Down In The Club," "Body Rock," "Dipping In My Pudding" (King Fred)
Best Producer: Ronald "Slack" Jefferson
Listen to Magic One and friends singing the Ronald "Slack" Jefferson-produced "High Heels & Jeans" on YouTube.
Best Songwriter
Nominees:
David Brinston----"Daisy Dukes With Thigh High Boots," "I Want To Show You Girl," "I'll Do Me A Big Girl," "Buckle Up" (David Brinston)
Highway Heavy (Charles Lewis)----"Working Man," "Sweet Dick Johnny" (Johnny James); "Wrong Man" (Fya Redd);
John Ward & Raymond Moore----"Blues Heaven" (Jaye Hammer); "Down Low Brother" (Val McKnight, Barbara Carr); "Club Booty" (David Brinston); "The Mule" (O.B. Buchana);
Mike Darden----"Ladies Night," "Just The Way You Want It," "Mr. Ain't Gone Do Right" (Carolyn Staten);

Charles Jones----"100 Years," "Squeeze Me," "Call On Me," "Destiny," "Fight The Pain" (Sir Charles
Jones)
Best Songwriter: Charles Jones
Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "100 Years" on YouTube.
Best CD
Nominees:
Dhis Him----
Jeter Jones
The Masterpiece----Sir Charles Jones
I'm Doing' My Thang----Ms. Jody
Welcome To The Boom Boom Room----P2K DaDiddy
Pieces Of My Soul----Miss Lady Blues
Parking Lot Love Affair----
O.B. Buchana
Kitty Whipped----David Brinston
Soul 2 Soul----King Fred
Ladies Night----Carolyn Staten
Pinky Ring Music, Vol. 1----Highway Heavy
Working With The Feeling----Tucka
Drank Of My Love----Crystal Thomas
Stroke That Cat----Val McKnight
Lonely Tears----Big G
Southern Soul Music----Corey Rudolph

My Southern Soul----Donnie Ray
I Bluez Myself----C-Wright
Good Damn Music----Solomon Thompson
Magic One----The Magic Show
Best CD: Welcome To The Boom Boom Room by P2K DaDiddy
Listen to P2K & Vick Allen singing "Caught Up In The Middle" from the CD WELCOME TO THE BOOM BOOM ROOM on YouTube.
Hardest-Touring Crowd Pleaser
Nominees:
Tucka
Sir Charles Jones
Big Pokey Bear
T.K. Soul
J-Wonn
Calvin Richardson
Cupid
Bobby Rush
Hardest-Touring Crowd Pleaser: They all toured as if their lives depended on it!
...Congratulations to all the Southern Soul Awards Winners!
(DBN notes: Some late-arriving, new collections will overlap with 2019 and may be more amply recognized next year, i.e. Tucka's Working With The Feeling, Val McKnight's Stroke That Cat, Magic One's The Magic Show, Lady Q's Class Session, etc...")
(See last year's nominees and winners.)
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Singles Charts, continued from right-hand column...
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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .
-------MAY 2018-------

1.
"Squeeze Me" -----
Sir Charles Jones
People across America and around the world are clamoring to hear something different, something deep, something filled with life. Meanwhile, everyone involved in southern soul music can sense the genre moving inexorably towards the mainstream--no worries--channeled by the head-winds of its culturally-preserved marginalization and its unparalleled richness of heritage. Who better to lead the "slow-rolling" charge than the King--the Return of the King--of Southern Soul? From his new album:
The Masterpiece.
Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Squeeze Me" on YouTube.
2.
"Call On Me"-----
Sir Charles Jones,
Calvin Richardson &
Omar Cunningham
The parallels with last year's
"Bedroom Rodeo" (see Daddy B. Nice's
Best Collaboration of 2017), sung by the trio of
Big Yayo,
Gentry-Jones &
Omar Cunningham, are fascinating. First, Cunningham's on both. Second, Big Yayo's track is more innovative, with richer harmonies, while Sir Charles'
"Call On Me" is straight-ahead singing, with each singer taking a verse--no frills--underlining the fact that Sir Charles is southern soul's most eminent classicist. From the new album
The Masterpiece.
Listen to Sir Charles Jones, Omar Cunningham & Calvin Richardson singing "Call On Me" on YouTube.
See Daddy B. Nice's Sir Charles Jones/New Album Alert!
3.
"Him And Her"------
J-Wonn
J-Wonn was put on terra firma to remind us what it's like to be young. In
"Him And Her"" this strange and androgynous young man and heir-apparent to
Sir Charles Jones takes us back to those innocent days when we actually took the time to transform love into poetry and personal mythology. J-Wonn recites the verses and sings the choruses, his vocal recalling the ethereality of
Michael Jackson singing songs like "Human Nature". From the new album,
Making Love To Your Mind.
Listen to J-Wonn singing "Him And Her" on YouTube.
See Daddy B. Nice's J-Wonn/New Album Alert!
4.
"Can I Take You Home"-----
Montrell
This tune wouldn't sound out of place on a southern soul playlist from 2001--strong melody, even stronger vocal, programmed horns--and why not? It was produced by
Andrew Caples, aka longtime southern soul artist
Andre' Lee.
Listen to MonTrell singing "Can I Take You Home" on YouTube.
5.
"Mr. Ain't Gone Do Right"-----
Carolyn Staten
This is the young singer who debuted last year with the smashing
"Thump Mr. DJ". She's mentored by up-and-coming producer
Mike Darden, who serves up possibly his finest instrumental track to date.
Listen to Carolyn Staten singing "Mr. Ain't Gone Do Right" on YouTube.
6.
"Sweet Thang"------
Dabron
From the 2017 debut album
True Love, "Sweet Thang" is credible southern soul with a strong hint of gospel from a lusty-piped singer who has fused his name
Donald Tabron into the sobriquet Dabron. The song also borrows the unmistakable synth-intro from
Terry Wright's "I Done Lost My Good Thang".
Listen to Dabron singing "Sweet Thang" on YouTube.
7.
"In The Mood"----
Keri Carter
You may not be impressed with this song through the first verse or so, but by the end Keri Carter is swinging and wailing. Not sure if this is the artist
Keri who recorded "Borrowed Time," "Gonna Get Paid" or "Serious Love".
Listen to Keri Carter singing "In The Mood" on YouTube.
8.
"In The Morning"----
Cupid
This phrase hereby goes down as a southern soul first:
"You're going to be sore in the morning." And it's a refrain: Cupid sings it over and over. I can only imagine being a woman, just thinking about the chafing. "Baby, I apologize in advance," Cupid croons, but...
"It will be so sorrrrrre in the morning."
Produced by
Beat Flippa.
Listen to Cupid singing "In The Morning" on YouTube.
9.
"Sleeping With The Enemy"----
Toia Jones
Good song, good melody, and impressive vocal--displaying both strength and personality--from the young singer mentored and produced by
Bigg Robb.
Listen to Toia Jones singing "Sleeping With The Enemy" on YouTube.
10.
"I Just Dodged A Bullet"----
El' Willie
I commend El' Willie for his recently-found confidence, clarity and directness, both in musical style and subject matter. His jazzy, minimalist sound may be off-putting to the typical southern soul fan, but he belongs. Factoid for recent devotees: El' Willie wrote
Theodis Ealey's classic,
"Stand Up In It".
Listen to El' Willie singing "I Just Dodged A Bullet" on YouTube.
See Daddy B. Nice's El' Willie/New Album Alert!
Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .
-------APRIL 2018-------

1.
"Black Horse"------
Jeter Jones
From the minute I received
this single, there was never any doubt it would be #1.
"Black Horse" is one of those rare songs that arrives perfect in every way, like a text from God. From the Jeter Jones CD "DHIS HIM" upcoming from Ross Music Group.
Listen to a 1-minute sample of Jeter Jones singing "Black Horse" on YouTube.
JUST ADDED 4-15-18! Listen to Jeter Jones singing the complete version of "Black Horse" on SoundCloud.
2.
"Ain't No Fun (When The Rabbit Got The Gun)"------
Dolla Bill Dodson
Real old-school southern soul arranged and performed with care from the house-band lead singer at CC's in Memphis. (And with the family name of
The BarKay's
Larry Dodson.) The song solemnly capsulizes southern soul's "men-can-cheat-but-women-can't" double standard that may shock observers unfamiliar with Deep South culture. Derived (and transformed into a ballad) by writer
Omar Cunningham from
Walt Luv's "The Rabbit Got The Gun".
Listen to Dolla Bill singing "Ain't No Fun" on YouTube
3.
"Put It On Me"-----
Krishunda Echols
More fizz than a just-popped bottle of champagne. From Krishunda's
(L.J.'s little sister's) new album,
I MISS YOU. I know I shouldn't break out the
Jackie Neal comparisons, but...
Listen to Krishunda Echols singing "Put It On Me" on YouTube.
4.
"Pokey At The Trailride"-----
Pokey Bear featuring
The Deaconaires
Are you a "hater"? Or are you with us, pumping your fists, screaming "Go, Pokey! Go, Pokey!" How many larger-than-life characters are there in this too-drab life, after all?
From Trailride Music Vol. 1.
Listen to Pokey Bear & The Deaconaires singing "Pokey At The Trailride" on YouTube.
5.
"Give It All You Got"-----
L.J. Echols
L.J.--the pure stuff, from the heart.
Listen to L.J. Echols singing "Give It All You Got" on YouTube.
6. "Cheating Together"-----
Mose Stovall
Mose Stovall returns after a decade-long absence from recording (see Daddy B. Nice's
Artist Guide). The song has a good hook and is plenty funny, especially the introductory voice-over.
7.
"Dippin' In My Pudding"-----
King Fred
From King Fred's new CD,
Soul 2 Soul, "Dippin' In My Pudding" was first recorded for his debut CD under the name
Fredrick Hicks.
Listen to King Fred singing "Dipping In My Pudding" on YouTube.
8.
"In The Mood"-----
Pokey Bear and
Cupid
If you want to focus on Pokey as a pure singer, this is the track. From his
award-winning Best CD of 2017,
Bear Season.
Listen to Pokey and Cupid singing "In The Mood" on YouTube.
9.
"Country Roads"-----
Tucka
I suspect a lot of southern soul fans, like myself, were late in appreciating Tucka. At any rate, I missed or overlooked this tune, and when I heard it recently, the violins just blew me away. I've been playing it as much as
WMPR's DJ Handyman used to play (long after its initial release) another country-infused song, Tyrone Davis's
"Where Are You, Lady?"
Listen to Tucka singing "Country Roads" on YouTube.
10. "Mr. Right"-----
Mz. Juicy
Back to the brand new and extremely original. Not to be confused with
Mr. Juicy
(Luster Baker), Mz. Juicy, the vocalist on "Mr. Right," is
Sandra Hardyway, a new artist from Simsboro, Louisiana. Produced by
Christopher Lamont and written by
Lady Star
(Starla Cenales).
Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .
-------MARCH 2018-------

1.
"The Mule"------
O.B. Buchana
I prefer O.B. as the stud of
"The Mule," brimming with swagger and sexuality, to the tentative, would-be dancer of "Teach Me How To Swing," another song featured twice on Buchana's new
Parking Lot Love Affair album. "The Mule's" rhythm section slinks along like a giant king snake while the
Bootsy Collins-style guitar distortion blends with the falsetto background-singing of
Latoya Malone to make a new and fiery sound. O.B. hits #1 for the second month in a row.
Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "The Mule" on YouTube.
2.
"Down In The Club"-------
King Fred
From his new album,
Soul 2 Soul, King Fred's
"Down In The Club" is a remarkable piece of songwriting and production, highlighted by a lovely, African-tinged chorus line. Fred's vocal, in which each phrase seems to be half-swallowed and regurgitated as an ancient man's wisdom, is typically superb and off-the-chain.
Listen to King Fred Hicks singing "Down In The Club" on YouTube.
3.
"Viagra Man"----
The Cadillac Man
Yet another
gospel artist gone secular,
Sylvester Collins aka "The Cadillac Man" succeeds where many another artist has failed, weaving a reggae beat into authentic southern soul and making it work. A great novelty tune.
Listen to The Cadillac Man singing "Mr. Viagra Man" on YouTube.
4.
"The Real Mississippi Boy"------
Will T. feat.
Billy Branch
It's
Charles Wilson (or in this song "he who shall not be named") vs. Will T. again--see the
"Mississippi Boy" controversy--in this throw-down from
Songwriter of the Year Floyd Hamberlin and the original, the "real" Mississippi Boy, Will T. The blues harp by Billy Branch sounds almost exotic, and one hopes to see it featured in more southern soul, not just the blues. After all...Is the sound of the blues harp any more antithetical to southern soul than the presently-in-vogue, zydeco button accordion?
Listen to Will T. singing "The Real Mississippi Boy" on YouTube.
5.
"Sidepiece On The Side"-----
Willie Clayton
From a southern soul perspective, this is Willie's finest offering since
his cover of the little-known
Tony Troutman's "Your Man Is Home Tonight," and
"Sidepiece On The Side" has the same (albeit different) pristine guitar sound.
Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Sidepiece On The Side" on YouTube.
6.
"Johnny James"-----
Heavy Presents
Johnny James
This is potent and fascinating stuff. Highway Heavy's deep-soul organ. A scratchy-voiced singer in hitched-up running pants dancing around on his kitchen counter tops, proclaiming he's "Johnny--Johnny James". You couldn't even imagine it if it wasn't on YouTube.
Listen to Heavy Presents Johnny James singing "Johnny James" on YouTube.
7.
"Georgia Kick"-----
Stan Butler
Begging to be choreographed into a line dance, the
"Georgia Kick" has antecedents in the marching-band-like instrumental tracks of
Pokey Bear's
"Get On The Good Foot" and
Stephanie McDee's
"Lion Of Judah". Most significantly, it shows wunderkind Stan Butler staying loose and fresh.
Listen to Stan Butler singing "Georgia Kick" on YouTube.
8.
"Girls From Louisiana"------
O Flava Psi
No singer under
T.K. Soul's musical tent has a stranger name or more fuzzy and warm vocal tone than O Flava Psi. From 2017's overlooked sampler from Soulful Records (T.K.'s label),
Southern Soul Mixtape, Vol. 3.
Listen to O Flava Psi singing "Girls From Louisiana" on YouTube.
9.
"Wanna Feel Your Body"-----
Chris Andrus
(Uncle Fallay)
Formerly
Lil' Fallay, Lafayette, Louisiana's Chris Andrus now calls himself Uncle Fallay.
Listen to Chris Andrus (Uncle Fallay) singing "Wanna Feel Your Body" on YouTube.
10.
"Weekend"-----
G'que
From the EP
The Definition of Urban Soul.
Listen to G'que Mickens singing "Weekend" on YouTube.
Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .
-------FEBRUARY 2018-------

1.
"Parking Lot Love Affair"-----
O.B. Buchana
Who hasn't run into a stranger in a mall, been too bashful to approach, and later regretted it, sometimes remembering the stranger for years afterward?
"Parking Lot Love Affair" is a universal fantasy and a giant step into a new frontier for southern soul's master stylist. O.B. puts everything into it: immediacy, a staggeringly-forceful vocal, a fan-friendly concept, great songwriting and, most prominently, all of himself, nothing held back.
Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Parking Lot Love Affair" on YouTube.
2.
"You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)"------
Karen Wolfe
Karen Wolfe, the lady who re-defined rustic soul-singing with
"Man Enough," has made a triumphant return with two singles (see #4 below).
"You Ain't Woman Enough" is quintessential, mid-tempo southern soul (where in the world can you find music with as light a touch, yet as deep and elemental?). The song rocks along on a
John Cummings-
Terry Wright-Karen Wolfe instrumental track produced by the
"I Lost My Good Thang" man. According to Karen,
Sir Charles came up with the title; his
"Dallas Dallas" provided some of the musical structure.
Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man" on YouTube.
3. "Roll With You"-----
Nelson Curry
You'll have to take my word on this one. There's no YouTube or retail yet. I tried to twist Nelson's arm to get just a rudimentary demo on YouTube in time for publication, but...no cigar. What makes "Roll With You" outstanding is that it distances itself from Curry's prior hits by striking out in a new direction, yet maintains just the right balance of the beloved
Klass brand. The result? Nelson's vocal shimmers like a fine diamond in a new setting.
4.
"That Chick Ain't Me"-----
Karen Wolfe
She held off sending me this one. Karen must have known your Daddy B. Nice would cry out in pain. There are two songs too sacred to f--- with:
Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and
Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind." You see, when you allow yourself to be seduced by a classic hook in a new song, you're giving up your allegiance to the classic (or at least a piece of it), in this case
"I'd Rather Go Blind". Do you agree, millennials?...Well, maybe not, they say. And even I admit I love this remake, with a great guitar instrumental, a great background chorus--the only question then being, "Will I still be seduced by this song in a month or will I hate it?" So I packed a month's worth of listenings into a couple of days (which takes a lot of substance abuse, let me tell you) and the verdict is...I love it. "That Chick Ain't Me" endures.
Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "That Chick Ain't Me" on YouTube.
5.
(Heavy Presents) "Take Care Of You"-----
Adrian Bagher &
Cold Drank
Regarding the title: Writer/Producer Heavy, aka Highway Heavy, aka
Charles Lewis (the creator of "My Sidepiece" and "Three") is seeking a little recognition of the kind
Beat Flippa routinely receives--and rightfully so. Regarding the song: super-passionate and deep--the Heavy trademark.
Listen to Adrian Bagher & Cold Drank singing "(Heavy Presents) I'll Take Care Of You" on YouTube.
6. "Somebody Get This Fool (Remix)"-----
Jeter Jones featuring
Vick Allen
Vick Allen sounds like "a million" on this remake of Jeter Jones'
"Roommate (Somebody Get This Fool)". The song sounds more "mainstream," and the switch in title helps. For the first time I really understand the lyrics. The song poses the question, "Do we men of principle love "My Sidepiece" because it represents reality or because it's a preposterous fantasy that makes us laugh?"
7. "Southern Soul U.S.A."----
Mo'B
You know I gotta love the title. There was "surfin' USA, now there's "southern soul USA". "Urban Soul" Mo'B inches toward southern soul.
8.
"Rodeo"----
Miss Lady Blues
Listen to Miss Lady Blues singing "Rodeo" on YouTube.
Starts slow but picks up.
9.
"We Gone Do It"----
Coco featuring
Big Yayo
Another remake of the
Staples' "Do It Again". The iconic bass line has graced "Slow Roll It" and many other southern soul songs. Like a saucy
LaKeisha, Coco has that young-girl voice that will take her far.
Listen to Coco singing "We Gone Do It" on YouTube.
10. TIE:
"You Can't Raise Me"----
Stephanie McDee
"She's Gifted"----
Keith Frank & LA 26
Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .
-------JANUARY 2018-------

1.
"Step It Out"------
Sir Charles Jones featuring
Prince Damons
Sir Charles is a balladeer. Most of his fast jams have fallen short. Not this one. It's got a great, gut-bucket rhythm section that makes it an essential dance jam by the "King," although the synthesized vocal track by Prince Damons adds little and--maybe because of that--is mixed down.
Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Step It Out" on YouTube.
2.
"You Got That Southern Soul"-----
Dave Mack featuring
Omar Cunningham
Dave Mack discards his rough and raucous vocal style for a more middle-of-the-road, crooner style--and it works. New look, too--long locks! Written by Omar Cunningham, produced by
Jerry Flood.
Listen to Dave Mack singing "You Got That Southern Soul" on YouTube
3.
"I'll Pay The Shipping Cost"-----
Ronnie Bell
New artist Ronnie Bell struck a chord with his women’s-power-enhancing “I’ll Pay The Shipping Cost,” a sensation in the Mobile/Pensacola area, where it's topped radio charts for months. 100K YouTube views and growing.
Listen to Ronnie Bell singing "I'll Pay The Shipping Cost" on YouTube.
4.
"Good Thang"----
Bigg Robb
I'd guess-ti-mate Bigg Robb gets 50% more of his tracks on the charts simply because he knows the importance of the bass. Here he makes a welcome turn from funk to rock-and-roll.
Sample Bigg Robb's "Good Thang" on Shazam.
5. "Anybody Wanna Party"-----
Solomon Thompson
Solomon follows up his December-charting "Neighbor" by recycling the riff from
"One Big Party"--and for the better. The lyrics will remind you of the fame-loving club-celeb in
T.K. Soul's
"They Wonna Party With Me".
6. "High Heels And Jeans"----
Magic One
With the swinging "It's The Weekend" and to a lesser extent the ballad "Loving For The Both Of Us," and now the impressive "High Heels And Jeans," I'm sitting up and taking notice of this
T.K. Soul protege.
7.
"Do Thangs"----Vick Allen
Here is my only fear: that with these recent witty songs, Vick is concentrating on words to the detriment of music. Where are the fresh, under-towing melodies of "Soul Music" and "My Baby's Phone"? The hooky riff and undulating bass line of "If You Can Beat Me Rockin'"?
Listen to Vick Allen singing "Do Thangs" on YouTube.
8. "Swing My Way"----
Chris Ardoin
Bubbly zydeco version of the beloved
R&B classic by
K.P. & Envyi.
Listen to Chris Ardoin singing "Shorty Swing My Way" on YouTube.
9.
"Deadbeat Lover"----
Chris Ivy
In which Mr. Ivy addresses some grievances of the male gender: "Can I get to know you first/ Before you ask me to pay your bills?"
Listen to Chris Ivy singing "Deadbeat Lover" on YouTube
10. "Southern Soul Jukebox"----
Shai' Simone
Now this is a case of a song that's TOO rock and roll. Too many rock and roll mannerisms, starting with the blatantly vintage chorus.