Corner 2024

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------DECEMBER 2024-------

1. "Step By Step"-----Summer Wolfe

"I've got my baby by my side...In the dance of love we've already won..." What a beautiful turn of phrase from the superb songwriting team of Robert Gonzalez and Velma Wolfe. What a melody and irresistible stepping tempo! After years of toil in the second ranks of southern soul singers, Summer Wolfe takes a breathtaking leap in career artistry. There's not a diva in southern soul who wouldn't recognize Summer's consummate vocal as one of the finest of the year.

Listen to Summer Wolfe singing "Step By Step" on YouTube.

2. "They Talkin' 'Bout Me"-----M. Cally

2023 Best Southern Soul Debut Artist M. Cally showers his burgeoning fans with a new 5-star EP and a blazing new single to close out 2024. M. Cally "heard it through the grapevine" and ain't having any of the hate. His double-tracked, mahogany-rich, vocal timbre resonates like the bells of Cathédrale de Notre-Dame.

Listen to M. Cally singing "They Talkin' 'Bout Me" on YouTube.

3. "Give It Up"-----Tucka

Is there another recording artist in all of southern soul who "goes his own way" as Tucka does? He blocks out all the outside static and listens to his own muse. I think he's only gotten better as the year has gone by, shifting back from the atypical party anthems of 2023 to the intimate love songs that made him a southern soul icon.

Listen to Tucka singing "Give It Up" on YouTube.

4. "Please Forgive Me"-----Jay Da Franchize Watts feat. Devonese

Really impressive, vintage-deep ballad by two gospel-strong vocalists. Jay "Da Franchize" Watts, (a great moniker, by the way) backs it up with the goods and Devonese more than matches the intensity.

Listen to Jay Da Franchize Watts & Devonese singing "Please Forgive Me" on YouTube.

5. "I Know He's Cheatin'"-----Lady Kay

Somebody tell me where this rocking instrumental track came from---it is so familiar! That's not going to be easy because it's not on YouTube. Hopefully, it will be. Refreshing take on cheating, though. She doesn't give a damn because he pays the bills.

6. "Freaking With Our Boots On"----T.K. Soul feat. Luster Baker

Great to get whole-heartedly behind a T.K. Soul song again, and not because the topic is fashionably "trail ride". No, it's the wonderful instrumental sound and the vocals, aided by Luster Baker.

Listen to T.K. Soul & Luster Baker singing "Freaking With Our Boots On" on YouTube.

7. "She Say I Make Her Cheat"----M. Cally

Another new and rousing anthem from M. Cally. See Daddy B. Nice's five-star 40 & Up EP review.

Listen to M. Cally singing "She Say I Make Her Cheat" on YouTube.

8. "Slow Roll It"-----Mike Clark Jr.

Cover songs are typically a dime a dozen, the fodder by which aspiring artists learn the southern soul "ropes". The Love Doctor's classic, however, turns out to be an anomaly in Mike Clark Jr.'s skillful rendition. Deserves to be a hit song all over again.

Listen to Mike Clark Jr. singing "Slow Roll It" on YouTube.

9. "Sorry"-----Devonese

Another stirring single from the new diva who guested on Jay Da Franchize Watt's "Please Forgive Me" (#4 Single above).

Listen to Devonese singing "Sorry" on YouTube.

10. "The Paul Rich Slide"----Paul Rich

A carefree, throwback-sounding stepper that can't exit 2024 without being recognized and celebrated.

Listen to Paul Rich singing "The Paul Rich Slide" on YouTube.



Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------NOVEMBER 2024-------

1. "Ain't Got Time"-----Sheba Potts-Wright

Little Sheba of "Slow Roll It" fame is all grown, sounding larger than life. I don't know what impresses me more, the bluesy, slinky, seemingly family-generated instrumental track or the blistering vocal. If only her daddy (Dr. Feelgood Potts) could hear her now. Get your partner and dirty-dancing shoes and head for the floor. From Sheba's just-released Ain't Got Time, The New Beginning EP.

Listen to Sheba Pott's Wright singing "Ain't Got Time On YouTube.

2. "Do The Rodeo"----Stan Butler feat. Deacon Low Down

Remember Deacon Low Down, the head-turning character from the "Cowboy Ride" and "Down In The Kuntry" videos? Stan Butler brings the Deacon in to sing for the first time and it sounds like a hit.

Listen to Stan Butler & Deacon Low Down singing "Do The Rodeo" on YouTube.

3. "She Looks Good In Anything"----Ciddy Boi P feat. Mr. Stuff

Quirky but enticing new song with fascinating lyrics by a guy who just keeps recording one good track after another. See this month's featured artist: Ciddy Boi P: Country Styling.

Listen to Ciddy Boi P and Mr. Stuff singing "She Looks Good In Anything" on YouTube.

4. "That Neck"----Uncle Phunk feat. Mr. Same Thang

This is actually the most southern soul-ish tune Unkle Phunk (Carolyn Staten's "Nukie Pie," etc.) has ever recorded. Nice vocal too.

Listen to Unkle Phunk & Mr. Same Thang singing "That Neck" on YouTube.

5. "Good Woman"----Harold G

This guy---Harold Guillory---looks primed to enter the southern soul ring and make some serious moves.

Listen to Harold G singing "Good Woman" on YouTube.

6. "Baby What's The Matter?"----Andre' Lee

Andre' Lee has been around since the early days of contemporary southern soul (that first Mardi Gras anthology with Sir Charles, if memory serves) and he's back and swinging for the fences with this project showcased by a beautiful vintage arrangement and production, not to mention stellar lead guitar.

Listen to Andre Lee singing "Baby What's The Matter?" on YouTube.

7. "Whiskey"-----Curt The Country Man feat. Countryboii Tye.

More than anyone else, Curt is the singer who has me listening to "southern soul country" for the first time in my life. No matter how many times I hear it, "Back Roads" never fails to knock me out. And what's fascinating to me is how enthralled The Country Man is with drinking. Mel Waiters sang about whiskey but he was actually not into alcohol. Curt is into alcohol the way a high school kid is, and it's that apparent youth, that apparent rawness, that dreamy infatuation with the drinking lifestyle and ultimately that seeming lack of self-awareness that makes Curt The Countryman even more interesting and ironically authentic.

Listen to Curt The Country Man and Countryboii Tye singing "Whiskey" on YouTube.

8. "Hole In The Wall"-----The Real Hub

Melody, tempo and depth, with fine vocalizing and production. The Real Hub is a male duo with uncredited female background. No relation to the Mel Waiters classic.

Listen to The Real Hub singing "Hole In The Wall" on YouTube.

9. "Steppin'"----Ladi Londyn

Promising debut by a young singer named Londyn Jones.

Listen to Ladi Londyn singing "Steppin'" on YouTube.

"Uber"----Stevie J. Blues

Imagine a J. Blackfoot vehicle updated with a P2K sound. Stevie J. has always had a knack for infusing his vocals with a lot of personality, and this one is no exception.

Listen to Stevie J. Blues singing "Uber" on YouTube.



Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------OCTOBER 2024-------

1. "The Game"-----Nila Milan

This song comes out of nowhere to become a number one single for an unknown artist first time out. It's got that King George "Keep On Rollin'" vibe. Same tempo and verse construction, same swagger and hooky momentum, but utterly original and sung by a woman who delivers it with the required toughness and charm. Whatta tune! It will be a line-dancing sensation.

Listen to Nila Milan singing "The Game" on You Tube.

2. "Living For The Weekend"-----Cecily Wilborn

You thought "Southern Man" and "Red Cup Blues" were flukes? No, sir. Cecily does it again, mining that country (Arkansas) style. Some old-timers may be shaking their heads, wondering whatever happened to the southern soul of twenty-five years ago. It's still there, just a little tired-sounding. The southern soul tent has expanded, incorporating the country style, and it's here to stay. Produced by steel-guitar maestro Kang803 (King George, Cecily's own "Red Cup Blues"). From the new album, Kuntry Gurl Playlist.

Listen to Cecily Wilborn singing "Living For The Weekend" on YouTube.

3. "Stand On Business"-----Myia B

"Stand On Business" re-enters the Top 10, propelled by the fans' enthusiastic response to both its music and ground-breaking lyrics. Even the heroine of Nila Milan's #1 single "The Game" (above) is now "standing on business". Listen to the jaw-dropping "ooohs" and "aaahs" of Myia B warming up in the opening eight bars, however, and you realize she could be singing "Little Jack Horner sat in the corner" and still have a hit song on her hands.

Listen to Myia B singing "Stand On Business" on YouTube.

4. "Too Many Irons In The Fire"-----Derek "The Change Man" Smith feat. Niecy Leshae

Here's a duet for the old school, and a high-quality one at that. Derek "The Change Man" Smith and Niecy Leshae recreate the excitement of the legendary J. Blackfoot and Queen Ann Hines.

Listen to Derek "The Change Man" Smith and Niecy Leshae singing "Too Man Irons In The Fire" on YouTube.

5. "My Dog Don't Bark No More" (aka "D.D.B.N.M") -----Arthur Young

When it comes to old-school blues, there isn't anyone doing it as well and as often as the "Funky Forty" man, Arthur Young. From his four-star album Straight Outta Summit.

Listen to Arthur Young singing "My Dog Don't Bark No More" on YouTube.

6. "Changed The Game"-----Big Mel

Move over, Marcellus The Singer and Young Guy. Make room on the elevator. There's another young balladeer going UP. From Big Mel's new album Blue Rose.

Listen to Big Mel singing "Changed The Game" on YouTube.

7. "Bring That Here"----Tina Brown

Tina Brown brings a refreshingly different vocal (think the half-talking style of the late, great Big Cynthia) to this ambling rocker written and produced by those Shreveport sidekicks, Jeter and Slack.

Listen to Tina Brown singing "Bring That Here" on YouTube.

8. "Nothing But You"-----Big Mel

Another impressive ballad from Big Mel.

Listen to Big Mel singing "Nothing But You" on YouTube.

9. "Black Cat"-----Arthur Young

Arthur Young brings the mouth harp back to southern soul. Bobby Rush says, "Right on!"

Listen to Arthur Young singing "Black Cat" on YouTube.

10. "I Love This Man"-----Tina Brown

Tina Brown takes a different vocal approach on this memorable ballad. An Omar Cunnningham composition.

Listen to Tina Brown singing "I Love This Man" on YouTube.




Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------SEPTEMBER 2024-------

1. "I Can't Judge Nobody"-----King George

King George has come down to earth. From "Keep On Rollin'" through last year's "Grown Man," George launched a series of other-worldly singles (including "Too Long," "Friday Night," "Leave & Party" and "Night-Time") like fireworks from the pearly gates of Southern Soul Heaven. And that blank, glassy stare you often see on George's face is simply the proof---the after-effects---of George being so near the Deity for a prolonged period. That all changed late last year with the down-to-earth "Lil' Weight," which, despite its charm and 12 million YouTube views and counting, brought King George back to terra firma and the more natural musical surroundings of his peers. This year's "It's Over" and, now "Can't Judge Nobody," merely extend this new, more mortal phase of George's career. And for George, like an astronaut finally returning to Earth, what a relief it must be!

Listen to King George singing "Can't Judge Nobody" on YouTube.

2. "Dirt Road"----Jeter Jones

Think of the happiest moments of your life, no matter how small or fleeting, times when you knew exactly who you were and liked what you saw. "Dirt Road" is a rare potion dispensing the essence of all those happy little epitomes. Jeter's vocal is a wonder, conveying tenderness, vulnerability and self-awareness (think Ollie Nightingale or Billy "Soul" Bonds), all the while grounded in the strength and sturdiness of the trail-ride, dirt-road mystique. From Jeter's new Trailride Kang album. Read Daddy B. Nice's new five-star review.

Listen to Jeter Jones singing "Dirt Road" on YouTube.

3. "Night On That Tequila"----Tucka

Tucka follows up #1 Single "Take It Slow" (July '24) with another laid-back, country-feeling yet more up-tempo tune with plenty of space for his vocal pyrotechnics.

Listen to Tucka singing "Night On That Tequila" on YouTube.

4. "2 20's"-----F.P.J.

The hottest young southern soul artist of the moment tosses out another can't miss single, this one a new take on Arthur Young's "Funky Forty".

Listen to FPJ singing "2 20's" on YouTube.

5. "Cheating On The Weekend"-----O.B. Buchana

This is O.B.'s finest single since "Drinking My Problems Away," with the added bonus of being up-tempo and unapologetically mischievous. More importantly, it rocks with the storied swagger of the O.B. of old.

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Cheating On The Weekend" on YouTube.

6. "Real Good Day"----Kendo Country Trim feat. Curt The Country Man

"Cheesy programmed horns" was my favorite term back in the aughts for this song's instrumental background, but it's still got country steel guitar and wild cowgirl fills and none other than guest artist Curt The Country Man (Curtis Pettway), whose "Back Roads" and "Country Man" form the template for this hybrid, southern-soul/black-country sound.

Listen to Kendo Country Trim & Curt The Country Man singing "Real Good Day" on YouTube.

7. "Have A Good Time"-----Karen Wolfe

Not the greatest composition, but by song's end Karen and the producers have whipped it into one of the best singles of Karen's storied career.

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "Have A Good Time" on YouTube.

8."Gin And Juice"----Avail Hollywood

A daring and peculiar song featuring a jazz saxophone, clarinet and violin romping on a bed of percussive effects. Think of it as southern soul meets bebop. Avail Hollywood's eye-opening vocal weaves in and out and sometimes smashes through like a Targaryen on a dragon.

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Gin And Juice" on YouTube.

9. "Dog House"----Mike Clark Jr.

Full of the same, stunning vocal projection and clarity, Mike Clark Jr.'s finest single since his breakthrough hit, "Auntie Outside Tonight".

Listen to Mike Clark Jr. singing "Dog House" on YouTube.

"Don't Bother Me"----Charles Wilson

The "Mississippi Boy" still has one of most identifiable voices in southern soul. Written and produced by Stan Butler.

Listen to Charles Wilson singing "Don't Bother Me" on YouTube.



Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------AUGUST 2024-------

1. "Wasn't None Of You (Soul Remix)"-----LLJuna feat. Tavarus

Lost and forgotten for two decades, the original version of this song was the #4-ranked southern soul single of 2006, the first year I began doing singles charts, ranking behind only Willie Clayton's magnificent "Going Crazy," Nellie "Tiger" Travis's classic "If I Back It Up" and the late, legendary Reggie P.'s "Droppin' Salt". At the time I called it the "most authentic and personable female monologue since Shirley Brown's 'Woman To Woman,'" and with its lyric, "Trying to look like Beyonce / But looking like Wesley Snipes in "To Wong Fu," I see no reason to change that assessment. LLJuna has at last resurfaced with a new, not-quite-as-angry remix of this DBN all-time Top 10 "One Hit Wonder," assimilating the man's side of what is evidently a "case of mistaken identity".

Listen to LLJuna & Tavarus singing "Wasn't None Of You (Soul Remix)" on YouTube.

2. "Low Down Soul"-----Prince DeLeon feat. Tre' Williams & LaMorris Williams

First-class vocalists Tre' Williams and LaMorris Williams are the obvious attractions here, but what really hooks me musically is the rhythm section (the drums and bass). Is that Ringo Starr on the drum kit? Or Motown's Benny Benjamin? If programmed, it almost sounds like two drum tracks, one slightly off-setting the other. If live, it may break some longstanding taboos.

Listen to Prince DeLeon, Tre' Williams & LaMorris Williams singing "Low Down Soul" on YouTube.

3. "Love Will"-----Lenny Williams feat. West Love

Deep, musical, anthemic, epically-scaled, "Love Will" is the finest song Lenny's released since the onset of Covid, instantly casting his previous singles, good as they were, in its monumental shadow. West Love's spell-binding contribution defines what being a female southern soul singer today is all about. "The Princess Of Southern Soul"? I'd say it's time to coronate her as "Queen". Stan Butler provides the masterful production.

Listen to Lenny Williams and West Love singing "Love Will" on YouTube.

4. "Pour Me A Drank"----Sir Charles Jones

This is a great, getting-back-on-track record for the King. Simple. Direct. Brimming with audience empathy. "Love Machine" type stuff. Not to mention...good melody, great refrain and captivating vocal. The key thing, though, is the simplicity and resulting timelessness. "I just wanna wooo-sa!"

Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Pour Me A Drank" on YouTube.

5. "Stand On Business"----Myia B

Is this the most gender-bending southern soul song since Peggy Scott-Adams' "Bill"? Most of the comments on its YouTube page effuse about the beauty of both the song and Myia B's gospel-timbred voice---and rightfully so. But curiously none of the enthusiastic comments and emojis address the fact the song is about a "she" and a "she" and includes the phrase "she set that snapper on my face". If the southern soul audience embraces this tune, it will be on a culturally much different and inclusionary level than it was in the nineties with "Bill". Bottom line? It's a flat-out great song, the kind of song that launches a career.

Listen to Myia B singing "Stand On Business" on YouTube.

6. "Just Friends"----Tia Catillia

Buoyant, zydeco-burnished southern soul with a simple message that'll resonate with just about everyone, especially sexually-active men. This tune gives the vineagar a nice thick coating of sugar, guys. You'll find yourself thinking, "Oh yeah, I can go with that."

Listen to Tia Catillia singing "Just Friends" on YouTube.

7. "Two Beers"----Curt The Countryman

I've been listening to a lot of Curt's singles and dismissing them except for a new one in a southern soul format that was going to be slotted here until I realized the more country-ish "Two Beers" was just too good to not take that space. "Two Beers" came out of the same deep personal well that number-one single "Back Roads" did around a year ago and has now reappeared in a new YouTube video. Enough said?

Listen to Curt The Countryman singing "Two Beers" on YouTube.

8. "Let It Move"-----Arthur Young

A torrid, guitar-fueled club jam from Arthur Young's sixth full-length studio album. Read Daddy B. Nice's four-star review.

Listen to Arthur Young singing "Let It Move" on YouTube.

9. "Dangerous Love"-----Catt Daddy feat. Jalesa McRae

Moving up from #23 on last month's Top 40 Singles...this song has staying power.

Listen to Catt Daddy & Jalesa McRae singing "Dangerous Love" on YouTube.

10. "What You Waiting For"----Ciddy Boi P feat. Sugar Daddy

Listen to Ciddy Boi P & Sugar Daddy singing "What You Waiting For" on YouTube.



Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------JULY 2024-------

1. "Take It Slow"-----Tucka

Tucka goes country? Well...Sorta. In a Ray Charles kind of way. (Meaning on his own lofty terms.) And what a gutsy intro! The usual eight bars of instrumental pass, you're anticipating the first words of the vocal, and instead you're treated to another eight bars of gorgeous background dominated by what sounds like a five-thousand-dollar pedal steel guitar. And you're thinking, "Oh yeah, this is Tucka. I gotta get my Al Green ears on. If I can't slow down, I'm not going to appreciate this." And as if on cue, the first words out of Tucka's mouth are: "Take it slow". And he rewards you with one of the most expressive vocals of his career.

Listen to Tucka singing "Take It Slow" on YouTube.

2. "Whatcha Know (About This)"-----F.P.J.

This is one of those club bangers that makes you leap out of your chair tripping over people to get to the dance floor. Husky and dark, FPJ's vocal tone grounds this bubbly groove that otherwise might float away like a kid's balloon and makes it down-to-earth, grown-folks real.

Listen to F.P.J. singing "Whatcha Know" on YouTube.

3. "100 Missed Calls"----Young Guy

You wouldn't know this was the same guy who did "Take Heed". "100 Missed Calls" is light, fast and musically variable (with no voice-overs), by comparison with "Take Heed" mere fluff, yet hours later you'll discover the melody line running through your mind, putting a swing in your gait.

See Young Guy Enters New Generation Chart At #33.

Listen to Young Guy singing "100 Missed Calls" on YouTube.

4. "Love Me No More"----Tee Dee Young

Remarkable old-school southern soul, expertly sung and produced, with gospel music choruses that will thrill anyone who cherishes the interrelatedness of pulpit and stage.

Listen to Tee Dee Young singing "(Why You Don't) Love Me No More"

5. "Cruising With The Top Down"----T. Bryant

Refreshingly straightforward yet romantic debut by a singer with a mahogany-rich vocal tone.

Listen to T. Bryant singing "Cruising With The Top Down" on YouTube.

6. "Blues Paradise"-----F.P.J.

A fine reworking of Johnnie Taylor's "Soul Heaven" by a young singer who dreams the dream of singing his "Po' Me Up Some Mo'" surrounded by his idols, "with us all onstage, standing hand in hand, with nobody trying to hate, nobody trying to 'be a man'".

Listen to F.P.J. singing "Blues Paradise" on YouTube.

7. "$$ Looking Good"-----Highway Heavy feat. Robert Butler & Johnny James

This trio from Highway Heavy's Baton Rouge musical mafia collectively delivers some of the best vocal performances of their careers. That would be the ultimate front-man Robert Butler, the inimitable and lyrically irrepressible Johnny James and Heavy himself with a rap that finally fits perfectly into one of his southern soul vehicles.

Listen to Robert Butler, Johnny James and Highway Heavy singing "$$ Looking Good" on YouTube.

8. "Touch It"----Tara Keith

Debut artist Tara Keith, the lone diva on July's Top 10, hits this one out of the park. A Jesse Redmond (J. Red) production.

Listen to Tara Keith singing "Touch It" on YouTube.

9. "Fallay Party"------Uncle Fallay

Chris Andrus, once known as Lil' Fallay, now known as Uncle Fallay, wants to "get dis' party started!"

Listen to Uncle Fallay singing "Fallay Party" on SoundCloud.

10. "Ride"----JaLi The Gentleman

Another debut with good material and first-rate vocal. "She got an accent from Alabama / But she born and raised in Mississippi..." Who knew? (That accents were that different across the border?)

Listen to JaLi The Gentleman singing "Ride" on YouTube.



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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------JUNE 2024-------

1. "I'll Beg"-------Stacii Adams

Finally. An original urban-style song to knock country out of the southern soul conversation for a minute. You know within the first eight bars, as you listen to the overlapping time signatures and the stirring vintage organ, this is a song that'll lift your spirits. And who broke it? None other than Stacii Adams. We had a bit of a falling-out years ago, can't remember what about, maybe my shrugging off his more histrionic R&B (like the Lenny Williams-style "OH-OH-OH" marathon in "I'll Beg"), but man...Stacii balls. He remains true to the profound promise of that organ-luscious intro. You can't ask for more. Kudos also to the wonderful, contrast-painting, female background.

Listen to Stacii Adams singing "I'll Beg" on YouTube.

2. "One More Day"----Ciddy Boi P

Patrick Rodriguez (aka Ciddy Boi P) has been making music in multiple genres for years. Maybe that's why he's been in such demand as a producer-collaborator since his first acclaimed southern soul single, "Can I Get It?" two years ago. This year he's on a creative tear ("This Is Texas," "Fishing Hole" on the last two Top 10's). An old New Edition classic, "One More Day" sets Ciddy Boi's gritty vocalizing against an acoustic guitar as gentle and delicate as The Beatle's "Michelle" while a country steel guitar glides like a magnificent raptor in the background. As southern soul singer Sharnette Hyter has remarked, "You've found your sound."

Listen to Ciddy Boi P singing "One More Day" on YouTube.

3. "I'm Soul Country"-----Black Koffee

Like Stacii Adams' "Don't Beg," this is a refreshing salvo from the urban-sounding corner of the southern soul universe. Don't believe the country title. The instrumental track's biting guitar is as funkadelic as Nellie "Tiger" Travis's "Mr. Sexy Man," and the vocal has the swagger to match. A line-dancer's (and free-dancer's) dream, it feels like you're dancing to a machine-gun.

Listen to Black Koffee singing "I'm Soul Country" on YouTube.

4. "Tell Me Baby"----B.J. Moodswing feat. Dirty D

Second consecutive week on the Top 10 for the accomplished B.J. Moodswing. How swiftly strange names become familiar and ordinary (if the music's good).

Listen to B.J. Moodswing and Dirty D singing "Tell Me Baby" on YouTube.

5. "I'm The New Jody"-----Ced Wade feat. Ciddy Boi P

Before trail rides, back roads and country boys became the rage, there was Jody, the sneaky bastard trying to get into your wife's pants. It's a testament to how much time has passed that Ced Wade's "New Jody" sounds almost unique, although at times you wonder if his vocal is going to collapse. It's all good though and all the more authentic.

Listen to Ced Wade and Ciddy Boi P singing "New Jody" on YouTube.

6. "(Two) Faces"-----Catt Daddy

A little southern soul, a little rock and roll, a pinch of blues guitar and a charismatic southern soul singer to stir the pot.

Listen to Catt Daddy singing "(Two) Faces" on YouTube.

7. "Under There"-----Hisyde

As with Hisyde's "Hap Here" you may struggle at first with the opaqueness of the production, like a movie scene that went through too many takes to get it right. Stick with it though. The catchy melody does surface and ultimately rewards.

Listen to Hisyde singing "Under There" on YouTube.

8. "Sorry"-----Ty Daniels feat. Boss Lady

Time-honored, chitlin'-circuit, male-female back and forth. What gets your attention at first is the faraway voice of Ty Daniels on the phone. His contrite male comes to the fore by song's end.

Listen to Ty Daniels and Boss Lady singing "Sorry" on YouTube.

9. "Just Won't Break"-----Sky Whatley feat. Tonio Armani

A rousing song of female empowerment by the young artist who did "Bae Changed Me".

Listen to Sky Whatley & Tonio Armani singing "Just Won't Break" on YouTube.

10. "My Kind Of Man"-----Crystal Thomas

One of southern soul's most storied divas returns with a song modelled on Cecily Wilborn's acclaimed "Southern Man".

Listen to Crystal Thomas singing "My Kind Of Man" on YouTube.



Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------MAY 2024-------

1. “Back Road”-------Curt The Country Man feat. Marcellus The Singer

Curt The Country Man’s “Back Road” is the glorious apex of the country style sweeping through southern soul with songs like Cecily Wilborn’s “Red Cup Blues,” Country Boy’s “Jeans & Boots” and Ciddy Boi P’s “This Is Texas”. This full-scale country trend began in earnest, fittingly enough, a few months ago with Curt’s rousing music video of ”Back Roads” (plural) under his previous (or alternate) name GMB Li Curt (#2 March Top 10 Singles). This remix replaces guest rapper ShawtyMac from the original with southern soul balladeer Marcellus The Singer, otherwise retaining key elements of the original like the double-tracking of Curt’s vocals, the horses’ neighing, the wild cry. “Back Road” is a personal artistic statement comparable to J-Wonn’s monumental “I Got This Record,” and if it gets distributed to southern soul deejays it’s a shoo-in for southern soul song of the year.

Listen to Curt The Country Man & Marcellus The Singer singing “Back Road” on YouTube.

2. “Can’t Make ‘Em”------Koffee Bean feat. Jeter Jones

“You can lead a horse to the water / But you can’t make ‘em drink.” This old truism is transformed by Koffee Bean, whose exceptionally charismatic vocal recalls Theresa Brewer from the fifties---only Brewer never swung like this. Ms. Jody did, though, two decades ago in the country-comfortable ”I Never Take A Day Off”.

Listen to Koffee Bean and Jeter Jones singing “Can’t Make ‘Em” on YouTube.

3. “Fishing Hole”----- Ciddy Boi P feat. Novak

This is Ciddy Boi’s fiddle & steel guitar follow-up to “This Is Texas” (#1 Top 10 Singles April), accompanied by the humble yet intriguing, country background fills of the lady Novak. Do you ever wonder if "City Boy" misnamed himself?

Listen to Ciddy Boi P and Novak singing “Fishing Hole” on YouTube.

4. “Take You Out Tonight”------T-Man

There’s no other way to say it. The chorus sucks. Which is too bad because the vocal swagger T-Man displays in the verses will raise the hair on your neck. If T-Man turns up that exciting vocal “swag” even more, he’ll be on the yellow brick road to a hit record.

5. ”Jeans And Boots”------Country Boy

Like Curt The Country Man, Country Boy has been dawdling in the wings for awhile now. I’m just catching up, although he had a #1 single here a couple of years ago---promoted, if memory serves, by T.K. Soul. "Jeans & Boots" resonates long after listening.

Listen to Country Boy singing “Jeans And Boots” on YouTube.

6. “On Ya Feet”----Big Mel

Big Mel is looking like the real thing. He understands melody and tempo, has a voice that inspires empathy, and just about everything he puts out is notable. But someone please help me with the lyrics. I keep hearing, over and over, “I’ll pour acid on your feet,” which sounds pretty weird in front of “and have a country time with me”.

Listen to Big Mel singing “On Ya Feet” on YouTube.

7. “Body Roll, Fast Or Slow”----Narvel Echols

A lot of people counted Narvel out in the early days. He just kept coming on, getting better and better, until he became what he is today, an aficionado of original southern soul material and presentation.

Listen to Narvel Echols singing “Body Roll, Fast Or Slow” on YouTube.

8. “In Love With You”-----B.J. Moodswing

If this song by newcomer B.J. Moodswing sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because it’s structured on the chord progressions and tempo of King George’s “Keep On Rollin’,” which becomes obvious (almost an homage) towards the end with the “keep-on-rollin'” guitar licks.

Listen to B.J. Moodswing singing “In Love With You” on YouTube.

9. “No Way”-----Sheba Potts-Wright feat. L.J. Echols

It’s great to have Sheba back and vying for a hit. And bringing in L.J. Echols was an inspired choice.

Listen to Sheba and L.J. singing “No Way” on YouTube.

10. “On The Way”---Big Nick J

Big Nick’s second consecutive Top 10 Singles appearance (after “Do You!” in April).

Listen to Big Nick J singing "On The Way" on YouTube.



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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------APRIL 2024-------

1. "This Is Texas" ---Ciddy Boi P

Country music influ-
ences continue to waft like fresh breeze through southern soul. Ciddy Boi P, who had a down year in '23 after a resounding debut in '22, recorded "This Is Texas" as a reply to Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em," but it's much more than that. The "ying-ying-ying-ying" man's very heart and soul course through this testament with an emotive power that dwarfs his more formulaic southern soul tunes, and at under three minutes you'll want to play it over and over, soaking up the man's inspiring and unbounding love for his life and land.

Listen to Ciddy Boi P. singing "This Is Texas" on YouTube.

2. "It's Over"----King George

Well, it's time to cede the throne to King George. He is the #1 artist in southern soul. Yes, he has only two solo albums to his credit, but if you look at his oeuvre from the standpoint of hit singles, no one else comes close. Whereas most artists have maybe one hit single per album, every track King George records is a hit single---even "It's Over," his own toned-down version of "country"-style southern soul. See Daddy B. Nice's #1: King George: The Greatest Hits.

Listen to King George singing "It's Over" on YouTube.

3. "Keep Pushing"----West Love

I first experienced this tune on YouTube as part of a newly-posted, ten-minute-long, inspirational two-song video entitled "Reach and Keep Pushing" ("Keep Pushing only starting around the seven-minute mark) and was so impressed I resolved to recommend it not only to fans but to West Love for commercial release. Then, while looking for an alternative YouTube link just now for publication, I discovered a "Keep Pushing" video released by one Kelsie West five years before she became famous as West Love---a self-fulfilling classic!

Listen to West Love singing "Keep Pushing" on YouTube.

4. "Puttin' In Work"----Mr. Jimmy

New blood rejuvenating the sound of old-school southern soul. Authoritatively sung, authoritatively produced (Shuga Rai).

Listen to Mr. Jimmy singing "Puttin' In Work" on YouTube.

5. "I Gotta Leave Home"-----Mr. Laidback

More new blood for southern soul. "I Gotta Leave Home" (produced by Tony Tatum) sounds like it was recorded yesterday but actually has been wandering in the musical wilderness since 2022. Mr. Laidback recorded a tune ("She Got Me Trippin'") with Tyree Neal (this month's featured artist) in 2020 and I found a citation for Mr. Laidback in my own Comprehensive Index dating back to 2014.

Listen to Mr. Laidback singing "I Gotta Leave Home" on YouTube.

6. "Swing My Way"----LaMorris Williams

Trivia question. Who is the only current southern soul artist to have recorded a southern soul song with Al Green? That's right, LaMorris Williams. "Swing My Way's" light---but it grows on you. From the Rumors album.

Listen to LaMorris Williams singing "Swing My Way" on YouTube.

7. "Do You!"----Big Nick J

Afficionados will decry the embarrassing appropriation of the opening bars of Marcellus The Singer's "Until We Meet," which just charted #1 three months ago, but after that misstep it's all smooth sailing for this competent young vocalist through some of the sweetest, mid-tempo, southern soul since Terry Wright, Stan Mosley of "Rock Me" and the slow-rolling Love Doctor.

Listen to Big Nick J singing "Do You!" on YouTube.

8. "(He Ain't Gon') Do Right"----Shae Nicole

Rousing debut by a singer who for a finale launches into a verse of electrifying falsetto like an instrumental track.

9. "Goin' Jackie Neal (At The Zydeco)"----Tyree Neal feat. Pokey Bear, C-Loc, Adrian Bagher, Johnny James & Bro Bro)

"Everyone takes an entertaining verse, Pokey giving obeisance to Jackie more vehemently than anyone. Adrian Bagher sings that when he first heard Raful Neal, Tyree's uncle, at ten years old, he knew he wanted to be a blues man." From Daddy B. Nice's new review of Neal's Liquor Talk.

Listen to Tyree Neal et.al. singing "Goin' Jackie Neal" on YouTube.

10. "Ride It"----Mikal feat. Angel Faye Russell

Mikal has an abrasive vocal tone that lends a gritty distinctiveness to the raucous back-and-forth between the couple, but the high point comes when Angel Faye sings "Auntie outside tonight! / I've got all of my bills paid."

Listen to Mikal and Angel Faye Russell singing "Ride It" on YouTube.




Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

-------MARCH 2024-------

1. "Red Cup Blues"-----Cecily Wilborn

Mark March 2024 as the month and year when country music invaded and dominated the southern soul top ten singles, and none leaped the genre boundaries with the breathtaking ease of Cecily Wilborn's "Red Cup Blues". The recent winner of the 17th Annual (2023) Southern Soul Award for Best Collaboration ("Southern Man" with West Love), Wilborn is also featured in last month's "News & Notes" "Will Southern Soul Deejays Play Country-Western/Southern Soul?" on Daddy B. Nice's Corner.

Listen to Cecily Wilborn singing "Red Cup Blues" on YouTube.

2. "Back Roads"-----GMB Li Curt feat. ShawtyMac

How close are southern soul and country? Deejays can segue seamlessly from gritty, ultra-bluesy "Mark You Off" by Miron Simpson (2023 Best Southern Soul Debut Nominee and Best Male Vocalist) into GMB Li Curt's pure country music anthem, "Back Roads," and vice versa. Like a tree toppling in the forest, "Back Roads" came and went without notice last year, although 58,000 hardy souls viewed it on YouTube with overwhelmingly enthusiastic comments. And as a southern soul fan, if you're feeling a little ambivalent about enjoying a country song as much as I recounted myself doing in "Will Southern Soul Deejays Play Country-Western/Southern Soul?," remember that southern soul made its post-disco revival in the mid-eighties with Z.Z. Hill's "Down Home Blues," considered "country-bluesy" at the time.

Listen to GMB Li Curt & ShawtyMac singing "Back Roads" on YouTube.

3. "Texas Hold 'Em"-----Beyonce

Well, here's the singer who made all this buzz about country music timely and relevant. Yes, Beyonce might be #1 nationally, but she's #3 on the southern soul charts. And yes, Beyonce has charted here before, with Ronald Isley on "Make Me Say It Again"---September '22 at #2 behind the Tucka/King George remix of "Jukebox Lover". Ever notice how, like in "Make Me Say It Again" and "Texas Hold 'Em," Beyonce likes to play around with her endings---"prettify" them, so to speak---thus the ambient-music coda on "Texas Hold 'Em"?

Listen to Beyonce singing "Texas Hold 'Em" on YouTube.

4. "Come Over Baby"------Lady Redtopp feat. Bri Rocket

At first, not having taken to her slow songs, you might be taken aback. Stick with the unfamiliar, coy and clever vocal delivery and the fresh, pillow-soft instrumental track, however, and you'll be rewarded with a whole new romantic side to this disarmingly original artist. See Lady Redtopp, 17th Annual Southern Soul Awards Triple Winner.

Listen to Lady Redtopp & Bri Rocket singing "Come Over Baby" on YouTube.

5. "Let's Get Drunk"-----L.J. Echols

L.J. rents out O.B. Buchana's most storied title, but once you settle down and get used to that you begin to glean that L.J.'s rediscovering his rhythmic acoustic mojo. I only wish he'd stuck more percussive, "Mad Dog 20-20"-like guitar-picking into the instrumental track.

Listen to L.J. Echols singing "Let's Get Drunk" on YouTube.

6. "Church Girl"-----Tex James feat. Stan Butler

"I can't make this shit up" is the line that'll crack most people up (it did me) while enjoying this off-the-wall, guitar-dominated, hybrid blues.

Listen to Tex James and Stan Butler singing "Church Girl" on YouTube.

7. "You My Man"-----Jay Morris Group

This rare solo effort by K-Monique is a keeper and a harbinger of the exciting possibilities beckoning this extremely talented trio. See Daddy B. Nice's 4-Star CD Review. Also see K-Monique Best Female Vocalist 2021.

Listen to the Jay Morris Group singing "You My Man" on YouTube.

8. "Party Tonight"-----P2K DaDiddy feat. Urban Mystic

Bassists, attention: this is a great bass line! And one of the best collaborations on P2K's new guest-rich album, U-TURN. See Daddy B. Nice's 4-Star CD Review.

9. "Lost And Found (Remix)"-----Volton Wright feat. Sir Charles Jones

(No YouTube at time of publication.)

10. "Going Out"----Curt The Country Man feat. Countryboii Tye

Listen to "Going Out" on YouTube.



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...Monthly Singles Charts continued in bottom half of middle column....

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION! UNDER CONSTANT REVISION!!