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Singer-songwriter Jennah Bell Captivates with Tasteful Confessions on "Love Is My Disease" (premiere)

The latest single from Jennah Bell's upcoming Anchors & Elephants LP evokes Joni Mitchell, Sia, and Joanna Newsome with its earnest eloquence.

Jordan Blum

Music

The Voice of an Angel: A Tribute to Valerie Carter

The late singer/songwriter Valerie Carter, whose unmistakable voice appeared on hundreds of albums over several decades, is eulogised by her close friend, Kathy Kurasch, in a new, posthumous collection. Kurasch tells us Carter's story.

Music

Kathy Sledge on the 40th Anniversary of the Joyful Song, 'We Are Family'

You've danced to Sister Sledge's joyful "We Are Family" at high school dances and gay -- and straight -- weddings. Kathy Sledge revisits the iconic song with James Earl Hardy.

Music

'Jazz Is the Teacher, Funk Is the Preacher' Continues the Connection Between Black Power-era Art and Progressive Jazz and Funk

Soul Jazz Record's second tie-in to the Soul of a Nation art exhibit brings the funk, alongside a wide range of progressive populist jazz from the early '70s.

Music

Bobbie Gentry's Box of Surprises

Universal's Bobbie Gentry collection was the hit that caught 2018 unawares. PopMatters talks with four Gentry commentators about what the enigmatic singer/songwriter was really like, and asks why she left showbiz behind in 1980.

Music

On Black Girl Magic and Georgia Anne Muldrow's Latest, 'Overload'

It's tempting to proclaim this moment in black pop as something akin to 2018's political Year of the Woman -- Year of the Sista, if you will. But today's unapologetically progressive female black pop artists stand on the shoulders of a most impressive cohort from the '90s and early '00s.

Music

Mavis Staples Encourages with the Past and Present on 'Live in London'

Legendary soul singer Mavis Staples employs decades of work in her potent new release Live in London.

Reviews

Liz Brasher's 'Painted Image' Reveals the Rise of a New Soul Singer Extraordinaire

Painted Image situates Liz Brasher as one of the next thundering and commanding voices of soul music.

Music

Sugaray Rayford Introduces the "The Revelator" (premiere)

Informed by classic and contemporary soul and blues, Sugaray Rayford gives us a taste of upcoming LP with "The Revelator".

Jedd Beaudoin

Music

Swindle Seeks Common Bonds That Connect People on 'No More Normal'

Swindle and his carefully curated mix of guests craft a joyous fusion of sound instilled with pertinent life lessons on No More Normal.

Music

After Funk Illustrates a Complicated Romance in "The Mess We've Become" (premiere)

Replete with rich production and a polished, soulful sound, Toronto R&B group After Funk's newest single is a scorcher.

Music

The Four Tops Missing Years Are Back on CD

After Motown moved to Los Angeles, the Four Tops signed with ABC/Dunhill and kept putting out solid singles.

Music

Americana Artist Michael Rank Continues His Soulful Turn on 'I Fell in Love with You Tonight'

Michael Rank's I Fell in Love with You Tonight is a hip-swaying, infectious brew of songs from an unlikely source.

Music

Daptone Posthumously Releases Charles Bradley's 'Black Velvet'

One more time for the Screaming Eagle of Soul. Charles Bradley's Black Velvet stands tall as a significant addition to his oeuvre.

Music

Angela Johnson Testifies That Every Kind of Love Will Do on "Inclusion" (premiere)

Acclaimed R&B singer-songwriter-producer Angela Johnson delivers a salve for the soul on her new single "Inclusion".

Music

Terry Callier's Debut Turns 50

Terry Callier's beginnings as a folk interpreter get a stunning birthday present from Craft Recordings' 50th anniversary edition of The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier.

Music

Pop Ten

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