Review: Soulnaturals - Give Me The Strength To Be Me ft Chalibrann (Lovemonk)

The musical Madrid / London divide is more than fused as one with this deep soul challenge to 'Give Me The Strength To Be Me' featuring the vocals of Chalibrann.

You'll recall the album on Lovemonk by Gecko Turner, 'Somebody From Badajoz' (see review HERE) from earlier this year, but the strength of Soulnaturals' latest 7" featuring the incredible vocals of Chalibrann are worth waiting for.

Beautiful strings surround the funky-soul with added synth-shots (which are more evident on the b-side instrumental) and big horns make this a party season head turner; and I can guarantee it's the type of track that folks at next years' festivals, particualary thinking WeOutHere (Ed. nominated for festival of the year and we know you DJ'd there Hectic) will be eager to know what this knock-out track is.

Very much an update on 70s soul classic productions of the likes of Norman Whitfield, Curtis Mayfield et al with the feeling of a Michael Kiwanuka - yep! it's that good.

Artist: Soulnaturals

Title:  Give Me The Strength To Be Me ft Chalibrann 

Release date: 1st December, 2023

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNKV112

Format:  7" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Soulnaturals - Parlo Discoteca? (British Soul Standard)

Here is the new British Standard for Soul and us naturals are fluent in the native language of Discoteca, turn it up Soulnaturals!

If you were a regular Friday and Saturday nite cluber in the 70s at the like of  Maison Royale, Bumbles, The Outlook or many thousands of other shady dancing establishments with an extended drinks licence 50 odd years ago, here's the modern equivalent of what would have been "the hottest sounds around"!

In the main room we'd have had the massive hit, 'I Found Love In A Discoteque' (see reveiw HERE) but all of the other seven tracks here would have either made the the main or backrooms as Soulnaturals parlo discoteca with ultimate fluency.

'I Found Love In A Discoteque' features the vocals of Ceci Munette as well as 'Rise Sister Rise' which is a bit funkier al la Donna Summer/Sister Sledge etc along with some big strings.  Tony Cannam sings on two 'modern' gems 'Baby I Got Your Back' which has some 70s Blackpool funk-mod-ish touches and a strong organ whilst 'Ain't Nobody Free (Until Eerybody's Free)' closes the album on a high class arrangement with celestial harp and gospel vocals; stand on the word vs. Soul II Soul.

Rosa Levv gets the title track and the reggae-ish 'I Chose Me' with huge backing vocals whilst Emma May Osei-Lah get vocally high on 'My Love Is Stronger' (one for the ladies) and a funky tale for Chalibrann who says, 'I Signed A Contract (With My Higher Self)' - a bit Edwin Starr vs James Brown - love it.

Rumours a foot about who is fighting to do remixes of this album already: let 'em fight I say as this is already brilliant throughout whether you remember the 70s or 70 minutes ago but never say lo non parlo discoteca!

Artist: Soulnaturals 

Title: Parlo Discoteca? 

Release date: 20th October, 2023

Label : British Soul Standard

Catalog Number : BSS0024

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Soulnaturals Ft. CeCi Munette - I Found Love In A Discotheque (inc. Hotmood Remix)(British Soul Standard)

A few years ago, it was 'I Never Knew A Hell Like You' by the Soulnaturals but this summer, it's a big change as 'I Found Love In A Discotheque' featuring CeCi Munette is rocking the house.

The DJs out there will probably prefer the sparcer Hotmood Remix whilst the original version is ready for radio plays as well as the dancefloor.

For a new track, it's impressive that it's so 70s (when did anyone last go to a Disco ever lone a Discoteque?) and it's clearly the Soulnaturals happy place as the forthcoming album is called, 'Parlo Discoteca?'

And whilst this is being released on the British Soul Standard label, Ms. Munette is a soul/gospel singer from San Diego which is a long way from The Royalty, Southgate which is where you'd have likely to have found "love" and some of Soulnaturals current fans like DJs Peter Young, Andy Peebles and Craig Charles.

But you don't hae to be old to love this and the nu-disco folks will be hammering the Hotmood remix.

Title: Soulnaturals Ft. CeCi Munette

Title: I Found Love In A Discotheque inc. Hotmood Remix

Release date: 18th August, 2023

Label : British Soul Standard

Catalog Number : BSS0022 Digital / Bandcamp