Various Artists - Simply Soul Flavas Part III (First Experience Records) If you have purchased volumes one and two in FER's excellent "Simply Soul Flavas" series then in all probability you'll agree with me that First Experience Records, a new Midlands based UK indie label, is doing a sterling job in delivering quality US tunes to "real" soul enthusiasts. Once again compiled by FER's head honcho, Mark Coddington, "Simply Soul Flavas Part III" offers a dozen classy stateside tracks by artists whose relative maturity has meant that they have been overlooked by the youth-obsessed American R&B industry. Indeed, listening to the music featured here, it's as if hip-hop soul never existed and the mid-1980s (when silky soul reigned supreme) never ended. Some names like Audrey Wheeler and Claytoven Richardson (both renowned as session and back up singers rather than artists in their own right) should be familiar ones to more the discerning soul connoisseurs amongst B&S readers. Wheeler's passionate "You Got The Best Of Me" is one of the albums main highlights, along with Todd Brown's powerful vocal performance on the simmering slow-jam "I'll Wait For You." Indeed, there are no week cuts. Also impressive is Baby Lee's classy ballad "Don't Hurt Me" and Badwater Bridge's Maze-like mid-tempo offering, "Let Me Love You" featuring vocalist Ron Hollins. Nicholas Bearde delivers his silky vocals over the energetic uptempo tune, "Everyday." Another quality item is "Finishing Touch" by West Coast singer/songwriter, Randy Wilson, whose expressive tenor is reminiscent of one Luther Vandross. If your concept of soul music means smooth, stylish grooves performed by men and women as opposed to jerky beats delivered by boys and girls (as is today's norm) then "Soul Flavas Part III" should prove and irresistible purchase. A mouth-watering feast for your soul taste buds.
Reviewed by Charles Waring - Blues & Soul (Rating 8+)

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