Soul Unsigned is the brainchild of, Solar Radio's very own deejay, Phil Driver. Phil has very selflessly helped many unsigned artists get their product to a format folks can buy, and with the least amount of self promotion anyone might expect. Phil just lets the artists take centre stage, and, as I have discovered via previous releases, the end product is of the highest standard. Soul Unsigned 1 was an excellent collection. Soul Unsigned 2 has taken the concept to a much improved level, which is something that can only bode well for any future releases. So what about the music on the new CD? There are 14 tracks on offer in total here. No fillers in the line-up, just varying degrees of superior quality Soul Music. The pick of any bunch is always a personal thing for every listener. In this old fool's case, I particularly liked the Maxi track 'Steppin Out', even better is the Sean Miranda, heavily harmonised 'Dig It', J-Funks (standout, and probably favourite song on the album) 'Break Thru' and the Calumet dancer 'Keep The Funk Alive' (these guys have been listening to the Players Association on their i-Pods! LOL). A very satisfying set, which I know Phil, and his associate Leigh Fry, are rightly very proud of. If ever there was a case of a label which deserved support from the 'ever diminishing financial pockets' of the discerning Soul fan, this is one well worth supporting. Highly recommended.
"Breakthru" is "The Song" on the new CD according to me, but overall good music.
This is the second of Phil Driver's Soul Unsigned compilation albums and it carries on where that excellent set left off. That's to say it's stuffed with quality, real modern soul drawn from all kinds of different sources. However, before you start to think that the collection is just another exercise in recreating the past allow me to highlight the real variety within the 14 cuts. Sean Miranda's 'Dig It' is a lovely nu-soul confection that might satisfy Maxwell addicts; Londoner J-Funk (Justin Stephenson) offers a very understated and gentle 'Breakthru'; Destruments' 'Take A Closer Look' is loose and jazzy; while Brummie band, Muthafunk, achieve a wonderful, organic live feel on their 'True Love'. … for more details go to www.soulunsigned.com and don't forget Phil Driver's regular radio shows – monthly on Solar and weekly European shows; the Soul Unsigned site will point you to those.
What a comp this has turned out to be! Totally excellent from start to finish Top faves for me are 3. Unkle Funkle - Gonna give it to you 6. Sean Miranda - Dig it 7. J-Funk - Breakthru And to finish of the cd with a philly sounding British outfit Frank Felix - Club 44 Highly recommended chaps & will be paying a lot of airtime to this cd as it deserves maximum exposure.
Soul Unsigned Volume 2 had its first official airplay on the Peter Young show on Solar Radio, where he played J-Funk and Frank Felix.
