Maybe because I’ve been developing a soul travel show for VH1 Soul I’ve been listening to a lot of new and old soul music. At first I thought it was just me, but there’s been extraordinary around the music and culture in the last two years. Lots of new live acts. Lots of new records, especially from the United Kingdom. Some great retro nuevo (old new) music in this style. As hip hop wanes creatively and commercial r&b sounds like a gang of wind toys with a beat, soul/funk has been making a comeback. Two of the records I’ve been listening to recently speak to the range of music suddenly available. Eugene Blacknell died in 1990, but was a minor legend in the Bay Area in the ’60s and ’70s as a guitar genius and band leader. For whatever reason Blacknell never made an album, though his singles were well regarded by soul heads. Beck sampled a couple of Blacknell’s tracks on his ‘Guero album. So, some 18 years after his death, Blacknell’s debut album, We Can’t Take Life For Granted, has been issued by Luv ‘N Haight records. It is a collection of blues, soul and righteous funk that demands attention. His MySpace page has more info on his career and some cool pix, including one with his Bay Area soul contemporary Sly Stone.

At Base in Miami, a Lincoln Road concept store that sells CD,s photo books, magazines, clothes, hats and furniture, I walked in yesterday and heard what sounded like a Lynn Collins record. It kinda was, except this female soul singer was named Baby Charles and the record was new, recorded around England in 2007 and just released in the U.S. this month. Charles is a young black female who’s produced a raw, live sounding funk record that sounds like the JB’s circa ‘72. I’m not saying its as hot as Lynn Collin’s “Think,” but the the self-titled debut by Baby Charles is confident, well played and definitely soulful enough to be a blaxploitation soundtrack. The record’s on the Record Kicks label out of the U.K. and is well worth your time. I’m hoping Baby Charles is able to attract some of the attention now being given Duffy, who vocally is very similar to Baby Charles. peace