A gospel album, but one with deep funk roots – the first full length album from Naomi Shelton, a vocalist we first came to love for her funky 45s on the Desco and Daptone labels! The music's a great mix of gospel vocals and some of the heavy soul sounds we've come to expect from Daptone – small combo instrumentation led by keyboardist Cliff Driver – recorded with a gritty edge that takes us back to the best southern soul sounds of the late 60s. Production is impeccable – a perfect setting for Naomi's great lead vocals, and some hip support from the Gospel Queens trio – and although contemporary, the album's like finding a batch of rare soul gospel singles in the back of some dusty record shop. Titles include "What Is This", "What Have You Done", "I'll Take The Long Road", "Trouble In My Way", "Am I Asking Too Much", "He Knows My Heart", "By Your Side", and "Lift My Burdens". CD

The Frightnrs have plenty more to say here – and they say it in a really sharp-edged approximation of older rocksteady modes! The group are contemporary, but like the best acts on Daptone, they've got an instantly classic feel – thanks to instrumentation and production that take us right back to late 60s Kingston, but with some of the sharper funky currents we've come to expect from the label! And while The Frightnrs may pitch themselves as an old school reggae act, they're also one that have a heavy dose of soul – almost a late night New Jersey current to their music at times – as if the All Platinum/Stang label put out their own version of Jamaican soul. The approach is great, and very unique – and titles include "Hey Brother", "Gotta Find A Way", "What Have I Done", "Nothing More To Say", "All My Tears", "Purple", "Dispute", and "Till Then". (Reggae, Deep Funk) CD