SoulfusionSeven Steppin' Up to Number one

SOULFUSIONSEVEN are soul duo comprising bassist/songwriter John Saltwell and lyricist Paul Baker. We first heard of 'em on a Tom Glide's 2014 'Smooth Winter' compilation on which their 'Steppin' Up My Love' was a highlight. The track went on to hit no. 1 in the Amazon Nu soul chart. Since then not a lot, save a sweet and stately tribute to Luther Vandross, 'Luther'.

Back in 2016 at the time of 'Steppin' Up My Love',  Gary Van den Bussche of DSG commissioned remixes of the song but for whatever reasons the new mixes were never issued. However, over the last month or so Paul Baker allowed some key DJs access to the T-Groove Yuki "T-Groove" Takahashi mix of the cut and the reaction was remarkable with many top modern jocks picking the cut as their "best of 2016"! 

Logically the tweak is now being made available to all and sundry via DSG Records... and was the wait worth it? Well ... yes! The Yuki Takahashi T Groove mix of 'Steppin' Up My Love' is a classic slab of modern soul... you know what I mean – totally contemporary but with just the right amount of retro to fuel the nostalgia freaks. Beats are tight, harmonies sweet, the bass line rock solid and it's all topped off with a soulful sax break. Great stuff and it's backed with the more balladic 'Watching An Angel'.

SoulfusionSeven - Steppin' Up My Love - (Yuki T-Groove remix) is out now on DSG through i Tunes Download here  and Amazon. 

                                  (Japan's #1 Remix producer Yuki T- Groove)

                                         

Review: soulandjazzandfunk.com with thanks to Bill.

The song is currently #1 on the Amazon  R&B Chart in Japan! 

McCrei - Take My Hand climbs to #1 in the Amazon sales chart!

McCrei were formed in 2012, when the two UK Soul sisters, Leanne and Shannon McCrei began sharing their life experiences through song writing and started gigging on the Camden acoustic circuit. Fast forward three years and the sisters have performed at over 250 gigs including the  O2 Academy, The Hope, Caister Soul Festival, The Cavern, Camp Soul Festival, Funk Is Back, Distillers, Kensington Roof Gardens, Charlie Wrights and various other venues throughout England .

In 2014 the record producer Alan Glass (whose credits include Aretha Franklin, Misteeq and The Lighthouse Family) discovered McCrei on social media and requested to co write with the girls. McCrei wrote four songs to Alan's beats including the song 'I'm Missing You' which is featured on the film 'Last Round', for which McCrei performed in April at the premier in London.

In January 2015 the record label Disco Soul Gold Music (DSG Music) heard McCrei's music being played on Hugh Williams Soulded Out radio show and approached then McCrei resulting in, '' Show Me'' being released as a single through DSG on the 8th June 2015. The song was also remixed by Nigel Lowis (production credits include Dina  Carroll, Eternal, Take That) and reached, #1 on the Soul / R&B sales chart, plus Number 2 in the UK Soul Charts. The track also appears on the new Expansion records,' Soul Togetherness album''. Look out also for a limited edition 7 inch vinyl of Show Me which is now in the shops.   

(Picture taken by Alan Harding posted with thanks)

McCrei's second single release of 2015; 'Take My Hand' is now released  on DSG Music, with mixes by Yuki T -Groove, Alan Glass the producer of the song & Nigel Lowis who is also the co-writer along with, Glass & McCrei themselves.  

                                             (Picture taken by Alan Harding posted with thanks)

Inspired by an introduction into traditional Soul, Disco and Funk, their music takes some direction while staying true to their signature style. McCrei's musical influences include James Brown, Whitney Houston, Teena Marie, Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone and Aretha Franklin.  The girls recently supported Jean Carn at the Camp Soul Music festival, when the Philly songstress requested the girls to sing to her privately in her changing room.  At the last Caister Soul Weekender the UK Soul Sisters supported Joey Negro, by singing to a crowd of over 3,000  at the sold out weekender.    

In  December 2014, Leanne and Shannon were introduced to an experienced musician trio consisting of Tom O.Mitchell, Charlotte Whiting and Neil Cornwell who have since become McCrei's backing band for live shows. 

 McCrei - Take My Hand is currently climbing both the Soul Charts and download charts, currently #1 on Amazon sales chart and now available to download below.

Click here to Download it here from Amazon

Click here to download from i Tunes

McCrei web site link below ...

Stay up to date with the latest McCrei live and Pa gigs here!

Breaking news the T-Groove mix has just reached #1 in Japan on the R&B chart!