1. Adrena "Better Days" (Bone 40)

This mighty fine album features live instruments (including a four piece horn section called the Royal Horns!) seemed to fall thru the cracks upon release. That's a pity because this is some of the best the genre had to offer this year. One of the songs that got some play was the Luther Lackey-scribed "Broke Man", a slick uptempo mover with an unmistakable 80s Soul sound and arrangement. It's early 80s all over again on the Patrice Rushen/"Forget Me Nots"-like "Blue Diamonds". Especially those icy keyboard interjections and what sounds like slapping bass. Meanwhile "Man Gone Do" is a horn-laden head bobber that sounds wonderfully like circ 1980s Denise Lasalle on Malaco (think "A Lady In The Street"). Adrena has a more modest, unassuming voice with a sweet upper shelf. The title track appears twice- first as an instrumental interlude and then on the album-closing "Better Things 2" it's a Bluesy, drama-filled midtempo sizzler. Good stuff!

  2. Rue Davis "Big Hip Woman" (1 Stop Graphics)

The final track, the Carl Marshall-produced "Forgive Them" is simply one of Rue's best vocal performances on record. It's a slow, Deep Soul/Gospel testimony from a man who's chameleon voice is a Holy amalgam of Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton, Al Green, James Carr, Bobby 'Blue' Bland, ZZ Hill, etc (seek out the album Rue Davis "Sings With Friends" for a full album of Rue singing like his "friends"). Almost as sublime is "A Woman Needs Love" featuring just guitar and light percussion with a few organ licks and the lilting piano, guitar, synth-filled "Can I Hold Onto Your Hand?". These are simply Rue at his peak. While I kinda wish the whole album was as stripped down as these Marshall as a producer still expertly fits Davis with unobtrusive tracks with no tricks or gimmicks so the spotlight is on Rue's vocal talents and the songs themselves. There's no hip-hop or contemporary R&B concessions but just old school Soul arrangements. Gems like "I'm Looking For The Real Thing", "Working On Our Love Thang" and "Give The Children A Chance". There's even a percolating, albeit low wattage, dancer or two like the title cut and "You Knew What You Had".

   3. Ms. Jody "I Got The Feeling" (Ecko)

Although Ms. Jody is holding a guitar the liners don't suggest she's playing on the LP but she sho' looks fine holding one! The title track was voted "Best Down Home Blues Song" in the 2016 Blues Critic Awards. Ms. Jody currently plays the role of a tough talkin', risque', sassy, in your face, take-no-mess women better than everyone else. And she transcends the stereotypes with a healthy dose of savvy observation. It's that whiff of maturity that connects with a larger audience I believe. Now a distinguished veteran, "I Got The Feeling" is her 11th all new studio album in just over a decade. Highlights include the self-explanatory "Making Love Is Better When The Bill Are Paid". This is a densely produced track with extra production touches like finger poppin' percussion, synth horns, bass, organ, piano, drums, background vocals and probably more. A feast for the ears especially if you listen with headphones. "This Place Is Hot" is a manic stomper that should make any sentient being move something. Ecko is firing on all cylinders. One of their best dance tracks in years. Jody even adds a little of the trendy Zydeco-Southern Soul into the mix ("Zydeco Rodeo").

   4. LaMorris Williams "Mississippi Motown" (Rocks Landon)

Great album title! Although Motown is considered Northern Soul while LaMorris is much deeper in Southern but, again, great title. "The Guitar Song" preceded this album and was one of the best cuts of 2015. It would be hard to top that one and although nothing on this 18 tracker does it's full of runner-ups. "Slow Motion" is a busy, rolling track with an insistent refrain ("Slow Motion" x 3) that will get heads bobbin' and toes tappin' (the litmus test of any dance track, yes?). "Dream Girl" has some ratta-tat-tat verses with woofer-like bass and expertly orchestrated harmony vocals and a perhaps superfluous rap. The loping, bass-heavy "Single Too Long" is one of his Bluesiest efforts to date. He should do it more often if this is the result. The lyrics though? Sounds like he needs a housekeeper and cook not an equal partner. Not a feminist anthem by any means. "Junk In Yo' Trunk" is a midtempo bump. Let's just say LaMorris likes big butts and he cannot lie. The junk in this girl's trunk has him asking if she "buy it?" because "I don't think they made rear ends like this anymore". The music makes up for the somewhat silly words. "Super Man" is a melodically gorgeous midpacer with on point background vocals and an effective double-tracked vocal (bass and falsetto).

   5. Wendell B. "The Next 1" (Smoothway Music)

The man with the golden voice is back with another set of smoky, sultry slow jams n' steppin' tracks. The autobiographical and self-referential "Wendell B Sounds" is an unusually honest summation (instead of the usual bragging I got two cars and a BMW) of what it's like to try and break through the many obstacles in life and radio being that "radio ain't what it used to be". I surmise it's the corporate programming he decries. You can also step to it. But if you really wanna step we have the first single, "I'mon Put It Down Tonight". His excellent duet with Lacee' ("Do You Think About Me") won the 2016 Blues Critic Award for "Best Performance By A Duo Or Group". I could write for hours about how great his voice is but you already know that. Long story short. If you like Wendell B. you'll love "The Next 1" and I bet the next 10 as well.

   6. J-Red The Nephew "Soul Certified" (Soul Mop)   

This is one catchy AF, hooked-filled collection of tracks that exemplify current "Southern Soul" and/or "Party Blues". High caliber keyboard tracks and highlights are a plenty, heaving with dance jams like "Step Out", "Keep On Dancing" with Theodis Ealey (who calls Red "my protégé") and "My Good Thing".  The latter is an interesting case of The Nephew being flustered by a girl who's body is "ridiculous" but he won't give in 'cuz he's taken. He won't "lose his good thang".

   7. Donnie Ray "Two Way Love Affair" (CDS)

Donnie Ray teams up with producer/songwriter Ricky White for another chapter of his storybook career. Despite a sound slightly more hip to the R&B-influenced Southern Soul it remains firmly a Donnie Ray album, which means perfectly pitched, elastic singing and a good time had by all. The themes are pretty standard fare for the genre. This one focuses primarily on boy meets girl issues. Boy declares "I Don't Want To Be Lonely" and since "It's Friday" boy goes to a club and is impressed how girl "pops that thang" ("Pop It Baby") so "It's Time For Love" and boy tells girl "I Wanna Be Your Man" but wants an exclusive "Two Way Love Affair" but boy eventually upsets girl and is sent to the "Dog House" while being told "Take Care Of Your Business" or girl will have an "Outside Love Affair" and boy will be left wondering "Who's Loving You?".

   8. Various Artists "Ricky White Presents Combination 3" (CDS)

White has been busy! This makes five albums in three years- three "Combinations" and two solo albums and the quality of his work just seems to get better. "Combination 3" features new hits by Donnie Ray ("Pop It Baby"), Ghetto Cowboy ("My Main Squeeze"), Vick Allen ("Sunshine Lady"), Stevie J. ("Hit It Again"), Nathaniel Kimble ("Sit On My Face"), Jerry L. ("Let's Chill"), Adrena ("Good Thing") and White himself ("Baby You're Ready"). 14 slammin' joints.

  9. Various Artists "Beat Flippa I Got The Blues, Vol. 2" (RMG)

Beat Flippa Daniel Ross continues his dominance as producer of tracks that swarm the charts and playlists of Southern Soul-land with this collection of various artists. First hit was "Naked" by The Louisiana Blues Brothas (of "My Sidepiece" fame) and followed by key cuts by LJ Echols ("Is It True?"), Big Cynthia ("Mr. Nukie Fixer", "Come Saddle Up"), Tyree Neal ("Something About That Lady"), Jeter Jones with Crystal Thomas ("Them Country Girls"), Sharnette Hyter ("Classy") and more by Nicole Jackson, Napoleon Demps, Rosalyn Candy, Miss Portia, Lady Soul, Veronica Ra'elle and Isaac J. 16 slammin' joints

10. Various Artists "Southern Soul Mixtape, Vol. 1" (Soulful)

T.K. Soul decides to concentrate on production work in addition to his own illustrious career. This set boasts new hits by Nathaniel Kimble ("If U Sexy Clap Your Hands" with TK), Tha Don ("Hell Naw"), Luster Baker aka Mr. Juicy ("That's My Boo", "They Call Me Mr. Juicy"), Magic One ("It's The Weekend", "One On One"). Rhomey ("Head Bad", "Lonely Man"), Vickie Baker ("Party Fever") and TK himself ("Merry Go 'Round", "Watch Them Haters"). Another 14 slammin' joints.

 11. Sharnette Hyter "Grown Folks Talkin'" (Lockdowne)

Sharnette Hyter of Dallas got her first record deal with in the mid 1990’s with a European label, K4B Records. She was part of a group called Guilty with whom she was doing House music at this time. After Guilty disbanded Hyter went solo under the stage name Jayla Jewel and released a Hip-Hop track ("I Like What You Do To Me"). She took a break from singing and managed a club called Diamonds in Dallas. In 2009 she returned to music with her own label, Serious Inc. Records, and began releasing Southern Soul, Gospel and Jazz music. "Grown Folks Talkin'" is a well produced (as far as keyboard tracks go) collection of bumps n' ballads. The big hit was the sexy "Stilettos And Jeans" (for which she won a 2017 Blues Critic Award), a jumpin' hot Zydeco/Soul dancer. Can you actually dance in stilettos?? And tight jeans? I guess so. Who knew? She may dress sexy but she declares "I'm Classy", nevertheless. "They say I'm classy/But I can get sassy". You go girl. 

 12. Stevie J. "Back 2 Blues" (Stevie J Blues)

Since we haven't heard from Maurice Davis in a minute I guess right now Stevie J. is the "King Of Party Blues". Stevie's Blues are of the Funky variety for the most part. "A Lil More Love" is like Stevie jamming with the Dazz Band dong their fuzzy Funk. The track references recent tragedies like the Freddie Gray incident and of course says "we gotta show a lil mo love". As good as that track is it wasn't one of the songs sent to radio. Instead the stomp and swing Texas Blues, "Cradle Robber", and the simmering slow "Another Jody Song" were pushed. Better though is the bubbling bass-tastic "Good Good" and "Come See Me", a blues harp, bass n' hand clap toe tapper. This album would rank higher if not for the fact the production quality fluctuates throughout likely do to tracks being cut at different studios with different musicians. Don't get me wrong. None of the tracks sound bad but only that some sound so damn good you wish they all enjoyed that touch. Extra props to Stevie for doing this kind of Blues at a time when Down Home Blues is no longer en vogue.

 13. Lysa "Queen With A Woman's Touch" (Mohitz Int.)

Terrific year for the ladies. This Top 20 already features Adrena, Ms. Jody and Sharnette Hyter (there are far less LPs released by women then men so this is significant) and we now have a promising newcomer in Lysa. Produced by CHIP (Roi Anthony) "Queen With A Woman's Heart" is fully loaded Southern Soul/R&B tracks and a sweet, sexy voiced woman. Sounds like a good concept. The opening cut, "Sweet Nukie" is a lush dancer with a repeating flute hook and haunting (in a good way) refrain. The song appears again as a remix featuring Tucka. Speaking of guests Tyree Neal joins Lysa on "That's What Your Mouth Say". Oh and Lysa ain't havin' it with Pokey and his "side piece". Lysa's got to be the "Main Piece". Fourteen tracks and no bad notes. There's even a fine version of Deniece Williams' "Cause You Love Me".

 14. Jo Jo Murray "From The Inside" (Coday)

Chicago-based Jo Jo Murray cut his first single, "Why Baby," in 1971, and released a LP in 1989 entitled "Real Man Steppin' Out". A decade later he released "Song Of Love". It would take another sixteen years for Murray to release new music when Coday Records issued "From The Inside". Tyrone Davis inspired shuffler bumpers like "Stop That Knockin'", Down Home Blues like "You Need Help Boy" and "I'm In Love" and especially slowies like the title cut, "I Can't Get Over You" and "Do You Remember". The latter a delicious Tyrone-blessed smoothie. Looking forward to hearing more from Murray.

 15. El' Willie "Old School-The Total Package" (Twilight)

On the cover of El' Willie's new album there's a blurb that reads "Featuring some Jazz, some Funk, some beautiful ballads, easy listening, just raw Soul music. Just good old school music with no twists...". That's a pretty fair description of what's here. It's the El' Willie style at it's best. While he often uses minimalistic keyboard arrangements that emphasize the melody and the vocals over the groove it doesn't mean he can't work up a groove evidenced by one of the standout tracks, "Check Me Out Babe", a smooth midtempo grinder that (as does all the tracks) reminds me of Marvin Gaye. He namechecks the great one on "The Countdown", another laid back-funk headbobber. It's El's "Inner City Blues" mixed with "A Funky Space Reincarnation". "Never Knew Love Like This Before", lovely ballad, is a reminder of what an accomplished songwriter the man is. Then there's the lovely "It's True It's You". One day some big name R&B singer is going to discover El's catalog and record some classics. In the meantime El' deserves some hits of his own in the Southern Soul market (by the way he co-wrote Theodis Ealey's "Stand Up In It").

 16. Jeter Jones "Trailride Certified" (Jonez Boys) 

Jeter Jones has placed a remarkable number of songs on playlists across the SS network. Scanning this tracklist I count no less than five tracks from this record that were hot in one pocket or another. "Dat Country Boy Lovin'", "Then Country Girls", "Single Footin'", "Trailride Certified" and "Watch My Boots" got worn out by jocks this past year and change. Jones' music has a heavy Zydeco influence ("Single Footin'", "Trailride Certified", etc..). Like on Crystal Thomas' album I believe they could boost the bass but no one's asking me so...Anyway at this pace Jones is going to be a threat to the big names in this biz real soon.