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100 BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN SOUL ALBUMS 1994-2020s* This list is based on the opinions of the Blues Critic Staff. 51-100 *SPECIAL NOTE. YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE VERY FEW ALBUMS ON THIS LIST FROM 2020 ONWARDS. THIS COULD BE THAT THE MORE RECENT ALBUMS HAVEN'T STOOD THE TEST OF TIME (YET) AND THIS LIST COULD CHANGE SHOULD WE ONE DAY UPDATE THE LIST TO CURRENT DAY * REFRESH THIS PAGE IN YOUR INTERNET BROWSER TO GET LATEST UPDATES. List was revised as of October 27th 2025 | |
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51. This is one of the best modern "Southern Soul" albums of the decade. Mostly due to Memphis-born Booker Brown's roaring, Soul shoutin' voice that invokes comparisons to Wilson Pickett! I kid you not this guy has a classic Soul voice- emotive, raspy and well, full of "passion of love". Sure live horns and real players is always preferred (the guitar licks are organic) but as far as "synthetic" production goes this is superb- a big bottom sound produced by Percy T Friends and the ubiquitous Morris J. Williams. Percolating, vibrant- at times scorching- Southern Soul dancers like "Backyard Party", "Passion Of Love" (in two versions), "Cuchie Cuchie" & "I Need Your Love" are all knockouts. On the slow Deep Soul tip Brown sinks his teeth into Quinn Golden's "Still Lonely" and the gospelish "Same Thang" with an impressive duet turn by Linda Govan. 52. 
Jaye Hammer
"I Can Lay The Hammer Down" (Ecko
2013)
It's Hammer time! Sorry, I couldn't resist. "I Can Lay The Hammer Down" is the second Ecko platter from Jaye. The domestic bliss advice of the melodic "Dig A Little Deeper" is a pleasant respite from cheating songs. Oh but we have those too. Poor Hammer. He discovered that "Cheating Ain't No Fun" when you find out you're getting cheated on. There's also a fine Down Home Blues, "Blues Buffet".
53.
After a recording drought of six years (and after a now obscure, one-off album with Mel Waiters' Brittney) Latimore returned on a new specialty label formed with Stone (unimaginatively called LatStone) and released this dynamo of an album. The fed up and fatigued "My Give A Damn Gave Out (A Long Time Ago)" was a great success for Latimore and the album spawned two further gems with "'Nanna Puddin'" and "Edna Mae". 54. 
Rue Davis
"Somebody Wants You" (Avanti 1997)
Terrific release reveals Rue's remarkable ability to sound like many singers all in one. Besides the undeniable Johnnie Taylor inflections ("True") he's also a dead ringer for Z.Z. Hill on the stunning deep soul "Can I Hold On To Your Hand". Davis gives an assured, raspy vocal like it was 1964 in Muscle Shoals. From there he becomes Bobby "Blue" Bland on the slow blues "Do You Want To See Me" and even can sound like Joe Cocker as on "Won't You Try Me". What a talent! Sometimes this gift has overshadowed his own persona as it's hard to know for sure who Rue Davis is. Nevertheless, this 14-song collection should have made Davis a household name. The production may sound dated at times but Davis' talent shines through.
55. In "Sheba's Intro" she tells us her name and her title (Sheba, Queen respectively) and she certainly is a contender for "Queen Of Soul/Blues" world. She's already had big hits with "Slow Roll It", "I Can Bagg It Up" & "Cruise Control" from her previous two discs. But stay-tuned on the question of Queenship as Ecko labelmate and legend Denise LaSalle is supposed to drop a new disc this year too."I Need A Cowboy" is a smash down south as both the galloping, sexually-charged title track and the sassy "I Can Hear Your Macaroni" have hit Top Ten on Southern Soul charts. "Macaroni" with it's rhythmic bass backbone and layered vocals seems to have hit a nerve with the ladies tired of broke players. ("I can hear your macaroni/but I don't see no cheese") Cheese of course being money. The bold "I Can't Give It Like A Woman" continues this self-esteeming bent challenging the men to "take it like a man". In reality there is only 8 actual songs on this 11-track disc..as "Sheba's Intro" & "Sheba's Outro" are not proper songs and there's two versions of "The Other Woman Has Got Your Man", but you don't feel slighted when play the music through as it all seems to fit. Another good year for the folks at Ecko.
56. This is terrific Contemporary Southern Soul music with a big sound, countless hooks and soulful singing. It's called "southern" because it's root is Memphis where some of the most brilliant soul music was created. The appeal of this "Southern Soul" is universal, however. "Sumpin' Sumpin'" is a prime example of what that sound has become. Though the subject matter can be iffy there's no denying this is pure ear candy. At least there's the sweet n' faithful "You're Every Woman" to balance the infidelity theme. The title cut is simply one of Quinn's very best and "I'm Gonna Be A Man About" is an answer song to Ronnie Lovejoy's classic "Sho Wasn't Me". Quinn got nabbed cheating and he ain't going to say "Sho' wasn't me". Why? Because she has the "goods" on him and he's "gonna be a man about it" and admit to it. Perhaps the opener "I Was Cheating On You" could serve as that confession. Once again John Ward wrote or co-wrote, produced and sequenced the cuts here. 57. Another disc packed with Grade A material like the John Ward originals "That's When The Blues Began" (previously recorded by James Carr), "It's A Blues Thang" & "In The Room Next To The Room" (also recorded by Charles Wilson). On "That's When The Blues Began" we are taken back to the Garden of Eden when the first couple snatched the forbidden fruit. Logically, this is when the blues started. Other highpoints include the duet with label mate Barbara Carr ("Not A Word"), the classic southern soul "That's How Strong My Love Is" and the frantic closer "Bring Your Lunch" 58.
It took 5 years but the man with the raspy power in his throat is back to stake his claim. Actually he was back on the charts last year dueting with Archie Love on "Same Woman" (also appears here) but this is his first LP since 2001's "Same Place Same Time". First the good news: J. can still sang and the fabulous Bar Kays join in on the hyperfunky "If It Don't Make Dollars". Plus the title track, the first single, is vintage punchy, forceful J. Blackfoot R & B with a typically potent vocal. Now the bad news...actually there's no bad news. It's a pretty good record but far from a knockout. Part of the problem is too many generic ballads with that requisite, creepin' groove ("Man Made Over", "I'm Just A Fool For You" with Lenny Williams) and banal lyrics like "my head saying no but my heart won't let go/I'm just a fool for you/Yes, it's true". They all sound the same. Forget the pretty bedroom jams let's get J. doing some Deep Soul. Also, a little mo' of that bubblin' bass, flirty female backups and chang-a-lankin' guitar found on "If It Don't Make Dollars" would've been the ticket. "It Ain't Over" sounds great (produced by Larry Dodson) but is short on great songs. That said, welcome back J. (note: "It Ain't Over" was re-issued in 2007 with two extra tracks: "I'm Just A Fool For You Part 2", a duet with Sir Charles Jones and a duet with Ann Hines).
59. The ridiculously-underrated one comes back strong with another slab of taboo-busting brilliance. The centerpiece of the album is "It Ain't Easy Being The Preacher's Wife", which gives a voice to that dirty preacher's other half. Another cheating-themed song "If She's Cheating On Me I Don't Want To Know" draws it's inspiration musically from Joe Tex ("Ain't Gonna Bump No More") and features a strong, singable refrain. This should have been a hit. The slowie "What It Takes To Get Her Is What It Takes To Get Her" is vintage Lackey. 60. 
O.B. Buchana
"Pop Yo' Bottle" (Ecko 2014)
Like Mel Waiters (who allegedly did not drink alcohol) Buchana likes to write songs about drinking beginning with "Let's Get Drunk" in 2001, followed by "I Can't Stop Drinkin'" in 2005 and in 2014 he invites you to "Pop Yo' Bottle". Not the most imaginative lyrics every written: "Pop yo' bottle let's crunk/When we leave we 'gon get drunk". First, though, "You're Welcome To The Party" and once you're effectively lubricated from poppin' them bottles it's time to "Turn It Up" and do the "O.B. Shuffle" because "That's My Song!". Maybe later you'll join him for a "Private Party" and BYSB ("bring your sexy body"), ladies, because "We Just Can't Leave Each Other Alone". You get the picture.
61. 2007 is off to a great start with this strong collection by Simone De. ...real instruments rather than programming.... richly Old School Soul, which is always timeless to folks with good taste. Despite the title "A Definitive Collection" isn't a "hits" compilation (Though it sounds like it!). All new material....De wrote or co-wrote all ten 10 slices of modern Soul. An essential purchase.
62.
Not one bad or even mediocre track this time.
Fantastic songs and production.
This disc is just a joy to listen to with Ray's super elastic tenor
and songs with hooks galore.
Donnie Ray's first CD, "Let's Go Dancing" on the Susie Q
label, spawned a Chittlin' Circuit hit called "Letter To My
Baby". After a less successful followup, "Are You Ready For Me",
Ray signed with Ecko Records and has been releasing a steady stream
of cds since. Almost all of them would not be out of place on this
Top 100. 2015's " 63. Jeter Jones has been
ubiquitous the past several years from countless guests appearances
on other artist projects and his own solo output while his label
Jones Boyz has also introduced us to Crystal Thomas and Lady Q. "Dhis
Him" is a power-packed album spilling over with hits. "Black
Horse", "Duck Tales", "She Gone With Jody", "Watch My Boots Pt. 2" are some of the first cuts to appear on copious Southern Soul
playlists. Like the albums by J-Red and P2K Dadiddy this collection
is teaming with guests like Vick Allen, Omar Cunningham, Pokey Bear,
Miss Portia, P2K Dadiddy, Big Ro Williams and others. Beat Flippa's
Ross Music Group is currently the top label in the game.
64. Another Southern Soul treasure features 10 new Roy C gems beginning with the swaying sing-a-long soul of the title track, where he says you can't even trust the preacher in your church when it comes to cheating! He revisits this theme later with the funky "Everybody Is Cheating" featuring a phat bassline and greasy organ fills. He gives the warning: "Watch out for the one that calls you a brother/What he really means is you're a mutha!". The comical album cover says it all. Roy does his own version of the now classic "Slow Roll It" (a hit for The Love Doctor & Sheba Potts-Wright). The song is now his as far as I'm concerned. Anyone that loves soul music will find sweet midtempo tracks like "I Feel Like Making Love" and "We Going To Make Love All Night" extreme honey. Meanwhile, one of the more provocative selections on "Slippin & Slidin" is the Afro-centric "Something Is Wrong With Us". Here he says God created the first man and woman black and exhorts all races to get the 411 from historian Ashra Kwesi. You gotta love Roy C- he's a serious soulman. 65. 
Jeff Floyd
"The Power Is
Still On"
(Wilbe 2004)
This "powerhouse" modern southernn soul album was picked as the #4 best Southern Soul/R & B album of 2005). Of course I've been enjoying the heck out of it for all of 2005. Twelve jams exquisitely produced by William Bell, Floyd & Reginald Jones. Starting with "Let Me Know", Southern Soul on the upbeat, bringing that old Hi Records groove to our times replete with a thumping rhythmic pulse and some midi horns for dressing. The big hit was the duet with Bell, "Somebody Is Gonna Lose A Good Woman". Makes me long for a new disc by Bell himself. Perhaps the best cut is the funky Dazz band-esque "You Had It All" that simply demands that bootys shake. Floyd wrote every song- four with Bell- and none of them are throwaways. "I Got My Woman Upset" and "Lovin' Someone On the Outside" were also hits. Tight production, well-written songs, but it might be for naught if Floyd hadn't that powerful voice. He's in charge on the mic with some of that J. Blackfoot rasp and passion. Floyd's got a long career ahead of him. 66. This release is a 2 disc affair. The first is a new set of 12 tracks including a remix of "Impala". Disc 2 is the full "Sexy Soul Songs" album from 2 years prior. As far as the new songs the rather middling slice of Hi Records worship "You Make Me Happy" was heavily-pushed as the first single. Despite the song being generic and too derivative it did feature none other than Al Green on co-lead vocals. Quite a coup for the young Mr. Williams! The song did well but didn't cross over to the Urban Adult Contemporary market and it's commercial radio stations like they may have hoped. Another biggie was "Patron". It seems one can't go wrong with an alcohol=themed song. Just ask Mr. Got My Whiskey Mel Waiters. Disc 2 is still the better album and it was #8 on our Best Of 2010 Top 20. 67.
Mel Waiters "Material Things" (Waldoxy 1999)Mel takes it up a notch with this Billboard-charting album (#83 R & B charts). The infectious "Hole In The Wall" was a runaway smash on the "chitlin circuit"- one that has spawned countless sequels and/or copycats. The song even reached #24 on the R & B singles sales charts- a rare feat for a "blues" singer these days. The similar "Swing Out" and poppin' "She Ain't Drunk" also got some airplay. 68. 
Ricky White
"Majic" (CDS 2013)
Voters picked/gave this album in the 2013 Blues Critic Awards for "Best Southern Soul/R&B Album" and it's easy to see why. It contains 2 big dance hits ("Sexy", "Shake"), several more that could have been hits ("Ricky White Shuffle", "Bagg It Up", "Jook Joint"), prime slow jams ("If You Don't Want Me", "Ride Your Body") and the bass-heavy "Billie Jean"-influenced "Blues Is All Good". Ten tracks. Ten winners by one of the hottest hands in the business. 69. It had become quite rare for an independently-released SS album to scratch the charts in the 00s but T.K. Soul managed to hit #95 on Billboard's Hot R&B Hip Hop Albums chart with "Undisputed". Soul's previous LP "Love Games" had positioned him as a rising star in this market and he delivered his masterpiece here. Three cuts from "Undisputed" still receive steady airplay a decade later ("Party Like Back In The Day", "It Ain't Cheating 'Til You Get Caught" and "Try Me"). 70 .
Ju Evans
"Another Level Of Soul" (Ecko 2024)
Every song on this album is what the kids would call a "banger" or a "bop". This one took by surprise as I had really gotten into Ju's first Ecko record, " All About Soul", which is also this list. I loved that album. It was a surprise because this one didn't get a CD release from Ecko- just digital and I didn't know it existed. So many highlights like "I Need Me A Drink", "I Want Both Of You" (also recorded by O.B. Buchana), "Come Back Home", "Do Yo Thing" and on it doesn't let up in quality. No skips.71 .
Cicero Blake
"Wives Night Out" (Ace 1996)
First for Ace Records features the Bob Jones-penned title track (with Pat Brown, who continues her famous "Equal Opportunity" theme) and two strong Ronnie Lovejoy covers ("Getting The Best Of Nothing" & "Turn Your Porch Light On"). Blake also redoes a cut from his Valley Vue days ("I Saw It Coming"). For some reason two of the cuts were carried over to his next album ("Telling Her About You" & "Time To Get Up (And Go Home)".
72.
It
comes as no surprise the Denise LaSalle CD opens with a cheeky,
double-entendre filled track ("Pay Before You Pump") being for the
past decade she's had success with similar songs like "Lick It
Before You Stick It", "Snap, Crackle & Pop", "Smokin' In Bed" to
name a few. So "Pump", the title track to her new Ecko release "Pay
Before You Pump", is yet another shuffle bump with a memorable
refrain that'll garner instant adds at Southern Soul radio. The
first single, however, is a re-working of Floyd Hamberlin's
"Mississippi Boy" (re-titled "Mississippi Woman"), which has already
been a regional hit for Will T and Charles Wilson. It'll no doubt
hit again but better is the alternate "Delta Blues Mix" version of
the song which adds honking harp and guitar that'll appeal to more
mainstream Blues markets. It's the definitive version of the cut.
The rhythmically similar "It's Goin' Down" was written by LaSalle.
Here the "Queen" promises to put the smack down on a rival hen.
Overall, LaSalle wrote seven of the ten cuts, most notably the
Memphis Soul ballad "Hold On Tight" and the up-from-the-bottom slow
Blues "Walking On Beale Street On Crying". LaSalle is one of those
rare Blues singers that seems to appeal equally to female and male
fans. The ladies cheer when she talk smack, putting men in their
place but the menfolk simply eat it up too because she's got the
chops. Both will "pump" this one to the top of the charts. 73. 
Walt Love
"Don't Go" (self released 2000)
"Don't Go" is the 2000 debut album by southern soul artist Walt Love who has also recorded as Walt Luv and Walter Luv. The album features the track "I Had to Change", which became a hit for his followup album ("Take Me Back (To The Old School Party)") with the longer title "I Had To Change (She Threw A Monkey Wrench In My Game)". Love definitely has a Clarence Carter influence as heard on "(They Call Me) Mr. Love", a definite highlight here. Other highlights are "Take My Bitter Like My Sweet" and the Tyrone Davis-like "The Cheating Side Of Town". This is superb retro-Soul that connected with modern Southern Soul audiences. 74.  Bobby
Rush "Undercover Lover" (Deep Rush
2003)
Bobby plays to all his strengths on this solid release on his own Deep Rush imprint- everything from grinding 12-bar blues, Southern Soul, soul/blues dance-workouts and even a pop-soul ballad, "Love Is A Gamble". The smash "Dirty Dog" is Southern Soul melody on top of some bottom-heavy drums and sweet keyboard swatches. That urban wit shines on the slow grinding folkfunk/blues "Tough Titty" with the refrain: "That's a tough titty y'all/And can't nobody suck it but a lion". The album is a mix of live musicians and synths and Rush has never sounded better vocally.
75. T he title cut is hands down one of the best of the year. It's an instant anthem extolling praise on this Southern Soul Blues music. Sample lyric: "Boy you must have been on the moon somewhere/Cuz our kind of music is still here/And it ain't going nowhere/....Clarence Carter's still strokin/And Bobby Rush is still wearing it out/Theodis Ealey still standing up in it/And Ms. Jody's still in the house". Sublime shuffle bumping jams like "It's A Reunion", "You Didn't Appreciate What You When You Had It", "Where Can I Find A Good Man" and "Your Man Was Looking For That Good Thing" abound. Meanwhile she's having a Sam Cooke-like party with the re-write "Another Get Drunk Party" and the Bluesy "Ms. Jody Don't Mind Breakin' Up Somebody's Home" is pretty much the Ms. Jody persona to a76. 
Marvin Sease "Playa Haters" (Malaco 2004)
Marvin Sease records have always been a somewhat frustrating experience for people with mature taste. He is always backed by solid production and southern soul melody and has a good singing voice. BUT Sease gained his notoriety by dirty lyrics! The infamous "Candy Licker" from his debut album became his ticket to fame and has been followed up by many sequels ("I Ate You For Breakfast", "Do You Need A Licker?", "I Ate The Whole Thing", "Woman Would Rather Be Licked") and despite the stale subject matter Sease's following kept buying his records. The question is: Do people buy Marvin Sease for his music or for his raunch? Or maybe it is both? I, for one, like his music and wish he'd lay off the superfluous filth. Sexiness and innuendo are one thing..but blatant pornography is another. Anyway, Sease has signed with Malaco Records and released another solid CD filled with excellent southern soul ("Bad Love Affair", "I Wanna Do You", etc..) and pure nastiness ("Pump My Juice", "F- All Y'all"). The best though is the irresistible "Sit Down On It"- yet another answer song to Theodis Ealey's immortal "Stand Up In It". As far as what you want from Marvin..it's likely here. 77. 
Barbara Carr "Footprints On The Ceiling" (Ecko 1997)
Rollicking party blues album from this throaty blues belter. John Ward and company provide Carr with some good, sassy soul blues material in the Denise LaSalle vein, such as the cheeky "If You Can't Cut The Mustard (I Don't Want You Licking Around The Jar)", "The Bo Hawk Grind" & "Good Looks Can Get Him But It Takes Good Lovin' To Keep Him Home". Carr also shows her softer side on "Make Me Feel Like Like You Feel It Too" & "God Blessed Our Love", but it's juke joint jumpers like "We're Gonna Boogie" where Carr really shines. 78. 
Simeo
"Southern Soul Pimpin'" (Simeo Ent. 2009)
Of course Simeo is an "O.G.", having already crashed the Billboard
charts back in the day with Ca$hflow and latter day Cameo. So it
wasn't hubris that he named his first solo CD, "Hottest In The
Game", and as tight as it was, "Southern Soul Pimpin'"
is, well, hotter. Had a well-known Southern Soul" artist
made that first album it would have been a blockbuster. However,
Simeo is a "new" artist to the Soul/Blues world so it's harder to
break through (also, the record label that put the disc out folded,
thereby killing promotion of the project). "Southern Soul Pimpin'"
is a bridge between our unfairly maligned Southern Soul market and
greener (yeah, "green" as in "money") pastures of Urban radio. Omar
Cunningham, TK Soul, Kenne' Wayne, Sir Charles Jones, Willie
Clayton, have all gone there- created "southern" R & B that can
appeal to the masses. Mr. "Cupid Shuffle" (Cupid) himself grew out
of our world. One of my favorite cuts is "That's My Cousin", a funky bouncer with a burbling bassline and hand claps, where a name-dropping wanna-be gets checked. "That's my cousin/In the NBA who scored 65 you know his name is James/that's my cousin/The new president. You know Barrack and me, is tight as 50 Cent/that's my cousin'...". Meanwhile, "Play And Roll" is the kinda song R. Kelly needs really bad right now. Great phrasing and arrangement. Simeo is a triple threat- singer, songwriter and a wildly talented producer, who may be just a bit ahead of the Blues game, but it's time our ears and hips catch up to the "new" sounds. 79 .
Tyrone Davis
"Call
Tyrone" (Malaco 1999)One of his strongest latter day discs includes the great "Call Tyrone", his best bedroom ballad since "In The Mood". The sugary "Ooh La La" is a smash midtempo head-bobber. One minor complaint, however. Tyrone sings "you're just like Janet Jackson" and follows that with "There's nobody like you". Isn't she "like" Janet Jackson? "Turn Back The Clock" could be a sequel to "Turn Back The Hands Of Time"? Despite the polished synthetic backdrop Tyrone still manages to make it soulful. 80 .
Rick Lawson "Ladies Night" (Ecko 2004)
E cko Records out of Memphis, Tennesee has been producing some of the best party soul & blues on the chitlin circuit since 1997 and the latest release by Rick Lawson proves they still have life left in the formula of mostly programmed uptempo dance tracks, upbeat southern soul and slow jams. Out of all the many Tyrone Davis imitators perhaps Rick Lawson is the most obvious- even using Tyrone's favorite vocal filler ("well"). LADIES NIGHT makes its intentions known right from the opening head-bobber "This Is The Party", one of three songs with the word "party" in the title. (also "Juke Joint Party" & "All Night Party Mood"). As is custom in the genre several of the songs are derivative of other southern soul songs, The great "I Found Me A Sure Thing" is a kissing cousin to "I Got A Sure Thing" and "I'm In A Steppin' Mood" is nearly identical to R. Kelly's "Step In The Name Of Love". Quinn Golden's recent hit "Bottoms Up" is reworked as "Bottoms Up Again". The dilemma of having "a girlfriend, a woman and a wife" crops up again on "Too Tight Too Close". Despite the formulaic sound and spirit- (and typical "cheating" subject matter)-this new Ecko release it still feels fresh and keeps the party going.81 .
Will Easley
"Sweet Sexy Soul" (CDS 2008)Hands down best debut of the year for sure. The club joint "Loop The Loop" is getting a lot of action but it's the slow jams that steal the show. Easley is magic on "Wantcha Back", "Your Love is Amazing" and "If I Let You Go". Most of this disc is ripe for mainstream Urban AC stations but without payola who knows if it'll get the chance. 82. 
Vel Omarr "The Greatest Song I Ever Sang" (Special
Soul Music 2012)
If Sam Cooke were alive today perhaps he would make an album like this. Omarr has the voice and learned the phrasing of the late Soul titan (he often puts on a dynamic tribute show "The Greatest Song", however, contains original songs inspired by Cooke-written mostly by Carl Marshall. Real instruments were used on this album. Showing the versatility of the Southern Soul market the swinging "Everybody's Dancin'" became a bit of a hit, charting on the SBR Top 25. Omarr is especially wonderful on ballads evidenced by the title cut, "Give Me Your Love", "Still My Love Grows" and the Bobby Conerly-conceived "Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime"
83.
Brown's best album to date features the smash "Two Week Notice", a slow soul diamond with great lyrics. "A relationship is just like a job/the more time you put in/the more time goes on your card........"I'm giving you your two week- two week notice- oh I bet that you notice me now!". The Brown co-write "My Old Man And Mrs Jones" is a clever allusion to Billy Paul's classic "Me And Mrs. Jones" now from the wife's point of view. But then on "U-Me And She" Pat is Mrs. Jones. Although "New Tricks" is mostly sweet Southern Soul there's still one blues. "I'm In Love With Your Man" is a lowdown blues by Brown (co-written with Rue Davis). The song is a cousin to Peggy Scott-Adam's recent hit "I Intend To Take Your Place". Showing her versatility she also goes from the funky dancer "99.9 Percent Chance", which has an addictive refrain, to a powerful and emotional reading of Quinton & Steve Claunch's pop standard "A White Dress, A Blues Lady" (previously done by Toni Green). 84.  Uvee Hayes
"Play Something Pretty" (CDS 2009)
Uvee Hayes has straddled the lines between Blues, Soul, Jazz and later Southern Soul throughout her career. She is one of precious few artists that have been able to make a mark in mainstream Blues as well as the Southern Soul markets. "Play Something Pretty" resulted in a breakthrough of sorts for Hayes in the chitlin' circuit when "Maintenance Man" began receiving heavy airplay buoyed courtesy of WDIA out of Memphis. This 17 (!) set is a perfect showcase for Hayes' mastery of Contemporary Blues, Urban AC smoothies and some Southern Soul. The gorgeous title cut, a Johnnie Taylor cover, features a riveting vocal duet with Otis Clay. 85. Last year he delivered the fabulous soul/blues disc "Get Down Tonight" (featuring the hits "Juke Joint Slide" & "Get Down Tonight"- and several shoulda been smashes) and he aims to keep the momentum flowing here with this new party-themed disc. Things start off right with the dancer "Just Another Hole In The Wall", which is a kissing cousin to Carl Sims' recent hit "It's Just A Party". The first single is "Ease On Down In The Bed" with Lee Shot giving a humorous Bobby Rush-esque monologue on how to please your woman ("Ease on down in the bed a little further..."...but after he moves on down past her navel..he kisses her...her...her right knee- hee hee). A solid straight slow blues tune "You're Slackin' In The Bedroom" is here as is the album's highlight "I'm A Nibble Man", a smooth midtempo head bobber that's made for cruisin' in your ride. Not far behind is the thumping blues groove of "That's Really What The Blues Is All About". Lee Shot even revisits the "freak" theme with the self-penned "I Gotta Go Home So I Can Get My Freak On". All tracks are good but unfortunately there's only 9 new cuts here as track 10 is a "radio version" of "Ease On Down...". Fans of Southern soul blues, Lee Shot Williams or simply Ecko's (John Ward) patented sound will be very pleased. 86. The amazing vocals of one-time Arista Recording artist/Gerald LeVert-produced Geoff McBride are the highlight of this fine set of Southern Soul originals and covers. The Memphis-inspired movers "Stuck" & "She's Powerful" and the aching ballad "I'll Work For You" have all received extensive airplay throughout the South and in the UK. (Footnote: The now hard-to-find set was repackaged and self-released as "Takin' Off" later in the year and McBride is no longer with the group) 87.
F orget about the jivey and dated cover, this is seriously good soul music by a exceptional singer. Lee Fields joins Frank-O for a hit remake of Joe Tex's "Hold On". Meanwhile "Let's Make Love Tonight" is a stone classic- a definite hit for somebody (it was covered by Bobby "Blue" Bland) if not for Frank-O. The gorgeous hook on "Talk Dirty To Me" sounds suspiciously like Johnnie Taylor's "Still Crazy" (written by Rich Cason). "Night Time Love/Daytime Pain" is a deep soul cheating song while "Somebody Called My Wife" is a humorous romp with Frank-O name dropping some so-called "friends" who may have blew the whistle on his two-timin' ways. The title cut has a big soulful chorus that you will be singing hours after you heard it.88. 
Ernie Johnson
"In The Mood" (Waldoxy 1995)
This essential disc has it all- rollicking juke joint blues ("I'm In The Mood For Love"), soulful, aching slowies ("Cold This Winter", "Share You With Someone Else"), midtempo southern soul ("Move Along", Robert Cray's "Bouncin Back"), even a finger-snappin' jazz soul song ("Love's On The Other Line"). Every song a gem- expertly produced by the Malaco staff. Props to the "Heavyweight Rhythm Section" featuring Clayton "Clyde" Ivery on piano and B-3, Big Mike Griffin and William Andrew Thomas on guitar, Lil David Hood on bass and Paul "Heavy" Lee on drums. The "Muscle Shoal Horns" are Charles Rose- trombone, arranger, Harvey Thompson- tenor sax, Doug Moffet- baritone & alto sax and Gary Armstrong trumpet.
89.
Album number 7 and final album for Ecko Records continues the successful formula of mostly programmed party soul music. "Turn It Loose" & "Chuck Strut" were the minor hits here. Amazingly after 7 albums the Ecko/Chuck Roberson formula never got tiring. One of his better Ecko albums. Chuck's voice is still in it's prime. 90. 
Betty Padgett
"Never Coming Home" (Meia
2006)
I've said and I'll say it again: 2006 is the "Year Of The Woman" when it comes to Southern Soul Blues. The latest evidence comes from veteran Betty Padgett. You'll notice I said "veteran" while the majority of us may have yet to meet her. Padgett formed a girl group in 1974 called Betty & The Q's and recorded two LPs soon after (1976's "Sugar Daddy" & 1981's "Sweet Feelings") but like so many other talented Soul & Blues artists the fickle market didn't give her a break. She made a quiet comeback early this decade with two CDs, "Closet Lover" & "30 Second Man", but only the underground was hip. That's going to change with the release of "Never Coming Home". Ms. Padgett has an absolutely fantastic voice. I'm talking in the same league as the Queen Denise LaSalle. That in itself could end this review on the upbeat. Why she isn't signed to a bigger label is beguiling indeed. "Never Coming Home" concentrates on the usual Southern Soul themes: Cheating, relationships, partying, female empowerment but that urban perspective born form experience lets you know there's no pretense. She's just telling it how it is. She could be going on about anything and she'd still sound good. The title track is a slice of Southern Soul ecstasy. This shuffle bumper is told from the perspective of an under-appreciated housewife. She cooks, she cleans and he's a womanizing fool. Well, Betty's had enough and "she ain't never coming home". She tells that cad "When you were out there doing your thing I had plenty time to think/You were out there spending your money on Tameka, Tonya and Teetee I was saving for the days my tears would stop...!". It's simply one of the best kiss-offs in recent memory. Every bit as good as Gloria Gayner's "I Will Survive" when it comes to "washing that man right out of my hair" and moving on. 91. 
Shirley Brown "Unleashed"
(Malaco 2009)
Shirley doesn't record very often (this is only her 3rd this decade) but when she does the results are always exceptional. Phenomenal voice that occasionally brings to mind the one and only Aretha. "Unleashed" features a great track written by Luther Lackey ("Ain't Gonna Get No More Of My Love"). This album was voted "Best Southern Soul/R&B Album" in the 2009 Blues Critic Awards for Southern Soul/R&B.
92.
Yet another irresistible set from O.B. and Ecko. The title track is a shuffler bumper of the highest order while "Put Your Mouth In The South" is the epitome of midtempo Contemporary Southern Soul replete with suggestive lyrics. "Juke Joint Queen" is a perfect downhome Blueser and the album closes with a marvelous cover of Sonny Mack's "Moon Over Memphis" (re-titled "Moon Over Clarksdale")
93. Being that Meadows' albums are hit and miss this collection is very welcome as it extracts all the best from the first three Bob Grady Records albums. Retro-sounding Modern Soul album by this smooth warbler put Meadows on the map as a solo act with the hit "That's Still My Love". "Something's Got To Give" is a slick, rolling number with tasty female backups. "POW" is even better with an irresistible refrain and grinding keyboard rhythm. A sweet acoustic guitar pops up on the pretty "Tell Me You Love Me" and "Go On And Cry" has a scratchy guitar like Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" and "Keep It Alive" is one of his best written songs 94. 
Omar Cunningham
"Omar Cunningham" (Endzone 2004)
Cunningham wastes no time riding the buzz he created with his first disc by dropping another instant classic with "I Get By", which is identical thematically to his "Check To Check". The vocal arrangement on the refrain is extreme honey. But like his previous album the leadoff singles are somewhat deceptive of what's actually on the album. "Omar Cunningham" is predominately creamy smooth R & B ballads like "Sweet Sweet", "She's Making Eyes", "Sorry Man" (with Jerry "Boogie" McCain), "Momma" and "Shysters And Wannabes". The latter, a moody creeper, is a duet with Willie Clayton where the legend hips the young gun Cunningham to the pitfalls of the game. This and all tracks are exquisitely sung and the production is clean and slick. The only other upbeat jam is "My Baby" and that's perhaps the only fault you could find with this set of original songs. 95. King George didn't reinvent the wheel but he recorded 7 songs that all sound like and eventually were singles. The biggest hit, "Keep On Rollin'", turned out to be Southern Soul's most popular song for several years straight. It sits at 75 million views on YouTube as of writing. Other gems include "Night-Time", "Too Long" and "Leave & Party". 96. John Ward's Ecko Records has gotten a ton of mileage out of bold, brash, bawdy, bodacious "independent women". They began with Barbara Carr and carried on with Sheba Potts-Wright, Denise LaSalle, Sweet Angel and most notably, Ms. Jody. The label's habit of star-making of these tough gal artists is undeniable. "Vivacious" Val McKnight is first and foremost a songwriter. In fact it's unusual to receive a CD from Ecko where the artist has written the majority of the material. On "Ain't Nothing Like A Country Boy" it's your typical shuffle-bumping, down-home blues, mid-paced southern soul (think Clarence Carter "Slip Away") with themes like partying/dancing ("Let's Party", "Shake Something", "It's Booty Shakin' Time"), sex ("Let's Do Some Freaky Stuff", "I'm In Love With My Husband And My Sidepiece", "I'm A Do It All Woman"), relationships ("You Want Your Cake And Eat It Too"). A successful formula indeed and McKnight's attitude-filled voice and phrasing suits this material to a T. 97. 
William Bell "New Lease On Life"
(Wilbe 2006)
Like many others on this list Stax Records alumni William Bell got a "new lease" on their career in Southern Soul. Bell started his Wilbe (originally Wilbe Recording Corporation) record label back in 1985 and is responsible for launching the careers of Jeff Floyd and Lola. Bell's own most successful LP was " New Lease On Life" released in 2006. Several songs were pulled as singles including the title track, "Playaz Only Love You (When They're Playing)" and "Honey From The Bee". As of February 2018 Bell has only released one more album of new songs, "This Is Where I Live", a reunion with Stax Records in 2016.
98.
99. "Reverend Joe" has got to be one of Bonds' best cuts. A tale of a conflicted preacher distracted by the fine ladies in the front pews! He sings "From waist up I'm a preacher but waist down I'm just a man". Hey at least he's honest. Elsewhere Bonds revisits his earlier hit on the title track, duets with Pat Brown on "If Love Was A Snake" and composes an excellent melodic hook on "I'm Down For You", which to analytic ears borrows from "My Girl". Another Southern Soul artist, Earl Duke, had a a regional hit with the song in 2004. This is Bonds' best disc overall. 100. 
Stan Butler
"The Blues In Me" (Stan Butler Productions 2017)
Nowadays (as of 2017) there is a staggering amount of new music being produced in the Southern Soul Blues genre. New artists crop up seemingly weekly. The DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit is thriving and for most a bona fide record label and distributor is no longer necessary. Anybody can buy a keyboard, pro-tools, program a track, lay down vocals and blast an MP3 to a network of radio and club djs, while putting the music up for sale digitally and hoping for a hit. An encouraging trend has been the increasing appearance of little Quincy Joneses, record producers with their own independent labels. Your Beat Flippas, TK Souls, Jerry Floods, Bigg Robbs, etc. have dominated the game for years now. I consider this a very positive thing as there is an inexhaustible supply of talented people who wouldn't stand a chance without the current system. The days of trying to sign with an established label are long gone. In Southern Soul that is. Of all genres this one is the easiest to break into. The competition is fierce though and while this current situation results in excess mediocrity there's always something special that breaks out. Stan Butler is one of the special results of this new paradigm. Like Jody Sticker or Luther Lackey, Butler is not necessarily a knock-u-flat Soul singer ala Wendell B or Willie Clayton but he became an expert at using his voice and lyrical wit for the greatest effect. Prime example is the absolutely brilliant shuffle bumper "I Took My Grandma To The Club", one of the most clever and humorous tracks to come along in a minute. Now you see Butler tipped his hand here. Was it necessary to remind her to stay in her seat or did he suspect she just may cut some rug? Perhaps not the first time? As anticipated when they get to the club grandma is enjoying herself so much she decides to teach these young whippersnappers how to do the damn thang, in this case the "Tootie Boot", a reference to one of Butler's first songs to appear on the radar (found of his first full-length "Back To Basics"). "I'm eighty years old as y'all can see/I bet not one of y'all can out dance me". Though funny it really isn't insulting or unbelievable like certain television commercials that, say, show old people suddenly acting like young idiots after drinking Mountain Dew or sneaking away from their retirement home to party hardy before stopping at Taco Bell for late night fuel. Those are obnoxious and exploitive but Butler's "Grandma" isn't for what he reports does actually happen! I've witnessed it myself. My grandmother being challenged in the skin color department did this and certainly did not, er, "out dance" anyone! Alas, I won't be writing a song about this unfortunate experience. Elsewhere on "The Blues In Me" Butler gets serious on the (Luther Lackey-inspired?) "Preacher Was A Homewrecker". On this story-telling slow jam Butler informs us that a friend from work invited him and his wife to his church and the wife soon falls prey to the seduction of the not so man of God. Another bumper "Third Of The Month" has our working class hero promising his woman he will "Pay your rent and your car note too" but not until the "third of the month". Who can't relate to that? The percolating dancer "Take Me To The Bootlegger" is not about music bootlegs but old school hooch. Butler cheats on "Who Said The Grass Is Not Greener On The Other Side" and is cheated on in "I Lost My Woman To A Woman". Meanwhile "Juke Joint Shack" checks the box for the requisite "Hole In The Wall" jam. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***SEE ALBUMS 1-50 HERE This list is based on the opinions of the Blues Critic Staff. (C) Blues Critic LLC 2025. All written material found on this website is the property of Blues Critic and may only be used with permission and full accreditation (either "Blues Critic" or "Dylann DeAnna of Blues Critic") given plus a link to this website. |
Booker Brown "Passion
Of Love" (East West 2004)
Latimore
"Back 'Atcha
Sheba Potts-Wright "I Need A Cowboy To Ride My Pony" (Ecko 2004)
Quinn Golden "A Little Sumpin Sumpin" (Ecko 2001)
Bill Coday "Can't Get Enough" (Ecko 1997)
J. Blackfoot
"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (JEA
Music 2006)
Luther Lackey "The Preacher's Wife"
(Ecko 2010 )
Simone De "A Definitive Collection" (Premier Music Ent.
2007)
Donnie Ray "Drowning In My Own Tears" (Ecko
2014)
Jeter Jones "Dhis Him"
(Jonez Boyz 2016)
Roy C
LaMorris Williams
"Ladies 1st/Sweet Sexy Songs" 2 CD (Rocks Landon 2012)
T.K. Soul "Undisputed"
(Soulful 2007
Denise LaSalle "Pay Before You Pump"
(Ecko
2007) 
Ms. Jody
"Still Strokin'" (Ecko 2013)
Pat Brown
"New Tricks" (Tapna 2002)
Lee 'Shot'
Williams 
The Rhythm All-Stars "s/t" (Jomar/Silk 2008)
Frank-O Johnson
"OJ I'm Guilty" (Ace 1996)
Chuck Roberson
"A Woman Wants A Freak" (Ecko
2003)
O.B.
Buchana
"Let Me Knock The Dust Off" (Ecko 2012)
Wilson Meadows
"The Best Of" (BGR 2003)
King Georg
Val McKnight
"Ain't Nothing Like A Country Boy" (Ecko 2022)
Kenne' Wayne
"The Licka Sticka" (MTE
2001) 
Billy Soul Bonds
"Going Public Again" (Avanti 1999)