CARLTON JUMEL SMITH Vinyl & CDs

Review: Since making his debut back in the early 1990s, Carlton Jumel Smith has periodically popped up on a variety of soulful house and modern soul releases. Here the little-known vocalist takes a different approach, re-casting himself as a throaty, James Brown influenced '70s soul singer. He's at his heartfelt, full-throttle best on "Can't Love You Any More", a deliciously heavy and authentic chunk of Southern-fried deep soul complete with additional falsetto parts from fellow singer Pratt. The key to the track's success is the fantastic backing provided by Cold Diamond & Mink. Proof is provided on the flip via the band's effortlessly good instrumental take.

Review: Fast-rising New York soul singer Carlton Jumel Smith continues his successful partnership with Timmion house band Cold Diamond & Mink via a debut album that sounds like it could have been recorded in the early 1970s rather than 2019. Smith's lyrics and effortlessly soulful vocal delivery take centre stage throughout, though it's the faithfully fuzzy grooves, punchy horn lines and languid, delay-laden guitar motifs provided by his storied backing band that make the album a real winner. Highlights are plentiful throughout, from the loved-up sweetness of "This Is What Love Looks Like!" and Motown-influenced stomp of "We're All We Got", to the slack-tuned drum breaks and bittersweet messages of "I Can't Love You Anymore (feat Pratt)" and the cheery goodness of "Remember Me". In a word: superb.

Review: "Remember Me" was one of the most effervescent and up-tempo moments on Carlton Jumel Smith's 2019 album "1634 Lexington Avenue", so it's terrific to see Timmion giving the song a seven-inch single release. Backed by in-house Timmion band Cold Diamond & Mink, New York's modern "Mr Soul" delivers a scintillating lead vocal above a rousing 1960s soul instrumental laden with killer bass, sustained horns and bustling breakbeats. It comes accompanied by Cold Diamond and Mink's instrumental version, which as usual with Timmion is exclusive to this "45" release. If fresh, sixties-sounding soul is your thing, you need this in your life.

Review: So far, every collaboration between Timmion house band Cold Diamond & Mink and rising star Carlton Jumel Smith has been soulful gold. It goes without saying that their latest hook-up, "I'd Better", is another future soul classic. On the A-side version (taken from Smith's debut album "1634 Lexington Avenue"), Smith provides a raw, heartfelt and impassioned vocal over Cold Diamond & Mink's formidable backing track. This can be heard in all its glory on side B, where their 1960s soul style drum breaks, guitars, bass and fuzzy horns take centre stage.

Review: Like Daptone house band the Dap-Kings, Timmion's go-to combo Cold Diamond and Mink are absolute masters at delivering revivalist soul and funk cuts that offer authentically old sounds and fuzzy production with new beats, grooves and melodies. They're at it again here with regular collaborator Carlton Jumel Smith. As usual, you'll find the full version on the A, with Smith delivering a raw, impassioned lead vocal above the Finnish band's languid, sweet, sixties-style soul backing track. That instrumental can be enjoyed in all its jazzy, sun-kissed, horn-tooting beauty on side B. As with their other instrumentals, it's near perfect.

Review: Since first joining forces with Timmion's in-house band Cold Diamond & Mink two years ago, New York singer Carlton Jumel Smith has delivered a string of sublime singles and a must-check album, 2019's "1634 Lexington Avenue". It's from that set that his latest single is taken. "Help Me (Save Me From Myself)" is another emotive, 1960s soul style gem in which Smith passionately cries for help from a mystery woman over a typically on-point Cold Diamond & Mink backing track rich in hazy horns, wah-wah guitars and a laidback mid-tempo groove. The quality of the group's playing and production is laid bare in all its glory on the flipside instrumental version, which is naturally exclusive to this "45" release. Like the rest of Smith's singles, this is a must-have.

Review: Carlton Jumel Smith earned himself the title Mr Soul, being one of NYC's foremost exponents of a faithful sound which keeps the Motown flame alive. Having released a couple of singles on Timmion last year as well as linking up with Dojo Cuts on Colemine, now Smith is stepping out on Mocambo with the riotous party starter 'Keep On Swinging', a heated affair with sassy brass, overdriven guitar licks and the man himself holding it down with a killer vocal turn. 'Hope' on the flip is a funkier number which calls to mind classic Curtis Mayfield, not least thanks to that sprightly percussion section. Great modern soul music which knows where it's coming from.

Review: Carlton Jumel Smith returns to Timmion Records with another rom his infectiously groovy and romantic offerings. This contemporary soul star won plenty of fans over with his last album for the 1634 Lexington Ave. label and now he's back with a trilogy of new tunes. The first is 'Devoted To You' on this 7" and it is a gorgeous affair with languid horns and seductive acoustic guitars while the soaring vocals bring realness and rawness. On the flip is a stripped back instrumental that allows the musician to really breath.

Review: The Finish scene owes a lot to the Timmion label and this is further proof why. Carlton Jumel Smith returns to the label with another of his infectiously groovy and romantic offerings. This contemporary soul star won plenty of fans over with his last album for the 1634 Lexington Ave. label and now he's back with a trilogy of new tunes. The first is 'Devoted To You' on this 7" and it is a gorgeous affair with languid horns and seductive acoustic guitars while the soaring vocals bring realness and rawness. On the flip is a stripped back instrumental that allows the musician to really breath.