(August 14, 2018) From the time I saw The Jones Girls perform in Michigan while I was in college, I was hooked (we won’t go into the major crush I had on them). That, combined with the album At Peace With Woman and Get As Much Love As You Can made lots of us fans for life. The familial harmonies that Shirley, Brenda and Valorie created were heavenly, and, with the top notch material provided to them by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Dexter Wansel, Cynthia Biggs and others, they gave smooth soul music lovers a wave of blessings for several years.

(August 13, 2018) WDIV Channel 4 in Detroit has reported this morning that the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, is gravely ill, and that her family is asking for prayers. The news was reported by morning anchor Evron Cassimy, who had spoken to Franklin’s family members. Franklin has battled undisclosed illnesses on and off for several years, and last year announced her retirement from live performing. Several reports indicate that she is in hospice care in her Detroit area home.

(August 12, 2018) We are very sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of guitarist supreme, William “Blue” Miller, who had already established a legendary career as one of music’s premiere guitarists before helping to bring us the great India.Arie 17 years ago. Tragically, Miller died this weekend unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm. He was 66.

Soul music fans likely first heard of James “D Train” Williams back in the early 80s when he shot to #1 with the hit “You’re The One For Me.” He went on to land more great hits with songs like “Keep On” and a cover of the classic “Walk On By,” while also writing for such other artists as Carl Anderson and Patti Austin.

August 12, 2018 -- Welcome to Another Groove, our series dedicated to new music that is neither pure soul nor R&B but which includes elements of those genres and may please your ears. This week we feature “Coffee Bean” by Travis Scott.

(August 11, 2018) After a few warmup guitar strokes, the NYC-based five-piece combo Zoo Berries set sail on neo-soul vibes that feel like an impromptu D’Angelo jam session. But after the mild opening, the wordless grooves of “Back in Time” quickly glide into a warm summer breeze of adventurous jazz powered by Hailey Nisewanger’s gutsy sax solos, one wicked hearty guitar solo from Nadav Peled and Peter Kronrief’s in-the-pocket drumming.

(August 10, 2018) With his release a couple months ago of the hit single “Love Like Yours and Mine” a couple months ago, Peabo Bryson has been riding high again. And it continued last week with the issuance of his new album, Stand for Love.

(August 10, 2018) We've been following the fantastic career of singer and songwriter Anthony David since the early days of SoulTracks. He is a SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award winner and has become one of the "go to" indie soul artists for our legion of readers.

Anthony is preparing to release a tribute album to the legendary Bill Withers on September 21. Hello Like Before has been eagerly anticipated by his fans for awhile now. We've heard a sneak peek and we know you are all going to love it.

(August 10, 2018) When the opening finger snapping, foot stomping, clapping on the two and four, rollicking good time opens the Dangerfeel Newbies’ latest single, the party instantly bangs, and one is ready to breakout the purple, green, and gold beads and their grown folks’ two-step. Then, without warning, former lead singer of The Boys, Tajh Abdulsamad, enters with a smooth and simple vocal, singing the familiar #1 R&B melody by Ralph Tresvant and I’m stopped cold. As if doused in ice water.