Remembering soul great Sharon Jones on her birthday

Here's some great footage of Sharon Jones performing with the Dap-Kings at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. 

Daptone issues 20th anniversary 2LP edition of Sharon Jones' Naturally album

The 2005 release of Sharon Jones’ Naturally was a pivotal moment in the history of soul music. The album has sold over 200,000 copies, with hit singles “How Long Do I Have to Wait” and “This Land is Your Land” streaming in the hundreds of millions—staggering figures for a wholly independent release. It was also the genesis for the Dap-Kings’ collaboration with Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, the fruits of which having a lasting, indelible influence on soul, R&B and pop music in general. 

Up to this point, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings had yet to reach an audience outside of dingy, hole-in-the-wall clubs, dive bars, and underground DJ parties, attended by only the most in-the-know. This was the scene where the band began to flourish, developing the sound that would forever alter the musical landscape and set a lofty new bar for what could be considered real-deal soul music. 

Recording for Naturally began in 2004 and holds the distinction of being the first Daptone session at the renowned "House of Soul”—a recording studio handbuilt by Sharon and the rest of the Daptone family in a two story rental in Bushwick, Brooklyn. (Sharon famously tackled much of the electrical wiring herself.) 

Around this time, the Dap-Kings were really coming into their own as a band. With years of relentless, econoline-style touring under their belt, and the additions of Tommy “TNT” Brenneck (Diamond West Records, Menahan Street Band, Charles Bradley) on guitar, and Dave Guy (The Roots, Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) on trumpet, the group was not only the flagship group on Daptone Records, but also the very foundation upon which the label would build their empire. 

Naturally altered the musical landscape of the era, eclipsing imitators and the soulfully challenged, wholesale. It made Daptone a household name, helped open doors for many musicians and family who have gone on to do remarkable things, and sparked a renaissance that is still vibrating today. A testament to Sharon Jones’ legacy as the undisputed, reigning Queen of heavyweight soul. 

The 20th Anniversary remastered edition of Sharon Jones' Naturally album includes a second LP with instrumental mixes of all tracks! Get a copy via your platform of choice right here. Listen to a couple of instrumental tracks below. 

Happy Birthday Neal Sugarman!

Celebrating the birthday of saxophonist Neal Sugarman with a couple of recent performances and an early one with Boys Life. 

Watch the new video for Lee Fields' "Waiting On The Sidelines"

Check out the new clip for Lee Fields' latest Daptone single "Waiting On The Sidelines" penned by Thomas 'TNT' Brenneck. 

Here's the scoop from Daptone HQ...

Since the release of the Sentimental Fool album, Lee Fields has been touring relentlessly, playing to capacity crowds all across the US and EU. The fruits of which have culminated in his song "Forever" being featured in 2023ʼs top rated Super Bowl commercial, further solidifying Lee as the king of contemporary soul. In keeping with the momentum it is our pleasure to announce the release of his brand new single "Waiting on the Sidelines". Written by Thomas 'TNT' Brenneck (MSB, Charles Bradley, Diamond West Records) this beat-ballad grooves low and slow, giving Lee ample room to unleash a heart- breakingly soulful display of vocal acrobatics–an absolute must-have for fans of the Penrose sound. On the flip you'll find "You Can Count on Me", an in demand, upbeat moover previously only available on a limited edition 12" EP. 

Get a copy of "Waiting On The Sidelines" b/w "You Can Count On Me" via Bandcamp right here.Watch David Brocca's video for "Waiting On The Sidelines" below.  
 

Watch Thee Sacred Souls live @ Bandcamp HQ

Here are Thee Sacred Souls performing a short set in August. They play Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern on Wednesday, January 25. 

You can get a CD copy of the sweet new Gabriel Roth-produced album by Thee Sacred Souls via Daptone right here. 

Lee Fields gets down at Danforth Music Hall, Friday

Soul great Lee Fields returns to Toronto to present songs from his new Sentimental Fool album at the Danforth Music Hall tonight.

One For The Weekend: Michael Rault

Michael Rault just put out a new seven-inch, pairing "Exactly What I Needed" with the unissued "What Happened?"

You can get copies of Michael's latest LP and singles at the merch desk at his Horseshoe gig with Pearl Charles on Monday (Oct 3). 

Orquesta Akokán share blazing new track "Mi Conga Es De Akokán"

"Mi Conga Es De Akokán" is off the forthcoming Orquesta Akokán album 16 Rayos out via Daptone on October 22. 

Here's the scoop from Daptone HQ...

Following their critically acclaimed Daptone debut, Orquesta Akokán is ready to unleash 16 Rayos on the world's dance floors. Recorded in Havanaʼs famed Egrem Studios, the group displays a cohesion forged by an intense performing and touring cycle. The musical conversation that began in the Areito studios three years earlier blossomed into an easy, intimate dialogue between good friends - allowing full, fearless musical expression and risk-taking outside of their comfort zones. Building upon Perez Pradoʼs dissonant, near avant-garde vision of the mambo, and highlighting the Lucumí subtext of Cuban rhythms and styles, the band continues to explore, develop and expand the islandʼs rich rhythmic palette and repertoire - pushing the conventions of what is considered “mambo” - and drawing deeply from folkloric and religious traditions seldom heard in popular music. 16 Rayos is here to shine its musical rays on us, warm our hearts, and irresistibly move our bodies.

Pre-order a red vinyl copy (while supplies last) of Oquesta Akokán's 16 Rayos album directly from Daptone Records right here. Listen to "Mi Conga Es De Akokán" below followed by a nicely shot 2019 Kennedy Center performance. 

Watch What's In My Bag? with Menahan Street Band's Tom Brenneck

Tom Brenneck shows some of his favourite records in the new "Home Edition" of Amoeba's What's In My Bag?

Get a copy of The Exciting Sounds of The Menahan Street Band – with sleeve designed by Ariana Papademetropoulos – right here. 

LaRose Jackson steps up with "How Did I Get Here?"

Brooklyn's LaRose Jackson – last heard duetting with Charles Bradley – released her Dunham label debut single today! 

Here's the scoop from Daptone HQ...

LaRose Jackson, who you may remember from the "Luv Jones" b/w "Change Change Change" single - her 2014 party-certified smash duet double-sider with the incomparable Charles Bradley - steps into the spotlight with her funky solo debut, "How Did I Get Here". Born and raised in Coney Island, Larose's rich timbre and assertive vocal delivery caught the attention of producer Tommy "TNT" Brenneck one night when he was in attendance at Charles Bradley's legendary "Black Velvet" show at Club Essence - where Jackson was a regular performer. 

LaRose's tough-as-nails delivery coupled with the infallible groove and sure-shot horn arrangement courtesy of the Menahan Street Band distills the track down to Soul in its purest form, without sacrificing any of the rawness one comes to expect from a TNT production. 

Get a copy of LaRose Jackson's "How Did I Get Here?" single with an instrumental version on the flipside via Bandcamp right here. Have a listen below. 

 

Flint's Napoleon Demps stylishly debuts on Daptone with "Norma Jean"

Here's the scoop...
Straight outta Flint, Michigan, Napoleon Demps makes his Daptone Records debut with "Norma Jean".  Napoleon grew up listening to Soul luminaries OV Wright, Willie Hutch, and Sam Cooke, whose influence led our man down a path to becoming an accomplished Soul singer himself - scoring his first hit at the age of 24 in the still-thriving Southern Chitlin Circuit of the early aughts. Demps, having been a long time Daptone fan, connected with the Dap-Kings at a soundcheck at a Detroit nightclub for an impromptu rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come.” Bosco Mann was floored by his voice and swore they would meet again.

Last year, with that sweet soulful voice still ringing in his ears, Mann would reconnect with Demps and bring him out to Penrose Recorders in Riverside, California to finally cut his first Daptone side. "Norma Jean" is a funky soul groover that lands somewhere between the nuanced big city sounds Chicago and Detroit were pumping out in the late '60s: think the grit of Twinight's house band Pieces of Peace, kissed by the sophisticated Motor City production of Dave Hamilton or The Brothers of Soul and you're getting warm.

Napoleon's smooth, commanding voice injects a je ne sais quoi that's wholly fresh, bypassing the affected trappings that plague many of today's singers. In short... Napoleon Demps is a Soul singer's Soul singer. Take a listen to "Norma Jean" below. Stream it right here.

Listen to Orquesta Akokán's new mambo joint "4 de Octubre"

From the moment you hear the opening invocation to Chango, you know Orquesta Akokán means serious business on "4 de Octubre."

Orquesta Akokán's latest single, "4 de Octubre",  is a lucumi fever dream of sublime mambo. Tata's introduction for Chango segues into blistering horns played with fervor that transcends the earthly realm, seducing the listener as the melody gives way to the hypnotic rhythm of the Bata. As the groove builds Tata's poem prayer seems to beckon the horns and chorus to re-enter, allowing the music to crest and swoon, creating new sonic vistas in its wake. Get it right here once you have a listen below.

Scone Cash Players preview new album with "Canned Champagne" single

The Scone Cash Players teamed with Jason Joshua on "Canned Champagne" due September 27th. 

Here's the scoop from Daptone Records: 
Since the release of Scone Cash Playersʼ – yes, that's right! Adam Scone from thee legendary Sugarman 3 – latest long player, As the Screw Turns, a flood of inquiries poured into Daptone HQ as to whether or not there would be a 45 pressed of the lead single "Canned Champagne". After mulling it over for a few seconds Daptone brass came back with a resounding YES! We're talking, heavy, heavy funk here people. The Recipe? Take one heaping helping of hard-nosed drums, a double dose of off-the-wall organ, a pinch of chicken-scratch guitar, and slather it all in the greasy vocals stylings of rising star, Jason Joshua, and what you get is quite possibly the rawest slab of party funk to hit the scene since the heady days of Soul Fire records. Out September 27th, pre-order it right here. Watch the videos for "Canned Champagne" and "Brass Tacks" off the forthcoming Scone Cash Players album As The Screw Turns below.

Charles Bradley's final album Black Velvet due November 9

Here's the scoop...
November 5th, 2018 would have been Charles Bradley’s 70th birthday. In celebration of his extraordinary life, Daptone imprint Dunham Records will release his fourth and final album, Black Velvet, on November 9th—featuring ten studio recordings never before included on any full length album.

Black Velvet is a celebration of Charles Bradley, lovingly assembled by his friends and family at Dunham/Daptone Records—including four entirely new tracks recorded during sessions from each of his three albums, heard here for the very first time in all their scorching glory. Though chronologically the material spans Charles' entire career, this is no anthology, greatest hits or other shallow rehashing of the songs that already made him famous. Rather, this album is a profound exploration through the less-travelled corners of the soulful universe that Charles and his longtime producer, co-writer and friend Tommy "TNT" Brenneck created in the studio together over their decade-long partnership.

Pre-order Black Velvet right here. Watch the video below for the lead single, "I Feel a Change" directed by Living On Soul’s Jeff Broadway & Cory Bailey.

Living On Soul screens @ Royal Cinema, Friday & Saturday

Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley and the whole Daptone Records family star in the Living On Soul documentary.

James Hunter returns with Whatever It Takes in February

A permanent fixture in the world of Rhythm and Soul, James Hunter follows up five critically acclaimed albums with Whatever It Takes for Daptone Records. At the height of his famed recording career, Hunter and Daptone co-founder and producer Gabe "Bosco Mann" Roth recorded an elegantly crafted collection of 10 originals that are evermore poignant and compelling than the singer’s previous works.

The James Hunter Six and Roth recorded Whatever It Takes straight to tape at Daptone's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California – where Roth cut Hunter's 2013 album Minute By Minute. Whatever It Takes will be internationally released on February 2, 2018. Digital Pre-Order available right here - stay tuned for physical pre-order announcement!