Daddy B. Nice’s Top 10 “BREAKING” Southern Soul Singles Preview

TOP 10 January 2020

1. “Yo Luv Baby”—-J-Wonn 

J-Wonn’s “I Got This Record”is still arguably the greatest southern soul single of the last decade, and “Yo Luv Baby” shares some of its characteristics: superb vocal, melody, arrangement and similarly universal lyrics: “I’ll travel miles/ Girl, I will travel cities/ Girl, I’ll travel states/ Just to get to your love.” 

Listen to J-Wonn singing “Yo Luv Baby” on YouTube.

2. “If You’re Thinking About Leaving”—-Calvin Richardson

The showcase track from Calvin’s new GOLD DUST album will become one of his most treasured songs.

Listen to Calvin Richardson singing”If You’re Thinking About Leaving” on YouTube.

3. “Tonight Gonna Be Your Night”—-Banky Live

The first southern soul debut of the new decade has a knack for communicating community and good times. Also check out his previously-released and equally accessible single, “Last Night”.Great name, by the way–almost as good as Bullwinkle.

Listen to Banky Live singing “Tonight Gonna Be Your Night” on SoundCloud.

4. “I Been Loving You”—-Rich Wright

Another fine debut. Wright is already a solid southern soul singer who gives the necessary depth and texture to this simple, stepping-styled tune.

Listen to Rich Wright singing “I Been Loving You” on YouTube.

5. “Just Like A Woman”—-The Ladies of Southern Soul

“Curly hips and thighs/ Pretty brown eyes…” As bluesy as you’ll find these days. The ladies of southern soul are: Lady Q, Nakita Randle, Sweet T, Annie B, Itz Karma, Crystal Thomas, and Tanji Emmeni. An album–also including Vickie Baker, Ci Kelly, Simply Lovely and Monro Brown–is in the works.

Listen to The Ladies of Southern Soul singing “Just Like A Woman” on SoundCloud.

6. “That’s My Job”—-Bigg Robb

Another easy-going, high-character single from Bigg Robb’s bountiful Good Muzic CD.

Listen to Bigg Robb singing “That’s My Job” on YouTube.

7. “Happy Weight”—-The Jay Morris Group

The most popular song from the Jay Morris Group’s debut album, Like Food For My Soul. Written up in Daddy B. Nice’s The Year In Review.

Listen to the Jay Morris Group singing “Happy Weight” on YouTube.

8. “Party Warrior”—-Gregg A. Smith

Texas southern soul with a big-band sound. From Smith’s new The Real Deal album.

Listen to Gregg A. Smith singing “Party Warrior” on YouTube.

9. “Sneak Up On It”—-Ghetto Cowboy featuring L.J. Echols

From the new Ghetto Cowboy album, Southern Soul Legend.

Listen to Ghetto Cowboy and L.J. Echols singing “Sneak Up On It” on YouTube.

10. “Black Girl Magic”—-G-Sky

Originally published in 2018, this overlooked single still has “legs”.

Listen to G-Sky singing “Black Girl Magic” on YouTube.