Lighten up Baby

Ty Karim was a tall elegant West Coast Chartreuse as one critic put it, who never broke into the mainstream market but who is now highly appreciated on the Northern Soul scene thanks to her husband Kent Harris devoting his time to promoting her career after his own music career had ended. Her original vinyls go for thousands but a cd was published in 2008. Will try to get it! Sadly she passed away in 1983 at the height of her career. This must have been an early death as her active years were 60s to 80s. Her daughter Karime moved to the UK and continued to sing the material her mother and father had created on the Northern Soul route. Rest in Peace Ty.

Ty Karim - You Just Don't Know

All At Once-Ty Karim

West coast chanteuse Ty Karim again.

Linda Lewis - I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You (Official Audio)

Linda Lewis was a British singer, song writer and actress born in 1950. She had many highly rated albums of her own and sand back up for a number of top rated singers like Joan Armatrading, Cat Stevens. Rod Stewart and David Bowie.She was also with the group Ferris wheel and went on tour with Rod Stewart. Popular in Japan she also appeared at Glastonbury several times and at World Festival of Jazz. She had a five octave range and has been compared to Minnie Riperton and Mariah Carey. However she could also sing comfortably in the lower ranges. Sadly she has just passed away on May 3rd and many tributes from the world of music have come in. Rest in Peace Linda.

Linda Lewis - Light Years Away // Basement Session

An impromptu rendition of her own composition with no autotune or gimmics! The mark of a highly talented artist. Effortless change of register. She had a 5 octave range and was comfortable anywhere in it.

Linda Lewis Baby I'm Yours

Linda Lewis again on a BBC4 show with a song made famous by Barbara Lewis. In fact she took the name from the latter as she so greatly admired the earlier singer. Sadly we mourn Linda who died two days ago. Rest In Peace Linda.

Barbara Randolph - I Got a Feeling

Barbara's song mentioned in post by This Old Soul Of Mine. Holland Dozier Holland classic also recorded by The Four Tops.

You Can't Hurry Love

You can read about Barbara Randolph from This Old Soul of Mine which I've copied below. Her version of this Motown classic definitely has more punch. But that 's what puts her in Soul category!

Best Thing You Ever Had

Rhetta from the Columbia years , quite early in her career.

Rhetta Hughes- Baby, I Need Your Loving

Rhetta with one of my favourite songs, which was a big hit for the Four Tops in the early 60's. I believe Rhetta did this in 1969. Very nice slightly down tempo version.

Rhetta Hughes - Light My Fire

Rhetta Hughes with one of her biggest hits, a definitely down tempo version of a big Doors hit. Rhetta Hughes with one of her biggest hits, a definitely down tempo version of a big Doors hit.