UK based Nathan Watson is a young talent in the music industry. Nathan releases his first single on the Strawberry Moon label on September 20th. His single is called "Reach out (you've got a friend)" and this is real soul, with a touch of pop. His voice is catchy and soulful. After 3'29" you want more.

"Reach out" is taken from the forthcoming album "Student of Life" and features Nathan's Band The Sound and is also the result of a collaboration with long time musician, and producer Steve Salvari.

Part of the proceeds from the new single will be going to Childline Rocks to help other kids less fortunate than himself. Check this single out on Itunes, Amazon and all good music sites.

Check Nathans website here

Their brand new CD and live performances offer a powerful exchange of positive energy between musicians. This is quite rare considering that bands are no longer the norm in today's modern music, where technology inspires solo efforts. Kudos to the solo artists for making great music, but how many notable bands can you name today? That is why 3 Central is a pleasure to hear as their recordings provide a unified sound with live instrumentation. Acoustic drums in particular, really bring to life the energy and feel of this band's recordings.

3 Central is definitely one to watch!

Funky Town Grooves just released a great 80s re-issue of the cool notes with the album "Have A Good Forever".

The Cool Notes from south London were a popular UK R&B act during the mid-eighties and they had several hits of which the most famous of course is 'Spend The Night'.

The Cool Notes initially embarked on their recording career in the lovers rock style, and featured Lorraine McIntosh and Heather Austin on lead vocals. The full line-up consisted of Joseph Charles, Peter Lee Gordon, Peter Rowlands, Steve McIntosh and Ian Dunstan. In 1978 the group recorded for Pat Rhoden's Jama group; the success of the single "My Tune" resulted in Rhoden's licensing the song to the major record companies in 1979, as the song was expected to cross over into the mainstream. Jama also released the ineffectual "Just Girls" and "Sweet Vibes", which signalled a change of direction. 

Funky Town Grooves just released a great 80s re-issue of th dutch formation Mai Tai.

The band was formed in 1983 when successful Dutch record producers Eric Van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma brought together three former backing-singers Jetty Wheels, Mildred Douglas and Caroline De Windt.
Mai Tai (from the well known tropical cocktail) went on to become the most successful soul/disco act in Dutch history so far.

Mai Tai’s debut-single was "Keep On Dancing'(1983) was well received locally, but it wasn’t until the release of the second single "What Goes On" that the band reached the Dutch Top 40. Tracks that then followed Body & Soul and Am I Losing You Forever also reached the Dutch Top 40.

Al B Sure is back on the scene with a new album 'Honey i'm home' and will be released on june 23.

The album contains 13 brand new 'romancing' tracks. All thirteen tracks are downtempo tracks. Two of them are covers.

The album starts with the single "I love it (Papi Aye Aye Aye)", co-produced by his writing and producing partner Kyle West, is very tuneful, sexy and sounds if he was never been away. Vocals are beautiful, and contains nice analog synth sounds. One of the best tracks. Other great tracks are "Only you" and "4 Life!". "I'm glad" track #3 has also a nice bass line. "All I Wanna do" an urban track with vocoders. Sexy girl on the back! A Favourite one. Two slowtempo tracks "Dedicate My All" and "Bye the Way, By the Way" are assisted by an acoustic guitar. A nice synth sound walks as a melodie line through "Only You!", nice chords and vocals. The track "Whatcha Got?" is very urban, with strange bass line. Another favourite is track #12 "4Life!" the last track "Never Stop Loving You" is too much pop. The two covers are Stings 'Fragile' and Michael Jacksons "Lady in My Life". Pleasantly done with an urban, R&B twist but, for me, it remain covers.

All and all an album for lovers of smooth R&B.

You can listen to it on Hiddenbeach.com.