Sounds Of Imani “Must Be An Angel/It’s Alright

The Sounds Of Imani (with Imani being the Swahili word for faith) was created in 1996 by the versatile husband and wife team of Gerald and Carol Ervin. Carol a keyboard player, vocalist and songwriter in her own right, her background has always been within the gospel genre. She was a choir directress with several Church ensembles before forming in 1995 the Gospel/Jazz group, The Sounds Of J.U.T.O.C.A, with two of her co-workers from  the Detroit East Community Mental Health Service: Thomas Lawrence and Julia Shabazz; they were later joined by Selena Rowe.

While Gerry a cousin to James Mitchell of the Detroit Emeralds and Paul Mitchell of The Floaters began his career in the field of secular music. Gerald honed his vocal skills singing backing vocals with The Detroit Emeralds, Chapter 8 (pre Anita Baker) and The Floaters. He also featured in the group line up of The Flaming Emeralds with cousin Kenny Goodman, Al Martin, Glynis Martin, Rory Johnson and Chris Knight on their perennial 1977 Northern/Modern Soul classic “Have Some Everybody” (Fee 361).  Gerry also featured in the group line up of The Detroit Emeralds when they last toured the UK.  The legacy of The Flaming Emeralds continues today with Gerry’s cousin Kenny Goodman who is also currently acting as the musical director for Sounds Of Imani.

The Sounds Of Imani are regular performers throughout the Detroit metropolis helping to raise funds for many Community organisations and ministering to various shelter residents such as the Salvation Army and the Detroit Rescue Mission to name a few.  They have also appeared at several gospel events throughout California, Milwaukee and Illinois.

They recorded their debut cd album entitled “Revelation” in 2002, but it is two of their brand new songs from the “New Project” that we at Soul Junction have licensed for our next 45 release. The contemporary mid tempo gospel outing “Must Be An Angel” backed with the more upbeat dance track “It’s Alright” for your delight.

Jeannie Reynolds - One Wish Expanded Edition

Expansion proudly presents on CD for the first time, a true mid 70s lost soul gem from the vaults of Casablanca Records. Jeannie's voice has been compared to such greats as Gladys Knight and Tina Turner, and her tragic story left a legacy of only two albums, 'One Wish' being the second and released in 1977. Jeannie was the sister of Detroit soul star L.J. Reynolds who predominantly composed and produced songs on 'One Wish 'during his time with The Dramatics, and the group's producer Don Davis was also at work here too. The album has so many highlights it's hard to know where to start. There's the soul drenched power ballad 'I'm Hooked On You,' a song later recorded by The Dramatics themselves, and much later sampled by The Prodigy on 'Stuck On You'. There is further drama in the gospel styled production of the Hayes/Porter song 'Guide Me Well' and the show tune flavoured 'I Know I'll Always be In Love With You,' both with so much soul alongside the funk elsewhere on the album and the masterpiece many have collected this album on vinyl for over the years, 'I Don't Want To Be Second Best'. Bonus tracks include four sides from two 7' singles, all non-album tracks and including her biggest commercial hit 'The Phone s Been Jumping All Day'. This is all quality soul from the post Motown, pre-disco period of innovative and lavishly produced music

1. Come My Way

2. Be Someone

3. I Know I'll Always Be In Love With You

4. I'm Hooked On You

5. Sexy Man

6. I Don't Want To Be Second Best

7. Don't Make A Fool Of Me

8. Guide Me Well

9. The Phone's Been Jumping All Day (Bonus Track)

10. Unwanted Company (Bonus Track)

11. Lay Some Loving On Me (Bonus Track)

12. Love Don't Come Easy For Me (Bonus Track)