Recommended

From Helsinki's Timmion Records - the folks who brought us Didier's Sound Spectrum and Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators - comes another soulful gem. Though it's reputedly circulated amongst VIPs since last November on acetate (and thus you figure amongst friends of VIPs on CDR), it's now here for the rest of us to enjoy. Myron and E are Cali-based vocalists who I don't know jack-squat about (tho collabs with the SoulSides/Quannum contingent allegedly feature prominently on their resumes). 

It really doesn't matter. The duo's performances here are low-key and faceless in a way that's refreshing given the tendency of so many neo-retro soul folks to over-sing. Myron and E barely even harmonize. They're so cool and loose they're almost detached - on paper perhaps not the first quality you look for in a soul vocal. But, with the Soul Investigators' expert, energized backing, it works.

"Cold Game" is favorably reminiscent of Joe Bataan's "Cycles" from a few years back - especially about a minute and a half in when the inevitable drum-break (apparently now mandatory on even vaguely funky new retro soul recordings) kicks in. Some folks have forecasted this as the new Kings Go Forth (i.e. a really good contemporary soul/funk 45 whose appeal transcends genre and sells out in about five minutes, thus making it instantly collectible). Quality-wise I concur. And, for the time being anyways, "Cold Game" is still very much available. Hear both it and its fine ballad B-Side, "I Can't Let You Get Away," here. Buy the record here, here or here.