In 2014 ‘Melbourne’s Women of Soul’, our debut self-titled album was nominated for Best Soul/R’n’B Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards.

  

The album showcases Australia’s finest female soul vocalists Kylie Auldist, Stella Angelico, Candice Monique, Rita Satch, Chelsea Wilson, May Johnston (Deep Street Soul), Lisa Faithfull (Soul Safari) and Christina Perfection (The Perfections). Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the hugely popular live performance series, Women of Soul features ten brand new songs recorded exclusively for this album, capturing the sound of the current Melbourne soul scene.

 

The vocalists are backed by an all-star band made up of musicians from The Putbacks, The Bamboos and Cookin’ on 3 Burners. The album also features liner notes by Sarah Howells from triple j, artwork by Melbourne-based illustrator Kirrily Anderson (AKA Iandtheothers) and images by Sydney-based photographer Helen Melville, making Women of Soul the biggest collaborative project in the history of Australian soul music.

 

Curated by Chelsea Wilson (Music Director PBS 106.7FM/ Vocalist) and produced by award-winning musician/producer Jake Mason (Cookin’ on 3 Burners) this album will be treasured by existing fans of soul music whilst also serving as a stunning introduction to the local soul sisterhood for the new listener.

 

Album foreword by Sarah Howells (ABC)

Melbourne’s soul scene has been thriving in recent years, and out front and proud are a bunch of ladies who definitely got soul. Big hair, big sequins, big heart, big voices – these ladies are leading the way and have come together for the Women of Soul project. The biggest collaborative project in the history of Melbourne soul, Women of Soul is a five-year strong collective that has seen local musicians and vocalists playing live together across the city. Sold out crowds and a thirst for more has culminated in this album, which is more than just a compilation album, as each artist has recorded her song from scratch and exclusively for your listening pleasure. But soul music ain’t just soul music – this album encapsulates a range of subgenres, including northern soul, neo-soul, garage-soul and funk. Need a modern-day soul education? You got it.

 

Backing up the babes, Women of Soul have brought together an all-star band made up of members of some of the finest soul bands in Australia - The Putbacks, Cookin on 3 Burners and The Bamboos. The fellas really bring the album together, gliding from one track to the next with groove and style.

 

In traditional soul style, these glamorous ladies dress to the nines but play classic dingy, rundown, authentic old venues. You can tell that from the cover art here, right? Shot in a warehouse in Carlton, the women had to use their break-and-enter skills when the hired space was accidentally bolted shut, clambering their way into the warehouse via a broken window, heels and all.

 

Melbourne women got soul, and this album is just a taste of the veritable smorgasbord of talent in the Australian soul and roots scene. Enjoy, turn it up loud, and sing along with these soul sistas

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