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Hey there, music lovers! I’m thrilled to bring you another edition of our track talk series, and this time we’ve got something truly special lined up. I’ve always believed that music is the heartbeat of the soul, and today, we’re diving deep into the musical journey of someone who has been a significant part of that rhythm. Charles Levine, better known as Lonely C, is one half of the legendary Boston-based duo, Soul Clap. If you’ve ever swayed to their soulful house beats, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But today, we’re peeling back the layers and exploring the tracks that have shaped Charles’ artistic journey. From the jazz-infused soul of Abstract Truth to the game-changing beats of Roy Davis Jr., these are the sounds that have not only influenced his latest work but have also defined a generation of music lovers. And speaking of influence, I’m also excited to include a previous track talk we had with the incredibly talented Khyenci, whose collaboration with Charles on their latest single “Amazement” is nothing short of breathtaking.
Join me as we walk through the musical milestones that have shaped Charles Levine’s career and discover how these timeless tracks continue to inspire his creative genius today.
“ What’s up y’all, in celebration of this new release ‘Amazement’ featuring the extremely talented Bay Area vocalist Khyenci, I wanted to paint a picture of how certain influences and inspirations over the years have shaped me and lead me to want to create in this style of R&B/Neo Soul/Jazz/Blues vocal house. ..”
At the time this came out Angie Stone was at the top of the contemporary Neo soul movement and this record with its O’Jays – Back Stabbers sample was ripe for an illegal house bootleg. Once it dropped and for years to come, it was hard to go out and NOT hear this record.
This one came out in ’98 but really captures that sound in time. The powerful Monique Bingham on vox, this is such a jazz / soul energy but just works in translation into house music. I really adore this record and it had a big impact on my tastes.
Jay-J And Chris Lum did so many wonderful house adaptations of R&B, Jazz and Soulful Records. This one Eli and I have RINSED over the years, it’s very near and dear to our hearts and Jill’s undeniable vocal and energy puts magic in the air every time.
This stripped back but immensely powerful record really stands the test of time, it’s just as huge of a hit today as it was back then and Julie McKnight’s near perfect… actually yeah, PERFECT vocal delivery has been remixed and put to unending use. Kings of Tomorrow is of course Sandy Rivera, and productions are like a blueprint for how to make vocal house music the right way.
Ubiquitous, genre crossing, game changing, game defining in fact. I think out of all the house music DJs and Producers, Roy is probably at the top of my list. His sound, his DJing style and the records he’s made have all stood out. He infuses something different, divine almost into his music. This record is everything to me and I’m very proud to consider Roy a friend and mentor.
Timmy Regisford is an essential player in the world of R&B house crossovers. His years working A&R at Atlantic, MCA, Motown etc, he was there singing the real deal acts in real time. His ear and taste in music is beyond. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked to for inspiration and this translation of Kem’s gem of a record Heaven is perfectly executed.
If you don’t know Kendra Foster, she is a BEAST of a singer, songwriter, performer right at the top of my favorites. She’s Grammy Award winning for her work on D’Angelo’s 2014 Black Messiah record, she toured and sang with PFUNK for decades, she is the jam! We did this record together in 2018 for my solo Lonely C project and it really shaped the landscape for me in what I was able to accomplish as a producer and the types of records I wanted to go on to make.
Ebony Houston came to us through our time at George Clinton’s What? Studios in Tallahassee, Florida. She sang on the second Soul Clap album and has such a unique vulnerability in her tone that really translates into something special. I have always loved this original by the legendary Michel’le and had a vision of how it would work as a house music cover and I’m so proud of how this came out.
I’m so very proud of Amazement and this moment in time welcoming Khyenci into the world of house music. She is just an incredible song writer and recording artist, we’re really just getting to know each other but I’m so excited for what will come from this collaboration together. She really took to the original demo idea, the energy I was envisioning and took it to exactly the place I was hoping. Her sound is classic but also very contemporary, I really dig this.
As we wrap up this deep dive into the sounds that have shaped Charles Levine’s musical journey, I want to extend a huge thank you to Charles for sharing these pivotal tracks with us. It’s clear that his passion for music runs deep, and we’re lucky to have artists like him who keep the soul of house music alive and thriving.
Don’t forget to check out Soul Clap’s latest release, “Amazement” featuring the incredible Khyenci. Trust me, this track is a vibe you don’t want to miss. Keep your ears open and your heart ready, because this one is going to be on repeat!
DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.
Hey everyone! It’s always a thrill when I get the chance to chat with someone who’s been at the forefront of electronic music for decades. Today, I’m sitting down with […]
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