I think it’s fair to say that our friends at Colemine Records are having a banner year so far in 2021. Our favorite indie label in Ohio just keeps cranking out fantastic blues, soul, and R&B albums from artists who definitely deserve a wider audience.
Colemine Records (not to be confused with Coalmine records) started as a branding exercise for a new album release by its founder at a Subway in Oxford, Ohio in 2007. When retailers in the United States and Japan liked the quality of their first release, the decision was made to become a legit record label and help other artists have their music pressed and sold direct.
Terry and Bob Cole have been running Colemine out of Ohio since 2014 and their line-up of artists has certainly evolved over the years. With almost 140 albums available on their website; music lovers can select from multiple formats including records, CDs, and cassettes.
Aside from the Colemine label, they also operate Karma Chief which includes the Grammy-nominated Black Pumas and an ever-growing and ever-diverse roster which also includes Ghost Funk Orchestra, Neal Francis, Rudy De Anda, GA-20, The Gabbard Brothers, Michael Nau, Andrew Gabbard, and Kendra Morris.
Colemine’s focus is on soul music and many of the releases are already available to stream on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Deezer.
We’re really liking these two new pre-orders that have been announced.
The Rugged Nuggets: Odds & Ends
Recorded in the San Fernando Valley just a stones throw away from the infamous Van Nuys Blvd. cruising scene, it’s no wonder from the debut long player from The Rugged Nuggets hits hard and demands to be turned up loud with the windows rolled down. Delivering west-coast cool at it’s finest. With swooning strings, breezy guitars and tough as nails drums, Odds & Ends epitomizes a mellow vibe, but is undeniably cool.
This release is limited to 750 copies on opaque red vinyl for $21.99.
Kendra Morris: This Life/Who We Are
Kendra Morris recalls singers who straddled soul and rock during the early ’70s, such as Ruth Copeland and Chaka Khan. After touring with Dennis Coffey and releasing singles that she did with collaborator Jeremy Page including “Concrete Waves,” with b-side remixed by DJ Premier, Morris released the album Banshee (2012).
In 2013, Morris returned with the covers album Mockingbird, with both Banshee and Mockingbird garnering successful followings and impressive film/tv placements. Morris also worked on a project-band with friends Scarlett Johansson, Julia Haltigan and Holly Miranda. With Este Haim joining on drums, they released one single, “Candy” and a cover of “Bizarre Love Triangle” for AMFARs The Time Is Now record.
Now presenting her debut 45 on Karma Chief Records, a division of Colemine Records, Kendra showcases a textured and contemporary take on R&B, all while retaining the old-school flavor.
The A side track ‘This Life’ is a 70’s soul super dive carrying you through fuzzy guitars, lush harmonies and straight into the old Vegas casinos of the main strip. Who We Are, the B side, counters the upbeat side A with its epic introspective look at the human psyche. Combining Kendra’s wide vocal range and a partnership of solid drum and thick bass, ‘Who We Are’ provides the perfect backdrop for it’s carefully-threaded lyrics.
The limited edition 45 rpm single is limited to 1,500 copies worldwide on opaque red vinyl for $9.99.
