Special Touch - Garden of LifeWhen you talk about UK Street Soul, and the sounds that define it, its impossible to look past Special Touchs first and only album, Garden of Life. A shining example of this often retrospectively termed genre, which loosely categorised black, soul inspired music with a DIY, bass driven aesthetic from the late 80s to early mid 90s, this impossibly rare record from cult label Top Secret Recordings weaves a unique brand of positivity and musicality

both of which received rave reviews and commercial success

The tunes found on this release weren’t your run of the mill edits

emotive and gargantuan single 'Innerbloom'

showcasing the inward-looking craft of his one-man band

Sabato Italiano is their latest hit and it’s now available on 7”

The duo first played together in a room full of blaring demos at a trade show

and breaking down the island’s racial barriers

An alto saxophonist steeped in the history and tradition of his instrument who is also restlessly experimental and not prone to purism of any kind

Mark Pritchard & Kirsty Hawkshaw

From Streetsoul and Hip Hop to moody Chicago and Detroit inspired House and soulful Garage cuts

using preferably older recording methods

the track which precedes "Risin'" on Side B is another steppers favourite