> 2. Can anyone else point me in the direction of some equally strong vocal > tracks that have come out in recent years?
Sun Kids feat' Chance's "Rise Up (Basement Boys main mix)" on Yellorange is the most obvious one. It is stunningly good - a bona fida classic. Chance sounds a lot like Aretha Franklin, which, I'm sure you'll agree, is pretty strong! Also check out "Rescue Me" by the same. The Basement Boys are fairly unstoppable, just now - everything on their label is worth at least checking. Jonny.
