Judy Street, the striking voice who began the Northern Soul movement with her massive hit “What,” is back with a new classic, “Nickel and a Penny.” Written by songwriting team Jim Pfau and Rob Tuvell, this latest release pulses with a familiar rhythm, honed on the same sense and sound that propelled Street to legend status, and opens up new ground for contemporary soul fans.
"Nickel and a Penny" is effectively a bridge between generations from the opening notes, intertwining timeless soul with contemporary emotional storytelling. Judy’s voice is a force of pure soul, floating over the top of bold, warm echoes of classic instrumentation. One or two lines from Judy’s performance are sufficient to explain why she has remained relevant for decades. Every line, every note sounds like it has been pulled straight from her life and experience, a testament to both her virtuosity and the incredible chemistry Pfau and Tuvell bring to their song crafting.
Production on the track is trimmed and full of soul, with Judy’s voice pushing forth from layers of soul backdrops. This song may fit with your favorite 70s vinyl cuts, but it’s a brutal reminder of soul’s permanence for streaming reality. Nickel and a Penny are not only a return but also a relentless confirmation of Judy Street’s spot on soul music’s emotional landscape.
Fans who first fell in love with the unadulterated, timeless joy of “What” will find its follow-up, "Nickel and a Penny," to be not only familiar but also revitalizing. All real soul music is alive, sure, it just needs to continue appearing in our hearts.
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