Edwin Starr was a Northern Soul hero, noted for his Ric Tic and Gordy/Tamla Motown recordings in the mid to late 60s. He is best known for his international chart topper 'War' a Vietnam War protest song from 1970. These two sides are from the same album 'War And Peace' 'Time' has been one of Edwin's most in demand Northern Soul dancers for many decades and certain issues of original copies have sold for over £250. In more recent times the flip side 'Running Back And Forth' has been played and is demand on the Northern Soul/Crossover Soul scene making...
Sy Smith has been making her own style of independent Soul since 1999, having been featured on our Organic Soul vol 3 comp over 20 years ago. Her 6th album 'Until We Meet Again' is possibly her best to date, and certainly one of the best Soul albums you are likely to hear in 2024. It contains 10 well crafted songs, highlighting her lovely unique voice. One of the standouts is her self produced mid tempo song 'Why Do You Keep Calling Me' which brings back memories of Minnie Riperton or Deniece Williams from the 70s. 'Photograph' is another lovely...
Zan is a brand new 80's style boogie album from Australian singer Zan Abeyratne and husband, and Mother Earth bassist, Neil Corcoran. This record could easily have been recorded in 1983, it has such an authentic feel. It consists of eight new tracks, mainly uptempo groovers. 'Follow My Heart' is a great soulful boogie dancer. 'Free (Boogie mix) ' is a bass heavy driving dancer. 'No Secret' is a bouncy floorfiller and 'Nightfall' is another highlight, but this album is good throughout. Don't miss out on this limited edition vinyl album.
Lonnie Smith recorded his Funk Reaction album for Sonny Lester's LRC label in 1977.It contains his Jazz-Funk/Disco hit 'Funk Reaction' and the slightly Jazzier 'For The Love Of It'. The albums also includes two killer mid tempo Jazz-Funk tracks. 'Babbitt;s Other Song' is a beautiful mystical track written and arranged by heavily recorded session bassist Bob Babbitt who features on the track. Eddie Daniels plays a great Tenor sax solo on this track that gains tempo as it progresses over its 6 minutes. The other standout is the beautiful 'When The Night Is Right' which features a nice guitar solo from Richie...
We are super excited to announce that the new Kamasi Washington album is now in stock. Kamasi's 5th studio album 'Fearless Movement' partly inspired by the recent arrival of his daiughter is his most concise of all his albums. Whilst there are still strong elements of the expansive orchestral elements that have become characteristic of Kamasi's sound this record takes on a more grounded approach with the focus more on smaller ensembles and guest contributors, with the album featuring appearances from Andre 3000, George Clinton, Thundercat, Dwight Trible, just to name a few. To celebrate the release of this record...
José James releases his twelfth Album ‘1978’ (his birth year) and it is one of his most soulful to date. It has a very mellow soul sound reminiscent of the year and period it is named after. ‘Let’s Get It’ has very hypnotic groove with nice percussion and a four piece string section. ‘Saturday Night (Need You Know) ‘ subtly has a little more tempo without being an out and out dancer. Xenia Franca co-wrote and sings on the folky soul ‘Place Of Worship’ . ’38th & Chicago’ is possibly the albums highlight with a lilting groove and superb percussion...
Keyboard legend Lonnie Smith recorded the killer ‘Afrodesia’ album for Sonny Lester’s Groove Merchant label in 1975. It features a great line of Lonnie on keyboards and organ, Ron Carter and Ralphe Armstrong on basses, Ben Riley and Jamey Huddad on drums, Joe Lovano on sax (one of his earliest recordings), Greg Hopkins on Trumpet and an uncredited George Benson on guitar on three of the albums five cuts. ‘Afrodesia’ is a very funky Jazz nine minute compelling groove with Lonnie on keyboards featuring a lead male vocal and female backing vocals and great solos as it chugs along, a...
Donald Byrd was always trying to push the boundaries of the Blue Note sound and ‘A New Perspective’ is a clear illustration. In the seventies, Byrd would embrace Jazz Funk and with his first effort in this style produced the biggest selling album in Blue Note’s catalogue up to that point –‘Black Byrd’. Back in January 1963 when ‘A New Perspective’ was recorded, Donald Byrd was still a mainstream Blue Note artist. His rich soulful trumpet caresses notes using space in much the same way as Miles Davis and allows the music space to breathe. On ‘Elijah’ – a tribute...
Joe Henderson recorded this seminal album 'Power To The People' in 1969, his third album for the Milestone label, but the first in a series of great spiritual inspired jazz albums. Joe is joined by a great line up featuring Herbie Hancock on keys, Ron Carter on Bass, Jack De Johnette Drums, and Mike Lawrence on trumpet, who support and interweave with Henderson's powerful and expressive tenor sax playing. 'Black Narcissus' is a beautiful track with a lovely melody played with amazing clarity, he would revisit this tune in the 70s. 'Afro- Centric' has a far more urgent groove and...
For today's album of the day we are presenting the most recent addition of Colin Curtis's Jazz Dance Fusion series. This brilliant compilation is available on LP and CD, with the LP version being split across two gatefold albums. Trumpeter Bill Ortiz is joined by Azar Lawrence on sax and Brian Jackson on Piano for a breakneck version of Eddie Henderson's 'Fusion/Noche Cubana' heavy vibes ! GeeW cover Rose Royce classic 'Still In Love' jazz dance style ft Navasha Daya on vocals. Tom Funk's The Sultans Swing '46 To Somewhere' grooves along nicely. The music's heritage is represented by Charro Band...
