Review: A new 7" from Sample & Example by Cut Creator$ delivers another rare, still mostly uncut gem in the tourmaline world of soul and funk. 'Here I Go Again' from 1976 hears Jean Plum, a soulful Memphis singer, come bundled together with 'Contact Off Funk' by Larry "T-Bird" Gordon, a masterpiece of Southern funk produced by the equally estimable Willie Mitchell. For enthusiasts of rare funk and soul, the influential Hi Records legacy is made evident once again.
Review: Ralph White's early ventures into disco are finally gathered in one place with the first official anthology of his 1978 recordings at Sydney's Albert Studios. Better known at the time as a session player and producer in the city's studio scene, White was tapped by M7 to craft four disco pieces aimed at an emerging dance market. Over just two days in the studio and a small group of local players - including a young Tommy Emmanuel - he recorded four standout cuts, together which remain some of the most refined Oceanian disco ever put to tape. Though the original 12"s saw limited success domestically, M7's distribution push into markets like Canada, India and Argentina helped cultivate a quiet cult following. Now remastered and housed in a deluxe spot-UV sleeve with inserts featuring new liner notes and White's biography, this reissue shines overdue light on a forgotten chapter in Australian dance music.
Review: Cassiano's Cuban Soul - 18 Kilates was first released in 1976 and is a landmark of Brazilian soul for the way it blends the groove of American r&b with native rhythms in a way few artists have matched. Long coveted by collectors, the album has achieved cult status and now returns remastered from the original tapes on 180g vinyl so it is sure to fly off the shelves. Cassiano's velvety vocals glide over lush, cinematic arrangements throughout and in doing so, evoke the grandeur of contemporaries like Tim Maia. From start to finish, this album is packed with depth, warmth and effortless cool, which makes it an essential listen for anyone who likes soul, samba and vintage Brazilian brilliance.
Review: The Chicago Gangsters, a family-led group originally from Akron, Ohio, span multiple genres from gritty funk to smooth soul. Despite that name, their work largely embodied a mixture of raw disco grooves and emotive ballads. Their 1976 sophomore release, which includes a memorable rendition of Eugene McDaniel's 'Feel Like Making Love' and the title track 'Gangster Love,' stands as a key part of their legacy. This track, notably their first 12" single, hints at their influence in shaping the disco funk sound of the era. While they recorded under the Gold Plate label, they later transitioned to RCA and Heat, producing tracks that resonated across the decades, most famously sampled in LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out.' Their energetic performances and varied discography left a lasting imprint on both the funk and early hip-hop scenes.
Review: Polish producer Latarnik and American vocalist Anthony Mills collide on this new album for Polish label Astigmatic to explore lo-fi hip-hop, soul, dub and experimental electronics. Mills's falsetto vocal brings great Neo-soul warmth to Crack Rock with emotionally charged tones soaring over the production which ranges from sugary and 80s-tinged disco and boogie on 'Crack' to deep, seductive and gooey on 'Passive Lover' which is a more romantic sound. Latarnik's work is often minimal yet immersive which creates space for Mills' voice to shine and is delivered in equal parts spoken word, chant and soulful croon. The hypnotic, slow-burning soundscapes that result are both intimate and confrontational, ready to make you dance but also often just to feel. Unapologetically raw and deeply human, this one lingers long after the final track ends.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Love You More (6:58)
Night Moves (feat Ruby Cesan) (5:48)
Just Holdin' On (feat Eo) (3:48)
Journey To The Peak (7:06)
Brother Of Mine (feat Vanessa Freeman) (5:44)
Sleek (5:02)
Come Into The Light (feat La Coco) (5:25)
Storm (feat Rachel Clerk) (5:20)
Don't Think (feat Eo) (6:45)
Running Man (1:51)
Give Thanks (feat Arjuna Oakes & Mark De Clive-Lowe) (4:38)
Belo Dia (6:06)
Notes (5:26)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
]Nathan Haines, the renowned New Zealand musician, unveils his 11th studio album, marking his first solo venture since 2014. Known for his talents of saxophone, flute, and composition across jazz, electronic and dance genres, Haines melds his signature jazz sound with vibrant electronic and disco influences on Notes. This labor of love began years ago in collaboration with the late UK producer Phil Asher, whose influence permeates the album despite his passing during its creation. Featuring guest vocalists like UK soul-diva Vanessa Freeman and emerging talents Ajuna Oakes, Ruby Cesan, La Coco, and EO, Notes showcases a diverse range of voices intertwined with Haines's own instrumental strength. With contributions from bassist Jkriv and electronic jazz innovator Mark de Clive-Lowe, alongside beats by Marc Mac and acoustic bass by his father Kevin, the album is full of spirit and musical evolution. Frank Booker's production on three tracks adds depth, while the acoustic rendition of Rare Silk's 'Storm,' featuring vocalist Rachel Clarke, stands out as a poignant artistic highlight.
How Do I Let A Good Man Down? (instrumental) (2:57)
Natural Born Lover (instrumental) (3:03)
Stranded In Your Love (feat Lee Fields - instrumental) (6:05)
My Man Is A Mean Man (instrumental) (3:19)
You're Gonna Get It (instrumental) (4:53)
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (instrumental) (2:57)
This Land Is Your Land (instrumental) (4:35)
Your Thing Is A Drag (instrumental) (3:35)
Fish In The Dish (instrumental) (3:15)
All Over Again (instrumental) (4:41)
Review: Brooklyn's Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were already underground legends by 2005, but this was the release that blew the doors wide open. Reissued here in a 20th anniversary remaster with full instrumental versions, it captures the group in peak form: tight, defiant and dripping with groove. From the snarling funk of 'My Man is a Mean Man' to the gospel-inflected ache of 'Stranded' and the rolling swagger of 'You're Gonna Get It', every track is a showcase for Jones' irrepressible power. 'How Long Do I Have to Wait For You?' and 'This Land is Your Land' still hit like soul standards, while 'Fish in My Dish' and 'Your Thing is a Drag' lean into grit and grind. The instrumentals only deepen the appreciation: pure rhythm section muscle. Recorded in Bushwick's now-legendary House of Soul, it's the record that built the Daptone soundiand lit the fuse for a soul revival that still resonates today.
El Paso Del Gigante/La Dana De Los Mirlos/Cumbia Sampuesana (4:17)
Lucia (4:27)
Angel’s Point (3:17)
San Fernando Rose (3:21)
Juana La Cubana (3:52)
Llorar (3:41)
Ooo Baby (4:00)
Cascabel (4:07)
Review: LA Lom's March 2024 show at Chicago's Thalia Hall debuts on vinyl for Record Store Day 2025 a year or so after the band's defining live moment. Just months after packing the Empty Bottle, the band returned to an even larger crowd, which served as proof of their ever-growing Chicago fanbase. Determined to keep the raw energy of their LA roots alive, they built a bright red round stage in the centre of the hall and were surrounded by fans dancing and singing from every side. The night was captured on film and tape by longtime collaborator Jacob Butler and now, the much talked about performance featuring original tracks, classic cumbia covers and a Smokey Robinson ballad finally makes its way to wax.
Review: New Zealand collective Leisure collides many different musical worlds on their genre-blurring sophomore album, genre-blurring. Soul, r&b, rock and pop all get taken in and worked into a lush sound defined by its experimental energy. There are several standout tracks like 'Money' and 'Feeling Free' that showcase their signature sun-soaked vocals and smooth grooves. Elsewhere, Twister brings a bold, modern take on funk, which has won over both fans and critics with 'On My Mind' a prime example of their boundless creativity and knack for warm textures and adventurous spirit. As such, it's a record that cements the group's place as contemporary innovators.
Review: The debut release from Hebrew Israelite vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Margeeah Aharon was recorded in July 1983 with the Kingdom Sounds community band in Tel Aviv. This deeply introspective blend of jazz, soul, funk and reggae is guided by Margeeah Aharon's soothing yet resolute voice, imbued with a meditative graceidrifting between the searching melodies of 'Bring The People Home' and the deep-rooted spirituality of 'Rise Black Spirit', while 'Music Is My Love' glows with warmth and devotion. The reflective 'Daughters Of Zion' and the title track capture Aharon's gift for meditative storytelling, where faith and longing intertwine. Decades later, the album's messages of love and self-discovery are as vital as ever.
Review: Pantechnicons of Philadelphia soul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes reached their musical peak with Teddy Pendergrass between 1972 and 1975. Their 1975 album Wake Up Everybody hears Pendergrass' last vocal contribution to a band before he went solo; the record is filled with thought-provocations and gnomic lyrics, and became famous more by way of its covers than its originals. Returning the favour, 'Wake Up Everybody' was later covered by John Legend & The Roots, while 'Don't Leave Me This Way' became a disco classic thanks to the vamping vocal verves of Thelma Houston. This 750-copy 50th anniversary repress now comes with a special bonus: a rare 11-minute remix of 'Don't Leave Me This Way' by remixing pioneer Tom Moulton.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Where Is Love (4:01)
Plain To See (5:00)
Make It Last (3:53)
Take Me Away (4:04)
Never Felt Like This (3:53)
You & Me (3:11)
Maybe Next Time Around (3:46)
What Happened To Us (3:05)
Looking For Your Phone Number (3:14)
Fly Away (3:05)
Listen To The Sound (5:02)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
A fresh compilation album documents the best of the late 70s disco-funk-jazz-everything band Phyrework, synthesising a pyrotechnist's hand and a cutting engineer's ear. The Texan group were signed to Mercury in 1978 and released a hotly acclaimed debut album, and while their talents matched the likes of Sly And The Family Stone and Earth, Wind & Fire, they remained criminally under-world, resulting in the band's disbandment after the release. So this is a salvaging effort worth your while; a whopping nine of the songs have never been heard before, and only a complementary two appeared on the original early 80s single. All produced by Michael Cooper of Con Funk Shun, the likes of 'My Funk', 'Never Felt Like This' and 'What Happened To Us' command an extra jerkiness and synthweight bolshiness not nailed by many of their much-more-famous contemporaries.
Be Kind To The Growing Mind (with The Temptations) (4:37)
Food For Thoughts (4:00)
Review: One of the most iconic voices of the past 60 years blends heartfelt covers with original material on his latest album. Each track is carried by Robinson's eternally smooth and expressive voice. His take on William DeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You Got' radiates gentle optimism, while his rendition of Bill Withers' 'Lean On Me' feels like a personal reassurance that is intimate, direct and comforting. Robinson doesn't just revisit the past, he breathes new emotional life into it. From the uplifting tones of 'What a Wonderful World' to the classic soul lean of 'Be Kind To The Growing Mind', re-recorded with The Temptations, the album serves both as a tribute and a call for compassion. The covers of Carole King and Bob Marley deepen the album's message who, like Smokey, have long advocated for love and understanding through music. You will find Smokey communicating soul-deep truths with elegance and feeling. In uncertain times, this is feel-good music delivered by one of the most meaningful voices of any eraia soft-spoken reminder of our shared humanity.
Review: SAULT's masterful combination of soul, funk and gospel has made them a major underground phenomenon and that's a position that this, their 11th album, only helped to reinforce when it emerged in December 2024. Helmed by producer Inflo and featuring Cleo Sol's velvety vocals, the album unfolds as a seamless 32-minute suite of nine tracks, brimming with lush instrumentals and poignant themes of love, connection and resilience. While it leans less on the political sharpness of 2020's Untitled (Black Is), the album's spiritual undertones and hopeful messages shine with equal brilliance. From the Marvin Gaye-esque syncopations of opener 'I Look For You' to the jazz-infused 'Set Your Spirit Free', each song flows effortlessly into the next. Tracks like 'Soul Clean' and 'Someone To Love You' evoke 70s funk with wah-wah guitars and vibrant percussion, while the sensual, gospelly closer 'Pray For Me' wraps the album in shimmering strings and heartfelt intimacy. Despite its repetitive moments, the dynamic arrangements and Cleo Sol's stirring delivery keep the momentum alive. For those seeking solace or upliftment, Acts of Faith offers a cohesive and soul-nourishing experienceiits blend of genres and meditative beauty, a comforting reminder of music's power to heal.
Hot Fun In The Summertime (mono single Master) (2:39)
Everybody Is A Star (mono single Master) (3:01)
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (6:18)
Thank You For Talkin’ To Me, Africa (alternate mix) (4:50)
Family Affair (Questlove Rhythm King edit) (4:33)
Runnin’ Away (alternate mix) (3:26)
Just Like A Baby (5:09)
Babies Makin’ Babies (Interlude) (0:55)
If You Want Me To Stay (Alternate Version) (2:38)
Thankful N’ Thoughtful (Alternate Version) (4:49)
Family Affair (Wedding Band Interlude) (0:39)
Can’t Strain My Brain (3:55)
Stand! (Take 1) (3:29)
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) (5:22)
Review: This soundtrack delves deep into the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, offering an immersive experience of the American funk legends' groundbreaking music and the complexities that shaped their journey. The collection takes listeners through the band's rise to fame, highlighting their timeless funk and soul hits, while also reflecting on the unseen burdens faced by Black artists in America. Notable tracks like 'Sing A Simple Song (Alternate Mix)' and 'Underdog' offer fresh takes on familiar classics, giving fans new perspectives on songs that have long been anthems. There are also remixes, such as J.PERIOD's edits of 'Dance To The Music' and 'Everyday People,' which breathe new energy into the band's beloved sound. The collection also features rare versions of tracks like 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' and 'Family Affair,' adding to the richness of Sly's musical legacy. By incorporating interviews and insights from figures like Andre 3000, D'Angelo, and George Clinton, the soundtrack elevates the music, providing a context that goes beyond just the sound. It's a poignant reminder of the depth of Sly & The Family Stone's influence, revealing how their music continues to resonate with generations.
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