Numero Group US Vinilo y CD

Review: Leon Bridges and Keite Young's rendition of 'Like A Ship' is a soulful masterpiece that pays homage to Pastor T.L. Barrett's gospel classic while adding a fresh Southern soul twist. Bridges' velvety vocals, combined with Young's passionate delivery and the stirring gospel choir, create a deeply moving musical experience. The track's heartfelt lyrics and uplifting melodies transport listeners to the heart of a joyous Sunday service, evoking a sense of spiritual renewal and celebration. With its classy organ solo and soul-stirring harmonies, this collaboration showcases the timeless power of gospel music while reaffirming Bridges and Young's status as rising stars in the world of soul and t&b.

Review: The Numero Group's reissue of Bump & The Soul Stompers' 'I Can Remember' is a potent soul gem from 1970. Recorded at the prestigious Damon Studios in Kansas City, this single captures the essence of the city's classic-era soul scene, spearheaded by the charismatic Jerald "Bump" Scott. 'I Can Remember' is a vibrant, jubilant track that ignites with its energetic horns, echoing the lively spirit of the era. The accompanying song on Side-2, 'Standing On The Outside', slows things down with a smooth r&b vibe, perfectly balancing the upbeat nature of the flip side. The single's blend of infectious rhythm and soulful depth makes this a very desirable 45 to have.

Review: Kansas City's soul scene wasn't built around a famous label or studio, but on the tireless work of America's Best Attractions, a booking agency run by Allen Bell. Bell wasn't just a booking agentihe was the lifeblood of the local music circuit, keeping acts like Bump & the Soul Stompers on the road, paid, and gig-ready. Led by Jerald "Bump" Scott, the group spent years in the grind without needing to set foot in a studio. But when they did, they chose Damon Studios, home to some of the best recording gear in the regionithanks to its owner, Victor Damon, the man who invented the spring reverb. Their first single, "I Can Remember", echoes the smooth finesse of The Delfonics' "Do You Remember," before Bump & the Soul Stompers spin the melody in their own direction. On the flip side, "Standing On The Outside" slows things down, making it an irresistible lowrider groove. It's a soul story that almost never saw the light of day, but now it's hereitwo tracks that pay homage to a hidden chapter of Kansas City's rich musical history.

Review: Why Do I Love You? Good question! Chicago's Magic Touch label gets the Numero treatment, hearing rare groove selector & DJ, Red Greg, edit the disco holy grail 'Why Do I Love You' by Magic Touch. Now available on 7" for the first time, we hear both Red Greg's full version and its instrumental edit, providing ample choice for selectors hoping to build versatile sets out of the Numero catalogue.

Review: Numero Group has another of their superb soul gems here from former Mind & Matter bandmates James "Jimmy Jam" Harris and Michael Dixon. The duo teamed up in 1978 for this gospel-boogie banger which first came on the private Mad label, so is now mad hard to find. 'You're Everything' is a classy dancer with a big heart and those Good worshipping vocals taking things to new heights. The flip is no slouch either and keeps the grooves coming with 'You're All I Need' another timeless classic that will improve any set and record collection no end.

Review: Numero's Hottest Sounds Around series has excelled at unveiling a treasure trove of late-70s Caribbean grooves. Now they look to Trinidad where Stan Chaman's Semp label originally presented the Hamilton Brothers' calypso-disco hit 'Music Makes The World Go 'Round' back in 1978. It is a vibrant sound with multi-layered grooves, plenty of inescapable summer vibes and a tropical edge that cannot fail to bring the good times to any session. On the flip is an instrumental that pairs things back to the bubbly rhythms. What's more, it comes on lovely pink vinyl.

Review: Willie Junei Lee was a guitarist active mainly throughout the 1970s. He toured with Curtis Mayfield and Albert King, so we're sure you'll agree that this constitutes enough social proof for his inclusion in Blue Note's latest reissue campaign. 'Let's Ride' is Lee's first ever single: channeling the spiritual rock influences of the likes of Santana and Jimi Hendrix, this is a guitar masterpiece for the ages.

Review: Described by Numero as a viral smash hit, whose pathogenic preponderance warranted use of the term "viral" even before the advent of the internet, The Notations' 1973 steamer 'I'm Still Here' documents the peak of the Chicago vocal soul trio's salad days as band. This was the second 45 to come out after the TAD Records debut from 1969, 'Trying My Best To Find Her', and is a telling triplet waltz, scolding the feminine listener-subject for her many ignominious refusals of love. Revisiting the single for a new music video in 2024, The Notations are indeed still here, repeating an unlearned lesson; and clearly, they have no more to say, with the brightly-lit chorale 'What More Can I Say' backing up the B-side.

Review: US soul group and Chicago's Southside favourites The Notations endured many musical evolutions in their time. The group released on both major labels and minor ones and had the likes of Sly Johnson and Curtis Mayfield taking care of their production. Numero Group has put together a first overview of their indie-label golden age on the album Still Here 1967-1973 which is full of lush r&b ballads as well as socially-conscious soul. Two of their best now also get pressed up to this 7" with heart-rending A-side and the swooning 'What More Can I Say' both immediately drawing you in. These have been sampled by Anderson.Paak, redveil and so may well sound familiar.

Review: Kansas City soul trio Bump & the Soul Stompers recorded their dreamy 1970 track 'I Can Remember', which had the makings of a low-rider classic-if only it had been released. A few years later, Jerald "Bump" Scott returned to the city's famed Cavern Studios with his new group to record the harmony-rich 'Living in the Past'. This track remained unreleased until Numero unearthed the Cavern tapes. As disco rose in the early 80s, Sharon Revoal cut her infectious groove 'Reaching for Our Star', the last single on Marva Whitney's celebrated Forte label.

Review: As the disco wave surged, Sharon Revoal's 'Reaching For Our Star,' a funky blend of James Brown intensity and cinematic flair, marked the final release on Marva Whitney's influential Forte label. This sultry, dreamy mid-west spacey soul gem has a heavy bounce to it. On Side-2. 'Run Between The Raindrops (While My Teardrops Fall)' is the ideal balance to the first side. This is a very classy soulful jam that already has it's own fans looking forward to this reissue. Originally released in 1980, this little 45 packs a punch and will be a desired release to get once word gets around.

Review: Say She She is the psychedelic soul group from Brooklyn that's exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and the pleasure of touring Europe and North America, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Authentic and organic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 attempt at foraying into disco 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' wasn't received amazingly at the time, but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is zany and expressive against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This 7" contains both Spencer's original track and the interpretation by the trio, pressed on white vinyl.

Review: Years after their 1970 sessions at Damon Studios in Kansas City, Bump & The Soul Stompers, under the direction of Jerald "Bump" Scott, adopted the name Unnatural Funk Band, a nod to the era's unconventional naming trends. Despite their efforts, "I Can Remember" failed to find a label. This led them to the famed Cavern Studios in Independence, Missouriiliterally carved out of a limestone cavern. The result is a fascinating juxtaposition of sounds: 'Living in the Past' offers a wistful, falsetto-laden journey with a laid-back narrative, evoking a nostalgic aura. In contrast, 'Strange Happenings' delivers a remarkable funk experience, revealing the band's prowess in crafting vibrant and innovative grooves. This track, a hidden gem from a virtually undocumented Kansas City soul ensemble, was uncovered with the help of Scott during the Numero Group's 2013 research for the Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label compilation. Unnatural Funk Band's release, featuring these previously unreleased tracks, represents a significant find for funk aficionados. The limited-edition 10" vinyl showcases their unique blend of nostalgic funk and innovative rhythms, a testament to the enduring impact of their music.

Review: A few years after recording at Damon Studios in Kansas City, Bump & The Soul Stompers-led by Jerald "Bump" Scott-rebranded as the Unnatural Funk Band. Unable to find a label for 'I Can Remember' they recorded at Cavern Studios, a unique space built in a Missouri limestone cave. Their track 'Living in the Past' features a nostalgic falsetto, while 'Strange Happenings' showcases a standout funk groove. This previously unreleased music was rediscovered with Scott's help during the Numero Group's research for the Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label collection, which now brings fresh attention to this rare Kansas City soul act.