Review: Before making it big with Maze, Frankie Beverly was the man behind Raw Soul, a heavyweight, politically conscious band whose fuzzy, full-throttle sound sat somewhere between the J.B's and Sly & The Family Stone. The band's most famous moment was 1975 single 'Color Blind', which was originally recorded as 'What's The Color?' Here that never-before-heard recording is finally issued. Rich in fuzz-soaked horns, crunchy drum-breaks, weighty bass and clipped funk guitar licks, the track features some superb, James Brown style lead vocals from Beverly. Brilliantly, there's also a chance to savour the unheard Raw Soul instrumental version, which features an extended, DJ-friendly drum solo midway through. A slice of history that's well worth picking up. As played by DJ Koco....
Review: This reissue brings to light one of most treasured and elusive recordings of soul music from the 60s. 'One Step Ahead', famously featured in Moonlight and sampled in Mos Def's 'Ms. Fat Booty', stands as a deep masterpiece from her early Columbia years. Released two years before her meteoric rise at Atlantic Records, this track never appeared on any of her Columbia albums, making it a rarity sought after by fans and collectors alike. The flip side, 'I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face', is equally spellbinding. Franklin's rendition of this classic exudes raw emotion and vocal brilliance, elevating it to a level that's both powerful and deeply moving. This special 7" pressing is for anyone passionate about Aretha's legacy. It captures a pivotal moment in her career and offers a chance to own a piece of soul music history, filled with timeless artistry.
Review: Colemine's latest transmigration of soul comes incarnated in rainbow-hued 45 form, culling two more slamming singles from Aaron Frazer's new and forthcoming LP, Into The Blue. Following the Brooklyn drummer and singer's earlier 2024 7"s 'Bad News/Done Lyin' and 'Bring You A Ring', we now consider ourselves further enriched by this contradictorily loose but tight soul-funk flabbergaster, which veers bassy and beatific, making stark and strident use of etheric vocals by singer Kiyamma Griffin.
Review: "A revelatory blast of soul, R&B and off-the-rails piano jams". Rolling Stone magazine could not have been much clearer in its recommendation of Plain Sight. Neal Francis' second album, released in 2021, nodded to everyone from George Clinton to Sly and the Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield to Prince. It was pop songwriting in the truest sense - free and experimental yet somehow universally enjoyable and captivating. The third, Francis Comes Alive, offered, not more of the same, but equally generous helpings of funk-infused, r&b topped soul-groove with a lashings of overbite. Now Return To Zero proves those were no flukes. That familiarly unpredictable yet soothing Francis sound is more refined and elegant than ever, but still seems to want to take you towards the hazy neon glow of a backstreet dancefloor long after dark.
Review: Frollen Music Library is a premium sample library and production house focused on live ensemble recordings and analogue production techniques. Drawing inspiration from the 60s and 70s - which is of course - the era that shaped hip-hop sampling, it provides producers with accessible, high-quality sample packs. Founded by long-time collaborators Darvid Thor, Henry Jenkins and Hudson Whitlock who are all active members of Melbourne's soul scene, the library offers a rich collection of sounds perfect for film, television and music productions. It's an essential resource for fans of artists like David Axelrod and Ennio Morricone and also makes for a good standalone listen.
Review: Frollen Music Library is a high-quality sample library and production house specialising in live ensemble recordings and analogue production techniques. It has a creative process rooted in a love for 60s and 70s music, the foundational sounds for hip-hop sampling, so offers producers easy-to-use sample packs. Created by long-time collaborators Darvid Thor, Henry Jenkins and Hudson Whitlock who are members of Melbourne's soul scene, Frollen Music Library is a rich sound source for productions and compositions in film and television and a go-to resource for fans of artists like David Axelrod and Ennio Morricone. It also works as an evocative mental trip when listened to from back to front.
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