Back catalogue: Soul

Review: Izipho Soul is a gold standard of high quality and heart aching soul music. JDs Time Machine ft Cleveland P Jones is another great mix of indie soul and Jazz in animated picture sleeve. Both of these magnificent versions of this lovely track are a few years old but are making their vinyl debut here. 'Kiss Of Freedom' is a grand affair with golden, high class production with noodling bass, sunny chords and a soaring vocals backed with some great harmonies. The long version draws the whole thing out for even more extended bliss.

Review: 2 classic mixes from the master Tom Moulton. 2 classic & timeless tracks from the disco age

Review: Those who frequented Manchester clubs in the early 90s - particularly those where local hero Hewan Clarke plied his trade - will have danced to 'Got To Make Sure', one of a handful of killer street soul records made by Lancastrian vocalist Hughie Crawford as U-Bert. It is considered by some knowledgeable collectors as one of the greatest street soul records of all time. It's certainly been hard to find - hence this much-needed reissue from Backatcha Records. Happily, all three essential versions of the track are present. The original A-side 'Pablo Mix', a smooth, seductive and effortlessly soulful affair rich in loved-up dreaminess and fluttering synth sounds, comes backed by its original B-side, the jauntier and more dubbed out 'Minister Mix', and the more up-tempo, dancefloor ready 'Remix' (originally remixed under the alternative U-Bert & Co alias). Simply essential.

Review: GAMM has been a treasure trove of edits, golden old soul and forgotten funk gems for an eternity and they come correct again with this monstrous dance floor dynamite on a loud, one-sided vinyl pressing: Ukokos & Jabco's hip hop and gospel styled rework of the world renowned clip of Kanye West's Sunday Service band doing a live cover of "Keep Rising". A majestic, triumphant and real floor filling, crowd pleasing bomb that will bring everyone together for many years to come.

Review: We have long had a soft spot for the sounds that come out of DC label People's Potential Unlimited, which is affectionately known as PPU. It's always lo-fi but hi-class whether in original or reissue form. It's the latter here with leftfield Estonian artist Uku Kuut's 'Funky' 7" reappearing on wax. The opener is all singing synth lines and jumbled analogue drum funk with an oddball vocal and generally stuffy arrangement making it all the more lovable. On the flip is 'What's Happening Today', another unusual mix of sounds - synth, disco, funk and goofy vocals that will have the floor in a spin.

Review: French-Haitian saxophone player Ulysse laid this cult gem down in 1983. After its release, he became an underground sensation within the niche French boogie scene, Both of the tunes which now get reissued manage to successfully mix political statements with dance-floor fire. First up is 'Naima' which is about the resilience of a woman who has grown up in war. On the flip is 'Tiers Monde' which is a much more heavy digital reggae tune that offers a reminder that we must not forget about abandoned children of the Third World. This was big in Paris in the 80s and will be just as big now.

Review: This reissue seven-inch offers up another double-header of hard to find heat from the expansive vaults of the legendary Kent label. First up on the A-side is Unique Blend's 1973 cut "Gonna Spread The News", a spiraling chunk of sing-along soul goodness full of heady group vocals, cut-glass strings, hazy horns and clipped guitar riffs. Over on side B you'll find A.C. Tilmon & The Detroit Emeralds' 1975 side "That's All I Got", a slightly more up-tempo and punchier affair that prioritizes groove and vocals over any kind of orchestral sweetness.

Review: Athens Of The North's faultless run continues with this fresh new 7" from the United Spiritual Singers, about whom we know nothing. It is their one and only release on Discogs and it is from this year, which is remarkable given the authenticity of these super sweet and heart-aching soul sounds. A-side 'Not A Minute Too Late' is a bustling disco number with a funky rhythm section and big, characterful horns powering the groove along. The flip side is a slow, sultry number with plaintive chords and rich backing vocals adding a buttery feel to this real melter.

Review: Mega-chromatic soul-jazz with a dash of weirdness from The Universal Togetherness Band. 'I Want You' and 'Call For Love' were recorded between 1979 and 1982, and were subsequently shelved until one of the duo's members began doling out cassette versions, which led to an unearthing in 2014. Subdued and laid-back drums, clack-guitar and toothy bass all poke through this release's sexy soul snark.

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.

Review: Do you know Utena, Fukuoka's hottest soul jazz band comprised of Yamagiwa Mai, Seigo Takeshita, and Toshiyuki Morishige? If you don't, now is the time to get familiar as they drop their debut 7" single on Exhume Exhume Production, which is a label helmed by DJ Horishi. This double A-side features a stunning reimagining of the Japanese classic 'Natsu Hikari ni' which was originally by Tasumiko Yamaga and is transformed with smoky, soulful jazz stylings. The flipside presents 'Moon,' an original track by vocalist KAYO and guitarist Soraha (aka KEIJI), which showcases the band's signature new soul sound.

Review: The Universal Togetherness Band were an anomaly during their short, bright burst of energy recording in the late 70s and early 80s. Columbia College's audio engineering program became their gateway to recording their huge swathes of visionary soul, which ranks up there with the all-time greats like Stevie Wonder. Numero already reissued some of the group's standout tracks, but now comes a wave of unreleased demos from the group's Andre Gibson, recorded between 1980 and 1984. These are simply stunning songs, from the mellow Rhodes ballad 'Breakaway' to the snappy 'Stuck On A Thrill', mixed in with little segues and odd offcuts that sound all the more charming with the naturally lo-fi nature of the recordings.

Review: Well known as a super rare vinyl of sweet soul will be reissued again by P-VINE! originally issued by the TSG records in1976 (according to producer Bruce Clark, TSG's LP is bootleg as well as The Topics)

Review: Fresh on the heels of a first-time-on-CD edition of The Undisputed Truth's first three albums compiled into a single record, the American Motown signees and psychedelic soulsters now hear a revisiting of their first album - the emergent basis of the now renewed interest in the band - onto a limited edition LP by Kent Soul. Known for its prescient mixture of the classic Tamla Motown soul sound with psychedelic rock, fan favourites such as 'You Got The Love I Need' and 'Since I've Lost You' come amix with many covers, including 'I Got Heaven Right Here On Earth' and 'Like A Rolling Stone'. The sound is nocturnal and rife with tender, candlelit, story-time moods, with a slinky dark slickness contrasting a otherwise normally bright psychedelic sound.