Soul charts

Review: Heavyweight champions of the compilation world, Numero Group, defend their undisputed title once more with this collection of greats from San Antonio mogul Abe Epstein's Dynamic label. In its heyday, it became a hub for soulful music with its flagship band the Commands scoring a hit in 1966 with 'No Time For You.' Their success led to 20 more singles over 30 months and Epstein's inclusive studio welcomed a diverse racial mix of Texas talent which in turn created a melting pot of sound. This collection reflects that across 28 gems from groups like the Tonettes, Little Jr. Jesse & the Tear Drops and Bobby Blackmon & His Soul Express all exploring different soul niches.

Review: The Numero group can hardly ever do any wrong and, as per usual, they've steamrolled their way to the top of our charts with a monstrously good new soul compilation. It was ten years ago this year that they released their Homeschooled compilation, which also championed the young talents of the 70s soul scene in the USA, so The Afterschool Special feels like a natural release from their end. And there's just so much talent in here. Number 66 in the series features must-have 7" rarities such as "Runnin' Wild" by Scott Three, who already sounds as mature as any adult, the squeakier voice of Jimi Hill, a gloriously funky little head-trip in "I Love You Still" by Cash, and so much more. This compilation is literally four sides of pure heat, and it's certainly yet another highly recommended Numero bombshell.

Review: There was one irrepressible Chicago club act that refused to be replaced by any DJ's sound system. Soul septet Maxx Traxx (and Third Rail before them) commanded a scene unto themselves in the early 80s, playing live five-plus nights a week somewhere in the 312. Their two LPs, both recorded in 1982, are a sheer energy-ride almost too explosive to be captured by studio tape. And yet these two stone-cold classics would remain unanswered by a city, as it moved determinedly toward the motorik sound of house. Hop the turnstile and move with this complete document of Chicago's last great club band told in detailed text, newly revealed photos and complete studio recordings painstakingly remastered.

Review: Numero Group's Minibus is a condensed masterpiece, distilling the essence of their sprawling 2012 art object, Eccentric Soul: Omnibus, into a double album of soulful delights. Spanning from 1966 to 1980, this collection traverses the diverse landscape of American soul, seamlessly blending group harmony, funk, disco and modern soul. Housed in a deluxe gatefold with detailed notes and photographs, it's a treasure trove for music aficionados. Minibus fills a crucial gap in any Numero enthusiast's collection, reaffirming the label's reputation for unearthing and celebrating extraordinary musical discoveries.

Review: From 1967-1980, Kansas City's Forte Records captured nearly every iteration of popular Black music; basement beehiver-y from The Ray-Ons and Four Darlings, funky soul from Gene Williams Lee Harris, Louis Chachere, and The Fantastiks, downtempo disco ballads from James Whitney and Sharon Revoal and the newly independent work of James Brown's former Soul Sister numero uno, Marva Whitney. Compiled here are 28 of the label's enduring sides, contextualised with copious photos, ephemera, and essay, all housed in heavy weight gatefold jacket. Who knows how to do 'The Hen'?

Review: 'Beehive Breaks' is a new curveball from the Numero label, pitting together 15 'feminine funk' fixtures for your listening pleasure. All sourced from the label's back catalogue, we're met with an impressive array of funky-drummed, double-X'ed ditties, from Sandy Gaye's Cruella-synched 'Watch The Dog That Brings The Bone' to James Brown's soul sister #1 Marva Whitney; from teenage girl gangs The Trinikas and Promise, to Miami's queen of soul, Betty Wright; and to top it all off, there's even a previously unissued belter from Chicago's Sonics Band on there.