An excellent bit of modern soul -- a smooth seductive album that fits perfectly with an older mellow groove, but which also sparkles with the best recent efforts of the past decade. Maxwell's got a wonderful vocal style -- reminding us a bit of classic Isley Brothers, Leon Ware, or O'Jays in a... read more
Stephanie McKay (aka McKay) --
Tell It Like It Is ... CD
Muthas Of Invention (UK),
2008. New Copy ....
$13.9914.98
We've been waiting years for this one -- and our patience has been duly rewarded! Stephanie McKay teased us a few years back with a self-titled EP, issued after her UK debut (as McKay) -- but with this finally-released full album, she really blows our mind -- emerging as one of the strongest soul... read more
Noel McKoy --
Brighter Day ... CD
Tri Sound (UK),
2009. New Copy ....
$20.99
Classic styled soul from powerhouse UK soul singer Noel McCoy -- passionate and very well done -- with flashes of 60s Motown, late sophisticated string and brassy 70s sounds, and grittier bits of funk! The production and arrangements are top notch, often with a pretty big sound with strings and... read more
Monday Michiru is one of the few contemporary artists to get the Free Soul treatment -- but that's more than ok with us, given the depth of her work, and her near-classic sound! The collection brings together some of the most soulful and deeply flowing tunes by Monday from the past decade or so --... read more
Melba Moore & Phil Perry --
Gift Of Love ... CD
Shanachie,
2009. New Copy ....
$16.9918.98
Sweet modern soul from Melba Moore & Phil Perry -- upbeat and uptempo modern soul and some smoothed out mellow moments, too! The production crisp, leaning and grooving -- taking cues of from the late 70s and 80s schools of inspirational soul and r&b -- with the duo in excellent shape... read more
PJ Morton Live In LA -- sounding even edgier than on his studio albums, thanks to some sharp backing from the band! There's a great mix of the rough and the smooth going on here -- gritty guitars one minute, warmer keyboards the next -- all in a complicated blend that marks Morton as one of the... read more
Georgia Anne Muldrow --
Early ... CD
Animated Cartunes,
Early 2000s/2009. New Copy ....
$12.9917.98
The early recordings of Georgia Anne Muldrow -- and they're stunning -- showing Georgia's depth of soul and boundless creativity was in full force even in her late teens! As a whole, the tunes on Early are a bit leaner and less trippy than some of her more recent recording, but her spirit is as... read more
The most astral album ever on Stones Throw -- written, produced, played and sung by the stunning Georgia Anne Muldrow -- the deepest avant garde funky soul effort we've heard in years from anyone on a beathead record label this side of Dwight Trible! Georgia reportedly has personal roots that can... read more
Georgia Anne Muldrow --
Umsindo ... CD
E1,
2009. New Copy ....
$13.9915.98
Georgia Anne Muldrow's cosmic funky soul keeps rolling on -- bring even more depth to her evolving, unstoppable creative energy with Umsindo! The album is a dedicated Afrocentric social awareness, but she steers clear of strident righteousness in favor of a funky, soulful elemental vibe -- mixing... read more
A stunner of a debut EP from Georgia Anne Muldrow -- the first, and to date the only female singler on Stones Throw! Georgia may be a somewhat familiar name to fans of the SA-RA Creative Partners and Platinum Pied Pipers -- as she's collaborated with both camps. She also shares an affinity with... read more
Randy Muller Boom Chang Bang --
Groovin U ... CD
Wave Hill,
2007. New Copy ....
$7.99
Sweet and smooth grooves from the legendary Randy Muller -- an artist we know from his great work with larger horns in 70s soul, but who steps out nicely here on his own! The album focuses on Randy's own work on funky flute -- and features some really great grooves with a sweetly jazzy style! ... read more
Tremendous work from N'Dambi -- a set that really moves her career forward strongly, while still holding onto the best soulful sound of her roots! The album's N'Dambi's first for a big label -- the newly-reformed Stax -- but it's got a perfectly balanced sound that's sure to please any past fans... read more
A bold shift for N'Dambi -- and a record that's far different than the jazzy introspection of her Tunin Up & Cosignin album! The sound here is much tighter and more focused -- witth N'Dambi hitting a funkier groove overall -- a style that hearkens back to her initial debut, but which also... read more
M Nahadr --
Eclecticism ... CD
Livewired,
2009. New Copy ....
$8.9914.98
Really righteous work from M Nahadr -- a singer with a sound that's unlike anything else we can think of! At points, there's a slightly cosmic vibe to the music -- a bit like some of the hippest underground Cali soul of late -- but at other points, the album's got a complexity that's really hard... read more
Meshell Ndegeocello --
Comfort Woman ... CD
Maverick,
2003. New Copy ....
$8.9918.98
Another dazzling batch of tunes from Meshell Ndegeocello -- an incredible songwriter and performer who may have peaked commercially a few years back, but she is still maturing in ways that stretch far, far beyond the chart singles she scored in the past! The woman has never put out the same album... read more
Meshell Ndegeocello --
Devil's Halo ... CD
Downtown,
2009. New Copy ....
$13.9914.99
Meshell Ndegeocello has been delivering one masterful set of astral soul, funk and avant groove gems after another since her commercial peak in the 90s -- and Devil's Halo is as excellent, if not better than all of the others! If there's one thing we absolutely love more than any other fascinating... read more
Soulful club funk Joey Negro & friends -- the second volume in the Many Faces Of Joey Negro series -- featuring material from the man himself proper plus cuts credited to Sunburst Band, Doug Willis, Sessomatto, Dave Lee and more! There's an evergreen cosmic club groove to Joey's work that... read more
Ohm Guru --
Cinema ... CD
Irma (Italy),
2009. New Copy ....
$12.99
Deeper soul than usual from Ohm Guru -- a record that really has them getting past some of their simpler dancefloor tricks, and heading into some surprisingly rich territory! The main attraction here is vocalist Caterina Soldati -- who sings in English on most of the tracks, with a soaring,... read more
Michael Olatuja --
Speak ... CD
ObliqSound,
2009. New Copy ....
$10.9914.98
A beautiful mix of global grooves and Neo Soul -- put together by bassist Michael Olatuja, but featuring some especially nice vocals from guests who include Lynden David Hall, Ty, Terri Walker, Eska Mtungwazi, and Onaje Jefferson! There's kind of a cosmic jazzy feel to the whole record -- a... read more
The best work in years from Robert Owens -- a set that pushes way past his roots in Chicago house, thanks to help from a host of great producers! There's still a bit of a spare 80s electric vibe going on here -- but many of the tracks reach for higher territory too, and show a deeper sense of soul... read more
Lizzy Parks --
Raise The Roof ... CD
Tru Thoughts (UK),
2008. New Copy ....
$10.9911.98
An incredible set of funky soul from Lizzy Parks -- a UK singer who works partly in the deep funk territory of other artists on the Tru Thoughts label, but one who also has a more sophisticated side as well! Parks gets some great help here on the album from Benedic Lamdin and Riann Vosloo of the... read more
Rahsaan Patterson --
Ultimate Gift ... CD
Artistry,
2008. New Copy ....
$16.9917.98
A surprising step for Rahsaan Patterson, but a great one too -- an album of Holiday music that shows a whole new side of his talents! The album's every bit as soulful as earlier work by Rahsaan, but it also shows some different modes as well -- tunes that are catchy, captivating, and destined to... read more
No wines or spirits in evidence here -- as Rahsaan Patterson's even tighter than ever, and certainly not in need of a quick nip to get his groove this great! The album's awash in wonderful vocals from Patterson -- that heavenly crackle that really makes him stand out from his contemporaries, and... read more
An amazingly great new album from The Persuaders -- quite possibly their best so far since the group's debut on Atlantic, and a brilliant mix of older harmonies and newer grooves! There's none of the "old group trying to come back" feel here -- because, if anything, The Persuaders sound... read more
Alessia Piermarini --
PG Major 7 ... CD
Alessia Piermarini (Italy),
2009. New Copy ....
$13.99
A sweet soul set from Alessia Piermarini -- an Italian singer, but one with a vibe that matches some of our favorite American artists from the contemporary underground! The album's got a wonderful feel throughout -- lots of warm Fender Rhodes on all tracks, which makes for a perfect combination... read more
Platinum Pied Pipers --
Triple P ... CD
Ubiquity,
2005. New Copy ....
$12.9915.98
The long-awaited debut from Platinum Pied Pipers -- an incredible set that melds underground soul, deep hip hop, and innovative club groove into a cohesive sound all its own! The PPP is essentially the duo of Waajeed (a founding member of Slum Village and frequent Jay Dee collaborator) and guitar-a... read more
Warmly meditative work from Plunky -- a spare set of duets recorded with singer Shadiah, all in a stretched-out and spacey spiritual style! Plunky plays soprano sax throughout -- often in long, openly flowing lines -- and Shadiah both sings righteous lyrics and plays some additional world music... read more
Fernanda Porto --
Auto-Retrato ... CD
EMI (Brazil),
2008. New Copy ....
$22.99
Fernando Porto's very much at the top of her groove here -- stepping out with the same sort of hip rhythms and electric elements that made us love her early work on Trama Records! Porto's way more than just another Brazilian female singer -- as she definitely digs a wide variety of 21st Century... read more
James Poyser's genre skirting Rebel Yell -- shaking off any preconceived notions and laying out a mix of electro soul, thumping hip hop, cosmic r&b and more -- a wildly eclectic set of catchy hooks and sprawling atmosphere! James is the ringleader of a group featuring vocalist SupaStar, plus... read more
Bold, funky work from Rad -- one of those singers that we've always thought should have gotten bigger fame over the past decade or so -- given that her style is almost as badass as some of our favorite funky females from the 70s! The album's got a lean groove that's plenty classic -- lots of right... read more
Hard to believe its been over a decade since we first started digging the music of Rad -- but the groove here is stronger than ever, and filled with the kind of classic soul and funk touches that first made Rad stand out many years back! The instrumentation is incredibly tight -- great keyboards... read more
A wonderful bit of jazzy soul -- kind of in the mode of Monday Michiru, but with a bit of a bay area twist. Female vocalist Rad sings and plays keyboards on the record -- giving the tracks a nice mellow soul feel with some work on Fender Rhodes, mini moog, and other keyboards -- and she's backed... read more
Rad live in Japan -- laying down a wonderful version of the funky soul we've always loved on her studio albums! There's a leanness to the record that's almost more classic-styled than some of her previous work -- a really tight little groove that falls beautifully in a Bay Area legacy of jazz-style... read more
Funky soul from The Revelations and lead vocalist Tre Williams -- a deeply soulful set that's a great mix of classic soul and funk influences, but hardly a throwback -- actually quite a timeless, live band soul set! Some of the tunes feel like a modern spin on Hi Records style soul, with punchy... read more
Modern soul prince Calvin Richardson takes on the Bobby Womack songbook -- and pulls it very well -- with takes that are faithful to the classic groove with a timeless sense of soul! Richardson has always done his thing with a genuine love of 60s & 70s soul, so it's a pretty natural fit for... read more
Beautifully breaking soul from Erik Rico -- a CD that brings together two albums in a wonderfully overstuffed package -- one that's bristling with cosmic energy from the start! There's a really electric feel to the music -- a sound that puts Erik right in the company of artists he shouts out to in... read more
Brilliant work from America's next great soul singer -- the incredible Eric Roberson, one of the freshest male soul vocalists in years! At one level, Eric's work is steeped in the classic styles of Donnie Hathaway and Marvin Gaye -- but at another, it's completely without cliche or stylistic... read more
A heavily reworked version of Eric Roberson's massive Vault album -- one of our favorite new soul releases of the past few years! This version shares a cover and title with the first version, but overall, it's practically a whole new record -- with 8 songs out of 12 that are completely new,... read more
Beautiful, simply beautiful -- a fantastic DVD package that really captures all the charm and charisma of Eric Roberson -- easily one of the greatest soul artists working today! We've always loved Eric's music on CD, and we're happy to say that we've put it in the hands of thousands of customers... read more
Eric Roberson --
Esoteric ... CD
Eric Roberson,
2001. New Copy ....
$10.99
The genesis of a modern soul genius -- Eric Roberson's first album, finally back in print, and filled with a wonderful assortment of early work! Eric kind of set this one up as an introduction to his wide range of talents -- including notes in the booklet about each tune and the story of its... read more
Eric Roberson --
Left ... CD
Blue Erro Soul,
2007. New Copy ....
$10.99
Instant genius from the mighty Eric Roberson -- easily one of the greatest soul singers we've ever heard -- and that's saying a lot, given how many records we've listened to over the years! Eric's one of the few artists who can bring a smile to our face from the very first note of a new album --... read more
Damn wonderful music from Eric Roberson -- an artist who never lets us down! Eric's got a style that's unlike anyone else we can think of -- warm, wonderful, and full of joy -- without any posturing modes at all, and a down to earth sensibility that's kept him at the top of our playlists for years... read more
A brilliant set from one of the greatest voices in 21st Century soul -- and a record that has Alice exploring even more territory than her first! Russell's got a sound that's effortlessly classic -- one of those voices that grabs you like some lost jazz vocalist or soul singer from years past, but... read more
Alice Russell --
Pot Of Gold ... CD
Little Poppet/Six Degrees,
2008. New Copy ....
$15.9916.98
Funky soul from the great Alice Russell -- the first effort on her own label, and a killer set that's right up there with the greatness of previous albums! TM Juke produced, but the record has an even more stripped-down and soulful feel than before -- a blend of funk and soul backings that allow a... read more
A fantastic follow up to Alice Russell's first Munka Moon set -- and a collection of some of her greatest musical contributions over the past few years -- a range of singles, remixes, and special projects that are all touched beautifully by her super-soulful vocals! Although only still an up-and-co... read more
Raphael Saadiq takes throwback soul and r&b to the next level on The Way I See It -- rolling in a groove that recalls 60s Motown, grittier group soul, the sophisticated strings of the 70s scene, and subtle contemporary touches that keep it in the here and now! An awareness of the past and the... read more
Acoustic soul from Kevin Sandbloom -- a set that's got a really warm and personal feel! Kevin's got a unique approach -- playing acoustic guitar, and often singing with a jazzy sort of style that dips and turns along with the strings nicely -- almost an echo of 70s jazz/soul crossover greats, but... read more
Really unique work from the team of Kevin Sandbloom and Melany Bell -- both sweetly soulful singers who intertwine their vocals nicely on the tunes in the set! Kevin's got a bit of a jazzy approach, and Melany a deeper sound overall -- and paired together, they really sound great -- with this full... read more
Ivana Santilli --
Tony ... CD
Do Right (Canada),
2008. New Copy ....
$13.99
The most deeply soulful set so far from Ivana Santilli! The beats and bottom of the record are a lot heavier than before -- and set perfectly to Ivana's well-voiced lyrics, which go far beyond simple soul cliches, and really show a nice push forward in her songwriting abilities over the years. It'... read more
Ok so she's got a Grammy -- but that makes us love her even more! Jill Scott is one of the greatest soul artists to emerge in the past decade -- and this second album avoids the usual "sophomore slump" by showing a whole new side of her talents! Disc one is a great live set -- showing... read more
Jill Scott & Others --
Collaborations ... CD
Hidden Beach,
2007. New Copy 2CD ....
$5.9916.98
Jill Scott's a singer with a mighty generous spirit -- and in addition to her own (all too few) recordings over the years, she's made some tremendous appearances on records under the leadership of other artists -- a good deal of which are included in this set! Jill's not the kind of singer to just... read more
Jazzy goodness from Saunders Sermons -- a damn great talent we're happy to be hearing -- and just the sort of artist we need to keep things fresh in the contemporary soul underground! Sermons plays trombone on the record, as well as sings, and that mix of talents definitely comes through in his... read more
A nice little debut from Ohio's Shante -- a strong-voiced soul singer with a very positive feel! There's a slight inspirational undercurrent here, but one that's very slight -- and the overall vibe is much more in a righteous modern soul style -- nicely laidback at times, with just a bit of... read more
Brilliant work from Siji -- a beautiful album through and through, and even better than his debut! There's a full, righteous sensibility to the record that really grabs us from the start -- a sound that goes way beyond what you might expect, given that Siji did most of the music himself -- with... read more
Two Swedish cats with a great ear for slinky soul -- a duo whose sounds evoke some of our favorite mellow moments of the 70s, with a few hip 80s touches as well! For an indie set, the record's got a beautiful production sound -- a rich array of keyboards, rhythms, and jazzy horns -- wrapped around... read more
Somi sings here in English and a few different African languages -- but the set's got all the warmth of a contemporary Neo Soul set -- thanks to really lovely production, and warm, laidback instrumentation that works totally great with her vocals! Somi's approach is often quite subtle -- vocals... read more
A saxophone soul Christmas with Jimmy Sommers -- a set that's actually much more straight jazz than most of his other records, and a nicely understated album with a really classic feel! Jimmy blows straight, and just a bit smooth -- and gets acoustic backings that swing along gently, as he... read more
Steve Spacek --
Space Shift ... CD
Sound In Color,
2005. New Copy ....
$5.9916.98
An amazing album -- and a space soul classic for the 21st Century! Steve Spacek really caught us by surprise with this set -- because he's working here in a much deeper groove than ever before -- one that's slower, spacier, and which has him coming off like some outer space version of Marvin Gaye!... read more
Streetwize --
Put U To Bed ... CD
Shanachie,
2009. New Copy ....
$16.9918.98
Smooth jazz takes on a host of contemporary soul tunes -- a project that's a bit like the Unwrapped series from Hidden Beach, but a bit more mellow overall! The songs are numbers you'll recognize from hits by Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, J Holiday, Usher, and others -- played here by a combo that features... read more
A limited CD release of one of the greatest songs ever from Studio Department -- the mighty club track "Love Is The Answer" -- topped with some soaring vocals from Joi Cardwell! Joi really brings a lot to the tune -- a soulful sense of joy that really matches the message of the song, not... read more
Taragirl --
26th Power ... CD
Girl Funk Music,
2006. New Copy ....
$6.99
Catchy soul from Taragirl -- a singer with an approach that's as compact as her name! The tunes here all have a really nice sort of punch -- a style that's a bit like mainstream R&B, but which still has some nice indie touches too -- a bit more looseness than chart soul, and an easygoing... read more
James Taylor Quartet --
Penthouse Suite ... CD
Acid Jazz (UK),
1999. New Copy ....
$4.99
There's kind of a dodgy cover on this one that might make you think the set's the lowest ebb of James' 90s career, but the record's actually a pretty decent live set -- recorded in 1999, with tracks that mostly hearken back to the jazzed up glory of the early days. James wails on Hammond on a few... read more
Lewis Taylor --
Lewis II ... CD
Island (UK),
2000. New Copy ....
$9.99
It's been four years since Lewis Taylor's stunning debut album -- but it's been worth the wait! Few recent singers have grabbed our attention so much -- and we'd put Lewis into an "instant classic" soul category that would include the elite group of Omar, Monday Michiru, Jamiroquai, and... read more
Russell Taylor --
Confessional ... CD
Russell Taylor,
2009. New Copy ....
$11.99
Nothing too confessional here, but a really focused little set from Russell Taylor -- delivered with a bit more force than his previous record, showing a real evolution in his talents as a singer! Our favorite cuts here are the mellower ones -- which trip along with a sensual sort of groove, but... read more
A tremendous full length set from Ashley Thomas -- and one that's a bit different than his earlier work on singles! This album's got a really rich vibe -- one that echoes Bill Withers and Terry Callier at points -- especially in the way that Thomas mixes acoustic guitar in with his vocals. ... read more
Sweet, deep, and righteous -- some wonderful solo work from Rhonda Thomas, the lead singer of Jiva! The album's got a warm-flowing, easy-stepping sort of groove -- gentle keyboards on mellow beats, almost in a style that takes us back to classic Minnie Riperton jams of the 70s -- but which also... read more
Wonderfully fragile work from singer Rhonda Thomas -- a set that's somewhat different than her Breathe New Life album, and much more jazz-based overall! Thomas works here with only the guitar of Michael Coppola for support -- in a gentle setting that mixes up echoes of older bossa and jazz... read more
It's hard not to miss Tortured Soul when they're away, but they return here with a warmly spun blend of live soul and percolating club grooves! Tortured Soul's way of working within a house learned club ready vibe while still bringing it out into more of song based, kind of blue eyed soul realm is... read more
Tuomo --
My Thing ... CD
Jupiter (Finland),
2007. New Copy ....
$14.99
A brilliant solo debut from Tuomo -- a singer we know from his work with the Finnish group Quintessence, stepping out here in even more soulful territory on his own! Tuomo's got a warmly raspy sound that's all-classic, all the way -- a unique voice that could well become one of our favorites from... read more
A tremendous second set from Tuomo -- a Finnish singer, but one with a voice to rival that of American soul greats from the 70s! The sound here is a bit more complex than Tuomo's debut -- sometimes in a warm, laidback vibe that reminds us a bit of Hi Records production -- other times with a bit... read more
It's been 10 years since 2000 Black first started catching our ears, and they've never sounded better! This album's way more than just a "next set" of grooves from the pair -- as it really shows a growth over time, a unified musical vision that has them hitting some of the same cosmic... read more
It's been 10 years since 2000 Black first started catching our ears, and they've never sounded better! This album's way more than just a "next set" of grooves from the pair -- as it really shows a growth over time, a unified musical vision that has them hitting some of the same cosmic... read more
U-Nam's back from the 80s, and he's brought a whole bunch of soul and jazz legends along for the ride! The smooth guitarist first caught our ear with his Past Builds The Future album from a few years back -- but he sounds even better here, and really lives up to the classic sound promised in the... read more
U-Nam --
Unanimity ... CD
Trippin' N' Rhythm,
2009. New Copy ....
$15.9916.98
Lean, mean guitar from U-Nam -- working in a groove that's slightly different than before, but equally groovy! The album's got a funkier feel than his last set -- a bit more playful in the arrangements, although still always with a classic-styled approach that makes U-Nam's guitar lines echo the... read more
A beautifully bright second set from Steve Wallace -- an artist who really caught our ears a few years back with his debut, and who's still sounding equally fresh here! Wallace has a great sense of flow in his music -- a way of singing with the grooves that almost seems schooled in hip hop, but... read more
A great bit of blue-eyed soul from Greg Walters -- a singer with a sound a lot bigger than you might expect from the cover -- offered up here in a surprisingly strong debut EP! The tracks are all originals by Greg, and have a joyous sort of approach -- a catchy, upbeat groove that's put together... read more
Reggie Watts --
Simplified ... CD
Freestyle (UK),
2004. New Copy ....
$7.99
A trippy little soul set from Maktub's Reggie Watts -- a batch of tunes that's much more rooted in mellow soul than the jam band funk of Maktub! The record's a nice surprise -- with lots of trippy little synthesizer touches and echoey vocal effects that fearlessly recall the 80s in a way we can... read more
Jordan Weiss --
In The Pocket ... CD
Wizdom Productions,
2008. New Copy ....
$11.99
Funky soul from Jordan Weiss -- tightly textured work that's heavy on guitar, with lots of snapping rhythms -- and which also features vocals from a variety of guest singers! The guests really bring a lot to the set -- Ne Keyia, Bridget Barkan, Taragirl, and BLISS -- all vocalists who deepen the... read more
An incredible debut from Ben Westbeech -- easily one of the greatest artists so far to emerge from Gilles Peterson's Brownwood label -- and one of the best new UK soul singers we've heard in years! The album's got a freshness and brilliance that takes us back to the first time we heard Omar,... read more
Alyson Williams --
It's About Time ... CD
Three Keys Music,
2004. New Copy ....
$5.9915.98
A very fitting title -- as it's been a long time since we've heard from Alyson, and it's about time too! There's a sweetly seductive feel here that we don't remember from Alyson's older work -- a mellower, more chilled out approach that slinks around with a slow and often jazzy groove -- hitting a... read more
Great recent work from Duane Williams -- best known as the male half of Detroit soul duo Beverley & Duane, singing here in a really classic setting! Although contemporary, the recording feels like a sweet indie soul set from the early 80s -- particularly the mellow, modern variety we love so... read more
A stunning debut from UK soul singer Amy Winehouse -- a vocalist with a sound that's instantly captivating, and which will be with us for years! Amy's clearly cut her chops in jazz, but also has a laidback and soulful personality -- easily shifting between modes for the right mood of each song,... read more
A pretty sweet little set from saxophonist Alonzo Wright -- working here in a range of soulful styles, from smooth to spiritual! The album's got a surprising amount of depth, and has all the appeal of some older indie soul jazz albums -- such as some of the great overlooked work on Muse Records... read more
YahZarah --
Blackstar ... CD
Three Keys Music,
2003. New Copy ....
$4.9910.98
The major debut of YahZarah -- one of our favorite underground soul singers of the past few years, finally out with a album that we can easily get! YahZarah seems to have grown in leaps and bounds since her first self-produced set -- really stretching out here as a vocalist with an incredible... read more
A wicked little debut from Keite Young -- one of the freshest stars in the Hidden Beach galaxy! Keite's got roots in gospel, but comes across here with a solidly soulful sound -- a style that echoes some of the modes of his Hidden Beach contemporaries, but which also has some grittier elements too... read more
Zarate Pollace Project --
Soul Redemption ... CD
Zarate Pollace,
2005. New Copy ....
$8.99
Smooth instrumentals with a warmly jazzy feel -- a set that mixes Latin percussion with keyboards and guitar -- all in a sound that's almost got an older fusion sort of groove! The group's headed by guitarist Abel Zarate and keyboardist Michelle Pollace -- but also features some strong percussion... read more
A nice collection of modern soul from a roster of independent singers -- including LaSonya Gunter, Rena Scott, LeNora Jaye, Stephanie Renee and more -- put together by Astral22 for Trans Phatt Records! Trans Phatt is positioning themselves, in their own words, as a venue for "nu groove with... read more
A brilliant collection of contemporary soul -- one that shows that the underground is alive and well, and churning out some really fantastic music in recent years! The package is a great antidote to overplayed chart soul -- and focuses on both new and experience artists bubbling under the... read more
A massive package of tracks -- 3 CDs' of music from the Unwrapped series, plus a great bonus disc too! The core work is a batch of smooth, jazzy instrumental takes on hip hop hits -- from Hidden Beach Records! If you scratch just a little bit below the surface of the Hidden Beach roster, digging... read more
The wonderful Hidden Beach groove continues -- smooth, but never slick -- and a great attempt at bringing instrumental work to a much younger generation! There's a really jazzy sensibility here that's moved far beyond the roots of the series -- a style that completely transforms the hip hop tunes... read more
Plenty of drums here -- both played and programmed by Tony Royster Jr, the standout star of this set! The groove's a bit funkier than other Unwrapped volumes -- still in the smoother soul territory of the Hidden Beach style, but giving the drummer more space to get down as well -- which sounds... read more
The cover's a bit cheesy, but the collection's a great one -- filled with killer female soul cuts from the global underground! The track list is great -- and although we know some of these artists, there's a number of other singers here we've never heard before -- making the package a great... read more
Not sure what the Tokyo connection is here, apart from the cover image, but this second volume of Independent Soul Divas is even better than the first -- a sweet collection of the best Neo Soul around, featuring some familiar names, and some equally great artists who are still bubbling up in the... read more
Enough luxury for a prince -- at a price even a pauper can afford! This overstuffed 3CD set is filled with great bits from the wide catalog of Expansion Records -- home to some of the hippest Neo Soul work of the past few decades, and also known as one of the few labels who can really respect an... read more
The 2009 entry in the Luxury Soul series -- a great batch of collections that offer some great music at a real bargain! The 3CD set is overflowing with smooth soul gems -- work issued by the Expansion label family over the past decade or so -- mostly contemporary numbers, but also featuring a few... read more
A great collection of recent American underground soul -- put together in collaboration with Purpose Records, but also including some great bits from a variety of other labels as well! There's a warm, earthy vibe that really unites all the tracks on the set -- making them worthy of the "organi... read more
A wonderful overview of London's Oyster Music label -- easily one of the hippest forces going in 21st Century Soul -- presented here with a host of rare bits from singles and previously unreleased tracks! Back at the end of the last decade, Oyster really helped forge the kind of sounds that helped... read more
The title's a bit clunky, but the grooves are wonderfully smooth -- a great assortment of hard to find tracks from recent years, all brought together in one totally wicked set! The cuts here are pulled from a variety of sources -- Japanese-only CDs, previously unreleased sessions, and now out of... read more
A heck of a lot of great music for the money -- 3CDs worth of contemporary soul recordings -- a whopping 40 tracks in all, priced under $20! As with previous volumes of this series, a good number of the tracks come from the excellent recent catalog of the Dome Records label -- with a few key... read more
The Soul Lounge is back again -- serving up a hell of a lot of great music, all at a ridiculously low price! The package is overflowing with contemporary soul cuts from both sides of the Atlantic -- great material from UK labels Dome and Expansion -- both companies we've really come to trust for... read more