The return of CL Smooth – and a nice surprise! We don't know why we should be surprised by CL's still sharp skills circa '05, given the pedigree. That's our problem – but these 2 tracks are problem free, contempory work from a true mic master! "Warm Outside" produced by Heatmakerz. "I Can't Help It" produced by Mike Lowe. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Produced by Andre Williams! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Charles Stepney arranged, and Bobby Miller arranged and produced, with the great psychedelic soul sound that the Dells were using at the time. 2 tracks from the Always Together LP, here on an original 45! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

The American debut of The English Beat – aka the UK group The Beat, who'd been making some big waves with import 45s on the 2Tone label, the burst forth on our US market with a slight shift in name, due to another group hogging their original moniker on our side of the Atlantic! That bit of backstory hardly need matter, though – as the group wear their English loud and proud here, setting off a huge ska revival as they blend Jamaican roots with London attitude in the post-punk years – stacking up a set of classics that continue to groove many turntables all these many years later. Titles include "Mirror In The Bathroom", "Hands Off She's Mine", "Twist & Crawl", "Big Shot", "Best Friend", and "Jackpot". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

The biggest hit ever by The Free Movement – issued here in a pre-Columbia 45 on Decca! The track's got a sad slow style that's almost LA pop-soul – and builds with the vocals into a very nice harmony track. The flip's pretty nice too – chugging and a little funky, but ultimately in the same sort of style. 7-inch, Vinyl record

The start of a very successful run for Gloria Gaynor – a seminal bit of crossover 70s soul – one that perfectly linked the dancefloor with the airwaves, and managed to take on more than a few living rooms as well! Gloria's not entirely in full blown disco-diva mode yet, and works here with a soaring Philly-styled groove – of the sort you'd hear with groups like First Choice or Three Degrees – almost grounded a bit in earlier female soul, especially in the vocals and overall changes in the grooves – yet sparkled up plenty with some fuller, richer 70s arrangements. Those are handled by Norman Harris and Harold Wheeler – who do plenty to warm up the production by Meco – and the set includes the stunning 6 minute version of Gloria's big hit "Never Can Say Goodbye", plus "All I Need Is Your Sweet Lovin", "We Belong Together", "Real Good People", "Honey Bee", and "Reach Out I'll Be There". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Early work from later soundtrack genius Ron Goodwin! LP, Vinyl record album

Obscure mid period material from Garland! "Just Loving You" is a really wonderful number – midtempo, in kind of a Spinners Philly groove, which is a perfect match for Garland's slightly breaking vocals, crackling with that warm honesty that really makes the track sparkle! The flip's nice, too, and features a very tasty spokey bluesy kind of vocal, of the sort that Garland still does in a live show. And if you've heard that voice, you know it's a killer! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Eddie moving into a righteous funk vein – but still keeping things nice and electric! Some tracks feature a larger group, and others have a small combo – but Eddie's sound is still great, especially on Varitone, and other players are pretty soulful, like Paul Humphrey, Cedar Walton, Richard Evans, and Ron Carter. Tracks include "Get Down With It", "Ambidextrous", "Come Dance With Me", "How Can You Live Like That?", and "Bird Of Stone". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

The classic first LP by this stellar Chicago harmony group – and a monster! Heaven & Earth had a wonderful falsetto harmony sound that reminds us a lot of east coast winners like Blue Magic or The Stylistics – and like some of the best east coast groups, this group's vocals work equally well on slow ballads or faster uptempo numbers, both of which are handled extremely well on the record by producer Clarence Johnson. The bulk of the arrangements on the record were done by Tom Tom 84 – one of Chicago's true soul geniuses, and in perfect form on this record. The whole thing's amazingly well put together for an indie soul group album – and is a sure indication of the group's later fame on Mercury. Titles include "Nature's Miracle", "The Message", "I'll Always Love You", "Let Me Back In", and "I Can't Seem To Forget You". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Promo only single featuring Rick James on "Standing On The Top". 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

Insanely great sounds from the legendary Tim Maia – easily the most soulful singer in 70s Brazil, and an artist with a heck of a strong ear for funk, too! The music here is an incredible hybrid of American soul and Brazilian elements – especially since some lyrics are in English – and the grooves are often mixed together in a sound that's nice and fuzzy around the edges, with some slight psychedelic elements that makes the cuts a perfect fit for this Luaka Bop series! Yet Tim Maia's hardly a guy who can easily fit into any easy slot or series – because as you'll hear on this set, he's got a vibe that's all his own – a really wonderful approach that's different even from some of his hippest contemporaries in Brazil – and which has gone onto have influence on countless other generations of singers and musicians – including his nephew Ed Motta. The package is great – a real visual tribute to the sounds within – and titles include "Que Beleza", "Ela Partiu", "Do Leme Ao Pontal", "Brother Father Mother Sister", "Quer Queira Quer Nao Queira", "Let's Have A Ball Tonight", "I Don't Care", "The Dance Is Over", "Rational Culture", "You Don't Know What I Know", and "Nobody Can Live Forever". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer – one of the group's best tracks! "Rover" has a stunning break on the intro – strings over drums, with a feel that's simply sublime, as the cut hits really hard and sets you up for some super-dope harmony vocals! "Better Off" shows the group's sweet side – but the tune's still a nice ballad! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two tracks from this great New York group – one who recorded during the very early years of disco for the Event label – and who only really got the appreciation they deserve in later years! "I Can See Him Loving You" has fast funk grooves that are wonderful and mixed with a touch of strings – almost Sigma Sound in approach, but with a more underground vibe! "What Did I Do Wrong" is billed to "Mayberry Music" – and has a nicely different vibe – a laidback, slow-stepping quality – almost sweet soul, but with a bit more polish – and a heartbreaking mellow groove that's really wonderful! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Sunshine pop from late 60s Florida – a cool little set from Mercy, a group that features a sweet mixture of guy and gal vocals over some nicely gentle rhythms! Production is by Brad Shapiro and Steve Alaimo, but the Warner release of the album seems to give it a cool sort of sophistication too – almost a darker take on more mainstream pop styles of the time, with a wry undercurrent that's hard to describe, but which sets the album apart nicely. Instrumentation includes organ and 12 string guitar underneath the vocals – and titles include "Love Can Make You Happy", "Forever My Love", "The Morning's Come", "Sounds Of Silence", "Love Is Blue", and "Do I Wanna Live My Life With You". LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

Remix produced by Jay Dee. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Yipes! What a bitter title – especially when you consider that Gerry actually added a piano to the group for this session, and that he's playing versions of 60s pop hits like "King Of The Road", "Downtown", "Mr Tambourine Man", "Hard Day's Night", and "Can't Buy Me Love". However, the pianist is Pete Jolly, and he's backed by Jimmy Bond on bass and Hal Blaine on drums, both of whom give the album a groovy LA pop instrumental feel – one that has Gerry soloing over the top in some of the fastest, tightest baritone work he put on wax at the time. A bit odd – but worth it alone for the photo on the inside of the cover, which has Gerry shrugging his shoulders in defeat! LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Although James Phelps has a deep raw soul voice – he's matched here with some nice uptown arrangements courtesy of Phil Wright, for a sound that's a lot like some of the best solo Ben E. King solo stuff for Atlantic! "Love Is A 5-Letter Word" is a nice slowly-rolling track with a catchy chorus – and "I'll Do The Best" has an uptowny style that's wonderful – really one of those "shoulda been a hit" kind of tunes! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Featuring Mickey Oliver, Ralph Rosario, Pierre and others. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A rare vocal session from Jane Powell – a singer better known for her film performances, but who sounds pretty darn great here on an obscure 50s studio session for Verve! Jane's got a higher-voiced style than most of the other singers on Verve, but she's brought down to earth nicely by arranger Buddy Bregman – who manages to keep things jazzy and swinging, but also creates some of the loftier modes from her film work – some lush moments that really come through on the mellower tracks. Titles include "My Baby Just Cares For Me", "Comes Love", "In Love In Vain", "Can't We Be Friends", "Imagination", and "Ev'ry Time". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic batch of Bay Area Brazilian grooves – recorded in the sweet breezy electric style of the Fantasy studios, and featuring the vocals of the lovely Flora Purim in the lead! The session's got a great mix of Brazilian and American fusion players – including Airto (of course!), Ron Carter, George Duke, Egberto Gismonti, Alphonso Johnson, Robertinho Silva, Hermeto Pascoal, and Ndugu Leon Chancler. Pascoal's reed work is a very nice treat, especially over the warm keyboards of George Duke. Purim's voice is as wonderful as ever, and the album's got lots of nice numbers, like "Ina's Song", "Andei (I Walked)", "Time's Lie", and "Open Your Eyes You Can Fly". LP, Vinyl record album

"I Enjoy" is the title track to Sydney's first LP – and is a great number with a compressed southern soul style that's a bit like work on Hi Records, but which is handled with more of a Chi-town flair, thanks to some good work by Carl Davis. "How Can You Say Goodbye" has a bit more punch – strings sliding on the beat while Sid does a great Al Green-type vocal! 7-inch, Vinyl record

There's nothing blues-like about this great little cut from 1979 – one that has Warren Raye singing deep soul vocals over a slow-stepping groove with some warm modern soul production – very much in that warmer shift in southern soul that was taking place on labels like Malaco in the latter half of the 70s – a quality that's carried through on the flipside – an excellent cut that wasn't even issued back in the day! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A lovely little tribute to one of our favorite songwriters of all time – the lyrical genius Tommy Wolf, whose compositions were first championed back in the 50s and 60s by Bob Dorough, Jackie & Roy, and Blossom Dearie! Wolf's got a wonderful way with a twist of a phrase – playful, but never too silly – just freshly original in a world of overdone standards, and a reminder that creative American songwriting didn't stop with Cole Porter and Harold Arlen! Bobbi's voice has a warmly sweet quality that makes for a slightly different approach to the material than others before her – and backing on the record is by a piano trio led and arranged by Chick Cicchetti. Titles include "There Are Days When I Don't Think Of You At All", "Say Cheese", "I'm Alright Til You Touch Me", "It's Nice Weather For Ducks", "You Smell So Good", "I've Never Been Anything", and "A Face Like Yours". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet soul from one of Chicago's sweetest! "Honey Dear" has Jackie singing with a bit of a sad and wispy tone – almost quiet, but also sad and dreamy. "We Can Do It" is the better track, though – and has this introspective approach at the beginning, then builds with a proud stepping sound that's a much better illustration of the depth of Jackie at the height of her powers! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great take on sweet soul sounds from the past – served up here by a mighty hip group who mix slow funky modes with some mighty nice vocals! The record's got a mix of deep funk production and some of the warmer qualities of east coast group soul from the New Jersey scene at the start of the 70s – almost an All-Platinum/Stang sort of record from the hands of George Kerr and Sylvia Robinson, but with some fuller, more forward-moving cuts that also echo the Record Kicks label too! There's light strings that really help the record soar – and the lead vocals of Mark Sexton are mighty nice throughout, especially when he gets support from a few backup singers too. Titles include "Better Late Than Never", "The Other Side", "Trouble On My Mind", "Love Can't Be Borrowed", "Beck & Call", "This Could Last Forever", and "Daydreaming". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A surprisingly wonderful album from Artie Shaw – one that takes his older groove and nicely strips it down for the 50s, and which features some especially great guitar work from Tal Farlow! Other players in the group include Hank Jones on piano, Joe Roland on vibes, Tommy Potter on bass, and Irv Kluger on drums – coming together in a loosely swinging mode that has lots of interplay on the longer-than-usual tracks on the set. Titles include the originals "When The Quail Come Back To Town", "Lugubrious", "The Grabtown Grapple", and "Lyric". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of Lisa's greatest cuts, with a sweetly soaring hook that's a perfect example of the catchy grooves she could hit when she wanted to! Remixes by Gail Sky King – and the single is promo only. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Groovy Chicago soul group single! "Exterminator" is a sort of Temps-ish track about bugs – kind of a political number about the vermin in the ghetto! "What More" is even better – a fantastic group harmony track with a deep feeling, sweet vocals, and great production by Burgess Gardner. It's a wonderful late-nite cut – and it's "Bunky's Pick" too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Great 60s soul from the Cali scene – two cuts you'd be hard-pressed to find on vinyl anywhere else! "Wear Your Natural" is a hip little number that really lives up to the promise of its title – kind of a slow-building soul cut with plenty of righteous power – Towana's lead vocals getting plenty of nice chorus support. The great Ty Karim is on the flipside – the mighty "If I Can't Stop You", a tune that has a righteous slow-stepping funky groove, in a way that almost sounds like something that might have backed up Marlena Shaw! 7-inch, Vinyl record

With Charlie Parker, Max Roach, and more. 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

Can't get enough of Barry White at this key point in his career – a time when he was stepping from the shadows as one of the most sensuous soul stars of the 70s! The album's a near-perfect effort throughout – a great blend of the soaring strings and funkier rhythms that always made Barry's work so great – topped with vocals that are both sung and spoken, all in a voice that's deeper than deep! Tracks intertwine nicely – almost sharing similar themes at points – and although not penned as a "soul symphony", the album certainly comes across like one. Titles include "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe", "Oh Love Well We Finally Made It", "Mellow Mood (parts 1 & 2)", "You're The First The Las, My Everything", and "I Can't Believe You Love Me". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

Blue-tinged work for those days when your heart is breaking and your soul is aching – a really wonderful batch of tracks that are heavy on those late 60s/early 70s moments when male singers were starting to open up a bit and let their emotions show! The vibe here is very different than Bobby Gillespie's own music – and the set brings together bits of country, roots rock, and soul – really special tracks that have a perfect blend of heartfelt vocals, well-penned lyrics, and the kind of arrangements and production that really send the whole thing over the top! The best thing about the collection is that it brings together songs we never would have thought to combine like this – a masterful set list that includes "I Don't Want To Talk About It" by Crazy Horse, "Wait & See" by Lee Hazlewood, "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" by Thin Lizzy, "The Coldest Days Of My Life" by The Chi-Lites, "Roll Um Easy" by Little Feat, "Magnolia" by JJ Cale, "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by Willie Nelson, "Love Sick" by Bob Dylan, I'll Be Long Gone" by Boz Scaggs, "Strong As Death" by Al Green, "Kind Woman" by Percy Sledge, "Dark End Of The Street" by Ry Cooder, "I Feel Like Goin Home" by Charlie Rich, "When My Mind's Gone" by Mott The Hoople, and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" by Nick Cave. LP, Vinyl record album

Red Alert mixes up some late 80s hits with some talking. Includes BDP "Jimmy", Jungle Bros "On The Run", Just Ice "Goin Way Back", Ultramagnetic MC's "Feelin It (rmx)", " Funky", Hellrazor "No More James", 45 King "The King Is Here", "The 900 Number", Sugar Bear "Ready To Penatrate", MC Mitchski "Red Alert Is A Great Man." LP, Vinyl record album

Featuring Mr. Lee. 12-inch, Vinyl record

The American debut of The English Beat – aka the UK group The Beat, who'd been making some big waves with import 45s on the 2Tone label, the burst forth on our US market with a slight shift in name, due to another group hogging their original moniker on our side of the Atlantic! That bit of backstory hardly need matter, though – as the group wear their English loud and proud here, setting off a huge ska revival as they blend Jamaican roots with London attitude in the post-punk years – stacking up a set of classics that continue to groove many turntables all these many years later. Titles include "Mirror In The Bathroom", "Hands Off She's Mine", "Twist & Crawl", "Big Shot", "Best Friend", and "Jackpot". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Legendary Latin Soul singer Joe Bataan joins the Funkool Orchestra on "Can't Keep Foolin" – a cut that makes really great use of those heartbreaking vocals that made Joe such a sweet soul giant at the end of the 60s! The tune's got an unusual approach – as it moves fast at points, then slows, then grooves again – and Joe's vocally great in both modes! The flipside features a different singer, and has a Latin funk vibe that's very old school overall! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A really wonderful trio set from pianist Red Garland – featuring long tracks that really spin out with a soulful sense of imagination! The trio features Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums – a superb lineup, with a vibe that's like some of the Coltrane albums recorded with Garland – but with a lot more room for Red himself! Titles include "I Can't See For Lookin", "Soon", "Blackout", and "Castle Rock". LP, Vinyl record album

Produced by Nottz. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

If you ask us, this is Larry Heard's finest moment, combining the raw energy of early Chicago house with a jazzy sensibility, warm tones on the keyboards and a spare approach that gives all the elements room to breath. A modern classic! 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of Lionel Richie's biggest records ever! Titles include "Can't Slow Down", "All Night Long", "Penny Lover", "The Only One", "Running With The Night", "Hello", "The Groove", "Love Will Find A Way" and "Stuck On You". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the truly great albums from The Soft Boys – a masterpiece that skirts easy categorization, strolling from the post psych blues stomp, to angular post punk and skronky guitar pop – held together brilliantly by Robyn Hitchcock's wry, brainy and on this record, cynically humorous lyricism. Titles include "Human Music", the should be classic, snarky riff on late era Beatles "The Pigworker", "The Rats Prayer", "Do The Chisel", "School Dinner Blues", "Wading Through A Ventilator", "Return Of The Sacred Crab" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

The first album from Steely Dan, and a really nice chapter in their career – one that's maybe a bit less iconic than the late 70s records, but in a way that really keeps things interesting! There's definitely less jazz and polish than on the later albums – but already, the group are writing the kinds of songs that nobody ever seemed to pen before, and which few other groups could match later – despite the countless legions who tried! The guitars are all nice and strong – that sharp Skunk Baxter edge that helped get the group firmly onto the charts right away – on titles that include their classic singles "Do It Again" and "Reelin In The Years", the oft-showcased "Dirty Work", and other cuts that include "Kings", "Midnite Cruiser", "Only A Fool Would Say That", "Fire In The Hole", "Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me", "Change Of The Guard", and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again". LP, Vinyl record album