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A much-needed 4CD box set devoted to the diverse, but always dancefloor-ready sounds of Chic – both Chic the legendary band and the Chic Organization production and songwriting work of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers! The set has plenty of prime material from Chic proper – including 12" mixes and otherwise longer grooving gems – and lots of classic and rare Chic Organization productions by a diverse cast of superstars. Includes funky dancefloor groovers by Chic, Sister Sledge and Norma Jean, plus rare mixes and previously unreleased gems by Sheila & B Devotion, Teddy Pendergrass, Diana Ross and more. It's even got rarities by pop and rock singers looking for some dancefloor magic – including Carly Simon, Debbie Harry and Johnny Mathis! The box set was put together in conjunction with Nile Rodgers himself – so you know it's top notch. Includes a few great Dimitri From Paris remixes, too! 46 tracks on 4CDs: "Everybody Dance (12" Mix)", "Le Freak", "Savior Faire", "My Feet Keep Dancing", "Stage Fright", "You Are Beautiful" and more by Chic, "Saturday (Dimitri From Paris Remix)" by Norma Jean, "He's The Greatest Dancer", "Thinking Of You (Dimitri From Paris Remix)" and more by Sister Sledge, "Upside Down (Original Chic Mix)" and more by Diana Ross, "Dream Girl (Previously Unreleased Nile Rodgers Mix)" by Teddy Pendergrass, "I Want To Fall In Love (Previously Unreleased)" and more by Johnny Mathis "Why (12" Mix)" by Carly Simon, "Backfired (12" Version)" by Debbie Harry and much more.

At the time of this album, Johnny Hartman definitely was the voice that is – a singer with a new level of maturity for the 60s, and a voice that's far more masculine than the geeky look of the photo on the cover! Hartman's sound here is smooth and warm, but never in a too-commercial way – a great antidote to some of the bigger singers of his generation, and cast perfectly here in some lightly jazzy arrangements by Bob Hammer. A few tracks feature backing by a quartet led by Hank Jones – and the rest feature a slightly larger group with 2 guitars and some nice Latin percussion. Titles include "Funny World", "Waltz For Debbie", "It Never Entered My Mind", "Let Me Love You", "My Ship", "The Day The World Stopped Turning", "Slow Hot Wind", and "The More I See You".

Some of the greatest funky work you could ever hope to find by Johnny Otis! The package brings together tracks recorded by Johnny in his fantastic post-R&B years – the late 60s and 1970s, when he was scrappling around a variety of small labels, but also getting the chance to use that freedom to cut some incredibly great work! The spirit of the CD retains all the great feel of Johnny's funky live show – as it runs through a variety of different artists, from hip instrumentalists to sock-soul divas to Johnny himself, who's still sounding pretty darn funky at the time! There's some killer material here that makes the package an instant "must-have" for fans of heavy heavy funk – and titles include "Watts Breakaway" by Johnny Otis, "Country Girl" by The Johnny Otis Show, "But I Ain't No More (GSTSKDTS)" by Vera Hamilton, "Spells & Incantations" by Debbie Lyndsey, "Cool Ade" by Preston Love, "Funky Disco Boogie" by Demar & Carla, "I Don't Understand It" by Ice Water Slim & The Fourth Floor, "If You'd Be Mine" by Shuggie Otis, "Comin At Ya Baby" by Johnny Otis, "Jaws" by Johnny Otis, "Hey Boy! I Want You" by Barbara Morrison with the Johnny Otis Show, "You Got To Do It Right" by Willie Jitterbug Webb, and the killer "The Humpty Dump" by The Vibrettes! Also features the previously unreleased "Miss Pretty" by Shuggie Otis!

One of the greatest records we've ever heard from pianist Mario Rusca – a really open, fluid sort of set – and one that features electric bass in the trio, which really gives things a different sort of vibe! Mario plays acoustic piano throughout, but the use of electric bass (played by Stefano Cerri, son of guitarist Franco) really makes things move in a groovy way – kind of stepping and soulful at points, and warmly rounded at others – and still always given a nice sort of crackle from Mario's work on the piano, and the percussion of Gianni Cazzola. The album was only ever issued in a small limited pressing back in the mid 70s – and is a great re-discovery from this key Italian pianist of the time. Titles include "First Trip", "Straight No Chaser", "Blue & Green", "Reaction", and "Waltz For Debbie".

One of the greatest records we've ever heard from pianist Mario Rusca – a really open, fluid sort of set – and one that features electric bass in the trio, which really gives things a different sort of vibe! Mario plays acoustic piano throughout, but the use of electric bass (played by Stefano Cerri, son of guitarist Franco) really makes things move in a groovy way – kind of stepping and soulful at points, and warmly rounded at others – and still always given a nice sort of crackle from Mario's work on the piano, and the percussion of Gianni Cazzola. The album was only ever issued in a small limited pressing back in the mid 70s – and is a great re-discovery from this key Italian pianist of the time. Titles include "First Trip", "Straight No Chaser", "Blue & Green", "Reaction", and "Waltz For Debbie".

A wicked little set from singer Debbie Taylor – a vocalist who really only shone brightly for this one album – but who's left more than enough of a soul legacy with its greatness! The record's an important early effort from Patrick Adams – and it's cut with a rough-edged style that's a bit like Adams' work with Black Ivory – especially on the mellower, more fragile ballads. Debbie's style is earthy and personal throughout – no soul cliches at all, and an overall mode that's really like some of the best up-and-coming east coast acts at the time – particularly those on the All Platinum label. Titles include "No Ifs Ands Or Buts", "Touchin' You", "Romance Without Finance", "Eye Doctor", and her great version of "No Deposit No Return".

A really compelling project that's very much in the spirit of work by Lynda Barry or Debbie Dreschler – served up in a cool slipcover package! The book is loosely based on a teenage diary found in a gas station bathroom in the 80s – and tells the tale of a high school sophomore in 1985, through starkly powerful images from Esther Pearl Watson. The story's presented over many pages in one panel images, but these weave together slowly, and present the tale with a well-rounded vibe that would otherwise be more exploitative in a more direct format. Both books are hardcover, and the small slipcase is pretty hefty too!

Amazing grooves from a legendary pair of labels – the ultra-funky Perception and Today Records, home of some killer sounds from the New York scene at the start of the 70s! The labels had a great ear for up-and-coming soul – especially with some of the younger groups rising up at the time – and they also used their magic to refresh the sounds of some older artists, particularly jazz musicians, who took on an ultra-funky approach at Perception – one that's made their work for the label some of the most in-demand over the years! Drums are heavy, bass is nice and fuzzy, and many of the cuts have a righteous sound that really takes off from the most progressive soul, funk, and jazz of the late 60s – pushing hard with an even heavier 70s vibe. Titles on this first part of the vinyl edition include "Brother" by Adam Wade & Johnny Pate, "Too Sad To Tell" by Debbie Taylor, "Chitlins & Chuchifritos" by Joe Thomas, "Naturally Good" by Bartel, "You & I" by Black Ivory, "I Can't Get No Higher" by The Eight Minutes, "You Owe It To Yourself" by JJ Barnes, "Get Some Of This" by Madhouse, "Honey Buns" by Bobby Rydell, "Gingele" by Astrud Gilberto, and "One Life" by The Albert.

The third volume in Expansion's excellent series of fantastic soul from Philly – one soaringly melodic, soulful masterpiece after another – the best set yet! Expansion hasn't rushed these Spirit Of Philadelphia compilations onto the market – number 3 comes nearly decade sense we were knocked out by the first. We don't know if this time taking approach is what makes them so good or not, all we know is that it's totally great! Includes numbers by Tapestry, Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, Ghetto Children, Debbie Taylor, Major Harris, Sister Sledge, Brown Sugar and more – going way past the obvious hits! 17 tracks in all: "It's Not The World That's Messed Up" by Tapestry, "New To You" by Sharon Paige, "I Wouldn't Give You Up" by Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, "When You Look At Me" by Barbara Mason, "I Just Gotta Find Someone To Love" by Ghetto Children, "I Have Learned To Do Without You" by Debbie Taylor, "Help Me Find A Way (To Say I Love You)" by Little Anthony & The Imperials, "This Is What You Mean To Me" by Major Harris and more.

Out of New York rock and roll ideas, Debbie Harry decides to pilfer the subcultures to make her sound a bit more interesting! Fortunately for us, she got some help from guitar maestro Chris Stein on the track "Rapture" – and Stein's real interest in the music gave it a stone old school groove that's held up pretty well over the years! More famously, Harry went for a bit of reggae on the track "The Tide Is High" – taking Duke Reid's original, and turning it into a global hit!

A pair of albums from saxophonist Wilton Felder – back to back on a single CD! We All Have A Star offers up solo sounds from Crusaders reedman Wilton Felder – a really great set that's very much in the best vibe of his larger group at the time – yet one that also offers up a stronger focus on Wilton's sublime solo work on tenor! The album's got plenty of Crusaders help on board – given that Stix Hooper and Joe Sample produced the set along with Wilton – and the vibe's a wonderful blend of electric backings, with especially great keyboard lines, and Felder's well-phrased saxophone lines over the top! A few cuts feature vocals – sung by Angela Bryant or Debbie Demoia Ross – and titles include "We All Have A Star", "I Know Who I Am", "The Cycles Of Time", "Why Believe", "Ride On", and "You & Me & Ecstasy". Inherit The Wind is one of the best Crusaders-related solo projects – a soulful bit of fusion from saxophonist Wilton Felder, co-produced with his fellow Crusaders! The album's got the best sunny finish of the group's late 70s albums – traces of Latin, funk, and soul bubbling through a warm jazzy mix – staying soulful all the way through, and coming up with a sound that's smooth, but never sleepy. The blueprint for a million other records – none of which ever sounded this good! Titles include "Insight", "LA Light", "Until The Morning Comes", "Someday We'll All Be Free", and "Inherit The Wind".

Some of the greatest funky work you could ever hope to find by Johnny Otis! The package brings together tracks recorded by Johnny in his fantastic post-R&B years – the late 60s and 1970s, when he was scrappling around a variety of small labels, but also getting the chance to use that freedom to cut some incredibly great work! The spirit of the CD retains all the great feel of Johnny's funky live show – as it runs through a variety of different artists, from hip instrumentalists to sock-soul divas to Johnny himself, who's still sounding pretty darn funky at the time! There's some killer material here that makes the package an instant "must-have" for fans of heavy heavy funk – and titles include "Watts Breakaway" by Johnny Otis, "Country Girl" by The Johnny Otis Show, "But I Ain't No More (GSTSKDTS)" by Vera Hamilton, "Spells & Incantations" by Debbie Lyndsey, "Cool Ade" by Preston Love, "Funky Disco Boogie" by Demar & Carla, "I Don't Understand It" by Ice Water Slim & The Fourth Floor, "If You'd Be Mine" by Shuggie Otis, "Comin At Ya Baby" by Johnny Otis, "Jaws" by Johnny Otis, "Hey Boy! I Want You" by Barbara Morrison with the Johnny Otis Show, "You Got To Do It Right" by Willie Jitterbug Webb, and the killer "The Humpty Dump" by The Vibrettes! Also features the previously unreleased "Miss Pretty" by Shuggie Otis!

Tremendous soul from a massively overlooked label – the GWP imprint on the New York scene of the late 60s – home to a wealth of rare soul nuggets, just waiting to be discovered! The package is wonderful through and through – a great mix of male and female soul work, some with a sweet groove, some with a funkier undercurrent – all top-shelf productions all the way through, kind of a hipper update of the earlier uptown sound of New York – taken into even more sophisticated territory for the 70s! Vocals are superb, and the arrangements are ultra-cool – handled by Larry Banks, George Kerr, Teacho Wilshire, and Ed Bland. The package offers up full notes, and some great images too – and titles include "Here It Comes" and "Detour" by The Persians, "Without Your Love" by Bobby Penn, "My Life Is No Better" by Larry Banks & Jaibi, "Go Away" by The Hesitations, "Never Gonna Let Him Know" by Debbie Taylor, "So Much In Love" by The Exceptions, "You Got Me" by Jaibi, "Don't Let Your Mind Go Wild" by Benny Gordon, "Happiest Girl In The World" by Plus 4, "Stop" by Debbie Taylor, "I Don't Care What He's Done" by The Devonnes, "All In My Mind" by Benny Gordon, "Changes" by Lilly Fields, and "You Hit Me" by Alice Clark.

Amazing grooves from a legendary pair of labels – the ultra-funky Perception and Today Records, home of some killer sounds from the New York scene at the start of the 70s! The labels had a great ear for up-and-coming soul – especially with some of the younger groups rising up at the time – and they also used their magic to refresh the sounds of some older artists, particularly jazz musicians, who took on an ultra-funky approach at Perception – one that's made their work for the label some of the most in-demand over the years! Drums are heavy, bass is nice and fuzzy, and many of the cuts have a righteous sound that really takes off from the most progressive soul, funk, and jazz of the late 60s – pushing hard with an even heavier 70s vibe. Titles include "Brother" by Adam Wade & Johnny Pate, "Too Sad To Tell" by Debbie Taylor, "Chitlins & Chuchifritos" by Joe Thomas, "Naturally Good" by Bartel, "You & I" by Black Ivory, "I Can't Get No Higher" by The Eight Minutes, "You Owe It To Yourself" by JJ Barnes, "Get Some Of This" by Madhouse, "Honey Buns" by Bobby Rydell, "Gingele" by Astrud Gilberto, "One Life" by The Albert, "Surrender" by Black Ivory, "Wishful Thinking" by JJ Barnes, "You've Just Been Bitten" by Bartel, "Every Brother Ain't A Brother" by Joe Thomas, "Submission" by Tyrone Washington, "Boogie" by Bartel, "Alligator" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Rock Steady" by Julius Brockington, "Find The One Who Loves You" by The Eight Minutes, "A Possibility" by Wanda Robinson, and "Heritage Hum" by James Moody.

A heavy duty gospel music encyclopedia – named for the hymn Uncloudy Day and chronicling the careers of hundreds and hundreds of gospel artists and personalities from 1900 to the present day! It's a wonderful resource, put together by Bil Carpenter, who has written about soul, pop and gospel music for Goldmine, Living Blues, The Washington Post and other esteemed journals. It's all here, from 4 HIM to Debbie Zschech, as award listings, poll results of gospel lovers and more. Paperback, 515.

Two very groovy 60s soundtracks – back to back, and both appearing on CD for the first time ever! First up is Divorce American Style – a nice little soundtrack written by Dave Grusin for this dark and depressing 60s comedy that starred Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds! Grusin's score is extremely well-written – as great on the mellow and sad moments as it is on the more upbeat ones – almost going into Neal Hefti territory with its rich array of blue notes and understated jazzy phrasing – really great sounds from the budding young jazz talent! And sure, there's still a few nice groovers on the set that have a kitschy 60s feel – it wouldn't be a Dick Van Dyke film without them – and titles include "The Other Woman", "Before The Storm", "The Judgement", "Sudden Bachelor Blues", "Financial Counterpoint", "Tacos Por Uno Por Favor Jose", "The Scheme", "Sunday Fathers", and "Social Suburbia". Art Of Love is one of Cy Coleman's best records from the 60s – a swinging little soundtrack that's awash in all his best jazzy tendencies – the modes first honed up at the Playboy Penthouse, and expanded even more on a range of 60s scores! The film's a bit forgotten – a goofy 60s comedy starring Dick Van Dyke, James Garner, Elke Sommer, and Angie Dickenson – but the music lives on wonderfully, and has a jazzy flourish with a bit of kitsch – somewhere in the Mancini style of the 60s, but with some wonderful floating piano lines by Cy himself! Orchestrations are by Bob Bain and Russ Garcia – both very groovy talents – and titles include "Nikki", "Parisian Women", "So Long Baby", "Kick Off Your Shoes", and "Inspector Revisited".

A nice change in sound for Debbie Harry – thanks to Chic production from Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards – who really help the solo singer find a groove that's quite different than her work in Blondie! The style's a mixture of the funky club that Chic did so well, with elements that lean a bit more towards an early 80s rockish dancefloor – almost with a vibe that echoes some of the UK imports trickling over to these shores at the time, but with a definite New York vibe underneath! The setting gives Harry's vocals a great way to hit a more playful nature – that sound that was creeping in a bit in Blondie, but which some folks thought was wrong for the group – and Chris Stein is still on hand to bring in some street-sensitive riffing guitar. Titles include "Backfired", "Military Rap", "Oasis", "Surrender", "Chrome", "Jump Jump", and "The Jam Was Moving". CD features 3 bonus tracks – "Backfired (special long version)", "The Jam Was Moving (extended)", and "Inner City Spillover (extended)".

A sweet little album that serves up exactly what it promises in the title – a set of 60s pop tunes, all reworked by the jazz vocal artistry of Sarah Vaughan! The set's one of the most upbeat and bouncy that Vaguhan cut during the decade – and although you might know some of the tunes from the hit versions on oldies stations, Sarah's takes on the tracks are completely unique – very personal and transformative, especially since she's stretching out a lot more vocally than the famous singers of the songs. Luchi De Jesus handled the arrangements – and titles include "Make It Easy On Yourself", "Yesterday", "Little Hands", "Waltz For Debbie", "First Thing Every Morning", "He Touched Me", and "I Know A Place".

An excellent little collection – one that shows that the Chicago-based United Records label cut vocal work to match the best New York indies in the 50s! The tunes here are mostly jazz, but have some of the harder edges that you'd guess from United's R&B work too – and the singers are all wonderfully top-shelf – a fair bit of names you might not know at all, which makes the package a real revelation to our ears – mixed with rare recordings by a few others, including the first sides ever from Della Reese! Backings are great – tight and jazzy, often with a strong element of bop – and titles include "Never To Cry Again" and "Fallen" by Bixie Crawford, "Until I Fell For You" by Vanita Smythe, "I Can't Forget" and "Somebody Will Understand" by Terry Timmons, "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "A Fool Was I" by Helen Fox with Jimmy Coe, "Mays' Haze" and "Old Mill Stream" by Betty Mays with JJ Johnson & Kai Winding, "Please Wait For Me" by Debbie Andrews, and "Yes Indeed" and "Blue & Orange Birds & Silver Bells" by Della Reese with Jimmy Hamilton.