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Sort of a repackaging of the Brasil '65 album on Capitol – done here in a pressing by Pickwick that features a very psychedelic cover! The record's a mixed bag of tracks that has some bossa piano trio stuff, plus some vocal cuts with Wanda De Sah, the alto and flute of Bud Shank, and the occasional guitar playing of Rosinha De Valenca. The album was recorded in LA by Capitol, and has a bright West Coast 60's feel that brings out the best of Sergio's style. Cuts include "Reza", "One Note Samba", "Berimbau", "So Nice", and "Consolacao".

Although the Main Ingredient were best known for their early 70's singles, this album from '74 is a wonderfully complex batch of tunes that shows that the group were taking a cue from some of their hipper contemporaries, and pushing past a stock hit formula. Bert DeCoteaux was still arranging, but the group produced themselves, giving the record a sexy funky feeling in the best parts, not that dissimilar from some of Marvin Gaye's work, or records by groups like The Isley Brothers or The O'Jays. Includes great versions of two Seals & Crofts songs – "Summer Breeze" and "Euphrates" – both a perfect example of this style, as is "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend" – plus a great reading of Willie Hutch's "California My Way", which has a super-dope sample at the beginning. Of course, the album still includes material like their hit " "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely", a sweetly style AM radio pop hit in the band's best style of earlier years.

Funky soul covers from a host of hit blacksploitation films – played in fresh new versions by the mysterious Super Dudes! Most of the tracks here follow the originals pretty closely, but have some different elements that we really appreciate – slight changes in rhythms or instrumentation, and a slightly rougher feel from the studio polish of the hits! We're not sure who the players are at all – but there's lots of heavy drums, great keyboards, and funky guitar – plus some occasional vocals on a few tracks. Titles include "Symphony For Shafted Souls", "Slaughter", "Time Is Tight", "Bumpy's Lament", "Bumpy's Blues", "Theme From Shaft", and "Trouble Man". Also issued in a 2LP form – but this is the single LP format.

A 70s collection of classic 60s work by the Impressions – a selection of their sides for ABC Records, featuring their biggest hits of the time! Every track, save one, is written by Curtis – and arrangements on all cuts are by the great Johnny Pate. Titles include "People Get Ready", "Amen", "We're A Winner", "Talkin Bout My Baby", "Gypsy Woman", "Keep On Pushin", "I'm So Proud", "You Must Believe Me", and "It's Alright".

Groovy version of the Shaft soundtrack, played by the obscure studio group Soul Mann & The Brothers (who are actually led by Sy Mann). The set includes the best cuts from the score, like "Walk From Regio's", "Café Regio's", "Theme From Shaft", and "Bumpy's Lament". Not totally Isaac Hayes, but with some nice grooves – and a goofy simulation cover!

Early stuff by Con Funk Shun, recorded in 1973, and a lot funkier than some of their later work. The set went down in Memphis, and the overall sound is kind of a Bar-Kays-ish ensemble funk style, although with less of a heavy guitar groove. We're not sure if there ever was another pressing of the material – as this 1978 Pickwick issue is the only one we've ever seen. Tracks include the 9 minute long instrumental "Seascape", plus "Funky Things On Your Mind", "Love In me", "Time", and "Get Down With It".

A cover record – but a great one! Unlike some of the Pickwick knock-off albums from the time, this blacksploitation effort by Cecil Holmes is top-shelf all the way – as Cecil's one of the best funky bandleaders of the early 70s. The large group on the album features funky keyboards by Pat Rebillot, plus plenty of wah wah guitar, and enough strings to make the album rank up there with the soundtrack feel of the day. Includes versions of "Superfly", "Slaughter", "Freddie's Dead", "Across 110th Street", "2001", and "Trouble Man". Some nice grooves, and a few nice samples, too!

Dark genius from Waylon Jennings' years at RCA – a surprisingly wonderful batch of tunes that have the deep-voiced singer working through an array of contemporary themes! True, a number of the cuts here are country covers of mainstream hits – but Waylon's deeply personal readings really transform the songs magically – almost pointing the way towards years-later country variants from folks like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson, delivered here with a subtlety that's kept them hidden for all these many years.