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One of the greatest Roy Ayers albums of all time – and one of the rarest! The record is right in the same vein as Roy's groundbreaking He's Coming LP – a righteous mix of soul jazz, subtle funk, and some of the cosmic wisdom that Roy was spreading among the jazz funk underground – all wrapped up beautifully, but never in a way that's like commercial soul of the time. There's a few instrumental tracks on the album, plus some vocal ones that show that off-beat male/female style that Roy would use more famously in later tracks like "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" or his work with Ramp. Players include Harry Whitaker on electric piano, Edwin Birdsong on organ, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, Jumma Santos on congas – and titles include a version of Nat Adderley's "Hummin", done as "Hummin In The Sun", and very much in the Ramp vein. Also features instrumental cuts "The Fuzz", which has Roy's vibes toned way up, and the cool mellow "The Painted Desert", a really offbeat slow jazz number. The group also does a great job with Edwin Birdsong's "Pretty Brown Skin", picking up the song as a really anthemic groover that gives the record a nice kick! CD also includes the rare 45-only track "He Gives Us All His Love" – originally done for the movie Cold Turkey.

A great little album from Roy Ayers – a very funky record that's almost all instrumental all the way through! The sound is a bit in the vein of Roy's Live At Montreux set – but funkier overall, thanks to some very heavy rhythms on the bottom – and an approach to the tunes that's short, tight, and very much on the money! In addition to Roy's great vibes, the set also features Harry Whitaker on electric piano, Jimmy Owens and Cecil Bridgewater on trumpets, Garnett Brown on trombone, and Dennis Davis on drums and percussion – all very hip players who really help Roy find the mix of jazz and funk he was going for at the time. Dee Dee Bridgewater sings a bit of vocals on the record, joining Roy on the sublime spiritual track "Love From The Sun" – but most other tracks on the album have a more instrumental approach. The record includes a great remake of Leroy Hutson's track "Giving Love", sung more famously by Voices of East Harlem, and it's also got a nice funky cover of the hit "Brother Louie" – plus the tracks "The Morning After", "Des Nude Soul", "Virgo Red", "Love From The Sun", and "I Am Your Mind".

A long-overdue 3rd album by Sheree Brown – her first work since the early 80s, when she cut two landmark albums for Capitol! Sheree's an equally skilled vocalist and guitarist – and works in a territory informed by Minnie Riperton, Roy Ayers, Patrice Rushen, and Lesette Wilson – all of whom were predecessors and contemporaries to Sheree's original sound! And although there's been a span of 2 decades since we last heard from Sheree, she's hardly missed a beat – going for a sweetly seductive blend of soul and jazz that's totally great – wrapped up in a lean production style that's actually almost better than her Capitol work! Titles include "I Love You", "I'd Rather Be In Love With You", "Day Crazy", "I Just Don't Get It", "Why Oh Why", "Sometimes", "Mother Drum", and "When Water Flows".

Although Lionel Hampton's always best remembered for his storming swing days in the early 40s, we love him on records like this one – an easy open-ended straight jazz session from the 50s, with lots of room for soloing in a much more jazz-oriented vein than you'll hear on Hamp's early records. The group's a small all-star combo that features Roy Brown, Buddy Rich, and Oscar Peterson next to Hamp's vibes – and the set list includes long takes of "Midnight Sun", "That Old Black Magic", and "Blues For Norman".

A great collection of sides from one of the true giants of the tenor saxophone. This collection finds Hawk in a variety of settings, with support from Roy Eldridge, Hank Jones, George Duvivier, Walter Perkins, Ray Brown and others, though our favorite number is the stunning solo piece "Picasso". Also includes a great reading of his signature tune "Body & Soul", plus "There's A Small Hotel", "Sunday", "Hanid", "The Walker", "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "In A Mellow Tone".

Jackson, Johnson, Brown, and company – and a few more too – a nicely laidback sextet date from the later years of Pablo Records, done in the great mode that always made the label's work a 70s extension of the Verve Records ethos! Key players here, obviously, are Milt Jackson on vibes, JJ Johnson on trombone, and Ray Brown on bass – Brown also produced the set – and the group also features John Collins on guitar, Tom Rainer on piano, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Tracks are shorter and tighter than a jam session mode for three such heavy players – and titles include "Jaybone", "Lament", "Our Delight", "Bag's Groove", "Watch What Happens", and "The Jumpin Blues".

The cover says this is "an album if great rockin songs by Wanda Jackson" and they are indeed pretty rockin! Rather than rock, these tunes are more rockabilly, of course – and Wanda's amazing, raspy yet pretty voice is definitely rooted in classic honky tonk, too. It's a really fun record from her prime at Capitol. Tracks include "Lonely Week-Ends", "Kansas City", "Fallin", "Hard Headed Woman", "Tongue Tied", "Sparkling Brown Eyes", and "Man We Had A Party". One of the highlights of the record is the killer guitar playing – with credit to Roy Clark!

One of the greatest small group sessions of the 50s by tenorist Illinois Jacquet – and a record that really lets you hear his development as a musician at the time! Jacquet was always a standout on his instrument – especially in some of the larger group recordings that won him acclaim in the 40s. Yet the player heard here is much more mature, and even more confident – yet in ways that actually have him doing less – really finding his sense of timing and tone, and moving out magically in a hip Verve combo with Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Jimmy Jones on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Jo Jones on drums. Titles include "Las Vegas Blues", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Lullaby Of The Leaves", and "Achtung".

The essence of Duke Ellington – but in the hands of William Parker, it's a very different thing than you might expect! The group here is larger than usual for Parker – a great ensemble used in ways that definitely echo some of Ellington's more inventive scoring, especially his mature use of tone and color – yet both the solos and ensemble moments go way way farther than anything the Duke might have imagined – all the bold, righteous brilliance that we've come to love in Parker's own recordings – focused back on one of his greatest inspirations. The lineup is quite impressive – as musicians include Roy Campbell on trumpet, Ras Moshe on tenor and soprano, Rob Brown and Darius Jones on alto, Sabir Mateen on clarinet and tenor, Steve Swell on trombone, Dave Burrell on piano, Hamid Drake on drums, and Parker himself on bass – and titles include "Take The Coltrane", "Essence Of Sophisticated Lady/Sophisticated Lady", "Caravan", "Essence Of Ellington", "Take The A Train/Ebony Interlude", and "Portrait Of Louisiana".

One of the classic Verve series of recordings from the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, and an album that features one side of the Oscar Peterson trio with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis, plus a side of the trio joined by Jo Jones, Sonny Stitt and Roy Eldridge. 8 tracks in all, including "Will You Still be Mine", "Joy Spring", "Gal In Calico", "52nd Street Theme", "Monitor Blues", "Willow Weep For Me", "Autumn In New York" and "Roy's Son".

One of the most soul-based albums in Michal Urbaniak's catalog – a session originally done with TK records during the height of their dancefloor years, fitted up with some really great clubby grooves! The sound here is a mix of fusion and soul – done in a way that still gives Urbaniak plenty of room to solo on violin, sax, and keys – but which also sets up a warmer groove overall and really lets the vocals come center stage. Urszula Dudziak sings on about half the tracks – and other vocals are by Kenyatta and Calvin Brown – and the jazzy inflections of the tune really set this apart from lots of the other Miami disco on Marlin, giving the record a much deeper feel overall, and a quality that's held up very nicely through the years! Dark edges mix with warmer moments nicely, almost in a Roy Ayers way – and titles include "A Day In The Park", "Just A Funky Feeling", "Body Rub", "Ecstasy", "Creation", and "Want's Ta Make You Feel Good".

Possibly the best-ever collection of blacksploitation grooves we've ever seen – a really comprehensive package that not only manages to cover the classics, but which also digs deep enough to come up with lots of fresh bits too! The set really sets a new level for the Soul Jazz label – and is carried off with enough authority towards Black Action films as the label's legendary efforts towards a host of less mainstream genres – truly an achievement for the label's crew, not to mention a heavier bonus for our funky listening pleasure! There's way more here than just a slapped-together batch of tunes from the early 70s – as the set's very carefully put together to showcase a wide range of sounds, along with notes that really get at the social and political power of both the music and the films. 2CD package features a massive color booklet inside the slipcase – and features 34 tracks that include "Shaft In Africa" by Johnny Pate, "Down & Out In New York City" by James Brown, "Wilford's Gone" by The Blackbyrds, "Run Fay Run" by Isaac Hayes, "Theme From Black Belt Jones" by Dennis Coffey, "Willie Chase" by JJ Johnson, "T Plays It Cool" by Marvin Gaye, "Charley" by Don Costa, "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" by Willie Hutch, "Blacula" by Gene Page, "Theme From Cleopatra Jones" by Joe Simon, "Pursuit Of The Pimpmobile" by Isaac Hayes, "Sweetback's Theme" by Earth Wind & Fire, "Aragon" by Roy Ayers, "Strung Out" by Gordon Staples, "Easin In" by Edwin Starr, "The Bus" by Solomon Burke & Gene Page, "Make A Resolution" by The Impressions, "Ed & Digger" by Cotton Comes To Harlem, "Las Vegas Strut" by Jack Ashford, "Lay It On Your Head" by Don Julian, and "Zombie March" by Nat Dove & The Devils.

A treasure trove of raw soul and rough-edged R&B – a killer collection of material that originally appeared on the ultra-limited series of Juke Box Jam singles from Jazzman – sweetly collected into one nicely-priced package! The grooves here are totally great – and represent a step backwards in the funk scene – a move back to the 50s and early 60s from the previous focus on later years' soulful sounds – a much-needed dig back into the R&B that first inspired all the soul and funk of the 60s and 70s – but with a very fresh ear, so that the collection's way different than any set of music like this you would have heard a decade ago! The sounds are plenty gritty, and a great illustration that there's still loads to be discovered in these crucial years of music – as you'll hear on tracks that include "Lula" by Mike Robinson, "Country Boy" by Big Tiny Kennedy, "Mr Hound Dog's In Town" by Roy Brown, "I Can't Takit No Longer" by Ben Harper, "Shorty" by Vernon Dilworth, "Geechie Goomie" by Marga Benitez, "Crazy Do" by Jack Tucker, "I Say No No More" by Frances Burr, "Baby You Were Meant For Me" by Ervin Rucker, and "Hot Weather Blues" by Mr Sad Head.

A sprawling set that commemorates the Reggae Golden Jubilee– one that's beautifully put together by VP – and featuring 100 pivotal tracks from the early 60s to the late 00s! Selector Mr. Seaga does a pretty terrific job on the tracklist – which focuses as much on tracks that proved to be among the most trailblazing as it does on big hits. It touches on the styles and subgenres from throughout reggae's history – from ska, to rocksteady, reggae, dub, deejay, dancehall and beyond – with bellwether material by Theophilus Beckford, Higgs & Wilson, Skatalites, U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Yellowman, Third World, Dennis Brown, Maxi Priest, Sugar Minott, Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Shaggy and many, many more. "Dumplins" by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, "They Got To Go" by Prince Buster, "Bring Home" by Justin Hines & The Dominoes, "Rough And Tough" by Stranger Cole, "Hypocrite" by The Heptones, "Occupation" by Don Drummond & The Skatalites, "Wear You To The Ball" by U-Roy & The Paragons, "The A Fi Get A Beatin'" by Peter Tosh, "Police And Thieves" by Junior Murvin, "Right Time" by Mighty Diamonds, "Uptown Ranking" by Althea & Donna, "Over Me" by Yellowman, "Pass The Dutchie" by Musical Youth, "Try Jah Love" by Third World, "Wild World" by Maxie Priest, "One Blood" by Junior Reid, "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers, "Putting Up Resistance", by Beres Hammond, "You Don't Love Me (No No No)" by Dawn Penn, "Untold Stories" by Buju Banton, "Black Woman And Child" by Sizzla, "Gimme The Light" by Sean Paul, "Pon De River, Pon De Bank" by Elephant Man, "Welcome To Jamrock" by Damian "Jr Gong" Marley, "The Harder They Come" by Jimmy Cliff and more.

One of the greatest Roy Ayers albums of all time – and one of the rarest! The record is right in the same vein as Roy's groundbreaking He's Coming LP – a righteous mix of soul jazz, subtle funk, and some of the cosmic wisdom that Roy was spreading among the jazz funk underground – all wrapped up beautifully, but never in a way that's like commercial soul of the time. There's a few instrumental tracks on the album, plus some vocal ones that show that off-beat male/female style that Roy would use more famously in later tracks like "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" or his work with Ramp. Players include Harry Whitaker on electric piano, Edwin Birdsong on organ, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, Jumma Santos on congas – and titles include a version of Nat Adderley's "Hummin", done as "Hummin In The Sun", and very much in the Ramp vein. Also features instrumental cuts "The Fuzz", which has Roy's vibes toned way up, and the cool mellow "The Painted Desert", a really offbeat slow jazz number. The group also does a great job with Edwin Birdsong's "Pretty Brown Skin", picking up the song as a really anthemic groover that gives the record a nice kick!

A treasure box of early 60s R&B 45s – a top shelf collection of singles cut for the King & Federal labels from 1960 to 1964 – amazing numbers from Hank Ballard, Freddy King, The Drivers, Little Bobby Moore, Willie Dixon & The Big Wheels, Johnny Guitar Watson, Carol Ford, Little Willie John and more. Early 60s soul and rollicking R&B sides to rival the best and most exciting sounds of the era – compiled by DJ Mr Fine Wine, most of which have never been reissued before now! Includes "Gibble Gobble" by Willie Wright & His Sparklers, "Broadway" by Hank Ballard, "What Makes You So Cold" by Lulu Reed, "My Nerves" by Little Willie John, "The Slummer The Slum" by The 5 Royales, "I Don't Know About You" by Lloyd Nolan, "Where You At Jack" by Little Mummy, "That's It Man" by The Valentines, "Mind Your Own Business" by Eugene Church, "Regardless" by Charles Brown, "Texas Oil" by Freddie King", "One Zippy Zam" by Roy Mildton & His Orchestra, "Mom, Won't You Teach Me To Monkey" by Little Emmett Suttoon, "Hog Killin Time" by Eddie Kirk and more.

A Pablo Records release, but one that features material originally done during the classic Verve Records years of Norman Granz – a previously unreleased live performance by the Jazz At The Philharmonic crew! This time around, the combo's a small one – a really all-star lineup with Lester Young and Flip Phillips on tenor, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Max Roach on drums – all given lots of room to really open up, on the kind of long tracks that allow for plenty of solo voicing – exactly what we've come to expect from the JATP at their best! Titles include "Dre's Blues", "How High The Moon", "Undecided", and a long "Ballad Medley".

A tremendous double-length set by this hip group of legendary players – a quartet lineup that features trumpeter Roy Campbell, reedman Daniel Carter, bassist William Parker, and drummer Hamid Drake – all working together in sounds that definitely reach some other dimensions in music! The format is very loose and open-ended – perfect for the loft jazz-styled improvisations from the combo – working here in a very friendly, supportive setting in front of a Parisian audience – who clearly inspire the musicians to new heights. Some tracks are quite long, but stand as bold statements throughout – and others are a bit shorter, and nicely compact. Titles include "Other Dimensional Space Travelers Hip Bop", "Blues Configuration", "Slam Me Down", "Blues For Baghdad", "Desert Dance", "Suite For Miles Davis", and "James Brown Ascension".

Attica Blues, and beyond – a great late 70s performance that has Archie Shepp turning the clock back towards that famous album – but also making some very new grooves with a richly expanded lineup! The double-length set was recorded in Paris, in front of a very lively crowd – and it's honestly one of Shepp's most dynamic records from the time – definitely inspired by all the freedom he'd had in the French scene for the previous decade – yet also brought together with a great sense of focus too. The lineup is excellent – with vocals from Joe Lee Wilson and Irene Datcher – trumpets from Malachi Thompson, Charles McGhee, and Roy Burrowes; trombones from Charles Greenlee, Dick Griffin, and Steve Turre; reeds from Marion Brown, James Ware, and Marvin Blackman; plus piano from Art Matthews, some added strings, great percussion, and piano, tenor, and soprano sax from Shepp himself! Ray Copeland directs the group – giving it the hip focus of his few key recordings like this – and titles include "Star Love", "Moon Bees", "Attica Blues" (in two parts), "Steam", "Quiet Dawn", "Hi Fly", "U-Jaama", "Ballad For A Child", "Simone", "Crucificado", :A Change Has Come Over Me", "Goodbye Sweet Pops", and "Skippin'".

A triple-trumpet session with a really wonderful sound – the kind of all-star date that only a label like Verve could have done so well! As you'll guess from the title, the record's a showcase for the three trumpeters in the lead – and the tracks are long, with plenty of space for each player to state their case in a very distinct solo voice. Rhythm is by a familiar quartet that features Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Buddy Rich on drums – and the use of guitar in a set like this creates an especially ringing tone at the bottom, one that often seems echoed by the brighter notes of the trumpet over the top. The album's got a great extended "Ballad Medley", plus long takes on "Tour De Force" and "Steeplechase".

One of James Brown's earliest full albums for King Records – and a set that kicks off with his monstrous reworkin of the tune "Think" – originally recorded by the Five Royales, but recast here by James as the blueprint for all the funky goodness in years to come! That track really sets the scene for the record – and James follows up with some other harder, sharp-edged tunes – offset by a few more deep-burning mellower soul tracks. Other titles include "You've Got The Power", "If You Want Me", "So Long", "Baby, You're Right", "I'll Go Crazy", "Good Good Lovin", and "I Know It's True". Reissued with the great original cover, too!

Howard McGhee and his trumpet team up with pianist Phineas Newborn, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and Shelley Manne on drums for this great early 60s session. The record features the McGhee original "Demon Chase" and two Teddy Edwards songs, "Sunset Eyes" and his salute to McGhee "Maggie's Back in Town." McGhee himself pays tribute to one of his favorite trumpet players, Clifford Brown by doing Brown's "Brownie Speaks." Other titles include "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," "Willow Weep for Me" and "Summertime."

Music that really made the career of drummer Paul Motian – work that firmly established his power as a leader in the 70s, and showed the world that he had a huge range of music to offer beyond his initial fame with Bill Evans! Motian works here both on percussion and a standard drum kit – often in ways that intertwine rhythmic and melodic elements, in the freer structures that ECM helped unleash in the 70s – modes that often show a spiritual side to Paul's music that would have been unexpected a decade before – wrapped up in the company of some fresh young talents from the underground! Players on the dates include Keith Jarrett on piano, Leroy Jenkins on violin, Becky Friend on flute, Charles Brackeen on tenor and soprano sax, Joe Lovano on tenor, Bill Frisell on guitar, Billy Drewes on alto and tenor, David Izenzon and Charlie Haden on bass, and Sam Brown on guitar – and the 6 CD set features the full albums Conception Vessel, Tribute, Dance, Le Voyage, Psalm, and It Should've Happened A Long Time Ago.

Joe Turner rides again – but in a style that's a bit more like his Kansas City roots than some of the R&B he was cutting for Atlantic Records in the 50s! There's a nice jazz vibe to the record – thanks to sharp arrangements from Ernie Wilkins, who's really coming into his own here – and knows how to serve up just the right blend of modern jazz and swinging soul to make the tunes work! The ensemble is filled with jazz heavyweights too – including Seldon Powell, Coleman Hawkins, Pete Brown, and Jerome Richardson on reeds – plus Ernie Royal on trumpet. But Joe's vocals definitely take center stage – infused with all the heavy power he'd assumed during this seminal comeback decade – still bluesy, but with a lot more punch than before. Titles include "Switchin In The Kitchen", "I Get The Blues When It Rains", "Nobody In Mind", "Don't You Make Me High", and "Here Comes Your Iceman".

Includest tracks by Meade Lux Lewis, Charlie Spand, Wesley Wallace, Will Ezell, Henry Brown, Cow Cow Davenport, Charles Avery, Jabo Williams, Blind Leroy Garnett, and Cripple Clarence Lofton.

Stones Throw does it again – with a massive batch of older funk rarities that tops most of the rest on the market! Cold Heat is a follow-up to the label's smoking Funky 16 Corners set – and like that one, it's overflowing with great bits that have barely (or never) been heard by the rest of the world at large. Compiler Egon has gone through a range of rare singles, masters, and demos – and has come up with tunes that burn with a brightness that's undeniable. The grooves are all on the harder end of the James Brown Funky People side of the spectrum – and some tracks are by names that are finally getting their due, thanks to the work of Egon, Wax Poetics, and some of the other funky forces doing the good work over the past few years. In a way, the collection's a summation of some of the singles and reissues coming out through the Now Again/Stones Throw imprint – but it also features some other bits and alternate versions that are totally great! Titles include "Don't Go" by Aristocrats Organization, "Loaded To The Gills (edit)" by Michael Liggins & The Supersouls, "Mr Chicken (alternate)" by The Soul Seven, "Slipping Into Darkness" by Dayton Sidewinders, "James Brown Medley" by The Apollo Commanders, "Scorpio" by Kashmere Stage Band, "Sad Chicken" by Leroy & The Drivers, "Street Scene" by Leon Mitchinson, "Free Your Mind" by Amnesty, "The Thing" by Carleen & The Groovers, "Go For Yourself (edit)" by Kenny Smith & The Loveliters, and "The Stretch (edit)" by Detroit Sex Machines.

A host of wonderful work produced by James Brown – most of it by a range of different singers, and one by The Godfather himself! The collection brings together some of the earliest James Brown productions – mid 60s tracks recorded for King and Smash Records, most of which aren't nearly as well known as later JB productions for the People and Polydor labels! As with that later work, all the grooves here are right in the same territory that James was hitting himself – upbeat, funky, and stone out of sight soul – all with plenty of rough edges, and backings from the same tight core of musicians that were helping out Brown on his recordings. The package is a real treasure – and is a great complement to the James Brown Singles collections from the Hip-O Select label – proof that even in these early days, James was clearly the hardest working man in show business – given all his time in the studio with other artists! 22 tracks in all – including "I Found Out" and "I'll Keep Pressing On" by Bobby Byrd, "That's When I Cry" and "If You Don't Think" by Anna King, "I Don't Care" and "Unexplainable" by Dizzy Jones, "Got No Excuse" and "If You Don't Work You Can't Eat" by James Crawford, "Do You Really Want To Rescue Me (part 1)" by Elsie Mae, "Lookie Lookie Lookie" by The Jewells, "Wide Awake In A Dream" and "Nobody Cares" by Vicki Anderson, "Devil's Den" by The Poets, "It Hurts To Be In Love" by Yvonne Fair, "That's The Spirit" by Rev Willingham, "Faith" by The Five Royales, "I Cried" by Tammy Montgomery, "Soul Food (parts 1 & 2)" by Al Brisco Clark, and "New Breed (The Boo Ga Loo) (part 1)" by James Brown.

A stunner of a collection of reggae sides from 1974-1979 – records made during the creative peak of Tommy Cowan's Talent Corporation enterprise – a company engineered by the voice of late 60s rocksteady pioneers the Jamaicans to give exposure to many of the incredible artists that helped lay down the true sound of Jamaica for many years to come! Tommy Cowan formed the Talent Corporation with partners Warwick Lyn and Gayman Alberga to promote local Jamaican music on a level that was being done for the popular artists from the States at the time – with recording sessions mostly produced and arranged by Cowan in his benchmark fashion. Here he's crafted perfect little numbers with innovators such as Jacob Miller, Abyssinians, Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Devon Irons and many more! 20 tracks in all, including the immortal "Jerusalem" (extended version) by Devon Irons, "Love Comes And Goes" by Abyssinians, "Ghetto On Fire" by Jacob Miller, "Mother Country" by Little Madness, "School Tonight" by Desi Roots, "The Way" by Augustus Pablo, "The Road Is Rough" by Leroy Smart, "Life Goes In Circles" by Dennis Brown, "False Rumour" by Two Rasta Man, "False Rumour Version" by King Tubby, "Natty Sings A Hit Song" by Dillinger, "Dub Songs" by Dillinger and King Tubby, and more!

A set of roots reggae from the immediate post rocksteady years – great late 60s and early 70s reggae with more earnestly soulful vocals and sweet Caribbean rhythm! Includes numbers by Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson, Horace Andy, Barry Brown, Leroy Smart and more. 16 tracks on the CD: "Roots Natty Congo" by Johnny Clarke, "Bad Minded People" by Leroy Smart, "Skylarking" by Horace Andy, "Declaration Of Rights" by Johnny Clarke, "Trying Youthman" by Barry Brown, "Politricks" by Cornell Campbell and more.

A set of roots reggae from the immediate post rocksteady years – great late 60s and early 70s reggae with more earnestly soulful vocals and sweet Caribbean rhythm! Includes numbers by Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson, Horace Andy, Barry Brown, Leroy Smart and more. 14 tracks on the LP: "Roots Natty Congo" by Johnny Clarke, "Bad Minded People" by Leroy Smart, "Skylarking" by Horace Andy, "Declaration Of Rights" by Johnny Clarke, "Trying Youthman" by Barry Brown, "Politricks" by Cornell Campbell and more.

Rare soul from the legendary King Records – hand-picked by Mr Fine Wine, with a special ear for sharp-edged R&B grooves! Most of the work here is from the same early soul stretch as James Brown's initial work for King – and recorded with an equally raw sound overall – heavy rhythms, powerful instrumentation, and amazing vocals that really stretch out with a bold sound for the new generation! A few of the cuts here are by familiar names, and others are lesser-knowns from the rich King catalog – all wrapped together in a big batch of tracks that's filled with the kind of rare gems that Fine Wine's know for – both as a collector and a DJ. Titles include "Old Faithful & True Love" by Earl King, "She's Mine" by Joe Tex, "Mama Needs Your Lovin Baby" by Linda Hopkins, "Cozy's Mambo" by Cozy Cole, "The Jumpin Bean" by The Mystics, "Harem Girl" by Red Prysock, "I Won't Have It" by The King Pins, "One Buffalo" by Jimmy Peterson, "Thanks Mr Postman" by Bobby King, "Solid Rock" by Eli Pauling & The Royalton, "Nothing But Good" by Hank Ballard, and "Take Your Fine Frame Home" by Billy Gayles.

Rare soul from the legendary King Records – hand-picked by Mr Fine Wine, with a special ear for sharp-edged R&B grooves! Most of the work here is from the same early soul stretch as James Brown's initial work for King – and recorded with an equally raw sound overall – heavy rhythms, powerful instrumentation, and amazing vocals that really stretch out with a bold sound for the new generation! A few of the cuts here are by familiar names, and others are lesser-knowns from the rich King catalog – all wrapped together in a big batch of tracks that's filled with the kind of rare gems that Fine Wine's know for – both as a collector and a DJ. Titles include "Old Faithful & True Love" by Earl King, "She's Mine" by Joe Tex, "Mama Needs Your Lovin Baby" by Linda Hopkins, "Cozy's Mambo" by Cozy Cole, "The Jumpin Bean" by The Mystics, "Harem Girl" by Red Prysock, "I Won't Have It" by The King Pins, "One Buffalo" by Jimmy Peterson, "Thanks Mr Postman" by Bobby King, "Solid Rock" by Eli Pauling & The Royalton, "Nothing But Good" by Hank Ballard, and "Take Your Fine Frame Home" by Billy Gayles. Totally great limited package – 20 tracks on 10 funky 45s – all packaged in a mighty cool box!

Mindblowing music from the trio of Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Jo Armstead – most of it composed and recorded in New York during the mid 60s – before Armstead left for the Chicago scene, and Ashford & Simpson went to work for Motown in Detroit! The three writers have a really beautiful way of putting over a tune – fresh lyrics that are perfect for the budding soul generation of the 60s – and which often get some production work from the members of the trio too, especially on some of the tracks here that were issued by Wand Records. The package does a perfect job of unearthing these early years – pulling together compositions by the three (and occasionally just by Ashford & Simpson) – and illuminating this period with notes that are as thorough as the selection of tracks on the set. Titles include "Dance Children Dance" by Mary Love, "The Shoe Won't Fit" by Betty Everett, "Look Away" by The Shirelles, "Are You Trying To Get Rid Of Me Baby" by The Crystals, "I Don't Need No Doctor" by Sandy Nelson, "Please Little Angel" by Doris Troy, "The Real Thing" by The Chiffons, "Smokie Joe's" by The Jewels, "Say It Again" by Marie Knight, "Looky Looky" by Candy & The Kisses, "Mr Creator" by The Apollas, "You're Absolutely Right" by Tina Britt, "I'm Satisfied" by Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown, "Cry Like A Baby" by Aretha Franklin, "Same Old Feeling" by Jo Ann & Troy, "Only Your Love Can Save Me" by Betty LaVette, and "Love Ain't What It Used To Be" by The Diplomats.

Mighty recordings from the funk years of King Records – amazing grooves that follow the initial inspiration that James Brown gave to the label – but take things into wild new territory too! The late 60s & early 70s were kind of a strange and tumultuous time at the longtime Cincinnati operation – which was adapting to the changes in funk, soul and R&B music that James Brown almost single-handedly ushered in – at King and throughout the entire culture! What's most impressive here, beyond the exceptional quality of each song and performer, is the diversity – as the set's not all front-to-back JB-style funk – and also features some funked up bluesy soul, strains of gospel, the convincing move towards funk from veterans such as Hank Ballard & Bill Doggett – all topped off with righteous storytelling, sweet female soul leads, and some amazing grooves down at the bottom! Titles include "Getting Down (With Hoss)" by Kastle, "Love's Sweet Water" by Barbara Burton And The Messengers, "Baby Don't You Know" by The Brownettes, "Clay Tyson (Man On The Moon)" by Clay Tyson, "Cool Jerk" by The Coasters, "The Boo Boo Song" by King Coleman, "Unwind Yourself" by Hank Ballard, "Steal Away" by Leon Austin, "Peter Rabbit" by The Presidents, "Lookin For A Woman" by Robert Moore, "Push & Shove" by Willy Wiley, "Ball Of Fire" by Connie Austin, "Sad But True" by Elaine Armstrong, and "You Keep Me Hanging On" by Bonnie & Sheila.

The first-ever dub album from Niney The Observer – based around rhythms he'd cooked up for Dennis Brown, Max Romeo, and Delroy Wilson – all transformed completely in the studio by King Tubby! The sounds here are often very abstract – light years away from the originals – and given these spacey, repetitive cycles that seem to trip out even more than conventional dub! A landmark little record, and one that sounds even darker all these many years later – with cuts that include "Casanova Dub", "Rebel Dance", "Jam Down", "Parade Dub", "Turntable Dub", "Corn Man", "Mister D Brown Skank", and "Youth Man".

One of the few albums ever cut by Claire Hogan – an overlooked 50s singer with a wonderfully lush sort of style! Claire's never soppy or poppy, but has a way of sliding into the tunes with this easygoing approach that's mighty nice – definitely informed by jazz, but not really jazz vocals either – although she definitely knows how to make things swing at all the right moments! Backings are by LeRoy Holmes, who's already showing an equal skill for a subtle swing – and songs are all by the team of DeSylva, Brown, & Henderson – with titles that include "Just Imagine", "My Sin", "Thank You Father", "If I Had A Talking Picture Of You", "Lucky In Love", and "I'll Know Him".

Heavy heavy funk from the Louisiana scene of the late 60s and 1970s – and a great collection that really gets past the dominance of the New Orleans sound! The set moves way past the Crescent City to uncover a wealth of great bits recorded in smaller studios located in Shreveport, Lake Charles, and a variety of tiny scenes in the southwest side of Louisiana – and the result is a great batch of tunes with a really gritty, down-n-dirty sound! There's a wealth of great funky styles in the set – including James Brown-inspired jammers, southern soul burners, and some other great modes that show that Louisiana's got a heck of a lot more to offer than just New Orleans funk. Titles include work from the Anla, Murco, Soul International, Goldband, and Tic Toc labels – a total of 22 cuts that include "Soul Time" by Ernest Thomas, "Soul Feeling (parts 1 & 2)" by Eddy G Giles, "Soul Brothers Testify (part 1)" by Chester Randles Soul Senders, "Soul Power" by Abraham & The Casanovas, "Put It On" by Count Rockin Sidney with The Dukes, "Fix It" by Clifton White & His Royal Knights, "Miss Hard To Get" by Dennis Landry, "No Sad Times" by Johnny Truit, "Black Water Gold" by African Music Machine, and "I Got A Groove" by JJ Callier.

Where do labels like Makasound dig this stuff up? More terrific reggae, saved from mere sidebar status, this time 'round from Leroy Brown. While you may have been lucky enough to come across Leroy's fantastic Color Barrier LP, much of which is included here, the likeliness is that you've heard him supporting other groups before he departed Jamaica for greener pastures. The nice, nice mid 70s material included here will make you wonder why Brown's name isn't at the top of the credits to more work, with fine support from Sly and Robbie, Horsemouth, Leroy Sibbles, Chinna Smith, Ansel Collins, and Augustus Pablo, among others. 15 tracks in all, including "What A Fire", 2 versions of "Color Barrier", "Don't Give Up", "Rulers Of Babylon", 2 versions of "Money Barrier", "Stand Up Strong", "Mind How You Walk", "African Roots", "Time Of Decision", "Gone Gone", "Metro Pigs" and "Prayer Of Peace".

A mellow soul masterpiece from Randy Brown – a crucially-overlooked talent from the late 70s, working here with a totally put-together vibe! The album's got the mature, mellow feel of some of the best work by better-known 70s contemporaries – like Leroy Hutson or Lamont Dozier – polished, but never slick – and flowing out with a sensual groove that's especially nice on the more laidback or midtempo cuts. Randy's vocals have some great deep soul echoes – much more so than other singers of this type – and mixed with the warm production from Homer Banks and Carl Hampton, they give the album a rich quality that totally grabs us – a bit like some of Teddy Pendergrass' best mellow work with The Blue Notes. Titles include "I Love You Baby", "Love Is All We Need", "Do It Baby", "Too Little In Common", and "I'd Rather Hurt Myself".

Rare dancefloor soul on King Records – and another crucial look at a side of the label that's beloved by the most devoted of 60s & 70s soul seekers – but it's deeply overlooked by the mainstream! Volume 3 is the best yet in the series – partly because they're found some stellar proto-funk treasures that work just as strongly with the Northern Soul community – and also because there's some really great stuff here that paves the way for some of our favorite 70s soul! It's heavy with singles released from 1968 to 1971 – by Marva Whitney, Mill Evans, Charles Spurling, Mary Johnson, Royal Flush, The Presidents, Willie Hatcher, The Brownettes and many more! 24 tracks in all: "Unwind Yourself" by Marva Whitney, "Right Now" by Mill Evans, "Popcorn Charlie" by Charles Spurling, "Thunder" by Lord Thunder, "Name In Lights" by Freddie Williams, "You Have My Blessings" by Mary Johnson, "Mama's Baby" by Royal Flush, "Something You Didn't Done" by Mike Williams, "When We Get Together" by Otis Williams & His Charms and many more.

The Let's Boogaloo series gets an extra-special pedigree this time around – the added talents of Gerald from Jazzman Records, which makes for an even funkier entry than ever! The cuts are a mix of rare Jazzman grooves and contemporary deep funk killers – all delivered with a sound that's right up there with the best of the late 60s/early 70s funky underground, with lots of heavy drums, hard-riffing guitars, blasting horns, and deeply soulful vocals! Titles include "Makini" by Sal Davis, "Now I've Got A Woman" by Freddy King, "I'm Shakin" by Little Willie John, "Spacin Out" by The Invaders, "Funky Fire" by Billy Larkin, "Angel Food" by The Port Angels, "Newborn" by Shade & The Jazz Destroyers, "Mr Magic" by John Heartsman, "He Spoke" by All Nations Quartet, "It's An Explosion" by Royale VII, "Funky Puggin" by Soul Fantastic, and "Dance Man" by Keisa Brown. CD features 17 tracks in all!

London's always been one of the hippest cities in the world – but back during the postwar years, there was an especially wonderful outpouring of music on the scene – a rich array of new sounds and styles pulled from around the globe – as so many residents from crumbling British empire came to live in the UK! Musicians and listeners arrived in London with plenty of cultural baggage on hand – influences from the Caribbean, West Africa, and India too – plus other smaller scenes that once fell under the British banner, all now the fuel for the cultural fire that was happening in England! The title here tells plenty about the music being made in this newly-formed scene – bits of African highlife, Jamaican calypso, American jazz, Cuban Latin, and more – all filtered into the modernism of the 50s, and given a new twist that was decidedly urban as well. The package may well be the most impressive so far in this legendary series – and is certainly the one that moves the farthest past any sort of easy expectations or cultural conventions. Titles include "Women Police In England" by Mighty Terror, "My Sorrow" by West African Swing Stars, "Cricket Umpires" by Lord Kitchener, "Jordhu" by Caribbean Swing Band, "Trumpet Highlife" by Shake Keane, "Calypso Mambo" by George Browne, "Cuban Nightingale" by Buddy Pipp's Highlifers, "Kitch" by The Quavers, "Tabu" by Mona Baptiste, "King Jimmy Foo Foo" by Tejan Sie with The West African Rhythm Brothers, "The Escape" by Dizzy Reece, "Mambo Contempo" by Ginger Johnson, "Life In Britain" by Mighty Terror, "Sway" by Buddy Pipp's Highlifers, "Song Of Joy" by Rupert Nurse's Calypso Band, "Joe Louis Calypso" by Lord Beginner, "Uncle Joe" by Fitzroy Coleman Quintet, "Me Donkey Want Water" by Tony Johnson, "Belly Lick" by Eric Hayden, "Nigeria Odowoyin" by West African Rhythm Brothers, and "Football Calypso" by King Timothy.

Heavy heavy funk from the Louisiana scene of the late 60s and 1970s – and a great collection that really gets past the dominance of the New Orleans sound! The set moves way past the Crescent City to uncover a wealth of great bits recorded in smaller studios located in Shreveport, Lake Charles, and a variety of tiny scenes in the southwest side of Louisiana – and the result is a great batch of tunes with a really gritty, down-n-dirty sound! There's a wealth of great funky styles in the set – including James Brown-inspired jammers, southern soul burners, and some other great modes that show that Louisiana's got a heck of a lot more to offer than just New Orleans funk. Titles include work from the Anla, Murco, Soul International, Goldband, and Tic Toc labels – a total of 22 cuts that include "Soul Time" by Ernest Thomas, "Soul Feeling (parts 1 & 2)" by Eddy G Giles, "Soul Brothers Testify (part 1)" by Chester Randles Soul Senders, "Soul Power" by Abraham & The Casanovas, "Put It On" by Count Rockin Sidney with The Dukes, "Fix It" by Clifton White & His Royal Knights, "Miss Hard To Get" by Dennis Landry, "No Sad Times" by Johnny Truit, "Black Water Gold" by African Music Machine, and "I Got A Groove" by JJ Callier.

The first-ever dub album from Niney The Observer – based around rhythms he'd cooked up for Dennis Brown, Max Romeo, and Delroy Wilson – all transformed completely in the studio by King Tubby! The sounds here are often very abstract – light years away from the originals – and given these spacey, repetitive cycles that seem to trip out even more than conventional dub! A landmark little record, and one that sounds even darker all these many years later – with cuts that include "Casanova Dub", "Rebel Dance", "Jam Down", "Parade Dub", "Turntable Dub", "Corn Man", "Mister D Brown Skank", and "Youth Man".

A landmark early moment from Doris Troy – a set that has her shining not just as a key 60s soul singer for Atlantic Records – but also as a heck of a great songwriter too! She's got a really fresh approach here – one that's right up front for the time – with a mix of raw vocals and classy production, in a style that's partly New York uptown – but which also has the kind of strongly individual vibe you'd get from singers like Maxine Brown or Barbara Lewis too! Arrangements on the record are by Gregory Carroll, who also wrote the bulk of the material with Doris – including tracks like "Lazy Days", "Bossa Nova Blues", "Whatcha Gonna Do About It", "Time", and "Just One Look". Other tracks include "Stormy Weather", "School For Fools", and "Somewhere Along The Way".

A legendary piece of reggae history that should be better remembered – a rare live set recorded at the Turntable Club – originally released on Trojan and hard-to-find since! It's incredible stuff – produced by Niney The Observer and featuring numbers by Dennis Brown, Alexander "Bottlehead" Portious, Delroy Wilson and Big Youth – all backed masterfully by the Soul Syndicate Band! Recorded on a single evening at the club, it was the first ever live session captured at the iconic nightspot – and it still sounds great! Includes "Cassandra", "Rock With Me Baby" and Give A Helping Hand" by Dennis Brown, "Everything I Own" and "Love Overdue" by Alexander Portious, "I'm A Happy Man", "It's A Shame" and more by Delroy Wilson, "Dread In A Babylon" by Big Youth and more. The stage intros for each act are left in the recording, given the whole thing an air of importance and geniune sense of it's place in Jamaican music history. Nice!

An excellent compilation of rare funky jazz tunes – issued here supposedly as a lost soundtrack, but really just a collection of tunes from other sources, all with a nice soundtrack-y jazz feel! There's a few familiar names here, but most of the material is from rare European and American indie jazz LPs, and sound library sources of late 60s/early 70s vintage, with a nice mix of electric and acoustic playing. Titles include "Troublemaker" by John Cameron, "Voodoo Love Dance" by Melvyn Price, "Do Whatever Sets You Free" by Gus Giordano, "Chili Mac" by Preston Love, "La Folla" by Solar Plexus, "A New Generation" by Oscar Brown Jr & Jean Pace, "Dancer" by Gregory Charles Royal, "Zazueira" by Meta Roos, and "Jody's Freeze" by James Reese & The Progressors.

Think funk music has to be old to be good? Think again – as Keb Darge takes you on a tour of some of the best funk you'll ever find on one CD, and it's all by current groups! Nobody knows more about old funk than Keb – as his work as a DJ, collector, and compiler have been keeping the music alive for years. But Keb's also open minded enough to realize that there's a heck of a lot of new groups that have been inspired by the classic grooves of the late 60s and early 70s – and who share his love for totally authentic funky tracks that are perfect in every way, top to bottom with dirty, heavy, messed-up funk! The set brings together 14 recent tracks from the deep funk underground – killer cuts that were issued as rare 7" singles, plus a few previously unissued numbers, all with the sock-hard finish of classic work by James Brown or The Meters – and with the added bonus that these are groups that you could actually get up, go out, and see in a club! Tracks include the previously unissued tracks "Wait Up" by Speedometer and "The Badger" by Connie Price & The Keystones – plus "Texas Rumble" by The Imaginary Visions, "Forty First Street Breakdown" by Naomi Davis, "One Note Brown" by The New Mastersounds, "Got To Be The Way It Is" by Sharon Jones, "Who's The King" by Joseph Henry, "The Matador" by The Mighty Imperials, "GT" by The New Mastersounds, "Funky So & So" by The Sugarman Three, and "Blow Your Top (part 1)" by The Soul Destroyers.