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Doris Duke's no loser at all – certainly not with a record this great – a killer set of deep soul tracks that may well stand as the singer's finest moment ever! Doris works here at a level that rivals all the best southern-tinged singers of her generation – Aretha Franklin, Ann Peebles, and others – and also gets some key help from Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams in the studio – who helps give the record a raw undercurrent, linking it to the best Stax Records material of the time. Duke sometimes brings a sophisticated twist to the vocals, which is nicely appreciated – and which keeps everything far from the realm of cliche – on titles that include "I Don't Care Anymore", "He's Gone", "To The Other Woman (I'm The Other Woman)", "Divorce Decree", "We're More Than Strangers", and "The Feeling Is Right". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few albums cut by this oft-overlooked southern soul diva – and one that mixes Muscle Shoals production with some nice uptown touches! Produced by Jerry Williams, Jr., aka Swamp Dogg! While the title comes of a bit flamboyantly, in truth, this record is an honest, personal, and earthy southern soul should-be classic. It's not only a personal triumph for Doris Duke, it's also one of greatest Swamp Dogg-produced records! Includes "I Wish I Could Sleep", "It Sure Was Fun", "He's Everything I Need", "Since I Fell For You", "Let Love Touch Us Now", "Bad Water", and a cool cover of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix". LP, Vinyl record album

Rootsy soul from Doris Troy – more of a down-home album than even her American work of earlier years! The set was recorded for the Beatles' Apple label at the end of the 60s – produced by Doris herself, and with a style that mixes in a fair bit of rock influences to a more standard style of soul. There's plenty of traces of late Beatles – in an "Oh Darling" or Let It Be mode, especially in the use of heavy guitars – and although Doris handled production, we also hear plenty of traces of Billy Preston and George Harrison in the mix. Titles include "Special Care", "You Tore Me Up Inside", "Gonna Get My Baby Back", "Jacob's Ladder", "Hurry", "So Far", and "You Give Me Joy Joy". LP, Vinyl record album

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". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the grooviest albums ever recorded – a set that's funky, offbeat, and has way more to offer than most American album of the time! Swedish singer Doris really knocked it out of the park with this one – working with arranger Bert Egerbladh, who gives the set some nicely unusual grooves, often augmented by his own work on organ! The album is famous amongst the break crowd for the track "You Never Come Closer", which has a deep groove and weird fuzzy piano that's been sampled by more than a few folks over the years – but over and above that, the record's an excellent batch of off-beat pop tunes – and it feels like some of the nuttier work that came out on Capitol Records during the late 70s, as evidenced by the Blue Juice/Blue Breaks love of the record in the past decade or two. Tracks include "Did You Give The World Some Love Today Baby", "I'm Pushing You Out", "Beatmaker", "Don't", "Waiting At The Station", "Bath", "You Never Come Closer", and "I Wish I Knew". LP, Vinyl record album

Obscure disco work from Doris Jones – a good fit here for the upbeat arrangements of the tunes! Pip Williams handled most of the arrangements here – and all tracks were written and produced by Ian Levine – done in that sparkling style of some of his other US disco work of the late 70s. Titles include "No Way Out", "Possessed", "Time On My Hands", "Suddenly I'm Alive", and "Can't You See The Smile On My Face". LP, Vinyl record album

A weird and wild collection of work that once graced the films of Doris Wishman – dubbed in the notes as the "pint-sized sleaze queen" of 60s nudist films – with an underground legacy that finally gets its due in this very cool package! The audio component is a mix of film trailers, soundtrack material, and groovy tunes from Fishman's increasingly sexy movies – vocal numbers that often have a fair bit of wit in the lyrics along with the sleaze! There's also some snippets from the films too – and the mix of music and spoken bits is great – served up with tunes that include "Sun Lovers Waltz", "Going Back To Nature", "Moon Doll", "Hideout Theme", "Hard Selling Woman", "Sun Lovers Blues", and "The Moon Is The Lamp Of Love" – and trailers from films that include "My Brother's Wife", "Another Day Another Man", "Double Agent 73", "Keyholes Are For Peeping", "Blaze Starr Goes Nudist", and "Nude On The Moon". DVD features lots of snippets of the same – a lurid array of the weird and wonderful sexploitation work of the 60s and 70s underground! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest albums ever for Blue Note – and the only album recorded by tenor player Tina Brooks that was issued during his lifetime! The album's nearly perfect – and features Brooks' edgey tenor set in an all star group that includes Duke Jordan on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Brooks had blown on other Blue Note sessions before, but here, working as a leader, his sound is tremendous – vaguely to the left of center of some of his other tenor counterparts on the label, but with an equally impeccable approach to soul and rhythm. Titles include "Miss Hazel", "Good Old Soul", "Up Tight's Creek", and "Theme For Doris". LP, Vinyl record album

The tremendous debut of the great Millie Jackson – a new standard-setting deep soul record for the 70s, and one that's quite different than some of Jackson's work from later years! The record's got a heartbreaking southern female soul approach – similar to work by underground favorites like Ann Sexton, Doris Duke, or Shirley Brown – and even though the arrangements are done north of the Mason/Dixon line (in New York by Bert DeCoteaux, and in DC by Tony Camillo), the record feels like it was lifted off the pressing plant in Muscle Shoals or Jackson! Titles include "I Ain't Giving Up", "I Miss You Baby", "Ask Me What You Want", "My Man, A Sweet Man", "I Just Can't Stand It", and "Strange Things". LP, Vinyl record album

A brilliant late Impulse Records album from Archie Shepp – material recorded on a variety of dates at the end of the 60s, but packaged together as an extremely soulful set in the mid 70s! There's a feel here that rivals some of the best moments of the Attica Blues years – a mix of spiritual soul jazz and bolder modern moments – reigned in nicely from the freer Shepp sound of a few years before, and given a really righteous focus by the addition of vocals on some tracks. Archie sings a bit himself, and one number features Leon Thomas singing with Tasha Thomas and Doris Troy – a very odd meeting in the studio! Players include Woody Shaw, Jimmy Owens, Dave Burrell, Grachan Moncur III, and Wally Richardson – and the tracks even get a bit funky at times! Titles include an excellent version of "New Africa", which was recorded later in Paris by Grachan Moncur III – plus "Back Back", "Spoo Pee Doo", "Slow Drag", and Cal Massey's "Bakai". LP, Vinyl record album

Remember Beach music? Once upon a time we might have argued that was a more contemporary term for an older genre, like northern soul, but this mighty fine collection from the late 60s on Atlantic shows you the sound's been around for quite some time! A great soundtrack for the beach from the Carolina scene – sweetly loping grooves that got heavy play at summer resorts on the southern shores of the Atlantic! While not all the groups originated in the south, the music's gained a special place in the hearts of folks in the Carolinas, who've come to consider the music their own because of it's slightly stepping beat and gentle kind of groove! A dozen numbers in all, including "One Mint Julep" by the Clovers, "Searchin" and "Zing Went The tings Of My Heart" by the Coasters, "Think A Little Sugar" by Barbara Lewis, "CC Rider" by Chuck Willis, "Money Honey" and "Honey Love" by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, "Walking Up A One way Street" and "Thank You John" by Willie Tee,"There Goes My Baby" by the Drifters, "Just One Look" by Doris Troy and "Drinkin' Wine Spo Dee O Dee" by Stick McGhee. LP, Vinyl record album

A killer selection of Spanish female pop – music that echoes British and French female work of the time, but which often has a different vibe as well! Part of that difference is the Spanish language of the lyrics, which seems to encourage some differences in the rhythms – but there's also some nice shifts in production, arrangements, and overall presentation – as the music moves from 60s soul-inspired mod modes, through 70s perfect pop gems, to some later numbers that show a bit of an influence from the dancefloor! Actually, most of these tracks are pretty upbeat and grooving, and would be right at home in a set for dancers – in a heady lineup of 24 tracks from artists who include Los Antifaces, Marion, Soledad Miranda, Teresa Maria, Franciska, Marian Conde, Elvira, Dolly, Eros, Nena Catherine, Doris Y Rossie, and others you're not likely to find in your local record racks! Titles include "Mas" by Enterprise, "Si Un Chico Fuera Yo" by Marion, ""Mairandote" by Suzie, "Mucho Mas" by Teresa Maria", "No, No, No" by Elvira, "Listen Here" by Dolly, "Casa Forte" by Doris Rossie and lots more. LP, Vinyl record album

Frantically funky club from Lagos – an amazing collection of post-Fela work from the Nigerian scene, lots of it with the kind of uptempo grooves you'd expect from the "disco" in the title! Yet the sound here is hardly the type you'd find over at Studio 54 – as most cuts here still veer more strongly towards Afro Funk than glittery disco – lots of heavy percussion, bumping basslines, and rough production – the kind of gritty grooves that makes tracking down records like this so great! There's definitely a bit more tightness in the instrumentation than a few years before – but things are never slick or commercial – and the overall feel is almost like some of the Banda Black Rio or Uniao Black funk coming from Brazil at the same time. Titles include "Hang On" by Nana Love, "Boogie Trip" by Doris Ebong, "Bad City Girl" by Grotto, "Don't Put Me Down" by Pogo Ltd, "Everybody Get Down" by Asiko Rock Group, "Boogie Train" by Paradise Stars, "Take Life Easy" by Christy Essien, "Boredom Pain" by MFB, and "Rover Man" by Emma Dorgu. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Alvin Robinson, Bettye Lavette, Johnny Adams, Mickey Murray, Doris Allen, Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson, Soul Suspects, The Rugbys, Randy & The Radiants, The Tikis, The Twiggs, Sam Dees, Evie Sands, and US Apple Corps. LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning tribute to the music of Jorge Ben – a host of classic covers from the 60s and 70s, all of which share Jorge's love for an upbeat, soulful groove! The set's exploding with life and energy – that new sort of groove that Ben first unleashed on Brazilian music in the 60s, which was quickly taken up by most of his contemporaries – as you'll hear on the wonderful tunes in this set! There's a ridiculous amount of music on the collection – over two dozen tunes, a number of which we'd never heard before – and although Jorge doesn't sing on any of them, the vocalists are all clearly inspired by his sense of warmth and soul. Every cut's a groover – and titles include "Quem Mandou" by Osmar Milito, "Zazueira" by Wilson Simonal, "Pulo Pulo" by Elza Soares, "Se Voce Quiser Mas Sem Bronquear" by Doris Monteiro, "Tenha Fe Pois Amanha Um Lindo Dia Vai Nascer" and "La Vem Salgueiro" by Os Originais Do Samba, "Carolina Carol Bela" by Os Brazoes, "Speed" by Sonia Santos, "Rei Do Maracatu" by Cyro Aguiar, "Cosa Nostra" by Os Mutreteiros Grilados, "Fio Maravilha" by Marijo, "Pais Tropical" by Wilson Simonal, and "Mas Que Nada" by Elza Soares. LP, Vinyl record album

A really great follow-up to the first collaboration between Khruangbin and Leon Bridges – one with a title that's similar to the first, but a sound that's nicely different too! It's almost as if the group take the "moon" in the title seriously – and go for a more laidback, dark-tinged version of the territory covered on Texas Sun – grooves that are a bit more mellow, and somewhat more introspective – at a level that really works well for the vocals of Leon Bridges, which themselves are sometimes spaced out in these really cool ways with the production! This isn't the hard-jamming side of Khruangbin, but instead that maturing quality of the trio that has them doing more with less – bringing a slow funk majesty to Bridges' vocals, on titles that include "Doris", "B-Side", "Chocolate Hills", "Father Father", and "Mariella". LP, Vinyl record album

A special vinyl-only collection of tracks from the legendary Dave Godin Deep Soul series – a set that's kind of the best of the best – given the strength of those all-great soul collections! All the cuts here offer a perfect definition of the deep soul groove at its best – a rich, heartfelt approach to the genre that's heavy on sounds from the southern soul scene of the 60s, but which also features a few inflections from other styles too! Vocals are always at the forefront, sung in a mindblowing way that may well even surpass some of the bigger names of the period – like artists on Atlantic or Stax – and titles include "Like It Stands" by Robert Ramsey, "These Four Walls" by Irma Thomas, "Losin Boy" by Eddy Giles, "Just Loving You" by Ruby Andrews, "You Got Me" by Jaibi, "Try Love" by Dori Grayson, "I'm Sorry I Hurt You" by Nat Phillips, "I Don't Cary Anymore" by Doris Duke, "Who Are You Gonna Love" by Rozetta Johnson, "You Make Me Feel Good" by Jawrence & Jaibi, and "It's Not That Easy" by Reuben Bell & The Casanovas. LP, Vinyl record album

A hip collection of tracks from Peggy Lee – featuring tunes recorded for Capitol during the late 60s and early 70s, put together as a special package for Placidyl sleeping pills! The album's hardly sleepy, though – and the standout cut is Peggy's awesome version of "Spinning Wheel" – a monster groover that puts her in the company of Doris or Shirley Bassey, as the cut's got a fantastic break and a great groove throughout! We totally dig the other stuff, too – and titles include "Pieces Of Dreams", "Let's Get Lost In Now", "Two For The Road", "Watch What Happens", and "You'll Remember Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty compelling album for Sidney – a selection of poems written by African Americans – stretching back across a variety of styles, and read to musical accompaniment and strange production effects! Sidney's joined by Doris Belack, who provides a female voice on a few numbers – and the overall style of the album is quite dark, almost somber – with lots of echo on the vocals, and added percussion, harp, piano, and other incidental sound bits. Titles include "When Malinda Sings", "Mother To Son", "The Debt", "At Candle Lightin Time", "The Creation", "Yet I Do Marvel", "Debate Of Dark Brothers", "Epigram", "We Wear The Mask", and "When You Have Forgotten Sunday". LP, Vinyl record album

Don't think Sun Records here – think SSS International – as most of this work comes from the late 60s efforts of producer Shelby Singleton, whose soul labels were bought by Sam Phillips and folded into Sun International! There's lots of great Tennessee soul grooves here – most of them pretty rare – and titles include "Wait Until Tomorrow" by The United Notions, "All I Want Is You" by Betty Harris, "I Can't Be All Bad" by Johnny Adams, "How Much Can A Man Take" by Big John Hamilton, "You Better Get Gone Baby" by The Jesters, "Hanging Heavy In My Mind" by Doris Allen, "You See Me" by Robert Parker, "Mama's Baby" by Marilyn Haywood, and "There's A DJ In Your Town" by Samson & Delilah. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Barbara Lewis, The Drifters, Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks, The Trammps, The Coasters, Willie Tee, The Tymes, Doris Troy, The Clovers, Mary Wells, Clyde McPhatter, Archie Bell & The Drells, Clarence Carter, Stick McGhee, Lenny O'Henry, Sam & Dave, and Ruth Brown. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from The Hit Paraders, Bea Wain, Andy Russell, Joan Edwards, Snooky Lanson, Doris Day, Lawrence Tibbett, Lanny Ross, Ginny Simms, Buddy Clark, Dick Todd, Dorothy Collins, Barry Wood, and Frank Sinatra. LP, Vinyl record album