With a Frankie Knuckles remix. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

The standout classic from Curtom disco diva Linda Clifford – and an album that showed that Chicago could rival Philly in the clubby groove department! Linda has a proud presence that really matches that of her better-known sisters in the City Of Brotherly Love – and she's singing here with a strong sense of personality that really sets the album apart from other female disco albums of the era. One of the greatest examples of this is her stunning "Runaway Love" – which has a bad-rapping, almost Marlena Shaw-esque monologue in the middle – but other tracks are equally nice, and include "Gypsy Lady", "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "Broadway Gypsy Lady", "You Are You Are", and "I Feel Like Falling In Love Again". Arrangements are by Gil Askey – who also produced the set in collaboration with Curtis Mayfield! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the entire album plus bonus track in DVD-audio stereo and surround mixes. CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of the classic early Miles Davis & John Coltrane sessions for Prestige – a well-crafted quintet album that shows Miles finding a stronger voice than ever, and Coltrane beginning to emerge as a key force on his own! Backing is subtle and soulful – handled by the trio of Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Quite possibly the funkiest album ever recorded by saxophone legend Nathan Davis – a sweet little session with plenty of electric touches! The sound here differs greatly from Davis' 60s work on the European scene – his amazing albums for MPS and Polydor – and the record's awash in funky drum breaks, rolling basslines, keyboard solos, and plenty of searing work on soprano, tenor, alto, and flute by Nathan himself! There's a spare, stripped-down brilliance to this album that makes it one of our favorite indie jazz albums ever – a sense of groove that's apparent from the very first note, but also a righteous vision for arranging and composition that easily puts the set right up there with the best on the Strata East or Black Jazz labels! A few funky standouts on the record have been sampled heavily over the years, but the whole thing's great through and through – and titles include "Tragic Magic", "New Orleans", "African Boogie", "Stick Buddy", and "Bahia". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly the funkiest album ever recorded by saxophone legend Nathan Davis – a sweet little session with plenty of electric touches! The sound here differs greatly from Davis' 60s work on the European scene – his amazing albums for MPS and Polydor – and the record's awash in funky drum breaks, rolling basslines, keyboard solos, and plenty of searing work on soprano, tenor, alto, and flute by Nathan himself! There's a spare, stripped-down brilliance to this album that makes it one of our favorite indie jazz albums ever – a sense of groove that's apparent from the very first note, but also a righteous vision for arranging and composition that easily puts the set right up there with the best on the Strata East or Black Jazz labels! A few funky standouts on the record have been sampled heavily over the years, but the whole thing's great through and through – and titles include "Tragic Magic", "New Orleans", "African Boogie", "Stick Buddy", and "Bahia". CD

A pretty cool collection produced by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee – focusing on famous speeches by important female African-Americans – mostly focusing on the civil rights era, but also featuring an early speech by Ida B Wells. Ruby reads the speeches, and works include "I Am A Black Revolutionary Woman (1971)" by Angela Davis, "The Right To A Decent Life & Human Dignity (1971)" by Coretta Scott King, "It Is Time For A Change (1969)" by Shirley Chisolm, and "Lynching, Our National Crime (1901)" by Ida B Wells. CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

A collaboration between trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist Elan Mehler – but a record that seems to draw equal input from the vocals of Dominique Eade, who's a key force on the session – delivering these darkly poetic lyrics that are matched beautifully by both of the leaders – then taken into a rich tapestry of sonic activity through further work from John Gunther on saxes and bass clarinet, Simon Willson on bass, and Dayeon Seok on drums. The original album was a vinyl-only release on the subscription-only Newvelle label, but this CD issue adds in other tracks not on the vinyl – a set of 13 titles that include "Even A Nameless Stream", "Wolf Orchard", "Here On The Plains", "Barn's Burnt Down", "Life", The Spring Current", "With Your Singing", and "If There Are Mountains". CD

A sprawling set from the prolific Drake – a nearly 70 minute record that was originally released digitally for free –ultimately of a caliber to come out as a legit, no less than chart-topping proper album! Includes "Legend", "Energy", "10 Bands", "Know Yourself", "No Tellin'", "Madonna", "6 God", "Star67", "Preach" with Partynextdoor, "Used To" with Lil Wayne, "Now & Forever", "Jungle", "How Bout Now", "My Side", and more. 19 in all. CD

2 early 70s sessions from Billy Eckstine – both recorded for Stax Records! First up is Senior Soul – a well-titled set not only given Billy's age, but also because of the surprisingly soulful undercurrent to the record – an extension into the genre even greater than Eckstine's previous recordings for Motown – and proof that he was really trying to stretch out towards new audiences at the time! Artie Butler handled the backings, and he uses a groove that's pretty full, but never overwhelming – more ebullient soul than some of Eckstine's more familiar jazz – with backing vocals and bright horns, yet still plenty of space for Billy to do his thing. The best numbers have Eckstine coming across with the 70s cool of Grady Tate on his vocal sides – and titles include "Thank You For The Moment", "A Song For You", "A Man Who Sings", "Today Was Tomorrow Yesterday", "I Believe In Music", and "Living Like A Gypsy". If She Walked Into My Life is extremely compelling stuff – and you've really got to give Billy credit for reinventing himself like this! The album features Billy's deep deep voice amidst arrangements by Artie Butler, Jimmy Jones, Mike Melvoin, and Billy Byers – sort of a blend of Grady Tate sophisti-jazz, and Scott Walker baroque, with a moody mellow sound that would make either of them proud. Titles include "The Taste Of My Tears", "I Am Yours", "Maybe This Time", "The Very Thought Of You", and "All In Love Is Fair". CD

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of the first wave of work from late 70s Detroit harmony group Enchantment – the best of their recordings for United Artists, and a set that's put together with a real focus on the group's mellower tracks! Like The Dramatics at the time, Enchantment had a newly sophisticated approach to vocal group harmonies – able to work with smoother, tighter arrangements, but not in a way that took away the focus on the sublime vocal work that made the group so great in the first place. The tracks here are a wonderful blend of the personal and professional – and even when a bit of a groove sneaks into a few of the tunes, there's still a warmly crackling vocal approach that's just as great as indie soul work from a few years back. Titles include "Gloria", "Silly Love Song", "Trying To Get Over", "Where Do We Go From Here/Journey", "Thank You Girl For Loving Me", "If You're Ready Here It Comes", "It's You That I Need", "Sunshine", "Dance To The Music", and "Come On & Ride". CD

From "Night Fever". 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A lean little groover from the Nigerian scene – an Edo funk set that's got a vibe that's more stripped-down than most – really focused on the rhythms, with a stark, spare quality that's very different than bigger groups of the decade before! There's almost an influence here going on from both post-punk and reggae – darker production with some echoey edges, heady basslines that often come across with a slightly spooky sound, and use of horns and guitars in ways that really have a sharpness that's unexpected – funky but lean too – on titles that include "Gaskya Kace", "Ekhueghamunu", "Onughara", "Aikemienaru Nanorunomwan", and "Bi Enu Ba Sahun". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

... CD

A great electric set – recorded at the Lighthouse in 1970, in that slightly funky mode of Joe's best work from the time! Joe Henderson's beautiful soloing style, honed at this point on a number of fine Blue Note recordings, is set free in a band that includes Woody Shaw, Lenny White, and George Cables, who plays beautifully on electric piano. Tracks include new versions of "Mode for Joe" and "Blue Bossa" – redone with a sweet gliding 70s groove – plus "Carribean Fire Dance", "If You're Not Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem", and "Round Midnight". The core original album If You're Not Part Of The Solution is expanded with tracks pulled from the Joe Henderson box set – making for a 10-title package that recaptures the whole original performance. Extra tracks include "Recorda-Me", "Isotope", "A Shade Of Jade", and "Invitation". CD

... CD

Warm, late nite work from the Eddie Higgins trio – that great 90s lineup that features Eddie on piano, Jay Leonhart on bass, and Joe Ascione on drums! It's hard to adequately get at the genius of these guys together in words – as their power is somewhat subtle, but damn effective – a way better sound than we might have ever expected from Eddie many years back, and the kind of a record that's really got us renewing our look at his talents! Higgins is both bold and sensitive on the set – masterful on the keys, yet quite unassuming as well – hard to peg adequately, but just the sort of strength that more than justifies all the tape the Venus Records label have spun on him in recent years. Titles include "If Dreams Come True", "Summertime", "Shinjuku Twilight", "Caravan", "Nightingale", "Frenesi", "Into The Memory", and "Minor Swing". CD

Great small combo work – with Gonsalves on tenor, Hines on piano, Al Hall on bass, and Jo Jones on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

John Lee Hooker gets some great treatment here – working in a loose, groovy style for the Bluesway label – and getting a nice dose of funk right down at the core! The set's produced by Ed Michel – who'd also done some great soul jazz work over the years – and in addition to great vocals and guitar from Hooker, the set also features extra guitar from the great Earl Hooker, piano and organ from Johnny Walker, and harmonica from Jeffrey Carp. Gino Skaggs plays electric bass, which gives the whole thing a nice kick – and titles include "Have Mercy On My Souil", "Lonesome Mood", "Bang Bang Bang Bang", "The Hookers", "Baby, Be Strong", and "I Wanna Be Your Puppy Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Helen Humes gets great small combo backing – from players who include Benny Carter on trumpet, Frank Rosolino on trombone, Teddy Edwards on tenor, Andre Previn on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and either Shelly Manne or Mel Lewis on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A later classic from this legendary Korean guitarist – prested in SX-74 Sound! LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

One of the best of the funky Brit jazz rock combos from the early 70s – with some super-heavy drumming that's just great, and more than a few funky flute riffs to keep the grooves nice and tasty! Sure, plenty of the album's in a rocking vein – but there's also some great groovers that have a sound that's almost like early early Mandrill. Includes "Fly, Fly, The Route, Shoot", "Feel Thing", "Pick Me Up", and "Play, Play, Play". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Both classic albums from Luther Ingram – issued back to back on a single CD! I've Been Here All The Time is a tremendous little set from Luther Ingram – proof that the singer had way more to offer than just his famous southern soul singles! The record's got a really deep feel from the start – kind of a slow-burning sound that moves way past easy soul music styles, and offers up Ingram as one of the most mature singers of his generation. The Bar-Kays handle some of the backings, and they're also quite good here too – much rootsier at times than on their own records, but still with a hint of funk as well. Titles include "Ghetto Train", "I'll Just Call You Honey", "Since You Don't Want Me", "I'll Love You Until The End", "Be Good To Me Baby", "Ain't That Loving You", and "You Were Made For Me". The second album is wonderful mellow soul from Luther Ingram – and a record that gave the south one of its greatest soul anthems of the 70s! "If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right" is one of those genre-defining tunes – a slow-burning track that shows a new level of maturity for southern soul in the 70s – sweetly sad vocals from Luther right out front of the mix, supported with bubbling backings that ooze sex throughout – and a message of pride in the face of love that had an undeniable impact on a whole generation. The rest of the album's equally great – done with slightly fuller backings at times, and a more familiar Memphis soul groove at others – a perfect showcase for the mighty talents of Ingram at this high point of his career. In addition to "If Loving You Is Wrong", other titles include "Dying & Crying", "I Remember", "I Can't Stop", "Love Ain't Gonna Run Me Away", and "I'll Be Your Shelter". 21 tracks in all – and 14 pages of detailed notes and photos! CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A bunch of nice, pumped up house mixes of this popular Janet cut. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A totally excellent single by one of our favorite overlooked soul singers! "If You Want" starts out with some amazing echoey guitar picked passages – ala early 70s Barry White (in fact, they sound like they were lifted from the Gloria Scott album!) Then, Jesse comes in on a monologue, and next leaps into the song's tasty catchy hook. Arrangments by HB Barnum, who also had a hand in writing the cut. And this wasn't on an album, was it? 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Soul singer Ruby Johnson never recorded a full album back in the day – and this set nicely corrects that fact, by bringing together some of her rare singles as a wonderful ten track album! Ruby's got a richness that's in the best southern soul mode of the time – a voice that would fit easily right next to the best Chess material by Etta James, but occasionally giving a slight uptown pitch in the backings – maybe a bit like Maxine Brown at moments too! Yet whatever the case, Johnson's a wonderfully expressive singer – and really knocks it out of the park on this set of heartbreaking gems – titles that include "No No No", "If I Ever Needed Love", "It's Not That Easy", "I'll Run Your Heart Away", "Let Me Apologize", "I'd Better Check Myself", "Come To Me My Darling", and "How Strong Is My Love". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderful little record that sounds nothing like Kansas City or something you might expect from a group with "jammers" in their name – as there's a sweet harmony style to the whole album that's a lot more like Cali work of the time! The trio harmonize together beautifully, and they mix acoustic and electric instrumentation in a nicely lean mode – yet with a quality that's still well-produced for such a small label indie release at the time! We might make an obvious comparison to CSNY, but the song themes are very different, as is the mood – and these guys are much more down to earth in a really great way! Titles include "For A Sign". "Live In Harmony", "Messiah", "For Father" "Chess Piece", "Hairy Tongued Turtle", "Midnight Watch", "Fall", "Fingers Foot & Fade", and "For Marti". 2CD edition features a full bonus disc – 14 more rare tracks from the time, a great expansion to the too-small legacy of the group! CD

One of the few solo albums by Eric Kaz – a singer-songwriter who'd worked with Blues Magoos and American Flyer, always staying on the fringes of the mainstream, which is certainly where this album ended up. The set's got an honest, earthy sort of feel – produced by later Blue Note emprasario Michael Cuscuna, with a kind of an "hipster goes easy" sort of feel. Titles include "Tonight The Sky's About To Cry", "When I'm Gone", "Someday My Love May Grow", "Cry Like A Rainstorm", and "Cruel Wind". CD

Kenn Starr, Asheru & Talib Kweli collaborate on "If". Ken handles the flip solo. Taken from the Halftooth Presents compilation. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Sublime soul from Anna King – a James Brown-produced sock-soul diva who predated Marva Whitney and Lyn Collins! "Get These Memories" is done in a wonderful way – tight snapping drums underneath, and some really hard-wailing raw vocals from Anna over the top – making the tune sound like you've never heard it before! "If Somebody Told You" is a slower blusier number – one that has Anna really going over the top on vocals – blowing away Etta James, Fontella Bass, and all other comers! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A nicely different album than some of Peggy Lee's other albums for Capitol Records – a set of sophisticated arrangements, handled by Quincy Jones – which really give Lee the kind of setting to remind the world that she can be as compelling of a jazz singer as she can a vocalist on upbeat groovers! Jones here is coming off of work by his larger groups of the late 50s, and has a wonderful sense of tone and shading – creating this richness that's as deeply blue as the image on the cover, and which really works on the more melancholy currents that Peggy could hit at the right moments – those qualities that would get explored a bit more in later years, but which really find their way to open up here. The group features nice work from Benny Carter on alto and Victor Feldman on vibes – and there's a sense of loss and longing to the record that almost rivals that on the Sinatra album Wee Small Hours. Titles include "As Time Goes By", "If You Go", "I Wish I Didn't Love You So", "I Get Along Without You Very Well", "When I Was A Child", "Here's That Rainy Day", and "I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life". LP, Vinyl record album

The Man I Love is quite a rare album from Peggy Lee – and a strange one too! The album features backings "conducted" by Frank Sinatra, done in a moody, flowing, dreamy and sad style – similar to his own work of the late 50s Capitol years, especially the more melancholy albums that we love so much. Frank's probably not doing the bulk of the work, though, as the record also credits Nelson Riddle with arrangements – and Riddle's sound here is very strong, again in the mood of his best sad work with Sinatra – territory explored on albums like Wee Small Hours or Only The Lonely. Titles include "That's All", "Please Be Kind", "He's My Guy", "Then I'll Be Tired Of You", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", and "If I Should Lose You". CD

Carolyn Leonhart on vocals – accompanied by Wayne Escoffery on saxophone, Toru Dodo on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, and Jason Brown and Carl Allen on drums. CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A really sprightly piano set from Kirk Lightsey – one that's maybe got even more kick than some of his classic work from years back! The pianist works here with Steve Watts on bass and Dave Wickins on drums and percussion – and the tunes are all nice and long, and really stretch out with plenty of space that lets Kirk show off that special side of his style – his way of being both warmly lyrical and more soulfully introspective at the same time, with a sense of color and phrasing that really leaves us breathless throughout! The set features some guest work from Lee Goodall on soprano and flute – and titles include "Golden Legacy", "Punjab", "Estate", "Escapade", "Fresh Air", and "Vappallia". LP, Vinyl record album

A great example of why Little Milton was always one of the few Chicago blues artists who could also break strongly in the soul camp at the time – and a beautifully balanced set that perfectly shows both sides of the Chicago scene of the time! Production is by old Vee Jay maestro Calvin Carter, and arrangements by Gene Barge, who manages to slide effortlessly between blues and soul on the set – almost pushing Milton into Tyrone Davis territory, but keeping things a bit more rougher and down home on some of the other numbers. The sound is wonderful – very deep and rich, and with a sound that's head and shoulders above most other albums of this type in the late 60s. Titles include "Baby I Love You", "If Walls Could Talk", "Things That I Used to Do", "Let's Get Together", "I Play Dirty", "Blues Get Off My Shoulder", "I Don't Know", and "Poor Man". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... CD

Ian Matthews got his start in Fairport Convention, but a record like this makes it clear that Matthews always needed to be a mainman of his own – as the record's got this focus, fullness, and lyrical quality that's only further by Ian's surprisingly strong role as a producer! There are a few older echoes here and there, but the whole thing is stepping up to a new generation of singer/songwriter material – personal, but confident – acoustically inflected, but never folksy at all – and filled with the sorts of songs that make it clear that you're in a new generation of self-expression! Titles include "Desert Inn", "Hearts", "Never Ending", "Reno Nevada", "Hinge (parts 1 & 2)", "Southern Wind", "Morgan The Pirate", and "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

One of those early hard to find Next Plateau single, before they were distributed by Polygram. Maybe we're off in our geography, MC Sugar Ray sounds almost like a Brooklyn version of Big Daddy Kane. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Tracks include "I Keep Forgettin", "I Gotta Try", "Playin' By The Rules", "Love Lies", "No Such Luck", and more! LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Funky early 70s work by Jimmy McGriff – a mix of tight groovers and more open soul jazz numbers – all of which represent some of his best moments for the Groove Merchant label! Jimmy's got a lean, mean sound on these tracks – and even when the backings are full, they've got the tightness of a 70s soundtrack – nice and jazzy, and with a great funky punch on the bottom! The McGriff keyboard sound has plenty of room to roam around, even when the cuts are short – and titles include a great cover of "Ain't It Funky Now", plus "Super Funk", "Fat Cakes", "Dig It On", "Bug Out", "If You're Ready Come Go With Me", "Let's Saty Together", "The Bird", "Plain Brown Bag", "Jumpin' The Blues", "Tiki", and "Shuckin & Jivin". LP, Vinyl record album

An 80s quiet storm classic from Stephanie Mills – one of her best-remembered sides from the time, and a real hit-making set of ballads and mellow numbers! The title track's a great remake of Gladys Knight's classic of the same name – updated with some nice 80s production touches that modernize the tune without losing the core of its soul. Stephanie's vocals are great throughout – even when the instrumentation tends to overwhelm things a bit – and titles include "If I Were Your Woman", "I Feel Good All Over", "Jesse", "A Rush On Me", "Running For Your Love", "Can't Change My Ways", and "Secret Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

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

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Features James Newton on flute, Mike Cain on piano, Anthony Cox on bass, and Billy Hart on drums! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two masters of sound and texture coming together wonderfully – in a set of live duets that feature McPhee on pocket trumpet and soprano sax, and Evan Parker on tenor! We haven't heard the players duet since their mid 00s release on Okka Disk – and this set shows an even more sympathetic meeting of minds – long tracks that slowly build and find a sonic space that's just perfect – rolling out with the kind of organic energy that Joe brought to his classic work of the late 70s, and which Parker has really reached in his own music of the past decade or two. The set features three long tracks, very improvised – with the titles "What", "If", and "They Both Could Fly". CD

A quartet date – Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe Pass on guitar, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Martin Drew on drums! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A fantastic setting for "If I Was Your Girlfriend" – a wonderfully nasty slow funk number from Prince – backed here by the even-better "Shockadelica" – a fuzzy, raspy number that wasn't issued on any full length album at the time! 12-inch, Vinyl record