A never-heard soundtrack for a never-seen film – and a record that's every bit as funky as better-known sets from the blacksploitation era! Final Solution were a small time group from Chicago's west side in the 70s, but on this wicked little soundtrack they sparkle just as brightly as Isaac Hayes, Willie Hutch, Curtis Mayfield, or any of our favorite soundtrack soul artists from the time – working in a really righteous approach to soul with lots of heavy rhythms on the bottom and rumbling bass in the mix – so that even when the tunes are mellow, there's still a bold, brash sort of power to the set! The vocals are mostly delivered in harmony style, again with a nice edge – a bit like The Impressions work on Three The Hard Way, but with more of an indie soul feel overall, given the production circumstances. Once again, our hats are off to Numero for unearthing this gem – and as usual, the full tale of the group, the movie, and the music is told at length in the accompanying 16 page booklet! Titles include "Brotherman", "Never Coming Back Again", "I Don't Care", "Girl In My Life", "Gotta Get Through To You", "One Day", "I'm Ready For Love", "Theme From Brotherman", "No Place To Run", and "We Can Work It Out". CD

A great little collection – and one that definitely gets the "soulful" in the title right! The cuts here are from some of our favorite mellow soul artists of the 70s – tracks that move, but in a nicely laidback way – with funky rhythms moving slower than on club cuts, at a level that also follows some of the best steppers' modes in our home city of Chicago! Many of these songs were slept-on the first time around, but have gone to become classics over the decades – thanks to the work of soul collectors and DJs around the globe – and also thanks to labels like Soul Brother, who never let us down when it comes to a collection! Titles include "Yes It's You" by Sweet Charles, "There You Go" by Edwin Starr, "She's My Summer Breeze" by The Reflections, "I'm Your Lover" by Ronnie McNeir, "Ain't That Mellow Mellow" by Willie Hutch, "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Voices Of East Harlem, "Save The Children" by Marlena Shaw, "I Don't Want To Be Second Best" by Jeannie Reynolds, "Strung Out For Your Love" by The Dramatics, "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" by Bobby Blue Bland, "Evil Vibration" by Mighty Ryders, "Give Me Your Love" by Sisters Love, and the extended mix of "Playing Your Game Baby" by Barry White. CD

Fantastic sounds from one of our all-time favorite producers in soul music – the legendary Norman Whitfield, the man who helped some of Motown's artists pick up a new sort of righteous sound at the end of the 60s, before moving on to start his own Whitfield label in the 70s! If you don't know Norman, you definitely know his work – as he's the cat responsible for adding heavy basslines and fuzzy guitars to Detroit soul – picking up on some of the wider musical changes in the Motor City, and using them to push more message-oriented tracks into the scene! Yet Norman wasn't just a 60s powerhouse – as when the 70s approached, he found a way to expand and refine that sound, keeping it fresh in so many different ways – as you'll hear here in this really well-done collection of his best recordings, supported by very detailed notes as well. Tracks include "I Saw You When You Met Her" by The Undisputed Truth, "Ooh Boy" by Rose Royce, "And All Hell Broke Loose" by Willie Hutch, "I've Been Waitin (single version)" by Spyder Turner, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye, "Come With Me (single version)" by Rare Earth, "Just One Love" by Stargard, "Wishing On A Star" by Jr Walker, "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" by Rose Roce, "Love Is What You Make It" by Masterpiece, "Good Lovin" by Mammatapee, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone (single version)" by The Temptations, "War" by Edwin Starr, "It Should Have Been Me" by Yvonne Fair, "Me & Rock & Roll Are Here To Stay" by David Ruffin, and "Psychedelic Shack (single version with intro)" by The Temptations. CD

The incredible lost album from the group Sisters Love – material slated for release in the early 70s, but never saw the light of day, save for a handful of singles – a mix of rootsier southern soul and impeccable west coast funk styles, finally brought to light and with bonus tracks, to boot! Sisters Love came to Motown/MoWest at a transitional time for the label(s), who sent the group on tour, released a rare few singles in the US & UK, but didn't get the group over into the public consciousness the way it deserved. Great songs that were written, produced & arranged by the cream of the crop of soulful talents – Willie Hutch, Hal Davis, Gene Page, Gloria Jones & Pamela Sawyer – but this is the Sisters Love show, and they shine brilliantly! Titles include the amazing "Fast Mack" (purportedly submitted for the soundtrack to The Mack – and it's funky enough!), "Communication", "Mr Fix-It Man", "You've Got My Mind", "Just A Little Understanding", "I'm Learning To Trust My Man", "Giving Up", "Do What You Gotta Do","You've Got To Make Your Choice", "Sweet Inspiration", "Give Me Your Love" and "Turn On Your Love Light". CD

The incredible lost album from the group Sisters Love – material slated for release in the early 70s, but never saw the light of day, save for a handful of singles – a mix of rootsier southern soul and impeccable west coast funk styles, finally brought to light! Sisters Love came to Motown/MoWest at a transitional time for the label(s), who sent the group on tour, released a rare few singles in the US & UK, but didn't get the group over into the public consciousness the way it deserved. Great songs that were written, produced & arranged by the cream of the crop of soulful talents – Willie Hutch, Hal Davis, Gene Page, Gloria Jones & Pamela Sawyer – but this is the Sisters Love show, and they shine brilliantly! Titles include the amazing "Fast Mack" (purportedly submitted for the soundtrack to The Mack – and it's funky enough!), "Communication", "Mr Fix-It Man", "You've Got My Mind", "Just A Little Understanding", "I'm Learning To Trust My Man", "Giving Up", "Do What You Gotta Do","You've Got To Make Your Choice", "Sweet Inspiration", "Give Me Your Love" and "Turn On Your Love Light". CD