A really romping single from the lesser-known Connie Austin – a cut that's as funky as is soulful, with a set of backings that comes down right on the money, while a little conga line kicks things right back over the top! The approach allows Connie's vocals to really soar – giving the whole thing an unexpectedly righteous vibe! Charles Spurling steps out on the flipside – a storming Northern Soul number recorded in the 60s, but which appears here on a 45 for the first time ever! 7-inch, Vinyl record

The Foundations were the first of many successful British groups to break the American charts – and the first LP has the racially mixed group grooving like the best US soul acts from the same time. The set kicks off with the band's first big single – "Baby, Now That I've Found You", a huge radio hit on both sides of the Atlantic. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Not to be confused with JJ Johnson, Jay Johnson is a deep voiced singer who kicks off this track with a Barry White-styled monologue – seducing a female lover with his words as strings build up behind him, never actually singing, but talking his way through the whole track – leaving things pretty hot n bothered by the end of part 2! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Heavy funk from Betty – working here in her best deep soul mode! The main side is a nice cover of "Games People Play", but the real killer is "My Train" – a badass bit of funky female soul that really kicks some ass! The tune's got some of the tightest backings that Betty ever got on wax – and she steps up with a magnificent hard soul vocal to match! 7-inch, Vinyl record

2 classics from The Sensations – both topped off by the belting vocals of singer Yvonne Baker! "Let Me In" is the group's standout classic – a snapping, snare-heavy tune that kicks along at a catchy little clip – and "Oh Yes I'll Be True" is deeper, mellower soul – but still with a nice snare too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A monster – and one of the most anthemic cuts that James ever cut! Begins with a monster drumbeat, kicks into a stone groove with loads of guitar, horn, and funky bass – while James shouts the whole thing through without faltering! The track became the motto of a generation – and it's a heck of a lot funkier than "We Shall Overcome"! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A rare cut from this great French group – excellent in the original, and mighty nice in the rework! The main version is wonderful – funky and clubby, but with a very jazzy vibe – one that's echoed by the duo singing the lead lyrics in French, and by the keyboard solo that does some mighty nice things in the middle! The re-work on the flipside kicks up the groove a bit more, and stretches out some of the best elements – but still has plenty of room for those great vocals and keys! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two great sides from the legendary funk band! "Message" has been covered by many – a sublime snakey funker, with a sound that made it an instant classic! "Zony Mash" is a totally original groove – lots of hard beats at the beginning, plenty of thumps and grumps, right before some wah wah guitar comes in and kicks a bit o' booty! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Classic work from this heavy funky combo! "Blow Your Mind" certainly does – as it's got a full brace of loud brassy horns hitting hard on top of fuzzed-out guitar. After the intro, the track kicks back into an easy groove that's really good – slow and trippy, one of the group's best ever tracks! "40 Acres" has lots of guitar too – and a strong conga-driven groove that's equally trippy! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two killer cuts from one of the unsung talents of the De Wolfe sound library of the 70s! "Design" has this really cool bongo line that kicks hard throughout the cut – while riffing guitar and just the right touch of some other electric string instrument create a mighty nice groove! "Long Weekend" is even fuller and funkier – and has this offbeat electric keyboard line that's all cool and sprightly next to the heavier groove! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A killer Northern Soul single from the Volcanos – a group who definitely earn their explosive name with "Gotta Be A False Alarm"! The tune runs off tight right from the start – with this mighty Detroit-styled groove, and rock-solid vocals that have the lead singer trading lines beautifully with the harmonies from the group! "Movin & Groovin" does exactly what the title promises – and kicks into gear with this wonderful horn part over triple-time drums – all instrumental, and delivered at a level that hardly makes you miss the vocals! 7-inch, Vinyl record