Beautiful harmony soul from Act 1 – a group we totally love when they're in this mode – just grooving enough to open up the vocals a bit, stepping along with some great east coast sweet soul production! "Night Of The Wolf" is a completely different track, but equally groovy – a sharp funky instrumental with all sorts of fast-riffing guitar, taken from a rare Italian sound library album of the 70s – and topped with a cool whistle that almost has a spaghetti western vibe! 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the funkiest cuts ever from reedman Harold Alexander – served up here in the 45rpm single version, which is short, tight, and really concentrates on the funky drums at the core – although still also topped with plenty of fierce funky flute from the man himself! Speaking of funky drums, Pretty Purdie is on the flipside with "Heavy Soul Slinger" – a cut that definitely earns its name, as the funky drums mix with great conga, massive bass, and this warm organ line that really sends the whole thing home! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A stunning bit of sweet soul from this very obscure Ohio group – done in a soaring harmony style that would have made the late 60s Impressions proud – but given this nicely stark backing and production that's maybe more in the New Jersey mode of the time! The Aswads are backed by the Naturall Band on the vocal cut – and the flipside is a searing take on the territory explored by James Brown in "There Was A Time" – moving nicely quick, and with all sorts of riffing guitar and electric piano! 7-inch, Vinyl record

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

Two rare KPM sound library grooves – back to back on a single piece of wax! "Name Of The Game" is fantastic – slow funk, but super-heavy – with measured drums that space things out as keyboards really take their time to build up the mood, before serving up a mighty sweet solo in the middle! The drums break nicely by their own at one point too – and "Confunktion" has a similar slow funk start, then really builds with frenetic energy on the drums – almost a proggish take on funk at times! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Great 70s harmonies from Classic Example – soaring here over a tune that has so much warmth and charm, it's hard to believe it's about a breakup! The track has these horns that cascade along with the vocals – and this lilting vibe that's completely compelling right away! "I Found Me A Girl" is slower and bluer – perfect sweet soul material, at a level that lets the group hit a more heartbreaking mode! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An unreleased gem from deeply soulful singer Carolyn Crawford – a cut that's got these slightly funky drums that really set the tone right from the start – this nice snapping groove that seems to have Carolyn's vocals soar even more! And those vocals take on a nicely different vibe on "Sugar Boy" – a warmer, sweeter tune that has this stepping groove that's really compelling – topped with some great female backing vocals next to Crawford's lead! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Maybe one of the funkiest vocal numbers ever sung by Johnny Adams – and one that owes a lot to the super-funky backings of the Huck Daniels Co – who somehow manage to combine the tightness of the James Brown Band of the late 60s with the more sophisticated instrumention of the JBs in the early 70s! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Jessie Davis has a nice deep vocal range here – one that easily spans both jazz and soul modes, which is perfect for the vamping jazzy vibe of the tune! The whole thing's got a haunting vibe that may well make it one of Davis' best tracks – and Gus Jenkins' flipside is an instrumental bluesy groover with some great piano and percussion! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great set of wedding bells ring out at the start of the tune – but things soon get raw and romping as Melvin Davis takes over – really hitting this soaring vocal range as the tune stomps, vamps, and grooves with a sweet blend of organ, piano, and saxophone! The flipside features another great romper – as "It's No News" has this cool skittish beat, almost in jukebox mambo territory – which really works great for Melvin's voice! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An obscure later track from the Detroit scene – done by Motor City maestro Dave Hamilton in a mellow, midtempo groove that seems perfect for the slinky vocal approach of Jackie Dee! Jackie's got a slightly breathy style that seems influenced a bit by Sylvia – as does her sexy approach – and the flipside is an instrumental by Dave, done even funkier than the vocal cut – with a cool flanged guitar layered down into the mix! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A storming cut from Dee Erwin – one that has raw vocals on the top, but a tight groove at the core – bubbling with righteous energy that's further enforced by these soaring backup female vocals! The groove is a great evolution from late 60s Detroit modes – and makes the cut one of Dee's best! "Give Me One More Day" builds into a slow funk stepper with all sorts of great guitar – cascading colors that set the scene before Dee comes in and delivers a tremendous deep soul vocal! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Some of the earliest work ever issued by the great Georgie Fame – a 4-track EP that features all instrumental tracks with Georgie on the Hammond – serving up a unique groove that really spoke to the changing London scene of the time! The rhythms here are part of the package, and definitely echo some of the new immigrants and their styles arriving in West London – while Fame's solos on organ also show plenty of influence from American players too, both in the jazz and soul instrumental modes! Titles include "Rik's Tune", "JA Blues", "Orange Street", and "Stop Right Here". 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two obscure 70s cuts from Darrow Fletcher – both making their debut on 45! "Hope For Love" is the kind of slow-burning tune that Darrow does so well – a perfect showcase for his unique vocal approach, and set to a gentle groove that's perfect for the later hours! "No Limit" follows with a very similar vibe – and has almost a Teddy Pendergrass sort of intro, one that really gives Fletcher a great way to slide into the tune – before things take off and the groove picks up nicely! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two tasty funky numbers on a limited reissue 45! Billy Garner's "Brand New Girl" is a non-stop groover – with a hard James Brown/Lee Fields vocal style, and compin' and chompin' guitar underneath! Next is a break you can't live without – served up on the amazing intro to Billy Garner's classic "I Got Some"! The tune's one that you'll recognize from a few famous samples, but to our ears it sounds best here in the original – a badass funky soul tune with all elements right, tight, and outta site! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A break you can't live without – served up on the amazing intro to Billy Garner's classic "I Got Some"! The tune's one that you'll recognize from a few famous samples, but to our ears it sounds best here in the original – a badass funky soul tune with all elements right, tight, and outta site! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A killer Mirwood bit of northern soul – solo work from Bobby Garrett, usually heard in a duo but plenty great here on his own – bringing this raspy charm that keeps the tune nicely down to earth, even when the arrangements and backing vocals really soar! Those elements get plenty of play on the flipside – an all instrumental romp that follows the groove of the main track! 7-inch, Vinyl record

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Two sublime early tracks from pianist George Duke – both from his first MPS album, never issued in the US! "My Soul" has this great rolling groove, with congas from Armando Peraza giving things a nice Latin vibe – as George plays both piano and Fender Rhodes together, for a very warm sound! "Au Right" has lots more great Rhodes – a killer solo that bumps along beautifully over funky drums! 7-inch, Vinyl record