On the one hand, our jazz snob side wonders why Diana Ross would be picked to star as Billie Holiday, but on the other, it makes perfect sense, as this soundtrack to the film was made during the early 70s, when she was at the top of her career, and one of the highest profile female soul singers. ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
An overlooked gem from Diana Ross' 80s years – a record that's quite different than her Motown music of the 60s and 70s, but in a way that really shows the singer stepping out and trying something new! The album's maybe more soulful than some of Diana's previous albums – thanks to work ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Diana Ross really finds a way to remake her groove here – a sweet new sound that fits her revamped look in the Andy Warhol image on the cover! Although Ross could sparkle strongly during the disco years, the best cuts here are some of the more midtempo moments – nicely spaced out in ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has faint ringwear.)
Fantastic harmony soul – in a class by itself! Ruby's lovely voice is right out front in the mix, and she's backed up by the all-male Romantics with a sweet soaring tone that blows away other male/female combos like Gladys Knight & The Pips or The Sensations. This greatest hits includes ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Kapp pressing. Cover has a cut corner and light wear.)
Soaring Italian disco from the end of the 70s – a set arranged and conducted by Rudy Trevisi, with superb polished production from Jacques Fred Petrus! The style here is very commercial, but still pretty great – long tunes that spin out with gimmicks that might appeal to a crossover ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(White label promo. Cover has a partially unglued seam, promo stamp, and light wear,)
Great work from one of the tightest acts of 60s soul – the always-energetic Sam & Dave, working here with an excellent batch of tracks by Isaac Hayes & David Porter! Sam & Dave had made records before this period – but the cuts here are all from the years when they were ... read moreCD
A sweet bit of fusion-tinged soul – produced with a sunny Hawaiian groove by George Duke, and featuring some of the tightest tunes from Seawind to date! Pauline Wilson sings lead vocals on the album – in a cool breezy mode that fits well with the compressed instrumentation of the album ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has light wear.)
Great work from this legendary vocal quartet – tracks that include "A Heart Like Thine", "At Calvary", "Love Let Him To Calvary", "The Old Account", "Where Could I Go", "The Last Mile", and "It's Gonna Rain Again". (Gospel, Soul)LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 80s MCA pressing. Cover has some edge wear.)
Rare work by The Showmen – a great harmony vocal group from the early 60s, and the first famous group to feature General Johnson – the unique singer who later went onto front Chairmen Of The Board! The tracks here have a rough doo-woppy quality – dripping with soul, and handled ... read moreCD
Silver Convention —
Save Me ... LP Midland, 1975. Very Good+ ...
$1.99
A huge breakout moment for disco in the 70s – the first album from Silver Convention, a very early example of the European power on the club scene! The group's the brainchild of arranger Sylvester Levay and producer Michael Kunze – who come up with some great German disco rhythms for ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A smash hit from Silver Convention – thanks to the dark pop disco hit "Get Up & Boogie", the leadoff tune on this surprisingly strong set! The strength of the album really comes from the masterful blend of strings, beats, and piano from arranger/producer/keyboardist Silvester ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
An overlooked album from the legendary Nina Simone – recorded in Paris in the early 80s, and not circulated as much as some of her records from the 60s and 70s – but every bit as compelling in its own sort of way! Nina's working here with a greater array of global elements than on ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreCD
Seminal work from one of Atlantic's best soul singers of the late 60s! Features Percy's huge hit "When A Man Loves A Woman", plus "Out Of Left Field", "Warm & Tender Love", "Cover Me", "Sudden Stop", "You're All Around Me", "My ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Rockefeller label pressing with Warner logo. Vinyl plays with a short click on the first track on side 2. Cover has some edge & ring wear, aging.)
Classic funkiness from Sly & The Family Stone – an album that really pushed them to the top of their game, and exploded on the late 60s scene like a righteous funky bomb! The title cut's a mega-hit that you'll recognize right away – but the whole album's great, and is filled with ... read moreCD
Killer work from Sly & The Family Stone – hard-grooving, fast-funking, and really setting the scene for countless groups to come! The album's a messed-up funky party, with plenty of short little tracks that have a mix of funk, soul, and rock – perfect for the crossover crowd from ... read moreCD
One of the many Roger side projects recorded during the height of the Zapp era – an album of longer vocal tracks produced by Roger, and featuring singer Dick Smith, with backings by the usual suspects from the larger Zapp posse. 4 of the album's 6 songs are remakes of older hits, given a ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cutout notch, light ringwear, and some edge wear.)
The album that sported his classic "Little Green Apples", which was covered by just about everybody in showbiz at the time. There's a lot of other cuts on here with that same sort of storyteller vibe, and the whole thing's arranged and conducted by H.B. Barnum. Tracks include "Seven ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(360 Sound stereo pressing. Cover has light wear, name in pen.)
30 cuts of the classic doo wop sides that the Spaniels cut for the Vee Jay label in Chicago, during the late 50's. In contrast to labelmates The El Dorados, The Spaniels were a bit smoother, and added more of a sweet harmony sound to their style – as you'll know from tracks like "Goodnit ... read moreCD
Eight Atlantic albums, and The Spinners are still going strong – sounding really wonderful here, thanks to Philly backings from the great Thom Bell! The album's not filled with hits, but that's a big part of its charm – as the group still sounds great, with smoother than smooth vocals ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes printed inner sleeve. Cover has a cutout notch and light wear.)
One of Lisa's greatest cuts, with a sweetly soaring hook that's a perfect example of the catchy grooves she could hit when she wanted to! Remixes by Gail Sky King – and the single is promo only. 12-inch, Vinyl record
Darn nice work from The Staple Singers – a record that seems to take the leaner, meaner sound learned by the group during their soundtrack years, and turn it back towards the fuller, more righteous sound of the Stax years! The album was recorded at Muscle Shoals, with very solid production ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Mavis Staples takes the stage at one of our favorite hometown haunts – performing live with small combo backing, in a sound that's even rootsier than some of her recent records! The setting is a great one for Mavis, and it's nicely free of some of the hoke that can sometimes creep in – ... read moreCD
(Still sealed, cutout hole through case and tray card.)
A rawly beautiful set from Mavis Staples – produced by Jeff Tweedy, and we think it's her best of the past decade! There's a roomy, lived in vibe that's achingly effective on this one – the core group is her road band, with additional players including Tweedy, Patrick Sansone, Mark ... read moreCD
Dakota Staton —
Ms Soul ... LP Groove Merchant, Early 70s. Very Good+ ...
$3.99
A 70s set from the great Dakota Staton – but done with a lean, jazzy vibe that really gets back to the spirit of some of her earlier recordings! The group's a small combo, with the great Norman Simmons on piano – always a great accompanist for a jazz singer, and working here with ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A great new chapter for Donna Summer – a set that has her working with the legendary Quincy Jones as producer – who gives the whole album a very different sound! There's still plenty of the catchy, bouncy styles you'd know from Summer's late 70s work – but Jones also brings in ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear and aging.)
Donna Summer —
Love Trilogy ... LP Casablanca, 1976. Very Good+ ...
$2.996.99
A mid 70s classic from Donna Summer – and a follow up to her huge, chart-toppiong Love To Love You Baby – and once again produced by Giorgio Moroder! The record didn't hit the commercial heights of the preceding one, though they did utilize the same sort of Euro-disco approach – ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Symphonic soul from The Supremes – a set that still has the trio working with the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland team, but with a full set of orchestral backings that help them hit even more class and sophistication than before! The ballads have these really lush arrangements – never ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo pressing with deep groove. Cover has a split top seam, ring wear, tiny peel spot from sticker removal.)
Great Vee Jay Records material from the Swan Silvertones – on titles that include "Swing Low", "Sinking Sand", "Where Shall I Go", "Trouble In My Way", "So Glad I'm Here", "Near The Cross", "Rock My Soul", and "Stand ... (Gospel, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Late 70s issue. Cover is lightly stained and wrinkled at the bottom corners.)
Jamaaladeen Tacuma —
Show Stopper ... LP Gramavision, 1983. Near Mint- ...
$4.99
Featuring James R Watkins, Anthony Davis, Ebony String Quartet, Julius Hemphill, Olu Dara, James Ulmer, and others. (Jazz, Soul)LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear and aging, bumped corners, and a sticker spot.)
An obscure one from Ted Taylor – a lot blusier than some of his earlier soul work from the 60s, but with some great funky touches that really make the record great! As with most of these Ronn/Jewel albums, there's no real credits, so we have trouble figuring out who helped Ted get his groove ... read moreCD
Mike Theodore Orchestra —
Cosmic Wind ... LP Westbound/Warner, 1977. Very Good+ ...
$1.99
Mike's come a long way from his early soul days with Dennis Coffey – working here to lay down a set of spacious disco tunes with a dreamy finish – really stretching out with the same sort of glide you'd find in the best Philly club at the time! The record's actually quite strong on the ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A surprisingly nice set from Irma Thomas – recorded in a spare and stripped down way, but without any of the "too earnest" cliches that can sometimes mar other recent albums by classic soul stars! The feel here is almost gentle and easygoing at times – still in the powerful ... read moreCD
A great set of 50s recordings by gritty rhythm & blues singer Big Mama Thornton – whose most famous for grittier shouters – but there's some surprisingly easygoing numbers here, too! Her famous "Hound Dog" opens this set, and sets the pace strongly – for a batch of ... (Blues, Soul)read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Three Degrees —
Three Degrees Live ... LP Philadelphia International, 1975. Near Mint- ...
$5.997.99
The Philly trio gets some great live work done in this tasty little set – hitting the stage with backings from Richard Barrett, and singing before a very enthusiastic crowd in the UK! The style's almost a bit more like the Motown live albums from years back than most Philly International ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a promo stamp, minimal wear, and is bent just a bit at the spine.)
Ed Townsend's best known as a famous songwriter and producer – whose work through the 60s and 70s made him more than a bit of green – but this early album has Ed trying his pipes as a male vocal lead, singing in a style that's smooth and mellow, a bit in the vein of Jesse Belvin, and ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono promo rainbow label pressing. Cover has light surface wear, tracklist sticker on the back.)
John Tropea —
Tropea ... LP Marlin, 1975. Good Gatefold ...
$0.99
The first album from guitarist John Tropea – an ace 70s session musician, who played on countless records for other folks – and a surprisingly great leader and arranger in his own right too! Tropea's working here in a vibe that's clearly influenced by the CTI sound – smooth but ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(In a Buddah sleeve, with ringwear, edge wear, and bent corners.)
Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm —
Here & Now ... CD Ikon, 2001. Used ...
$1.99
... CD
Joe Turner —
I Don't Dig It ... LP Jukebox Lil (Sweden), 1940s. Very Good+ Gatefold ...
$4.99
Excellent work from this lost time in the career of the great Joe Turner – material after his early work with Count Basie in the 30s, but before his rock and roll revival on Atlantic in the 50s! (Blues, Soul)LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear and a rip on the back with a strip of clear tape.)
Luther Vandross at the top of his game – sitting right at the height of that crossover space in soul he virtually owned back in the mid 80s! The work here is certainly more commercial than Vandross albums of the past, but the soul is no less deep – thanks to Luther's amazing vocal ... read moreCD
Village People —
Go West ... LP Casablanca, 1979. Very Good ...
$3.99
The only "west" these guys have gone is the West Village – the home of their aesthetic, and a post-Stonewall playground that was getting very firmly noticed by the mainstream by this point! The album's their last big one for Casablanca – and features arrangements from Horace ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A real breakout album for The Village People – thanks largely to the hit "YMCA", which had surprising play at the time – and has gone onto become one of those ballpark hits that everyone seems to sing completely un-self-consciously! The group are still working here in a New ... read moreCD
The second US album from Euro disco outfit Voyage – a group who manage to bring in some nice progressive and jazzy elements to the mix! There's almost a jamming rock-gone-disco approach to a few of the best numbers – thanks to a strong use of heavy guitars and keyboards, and a real ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Great work from Adam Wade – a slightly overlooked singer of the 60s, and one who steps out here in a great mix of soul styles and fuller vocal modes! Wade often has the kind of mature sophistication that could rival Johnny Mathis – and a number of cuts here are certainly cut from a ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono black label pressing with deep groove. Cover has a split top seam, half split bottom seam, light surface wear.)
Jr Walker's second live set for Motown – and a hard-wailing set with a raw edge you wouldn't expect from the label! The recording quality is nice and raunchy – and the group's playing at double or triple-time on the set, grooving with amazing edges, twists, and turns. Many cuts ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, some wear, and track notes in pen.)
Later work from guitar genius T-Bone Walker, but still very much in the style of his best R&B work! The album features small group backings that do the best to bring out the jazzier side of T-Bone's style – one that was a direct influence on countless jazz funk guitarists in later years ... (Blues, Soul)read moreCD
Quite an unusual album for Dionne Warwick – a late 60s effort that has her returning to her gospel roots, and singing with backing from The Drinkard Sisters – a group originally founded by Dionne's mother, and which featured a young Cissy Houston! The sound here isn't as strictly ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo pressing. Vinyl has some fogginess from oxidation. Cover has a small cutout hole, unglued seams, and is bent a bit at the spine and top left corner.)
A key album in Dionne Warwick's career revival at Arista Records – a set that's filled with the kind of fuller sounds and maturing modes that worked quite well for her shifts in styles over the years! Warwick's a bit less fragile than in the Scepter years, but also not trying as hard to be ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(RCA Music Service pressing, in fantastic shape. Includes the printed inner sleeve.)
Great work from the second chapter of Grover Washington's career – his post-Kudu run over at Elektra Records! The work here's a bit tighter than the Kudu sides, but still pretty great overall – thanks to that key Washington approach to a solo – a sense of space and soul that few ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreCD
A set that strongly continues the special spirit that Grover Washington brought to his music during the Elektra Records years – as one of the few artists who really found a way to move forward from the style of 70s jazz funk, but not fall into some of the smoother jazz cliches that were about ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Includes the songs "Take Five (Take Another Five)", "Sacred Kind Of Love", "Only For You (Siempre Para Ti Sere)", "Please Send Me Someone To Love", "Strawberry Moon", "Summer Nights", "Heat Index", "Near Exit", "Blu ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreCD
Bouncy soul from Grover Washington – a set that returns to his earlier roots in a space between soulful fusion and R&B! The slinky Washington soprano sax gets plenty of space in this set – blown with those seductive notes that always made Grover one of the most distinctive players ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreCD
2 Muddy Waters classics! On the first record, the Big Bill in the title is Big Bill Broonzy – a key influence on midcentury bluesmen all over the US, and paid tribute to nicely here by Muddy Waters! Given this tribute approach, the sound's a bit rootsier than some of Waters' other work for ... (Blues, Soul)read moreCD
(Out of print MCA pressing.)
Johnny Guitar Watson —
Bow Wow ... CD Wilma, 1994. Used ...
$3.99
One of the last full recordings from Johnny Guitar Watson – and a surprisingly great little set that still stands strongly with some of his last funky records from the early 80s! The vibe is slightly contemporary – with some touches of 90s R&B in the production – but Watson's ... read moreCD
Some of the first truly sublime work from Johnny Guitar Watson – mid 50s R&B sides cut for the Modern label in LA, served up in a wonderful blend of blues roots, jazzy inflections, and that undeniable Johnny Guitar sense of power and personality! Even at this early age, Johnny had a ... read moreCD
Some of the first recordings ever from Chicago legend Junior Wells – made for the small States label in the Windy City, many years before Wells exploded out with much greater national fame! The music here has Junior stepping into the same early electric space that Chess Records was cutting ... (Blues, Soul)read moreCD