Sublime groovers from Eddie's boogie period – a time when he revived his career brilliantly, by hooking a groove and helping to take Motown back onto the dancefloors! The set's filled with classic uptempo numbers – with 10 tracks in all: "Girl You Need A Change Of Mind (part 1)", "Shoeshine Boy", "He's A Friend", "Skippin Work Today", "Boogie Down", "Keep On Truckin", "Intimate Friends", "Just My Imagination", "It's So Hard For Me To Say Goodbye" and "Can I". CD

A truly amazing album – unlike anything Eddie Kendricks ever did before, or since – and one of those records that really helped shape the sound of soul in the 70s! The music is as rich and powerful as the image on the cover – with some righteous undercurrents that really mark the time and place of the record, yet also help it transcend so many other standard soul modes of the period too! Arrangements are wonderfully complex – as you'll hear on the classic groovers "Girl You Need A Change Of Mind" and "Date With The Rain" – each very different numbers, but both a showcase for Kendricks' wonderful vocal approach. Other titles include the progressive "People Hold On" – plus "I'm On The Sideline", "Day By Day", "If You Let Me", "Let Me Run Into Your Lonely Heart", and "Someday We'll Have A Better World". CD

A stunner of a solo album from Eddie Kendricks – a set that has the singer stepping quite far from Motown, and working with east coast indie soul wizard Patrick Adams – a genius on both the albums groovers and ballads! Despite the late 70s date of the record, the vibe here is more like that sort of magic that Adams made during the earliest years of disco – similar to his best work with Black Ivory – as he really allows Eddie to sound heartbreakingly personal, even when the instrumentation is tight – maybe making for the best showcase his vocals had in years, and reminding us how great he can be when he's in the right setting. Things are never too smooth, and the balance of the album is perfect – on titles that include "I Just Want To Be The Only One In Your Life", "I Never Used To Dance", "Pleasure Man", "Your Love Has Been So Good To Me", and "I Can't Let You Walk Away". CD features bonus tracks – 7" single versions of "I Just Want To Be The Only One In Your Life", "I Never Used To Dance", "Your Love Has Been So Good To Me", and "I Can't Let You Walk Away". CD

An artist you might not know at all – but one you'll be digging plenty after hearing this wonderful set! Richard Marks is a guitarist and singer with a very funky, very gritty sound – really right up there with the best of the funky 45 underground of the time – which makes this overstuffed package feel like you've just inherited a sweet stack of rare 7" singles! Marks hardly made it outside of his hometown of Atlanta – but did work over the years with stars like Al Green and Eddie Kendricks – but, thankfully for us, he left behind a strong legacy of small label singles, nearly all of which are included in this beautiful set – along with a full book that tells the tale of Richard's time outside the limelight, plus lots of photos, images, and notes on the music. Titles include "Funky Fingers", "Never Satisfied", "Don't Take It Out On Me", "I'm With You Love", "Pretty Woman Pass On By", "Innocent Bystander", "Speak Now", "Purple Haze", "Why Did You Leave Me", and "Crackerjack". CD

A late 80s duo set from former Temptations David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks! The Ruffin & Kendrick album for RCA (we didn't leave the -s off Eddie's last name, that's how he was billed at the time) finds both in excellent form vocally, and rather than making a neo-classic Motown vibe for the record, the production is very much in the 80s modern soul mode of bigger hits of the day. It's got bright synth soul, a bit of boogie, and other other mid-to-late 80s modes that should have made this one a real win commercially – especially given the soulful weight and importance of the singers and genuine emotion in their performances. Titles include "I Couldn't Believe It", "Ordinary Girl", "One More For The Lonely Hearts Club", a cover of "Family Affair", "Goodnight Pillow". CD

An all-star effort from The Temptations – and a well-titled set that has the group brimming over with classic vocal talent! The group's expanded to a seven-piece outfit for the album – with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin back in the fold, singing alongside Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and the rest of the group! Motown also culled together some top-shelf production talent for the set too – including Berry Gordy, Rick James, Barrett Strong, and Smokey Robinson – all of whom produce numbers for the record. Some of the tracks are in an 80s groove modes, and others are mellower ballads that offer plenty of space for vocal interplay – and titles include "I've Never Been To Me", "Backstage", "More On The Inside", "Standing On The Top", "Lock It In The Pocket", and "You Better Beware". CD

An all-star effort from The Temptations – and a well-titled set that has the group brimming over with classic vocal talent! The group's expanded to a seven-piece outfit for the album – with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin back in the fold, singing alongside Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and the rest of the group! Motown also culled together some top-shelf production talent for the set too – including Berry Gordy, Rick James, Barrett Strong, and Smokey Robinson – all of whom produce numbers for the record. Some of the tracks are in an 80s groove modes, and others are mellower ballads that offer plenty of space for vocal interplay – and titles include "I've Never Been To Me", "Backstage", "More On The Inside", "Standing On The Top", "Lock It In The Pocket", and "You Better Beware". CD

A bit of a gimmick – but a good one! The title track to the album is a famous 6 minute version of "Stand By Me" – one that has Spyder singing the track in styles that imitate Eddie Kendricks, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Billy Stewart, and others. The rest of the album continues in a similar mode – as Spyder does a fantastic job with famous soul tunes, and a few obscure ones, not always singing in an imitative style, but always doing a great job, in a mode that's sure to please anyone that's a fan of Detroit 60s Northern soul. Titles include "I Can't Make It Anymore", "I'm Alive With A Lovin Feeling", "I Don't Want To Cry", "I Can't Wait To See My Baby's Face", "Morning Morning", and "Don't Hold Back". CD

24 smooth modern soul numbers – mostly from the early 80s, with a few ringers thrown in from the 70s to point the way forwards towards the groove! The pace ranges from mellow to midtempo, with more than a few tasty steppers thrown into the mix – making for a jam-packed set of great cuts that work well at any point in the evening. Titles include "Computer Love" by Zapp, "We Are One" by Maze, "Sukiyaki" by Taste Of Honey, "You Can't Turn Me Away" by Sylvia Striplin, "Close The Door" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Who Can I Run To" by The Jones Girls, "Happy" by Surface, "Intimate Friends" by Eddie Kendricks, "Any Love" by Luther Vandross, "Sweet Thing" by Chaka Khan, "Reasons" by Earth Wind & Fire, "What You Won't Do For Love" by Bobby Caldwell, and "In The Mood" by Tyrone Davis. CD

Music from Smokey Robinson, the Dynamic Superiors, Rick James, the Temptations, Switch, Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye, Teena Marie, the Miracles, the Commodores, the Four Tops, and more. CD

Mellow Motown for the small hours – a great collection of ballads and gentler numbers from the legendary soul label – and one that features some great lesser-known bits and should-be hits! There's a vibe here that resonates strongly with some of the slower Motown work that's always played well on the steppers scene – tunes that aren't uptempo, but still have a subdued groove at the bottom – a swell and a sway that makes them move along even when mellow. And the more relaxed setting almost seems to bring out more soulfulness in the singers than on some of their tighter chart material – an easy-going, personal sound that really makes these numbers sparkle! Titles include "Baby Baby Don't Cry" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, "What Love Has Joined Together" by The Temptations, "A Little More Love" by Kim Weston, "Steal Away Tonight" by Barbara McNair, "Ask The Lonely" by Billy Eckstine, "To Share Your Love" by Fantastic Four, "Hurt A Little Everyday" by Brenda Holloway, "Does Your Mama Know About Me" by Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, "I Let Love Slip Away" by David Ruffin, "Baby I'm For Real" by The Originals, "Shoe Shoe Shine" by The Dynamic Superiors, "Why Did I Choose You" by Marvin Gaye, "Never Gonna Leave You" by Eddie Kendricks, and "I Pray You Still Love Me" by Jimmy Ruffin. CD

A great little set of classic disco tracks, but one that also includes a few rare mixes too – all brought together in a monumental tribute to the sound of the east coast scene at the end of the 70s! The package is heavy on tracks with origins in Philly and New York – including a fair bit of Philadelphia International gems from the Gamble & Huff team, mixed with other work from the larger holdings of Sony labels – including Epic, Columbia, RCA, and Buddah at the time. There's a nicely unified feel to the whole thing – one that really makes us re-appreciate some of these cuts in the setting – and titles include unreleased cuts "Love is The Message (Danny Krivit edit)" by MFSB, "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love (DJ Reverend P edit)" by The Emotions "You Can't Had From Yourself (Mike Maurro rmx)" by Teddy Pendergrass, and "Love Epidemic (DJ Reverend P edit)" by The Trammps" – plus the cuts "Don't Leave Me This Way (Tom Moulton mix)" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Was That All It Was (78rpm version)" by Jean Carne, "Ain't No Smoke Without Fire (DJ Reverend P edit)" by Eddie Kendricks, "Bad Luck (Mike Maurro ext rmx)" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Where Will You Go When The Party's Over (Tom Moulton mix)" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "This Time Baby (Tom Moulton mix)" by Jackie Moore, "You Stepped Into My Life (John Luongo rmx)" by Melba Moore, "I Love Music (Tom Moulton mix)" by The O'Jays, "See You When I Get There (Tom Moulton mix)" by Lou Rawls, "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (DJ Reverend P edit)" by Idris Muhammad, "Taste Of Bitter Love" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "It's In Your Blood (special disco version)" by Linda Hopkins, "Boogie Wonderland (12" version)" by Earth Wind & Fire, "Walk Right Now (John Luongo disco mix)" by The Jacksons, "Standing Right Here (Tom Moulton mix)" by Melba Moore, "Groovin You (12" mix)" by Harvey Mason, and "Dirty Old Man (Tom Moulton ext 12" mix)" by Three Degrees. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

A fantastic look at the funkier side of Motown in the 70s – and a collection that's not just straight disco, thanks to the mighty selection talents of DJ Muro and T-Groove! Muro handles all of CD1 – and mixes in some excellent soundtrack numbers with more familiar soul tracks – and also presents a few classic cuts in remixed versions too! T-Groove is on CD2 – which has cuts that are maybe a bit more iconic in the Motown club sound of the 70s, but still pretty darn great when heard together in this set. Neither CD appears to be mixed – tracks all appear discrete and standalone – and the package features 37 titles that include "You Made Your Bed" by Reuben Howell, "Books & Basketball" by David Shire & James Di Pasquale, "T Plays It Cool (unedited version)" by Marvin Gaye, "Erucu" by Jermaine Jackson, "Mirrors Of My Mind" by Jackson 5, "Date With The Rain (DJ Spinna refreak)" by Eddie Kendricks, "Ego" by Ozone, "Big Time (M+M big time 2016 mix)" by Rick James, "Treat Her Like A Lady" by The Temptations, "Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Joey Negro return of the mac mix)" by Willie Hutch, "He's A Friend" by Eddie Kendricks, "Down To Love Town" by The Originals, "Go For It" by Billy Preston & Syreeta, "Full Speed Ahead" by Tata Vega, "Let's Be Young Tonight" by Jermaine Jackson, "Heaven Must Have Sent You" by Bonnie Pointer, "Shoulda Gone Dancin" by High Energy, "Saturday Night Sunday Morning" by Thelma Houston, "Star Love" by Three Ounces Of Love, "Tailgate" by 21st Creation, "Scratchin" by Magic Disco Machine, "Standing On The Verge" by Platinum Hook, and "I Need Your Lovin (M+M lovin all night long mix)" by Teena Marie. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Music from the Miracles, the Contours, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Junior Walker & the All Stars, the Temptations, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Rick James, Dazz Band, Lionel Richie, Commodores, and Boyz II Men. CD

Features music from Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Willie Hutch, The Jackson 5, Edwin Starr, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, CP Spencer, and Paul Williams. CD

Music from Barry White, Love Unlimited, the Dells, Billy Preston, Fred Wesley & the JB's, Bloodstone, Don Covay, the Pointer Sisters, Ann Peebles, Eddie Kendricks, and others! CD

Tracks inlcude "Love Train" by The O'Jays, "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango, "Stoned Out of My Mind" by The Chi-Lites, "Theme from Cleopatra Jones" by Mainstreeters & Joe Simon, "Love I Lost, Pt. 1" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, "Show and Tell" by Al Wilson, "Boogie Down" by Eddie Kendricks, "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & the Gang, "T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB & The Three Degrees, "Lookin' for a Love" by Bobby Womack, "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" by The Main Ingredient, and "Be Thankful for What You Got" by William DeVaughn . CD

Fantastic collection of rare groove tracks, featuring loads of lost 70's classics, and a number of hip hop sample cuts to boot! Includes "90% of Me is You" by Gwen McCrae, "Strange Games & Things" by Love Unlimited Orchestra, "Hollywood Dreaming" by Fathers Children, "Reasons" by Minnie Riperton, "Hunk of Heaven" by Lemuria, "Girl You Need a Change of Mind (12" mix)" by Eddie Kendricks, and "Another Day" by Ray, Goodman, and Brown – as sampled by Brand Nubian. Great stuff all through, and really makes us think of some of the best of the Mastercuts series from way back! (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

A really cool record, and one that digs deep into the earliest days of the disco scene – that time in New York where there weren't any records being made as strictly "disco" cuts – and DJs had to make their pick of soul and funk records from a time when the music was really changing things up! The album's heavy on New York and Philly-based tracks, and some of the artists here are ones who'd had an earlier life in soul music, but were picking up the rhythms, adding in some larger arrangements, and creating grooves that really knocked the whole thing out of the park! The presentation here is based on a famous 1975 article that looked at the underground scene out in Brooklyn for New York magazine – later made famous as Saturday Night Fever – and as such, the tracks here are full of surprises, and very different than the usual disco-inspired compilation. Titles include "Just As Long As We're Together (single version)" by Gloria Scott, "After You've Had Your Fling" by The Intrepids, "Welcome To The Club" by Blue Magic, "Mellow Me" by Faith Hope & Charity, "Got To Get You Back" by Sons Of Robin Stone, "Date With The Rain (LP version)" by Eddie Kendricks, "Georgia's After Hours" by Richard Popcorn Wylie, "If That's The Way You Feel" by White Heat, "It's The Same Old Story" by Act 1, "Tell Me What You Want" by Jimmy Ruffin, "Night Of The Wolf" by Ivano Fossati, "The Whole Damn World Is Going Crazy" by John Gary Williams, "You Can't Hide Love" by Creative Source, "Wendy Is Gone" by Ronnie McNeir, "Free & Easy" by Satyr, and "Keep It Up" by Betty Everett. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD