A mindblowing debut from Cybotron – one of the most unusual groups to ever hail from Detroit – and that's saying a hell of a lot, given the musical legacy of the city! Cybotron have a sound that's starkly electronic, and a huge influence on later electro, hip hop, techno, and house – served up here as a spare, fuzzy approach to funk – but with lots of the colder touches you'd find from post-punk imports at the time! The blend is quite unique, and even more unusual given the fact that the trio were working in virtual obscurity on the Detroit scene – as an early project from the legendary Juan Atkins, with guitarist Jon-5, and the mysterious electronician 3070! There's more funk here than most of the group's electro contemporaries – but the sound is still nicely cold in all the right parts too – and titles include the seminal "Clear", which was years ahead of its time – plus "Cosmic Cars", "Cosmic Raindance", "Industrial Lies", "The Line", and "Alleys Of Your Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

Soulful Detroit techno tracks from Kevin Saunderson, working here outside his more well known Inner City moniker with Santonio Echols. (New Grooves, Soul) 12-inch, Vinyl record

A key moment in electronic music in the US – the early Detroit experiments of Cybotron! The group were the duo of Juan Atkins and Rick Davis – working in early 80s Detroit, in a sound that would later transform into the more familiar techno groove – but which here is a strange blend of styles that includes bits of Kraftwerk, hip hop, electro, and post-disco club! The overall vibe is pretty spacey – with sci-fi themes that run through most of the tracks, echoed by odd production techniques that repeat the best elements over and over, and maintain a dark, spare style that was clearly the blueprint for midwest house grooves in years to come. And if you've ever been wowed by the darker sounds of Chicago house in the mid 80s, you'll really be stunned by the level of work from these guys – as Cybotron seem to preface just about all the post-industrial themes that would show up later on Trax – but come at things from a very different perspective. And added into the whole uniqueness of the work is the fact that these recordings originally were issued by Fantasy Records – so had a west coast life of their own, on a label that hardly had any other relation to Detroit at the time! The set features a total of 13 tracks that includes a few remixes – and titles include "Clear", "Cosmic Cars (Detroit Style)", "Alleys Of Your Mind", "R-(", "Let's Go", "Techno City", "Industrial Lies", "El Salvador", "Cosmic Raindance", "Cosmic Cars (house mix)", and "R-9 (inst)". CD

One of the more new wave-oriented moments from Ava Cherry – a singer we know best from her solo work in soul, but who also has a pretty strong pedigree on the rock side of the spectrum as well! The instrumentation is heavy on keyboards – played by Mark Isham, in a way that sometimes echoes his best soundtrack work of the decade, but more focused too – at a level that brings a deeper sound to the music than you might expect! Tunes are upbeat and catchy, yet trying for a bit of an edge at times – and Ava serves up the lyrics with a subtle sense of drama in her voice. Titles include "Fast Lover", "Love To Be Touched", "Techno Love", "Having Been Far", "I Guess It's Love", "Awkward Situation", and "Streetcar Named Desire". CD features two bonus tracks – 12" remixes of "Awkward Situation" and "Streetcar Named Desire". CD

A totally righteous little record – the only set we've ever seen from Native American vocalist Cheyenne Fowler – and a wicked blend of jazz, soul, and funk – tied together with a really positive spirit! Gene Russell had a hand in putting the set together, and you can definitely hear some echoes of his more spiritual work in the music – and like some of the best underground acts of the 70s, Cheyenne has a way of mixing up all the hippest elements of the left side of the spectrum – then coming up with a sound that's deeply personal, and really unique! The best cuts on the record have a jazz funk approach to soul – with funky keyboard grooving, wah-wah guitar, and tasty horn flourishes over the top – and although Cheyenne's not the greatest vocalist in the world technically, she's got a strong and proud style that really carries the record. Titles include "I Don't Speak With Forked Tongue", "Cheyenne's Coming", "Grooving With You", "It Ain't All About That", "Come Back To Me", "I Love You But I Gotta Go", and "Dream Street". CD

An unforgettable album from Natalie Cole – a record that came at a time when her R&B career was faltering slightly, and a set that not only helped Natalie reach a new level of sophistication in her music – but also find a huge new audience too! If the title sounds familiar, it's because it's the name of a huge hit for Natalie's dad, the great Nat King Cole – who makes a surprising appearance here via the magic of technology, as he duets with his daughter on the album's hit title track. There's a jazzy vibe to the whole set – thanks in part to some piano work by Ike Cole too – and titles include "The Very Thought Of You", "Paper Moon", "Mona Lisa", 'This Can't Be Love", "Lush Life", "That Sunday That Summer", "Avalon", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Nature Boy", "Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup", "Thou Swell", and "Unforgettable". CD

An unforgettable album from Natalie Cole – a record that came at a time when her R&B career was faltering slightly, and a set that not only helped Natalie reach a new level of sophistication in her music – but also find a huge new audience too! If the title sounds familiar, it's because it's the name of a huge hit for Natalie's dad, the great Nat King Cole – who makes a surprising appearance here via the magic of technology, as he duets with his daughter on the album's hit title track. There's a jazzy vibe to the whole set – thanks in part to some piano work by Ike Cole too – and titles include "The Very Thought Of You", "Paper Moon", "Mona Lisa", 'This Can't Be Love", "Lush Life", "That Sunday That Summer", "Avalon", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Nature Boy", "Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup", "Thou Swell", and "Unforgettable". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the lesser known singles from this seminal Detroit techno group, with a groove that leans a bit more on the industrial dance side than their earlier electro numbers – with a hard heavy deep bass beat sound. 12-inch, Vinyl record

An album-length monster from Fela Kuti – and a cut that has him still burning strong in the final years of his too-short life! The cut "Overtake Don Overtake Overtake" is a funky monster – spanning both sides of the record with a choppy drawn-out groove that features a cool spacey electric piano solo, sad wailing sax, and some catchy vocals on the hook – all with a core acoustic vibe that shows no traces of Fela and the group leaning into 80s technology, as so many of their contemporaries were doing. The track's right up there with Fela's best work ever – and the later, more obscure origin of the album makes it tougher to find than some of the earlier records too! (Global Grooves, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

4 mixes of this classic bit of Detroit Techno – going over the top, into the mainstream, thanks to the lasting genius of Kevin Saunderson! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Beautiful late work from Lonnie Johnson – recorded decades after his bigger years on record, but handled with great care by Prestige Records, during the brief run of its Bluesville imprint! Like most of the rest of the sides at the time, the approach here is to make an older mode live again – and rather than slavishly aim for the old days, Johnson sings and plays in a way that shows that he's still a very vibrant talent – offering up new music at most points, and making the best of the newer recording techniques to show off the strength of his talents on acoustic guitar! Victoria Spivey joins in on two duets, and gets to sing one other song herself – and apart from some piano from Cliff Jackson, there's no other instrumentation at all on the record. Titles include "Long Time Blues", "You Are My Life", "Idle Hours", "Leave Me Or Love Me", "No More Cryin", "I Got The Blues So Bad", and "End It All". (Blues, Soul) CD

A well-circulated solo set from Junie Morrison – by now working very far from the P-Funk empire, and with a groove that fits in nicely with the sound of 80s soul! The album's heavy on basslines, beats, and keyboards – very much an 80s funk evolution from Junie's 70s roots – with the man himself serving up lead vocals that have a light vibe that's very much in an electro-ready sort of style! A few cuts have more pronounced guitar solos, but with the fuzz trimmed to slide in nicely with the more electronic elements in the mix – that compact 80s mode in which everything comes on right down on top of each other in the mix! Titlesinclude "Tease Me", "Stick It In", "Break 6", "Here With You Tonight", "Show Me Yours", "Gyrate", "Driving In A Porsche", and "Techno Freqs". CD features bonus tracks – "Tease Me (Arthur Baker long mix)", "Tease Me (Arthur Baker short)", "Tease Me (Arthur Baker dub)", "Techno Freqs (UK single)", "Techo Freqs (12" rmx)", and "T-Frequan (dub)". CD

One of our favorite albums ever from the mighty DJ Rogers – one of the most positive, powerful voices in 70s soul music! The set's a sublime Rogers showcase all the way through – as DJ wrote, arranged, and produced the whole record – in partnership with the Earth Wind & Fire Kalimba Productions imprint – which is perfect placement for the set, as it shares all the best righteous energy with that famous group at its height! DJ's vocals are trained in the church – both technically and spiritually – but they soar out here in some secular lyrics that really help bring a sense of warmth and love to the universe – a really rare blend of modes from both sides of the fence that rivals the best 70s work by Rance Allen or Donny Hathaway. Backings are perfect – maybe even more focused and moving than on some of Rogers' previous albums – and titles include "Hold Me", "Sold On You", "When Love Is Gone", "Changed", "You Take Me Higher (Brazilian Lover)", "All My Love", and "Love Brought Me Back". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unique soul records you'll ever own – a tremendous little set from the mighty Milton Wright! Milton's probably best known for his first album, Friends & Buddies, but this set is arguably even greater – an even more personal, unusual session that blends wonderfully written songs, heartfelt vocals, and some really offbeat production techniques! There's a bit of an acoustic vibe to the set at times – guitar gently grooving alongside Milton's vocals – but the set also has a jazzy tinge too, with hip inflections amidst the arrangements that created a really sophisticated pattern of sounds for the record. Things start somewhat mellow, but quickly get grooving – bringing in bits of keyboards and more electric guitar to warm things up, and hitting a sublime style that's unlike anything else we can think of. Wright's vocals often have a spaced out feel that's in keeping with the album, but the album's hardly laidback – and has a great sense of focus throughout. Titles include "Be With Me", "She Can Have Anything She Wants", "Dance Have Fun", "Magic Music", "You Like To Dance", "Let's Take A Break", "All I Know Is That I Have You", and "Leave Me Alone". CD

Includes tracks by Johnny Flamingo, Bobby Pierce, Chuck Higgins, Lonely Guys, Shades Of Rhythm, Frankie Day, The Dots, Jack & Jill, and The Techniques. CD

Curtis Mayfield is a hell of a singer – as most folks know from his work in the Impressions, and his later solo classics of the 70s – and he's also a hell of a songwriter too, one who was very generous with his magical material, right from the start! Back in the 60s, Curtis was sharing his songs with other up-and-coming soul singers on the Chicago scene – some of whom he was also producing in the studio, as well – and as the decade moved into the 70s, others were soon picking up Mayfield's tunes – both for their ability to deliver a personal message, and for the larger political agenda that was always in the music too! This really well-done collection brings together two dozen of Curtis' best songs, handled by other folks – mostly from the 60s and early 70s, but with a few surprises from later years too – all supported with a really great collection of notes and other information too. Titles include "Man's Temptation" by the Jackson 5, "Behind The Curtains" by Jan Bradley, "Rainbow (alt)" by Gene Chandler, "Monkey Time" by The Miracles, "I'm So Proud" by Main Ingredient, "Give Me Your Love" by Barbara Mason, "That's What Love Will Do" by The Gaylads, "Never Stop Loving Me" by Keni Burke, "I've Been Trying" by Jerry Butler, "Queen Majesty" by The Techniques, "It's All Over" by Walter Jackson, "Mama Didn't Lie" by The Orlons, "He Will Break Your Heart" by Freddie Scott, "People Get Ready" by Dionne Warwick, "Need To Belong" by Isaac Hayes, "Make Me Believe In You" by Patti Jo, "Let's Do It Again (single edit)" by The Staple Singers, "Look Into Your Heart (single edit)" by Aretha Franklin, and "The Makings Of You" by Gladys Knight & The Pips. CD

The very first album from Michael Henderson – but a set that already finds him very much at the top of his game – thanks to previous work with Miles Davis and Norman Connors! Both artists gave Henderson a chance to do different things with his music, and by the time of this record, Michael's got both an ear for a funky bassline and a way of laying down a mellow vocal, too – a great blend of techniques that really helps give the record a lot more depth than some of Henderson's contemporaries! Unlike other bassists-turned-singers of the period, Michael never lets his core instrument take off too much and get in the way of the vocals – and instead, he shows a great sense of restraint for compressing down all the best elements into one mighty sweet groove. Titles include a version of "Valentine Love" that is different from the one recorded with Connors – plus the great original "Treat Me Like a Man", which is a nice nice sample cut from years back! Other gems include "Make Me Feel Better", "Let Love Enter", "Solid", "You Haven't Made It To The Top", and "Stay With Me This Summer". LP, Vinyl record album

The greatest moment ever from the legendary Bobbi Humphrey – a funky, soulful flute player who had more than her share of great moments over the years! This set may well be the summation of all the genius that Humphrey had to offer – a collaboration with genius producer Larry Mizell, at a level that matches is Blue Note classics with Donald Byrd, or the Music Is My Sanctuary album with Gary Bartz – a groundbreaking blend of jazz instrumentation and studio technique! The sound is never smooth, nor commercial – and instead, Bobbie's flute and vocals soar out majestically on these long tracks with building keyboard lines, subtle chorus parts, and touches of bass that really transform the rhythms past conventional soul fusion of the period. Every track is a winner – purely fantastic stuff – and classics include "Chicago Damn", "Jasper Country Man", and the genius "Harlem River Drive". (Jazz, Soul) CD

An unforgettable album from Natalie Cole – a record that came at a time when her R&B career was faltering slightly, and a set that not only helped Natalie reach a new level of sophistication in her music – but also find a huge new audience too! If the title sounds familiar, it's because it's the name of a huge hit for Natalie's dad, the great Nat King Cole – who makes a surprising appearance here via the magic of technology, as he duets with his daughter on the album's hit title track. There's a jazzy vibe to the whole set – thanks in part to some piano work by Ike Cole too – and titles include "The Very Thought Of You", "Paper Moon", "Mona Lisa", 'This Can't Be Love", "Lush Life", "That Sunday That Summer", "Avalon", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Nature Boy", "Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup", "Thou Swell", and "Unforgettable". (Cassettes, Soul) Cassette

A stunning set from the mighty mighty Dells – a cool collaboration with the legendary arranger Charles Stepney and songwriter Terry Callier – and a record that shows just how far the group had come since their streetcorner harmony days! The vocals are incredible – that rich blend of deep notes and soaring highs that made The Dells one of the most technically amazing soul groups in the 70s – and Stepney's arrangements follow in the same mode as his work for their Dionne Warwick album, and his music for Minnie Riperton and Ramsey Lewis – with lots of groovy currents on the bottom and soaring strings on the top – sophisticated, but completely soulful too – at a level that nobody else can touch! Terry Callier wrote the original tunes "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind", "Freedom Means", "Melody Man", "Free & Easy", "Rather Be With You", and "It's All Up To You" – and the set also includes great remakes of "One Less Bell To Answer", "Make It With You", and "If You Go Away/Love Story". LP, Vinyl record album