Dang, if it sounded like this at our church, we'd go to mass every Sunday! The album's got a unique crossover appeal that has the Rev kicking things off with a very funky combo in the lead – singing and speaking a spiritual message that's set to some massively heavy backings – so much so you'll forget the religion in the message and just let loose and groove! The record then moves into a sermon, but then goes back to more funky tunes – shifting back and forth with a sound that's incredibly lively! The band's not named on the set, but they're excellent – as jazzily strong as they are funky – and tunes include "The Dope Song", "Rockgospeltime", "Rock Message", and "Share It". LP, Vinyl record album

Ha! This one really takes us back! The set was a massive breakthrough for August Darnell – one of his biggest hits since his day with Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, with an equally appealing approach to the dancefloor. Tracks mix early 80s New York club styles with Darnell's mad retro/exotic take on the world – coming out with a sound that's slightly hokey, but equally catchy! Includes the hits "Annie (I'm Not Your Daddy)", "I'm A Wonderful Thing Baby", and "Stool Pigeon" – plus the cuts "Imitation", "I'm Corrupt", "No Fish Today", and "Loving You Made A Fool Out Of Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweetness from the legendary Roberta Flack – on this mid 70s set that really finds her settling into our laidback style that managed have massive across-the-board appeal without compromising on the soul! For too long we dismissed Roberta Flack out of hand because of her currency as a soft rock radio favorite, now that wizened up, we see that her mid 70s output had more than its share of sublime, soulful moments, and this album is no exception. Roberta's irresistible vocals are front and center, but the songwriting, arrangements and musicianship are outstanding, too – with contributions from Eugene McDaniels, Alphonze Mouzon, Bob James and other greats! 9 tracks in all, including the title track, plus "Feelin That Glow", "I Can See The Sun In Late December", "Mr Magic" and "Early Ev'ry Midnite". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique take on the familiar territory of the funky soul compilation – a set that seems to dig up music that's a genre all unto itself – with very little ties to the popular modes in the mainstream at the time! It's really hard to describe the appeal of these tunes in just a few words – some are very personal and intimate, all are very soulful – but the range of approaches is very different, and in ways that we might even dare call experimental – even though all the tunes here are straight and tuneful! A number of cuts almost seem to mix sweet soul vocals with more psychedelic inspirations, but that's only the start of the sound here – a really rich world of discovery, with titles that include "Just A Star" by Smiles, "Never Get A Chance" by Nature's Choice, "You Got That Right" by Antwans, "We Need Each Other" by Joe Walker, "Come Inside" by Stride, "Slacking Off" by Massauvians, "Swave Villi Us" by Aka Shaic, "Norfolk Sound" by Ray T Jones, "Changes" by No ID, "Just Loving You" by Small Society, and "For Old Times Sakes" by Spice. (Funky Compilations, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

An unlikely contender to the throne of king of electro, this early 80s effort from Eddie Grant helps to prop him up there quite nicely. Heavy synth driven grooves bubble along nicely with that crisp Linn Drum sound, and though this album benefited from some wider pop appeal, there's more than a bit of Eddie's reggae side showing through too! Includes the massive "Electric Avenue", plus "Killer On The Rampage", "Latin Love Affair", and more. (Reggae, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album