A rare batch of funky soul on the notorious Guinness label – the same company that gave the world the two fantastic albums by Newban – and somehow also managed to issue this gem of a set too! The vibe is similar to Newban – well-crafted upbeat soul that isn't really disco, but isn't hard funk either – instead this really unique hybrid of modes that moves along at a mighty nice clip – while tight, fast guitar really carves out most of the groove – but is matched by some great basslines and drums, and topped by horns that really warm things up alongside the vocals! There's a soaring, positive vibe to the whole record – energy that really belies the fact that the set hardly got any circulation at the time – almost as if the group were poising themselves to be huge. Titles include "Love Love Love", "Hold On", "Can You Feel It", "All In Time", "Fine Lady", and "Smoke Up". CD

Margie Joseph's working here with 70s smooth soul maestro Johnny Bristol – and the resulting album is every bit as great as Bristol's own work from the time! Johnny's in perfect form here – coming up with those slightly funky, slightly polished backings that were his best stock in trade in the years after he parted company with Motown – a way of hitting the rhythms that was partially learned from Detroit, but which grew into even warmer, more sophisticated territory in the California sun. Margie's deeply crafted vocals are a great match for Bristol's music – searching, soaring, and digging in nicely when the lyrics really need it. The album's a wonderful treasure – especially given that Joseph easily could have been turning out weaker work at this point in her career! Titles include "You Turned Me On To Love", "He Came Into My Life", "I Feel His Love Getting Stronger", "Come On Back To Me Lover", "Love Takes Tears", "Discover Me", and "All Goodbyes Aren't Gone". CD

Big Top Records may not be as well-remembered as other key indies from the early soul years, but back at the start of the 60s the company was really hitting on all burners – with a top-shelf blend of rock, soul, and R&B! This package takes a nice dip into the best Big Top singles from the label's run – a key batch of work that really helped define not only the Brill Building sound of the time, but also set the scene for the uptown soul style that would mark so many New York classics of the 60s. And although Big Top handled a few pop acts, this package is really more skewed to soul than any other style – as even some of the rocking tunes have a colorblind quality that makes them cross over nicely. 26 tracks in all – with titles that include "Flashback" by The VIPs, "Sun Glasses" by The Shades, "He Knows I Love Him Too Much" by Arlene Smith, "Steady Kind" by Mickey Denton, "Misery" by The Dynamics, "The Fool" by Jamie Coe, "What's Your Name" by Don & Juan, "The Snake" by Maximillian, "Lavender Blue" by Sammy Turner, "Air Mail Special Delivery" by Karen Lake, "Always Something There To Remind Me" by Lou Johnson, and "Lipstick & High Heel Shoes" by Valentine & The Sweethearts. (Rock, Soul) CD

Sublime female soul from one of the hippest labels we can think of – a company who was always taking a chance, always trying something new, and always willing to give exposure to some great new artists! This cool collection is definitely the best side of Brunswick Records on the Chicago scene – as it features a few better-known singers, mixed with lots more artists who never issued a full album for the label – but who cut some wonderful singles that are even better than some of the imprint's bigger hits! There's a stunning array of greatness here – from sweet soul numbers that lope along in a warm groove, to badass tracks that have a funkier vibe – all handled by the usual top-shelf talents that made bigger Brunswick artists so strong. Titles include "My Baby's Gone Away" by Shirley Karol, "Walk On My Side" by Jackie Ross, "Caution" by September, "Love Is" by The Promises, "Where Do You Go" by Lyn Roman, "Raining Teardrops" by The Demures, "It Hurts To See You Happy" by Sylvia St Claire, "What Kind Of Girl" by Demetriss Trapp, "What Did I Do" by The Sweethearts, "Memories & A Broken Heart" by Linda Hopkins, "The One Who Really Loves You" by Sugar Pie De Santo, "Love Had To Be You" by Jean Shy, "That's What You Are To Me" by Tracie Robbins, "The 3rd Movement" by Sunni Nash, and "Higher & Higher" by Erma Franklin. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Sublime female soul from one of the hippest labels we can think of – a company who was always taking a chance, always trying something new, and always willing to give exposure to some great new artists! This cool collection is definitely the best side of Brunswick Records on the Chicago scene – as it features a few better-known singers, mixed with lots more artists who never issued a full album for the label – but who cut some wonderful singles that are even better than some of the imprint's bigger hits! There's a stunning array of greatness here – from sweet soul numbers that lope along in a warm groove, to badass tracks that have a funkier vibe – all handled by the usual top-shelf talents that made bigger Brunswick artists so strong. Titles include "My Baby's Gone Away" by Shirley Karol, "Walk On My Side" by Jackie Ross, "Caution" by September, "Love Is" by The Promises, "Where Do You Go" by Lyn Roman, "Raining Teardrops" by The Demures, "It Hurts To See You Happy" by Sylvia St Claire, "What Kind Of Girl" by Demetriss Trapp, "What Did I Do" by The Sweethearts, "Memories & A Broken Heart" by Linda Hopkins, "The One Who Really Loves You" by Sugar Pie De Santo, "Love Had To Be You" by Jean Shy, "That's What You Are To Me" by Tracie Robbins, "The 3rd Movement" by Sunni Nash, and "Higher & Higher" by Erma Franklin. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

A great look at an obscure indie soul label from the Cleveland scene at the end of the 60s – and a company that's definitely a cut above, given that it released some early O'Jays singles in the years before their crossover fame in the 70s – and members of that group also wrote a fair bit of singles for the label too! Besides a tie to the O'Jays, the Saru label also had a tight, well-chosen roster – one that really helped make Cleveland a hotbed for sweet soul at the time – easily competing with the hippest singers and groups from Philly, New York, and New Jersey – thanks to a string of excellent 45s on both the Saru imprint, and related Horoscope Records! As usual with Numero, the whole package is filled with fantastic details and photos that are as compelling as the music itself – and as for the music, this time around the Numero folks really get to the heart of the matter with a non-stop array of excellent material – not unreleased tapes, but killer 45s that really show Saru as a hell of a great soul label during its short run of records. Titles include "For The Rest Of My Life" and "Tears Don't Care Who Cry" by The Out Of Sights, "I Believe" and "Are You Man Enough" by Sir Stanely, "Stand In For Love" and "Love's Needed" by Pandella Kelly, "Come Back Boy" and "The Last Time" by The Ba-Roz, "Bound" and "I Remember You" by Ponderosa Twins, "Just To Be With You" and "Got To Make It Right" by Elements, "Can't Make It Without You" by Michael Bell, "Got To Get My Broom Out" by David Peoples, "Just To Be With You" by Bobby Dukes, and "Now He's Home" and "Shattered Man" by The O'Jays. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Back in the early 70s, the Perception label was one of the hippest new record companies to come up on the scene – a very cool, very forward-thinking company that did a great job of blending together jazz, funk, and soul – sometimes with older artists looking to find a new way forward, sometimes with younger acts that were given a lot of freedom by the label! This set's a great overview of the Perception sound at its best – and the collection not only brings together some killer funky jazz and soul material, but also throws in a few surprises from the world of Brazilian music and soundtracks as well! Titles include "Jaded Jackie" and "Rock Steady" by Julius Brockington, "Boogie" by John Bartel, "One Life" by The Albert, "Heritage Hum" by James Moody, "Take It Easy My Brother Charlie" by Astrud Gilberto, "N'Bani" and "Alligator" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Saudia" by Larry Young, "Baby I Love You" by Benny Johnson, "Chitlins & Chuchifritos" by Joe Thomas, "Submission" by Tyrone Washington, "Kiba" and "Dance Girl" by Fatback, "Soulful Brother On The Run" by Johnny Pate, and "Take My Love Don't Set Me Free" by The Eight Minutes. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Mid 60s magic from a record label that only lasted a few short years – yet one that's gone on to have as much prominence for real soul collectors as the music of Atlantic and Motown! Loma Records was a small offshoot of Warner Brothers on the west coast – yet one that worked far from the hit territory of its parent company, and instead captured all these wonderful groups and singers who might never have gotten exposure otherwise – a few of whom would go on to record later for bigger labels, but most of whom lost the chance for fame once Loma closed its doors! The quality of the music here is incredible – really top-shelf productions, at a level that rivals some of the best Detroit studios of the time, mixed with some of the cool class of Chicago soul as well – served up in a style that works equally well for vocal groups and solo singers. And while Loma recorded some deep soul cuts during this period, this set focuses on the more upbeat numbers – as you'd guess from the "Northern" in the title – served up in a collection that not only features rare singles, but also a few unissued tracks too! CD set features 25 tracks in all – and include "Mean It Baby" by Carl Hall, "You Can't Outsmart A Woman" by Kell Osborne, "I'm Getting Weaker" by The Soul Shakers, "My Heart Needs A Break" by Linda Jones, "Bright Lights" by Delilah Kennebreuw, "Runnin Around" by Tony Amaro & The Chariots, "Baby Don't Look Down" by Billy Storm, "The Big Jerk (part 1)" by Clyde & Teh Blue Jays, "Better Think Of What You're Losing" by Tommy Starr, "The Man With The Golden Touch" by Charles Thomas, "Got A Thing Goin" by The Invincibles, "It's Your Love That I Need" by The Marvellos, "Just A Little Longer" by The Enchanters, "I'll Find A Way" by Bobby Reed, "Go For Yourself" by Larry Lester, "See The Silver Moon" by The Apollas, "Lies" by Bobby Freeman, and "If You Should See Her" by Ben Aiken. CD

Loads of rare tracks from one of the greatest indies on the west coast – the legendary Kent/Modern label, a company that started during the indie heyday of R&B in California, but continued to put out some really strong soul records in the 60s and 70s! This side of the label's output isn't nearly as well known, but there's some real killers here – tracks that never broke big, especially outside of California, but which are filled with sharp funky edges, and some really wonderful vocals! The collection brings together a few of our favorite singles from Kent that we've never seen reissued, plus lots of other gems, and even a few unreleased tracks from the same stretch – and the whole thing's a real treasure trove of discovery, augmented by the usual really well-done Ace Records approach to notes. Titles include "I Need A Love" by Wally Cox, "Take A Look In Your Mind" by Robert Ramsey, "Cherry Pie" by Lord Charles & The Prophets, "I Want Action" by Jeanette Jones, "No In Between" by Johnny Adams, "My Love She's Gone" by The Intentions, "I Don't Know" by Earl Wright, "Tear My Love Down" by Wayne Boykin, "Push On Jesse Jackson" by The Pace-Setters, "Gone On Home" by Tommy Youngblood, "You're My Girl" by Larry Sanders, "It's Been A Long Time Baby" by The Other Brothers, "Move A Little Closer" by Millie Foster, and "All That Shines Is Not Gold" by The Windjammers. CD

Stunning soul from the Motown label – a huge amount of tracks that were recorded by the company during their key years in soul music, but which are issued here for the first time ever! The depths of Motown never fail to amaze us – because even though these tracks might have lain in the vaults, they're still better than most of the competition – and not only match some of the bigger cuts by the artists involved, but also shed new light upon the careers of some of the lesser-known female singers in the Motown stable! These aren't throwaway numbers – and instead, the collection's brimming over with wicked Detroit soul groovers from the 60s – 25 tracks in all, supported by some nicely thorough notes on the project and recordings. Titles include "Mr Pride & Mr Gloom" by Connie Haines, "Just Go On Sleeping" by LaBrenda Ben, "Reassure Me That You Love Me" by Brenda Holloway, "Midnight Johnny (early version)" by Liz Lands, "I Can't Make It Without You" by Debbie Dean, "Close My Crying Eyes" by Yvonne Fair, "Forgotten" by Chris Clark, "Lover Man" by Kim Weston, "Check Yourself" by Chris Clark, "The Good Times Are Gone" by Barbara McNair, "Momma Tried To Warn Me" by Oma Heard, "Now That Love Is Gone" by Hattie Littles, "My Love Is Your Love" by Barbara Randolph, "The Things Time Can't Erase" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, and "Mother Tell Me What To Do" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. CD

A set that's heavy on classics from the legendary LA powerhouse of Crown/Modern/RPM/Kent Records – a family of labels who really helped drive the sound of R&B in the postwar years! The company opened the doors early to jump blues music, and later helped set the scene for 60s soul – and here, you'll hear them going at full steam, with a tremendous amount of hard-burning gems! There's 22 tracks in all – and titles include "Night Howler" by Billy Gale, "Baby Please" by Matt Cockrell, "People Are Wonderin" by Baby Pee Wee Parham, "You Better Hold Me" by James Reed, "Hey Dr Kinsey" by Big Duke Henderson, "Cuban Getaway" by Ike Turner, "Send Him Back" by Shirley Gunter, "Let's Make With Some Love" by The Flairs, "Chop House" by Blinky Allen, Hard Times" by Johnny Fuller, "Quit Hangin Around Me" by Saunders King, "My Baby Left Down" by Dixie Blues Boys, and "Bye Bye" by The Dreamers. CD