A fantastic 500th release by the BBE label – one that looks back at the past, and soars to the future! This special extended single package is a fantastic return to form for everyone involved – as underground club legends Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess get a whole new groove from Louie Vega – but with a warmly soaring vibe that's a great update of their classic approach! "Barely Breaking Even" is a classic from the Universal Robot Band – but this new take has both vocals and production that are a lot warmer than the original P&P Records version – and a groove that's even catchier too! All four mixes are over eight minutes long – served up here beautifully on a double 12" package! 12-inch, Vinyl record

An incredible record from the Chicago scene – issued on a tiny little label from deep on the south side – and done with a much richer vibe than you might expect! "Attitude Belief & Determination" is a track that's almost got a righteous, spiritual sort of flavor – but a vibe that's funkier overall – somewhere in that classic James Mason mix of message and groove, with wonderful paired vocals in the lead, and a stepping bassline under Fender Rhodes, which really sends the whole thing home! The track is nice and long, and backed by by "Nonstop To The Top" – a tune with a bit more boogie in the bassline, but still this spacious sort of groove overall. Both cuts were recorded at Curtom – with production that's definitely a cut above the usual indie 12" single! 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

LL has always been just about the most reliable practitioner of the hip hop slow jam, and this classic from the tail end of the 80s/early dawn of the 90s is about as endearing as they get! The track gets a number reworked moods in the remixes. The Untouchable remix speeds the tempo to the "up" side, but holds LL's vocals to the same, amusingly overconfident appeal. The new bass mix add's a rubbery, G Funk affect, and the jazzy mix would be more appropriately dubbed the clubby mix – since it builds the beats into a straight up, dancefloor synth groove! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Two cuts from Dwele's Subject LP – one of the most anticipated Nusoul releases on the horizon! "Find A Way" is a romantic groover with some REALLY sweet soul guitar work, a trippy synth backdrop, and breathy romantic lead vocals, clearly modeled after the giants of 70s soul, but firmly rooted in a modern sound. It's a nice single – one with as much of a new jack feel as latter day NuSoul! "Truth" is a similar groover, with the same kinda sweet synth work, with even more deeply expressive vocals that remind us a lot of Donnie's recent work, and delicately overdubbed backing vocals that send the track off like a sunnier D'Angelo. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A rare Caribbean groove from Stephen Encinas – recorded in the 70s, but lost for years! "Disco Illusion" is a really wonderful track – soaring and bubbling in this jazzy mix of funk and soul, with lots of sweet vocals soaring and gliding out front – and this weird exotic keyboard part that comes in during the middle and really gives the whole thing a unique sound! "Lypso Illusion" is a steel drum cut that's mighty nice – kind of a club take on the steel funk mode, ala the best work of John Gibbs! 12-inch, Vinyl record