A big crossover moment for Donna Summer in the 80s – a set that features lots of keyboard-heavy arrangements from Michael Omartin – who produced the record at a level that really gets the most out of Summer's hook-heavy style! Donna's way past the drama of the disco years here – and does a great job of getting right down to business on most of the tunes – never pushing things too far past her vocal range, but adding just the right sort of punch to the lyrics alongside Omartin's catchy keyboards. Titles include "Eyes", "Supernatural Love", "Cats Without Claws", "Suzanna", "It's Not The Way", "There Goes My Baby", and "I'm Free". LP, Vinyl record album

Given that Atlantic's big claim to fame with Aretha was that they took her from being a supper club jazz singer and made her a hard soul act, we've always been a bit surprised at the way they chose to hook her up with some Bacharach tunes after her first few sides – giving her a classier uptown sound to mix with the deeper southern style that broke her out big. This album's a great example of how Aretha can mix the two styles – as it features the title rendition of "This Girl's In Love With You", and great versions of "Dark End Of The Street" and "Sit Down & Cry", and the sublime "Call Me", which is a perfect blend of the two styles in one song. And oddly, the "classier" material was recorded down in Miami, Atlantic's new home for soul in the south. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the crowning moments of genius from the great George Clinton – a record that has Funkadelic really finding their groove, in the same way that Parliament were helping push underground funk into both the clubs and the mainstream – while also showing that the P-Funk empire can jam better than just about anyone else! The whole thing is hitting on all burners throughout – with an impeccable sense of instrumentation, balanced with an easygoing attitude that makes the whole thing seem effortless – especially compared to other funk ensembles who were picking up the speed a bit too much in the disco generation. The centerpiece of the album is the classic "One Nation Under A Groove" – a monster cut with a hook that won't quit, spun out here in a great extended version – followed by other classics that include "Into You", "Grooveallegiance", and "Cholly". LP, Vinyl record album

Hmmm....we're not sure if this is the same Harlem River Drive that recorded with Eddie Palmieri, but we've got to assume that they are, as we can't imagine 2 bands using the same name at the same time, and both apparently from New York. "Need You" has also got a sound that's kind of a progression from the famous album by the group, with a shift from Latin funk to Latin disco – in the kind of groove that Eddie Drennon was moving to at the same time. The track's a vocal groover, with a nice catchy soul hook. "Overtime" is a bit more straight funk – but with a heavy bottom sound that's also in the Harlem River Drive style. 7-inch, Vinyl record

The a-side's a familiar classic, but the b-side's our real favorite! "I Turned You On" has a nice slow sexy groove, with the kind of hook and power that made the Isleys so great in the early 70s! Wonderful stuff – and not easy to find on vinyl! 7-inch, Vinyl record

The standout classic from Junior Giscombe – one of the more unique soul artists of his generation! The set's probably best known for its huge hit single "Mama Used To Say" – a killer cut with an incredibly catchy hook, and a groove that's lasted for years on 80s groove dancefloors – but the whole album's pretty darn wonderful overall, with slight twists and turns that are quite different than other mainstream soul sets of its type. Junior did the record in collaboration with producer Bob Carter, who also plays a fair bit of keyboards on the set – bringing in an airy, open feel that matches Junior's vocals wonderfully – in a sound that's somewhat sweeter than other male soul of the early 80s, but never in a way that's too soft or sleepy. Titles include "Mama Used To Say", "Too Late", "I Can't Help It", "Let Me Know", "Down Down", "Love Dies", "I Can't Help It", and "Darling You (Don't You Know)". LP, Vinyl record album

Bass pedals, midtempo rhythms, and a sublime early 80s groove – a cut that crossed over big but still sounds great today – and a wonderful mix of styles that's easily one of the standouts from the time! The keys are electric, but never too cold – and Junior's vocals on the hook really keep the tune burning brightly! 12-inch, Vinyl record

2 nice mellow cuts by 9th Creation – very different than their funk work, but still pretty great! "Sexy Girl" is our favorite here – as the tune's got a warm harmony sound, a nice jaunty groove, and a hook that keeps on going long over the cut's gone. A great east coast-y number – produced really nicely! 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Somebody's Been Sleeping" is a stone cold 70's soul classic! It starts with a nice high-pitched choppy bit, then rolls into a groove that has a great AM radio soul sound. Nice catchy hook, too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the most standout tracks on the Sign O The Times double LP – a tune that has the same catchy crossover vibe as Prince's material from the Purple Rain years – with a monster hook that really keeps the whole thing going! The core tune here is presented next to a whopping three versions of "Hot Thing" – one of which keeps the funky groove going for almost nine minutes! 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of the greatest crossover albums of the 80s – and the record that catapulted Prince very firmly into the mainstream! There's a tightness here that surpasses even that of Prince's early classics for Warner Brothers – an unabashed love of a pop hook that makes for some incredibly catchy tunes that are still delivered with a nice funky undercurrent. The whole Prince family is at the top of their game at this point – and titles include "Darling Nikki", "Let's Go Crazy", "I Would Die 4 U", "When Doves Cry", "Baby I'm A Star", and "Purple Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Jeannie Reynolds – and her lasting contribution to underground soul! Jeannie's vocals are nice and deep – with hints of southern diva phrasing, filtered through some of the tighter soul styles coming out of Chicago and other points north at the time! Detroit talents LJ Reynolds, Tony Hester, and Don Davis produce – save for one song by Michael Henderson – and the big highlight is the slow groover "The Fruit Song", a sly seductive stepper of a track, with rolling congas, sweeping strings, and a very catchy hook from Jeannie. That number runs for about 7 minutes long – and the album also includes a number of nice shorter cuts, like "I've Still Got My Pride", "The Feelin' Ain't There", and "You Want To Get Your Hands On A Woman" – all wonderful numbers that will have you loving Jeannie as one of your favorite new discoveries in 70s soul! LP, Vinyl record album

A great bit of boogie from the Chicago scene of the early 80s – a set recorded with a nice jazzy bounce overall, and a strong ear for a catchy hook and tight groove – very much in the mode of Omni or Zoom from the same period! Alfonzo's got a warm vocal style that soars up to falsetto one minute, but dips down deep the next – a perfectly fluid approach that works well with the dynamic grooves of the record. And throughout, the whole thing stays nice and cool – nice and classy – never too over the top or schlocky, and in a really timeless way that's held up great for years! Titles include "Gimmie", "Forever", "Only A Winner", "Gimmie Your Love", "Make It Feel Good", "Gotta Be Love", and "Our Love Is For Keeps". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer from Nancy Wilson – very different than most of her earlier work, and proof that she was still growing as an artist on Capitol! The record's arranged and produced by Larry Farrow – who gives the session a jazz funk feel that brings Nancy into a whole mode, a smooth modern one that's kind a perfect fit for the rich character of her vocals – a much-needed update of the classy sound of her late 60s work, in territory that still shows that Wilson can hit this sort of groove better than anyone else! The standout cut is the massive "Sunshine" –a sparkling jazzy groover with a monster hook and some wonderful stepping arrangements – and other tracks include "You're The One Wrapped Up In The Comfort Of Your Love", "Heaven", "Here's To Us", and "Life, Love, & Harmony". LP, Vinyl record album

Always-great work from the team of Ashford & Simpson – the kind of a record that has them at the top of their game, even though they'd changed their overall sound over the years! The vibe here is more in an 80s groove mode than some of the duo's Warner albums, but they've still got an undeniable talent for a massive hook – the kind that makes even the simplest tunes really go over the top. Plus, they're just about one of the only male/female duo teams that you can hear on record and actually believe that both singers are on the same page! Titles include "Side Effect", "Experience", "It's A Rush", "High-Rise", "Still Such A Thing", "It's Much Deeper", "I'm Not That Tough", and "My Kinda Pick Me Up". LP, Vinyl record album

Doobie-doo doobie-doo! One of the catchiest Roy Ayers dancefloor tracks ever – a bassy bumping thumper that wonderfully skirts the line between clubby and funky! The track's got female vocals singing along with the hook – all in a mode that's quite similar to the most uptempo work by Ramp – and the tune may well be best known for it's famous sample use by Tribe Called Quest on their classic "Description Of A Fool"! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Two tasty early tracks from Brenda & The Tabulations. "And My Heart Sang" is a sweet little harmony track, with some nice low notes from the boys behind her, and Brenda's lovely voice floating over the top. "Lies" is more uptempo, with a driving feel, and a strong little soul hook in a Detroit mode. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Genius, pure genius – and the kind of female soul tune we'll never tire of! From the first note, the track oozes sadness – really blue in its approach, setting the scene perfectly for Brenda's great interpretation of Van McCoy's lyric. The hook's incredible – the kind that would grab you even coming out of the muddiest AM radio! The flip's nice too – a bit more upbeat, but with a similar approach. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Some of Bobby Byrd's best work ever! "If You Don't Work" is a hard funky killer – done in a tight James Brown way, with lots of choppy guitar, and Bobby's vocals coming off at breakneck speed, just to keep up with the band. Nice simple message, too! "You've Got To Change Your Mind" is a great duet between Bobby and James. It's got a totally catchy hook, and a nice rolling groove that's extremely satisfying. James beats Bobby in the vocal department, but Bobby adds a nice bit of soul in the mix. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A sweet bit of disco, with a wonderful hook! We've never been sure if this Caress is the same group that went onto record later for P&P Records fame, but the tune's got these sweeping strings, falsetto vocals, and a nicely rhythmic pulse that all share real P&P touches – even if Peter Brown or Patrick Adam's names aren't on the credits! Written by Gregg Diamond, and a really nice little tune! 7-inch, Vinyl record

The Classic Sullivans were one of those great lost groups to record for a Warner Brother subsidiary in the late 60s/early 70s – and like all those groups, they never got the attention they deserved. "Paint Yourself In the Corner", despite the clunky title, is a great soul track with a real Impressions-esque approach to harmony, and a very catchy hook! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Sublime duets between Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock – both 70s masters of the keyboard, but working here in an acoustic setting that's a great reminder of the talents both musicians had at the start! The tracks are very long, and balance structure with a lot of improvised intensity – often at a level that recalls some of the longform acoustic trio work that Herbie recorded for the Japanese market in the 70s, mixed with some of the sharper edges that Corea brought to his avant styles from the decade before! The presentation is wonderful – a very ear-opening record for fans of both artists – and titles include "Homecoming", "Bouquet", "The Hook", "Ostinato", "La Fiesta", and "Maiden Voyage". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best singles from obscure southern soul singer Cliff Curry. "She Shot A Hole" is pretty good, with kind of a midtempo groove, and a catchy hook – but the better cut is "We're Gonna Hate Ourselves", which has a mellow vocal from Clifford, and a great compressed sound that's like early Muscle Shoals work, touched with kind of a New Orleans approach to rhythm. The hook will stay with you long after the track's over, too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Maybe one of our favorite Doors records of all time – if only for the long Fender Rhodes solo by Ray Manzarek on the album's final track, "Riders On The Storm"! Yet the whole album is pretty darn great, too – the last to feature Jim Morrison, who would leave the planet shortly after the album was released! There's a looser, more mature feel to the whole record – still lots of the territory the group had explored on previous albums, but also maybe more relaxed in the studio – knowing when to go for a hook when needed, but also letting some of the tunes really find themselves too. Titles include the hits "Riders On The Storm", "LA Woman", and "Love Her Madly" – plus "The Changeling", "Been Down So Long", "Cars Hiss By My Window", "The WASP", "L'America", and "Hyacinth House". LP, Vinyl record album

A big hit for the group – and a great album of smooth funky soul! Spirit is a perfect example of the way that Earth Wind & Fire could tighten things up, yet still keep them real – holding onto the deeply spiritual side that first made them great – but also focusing their energy towards a wider audience that showed their influence for years! Of course, with Charles Stepney helping out on production, it's hard to miss – and he's one of the few cats who could handle a blend like this so well. The compression in the band's playing is impeccable – with just the right mix of spacey spiritualism, sophisticated jazzy playing, and a straight ahead love of the soulful hook. Includes the instrumentals "Biyo" and "Departure", plus the vocal tracks "Earth Wind & Fire","Burnin Bush", "Spirit", "Imagination", and "Getaway", all produced to perfection by Maurice White and Charles Stepney! LP, Vinyl record album

Two tracks from the sweet voiced Donnie. "Sweet Baby" has a rolling midtempo groove, and a much better hook. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great tune from First Choice – a bit slower than some of their other disco hits, with a building soulful quality that's really great, and which includes a strong hook in the title phrase, one that really makes the song bubble! The b-side is a slightly longer mix by Bobby DJ Guttadaro. 12-inch, Vinyl record

An instant classic the day it was released – and a perfect blending of the group's older freaked-out style with a slick late 70s funk sound that started showing up in the work of many other groups. "One Nation Under A Groove" is a monster cut with a hook that won't quit, and the LP version runs way over 7 minutes long. Other tracks are equally great, and the whole thing's woven together with the same sort of skill as some of the best Parliament albums from the mid 70s. Tracks include "Into You", "Grooveallegiance", and "Cholly". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful later work from Isaac Hayes – a gem from his Polydor years that has a good mix of mellow cuts and more upbeat numbers! The record has 3 long "quiet storm" tracks that take off on Ike's earlier expanded ballad style (forged on tracks like "Walk On By") – turned into late 70s late night jams with lots of stretched out production, breathy vocals, and seductive instrumentation. The best of these is "What Does It Take", which has a nice hook, and the other two are "Someone Who Will Take The Place Of You" and "A Few More Kisses To Go". Other tracks are a bit more upbeat – but Ike does a wonderful job with groovers at this point of his career – really finding a new outlet for his amazing vocals! Remaining titles include the club classic "Don't Let Go" and "Fever". LP, Vinyl record album

The album that rocked a million dorm rooms back in the 60s – and for good reason, too – given that the title track is a side-long, totally jamming monster – the kind of track that was really revolutionary at the time, and which still has a hell of an impact all these many years later! "In A Gadda Da Vida" was shortened to a single – with the big hook intact – but this classic album version runs for 17 minutes in length, and has the group doing all these cool jams with their instruments – all the animals in the garden of Eden talking to each other (or at least that's what our addled teenaged minds always thought!) Shorter tracks are mighty nice too – a heady, heavy brew of Hammond and fierce guitar from Erik Brann, on cuts all penned by group leader Doug Ingle. Titles include "Termination", "My Mirage", "Flowers & Roses", and "Most Anything You Want". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the real standouts in Evelyn King's career – a sharply focused album that's filled with catchy 80s styled tunes – and which benefits from some great help from a young Kashif! Lots of the tracks have that great flair for a catchy hook that mark's Evelyn's best work – an approach that's never too slick or too forced, and which has a comfortable way of sliding into a tune. Titles include "I'm In Love", "What Are You Waiting For", "If You Want My Lovin", "I Can't Take It", "The Best Is Yet To Come", and "The Other Side Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A pivotal album for Gladys Knight and group – as the record features their super-huge hit "The Midnight Train To Georgia", a landmark track that not only had a catchy pop hook, but which spoke volumes about African-American migration in the postwar years. The track's one of those you've heard a million times, but it's got a strength that still holds up tremendously. Part of this is due to great production work by Tony Camillo – who handled arrangements and studio work on about half the tracks – and part is due to Jim Weatherly, who wrote the song, and about half the others on the album. The whole album's great – one of the best Buddah Records moments for the group – and titles include "I've Got To Use My Imagination", "Window Raising Granny", "Where Peaceful Waters Flow", "Once In A Lifetime Thing", "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", and "Storms Of Trouble Times". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic! "Temptation 'Bout To Get Me" is one of those harmony tracks that you never forget. It's got a strong strong hook, sung in a descending vocal style that pins it right to your heart! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great little set of groovers from LTD – both of them nice boogie numbers! We're partial to "Back In Love Again" – one of the group's best cuts in our book, a tight little groover with a great little hook! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Leroy Hutson arranged, produced, and wrote both tracks – and they're both excellent harmony sides by this stellar soul group from Chicago! "Heaven Right Here On Earth" is one of the group's trademark tunes – a beautifully slow track that starts with some electric sitar, then slides into a floating harmony vocal that's perfect all the way through! "While You're Away" is a bit mellower, but in a way that brings the harmonies even more to the forefront. The cut's got a great hook, and is produced to perfection with a stone cold sound! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A tripped-out, flanged-out bit of funk from The Natural Four – much more of a dancefloor number than the group's earlier harmony soul – and produced with a nice compressed style that has lots of sweet slick 70s touches! The tune's got an incredible hook – thanks to co-writer Leroy Hutson – and the whole thing grooves like some of Leroy's more uptempo work from the late 70s, but perhaps with a bit more ensemble funk at the bottom. Hutson produced, too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Early stuff from George Clinton & Parliament! "Look At What" is pretty straight soul, but "What You Been Growing" is a nice one, with a bit of trippiness to it, and a nice hook that kind of plays off of "Norweigian Wood". 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Thank You" is a jaunty southern number by Bobby, with a midtempo groove and kind of a catchy hook. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Sure, the politics seem a bit silly now – but the track's still one of Prince's last really compelling hits. It's got a totally infectious hook, a spare Timmy Thomas-ish beat, and a strangely captivating vocal that really sticks with us. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Great work by The Radiants – arranged here by Charles Stepney, with a tripped-out sound that's like the best late 60s work by The Dells! "Ida Mae Foster" is a real bit of psychedelic soul, with guitars coming down on the beat, fuzzing things up along with a really loud cello, while the group works Bobby Miller's lyrics with some raw harmonies that are almost perfect! "Choo Choo" is a bit poppier, and like their earlier work – but the cut has one monster hook that's totally worth it! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An incredible album of deep deep soul! Recorded way before Sharon Ridley became a big club diva, this record mixes deep soul vocal stylings with some well produced Van McCoy arrangements, and backing by some crack New York players. The result is one of the best female vocal soul albums we can think of from the early 70s – and the kind of lost soul album that makes you keep tracking down rare wax! Includes the incredible cut "You Sold Me A One Way Ticket", which begins with an amazing intro, and has a hook so strong you could hang a parka on it – plus the cuts "Stay A While With Me", "I Found Him, I Loved Him, I Lost Him", and "When A Woman Falls In Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A nicely mixed album from Todd Rundgren – complicated one minute, tight and hook-heavy the next! Titles include "Real Man", "Death Of Rock & Roll", "Eastern Intrigue", "Fair Warning", "Initiation", "Treatise On Cosmic Fire", and "Born To Synthesize". LP, Vinyl record album

Here's one extension we can go for! "Sweetest Taboo" is one of Sade's greatest cuts ever – a lightly jazzy number with an infectious hook that sounds great rolling over and over again on this special 12" version! There's not much difference here than the original – but the whole thing's nice and long, really keeping the groove going! "You're Not The Man" is mellower, and a great little ballad – almost torch jazz at times, and sung beautifully by Sade! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Darkly imaginative work from the great Lennie Tristano – and one of the few full albums he ever cut as a leader! The record features the incredible track "Turkish Mambo" – which has Tristano overdubbed 3 times in this dark modal way that's totally amazing, and which will hook you into his playing immediately! A number of other tracks feature a quartet with Lee Konitz – always a good match for Tristano – and a few others have a great trio that's completed by Peter Ind and Jeff Morton. Tracks include "Requiem", "East 32nd", "You Go To My Head", and "Line Up". LP, Vinyl record album

A huge moment for War – maybe the group's biggest album of the 70s, but a set that still has them holding onto everything that makes the great! Like Earth Wind & Fire at their best, War have this way of staying strong and righteous, while still able to hit a hook – jamming one minute, but finding sharp focus the next – and balancing it all out over the course of an album so that there's a sense of depth that really keeps on going once the familiar cuts draw you in. In this case, the familiar cuts are giants – the stunning Latin funk gem "Low Rider", which became an anthem for a generation, and the radio hit "Why Can't We Be Friends" – mixed with other nuggets like the jazzy "Don't No One Get You Down", the funky "Heartbeat", and the cuts "Lotus Blossom", "Smile Happy", "So", and "Leroy's Latin Lament". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the best album that Johnny Watson cut during his DJM years – a totally tight, totally soulful set that avoids any fake funk cliches! The record's got some wonderful trippy numbers – cut in that slow g-funky mode that was Johnny's huge legacy to the west coast scene – best of these is the classic "Superman Lover", a great little cut with a very catchy hook, and just the right dose of humor. But you'll also catch the same vibe on "I Want To Ta Ta You Baby", "Ain't That A Bitch", and "I Need It". Johnny's sitting on the cover, surrounded by ladies and a dog – and the back cover says "My apologies to Freddie, my guitar, for forgetting to bring him to the photo session." What a guy! LP, Vinyl record album

One of Bill Withers' greatest albums of the 70s – a set that has hip stepping off the acoustic sound of his Sussex records, into a warm and jazzy style that we like every bit as much as his earlier work! The album's got a wonderfully sophisticated jazzy vibe, and includes the excellent cut "Lovely Day" – a perfect midtempo track with some great electric keyboards behind Bill's raspy soulful voice, and a great hook on the chorus! Paul Riser handled a lot of the arrangements – and other titles include "Wintertime", "It Ain't Because Of Me Baby", "I Want To Spend The Night", and "Then You Smile At Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Way more than just a disco collection – a great album that features a few tunes that we haven't seen elsewhere! A number of the tracks are uptown groovers lifted from RCA albums – like "Pressure Cookin" by Labelle, "The Happy Hooker" by Nite-Liters, "Sex Trip" by Crown Heights Affair, "Have You Ever Tried It" by The Main Ingredient, and "Hook It Up" by The Choice Four – but the album's also got some killer obscure tunes that rank with the best early indie disco at the time! These tracks include "How Have You Been" by Blood Hollins with vocals by Jean Lang, "Free And Easy" by Satyr, "One Way Street" by Beckett Brown, and "I Wanna Know" by Sunny Gale – all excellent early disco groovers, with a really soulful finish! LP, Vinyl record album

An 80s groove classic! This track has a killer sound that mixes bass-heavy funk with a tight electric keyboard sound – and it rips along nicely with a very catchy hook. The cut's one of our all-time favorites from this time, and it's got a hard funky groove that keeps on going! 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of the first big Philly moments for Archie Bell & The Drells! "Showdown" is an undisputed classic – with an incredible hook, and a strident soul groove that replaces the band's earlier Texas funk style. Gamble & Huff wrote and produced, and the cut's got some tight arrangements by Bobby Martin. The flip's tasty too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Walking In Rhythm" was probably the biggest hit ever for this seminal 70s funk group. The cut's got a hook you'd recognize in a minute, and was played to death on AM Radio. However, we're more partial to "The Baby" – a great little funk track with some nice effects, and some very tasty production by Donald Byrd! 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the most soulful club tracks we can remember from the mid 80s – and a cut with a hook that just won't quit! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A really breakout set from Jonathan Butler – a double-length album that really has the singer/songwriter taking off! Butler's really finding his best groove here – that mature blend of soul, jazzy bits, and a good ear for a hook – all done in that crossover careful style that helped Jonathan find a huge new audience up here in the Northern Hemisphere – and which continues to make this set one of Butler's best-remembered moments. Titles include "Lies", "Love Songs Candlelight & You", "Holding On", "I Miss Your Love Tonight", "One More Dance", "Barenese", "Overflowing", "Loving You", "Say We'll Be Together", and "Give A Little More Loving". LP, Vinyl record album

If you ever doubted the blues chops of Canned Heat, take a listen to this album – as the group are joined by the great John Lee Hooker, who they let stand strongly in the spotlight and almost make the album his own! Previous sets by Canned Heat were already pretty darn great – a huge cut above blues-inspired rock groups of the late 60s years – but with Hooker in the lineup here, the sound gets even more raw and sensitive – so much so that a number of these cuts almost feel like some of the early Detroit 78rpm recordings the older blues musician recorded at the start of his career – hardly the watered-down blues rock you might expect. Titles include "Burning Hell", "Send Me Your Pillow", "Messin With The Hook", "Boogie Chillen No 2", "Peavine", "Just You & Me", "Whiskey & Wimmen", and "I Got My Eyes On You". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff by this excellent Detroit harmony group – cut during their best period. "Do Me Right" is a catchy little groover, with kind of a popping bubbling hook that makes the cut one of the group's most memorable. "Just Now & Then" is a slow mellow number, with a southern soul-ish horn finish, and stone Detroit harmonies at the best moments. 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Whatcha See" is one of The Dramatics' best cuts ever! It's got a dope rolling groove, a hard righteous message, and a hook that just won't quit. The track's more than a bit funky, and it's one of those tunes that you've heard for years – and will smile upon catching again! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An 80s groove classic! "Outstanding" has some wonderful funky grooves and a killer 80s sound that's complete with very fat bass pedal grooves, and some tight keyboard work! The hook's a monster, and this rare single offers up 2 versions not on the LP! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Classic Herbie Hancock from the early years – and a great mix of soul jazz and modernist inspiration! The record include a nice groovy "hit" – Herbie's "Blind Man Blind Man" – an obvious follow-up to "Watermelon Man", but still a standout track with a lot of imagination, and a fierce soul jazz hook that just won't quit! The rest of the record, while also groovy, starts to show many more signs of Herbie's far-reaching conception – especially shared with players like Tony Williams on drums, Grachan Moncur on trombone, and Chuck Israels on bass – who all work with Herbie in a larger than usual group that also includes Grant Green on guitar, Donald Byrd on trumpet, and Hank Mobley on tenor. The lineup is as great as it sounds on paper – and the larger setting really helps expand Herbie's new ideas – on tunes that include "Blind Man Blind Man", "And What If I Don't", "A Tribute To Someone", "King Cobra", and "The Pleasure Is Mine". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer late 60s Chicago blues set from Earl Hooker – one of his best! Earl is one of the great blues slide guitarists, and his tone is captured so incredibly well here – songs recorded at Chicago's Sound Studios with impeccable players. Earl sings on "Anna Lee" and "You Don't Want Me", does some conversing with Andrew Odom on the great title track. Louis Meyers contributes some great harmonica on "Anna Lee", with Carey Bell on vocals and harmonica on "Love Ain't A Plaything". Geno Skaggs is on bass, Joe Willie Perkins the keys and Levi Warrens on drums. Other songs include "Off The Hook", "You Don't Love Me" and "Earl Hooker Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Probably the biggest hit ever by Imagination – a smooth modern stepper with a definite 80s groove! The hook made it a big one for them – and when you hear it, you'll hear why! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Fantastic stuff from this great Philly group! "Cowboys To Girls" is probably the group's biggest track from the old days – with a loping hook that's as sweet as it is catchy! "Turn The Hands Of Time" is wonderful too – with a strident driving groove, punctuated with vibes, and featuring some incredible harmonies that really send the message of the cut! Bobby Martin arranged both cuts – and did a fantastic job! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A totally excellent single by one of our favorite overlooked soul singers! "If You Want" starts out with some amazing echoey guitar picked passages – ala early 70s Barry White (in fact, they sound like they were lifted from the Gloria Scott album!) Then, Jesse comes in on a monologue, and next leaps into the song's tasty catchy hook. Arrangments by HB Barnum, who also had a hand in writing the cut. And this wasn't on an album, was it? 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of our favorite tunes ever from Jethro Tull – a cool jazzy number that's almost more Herbie Mann or Harold McNair than the usual Tull groove! The bluesy bottom really drops out of the group's sound – and instead a hip bassline sets the tune up nicely for some sweet solo flute, and these catchy lyrics that are some of the most hook-heavy that Ian Anderson's ever sung! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Mega-hit material from KC & The Sunshine band – an album issued firmly into the disco years, but which still had the group hitting hard in their trademark Miami sound! The tracks here are a bit longer and more hook-heavy than before – and represent the kind of material that linked harder Kool & The Gang-styled funk with some of the crossover sounds that Miami was famous for at the time – a sound that was still largely pre-disco in its roots, but which also helped set the crossover scene for so many other groups of the 70s. The set is filled with loads of huge hits – like "Shake Your Booty", "I'm Your Boogie Man", and "Baby I Love You" – and other tracks include "I Like To Do It", "Come On In", and "Let's Go Party". LP, Vinyl record album

Evelyn King's still gliding high here – working with that upbeat, catchy style that really helped her hit big during the early 80s – a perfect fit for the hook-heavy sound of her vocals! The mode's a bit like Denise Williams at the time, although maybe a bit less commercial – and King brings in a host of different producers to help give different shape to different tracks in the set – almost in a way that tries to reach out towards a number of (then) contemporary soul modes – some mellow, some upbeat and grooving. Titles include "I'm So Romantic", "Till Midnight", "Out Of Control", "Just For The Night", "Heartbreaker", and "Talking In My Sleep". LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant baroque rock! "Walk Away Renee" is a pop masterpiece – one that you may already know – and "I Haven't Got The Nerve" is equally wonderful – with a haunting electric harpsichord hook on the intro, then a great rock harmony vocal that we really love, plus lots more electric harpsichord! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great little groover on Brunswick – with that kind of choppy club funk feel that you'll also find on some of the label's other obscure 12" singles, like the classic "You Are The One", by AMFM. The track's got a very nice groove – and the hook's enough to keep the track grooving nicely throughout! 12-inch, Vinyl record

His first album, and his best! After working as the silent talent on albums by David Bowie, Gregg Diamond, and others – Luther Vandross finally got the chance to cut an album on his own, and it's incredible! The record has a perfect sound – one that verges on disco, but never falls into any of its cliches; touches on mellow soul, but never gets too mellow; and which always goes for the best hook in a song, instead of resorting to trickery. The whole thing's pretty darn great – and the record includes "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me", a remake of the track "Fascination" that he cut with Bowie, plus the tunes "The 2nd Time Around", "Emotion Eyes", "This Strange Feeling", and "It's Good For The Soul (parts 1 & 2)". LP, Vinyl record album