An excellent Duke Pearson album – and (dare we say it?) better than any of his Blue Note LPs! The record features a very tight lineup with Johnny Coles on trumpet, Garnett Brown on trombone, Les Spann on flute, James Spaulding on alto, and George Coleman on tenor – all players who are well suited to Pearson's warm funky style on the piano, but who also have a strong modernist sensibility that really comes through on the solos. The album is filled with nice tracks – like "New Girl", "Honeybuns", "Heavy Legs", and the fantastic lyrical groover "Is That So", plus "You Know I Care" and "Our Love". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest sets that Duke Pearson ever recorded – and an all-out Blue Note soul jazz set that's even better than Pearson's classic Sweet Honey Bee! Duke's style is deeper and more farther-reaching here – with echoes of styles used at the time by Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan – carried off with some of the more tightly-arranged modes used by Pearson on his backdrops for other players at the time. The group here includes James Spaulding on alto, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Garnett Brown on trombone, and rhythm by Gene Taylor on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Tracks have a strong overall focus on the groove – rolling around in that rollicking mid 60s Blue Note style that Pearson helped establish as the label's trademark at the time – but titles are also touched with some of Duke's lighter lyricism, especially on his own solos. Titles include "Make It Good", "Chili Peppers", "Rotary", "Los Malos Hombres", and "Scrap Iron". CD features a bonus alternate of "Los Malos Hombres". CD

One of the deepest soul sets from Esther Phillips' 70s years on Kudu Records – a set with some nicely gritty grooves and a surprisingly earthy feel at times – especially when compared to some of her other albums of the time! Backings are by James Brown's old reedman, Pee Wee Ellis – and although there's some of the usual Kudu electric funk in the mix, there's also some deeper soul elements too – a vibe that's often a bit laidback and open, almost more Atlantic Records at points – which is a mighty good fit for Esther's wonderful voice! As usual for Kudu, the players are an all-star lineup – one that includes Richard Tee on keyboards, George Benson on guitar, Maceo Parker on tenor, and Bernard Purdie and Billy Cobham on drums – and Don Sebesky's also on deck a bit, to sweeten a few tracks up with light strings. The album's got a great version of Bill Withers' "Use Me" that features a tasty break in the intro – and other titles include a great version of "Alone Again (Naturally)", plus the cuts "Let's Move & Groove", "Cherry Red", "Let Me In Your Life", and "You & Me Together". CD

An undisputed funk classic – even back in the days before anyone ever said the phrase "funk classic"! This album must have been deleted the day it came out – because even though it's attained legendary proportions with groovers worldwide, it's always been hard to find – even back in the 70s! But unlike so many other "rare-but-not great" funk albums, this one's a killer – with a hard funky wah wah sound that we'd rank up there with James Brown's best work on Polydor from the early 70s, and which should have made Joe a millionaire, not a lost legend of soul music. The band is sharp as a knife – with hard drums, tight bass, and some simply amazing guitar riffing. But the best part is Joe – as his vocals are hard and emotional, with just the right touches of righteousness to carry off the album's political messages, but not too much as to spoil the party that the band's having in the background! Every single track is a winner, and if we were ever to make a list of the top five funk albums to own, this one would be on it! Titles include "The Way They Do My Life", "I Got So Much Trouble On My Mind", "The Trouble With Trouble", "Give Me Back My Freedom", "Live Like Brothers", and "Find Yourself". This CD reissue also features some bonus tracks that weren't on the original album – including "Thanks Dad", "Get Down Baby", and "I'm A Young Man". 14 tracks in all! CD

An undisputed funk classic – even back in the days before anyone ever said the phrase "funk classic"! This album must have been deleted the day it came out – because even though it's attained legendary proportions with groovers worldwide, it's always been hard to find – even back in the 70s! But unlike so many other "rare-but-not great" funk albums, this one's a killer – with a hard funky wah wah sound that we'd rank up there with James Brown's best work on Polydor from the early 70s, and which should have made Joe a millionaire, not a lost legend of soul music. The band is sharp as a knife – with hard drums, tight bass, and some simply amazing guitar riffing. But the best part is Joe – as his vocals are hard and emotional, with just the right touches of righteousness to carry off the album's political messages, but not too much as to spoil the party that the band's having in the background! Every single track is a winner, and if we were ever to make a list of the top five funk albums to own, this one would be on it! Titles include "The Way They Do My Life", "I Got So Much Trouble On My Mind", "The Trouble With Trouble", "Give Me Back My Freedom", "Live Now Brothers", and "Find Yourself". This version is overflowing with bonus tracks – 9 more than the original album, pulled from singles on GSF and Mercury – with titles that include "How High", "Let Me Be What I Am", "You Know It's True", "I'm A Young Man", "Get Down Baby (parts 1 & 2)", "No", "This Girl Of Mine", "I'm Gonna Get You", and "Thanks Dad (parts 1 & 2)". 18 tracks on the CD. CD

With a mixture of US jazz and Brazilian players – including Dave Grusin, Bob James, Joao Bosco, Carlinhos Brown, and Caetano Veloso! Titles include "Night Rhythms", "Latin Lovers", "Rio Sol", "Humana", "Linda", and "New York/Brazil". CD

Another great issue from Roctober – one that includes interviews with Neon Leon (great lost New York punk figure), Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake, James Brown, and numerous obscure but amazing Brazilian musicians. Melvin Van Peebles critical discography. Jake Austen and Chris Ware on vaudeville/minstrel legend Bert Williams. The history of Black All Girl Jazz orchestras in the 1930s and 1940s. Archival Pedro "Funkadelic" Bell articles and comics from his early 1970s college newspaper. Comics and articles about Aliyaah, Jimi Hendrix, Jackie Mittoo, Sun Ra, Funkadelic, and Black skinhead Reggae. And, believe it or not, more! Magazine

The most extensive Sammy Davis Jr. discography/filmography/TVography/bibliography ever published – with over 1,000 reviews of Sammy related material. To make the package more surreal, the issue looks like an 80s issue of the "punk bible" Maximum Rocknroll, with Sammy essays by MRR columnists Rev. Norb, Eugene Chhadbourne, Lali Donavan, Mike (Gearhead) Lavella, Jeff Bale, Vic (Articles of Faith) Bondi, George Tabb, Dr. Dante and Mark Murrman. Previous knowledge of Sammy or MRR not required! Articles include a profile on Grande Otello (the Sammy of Brazil), an interview with Mark (Unrest) Robinson on his Sammy collection, The Millionaire (Combustible Edison) discussing Sammy clothing he bought at auction, Cynthia Plaster Caster describing her session casting Anthony Newley's penis, a critical breakdown on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis' "Colgate Comedy Hour" appearances, an illustrated catologuing of every Sammy appearance ever in Mad Magazine, plus comics and features about Sammy, Sinatra, The Rat Pack, Blowfly, James Brown, HR, Miles Davis, Reagan, De La Soul, AC/DC and more. Cover by Damon Locks! Magazine

An epic interview and reassessment of Vanilla Ice. R&b diva/legend Sugar Pie Desanto (the female James Brown) speaks. 10 second Patti Smith interview. Jersey garage-kings the Swingin' Neckbreakers interviewed. Albert Ayler murder conspiracy theories...in comix form! Strawberry Shortcake records...a lost cult. The Wix records story (a woman rockabilly fanatic puts out some messed up albums by Ray Smith, Wayne Worley and the Worleybirds and Wayne Keeling). Plus G.G. Allin, Ted Nugent, Sammy Davis Jr. Magazine

One of the more righteous albums from the early years of Diana Ross' solo career – a set that really has her moving past the familiar Motown groove of previous years, into a vibe that really shows the label's new California influence! The tracks here often feature expansive arrangements that mix soul and larger orchestrations – arranged by Gene Page, James Carmichael, Gil Askey, and Michael Randall – all of whom preserve the class that Diana's always had in her music, while still also opening things up to some of the more thoughtful elements of 70s soul. The album includes a nice medley of Oscar Brown Jr's "Brown Baby" and Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children", plus a version of "Imagine", and the tracks "Leave A Little Room", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "All Of My Life", and "Touch Me In The Morning". CD

A very obscure James Brown-produced single for King – and one that showcases this little-known female vocal group. The track's kind of an easy soul weeper, with a mellow loping groove, and vocals that are in the Dee Dee Warwick camp. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A searing second set from Souljazz Orchestra – easily one of the funkiest groups in the contemporary Afro Funk underground! The set's even sharper than their first – really tight on the rhythms, which are filled with skittish guitars that cut a groove strongly – vamping and quick-stepping with a wicked sort of feel that brings back plenty of James Brown influence to a 70s African sound! There's lots of great horns and keyboards too – again played with a sharpness that's wonderful – a meaningful approach to solos that's not as extended as on other records, but often much more powerful. Vocals are often shouted or called – second stage, next to the instrumentation – and titles include "State Terrorism", "Kapital", "Parasite", "Interested Benevolence", "Amen", and "Grasshopper & Toad". CD

Sonny Stitt in a sweet electric funk mode – working here in a style that's almost more CTI/Kudu than the usual Cadet Records groove! Arrangements are by James Brown heavyweight Pee Wee Ellis – who also plays some moog on the set – and other players include Wilbur Bascomb on bass, Bernard Purdie on drums, and Patti Brown on electric piano! Titles include the classic "Slick Eddie", plus "Bachianas Brasilieras/Funky Interlude", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Spanish Harlem", and "Ocho Rios". LP, Vinyl record album

Leon Thomas takes his vocals to new heights – moving past the straight spiritual jazz modes of his work with Pharoah Sanders, to embrace a whole host of new styles too! There's a slight trace of the blues promised in the title, but always inflected through a more soulful approach overall – thanks to backings arranged by Pee Wee Ellis – known best for his work with the James Brown band of the late 60s! Pee Wee handles reed solos on the tunes, and the group also features some great work on keyboards from Neal Creque – from Pucho's band – plus some guitar from Cornell Dupree and Larry Coryell. Yet Thomas is clearly the main attraction – sounding beautifully expressive at that level that no other jazz singer could ever hope to touch – that genre-starting style that continues to amaze us after all these years. Titles include the classic "China Doll" – plus "Love Each Other", "Boom Boom Boom", "Gypsy Queen", and "Shape Your Mind To Die". CD

One of the most amazing jazz vocalists of our generation returns here with an incredible group – a majestic combo to match all the spiritual inclinations in his music – with work from Kamasi Washington on tenor, Mark De Clive-Lowe on piano, Miguel Atwood Ferguson on viola, and both Carlos Nino and Derf Reklaw on percussion! Dwight Trible on his own is already more than enough to get us to run out and buy a record – but here, the combination of his unique voice with these musicians makes for an album that's an instant masterpiece – and one that even has lots of new colors and styles compared to some of Dwight's previous work! Songs include numbers by older west coast spiritual jazz heavyweights – like Horace Tapscott, Linda Hill, Nate Morgan, James Leary, and Jesse Sharps – mixed with some of Trible's own songs, and versions of work by Carmen Lundy, Oscar Brown Jr, and Donny Hathaway. From top to bottom, start to stop, the album's a treasure – with tracks that include "It's All About Love", "Thank You Master", "Song For My Mother", "Brother Where Are You", "Some Other Time", "These Things You Are To Me", "Desert Fairy Princess", and "Mothership". CD

A fantastic blend of two funky styles – that of the James Brown group of the early 70s, and the always mighty P-Funk nation of the late 70s! After Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker came head to head with James Brown in the mid 70s, they broke off and formed the Horny Horns contingent – a tight funky backing section that's featured on a number of late 70s funk sessions, and which also recorded some extremely nice numbers on their own! This first album has the group working with George Clinton and Bootsy, who was a friend of Fred and Maceo from the old days – and who could really use the tight playing of some James Brown-trained musicians to smooth out their groove. This album was the group's first – and it's still their best – forging a massive new funk sound with the best elements of the old JBs fused through Clinton and Bootsy's P-Funk filter. Includes the monster funk cut "Fourplay" – a standout classic that features a funky break, hard solos, and all the other elements you'd need to make a great funky instrumental. Other tracks include "Between The Sheets", "Peace Fugue", and a version of "Up For The Down Stroke". LP, Vinyl record album

Bobby Williams' classic hard funky soul cut from the early 70's! The track's a killer all the way through – with Bobby shouting "Funky Superfly" in a tone that would make James Brown back into a corner – and the band ripping away in a hard, heavy, very tight groove! A mindblower – and a must-own for any funky 45 fan! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great reissue of Gary Wilson's self-produced album from the late 70s – a sly blend of styles that is accurately described in the notes as "equal parts Steely Dan, James Brown, and David Lynch." The record's got a strange at-home feel – almost as if Jandek wanted to record a soul album, and called in some new wave producer to make the whole thing fit together. The tunes are quite strange at times, a little bit noisy at others, but mostly honest attempts at soulful vocals, with almost a naive quality that offsets Wilson's occasional anger. Titles include "When You Walk Into My Dreams", "You Keep On Looking", "Another Time I Could Have Loved You", "Chromium Bitch", "I Wanna Lose Control", and "Groovy Girls Make Love At The Beach". Very nicely redone – with a booklet with lots of notes on the material! CD

Includes tracks by Jesse Johnson, Klique, Angela Winbush, Rick James, Ready For The World, Bobby Brown, Oran "Juice" Jones, Gwen Guthrie, Cameo, and Joyce Kennedy & Jeffrey Osborne. CD

A great collection of classic Congolese rhumba work from the 50s and 60s – music that has some elements of the Cuban style of the genre, but which really takes off on its own in whole new ways! The guitar is an essential part of the rhythms here – dancing along with percussion at a level that makes it a important to the groove as it is to the melody – a distinction that didn't hit American music as strongly until James Brown in the 60s. Most of the tracks here have vocals too – taking off in fluid, free ways that often diverge nicely from the core rhythms of the tunes – in ways that add an extra layer of musical complication, even if you're not privy to the meaning of the language! The 2CD package features a whopping 44 tracks in all – with notes in both English and French – and titles that include "Miguel Canta", "Alphonso", "Le Temps Passe", and "Si Tu Bois Beaucoup" by OK Jazz; "Permission", "Guantanamera", "Sey Sey", and "Bina Ringa" by African Fiesta & Tabu Ley; "Maria Valente" by Rock A Mambo; "Bantous Pachanga" by Bantous De La Capitale; "Jamais Kolonga" by Tino Baroza; and "Tabalissimo" by Tabu Ley. CD

Music from Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, Bessie Smith, Blind Willie McTell, Cannon's Jug Stompers, Son House, Skip James, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Tampa Red, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, Memphis Minnie, Big Joe Williams, Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Maceo, Doctor Clayton, Roy Brown, T-Bone Walker, Buddy Johnson And His Orchestra, Dinah Washington, Louis Jordan, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Paul Williams Sextet, Bullmoose Jackson, Julia Lee, Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers, Lonnie Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker & The Groundhogs, Lightning Slim, Ruth Brown, Lowell Fulson, Honeyboy Edwards, Jimmy Witherspoon, Otis Grand & The Dance Kings, Alexis Korner Blues Inc, Duster Bennett, The John Dummer Blues Band, Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, John Mayall, Jo-Ann Kelly, Herbie Goins, Paul Jones, Alan Price & The Electric Blues Company, Chris Farlowe, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, Mick Abrahams, Ruby Turner, Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, and Fred James. CD

Music from Sugar Pie DeSanto, the Contours, the Velvelettes, Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure, Jimmy Castor, Junior Walker, Shorty Long, Charlie Rich, Dean & Jean, James Brown, Laura Lee, and more. CD

An incredible session of soul – tracks recorded live at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, featuring some of the hippest Stax and Atlantic artists in a very raw setting! The album's got a feel that's a lot less forced than other famous live Apollo sets of the time – very relaxed, but very authentic too – as the singers are given plenty of space to take the lead, and heard here with a quality that's more spontaneous than some of their studio sides. The audience gets a bit of space – but never as bombastically so as on a James Brown record – and given how many artists Atlantic discovered at The Apollo, the album's a nice nod of "thanks" in the right direction! Titles include "I Found A Love" and "Alabama Bound" by The Falcons, "Pain In My Heart" and "These Arms Of Mine" by Otis Redding, "Speedo's Back In Town" by The Coasters, "Misty" and "Say Yeah" by Doris Troy, "Rockin Chair" and "Walkin The Dog" by Rufus Thomas, "Stand By Me" and "Groovin" by Ben E King, and a special finale version of "What'd I Say". LP, Vinyl record album

A mainstream selection of funky tracks from classic 70s soundtracks and beyond – mostly familiar numbers, but plenty nice to have all in one place! Titles include "Truck Turner" by Isaac Hayes, "Cornbread" by The Blackbyrds, "Sweetback's Theme" by Earth Wind & Fire, "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron, "Coffy Is The Color" by Roy Ayers, "Expansions" by Lonnie Liston Smith, "People Get Up & Drive Your Funky Soul" by James Brown, "Express" by BT Express, "Big Papa" by Edwin Starr, and "We Be's Getting Down" by Graham Central Station. CD

Includes selections by Miles Davis Sextet, Bud Powell Trio, James Moody & His Modernists, Jay Jay Johnson Sextet, Milt Jackson Quintet, Thelonious Monk Quintet, Tadd Dameron Sextet, Horace Silver Trio, Clifford Brown Sextet, and Art Blakey & Sabu. LP, Vinyl record album

A now-legendary compilation – an early effort to reissue funk on the Stones Throw label – and a set that virtually gave birth to all the fantastic projects they've done under the Now Again banner over the years! Compiler Egon has gone through a range of rare singles, masters, and demos – and has come up with tunes that burn with a brightness that's undeniable. The grooves are all on the harder end of the James Brown Funky People side of the spectrum – and the whole thing is a massive dig into the funky 45 underground – featuring a few groups who rose to new fame over the years, thanks to the legendary status of this project! Titles include "Don't Go" by Aristocrats Organization, "Loaded To The Gills (edit)" by Michael Liggins & The Supersouls, "Mr Chicken (alternate)" by The Soul Seven, "Slipping Into Darkness" by Dayton Sidewinders, "James Brown Medley" by The Apollo Commanders, "Scorpio" by Kashmere Stage Band, "Sad Chicken" by Leroy & The Drivers, "Street Scene" by Leon Mitchinson, "Free Your Mind" by Amnesty, "The Thing" by Carleen & The Groovers, "Go For Yourself (edit)" by Kenny Smith & The Loveliters, and "The Stretch (edit)" by Detroit Sex Machines. LP, Vinyl record album

The second volume of the soundtrack to the film Dead Presidents. Like the first volume, this is a whopping batch of classic 70s soul tracks – including "Right On For The Darkness" and "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue (Live)" by Curtis Mayfield, "I Got The Feelin" and "Ain't That A Groove" by James Brown, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth, "Cowboys To Girls" by The Intruders, "Keep On Pushing" and "(Man Oh Man) I Want To Go Back" by The Impressions, "I Was Made To Love Her" by Stevie Wonder, "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" by Sam & Dave, "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Jerry Butler and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" by The Temptations. CD

Dancefloor cookers from the prime Northern Soul years – all instrumental numbers on this sharp compilation on Kent – 45 sides from a labels like Money, Villa, Swan, King, Epic and Warner Brothers! For all the wonderful Kent soul compilations we've gotten our dusty fingers on over the years, it's a wonder they're never been one devoted to instrumentals – until now! Rhythms roll along at a tight tempo, the tight guitars punch it up, some strings soar, and a pounding Northern beat keeps it all stomping! Those core elements are key, but others weave in an out, from hand claps on the beat, to organ grooves, bursts of brass and more. 24 tracks in all: "Double Cookin" by Checkerboard Squares, "Make Me Yours" by Arthur Wright & His Orchestra, "Festival Time" by San Remo Golden Strings", "The Sounds Of Lane" by Tracks To Your Mind, "Champion Pt 1" by Willie Mitchell, "The Guys From Uncle" by The Spy, "Stirrin Up Some Soul" by The Mar-Ketts, "Hey America (Sing Along)" by James Brown, "California Montage" by Young-Holt Unlimited and more. CD

A wonderfully groovy set of Christmas tracks – one done in a style very similar to the Get Easy Snow compilations – as you might guess from the title! The selection here is great – with a few perennial favorites, a few rare gems, and a great middle stretch of wonderful bits from some of the grooviest artists of the 60s and 70s – a great antidote to some of the too-played holiday music you might hear during the 12th month of the year! Titles include "Santa Claus Is Definitely Hear To Stay" by James Brown, "Close Your Mouth It's Christmas" by Free Design, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jimmy McGriff, "Snow" by Claudine Longet, "Black Christmas" by The Emotions, "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by The Temptations, "Christmas Gift" by Margie Joseph, "Winter Warm" by Bob Crewe Generation, "Snow Flakes" by The Ventures, "Winter Symphony" by The Beach Boys, "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway, "Children Go Where I Send Thee" by Kenny Burrell, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Ray Anthony & His Bookends, "Swinging Christmas" by Helmut Zacharias, and "Jingo Jango" by Bert Kaempfert. CD

Very cool stuff – and a fittingly cool collection of work from the great ESP label! If you've never seen one of their samplers before, they're sort of a mad mix of many different styles – putting together tracks in short little blips, filtered out of longer original ones on albums, into a cool collage of sounds and moods – that includes material by Marion Brown, Sunny Murray, New York Art Quartet, The Fugs, Henry Grimes, Albert Ayler, Pearls Before Swine, Pharoah Sanders, and many others! This album features a number of great bits from records we've never seen, mixed together with some more classic moments, all packaged in a cool cover. Includes bits from "East Village Other" by Ishamael Reed, "The Lovebook Record" by Andrei Vozenensky, "Movement Soul" from a record of traditional recordings, "Ni Kantu En Esperanto" from an Esperanto recording, "The Coach With Six Insides" from a musical based on Finnegan's Wake, "Assemblage" by Gunter Hampel, "East Village Other" by Allen Ginsberg, "Call Me Burroughs" by William S Burroughs, "Zitro" by James Zitro, "Of Love & War" by Randy Burns, and lots more by some of the usual suspects. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Archie Bell & the Drells, Wilson Pickett, the Five Stairsteps, Eddie Holman, the Van Dykes, the Impressions, David Ruffin, Betty Everett, Barbara Acklin, James Brown and more. CD

Music from Foxy Brown, Rick James & Richie Rich, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Playa, Redman, Mic Geronimo, Master P, Too Short, Jayo Felony, EPMD, Crucial Conflict, 2Pac and more. CD

One of the coolest Christmas compilations you could ever hope to own – but you probably guessed that already, from the cover image that pays tribute to a classic set from James Brown! The JB image is certainly well placed – as most of the tracks here are deeply funky Holiday tunes – the kind of gritty seasonal ditties that were only ever issued as funky 45s back in the day – and most really only on a local level, too! Strut's really outdone themselves with this excellent collection – as it features a fair bit of Christmas rarities we've never heard before, but which are totally wonderful – all-new tunes, not common Christmas cover versions – played and performed with a hell of a soulful feel throughout. Knock that ol' Bing Crosby record off the turntable, and give this one plenty of spins this December – and dammit, the music's so great, you may well find yourself playing the collection well into the New Year too! Titles include "Boogaloo Santa Claus" by JD McDonald, "Angel's Christmas" by Wild Honey, "Black Christmas" by Harlem Children's Chorus, "Getting Down For Xmas" by Milly & Silly, "Soul Santa" by Funk Machine, "Funky Funky Christmas" by Electric Jungle, "Christmas Present Blues" by Jimmy Reed, "Santa's Got A Bag Of Soul" by Soul Saints Orchestra, "Christmas Morning (Sean Bonniwell edit)" by Zebra, "Let's Get It Together This Christmas" by Harvey Averne, "Auld Lang Syne" by Black On White Affair, and "The New Year" by Jimmy Jules & The Nuclear Soul System. CD

The fourth fantastic chapter in this wonderful trip through the 60s – headed up by author Jon Savage, as a great soundtrack to his documents of the time! If you know Savage at all, you'll know to expect something different and fresh – an unusual take on the period, and one that goes way past the chart hits and overplayed oldies – to instead uncover currents of cultural activity at a much deeper level! And sure, there's a number of familiar songs here – but they're mixed with lesser-known gems, and presented in this great double-length package that features 48 tracks in all – all with notes from Savage himself. Titles include "Talkin About The Good Times" by Pretty Things, "Eastern Organ" by Brother Dan All Stars, "Hard To Handle" by Otis Redding, "Freedom Train" by James Carr, "Say It Loud (part 1)" by James Brown, "Omnibus" by The Move, "Sunshine Help Me" by Spooky Tooth, "Everydays" by Buffalo Springfield", "How Does It Feel To Feel" by The Creation, "Dear Delilah" by Grapefruit, "Machines" by Lothar & The Hand People, "Tomorrow Street Puzzle" by Fairport Convention, "I Got A Line On You" by Spirit, "Kick Out The Jams (preview pressing)" by MC5, "World In A Jug" by Canned Heat, "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams, "Honey Chile" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, "Danse A La Musique" by The French Fries, "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker, and "Why Does It Feel So Right" by The Shades Of Jade. CD

Disco funk and plenty more – all from this long-running series that only seems to dig deeper and deeper as time goes on! This time around, nearly all the cuts are ones you won't find elsewhere, especially on CD – with that special sort of 80s bent that the series always has, which means that you'll find as much boogie on the set as you will later disco rarities – served up in a batch of tracks that includes "Your Love Keeps Taking Me Higher" by E'Lan, "Let Me Be The One (dance mix)" by Mint, "Sure Ain't News" by Systematic, "Real Love" by The Prajekt, "Are You Lonely" by Randy Brown, "Tomorrow Night" by Angel, "24 Hour Love Affair" by David St George, "Right Or Wrong" by First Light, "Get Into Love Groove" by Bridget Cooper, "Caught In The Middle" by James Cobbin & Prime Cut, "Playtoy (long mix)" by Carmin, "Get Away" by FLOS, and "Cyanide Love" by Carol Shinnete with The Concrete Band. CD

One of the first-ever Christmas albums in the world of soul and R&B, and a host of vintage Holiday tunes pulled from the 50s LA R&B scene – served up here as a complete album! The set features some of the first great secular soul tracks recorded for the season – tracks that set the scene for all the Motown, James Brown, and other soul music Christmas albums to come! Titles include Charles Brown's classic "Merry Christmas Baby", plus "Lonesome Christmas (parts 1 & 2)" by Lowell Fulsom, "Sleigh Ride" by Lloyd Glenn, "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" by Mable Scott, "Christmas Everyday" and "Christmas Dreams" by Johnny Moore's Blazers, "Love For Christmas" and "Jingle Bell Hop" by Jackson Trio, and "Christmas Blues" by Jimmy Witherspoon. CD

Funky soundtrack tunes from the early 70s – a great mix of lesser known album cuts and a few other rare gems pulled from Universal's Soul Cinema series! The groove is wah-wah funk, fast riffing drums, tight "chase" theme grooves, and even a bit of soul – and tracks include "Monkey Hustle" by Jack Conrad, "It's Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" by GC Cameron, "Fat Poppadaddy" by Quincy Jones, "I'm Gonna Catch You" by The Hues Corporation, "The Boss" by James Brown, "Bus Stop" by Harry Betts, "King George" by Roy Ayers, "Give It To Me" by Isaac Hayes, "She Did It" by Barbara Mason & Monk Higgins, and "It Sure Is Groovy" by Gil Bernal. 13 cuts in all! CD

A killer Motown live album – one that has the Detroit label storming the stage of the Apollo Theater, with some of its biggest 60s acts in tow! There's a really open, spontaneous feel to the record – more so than other Motown live sets of the 60s – a quality that really grabs you and makes you feel like you're in the audience, catching these artists at the height of their young powers – and the production has the kind of frenetic live album feel as James Brown's famous set at The Apollo. Titles include "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" by Marvin Gaye, "Whole Lotta Woman" by The Contours, "Strange I Know" by The Marvelettes, "Don't You Know" by Stevie Wonder, "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by The Miracles, "Two Lovers" by Mary Wells, and "Let Me Go The Right Way" by The Supremes. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the funkiest compilations we've heard in a long long time – a stunning set of rare 45s, all pulled together by Tobias Kirmayer of Tramp Records fame! The groove here is totally in the pocket – a blistering blend of hard drums, rough guitars, and blasting horns – all served up with some nice jazzy moments from time to time, and the kind of vocals that might put James Brown to shame! The whole thing's lovingly packaged, remastered, and fully licensed with the high level of quality we've come to expect from the Perfect Toy label – and Tobi even knocked himself out with some great notes on each of the tunes. Titles include "Soul Popcorn (parts 1 & 2)" by Doc Oliver, "Wahoo Wahoo Wahoo" by Wayne Carter, "Whatever Turns You On (parts 1 & 2)" by Prepositions, "Todos" by Nombres, "Soul Safari" by Lew Hanson & The Islanders, "What It Is (parts 1 & 2)" by Randolph Brothers Plus, "Muy Sabroso" by Lou Garno Trio, and "I Weep" by BB Brown. LP, Vinyl record album

An assortment of jazz, blues, and gospel – with music from Tramaine Hawkins, Asante, Puff Johnson, Dionne Farris, Terence Blanchard, Blind Willie Johnson, Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Miles Davis, Major Lance, James Brown, and many others! CD

3 album set packed with tracks by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Otis Redding, Booker T, Ike & Tina Turner, and so much more. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Al Green, James Brown, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Billy Paul, Four Tops, The Impressions, Jerry Butler, Billy Stewart, Robert Knight, Gladys Knight And The Pips, Lee Dorsey, and more. CD

Heavy heavy funk from the Louisiana scene of the late 60s and 1970s – and a great collection that really gets past the dominance of the New Orleans sound! The set moves way past the Crescent City to uncover a wealth of great bits recorded in smaller studios located in Shreveport, Lake Charles, and a variety of tiny scenes in the southwest side of Louisiana – and the result is a great batch of tunes with a really gritty, down-n-dirty sound! There's a wealth of great funky styles in the set – including James Brown-inspired jammers, southern soul burners, and some other great modes that show that Louisiana's got a heck of a lot more to offer than just New Orleans funk. Titles include work from the Anla, Murco, Soul International, Goldband, and Tic Toc labels – a total of 22 cuts that include "Soul Time" by Ernest Thomas, "Soul Feeling (parts 1 & 2)" by Eddy G Giles, "Soul Brothers Testify (part 1)" by Chester Randles Soul Senders, "Soul Power" by Abraham & The Casanovas, "Put It On" by Count Rockin Sidney with The Dukes, "Fix It" by Clifton White & His Royal Knights, "Miss Hard To Get" by Dennis Landry, "No Sad Times" by Johnny Truit, "Black Water Gold" by African Music Machine, and "I Got A Groove" by JJ Callier. CD

Heavy heavy funk from the Louisiana scene of the late 60s and 1970s – and a great collection that really gets past the dominance of the New Orleans sound! The set moves way past the Crescent City to uncover a wealth of great bits recorded in smaller studios located in Shreveport, Lake Charles, and a variety of tiny scenes in the southwest side of Louisiana – and the result is a great batch of tunes with a really gritty, down-n-dirty sound! There's a wealth of great funky styles in the set – including James Brown-inspired jammers, southern soul burners, and some other great modes that show that Louisiana's got a heck of a lot more to offer than just New Orleans funk. Titles include work from the Anla, Murco, Soul International, Goldband, and Tic Toc labels – a total of 22 cuts that include "Soul Time" by Ernest Thomas, "Soul Feeling (parts 1 & 2)" by Eddy G Giles, "Soul Brothers Testify (part 1)" by Chester Randles Soul Senders, "Soul Power" by Abraham & The Casanovas, "Put It On" by Count Rockin Sidney with The Dukes, "Fix It" by Clifton White & His Royal Knights, "Miss Hard To Get" by Dennis Landry, "No Sad Times" by Johnny Truit, "Black Water Gold" by African Music Machine, and "I Got A Groove" by JJ Callier. LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent James Brown single, and a rare one too! Vicki Anderson, for some strange reason recording under the name Myra Barnes, gives her answer to James' "Super Bad". The track's nice and funky, with a good stretched out groove, and backing by the James Brown band. 7-inch, Vinyl record

New work from Togolese music legend Roger Damawuzan – but a set that feels as fierce and funky as if it were recorded in the 70s! The group is super-tight throughout – more inspired by the James Brown Band of the late 60s than other West African groups – and tracks are short, funky, and bristle with a quality that's more like that of a set of funky 45s than it is the longer jams you might find on other records. The whole thing's got as much appeal as a deep funk record than as an African one – and Roger sings in English throughout, with really raspy and soulful charm – on titles that include "Fine Fine", "Paris", "Shut Up", "Mama", "I'm Crying", "Juliana", "Need My Money", "What Time Is It", and "Why Why". CD

New work from Togolese music legend Roger Damawuzan – but a set that feels as fierce and funky as if it were recorded in the 70s! The group is super-tight throughout – more inspired by the James Brown Band of the late 60s than other West African groups – and tracks are short, funky, and bristle with a quality that's more like that of a set of funky 45s than it is the longer jams you might find on other records. The whole thing's got as much appeal as a deep funk record than as an African one – and Roger sings in English throughout, with really raspy and soulful charm – on titles that include "Fine Fine", "Paris", "Shut Up", "Mama", "I'm Crying", "Juliana", "Need My Money", "What Time Is It", and "Why Why". LP, Vinyl record album

Aretha Franklin at the end of the 80s – capping off a big run of records for Arista with another successful collaboration with Narada Michael Walden! There's a bit more of a groove here than before – a nice bounce on many cuts that almost brings in a slight new jack flavor – but handled with a bit more class, given Walden's legacy – and the album's got a lot of collaborative moments, including appearances from James Brown, Whitney Houston, Elton John, The Four Tops, and Kenny G. Titles include "Gimme Your Love", "Mercy", "It Isn't It Wasn't It Ain't Never Gonna Be", "Through The Storm", "If Ever A Love There Was", "Think 1989", and "Come To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky genius from the mighty K Frimpong – an album recorded in Germany in the mid 80s – but a set that cooks like some of the best West African funk from the decade before! The sound is lean and mean, and there's plenty of grit in the grooves – a lot more bass and funky drums than some of the softer highlife of the period – with percussion that kicks in fantastically right at the start, and never lets up! The vocals are great too – and it's almost like Frimpong is working like some James Brown-styled leader – really coming up with the goods right from the start, and urging his ensemble onto non-stop grooving on the album's four long tracks. Titles include "Abrabo", "Abusuafo", "Enaa", and "Susu Dwa W'Ananum". LP, Vinyl record album

Bobby Harden's got a great way of putting over a tune – he's not a soul singer out to top James Brown, or try to leap into the fray with a real funky frenzy – and instead, he approaches the material with the laidback confidence of some of our southern soul favorites from years past – all with a vibe that really makes the album shine! The presentation of the songs by the Soulful Saints is great – themselves an equally understated group, and clearly aware that Bobby's the main attraction of the set – which he definitely is, in this overdue debut that's clearly going to make him one of the best underground soul singers in years to come. Titles include "One Tribe", "Wounded Hearts", "Bridge Of Love", "Runnin", "Raise Your Mind", "It's My Time", "Feels So Good", and "One Night Of The Week". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic funky gem from the start of the 70s – an album recorded during a period when Maceo Parker left James Brown's band for a few years – and struck out on his own with a fiery little combo that was every bit as funky as the Fred Wesley & The JBs! The record captures the group at the height of their powers, and it's a must, must, must-have for any fan of the the James Brown sound – as it's got lots of hard drums, rumbling basslines, and some killer work on funky horns – some of it by other members of James' band who had left with Maceo! Funny, funky, and a little bit jazzy too – like a pile of funky 45s stacked on top of each other – with the cuts "Funky Women", "Got to Getcha", "Southwick", "Mag-Poo", "I Remember Mr Banks", "Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself", "Shake It Baby", and "Better Half". CD

A rare gem from Maceo Parker – the second album cut with his King's Men group in the short time he was away from James Brown in the early 70s! The set was done for the Excello southern soul label, and it's got a bit of a different groove than his work for House Of Fox with the same group – a style that's got a bit more conventional southern production overall, and grooves that run towards soul a bit more than funk – although the whole record is still pretty darn funky overall! Players in the group include Charles Sherrell, Melvin Parker, and Jimmy Nolen – and titles include "Funky Music Machine", "Dreams", "TSU (Aristocrat of Bands)", "Funky Tale To Tell", and "Born to Wander". CD

Pianist David Matthews first got his start writing arrangements for the James Brown band of the late 60s – but over the years, he turned into a hell of a jazz arranger too – as you'll hear on this smoking large ensemble set from 1993! The record's got a special vibe right from the start – cascading tones and colors that are a wonderful change from the usual – and which seem to allow every single player in the group an individual voice, at the same time they're all coming together in unison. There's plenty of breakout solos, too – and players are a top-shelf lineup that includes Ryan Kisor and Lew Soloff on trumpets, George Young and Chris Hunter on saxes, Birch Johnson and Dave Taylor on trombones, and Matthews himself on piano. Titles include "Harry's Jump", "Four", "All Blues", and "Night In Tunisia". CD

With Yusef Ali, Joey Baron, Tyrone Brown, Richard Davis, Ralph Dorsey, Sherman Ferguson, Gil Goldstein, Eddie Green, Jabali Billy Hart, Billy Higgins, Marc Johnson, Bob Kenmotsu, Steve LaSpina, Jimmy Lewis, James Ridl, Bobby Rose, Bill Stewart, Ron Thomas and Carl Wilson, CD

Beat group soul from Germany – one of the few albums ever cut by Berry & The Movements, a group who's better known for their album on MPS, but who sound pretty darn great here too! The style of the album is drenched in the Memphis Stax sound of the late 60s – lots of heavy bass in the arrangements, and some nice raw guitar that makes for some edgey takes on familiar soul classics. The sound is raw, round, and mighty – and Berry's singing in some strangely-accented English, which gives the album a nice sound too! Includes versions of James Brown's "Ain't That A Groove" and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" – plus "Philly Dog", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", "Mustang Sally", "Don't Fight It", and "Sweet Soul Music". LP, Vinyl record album

With music from Buster Brown, Jimmy Jones, Dee Clark, Ray Bryant, Irma Thomas, Etta James, Bobby Marchan, The Shirelles, Marv Johnson, Gary U.S. Bonds, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and many more – 31 tracks in all! CD

A nicely-priced set that's filled with essential numbers from the 70s – funky classics both mainstream and break-heavy, and as good a place as any to start if you want to put a bit of edge into your CD collection! There's no completely rarebits here, but the tracks here all definitely make the grade for "classic funk" – and titles include "Think" by Lyn Collins, "Doing It To Death (part 1)" by The JBs, "Freddie's Dead" by Curtis Mayfield, "Flashlight" by Parliament, "For The Love Of Money" by The O'Jays, "Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band, "Cross The Track" by Maceo & The Macks, "Make It Funky" by James Brown, and "Saturday Nite" by Earth Wind & Fire. CD

The fourth fantastic chapter in this wonderful trip through the 60s – headed up by author Jon Savage, as a great soundtrack to his documents of the time! If you know Savage at all, you'll know to expect something different and fresh – an unusual take on the period, and one that goes way past the chart hits and overplayed oldies – to instead uncover currents of cultural activity at a much deeper level! And sure, there's a number of familiar songs here – but they're mixed with lesser-known gems, and presented in this great double-length package that features 48 tracks in all – all with notes from Savage himself. Titles include "Talkin About The Good Times" by Pretty Things, "Eastern Organ" by Brother Dan All Stars, "Hard To Handle" by Otis Redding, "Freedom Train" by James Carr, "Say It Loud (part 1)" by James Brown, "Omnibus" by The Move, "Sunshine Help Me" by Spooky Tooth, "Everydays" by Buffalo Springfield", "How Does It Feel To Feel" by The Creation, "Dear Delilah" by Grapefruit, "Machines" by Lothar & The Hand People, "Tomorrow Street Puzzle" by Fairport Convention, "I Got A Line On You" by Spirit, "Kick Out The Jams (preview pressing)" by MC5, "World In A Jug" by Canned Heat, "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams, "Honey Chile" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, "Danse A La Musique" by The French Fries, "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker, and "Why Does It Feel So Right" by The Shades Of Jade. CD

A heady batch of work from the Miami scene of the 70s – all of it from the legendary TK Records family of labels, headed up by superproducer Henry Stone! Over the years, some folks have taken Henry to task for his operational strategies – but there's no denying that he's a key figure in helping the sound of the south move from the 60s into the 70s – picking up plenty of funk and sophistication along the way! The set's overflowing with classics from Stone's empire at the time – including many cuts that have been sampled or reworked heavily in recent decades – titles that include "I'm Too Tough For Mr Big Stuff" by Vicki Anderson, "Miami Funk" by The Funky Bunch, "Cramp Your Style" by All The People, "Keep It Up" by Milton Wright, "Sleep On Dream On" by Raphael Munnings, "Smokin & Drinkin" by James Brown, "Miss Hot Stuff" by Clarence Reid, "The Rub" by George & Gwen McCrae, "Funkadelic Sound" by Little Beaver, "Future Place" by Jimmy Castor, "I Like My Birdie" by Leon Phillips, "Throwdown" by The King Tutt Band, "Back From The Dead" by Bobby Byrd, "Shake N Bump (part 1)" by Snoopy Dean, and "You're The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing" by Timmy Thomas. LP, Vinyl record album

Raw, raunchy sounds – all pulled together from a time before soul and rock even existed! Most of the work here is from the classic catalog of King Records – a killer imprint in the postwar R&B market, and a company who wasn't afraid to do what it took to make a knockout record! In the case of these tracks, the singers often hit some fairly suggestive material – often hidden in early 50s innuendo, but barely so – with a vibe that's often nastier than even the most hardcore rockabilly sounds to come! The music here has its roots in blues, but is inflected with plenty of jazz, and the presence of the singers often point the way towards soul music – especially the James Brown crowd that would later rise at the same label. Titles on this volume include "I Like My Baby's Pudding" by Wynonie Harris, "My Natchl Man" by Fluffy Hunter, "Mountain Oysters" by Eddie Davis, "Let Me Be Stay Away From Me" by Freddy King, "Can't Do Sixty No More" by Billy Ward & The Domonies, "My Ding A Ling" by Dave Bartholomew, "Butcher Pete" by Roy Brown, and "Sittin On It All The Time" by Wynonie Harris. CD

Raw, raunchy sounds – all pulled together from a time before soul and rock even existed! Most of the work here is from the classic catalog of King Records – a killer imprint in the postwar R&B market, and a company who wasn't afraid to do what it took to make a knockout record! In the case of these tracks, the singers often hit some fairly suggestive material – often hidden in early 50s innuendo, but barely so – with a vibe that's often nastier than even the most hardcore rockabilly sounds to come! The music here has its roots in blues, but is inflected with plenty of jazz, and the presence of the singers often point the way towards soul music – especially the James Brown crowd that would later rise at the same label. Titles on this volume include "Sexy Ways" by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, "Lolly Pop Mama" by Wynonie Harris, "I Want A Bowlegged Woman" by Bull Moose Jackson, "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" by Billy Ward & The Dominoes, "Will You Be Mine" by The Swallows, "Leave My Kitten Alone" by Little Willie John, "Sixy Minute Man" by Billy Ward & The Dominoes, and "Lovin Machine" by Wynonie Harris. CD

With selections by Clifford Curry, Five Satins, Lee Dorsey, Syndicate Of Sound, James & Bobby Purify, The Silhouettes, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford, Ronny & The Daytonas, Bob Kuban, and Buster Brown. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the all-time classic funk records from the 70s – a set that grabs you with the very first note, and lets you know that you've really stumbled onto something groovy! South Side Movement have a sinister groove that's very much their own – not like James Brown, The Meters, or just about anyone else – cooked up on the south side of Chicago at a time when the city was a real hotbed of creative activity in all sorts of different ways – and served up with the sort of sophistication that often marked some of the best Windy City groups of the time! Jimmy Van Leer produced, and the whole thing's got a mix of sophisticated instrumentation and straightforward funk that's wonderful – heard to great effect on the classic leadoff track "I Been Watching You" – and followed by so many other great gems that include "Mud Wind", "Superstition", "Can You Get To That", "La Dee Da", and "You're Gonna Lose My Love". CD features bonus tracks – the previously unissued "Done Got Good To Me", and the single mix of "Mud Wind". CD