... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A nicely evolved groove from Lee Dorsey – still working with tremendous production from Allen Toussaint, the man who brought him into stardom in the 60s – but with a warmer sound that's more 70s modern overall! The shift here is almost like that of Lamont Dozier's in the 70s – as Lee moves into a fuller, richer sound – one that shows that he's got a lot of different aspects to his music that hadn't showed up on previous albums, and which nicely brings him out of the Crescent City soul ghetto. There's till some nice Nola rhythms going down on the set, and all the tracks are originals by Toussaint – but honestly, the smoothest cuts are almost the best – and offer a great chance to hear Dorsey's great vocals in a whole new mode. Tracks include "Soul Mine", "Night People", "Can I Be The One", "Say It Again", and "Keep On Doing It To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A great lost one! "Runaway People" has a great funky sound – and one that's very different than some of Dyke's other boiler-plate funk numbers. The cut begins with rolling guitars, building into a nice strong wave, which then crashes and rolls through the whole song! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great bit of southern funk from the 70s – upbeat, grooving, and with a really righteous sound! "People" is one of those cuts that just grabs you right away – a unique-sounding tune that's all the way out there – tightly riffing instrumentation topped with some slightly raspy vocals – all with an offbeat charm that almost reminds us of the first time we heard the 70s classics by Milton Wright! "Gregory Moore" is great too – a bit more laidback, and almost with the same horn patterns as the first track, but slower. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Really nice work from The Four Tops – proof that they were still going quite quite strong after Motown! The album's got a hip sound that shows the group moving through a wider range of emotions than we ever remember – crafting rich deep harmonies that still stand apart from the big wave of sweet soul quartets of the early 70s, and which sparkle with all the emotion that Levi Stubbs' voice had to offer. Includes their great theme to Shaft In Africa, the track "Are You Man Enough" – plus loads of other great ones like "I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind", "It Won't Be The First Time", "Sweet Understanding Love", "Too Little, Too Late", "Peace Of Mind", and "Main Street People". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite records ever by Roy Haynes – a lyrical masterpiece that stands with his best work of the 60s! The set features some wonderful playing by Frank Strozier – who's handling both alto and flute on the set, grooving around like he did on his own great Riverside albums of the period, or on Haynes' excellent Cymbalism set, to which this one is a nice partner. The songs on here are a bit less hip than on that album – as many of them are 60s standards, like "People", "Mr Lucky", "Wives & Lovers", "Invitation", and "What Kind Of Fool Am I" – but they're done with a lot imagination, and a soulful modal groove that really opens them up! LP, Vinyl record album

The classic debut from one of the weirdest concept groups of the 60s – a mime rock band brought together by producer Lew Futterman – who'd also worked on some killer funky jazzy sessions with Brother Jack McDuff! The style here is psychedelic pop through and through – and although the group didn't speak, they do sing (is that really mime?) – and work in a groovy sing-song blend of reeds and rockish rhythms, one that definitely has some of the same sharp changes and funky undercurrents you'd find in Futterman's jazz projects – although honed down here into much shorter Sunshine tunes! The album's a very unique little record – and oddly the group flourished for years. But somehow this first record has a charm that's really undeniable – and is maybe still their best effort ever. Titles include "White Winged Doves","Dream Of Tomorrow", "Pray For Rain", "How Does It Feel To Be Free", "I Ride To Nowhere", "Come & See Me", and "Jelly Jam". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of Joe Henderson's greatest albums ever – a real treasure from his electric years at Milestone Records, and a set that showed he really had a lot more to offer for the scene of the 70s! The sound here is quite different than Joe's earlier work for Blue Note – a style that's sometimes soaring, sometimes mellow – but always moving forward with a tremendously fluid approach to the tenor sax. Joe's sense of phrasing and timing is impeccable – quite subtle at times, with these dark notes that hang beautifully in air on the ballads – and some sharper-edged qualities that really burst out strongly on the more upbeat tunes. The group's a great one too – and features Herbie Hancock on both acoustic and electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – plus additional trumpet by Mike Lawrence on 2 tracks. Titles include "Black Narcissus", "Isotope", "Afro-Centric", "Forsight & Afterthought", and "Power to The People". LP, Vinyl record album

Frank Hooker and his Positive People get some great arrangements here from Norman Harris – who really helps the group find their groove, and give them a lot more polish than you might expect! Frank's vocals are a bit everyday at points – but that's also part of the charm of the record, and a great example of the way that Harris could make just about anyone sound good. Titles include "Like Sister & Brother", "Devotion", "I Wanna Know Your Name", and "This Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

Banging acid house tracks from Mike Hitman Wilson. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A certified classic, with a remake of Cymande's "Bra" bassline driving an absolutely unstoppable house groove! 12-inch, Vinyl record

The genius second album from The Housemartins – still as tight, sharp, and political as the first! Titles include "The World's On Fire", "You Better Be Doubtful", "We're Not Going Back", "The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death", "Me & The Farmer", "Build", "Bow Down", and "Pirate Aggro". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest albums ever from The Impressions – and a set that takes their work to a whole new level, by bringing in an even more righteous sound! The core elements of the group's 60s genius are all in place here – compositions from Curtis Mayfield, arrangements from Johnny Pate, and sublime harmonies from the group. But there's also something extra too – a new level of consciousness that's creeping into the music, hinting at the more righteous subject matter of later years – but with a much more subtle approach. All tracks are great – and titles include "See the Real Me", "Woman's Got Soul", "We're In Love", "Can't Work No Longer", and "Emotions". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A tremendous late 60s album from Waylon Jennings – a set that really has the singer finally finding his groove, and working that amazing vocal style towards the kind of material that would soon help him become the stuff of legend! At some level, it could be said that there are currents of folk on the album – at least in the choice of some of the tracks, including the title cut – but throughout, Waylon Jennings has a way of turning things towards the darker side of the spectrum, and delivering things in a way that goes way beyond familiar RCA Nashville territory! Titles include "Money Cannot Make The Man", "I Tremble For You", "If The Shoe Fits", "The Road", "Love Of The Common People", "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away", and "Taos New Mexico". LP, Vinyl record album

Two uptempo sides by this ex-singer of The Charimen Of The Board. David Van De Pitte arranged, and the record's got a bit of a modern soul sound – which suits the General's unique voice just right! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A really goofy little record – one that has the great Spike Jones taking on the hi-fi generation – demonstrating the qualities of your system with a huge amount of sound effects mixed with music! LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Post-Atlantic work from Robin Kenyatta – but an album that follows in a very similar mode! This date was done for the Wolf subsidiary of TK Records, but it's got a very hip New York groove – one that's almost even more righteous than some of Robin's earlier work, with some excellent arrangements from Arthur Jenkins – who's managed to fill the set with a great sense of soul! Kenyatta's alto and soprano sax are set up with keyboards from Jenkins and Richard Tee, plus bass, guitar, percussion, and some great backing vocals at points – used sparingly, but in ways that almost remind us of Oneness Of Juju at some of their smoother moments. Kenyatta's reeds have a Plunky-like feel too – more inside than the Juju work of the mid 70s, but pointing towards Plunky's smoother sounds to come. Given that the vocal group features Gwen Guthrie, Vivian Cherry, and Patti Austin, you can bet they sound pretty sweet – and titles on the set include "Love Me", "Oh Oh Oh", "You", "Bluebird", and "Of Life & Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A real standout from Ray Davies and crew – heavy-hitting here with guitars that seem a bit more amped up than usual, and a slight post-punkish groove that's almost a reinvention of the group's sound for an 80s new wave market! The album's a surprisingly hard rocker in parts, and has a darkness that's a nice change from some of the late 70s Kinks material – but also shows Ray still able to come up with some more tender numbers in just the right spots. Tracks include "Add It Up", "Destroyer", "Yo Yo", "Art Lover", "Better Things", "Killer's Eyes", "Around The Dial", and "Give The People What They Want". LP, Vinyl record album

Heavy funk from Betty – working here in her best deep soul mode! The main side is a nice cover of "Games People Play", but the real killer is "My Train" – a badass bit of funky female soul that really kicks some ass! The tune's got some of the tightest backings that Betty ever got on wax – and she steps up with a magnificent hard soul vocal to match! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great little group – with music as wonderful as their name! Lothar & The Hand People sprung out of the post-folk years of the mid 60s – bringing together styles that had an earthier touch, with others that shared more in the proto-psyche of the time, and which also had a bit of a cosmic influence. And while at their core, the group had a sound that was shared by a number of groups at the time – somewhere in between Byrds-esque down-homeyness and sunshine psyche – they also had a knack for pulling in unusual instrumentation, creating some great "curve ball" moments that really kept their albums interesting. LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

The final album from The Mamas & The Papas – and a set that really makes us wonder how great they would have sounded had they kept on recording into the 70s! There's definitely a shift here from the earlier work – vocals that still have that incredible way of coming together, but with a feel that's warmer and more layered too – maybe Mama Cass tuned down a bit in the mix, but only in a way that opens up the unity of the group overall! The songwriting is more sophisticated and interesting too – material that maybe made sure that this album never got heavy radio play – but in a way that makes the whole thing a fantastic discovery all these many years later! Titles "People Like Us", "Pacific Coast Highway", "Shooting Star", "European Blueboy", "I Wanna Be A Star", "Step Out", "Snowqueen Of Texas", "No Dough", Blueberries For Breakfast", and "Grasshopper". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A really fantastic album from drummer Buddy Miles – an artist that many folks know for his key rock work in the Band Of Gypsys group of Jimi Hendrix, but a musician with an equally great ear for soul and funk as well! Miles began in Electric Flag, and certainly has ties to the world of psych – and here, he mixes funkier currents with lots of strong trippy guitar from Marlo Henderson – a player we don't know that well, but who adds some great lines that are a lot like some of the Phil Upchurch contributions over at Chess/Cadet at the same time. Miles sings on most numbers, with that nicely honest vocal approach we love so much – but there's a few instrumental moments too, and the set's got some great use of horns throughout, which brings in some southern funky currents too. Titles include "Joe Tex", "Place Over There", "The Segment", "Don't Keep Me Wondering", "Sudden Stop", and "That's The Way Life Is". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A set from the 80s, but a record with a very timeless feel – as Ephat Mujuru plays mbira here with a group that's heavy on percussion, and which features all these wonderful vocal refrains alongside the lead! The mbira is never buried in fuller instrumentation – and instead, the chromatic keys of the instrument get plenty of space to play out with the kind of warmth that makes the thumb piano such a blend of melody and percussion at once, with a universal sort of appeal that goes way beyond the boundaries of language in the lyrics. Most tracks are nice and long – and titles include "Mudande", "44"," Nyama Musango", and "Kwenda Mbire". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked 60s pop gem from Kenny O'Dell – a great mix of twangy vocals and Sunshine Pop production – all served up with a really unique sort of sparkle! In another world, Kenny might have been a country singer – but here, he's working with some cool Cali backings that push O'Dell far from his Bakersfield roots – into the sound of sunny late 60s LA, with some great guitar, organ, and vibes in the backings. Titles include "Beautiful People", "Kentucky Woman", "Sunshine Dreamin", "Massachusetts", "You'll Break Me Yet", and "Next Plane To London". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Relatively straightforward guitar jazz grooving from Nathen Page – a player who's probably better known for his countless studio appearances on the west coast scene, but who also managed to cut a few albums like this as a leader! The style is relatively laidback and relaxed – with Nathen playing hollow body guitar in a soul jazz mode that's similar to some of Ray Crawford's work from the time. His lines get a bit complicated at times, but never too much so – and rhythm is by the team of Charles Covington on piano, Steve Novosel on bass, and Mike Smith on drums. Title sinclude "Invitation", "Once I Loved", "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life", and "Lush Life". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great groover from organist Don Patterson – cut in a trio format, with an open-ended style that lets the players kick back and play, in the sort of free and easy setting you'd hear in a hip small club. Patterson's organ is backed by his usual drummer Billy James, and 4 of the album's 5 tracks feature tenor work, either by Booker Ervin or Sonny Stitt. The last track, "Theme For Dee", is a spare mellow ballad that features mostly just organ by Patterson, with some subtle drum fills by James. The other tracks groove a bit harder, and include "Love Me With All Your Heart", "42639", and "Sentimental Journey". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

An extra clubby effort from People's Choice – a record that has them moving over to Casablanca after their albums for Philly International, but still staying strongly in their groove, thanks to production from Tom Moulton at Sigma Sound Studios! Tracks are upbeat, but funky – mixing the lead vocals and keyboards of Frank Brunson with some even more soulful female backing voices, and an overall groove that's in the tight Sigma mode that was starting to show up strongly at Salsoul. Tracks are long, but less disco than funky club – and the mix of male and female vocals together often creates a slightly righteous feel that you don't always get on this sort of record. Titles include "Warm Nights Soft Lights", "Bad Dancin Rita", "My Feet Won't Move", "Special Things For You", "If I Knew Then What I Know Now", "You Out To Be Dancin", and "Sweeter Than Honey". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A surprising release on A&M for the Revolutionary Ensemble – formerly a much more underground group, but still sounding great here recording for a bigger label! The lineup features Jerome Cooper on piano, bugle, drums, and a variety of percussion instruments – with Sirone on bass and trombone, and Leroy Jenkins on violin, thumb piano, recorder, and small gongs! Titles include "Trio for Trio", "Chinese Rock", and "Ponderous Planets". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Behave Yourself", "Feel Free", "Girls Like Dirt", "Let Love Be Strong", "Sweet Sensimilla", "Poor Immigrants", and "Put The People First". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

With Grand Puba. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A excellent stretched-out groover from the Soul Searchers! The cut is the title cut from their first album – which we never ever see anymore – and it's got some very nice open-ended drumwork that makes it kick around in a great funky way! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful single from Street People – one that's got soaring harmonies that almost take us back to earlier east coast soul, but which are also put together with a tighter groove for the clubs! The cut's one of their best – and it really has the group hitting on all burners. The flipside's great too – a sweet mellow harmony number, but one with a slightly smooth polish too! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A classic set of psychedelic soul from this fantastic 60s group! The record is one of the groundbreaking albums the Temps cut with producer Norman Whitfield – and it's a landmark session that perfectly showcases what Whitfield's full-on, guitar-heavy, bassy-bottom style could do for the group! A few mellow cuts hearken back to earlier days – but there's some excellent moments that really let the new sound shine – soaring out with trippier touches that are totally great! Highlights include the storming cut "I Can't Get Next To You", a trippy remake of "Hey Jude", the original "Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down", and the haunting "Message From A Black Man" – one of the most righteous moments ever in late 60s Motown! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Warm, wonderful harmony work from The Tymes – a set that features lots of familiar tunes, but redone in really great ways by the group! The harmonies are the key here – as the group's vocals are totally sublime – cascading magnificently amidst some fuller arrangements that might have been aimed at a crossover market, but which hardly ever dampen their soul at all. Jimmy Wisner handled production, and brings in a gentle swing to some of the tunes – a groove that's certainly made one track, their title version of "People", a big fave down in the Carolinas over the years. Other tracks include "City", "For Love Of Ivy", "Look Of Love", "God Bless The Child", "Make Someone Happy", "The Love That You're Looking For", and "The Way Of The Crowd". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A real breakout album for The Village People – thanks largely to the hit "YMCA", which had surprising play at the time – and has gone onto become one of those ballpark hits that everyone seems to sing completely un-self-consciously! The group are still working here in a New York Sigma disco mode – with backings by the Gypsy Lane group – and apart from the "YMCA" hit, other long tracks include "Hot Cop", "My Roomate", "The Women/The Cruiser", and "Ups & Downs". LP, Vinyl record album

The only "west" these guys have gone is the West Village – the home of their aesthetic, and a post-Stonewall playground that was getting very firmly noticed by the mainstream by this point! The album's their last big one for Casablanca – and features arrangements from Horace Ott, who gives the record a surprisingly soulful core in the grooves – something that's also enforced by the production at the New York branch of Sigma Sound! Titles include the massive hit "In The Navy", plus the tracks "Go West", "Citizens Of The World", "I Wanna Shake Your Hand", "Manhattan Woman", and "Get Away Holiday". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A couple of smooth numbers by this fatastic harmony group who only ever issued a couple singles on the MGM subsidiary Lion. Both numbers hit a righteous sweet soul harmony groove over some great soaring production touches! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

Killer Latin dancefloor material! Compiled by Brit Latin DJ Gerry Lyesight, and filled with loads of storming cuts that we don't see elsewhere, wrapped up into one lovely package with the usual BBE high standards! There's 14 cuts, and titles include "Tumba El Quinto" by Hector Rivera, "Coco My Way" by Tambu, "Gaviota" by Jimmy Bosch, "Oromi" by Daniel Ponce, "Muneca" by Charlie Palmieri, "Red Onions" by Armando Peraza, "No Que Va A Llora" by Andy Harlow, and "Porque No Me Dices" by Linda Leida. Great stuff all the way through, and mostly slamming instrumentals, with a few tight jazzy vocal cuts thrown in! LP, Vinyl record album

Includes selections by Mick Jagger, Luther Vandross, Billy Joel, Paul Young, Machinations, Dan Hartman, Kool & The Gang, Michel Colombier, Bruce Springsteen, and Nicole. LP, Vinyl record album