Killer work by this fab Chicago soul group – a bunch of young kids, ala The Jackson Five, with sweet soul sound that actually predates the work of Jermaine and Michael and Tito, and which paved the way for countless 70s groups to come! The Five Stairsteps were first discovered by Curtis Mayfield – who wrote and produced a number of tracks on the set – but they had a strength of their own (thanks in part to a young Keni Burke, who was in the group), and continued to grow over the years, changing their sound to fit their expanding ages, and the changing material they needed to cope with the growth in soul in the early 70s. The set's filled with classics – including the super-huge hit "Ooh Child", plus "The Girl I Love", "Behind Curtains", "Come Back", "World Of Fantasy", "You Waited Too Long", "We Must Be in Love", "Oooh, Baby Baby", "Don't Waste Your Time", "Something's Missing", and the break-heavy "Don't Change Your Love". CD

A great later moment from the Five Stairsteps – served up by a mature version of the group, who are now all adults at the time of recording – and come together in a great new groove! The album's a modern soul treasure through and through – upbeat and a bit funky at times, but with a greater focus on the harmonies that warmly slide and spin around the mellow and midtempo numbers that really make the set shine. Billy Preston produced, and helps give the group a really solid sound – and Keni Burke is back as a Stairstep here, really helping to hold the whole thing together. Titles include the jazzy groover "Pasado", plus "Far East", "Salaam", "Theme Of Angels", "Time", "From Us To You", "In The Beginning", and "Tell Me Why". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer work by this fab Chicago soul group – a bunch of young kids, ala The Jackson Five, with sweet soul sound that actually predates the work of Jermaine and Michael and Tito, and which paved the way for countless 70s groups to come! The Five Stairsteps were first discovered by Curtis Mayfield – who wrote and produced a number of tracks on the set – but they had a strength of their own (thanks in part to a young Keni Burke, who was in the group), and continued to grow over the years, changing their sound to fit their expanding ages, and the changing material they needed to cope with the growth in soul in the early 70s. The set's filled with classics – including the super-huge hit "Ooh Child", plus "The Girl I Love", "Behind Curtains", "Come Back", "World Of Fantasy", "You Waited Too Long", "We Must Be in Love", "Oooh, Baby Baby", "Don't Waste Your Time", "Something's Missing", and the break-heavy "Don't Change Your Love". CD

This set may be the best record ever by thie Chicago soul group! The record's got a full batch of original tracks written and produced by Curtis Mayfield – including their amazing, funk steeped version of "Don't Change Your Love", with a breakbeat that lit up the sampler culture for years! That raw drum sound is in effect on even the more delicate numbers, and the lead vocals and harmonies soar or sink deep to the soul, as the groove demands. There's also some kind of tripped out touches in the production in spots, making for a nice balance of sweet soul and leftfield touches. Kind of an underappreciated effort in the grand scheme of Curtis Mayfield productions, but wholly essential! Other titles include "Stay Close To Me", "New Dance Craze", "Baby, Make Me Feel So Good", and "Little Young Lover". LP, Vinyl record album

Haunting work from this legendary Chicago harmony group – and one of the few records to feature the enigmatic Cubie! "Something's Missing" has a really righteous feel – building in a slow, soulful Curtom way – with strings and horn parts giving way to some wonderfully heartfelt vocals from the group! "Tell Me Who" has a nice conga bit on the intro – setting a chunky groove that makes the cut one of the group's rawest – especially as it's got a nice guitar part too! Picture sleeve single – with a goofy photo of Cubie playing an extra large chess game! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A pretty cool compilation – one that features great grooves from Buddah records, packaged in a sweet dial-style cover – with inside information on the label and its staff too! Features work by The Impressions, 5 Stairsteps & Cubie, Elephants Memory, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Barry Boldberg, Smoke Ring, US 69, Loving Spoonful, Ohio Express, The Road, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

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... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A stone pop soul winner from DeBarge – the kind of record that made the group a heck of a lot of money back in the 80s, and which sounds surprisingly great to our ears today! The record features lots of electro arrangements – fuzzy keyboards and bass pedals grooving around in a way that's got traces of "street" electro, mixed with some super-smooth LA production, and used brilliantly by the group in a family-based pop harmony way that stretches back to some of the great 70s groups of the same style – like The Sylvers or the Stairsteps. A heck of a lot nicer than we remember, and pretty great all the way through – with tracks that include "I Like It", "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", "All This Love", "I'm In Love With You", "Can't Stop", "It's Getting Stronger", and "Life Begins With You". CD

A rare set from the Chicago scene of the early 70s – put together by a group who are the "American family" promised in the title, but who have a lot more to offer than just the kiddie soul of the time! The members of the group have a nice range of ages and styles – which maybe makes the music come across with the depth of groups like Voices of East Harlem or The Stairsteps – more mature, sometimes righteous currents that are a real surprise – and captured here with instrumentation that's a nicely lean take on east coast styles of the time – that grittier approach that always made records on the Perception label so great! Titles include two nice cuts by Patrick Adams – "Loneliest Girl In Town" and "Find the One Who Loves You", plus others by the producer James L Porter – "Oh Yes I Do" and "Time For a Change" – and the titles "Next Time I'll Be Good", "I Can't Get No Higher", "I Can't Wait", and "Take My Love Don't Set Me Free". CD features four bonus tracks – "Here's Some Dances", "Will You Still Be Mine", "Let's Sign A Peace Treaty", and "Looking For A Brand New Game". CD

A great later effort from the 5 Stairsteps family – a later offshoot of the initial enterprise, still working here under the production helm of father Clarence Burke! Keni Burke's a member of the group, and the work here has a very similar groove to his own RCA material of the time – offset with some warmer elements that also echo the previous Stairsteps records on Warner, especially given that a number of the cuts have group vocals. Keni's bass does a nice job of kicking in the grooves, and the album's got a nicely warm sound for the time – almost more late 70s group funk than early 80s boogie. Titles include the sweet harmony track called "Along The Way" – plus "Party Time", "Circles", "Rated X", "Really Wanna See You", and "Same Thing". CD

A fantastic follow-up to the legendary Home Schooled collection from Numero Group – and, like that one, a set that focuses on the surprisingly great genre of kid soul that flourished in the 70s – in the wake of bigger groups like the Jackson Five, Sylvers, and 5 Stairsteps! These groups are all from similar territory – mostly comprised of younger members, but who work with an undeniably great sound overall – grooves as sharp as most of their adult counterparts in the indie soul field – and maybe a lot more energy and enthusiasm in their music – which makes for tracks that are wonderfully upbeat, positive, and overflowing with goodness! Most of the work here is from the early 70s – and, as always with Numero, the set is presented in a very thoughtful manner – with some great notes and wonderful sound quality overall. There's a few of our favorite Chicago groups on here, mixed with loads of other artists we've never heard before – and titles include "Runnin Wild" by Scott Three, "You Got Me Believing" by Leonard Kaigler, "Guessing Games" by Jimi Hill, "I Want A Little Girl" by The Bennetts, "Everywhere You Go" by The Next Movement, "Because I Love You" by Brighter Side Of Darkness, "It's Time For Love" by Soul Emotions & Co, "The Other Guy" by Mighty Mustangs, "Love Got A Piece Of Your Mind" by Five Ounces Of Soul, "Funky Breakdown" by Little Man & The Inquires, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by The Brothers Rap, "I'm Free No Dope For Me" by The Dynamics, and "Girl Why Do You Want To Take My Heart" by Magical Connection. CD

Think The Beatles only had an impact on rock and pop fans in the America of the 60s? Think again – because their music had an undeniable impact on soul as well – as you'll here from this wonderful range of remakes of classic cuts from the Fab Four! The work here is a real surprise if you don't know the legacy – but it also really makes sense once you're reminded of the mind-expanding, ear-opening territory the group hit in the latter half of the 60s – and working with themes of social change, alienation, and personal longing – of the sort that turn out to be perfect for new interpretations in soul! Most of these cuts are way more than standard cover versions, too – as the arrangements are really inventive, and take off in bold new directions that make the songs very much new properties overall. Most of the work here is from the late 60s and early 70s – and as always with Ace Records, the notes and presentation really put the music in context! Titles include "The Fool On The Hill" by The Four Tops, "Dear Prudence" by The Five Stairsteps, "For No One" by Maceo & The King's Men, "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" by Ike & Tina Turner, "Tomorrow Never Knows" by Junior Parker, "Got To Get You Into My Life" by Earth Wind & Fire, "Do You Want To Know A Secret" by Mary Wells, "Lovely Rita" by Fats Domino, "With A Little Help From My Friends" by The Undisputed Truth, "Savoy Truffle" by Ella Fitzgerald, and "Let It Be" by Bill Withers. CD

A rock-solid record – kind of a later version of the Five Stairsteps, heard here in groove that's much more grown up! The album's got a feel that really shows the evolution of the Burke family – way past their kiddie soul roots, and even some of their offshoot projects of the 70s – into a style that's pretty complex at times, and which really shows a mature approach to rhythms. The vibe is hard to describe accurately – because while there are some clubby elements, the overall sound is deeper and more complicated too – showing some of the quirkier elements of the Island Records contemporaries alongside which the group were placed for this debut. The feel is quite different than the second album from the group – which is much more straight ahead – and titles include "9 Times Out Of Ten", "Full Moon", "All Night Thing", "Rent Strike", and "Love Can't Come/Love Has Come". LP, Vinyl record album

A great later effort from the 5 Stairsteps family – a later offshoot of the initial enterprise, still working here under the production helm of father Clarence Burke! Keni Burke's a member of the group, and the work here has a very similar groove to his own RCA material of the time – offset with some warmer elements that also echo the previous Stairsteps records on Warner, especially given that a number of the cuts have group vocals. Keni's bass does a nice job of kicking in the grooves, and the album's got a nicely warm sound for the time – almost more late 70s group funk than early 80s boogie. Titles include the sweet harmony track called "Along The Way" – plus "Party Time", "Circles", "Rated X", "Really Wanna See You", and "Same Thing". CD also features bonus track "Rated X (edited version)". CD

Music from Wild Cherry, BW Stevenson, Brewer & Shipley, Starland Vocal Band, Reunion, Billy Swan, Walter Egan, The Jaggerz, First Class, Five Stairsteps, Climax, and more. CD

If you've ever wondered why The Beatnuts sound so great, check their list of sources – an incredible range of hard to find soul, jazz, library, and easy tracks – many of which are served up by this excellent set! The package features 24 tracks on 2LPs – and even though we know our samples, we've got to say that there's a few here that really blew our ears off! Titles include "New Dance Craze" by Five Stairsteps, "Black Night" by Eddy Driver, "And I Love Her" by Enoch Light, "Gracias Mi Amor" by Danny Rivera, "Think Twice" by Clive Hicks, "Late Start" by Power House, "Giving Up" by Zulema, "The Look Of Love" by Dick Hayman, "Get Out Of My Life Woman" by George Semper, and "First True Love" by Jimmy Ross. 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

A standout solo moment from the amazing Keni Burke – an artist who's come a long way from his youthful start in the 5 Stairsteps! Keni had recorded other adult work by the time of this early 80s set, but Changes is easily his best-remembered album – a masterpiece of 80s groove, all arranged and produced by Burke – who also played a fair bit of the music on the set as well! The tunes are upbeat and grooving – often with a rhythm that goes nicely right down the middle, and never tries to be too funky or clubby. This groove is epitomized by Burke's classic "Risin' To The Top" – a tune that's been sampled heavily over the years, to great fame – and which is probably the lasting legacy of this set. But the whole album's totally great – sophisticated 80s groove at its best – with other cuts that include "Who Do You Love", "Shakin", "Can't Get Enough", "Changes", "All Night", and "Hang Tight". LP, Vinyl record album

A spiritually resonant soul jazz gem from truly great vocalist Dwight Trible – whose handful of albums to his own name and his work with the Build An Ark collective and Life Force Trio have all been timeless, passionate and inventive – and this effort on the Katalyst label is as deep and rewarding as any of it! Cosmic reminds us of everything we loved about Dwight's Living Water album a few years back, and this one may be even stronger. His yearning, soaring, soul shaking voice is stunning as always, and both the originals and the unique takes on the more spiritual material of legends such as Duke Ellington, Nina Simone and others is really great. He's backed by stellar group of musicians that includes drummer Dexter Story, bassist Trevor Ware, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, John Beasley on piano and organ, George Harper on tenor sax and others. Includes "Speak To Us Of Love", "I've Known Rivers", Ellington's "In The Beginning GOD", "Love Is Forever", "Little Afrika", "Algeriangeles", Simone's "Hyku For Peace/Come Ye", "It's All About Love" and glorious, soul jazz take on the Five Stairsteps soul classic "Ooh Child". CD

With selections by Aretha Franklin, Lee Dorsey, The Impressions, The Poets, Gene Chandler, The Olympics, Five Stairsteps, Barbara Mason, Aaron Neville, The Volcanos, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, The Capitols, Intruders, Bar Kays, Mad Lads, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Esquires, and Freddie Scott. LP, Vinyl record album

The first album by The Sylvers – a soulful band made up of youngsters from the Los Angeles scene, but who had a lot more going on than some of the other kiddie-soul bands of the early 70s! The group's a sextet at this point, with four male voices and two female ones – coming across as a sweet blend of tenor and soprano harmonies, in a similar mode to the Five Stairsteps – but maybe with a deeper, grittier vibe overall! The record has a solid sound and a funky groove that gives you a hint at what stars the kids would grow up to be – as not only The Sylvers would go on to crack the charts big, but members Leon and Foster would do some pretty great soul work on their own. Jerry Peters did arrangements on the best cuts – with that slightly messed-up groove that he brought to his best 70s work. The record includes the great funky sample cut "Fool's Paradise", which has a great intro that steps along with a fierce bongo sample! Also includes some nice mellower soul material – like "Wish That I Could Talk to You", "I Know Myself", and "Chaos" – with bonus cuts "I'm Just A Lonely Soul", "Time To Ride", and "Come On Give Me A Chance". All that, and Jerry Butler production too! CD

The second album by The Sylvers – and like the first, a record that really has the group going way past any expectations you might have of them as a kid soul group! The Sylvers started out in the same era as the Jackson 5 and Five Stairsteps – but right from the start, they already sounded a lot more adult – and also had a way of setting up a tune that was uniquely sophisticated, and maybe which took years to appreciate! Part of this strength has to do with the excellent studio help used for the album – as the set was put together by Jerry Peters, with additional rhythm arrangements by Harvey Mason – and the pair of them give the set a very groovy feel, taking full advantage of the group's strong ability to turn a catchy lyric, but also adding some razor sharpness to the grooves. Titles include "Stay Away From Me", "Let It Be Me", "I Remember", "Cry Of A Dreamer", "Through The Love In My Heart", "Handle It", and "I Don't Need To Prove Myself". CD