Track Record/Cleopatra, 1988. (reissue)
Ohio Players bounce back for this late 80s album – coming across with a leaner groove than before, and a style that's right up there with the best mainstream funk of the time! Most instrumentation is electric – plenty of beats and keyboards here – but the group still seem to hang ...
Track Record/Cleopatra, 1988.
Ohio Players bounce back for this late 80s album – coming across with a leaner groove than before, and a style that's right up there with the best mainstream funk of the time! Most instrumentation is electric – plenty of beats and keyboards here – but the group still seem to hang ...
Derby/Abkco, 1963. (reissue)
The rare first album from Mel Carter – a cool, classy singer from the west coast scene – and one who echoed some of the more sophisticated styles from back east by soul artists like Jerry Butler or Walter Jackson! Mel's definitely got a style that's all his own – and his voice ...
Derby/Abkco, 1963.
The rare first album from Mel Carter – a cool, classy singer from the west coast scene – and one who echoed some of the more sophisticated styles from back east by soul artists like Jerry Butler or Walter Jackson! Mel's definitely got a style that's all his own – and his voice ...
Nodlew/P-Vine (Japan), 1973.
One of the most beautiful records to come out of the early 70s – a tremendous indie effort from a young Weldon Irvine! Irvine put this album together as sort of a musical "time capsule" of his generation – an effort to capture the era's thoughts, feelings, and emotions ...
Nodlew/P-Vine (Japan), 1972.
Landmark early work from the legendary Weldon Irvine – recorded way back when he was first coming to fame with Nina Simone, but done as an obscure indie effort for his tiny Nodlew label! The set's a wicked batch of keyboard-heavy funk – at a level that's similar to some of the best ...
Cat/Real Gone, 1974. (reissue)
A killer batch of funky guitar work from the Miami scene of the 70s – very different than the later disco hits the city would be known for! Little Beaver is one of those players we'd put right up there with Shuggie Otis, O'Donell Levy, or Eddie Fisher (of "Third Cup" fame) – ...
A&M/Music On Vinyl (Netherlands), 1966. (reissue)
A legendary pairing of two key 60s pop talents – the soulful sounds of Ike & Tina Turner, and the soaring production styles of Phil Spector! The album's quite different than some of the grittier Turner projects of the time – lots of full orchestrations and strings, mixed with the ...
International Anthem, 2LP
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International Anthem, 2LP
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International Anthem,
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Brunswick/Demon (UK),
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Atlantic/Empire, 2001. 2LP (reissue)
Her final LP. 14 tracks in all, includes "We Need A Resolution", "More Than A Woman", "Never No More", "Read Between The Lines", "It's Whatever" and "I Can Be".
Z Records (UK), Late 70s/Early 80s. 2LP
LP ...
About September 16, 2022
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Z Records (UK), Late 70s/Early 80s.
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About September 16, 2022
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Atlantic/Empire, 2002.
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Blackground/Empire, Late 90s/Early 2000s. 3LPs
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MCA/Universal (Japan), 1986.
Titles include "Love You Down", "Mary Goes Round", "Some People Don't Care", "In My Room", "So In Love", and "Baby Let Me Love You".
Geffen/Universal (Japan), 1987.
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EMI/Universal (Japan), 1986.
An obscure mid 80s session from the former members of The Moments – recorded with a style that's a bit more electric and a bit more mellow than before – but which really lets their wonderful vocals still take center stage! The style here is almost in a smooth steppers mode, but the ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1986.
Crisp, warm, and nicely-grooving soul from Melba Moore – one of her most consistent albums of the period, and possibly the biggest hit of career! The team of writers and producers on the album is top-shelf – with work from Kashif, Paul Lawrence, Gene McFadden, and others – who ...
Motown/Universal (Japan), 1983.
The great first album from The Mary Jane Girls – easily their best, and an 80s pop soul delight all the way through! Rick James is firmly at the helm of the quartet for this release – and although the sound has elements of James' own crossover funk of the time, there's also an approach ...
MCA/Universal (Japan), 1988.
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Island/Universal (Japan), 1987.
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Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1986.
The last in Beau Williams' great run of albums for Capitol Records in the mid 80s – and a sweet little set that equally balances quiet storm ballads with more uptempo groovers! Williams is one of the great unsung male vocal acts of his generation – and he's got a great way here of ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1987.
Sweet 80s soul from Peggi Blu – an artist who recorded this gem for Capitol Records with hardly any fanfare at the time, but who's gotten plenty of play from the set over the years! Peggi's got a style that's nicely unassuming – a voice that still has all the range and power of the ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1985.
Freddie Jackson was certainly one of the biggest new soul stars of the 80s – and this debut LP is still a treasure! Freddie's got a skill that transcends his age – with an approach that's decidedly 80s, but classic enough to last for years and years. The songs on the record are all ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1989.
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A&M/Universal (Japan), 1982.
Warmly grooving vocal work from Howard Johnson – one of the few albums the singer cut under his own name, and a sparkling gem from the 80s groove scene! Howard's got a style that really sets the stage for some of the bigger singers of his time – a sound that's mature, yet still very ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1987.
An overlooked debut from singer Bert Robinson – an artist who was part of the large Al Hudson/One Way collective from Detroit, but who really comes into his own in this sweet little set! Robinson's got a very rich, deep vocal approach – almost a nod back to the pre-soul generation of ...
Mercury/Universal (Japan), 1984.
A tighter sound than before for The Bar-Kays – that lean approach to funky grooves that some of their contemporaries were hitting as the 80s moved on – yet still served up here by the full ensemble with a relatively fresh feel overall. Amidst the beats and keyboards, there's still lots ...
Island/Universal (Japan), 1989.
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Island/Universal (Japan), 1988.
Warm soul from By All Means – a key group in the quiet storm soul years of the mid 80s – one that's equally well-suited to mellow numbers and more upbeat groovers! The trio features two male vocalists and one female – Jimmy Varner, Billy Sheppard, and Lynn Roderick – but ...
Gordy/Universal (Japan), 1984.
The Temptations' former lead singer's first solo record with a huge 80s groove album, especially considering the mighty title track – the duet with Siedah Garrett and it's sly reggae influenced bassline and crisp popping beat. This is one of those records we appreciate a lot more with the ...
Capitol/Universal (Japan), 1983.
A massively wonderful album from Dayton – an album that has the group really getting their groove together – still sticking a bit in the older funk mode from the past, but also bringing in some warmer, deeper touches to their music too! There's a solidness here that's undeniable – ...
4th & Broadway/Universal (Japan), 1988.
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Def Jam/Universal (Japan), 1986.
A Def Jam classic from Tashan – and a record that really helped bridge the gap between male soul and hip hop in the 80s! The style's still as warm and soulful as most of Tashan's contemporaries, but the record definitely shows a bit of street soul in the rhythms too – often just a bit ...
Def Jam/Universal (Japan), 1987.
A key record in the Def Jam shift from hip hop to bigger soul sounds – served up by mellow soul maestro Chuck Stanley! The record's got some great urban-styled production, which keeps the beats heavy – but the style's a lot more laidback and loving than most of Russell Simmons' hip hop ...
Motown/Universal (Japan), 1982.
Titles include "Cheek To Cheek", "On The One For Fun", "Stay Awhile With Me", "Nice Girls", and "A Love Song".
Geffen/Universal (Japan), 1987.
John White may not be the biggest name in 80s soul, but he comes on strong in this overlooked set – a catchy batch of tunes that stands out nicely from his contemporaries! There's plenty of beats and keyboards in the backings, but John's got a deep-ranged vocal style that creates plenty of ...
Universal (Japan), 1987.
The debut album from Jody Watley – an instant hit that became one of the biggest soul albums of the mid 80s! Jody stepped out from soul group Shalamar to work with producer Andre Cymone on a this set of tracks that set the blueprint for slick soul at the time – still very much in the ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1988.
A Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis classic – and key proof that their pairing with singer Cherrelle was a mighty good thing! Cherrelle's got a voice that's perfect for the beat-heavy approach of the pair – light enough to dance around the rhythms, but bold enough with a presence all its own ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1985.
Sweet 80s grooves from Cherrelle – a set that really has the singer cooking strongly with the production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – complete with all the heavy beats you might expect! Jam and Lewis borrow plenty of bottom sounds from the styles of hip hop and electro, and do a ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1984.
Nothing Fragile here – as Cherrelle comes across with plenty of power on this debut LP – thanks to sharp production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on some of the best cuts, and an overall groove that's right on the best side of early 80s soul! The Jam/Lewis tracks are heavy on ...
A&M/Universal (Japan), 1983.
A pivotal album for Jeffrey Osborne – and a record that showed the world that he could stand proudly on his own away from his old group LTD! The album was actually his second solo outing, but the first to really gel together in that hit-making blend of ballads and catchy mid-tempo pop tunes ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1987.
One of the few records ever cut by James Robinson – a smoothed-voiced singer who should have been one of the bigger ballad stars of his time! Robinson's got a deep range to his style – and works here in some gently-stepping numbers that really stand head and shoulders above most of the ...
MCA/Universal (Japan), 1986.
A surprisingly wonderful set from The Controllers – recorded years after their late 70s classics, but with a great mellow 80s style that makes some great use of their harmonies! The style here is a mix of smooth quiet storm and mellow midtempo grooving – and although some of the ...
Mercury/Universal (Japan), 1982.
Snapping grooves and a sweet clubby sound from Con Funk Shun – one of the best 70s ensemble funk groups to make the transition to 80s groove years! The bass is tight, the keyboards are electric, and the rhythms are great – never forced or stiff, and always flowing with a sense of soul ...
Motown/Universal (Japan), 1986.
Titles include "Dreamin", "Slow Down", "Tell Me", "Sincerely", "People Will Be People", and "Give Everything You Got For Love".
Motown/Universal (Japan), 1987.
An excellent mid 80s soul set from Garry Glenn – recorded for Motown, and sadly lost in the shuffle at the time. The record's a surprising gem – sophisticated, mature, and with a laidback quality that really gets past some of the cliches of 80s soul at the time. Garry's got a talent ...
Def Jam/Universal (Japan), 1986.
Juice's classic album of 80s new classic soul – a mixture of quiet storm styles for the hip hop generation, with production work by Russell Simmons on most of the record, and Kurtis Blow on the track "It's Yours". Other titles include "The Rain", "Here I Go ...
Gordy/Universal (Japan), 1980.
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Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1986.
The mighty SOS Band, still grooving hard well into the 80s – and still showing the world that their sound is way tighter than any of their many imitators! The style here is updated a bit from the group's first few records – given a sharper punch and polish by the Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1984.
Just the way we like it from SOS Band – tight, but never too uptight – grooving, but never too over the top either – and with plenty of room for mellower moments that really round the album out nicely! The set's got SOS right at the height of their famous run for Tabu Records ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1983.
Sweet sweet grooves from the SOS Band – definitely on the rise at the time, but still sounding great, with all the best elements of their early work firmly intact! The core group are very much at home in the studio – and have this cohesive sound that really comes through right away ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1982.
A solid smoker from the SOS Band – maybe one of the group's best-remembered albums, and for good reason too! The set's got a groove that's beautiful right from the start – 80s funk that's really a cut above, and touched with just the right mix of jazzy elements and warmer moments too ...
A&M/Universal (Japan), 1986.
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Gordy/Universal (Japan), 1985.
A lost little gem from the Rick James camp – a bit obscure, despite the fact that Val's a former Bride Of Funkenstein! Val's not as well known as some of the other artists that Rick James worked with back in the 80s – but given her resume, she's got a solidly soulful sound that works ...
Wing/Universal (Japan), 1988.
The record that proved to the world that Vanessa Williams wasn't going to be let down after an unfortunate detour – and an unabashed set of crossover soul from the end of the 80s! Williams' isn't out to make anyone believe she's the next Aretha Franklin, but she's right at home in the poppy ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1987.
One of the crowning achievements of Alexander O'Neal – a set that uses cool little intro tracks to help structure the standout songs on the set – giving the whole thing a much more well-conceived approach than other mainstream soul albums of the time! Some of the cuts draw from O'Neal's ...
Tabu/Universal (Japan), 1985.
The start of a legendary run for vocalist Alexander O'Neal – and a set that really helped redefine the sound of male soul in the 80s! O'Neal got his start in an early version of The Time, and he's working here with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis – but the sound of the record is way deeper ...
A&M/Universal (Japan), 1985.
Titles include "Freak A Ristic", "Cool Calm Collected", "Silver Shadow", "Let's Start It Over", "Thank You", and "If Your Heart Isn't In It".
Capitol (Japan), 1984.
Darn solid work from Ashford & Simpson – one of the duo's biggest albums for Capitol Records, and a great set from their 80s run for the label! The groove here is a bit more heavy on keyboards and beats than before, but the pair still keep things plenty soulful with their positive, ...
P-Vine (Japan), 2022.
Few folks get a classic groove as right as T-Groove – and here, he's working with the George Kano Experience for an even more classic vibe – this wonderful blend of soul, jazz, funk, and boogie – all put together with the best sort of 80s groove production! The album's got a ...
P-Vine (Japan), Late 70s. (reissue)
An obscure little set, but a great one too – a joint effort from Charles and Barbara Burton – served up with a really wonderful blend of upbeat club and modern soul modes! The album's got all the indie soul charm you'd expect from its title and cover – a simple, straightforward ...
P-Vine (Japan), Late 70s. (reissue)
Ultra-hip funk from Oklahoma's Messengers Incorporated – a group who come across with a sound that's every bit as righteous and heavy as you might guess from the cover! Instrumentation is heavy on bass, guitar, and organ – and topped with some great saxophone work too – all in a ...
Salsoul/BMG, 1979. (reissue)
LP ...
On September 23, 2022
Maybe the third great Philly studio group of the 70s – after MFSB and Salsoul Orchestra – a killer combo who provided backing grooves to plenty of great club tracks over the years – and who step out strongly here on their own debut album! Bunny Sigler helps give the album a sharp ...
Candid, 1960. (reissue)
Otis may be the blues, but he's not alone either – as he's working here in duet formation with Robert Lockwood – recorded in a really rootsy setting that's got a very down-home feel! Otis is on piano, Lockwood is on guitar, and both players sing – alternating vocals from track to ...
Just Sunshine/Tidal Waves, 1973. Gatefold (reissue)
Mellow soul, sweeping strings, and sweet electric keys – a stone 70s classic from Norman Feels – one of the greatest soul singers you've never heard before! The album's Norman's first (of two), and is a vastly under-recognized gem – the kind of record that easily stands next to ...
Acid Jazz (UK), 2022.
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Acid Jazz (UK), 2022.
CD ...
About September 30, 2022
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Still Music,
LP ...
About October 1, 2022
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Still Music, Late 70s.
CD ...
About October 1, 2022
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Lefevre Sound/P-Vine (Japan), 1971. (reissue)
This one's billed as "the rarest funk album of all time" – but even if it wasn't, we'd still love it to death because it's so darn great! Freddie hails from the Georgia scene of the late 60s – and he's got a slow-burning approach to his music that mixes in a good dose of ...
Tramp (Germany), Late 60s/Early 70s.
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P-Vine (Japan), 1976. (reissue)
A strange name for a group that hardly stood the test of time – but a great record that's well worth discovering! Timeless Legend were a young soul group from Columbus Ohio in the mid 70s – and on this rare LP, they've got a sweet little style that's every bit as great as that of ...
SSS International/Sun, Late 60s. (reissue)
A little bit funk, a little bit soul – Mickey Murray was one of the underrated talents working in the SSS label during the company's glory years, and had a sock-hard southern soul style that was really outta site! Mickey first hit big with the tune "Shout Bamalama" – ...
Cadet/Bear Family (Germany), 1968. (reissue)
A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary ...
Sony (Japan), 1975. (reissue)
A heavy funk party from the Japanese jazz scene of the 70s – and a set that hits a lot harder than some of the smoother fusion of the time! There's a grit here that hearkens back to some of the best American jazz funk at the start of the decade – a nice edge that you often don't find ...
Alwest/Tidal Waves, 1984. (reissue)
With a name like Home Boy & The Cost Of Living, it's gotta be the 80s – as just a quick listen to this set will attest! The rhythms are heavy in basslines and drum machine modes – with lots of sweet styles that are somewhere between electro/street soul, and a mellower boogie bounce ...
Sun, Late 60s. (reissue)
Produced by Huey P Meux, with a nice LA twist on Walker's sound! Titles include "Glamour Girl", "T-Bone's Way", "Got To Cross The Deep Blue Sea", "Louisiana Bayou Drive", and "When We Were Schoolmates".
Colpix/Bear Family (Germany), 1961. (reissue)
A girl group soul classic – the first-ever Ronettes album, recorded in the years before the group first hooked up with Phil Spector! Even back on this album from 1961, it's clear that the girls had a sound that would be huge – and they're working here with early (and great) production ...
Mothers Records/P-Vine (Japan), 1975. (reissue)
Spanky Wilson really takes off here – hitting some of her boldest soul modes to date – and serving up a few funk-heavy classics in the process! Production and arrangements are by HB Barnum – who draws on his own rich legacy of soul projects for the set, and finds a way to let ...
Mother/P-Vine (Japan), Late 60s/1970. (reissue)
A bit of soul, a bit of jazz, and some nice funky touches at the bottom – a killer little set from the great Spanky Wilson! Wilson's got a really unique place in music – at one level a soul singer with enough sophistication to rival the sound of Marlena Shaw or Nancy Wilson – but ...
Nodlew/P-Vine (Japan), 1973. (reissue)
One of the most beautiful records to come out of the early 70s – a tremendous indie effort from a young Weldon Irvine! Irvine put this album together as sort of a musical "time capsule" of his generation – an effort to capture the era's thoughts, feelings, and emotions ...
Nodlew/P-Vine (Japan), 1972. (reissue)
Landmark early work from the legendary Weldon Irvine – recorded way back when he was first coming to fame with Nina Simone, but done as an obscure indie effort for his tiny Nodlew label! The set's a wicked batch of keyboard-heavy funk – at a level that's similar to some of the best ...
Epic, 1982. 2CD
Arguably the last true moment of genius in Michael Jackson's career – a record that sold a bazillion copies around the world – and for plenty good reason! Michael's still working here with Quincy Jones – in territory that steps nicely from the Off The Wall groove, into territory ...
Mothers Records/P-Vine (Japan), 1969. (reissue)
Heavy soul from the great Spanky Wilson – an album that explodes with energy right from the start – in a groove that definitely lives up to the title! Spanky's got a great mix of funk and class on this set – a punch in the rhythms at points, yet also a poise in the way she ...
P-Vine (Japan), 1974.
A rare session from indie soul legend Penny Goodwin – a previously unissued live performance from 1974, featuring small combo backing in a sweet and jazzy mode! Penny's got a voice that's instantly recognizable – a bit raspy, in the mode of Esther Phillips – but cooler and more ...
Sidney/P-Vine (Japan), 1974. (reissue)
A legendary bit of jazzy soul – recorded by an obscure female singer from Milwaukee! Penny's got a warm style that's pretty darn nice on its own – but it's made even better by the great arranger Richard Evans, who helped out a lot on the session. The feel is very much in the Chicago ...
Soul Power/P-Vine (Japan), Early 70s. (reissue)
Excellent work from this oft-overlooked southern soul singer – the beautiful Tommie Young! Tommie's a lady (in case you didn't know it), and she's got deep deep style that'll knock you flat out – with a soaring female southern soul sound on many of the tracks here – including a ...