Stalley is great here amidst production work from Apollo Brown – who gives the record this cool groove that's almost cinematic at times – lots of rich sonic elements, but used in these really focused ways – so that when Stalley's voice comes out front in the mix, it's supported by plenty of power, yet never overwhelmed! The approach gives the MC a great sort of intensity – perfect for his slower-stepping rhymes, on titles that include "Bobby Bonilla", "Love Me Love Me Not", "No Monsters", "Humble Wins", "We Outside", "Lost Angeles", "Blacklight", "Broad Spectrum", and "What The Hook Gon Be". LP, Vinyl record album

A great later document of the power of James Brown in a live setting – an early 80s concert that really cooks strongly all the way through – bubbling over with the sort of non-stop energy that James was bringing to his live albums from the Apollo Theater onward! The group isn't listed on the package, but have all the tightness of the James Brown Band of the late 60s and the JBs of the 70s – and the Godfather is clearly directing them all with his signals from the front of the stage, while he simultaneously knocks it out of the park with his vocals! There's plenty of funky classics throughout – and titles include "I Can't Stand Myself", "Payback", "Jam", "Get On The Good Foot", "Get Up Offa That Thing", "Hot Pants", "Super Bad", "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "It's Too Funky In Here", "Gonna Have A Funky Good Time", and "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose". CD

Illinois Jacquet on tenor saxophone, John Brown and Ray Perry on alto saxophone, Arthur Dennis and Leo Parker on baritone saxophone, Trummy Young on trombone, Joe Newman on trumpet, Russell Jacquet on trumpet and vocals, Wynonie Harris on vocals, Freddie Green and Ulysses Livingston on guitar, Bill Doggett and Sir Charles Thompson on piano, Al Lucas, Charles Mingus, and John Simmons on bass, and Al Wichard, Denzil Best, and Shadow Wilson on drums. CD

That's a rainy image of our Chicago hometown on the cover – and it really suits the spirit of this set of work from fellow Chicagoan Philmore Greene – as the set's got a moody, almost melancholy approach that's given just the right sort of spin by Apollo Brown's production! The whole thing almost feels like a mini movie – but not the sort with those outdated skits or narrative bits – just this wider cinematic scope that has Brown empowering Greene in the best way possible – subtle majesty that's just right for the Windy City, on cuts that include "Hittin Blocks", "This Is Me", "Free", "Day On The Ave", "Nice To Meet You", "Just Imagine", "It's Different", "Promises", "Where's The Love", "Paradise", and "Keep Goin". LP, Vinyl record album

That's a rainy image of our Chicago hometown on the cover – and it really suits the spirit of this set of work from fellow Chicagoan Philmore Greene – as the set's got a moody, almost melancholy approach that's given just the right sort of spin by Apollo Brown's production! The whole thing almost feels like a mini movie – but not the sort with those outdated skits or narrative bits – just this wider cinematic scope that has Brown empowering Greene in the best way possible – subtle majesty that's just right for the Windy City, on cuts that include "Hittin Blocks", "This Is Me", "Free", "Day On The Ave", "Nice To Meet You", "Just Imagine", "It's Different", "Promises", "Where's The Love", "Paradise", and "Keep Goin". LP, Vinyl record album

That's a rainy image of our Chicago hometown on the cover – and it really suits the spirit of this set of work from fellow Chicagoan Philmore Greene – as the set's got a moody, almost melancholy approach that's given just the right sort of spin by Apollo Brown's production! The whole thing almost feels like a mini movie – but not the sort with those outdated skits or narrative bits – just this wider cinematic scope that has Brown empowering Greene in the best way possible – subtle majesty that's just right for the Windy City, on cuts that include "Hittin Blocks", "This Is Me", "Free", "Day On The Ave", "Nice To Meet You", "Just Imagine", "It's Different", "Promises", "Where's The Love", "Paradise", and "Keep Goin". LP, Vinyl record album

James Brown's great second album recorded live at the Apollo Theater in Harlem – a set we like even better than the first famous volume – because it's much more stretched-out, harder-hitting, and full of fire! You'd be hard pressed to find a better example of Brown's showmanship on record – as James urges the band through these triple-time takes on some of his classics, and turns in some amazing work in the process! The set includes a killer long version of "There Was A Time" – almost the blueprint of the James Brown funk sound to come – and other titles include "Bring It Up", "Let Yourself Go", and a wonderful duet version of "Think" – plus "Prisoner Of Love", "Out Of Sight", "Try Me", "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World", "Lost Someone","Thanks", "Cold Sweat", "I Feel Alright", and "Please, Please, Please". Features 30 minutes of extra material, with remixed tracks, set in the original running order, and lots of great notes! CD

A fantastic presentation of all that's wonderful with the mighty Daptone label – one of the hippest, funkiest record companies of the past few decades – the company that gave the world Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, and other great artists – all of whom are heard here in an extended length live set! The package documents three nights of music at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem – home to famous live shows by James Brown – whose tight way of presenting a variety of singers is replicated here – as Daptone cycle through some of their hippest acts in the lead, offering up a few songs by each – while the mighty Dap Kings provide all the backing! There's a huge amount of songs by both Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley – plus more by Budos Band, Antibalas, Menahan Street Band, Como Mamas, Sugarman 3, Saun & Starr, and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens – then everybody comes together to perform a version of "Family Affair" at the end! Binky Griptite acts as the MC for the evening – and the whole thing has a rock-solid sound that's every bit the best that Daptone can offer. LP, Vinyl record album

Mighty early work from the incredible Willis Jackson – one of most energetic and heavily soulful tenors ever to pick up a horn! These recordings are made of up some of Jackson's earliest recordings, including the legendary 1949 Mercury sessions with the Cootie Williams Orchestra, moves into work he did with for Apollo Records with the Bobby Smith Orchestra and others, and ends with some sessions with Ruth Brown. Explosive bebop and early r&b! 26 tracks in all: "Gator Tail (Parts 1 &2)", "Let 'Em Roll", "Steam Roller Blues" and more with Cootie Williams, "Can't Help Lovin' That Man", "Chuck's Chuckle", "Gonna Hoot & Holler Saturday Night" with Eddie Mack, "Gator's Groove", "Harlem Nocturne", "Daddy Daddy" and "The Tears Keep Tumblin' Down" with Ruth Brown, and much more! CD

A really fantastic album from James Brown – and an unusual one, too – as it was only ever issued overseas back in the early 70s! The album's got a title that's similar to one of James' Christmas albums, but it's a completely different record – kind of a condensation of some of his best funky moments from the start of the 70s – with a track list that's overflowing with hard funk killers! A good number of the tracks here are two-parters – showing Brown and the group stretching out in the way that the JBs would take even further in years to come – working through "Make It Funky (parts 1 & 2)", "My Part/Make It Funky (parts 3 & 4)", "I'm A Greedy Man (parts 1 & 2)", and "Hey America (parts 1 & 2)". The set also features the socking classic "Soul Power" – plus "Let It Be Me", "I Cried", and a 1967 live Apollo version of "Kansas City" – plus takes on "Let It Be Me" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" that later had applause added on the Super Bad album. CD

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

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