A killer collection of reggae remakes of famous soul and funk tunes – all served up from a later generation of the scene, which makes a nice change from some of the more ska and rocksteady collections of this nature! It's no secret that Jamaican music was initially given a strong inspiration from American soul – and even in this generation, when the Kingston scene had really found its own groove, other influences would still come into the music in a really great way – as you'll hear on these really cool reworkings of themes from Ohio Players, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, and others! The production of most of these cuts is great – different than some of the more disco-oriented material that would copy American work – more laidback, with some currents of lovers rock as well – and funky, but in a laidback way. Titles include "Midnight" by Willie Lindo, "Skin Tight" by Lloyd Charmers, "Strange Compulsion" by Sheila Hylton, "Moving On" by Leslie Butler, "Funky Rasta" by Ronnie Butler, "Crowded City" by The Messengers, "Chemistry Of Love" by Susan Cadogan, "Can't Stop Rasta Now" by Ras Midas, and "Deeper & Deeper" by Lloyd Charmers. LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing collection of some of the original tracks that Wu-Tang has sampled over the years! No over-used Puffy beats here – and the set's a great batch of rare soul tracks nicely pulled together! The set features 21 tracks – including "Trouble, Heartaches, & Sadness" by Ann Peebles, "Let's Straighten It Out" by OV Wright, "I'll Never Grow Up" by The Charmels, "Mellow Mood" by Barry White, "In The Rain" by The Dramatics, "After Laughter" by Wendy Rene, "The Way We Were" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "Children Don't Get Weary" by Booker T & The MGs with Judy Clay, "Little Ghetto Boy (live)" by Donny Hathaway, "Could I Be Falling In Love" by Syl Johnson, and "Ain't No Sunshine" by Lyn Collins. LP, Vinyl record album

Even into its 20s, the Ultimate Breaks series is still going strong – serving up a bunch of must-have funk tracks that not only form the blueprint for hip hop in the 80s, but which also stand nicely on their own! The selection is very hard and chunky on this one – lots of tracks that break with intensity, a few with edited breaks! Titles include The Politicians "Free Your Mind", The Village Callers "Hector", Sound Experience "Devil With The Bust", James Brown "Soul Pride", Johnny Pate "Shaft In Africa", plus edited/extended versions of Joe Tex "Papa Was Too", All The People "Cramp Your Style", Barry White "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More" and Tommy Roe's "Dizzy" listed as "LL Bonus Beat #2". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice change from some of Sam Rivers' more extended modes of the time – with tracks that are a bit shorter, with a bit more focus – yet still a relatively loose approach overall! The album features a few differeing trios – with Rivers on flute, tenor, soprano sax, and piano – plus Richard Davis, Cecil McBee, or Avild Andersen on bass – and either Norman Connors, Warren Smith, or Barry Altschul on drums. Titles include "Amber", "Rose", "Mauve", and "Violet". LP, Vinyl record album

Most people think of Solomon Burke, and they immediately go to his famous Atlantic recordings of the 60s – but it's a little known fact that Burke worked for Chess Records in the mid 70s – at a time when the label was barely still moving forward, and in a mode that's quite different than most of Solomon's other records! The Burke of the 70s first started out even rootsier than in the 60s – but by the time he reached Chess, Solomon picked up a sweet mellow groove and started to recast his image as a sexy large man – one who's very much in the spirit of Barry White! These sides are pulled from the albums Music To Make Love By and Back To My Roots – both records that pick up a warmer, sweeter, more 70s mellow kind of mode – one that often slinks along at a slowish pace, but sometimes grooves things up a bit for the clubs. Burke sings, but also often speaks – in a deeply seductive voice that's totally great – and the CD is a long-overdue look at these surprisingly great sides! Package features 20 tracks in all – including "All The Way", "You & Your Baby Blues", "Music To Make Love By", "Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You", "Burning For Your Love", "Midnight & You", "Thanks I Needed That", "The Do Right Song", "Over & Over", "I'll Never Stop Loving You", "Love's Paradise", "Life Has Its Ups & Downs", and "Precious Flower". CD

A bit silly at times, but still pretty great! Bill Cosby teams up with old LA cronie Stu Gardner to do a set of tracks that are parodies of other big soul artists of the early 70s – and thanks to Stu's good work with the music, most of the tracks work a lot better than you'd expect! The record leads off with some sly slinky Barry White parodies – including "Yes, Yes, Yes" and "Shift Down"; then goes into a great James Brown funk number, "I Luv Myself Better Than I Luv Myself". It's hard to figure out where some of the other tracks are going – but the album also features a great spacey jazz number with lots of keyboards, "You're Driving Me Crazy". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning set of soul tunes from the lovely Caroline Crawford – produced by Bohannon, and some of his best work from the time! Caroline's got a great style that moves past other club singers of the time – much more soulful and sophisticated than simple disco diva styles, drenched in a deeper soul sound that grounds the album nicely in a strong tradition of 70s soul. The production is tight, but unobtrusive – a bit like some of the best work that Barry White did with singers of a similar style – and the whole album sparkles with a freshness that will make you say "Hey, why I have I been missing this one all these years?" Titles include "The Strut", "I'll Be Here For You", "Havin Fun", "Facts Of Life", and "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone". LP, Vinyl record album

Four classic albums from Jackie DeShannon – all in a single set! First up is Me About You – sophisticated Jackie at her best – working with great arrangements from Jack Nitzsche and Nick DeCaro – both cats from the California scene we can really trust for "cut-above" pop work like this – music that goes way past the simple sounds of DeShannon's start – into cool adult territory that really makes the album great. Jackie's vocals are surprisingly soulful in the setting – even more so than before – and the tunes include lots of gems, including versions of Van Dyke Parks' "High Coin", John Sebastian's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It", and Tim Hardin's "Baby Close Its Eyes". Also includes "I Keep Wanting You", "Me About You", and "Nicole". Next is Laurel Canyon – heady work from Jackie DeShannon's later years in 60s pop – an album with themes and styles that go way beyond her earlier recordings – as you might guess from the hip Laurel Canyon reference in the title! Jackie's working here in a mode that's much more strongly in a singer-songwriter style than before – with arrangements and backings that are a lot more organic, and less pop-tuned than ever – almost in a Laura Nyro approach on some numbers. As usual, a good portion of the tracks were written by Jackie herself – including "Holly Would", "Come & Stay With Me", "LA", "Too Close", and "Laurel Canyon" – and the album also features a few well chosen tracks by other writers too, like "Bitter Honey" by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols, "I Got My Reason" by Barry White, and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by Smokey Robinson. Put A Little Love In Your Heart is quite possibly the last great hit from singer Jackie DeShannon – an album built around the righteous spirit of the title track – filled with really wonderful original tunes penned by Jackie and soul singer Jimmy Holiday! The album may well be the best to explore the space between pop and soul that often characterized Jackie's work – and the overall sound is somewhat similar to some of Dusty Springfield's best pop/soul work from the same stretch. 10 of the album's 12 tracks are originals by Holiday and DeShannon – all set to soaring orchestrations by James Langeford, which often have a pronounced influence from the sound of Atlantic Records in the late 60s! Titles include "Put A Little Love In Your Heart", "You Are The Real Thing", "River Of Love", "Movin", "You Can Come To Me", "You Have A Way With Me", and "I Let Go Completely". To Be Free is an interesting little record – with kind of a crossover California soul feel overall – recorded with Rene Hall arrangements that echo a few rootsy modes at times, mixed in with fuller orchestrations that step a bit back towards Jackie's earlier years on Imperial – a surprisingly nice blend, with a fresh sound for the 70s. The album features a number of great tracks co-written with Jimmy Holiday – a fellow Imperial talent – and titles include "Mediterranean Sky", "Sooner Or Later", "What Was Your Day Like", "Livin On The Easy Side", "Brighton Hill", and "When Morning Comes Again". CD

A real 70s standout from guitarist Al Di Meola – and that's saying a lot, given the strength of most of his albums from the decade! The record's one that broke Al's talents out to so many different groups – yet never in a way that waters down his sound, nor dims his genius for a solo. Al plays a host of guitars – electric, and both six and 12 string acoustic – the latter of which are especially beautiful, and handled in a balance between European virtuoso modes, and some of the more rhythmic elements of the American fusion scene. Speaking of fusion, the other players on the date really help set the tone – Chick Corea on keyboards and piano, Barry Miles on Fender Rhodes and mini-moog, Stanley Clarke on bass, and both Steve Gadd and Lenny White on drums – each setting a different pace when they appear. Titles include "The Wizard", "Suite Golden Dawn", "Short Tales Of The Black Forest", and "Land Of The Midnight Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare Blue Note work from Dexter Gordon – an album that was recorded during Gordon's legendary run for the label in the 60s, but not issued until a brief vinyl pressing nearly 15 years later! The record's got Gordon vamping in tight hardbop formation – a sound that's strongly 60s Blue Note all the way through, and which shows the great control that the label helped bring to Dex's music – giving him new focus and energy to take off on much freer flights later in the 60s. Other players on the date include Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Barry Harris on piano, Billy Higgins on drums, and Bob Cranshaw on bass – and Hubbard's trumpet is an especially welcome element here on the more upbeat numbers. Titles include "Hanky Panky", "Jodi", "Lady Iris B", "Clubhouse", and "Devilette". LP, Vinyl record album

Really beautiful 70s work from pianist Andrew Hill – one of his few sessions from this part of the decade to feature a larger set of players – some really wonderful guests that make some real magic with Hill's brilliant compositions! At the start of the 70s, Andrew had announced a back to basics moment – when he wanted to play a bit more inside – and while this record isn't as completely avant as some of his 60s material, it's something of a blend of both modes – angular ideas that explode from the compositions, but mixed with a sense of structure too – all handled by players who are very well-suited to such a mode – a lineup that includes Ted Curson on trumpet, Lee Konitz on alto and soprano, Robin Kenyatta on alto, Cecil McBee and Stafford James on bass, and Art Lewis and Barry Altschul on drums. There's a special sort of beauty here – and the record's a great reminder that Andrew Hill's genius extended well past his famous recordings for Blue Note – on titles that include "Tomorrow", "Invitation", "The Message", "Quiet Dawn", and "Spiral". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record from Denise – very different than earlier Westbound work, and in a smooth modern soul style that's really nice! The album kicks off with the stellar title cut – "Here I Am Again" – which has kind of a Barry White-like groove, with sweeping strings over the top, nice beats at the bottom, and really great vocals from Denise! Other cuts range from laidback to modern, and include a few in the southern/modern style that would show up on some of her ABC records. Titles include "Here I Am Again", "Trying To Forget", "Married, But Not To Each Other", "My Brand On You", "Don't Nobody Live Here", and "Hit & Run". LP, Vinyl record album

Despite what was probably an easy temptation to go pop disco, Barry White and the girls here stick pretty closely to their classic 70's soul sound – the large part of which was a huge inspiration for disco in the first place. Barry's production, as always, is excellent, as is his songwriting, which graces most of the LP. Titles include "Never, Never Say Goodbye", "He's Mine", "I Can't Let Him Down", and "He's All I've Got". LP, Vinyl record album

Late stuff – but one of the best Barry White-related albums from the 70s! The record has the Orchestra moving at a much slower pace than usual – perhaps in an answer to all the too-fast too-orchestrated disco that took a cue from Barry's earlier work – and the record bravely hits a mellow and midtempo groove that's perfect for the modern soul and steppers dancefloor. The best example of this is the sublime "Whisper Softly", a wonderfully stripped-down number with spacey keyboards, great piano, and a stepping modern sound that makes it feel like it was recorded 20 years too early. Other tracks include "Stay Please & Make Love to Me", "Enter Love's Interlude", and "Love You, Ooh It's True I Do". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent solo work by Lowrell Simon – once a singer with Lost Generation, but opening up a whole new style of Chicago soul here on his own! The album's a tasty batch of smooth soul tracks with a midtempo club groove – not disco, but with the kind of large production and loping groove that you'd find in a good Barry White album – hitting all the right mellow funky moments at once! The prime example of this is the killer "Mellow Mellow Right On" – offered up here in two long parts that take up most of side two of the original album. Other nice ones include a version of Lowrell's "Overdose Of Love", plus the tracks "Out Of Breath", "You're Playing Dirty" and "Smooth & Wild". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful smooth soul classic from Lowrell! "Overdose" is filled with funky strings and some nice conga beats – a little bit like a club Barry White track, with some great vocals by Lowrell Simon. "Smooth & Wild" is just as great, with a long soundtrack-y intro, and some great slightly jazzy vocals that almost feel like they were lifted off a Strata East spiritual jazz session! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Overlooked genius from Henry Mancini – and two albums back to back as a single set! The Mancini Generation is one of the first great electric moments for Henry Mancini in the 70s – and a record that's got a way groovier sound than you might expect from the title! Things are still very much in the best soundtrack Mancini mode – and pretty jazzy, too – but there's also a bit of Arp on the record, played by Hank himself – which makes for some mighty cool electronic touches! The rest of the lineup is pretty wonderful too – and features key work from west coast jazz soloists – including Clare Fischer on organ, Jerome Richardson on flute and soprano sax, and Jimmy Rowles on Fender Rhodes – all of whom sound great alongside the Arp. Titles include "The Mancini Generation", "Memphis Underground", "Killer Joe", "A Blusih Bag", "Charade", and "The Masterpiece". Hangin Out is very cool work from Henry Mancini – and one of the key 70s albums to feature the maestro himself playing an Arp! The added electric presence of the instrument really brings a lot to the usual Mancini charts here – creating some cool spacey and soulful moments you wouldn't expect, and some of those surprising Mancini funky bits that show up on records from the time! The set features a great medley of Barry White's "Love Theme" and MFSB's "TSOP"; classic soundtrack material like "The Thief Who Came to Dinner", "Theme From White Dawn", and the great "Theme From The Girl From Petrovka" (which was sampled by Pete Rock) – plus the tracks "The Sex Symbol", "Hangin' Out", "Song For Anna", "The Stripper", "Dolce" and "The Entertainer". CD

An excellent album of Barry White-styled instrumentals – put together by Barry's right hand man Gene Page, and produced by Barry himself! The record's one of the best that Gene Page ever cut – apart from his seminal blacksploitation soundtracks – and it's very much in the mode of White's Love Unlimited Orchestra albums from the same time, although perhaps with less of a string section – and more of an emphasis on funky drums at the bottom. Players are an all-star cast of LA studio groovers that includes David T Walker and Ray Parker on guitar, Ernie Watts and Wilton Felder on saxes, and Clarence McDonald on keyboards – and tracks are mostly originals by Page and White. Titles include "Jungle Eyes", "She's My Main Squeeze", "I Am Living In A World Of Gloom", "Satin Soul", and "To The Bone". LP, Vinyl record album

A record with a simple, elegant title – and a similar cover image too – but if you know Sonny Stitt, you know there's often plenty beneath the surface, and this classic Chess Records has plenty to offer, once you start listening! The album's right up there with Sonny's work for Roost – in terms of straight, strong, confident blowing – remarkably subtle, but also remarkably well-conceived, and proof that by the end of the 50s, Stitt had really matured greatly as a player – bringing so much to bear in very short space, and really coming up with imaginative solos in the process! The group's a quartet with Barry Harris on piano (although conflicting information also claims that it's Ramsey Lewis) – but Stitt's the main focus on this set, and for good reason – on titles that include "Jack Spratt", "Propapagoon", "This Is Always", "Everyone Does", and "Mr Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Malcolm Lockyer, Mel Young, John Barry, Johnny Hawksworth, John Cacavas, Edward White, Roger Roger, Eric Delaney, Robert Farnon, Cy Payne, Steve Race, Harald Winkler, Siegfried Franz, Jack Dorsey, Johnny Burt, and Roger Webb. LP, Vinyl record album

Separated tracks from the classic mix by Portishead member Andy Smith, featuring hip hop classics along with original breakbeat tracks. With Jungle Brothers "How You Want It", Jeru "Come Clean",the Meters "Cissy Strut", Grandmaster Flash "The Adventures of ...", Marvin Gaye "T Plays It Cool", Peggy Lee "Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay" (with a surprisingly funky break intro.), Tom Jones "Looking Out My Window", James Gang "Funk #49", Barry White/Love Unlimited "Can't Seem To Find Him", Spencer Davis Group "I'm The Man" plus the Jeep Beat Collective and SL Troopers. CD

A record for a movie that seemed like a bit of a joke at the time of release – but one that's gone on to have surprising staying power with new generations over the decades – as has the mix of music that makes up the soundtrack! The set's from the big 90s anthology soundtrack moment – and features cuts that include "All Of My Days" by R Kelly with Changing Faces & Jay Z, "That's The Way" by Spin Doctors with Biz Markie, "Fly Like An Eagle" by Seal, "The Winner" by Coolio, "Space Jam" by Quad City DJs, "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly, "I Found My Smile Again" by D'Angelo, "Givin U All That I've Got" by Robin S, "Basketball Jones" by Barry White & Chris Rock, "I Turn To You" by All 4 One, "Buggin" by Bugs Bunny, "Upside Down" by Salt N Pepa, and "Hit Em High (The Monsta's Anthem)" by B Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man. LP, Vinyl record album

A more contemporary recut of Barry White's classic from France's Big Cheese crew, with a smoother feel, more spare production and a heavier beat on one of the versions. CD

A mixed bag – with production by Prince Paul, Cool V, Mister Cee, and Andre Booth. Tracks include "Cause I Can Do It Right", "No Damn Good", "Dance With The Devil", and duets like "Big Daddy Vs Dolemite" with Rudy Ray Moore, and "All Of Me" with Barry White. LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet grooves from Funky Brown – an artist who's more soul-based than you'd guess from his name, and who works here in the hippest Miami modes of the mid 70s! The album's got this warm glow that's mighty nice – even smoother and more mature than some of the Timmy Thomas work of the time – with plenty of keyboards from Harold Butler alongside Brown's sweet vocals – in ways that mix together bits of Miami soul with currents from bigger 70s names on the Philly scene, and maybe even a bit of Barry White! Paul Khouri arranged and produced, and definitely has a way with a midtempo groove – and titles include "Nice & Slow", "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine", "Let's Make A Baby", "Sharing The Night Together", "For The Love Of You", and "Kiss & Say Goodbye". CD

Casino has a smaller, tighter lineup than some of Al DiMeola's other records of the time, but the overall sound is still pretty far-reaching – thanks to a mix of keyboards from Barry Miles, and a blistering array of acoustic and electric guitars from Al himself! Steve Gadd propels the group with some very heavy drums, and Anthony Jackson plays bass – on titles that include "Egyptian Danza", "Chasin The Voodoo", "Senor Mouse", "Casino", and "Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that features DiMeola moving into some very dynamic territory – jamming out heavy on a mix of electric and acoustic guitars, with additional help from Paco DeLucia on acoustic at points. The instrumentation also features heavy electric piano from Jan Hammer, other keyboards from Barry Miles, bass from Anthony Jackson, and drums from Steve Gadd and Lenny White – all fusion powerhouse players who really take over the groove at times, but still leave enough room on the record for some gentler sounds from Paco and Al. Titles include "Elegant Gypsy Suite", "Flight Over Rio", "Midnight Tango", and "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway". CD

Two full fusion classics from Al Di Meola – back to back on a single CD! Elegant Gypsy really features DiMeola moving into some very dynamic territory – jamming out heavy on a mix of electric and acoustic guitars, with additional help from Paco DeLucia on acoustic at points. The instrumentation also features heavy electric piano from Jan Hammer, other keyboards from Barry Miles, bass from Anthony Jackson, and drums from Steve Gadd and Lenny White – all fusion powerhouse players who really take over the groove at times, but still leave enough room on the record for some gentler sounds from Paco and Al. Titles include "Elegant Gypsy Suite", "Flight Over Rio", "Midnight Tango", and "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway". Casino has a smaller, tighter lineup than some of Al DiMeola's other records of the time, but the overall sound is still pretty far-reaching – thanks to a mix of keyboards from Barry Miles, and a blistering array of acoustic and electric guitars from Al himself! Steve Gadd propels the group withs ome very heavy drums, and Anthony Jackson plays bass – on titles that include "Egyptian Danza", "Chasin The Voodoo", "Senor Mouse", "Casino", and "Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars". CD

One of Funk Inc's greatest albums – and a really tight batch of funky tunes given some stellar production by David Axelrod! The band's a bit tighter than on earlier releases – leaving behind the hard jazz-jam sound for a more together soul-oriented one, heard to best effect on the album's enduring classic, "Goodbye, So Long" – a rolling funky tune that features vocals on the chorus, and an unbelievably catchy instrumental sound that you might recognize instantly from its use as a sample over the years. The rest of the record's just as great – and the band runs through The Meters' classic "Message From The Meters", Barry White's funky "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Babe", and a great rendition of the electric jazz classic "The Hill Where The Lord Hides". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Funk Inc's greatest albums – and a really tight batch of funky tunes given some stellar production by David Axelrod! The band's a bit tighter than on earlier releases – leaving behind the hard jazz-jam sound for a more together soul-oriented one, heard to best effect on the album's enduring classic, "Goodbye, So Long" – a rolling funky tune that features vocals on the chorus, and an unbelievably catchy instrumental sound that you might recognize instantly from its use as a sample over the years. The rest of the record's just as great – and the band runs through The Meters' classic "Message From The Meters", Barry White's funky "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Babe", and a great rendition of the electric jazz classic "The Hill Where The Lord Hides". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent record of smooth soulful instrumental grooves – done by Cecil Holmes with a bit of vocalizing, and a deep subdued funk sound that's a bit like Barry White – but a fair bit funkier! Cecil could be a hokier arranger on other albums – but for this record, he's really on the money, coming up with complicated soul grooves that rank with some of the best 70s soundtrack or Love Unlimited grooves of the time! Of course, part of this is thanks to some strong writing, arrangements and production by Tony Camillo, who also conducted the group. (Hey, waitaminute! What did Cecil do on the record?) The set's got some nice original material like "Stay With Me", "Loving You Hurts So Bad", and "Soulful Love" – plus some great covers, like "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" and "Pillow Talk". LP, Vinyl record album

A brilliant lost record from the Barry White side of the 70s soul universe – the one and only album issued by Jay Dee, and a set that's every bit as great as other White side projects with artists like Tom Brock, Danny Pearson, and Gloria Scott! Like all of those, the soulful maestro is very heavily involved here – producing, arranging, and writing most of the tracks – and giving the whole thing that funky soul strings approach he was using with his own wonderful music of the period – which makes for some especially sweet tracks that mix deep soul vocals with kind of a blacksploitation groove! The whole thing's great – and titles include the killer "Strange Funky Games & Things" – which has become a funk and sample classic over the years – plus "Jay's Theme", "Com On In Love", "Thinking Of You", "I Can't Let You Go", and "I Can Feel Your Love Slipping Away". CD features two bonus tracks – single and instrumental versions of "Strange Funky Games & Things". CD

A fantastic selection of work from one of the hippest girl groups of the 70s – the mighty Love Unlimited trio, three singers who all worked under the genius of Barry White in his prime! Unlike other girl trios of the time, who often used an older soul mode refitted with disco grooves – sometimes acting more like a chorus than a lead act – Love Unlimited always brought their full vocal strengths to play, and do a fantastic job here working in modes that rival some of the best male harmony groups of the early 70s – especially the sweet soul groups from New Jersey, New York, and Philly. And yes, Barry does kick up the groove a bit at times, but even then things are usually more in a midtempo mode, not a disco one – which makes for tremendous sounds throughout. This is the first-ever proper collection of the girls' singles from the early 70s – and titles include "Oh Love Well We Finally Made It", "Fragile Handle With Care", "Are You Sure", "I Should Have Known", "Is It Really True Boy Is It Me", "Walkin In The Rain With The One I Love", "Under The Influence Of Love", "It May Be Winter Outside", "I Love You So Never Gonna Let You Go", "I Belong To You", "So Nice To Hear", "People Of Tomorrow Are The Children Of Today", and "Share A Little Love In Your Hear LP, Vinyl record album

One of Barry White's first moments of greatness! "Walkin In The Rain" is a perfect blend of 60s and 70s girl soul – a number that begins with a strange mix of sound effects, a monologue, and a phone call – then sweeps into a sensuous lyric that's truly heavenly! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderful album by Barry White – a bit later than some of the early 70s hits, but one of his most satisfying records overall! The perpetual favorite on the album is the great groover "Strange Games & Things", a slow sly funky track that's been sampled often over the years, and which is a perfect summation of the mix of heavy drums and orchestra that made Barry's records so great. The album's also got a lot of other very nice groovers, most of which have a more uptempo sound than "Strange Games", but all of which are very nice. Titles include "Brazilian Love Song", "My Sweet Summer Suite", and "You, I Adore". LP, Vinyl record album

A key moment for the Philly soul scene of the 70s – and the first album to feature the MFSB backing group as a solo act on their own! The ensemble were responsible for key sounds on countless soul singles of the time – yet also find a way to soar beautifully on their own – in a sweet instrumental groove that matches the strength of Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, and which was definitely a key inspiration for the sound of the Salsoul Orchestra! There's definitely a bit of early disco in the mix, but the style's more uptempo east coast overall – that pre-disco groove that was going down in the clubs – with larger strings added to a core group of funky rhythm players. Gamble & Huff production make the whole thing sparkle, and arrangements are by Vince Montana, Bobby Martin, and Jack Faith – on titles that include "Love Is The Message", "Cheaper To Keep Her", "TSOP", "Zack's Fanfare", "Touch Me In The Morning", and "My One & Only Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet 70s funk from Blue Mitchell – one of a few nice sets done at a time when Blue was lending his trumpet to some larger funky backings – in this case with arrangements from Calrence McDonald, and Mike Lipskin, and work on the horns from Wade Marcus! The core group features McDonald on some great keyboards, and Cedar Walton and Hampton Hawes on acoustic piano – with Dvid T Walker on guitar and Harold Land on tenor! Titles include a great take on the Stevie Wonder tune "Creepin", plus Barry White's "Satin Soul", and "Bump It", which was written by Blue. LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible record from Sun Ra! The session was recorded in New York in the late 60s – and it features Ra playing the "solar sound instrument", which is actually a modified Hohner Clavinet, used here with some really spooky sounds! The setting of the album is spare and moody – with Ra striking out first on the "solar sound instrument" – laying down a groove that's filled in by John Gilmore on tenor, plus additional percussion by Robert Barry (who plays a bit of the "lightning drum"), Clifford Jarvis, Marshall Allen, and Pat Patrick. Titles include "Mu", "Lemuria", "Atlantis", "Bimini", and "Yucatan". LP, Vinyl record album

This is the kind of Italian disco we can get our ears around! Bebu Silvetti is on keyboards, and at the helm of the orchestra – working here like an Italian Barry White, on a groove that's very similar to the best work of the Love Unlimited Orchestra! The tracks have a harder focus on the drums and beats than you'd expect – which punches things up nicely, and is a perfect complement to the breathy vocals and smooth Euro grooving over the top of the mix. Great stuff – a real treasure, and with a lot more soul than you'd expect! Titles include "Primitive Man", "Spring Rain", "Two Cups Of Coffee", "Voyage Of No Return", "Coconut Rain", and "Contigo". CD

Funky jazz and a touch of soul – all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records – home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s – allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove – kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too – all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. Titles include "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "Last Tango In Paris" by Blue Mitchell, "Betcha Can't Guess My Sign" by Prophecy, "Family Affair" by Dave Burrell, "Right Off" by John White, "Betty's Bossa" by Johnny Coles, "Little Heart Of Pieces" by Barry Miles, "Quiet Afternoon" by Buddy Terry, "Matrix" by Mike Longo, and "It's The Right Thing" by Pete Yellin. CD

A killer collection of reggae remakes of famous soul and funk tunes – all served up from a later generation of the scene, which makes a nice change from some of the more ska and rocksteady collections of this nature! It's no secret that Jamaican music was initially given a strong inspiration from American soul – and even in this generation, when the Kingston scene had really found its own groove, other influences would still come into the music in a really great way – as you'll hear on these really cool reworkings of themes from Ohio Players, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, and others! The production of most of these cuts is great – different than some of the more disco-oriented material that would copy American work – more laidback, with some currents of lovers rock as well – and funky, but in a laidback way. Titles include "Midnight" by Willie Lindo, "Skin Tight" by Lloyd Charmers, "Strange Compulsion" by Sheila Hylton, "Moving On" by Leslie Butler, "Funky Rasta" by Ronnie Butler, "Crowded City" by The Messengers, "Chemistry Of Love" by Susan Cadogan, "Can't Stop Rasta Now" by Ras Midas, and "Deeper & Deeper" by Lloyd Charmers. CD

Smoking soul from 60s Texas – a tremendous amount of rare tunes from obscure little singles – pulled together to showcase the Lonestar State as a musical powerhouse to rival Motown, Philly, or the Windy City! The tracks here are all from various labels headed by the legendary Huey P Meux – and unlike other Texas work you may know from the time, lots of these numbers are bubbling over with the kind of soul elements you'd normally hear from east coast indie work of the time – and in that way, are almost like some of the other 60s material cut by southern transplants on the LA scene of the time – familiar, but a little offbeat too – with odd little twists and turns that really keep things interesting, and which make the package a really fresh musical discovery. There's some nice deep soul elements at times, particularly on the mellower cuts – and titles include "Go Go Train" by Jackie Paine, "That Is Why The End Must Begin" by Joe Masters, "Irene" by Rockin Dave Allen, "Time" by Charles Barry, "Get To Gitten" by Big Walter, "Doggin Around" by Jean Knight, "Friends In Show Business" by Joe Melvin, "Neighbor Neighbor" by Alton Valier, "You'll Lose A Good Thing (demo)" by Barbara Lynn, "Let Them Talk" by Johnny Adams, "If You're Looking For A Fool" by David King Thomas, and "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" by Margo White. CD

A great little collection – and one that definitely gets the "soulful" in the title right! The cuts here are from some of our favorite mellow soul artists of the 70s – tracks that move, but in a nicely laidback way – with funky rhythms moving slower than on club cuts, at a level that also follows some of the best steppers' modes in our home city of Chicago! Many of these songs were slept-on the first time around, but have gone to become classics over the decades – thanks to the work of soul collectors and DJs around the globe – and also thanks to labels like Soul Brother, who never let us down when it comes to a collection! Titles include "Yes It's You" by Sweet Charles, "There You Go" by Edwin Starr, "She's My Summer Breeze" by The Reflections, "I'm Your Lover" by Ronnie McNeir, "Ain't That Mellow Mellow" by Willie Hutch, "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Voices Of East Harlem, "Save The Children" by Marlena Shaw, "I Don't Want To Be Second Best" by Jeannie Reynolds, "Strung Out For Your Love" by The Dramatics, "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" by Bobby Blue Bland, "Evil Vibration" by Mighty Ryders, "Give Me Your Love" by Sisters Love, and the extended mix of "Playing Your Game Baby" by Barry White. CD

A set that features Al DiMeola moving into some very dynamic territory – jamming out heavy on a mix of electric and acoustic guitars, with additional help from Paco DeLucia on acoustic at points. The instrumentation also features heavy electric piano from Jan Hammer, other keyboards from Barry Miles, bass from Anthony Jackson, and drums from Steve Gadd and Lenny White – all fusion powerhouse players who really take over the groove at times, but still leave enough room on the record for some gentler sounds from Paco and Al. Titles include "Elegant Gypsy Suite", "Flight Over Rio", "Midnight Tango", and "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic 70s female soul – and one of the best albums ever recorded by Love Unlimited – a trio of ladies recording with Barry White during his glory years! The album's got a really incredible approach – partly in the mode of older female group soul, but also done with a hipper, more righteous style – one that pushes the sound past older standards for the music, yet which falls into none of the disco cliches of the time. The album includes a great vocal version of "Love's Theme", plus the group's totally killer "Move Me No Mountain" – and the tracks "I Love You So, Never Gonna Let You Go", "Share A Little Love In Your Heart", and "I Needed Love – You Were There". CD

This is the kind of Italian disco we can get our ears around! Bebu Silvetti is on keyboards, and at the helm of the orchestra – working here like an Italian Barry White, on a groove that's very similar to the best work of the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The tracks have a harder focus on the drums and beats than you'd expect – which punches things up nicely, and is a perfect complement to the breathy vocals and smooth Euro grooving over the top of the mix. Great stuff – a real treasure, and with a lot more soul than you'd expect! Titles include "Primitive Man", "Spring Rain", "Two Cups Of Coffee", "Voyage Of No Return", "Coconut Rain", and "Contigo". CD also features a bonus track – a single edit of "Spring Rain". CD