Featuring Kanye West and T.I. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few studio albums recorded by sultry singer Dolores Gray – a great late 50s set for Capitol Records, recorded with a moody, mellow tone! The backings here are by Sid Feller, who sets things up in keeping with the seductive look on the cover – a gentle approach to the music that's often touched with a bit of guitar, played with the same sensitivity that Julie London received on her classic albums for Liberty. And if there was a comparison to make here, it might be to those great records – because Gray's more theatrical tendencies are nicely held in check by Feller's presentation – giving the record a nice jazz-based appeal. Titles include "Shangri La", "You're My Thrill", "Isn't It Romantic", "Speak Low", "Don't Blame Me", and "How Long Has This Been Going On". CD

Anderson.Paak heads to Ventura for this one – and something about that sunny coastal city brings out his soul influences after the primarily hip hop-leaning Oxnard! Paak leads on his raspy sung style for this one, an easygoing hip hop soul sound that's built to last, and again bringing in a heavy hitting of roster guests – including Andre 3000, Nate Dogg, Lalah Hathaway, Brandy and even Smokey Robinson – on tracks including "Come Home", "Make It Better" with Smokey Robinson, "Reachin' 2 Much", "King James", "Goodheels" with Jazmine Sullivan, "Yada Yada", "Jet Black" with Brandy, "Twilight" and "Chosen One" with Sonyae Elise and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A great later set from guitar genius Dennis Coffey – one that has him continuing the great run of instrumental funk albums he started a few years before – while also changing up the groove a bit more for the time! The set shows some of Coffey's influence working with clubbier acts on the Westbound label – not that the record is disco, as the sound is lean and a lot more laidback – mostly without vocals, save for a few contributions from Brandy – and served up with lots of great instrumental contributions from the Detroit scene – including trumpet from Marcus Belgrave, and saxes and flute from the great Larry Nozero. Coffey's guitar gets plenty of solo space throughout – and titles include "Wings Of Fire", "Back Home", "Free Spirit", "Funk Connection", "Our Love Goes On Forever", "Boogie Magic", and "High On Love". CD

A masterpiece of modern soul that shows The O'Jays working in a style that would become their dominant mode for the next decade – not as upbeat and club-oriented as in the mid 70s years, with a sweet, sophisticated modern soul approach that really let the group grow stylistically. Mellow cuts like "Brandy" and "Cry Together" have a warm, supple, and sexy sound that never would have shown up on earlier records – and they're offset by some more upbeat numbers, like the seminal groover "Use Ta Be My Girl" – a tune that virtually became the theme for the second half of the group's career at Philly International! Other tracks include "This Time Baby", "Take Me To The Stars", and "Strokety Stroke". LP, Vinyl record album

Featuring Brandy. 12-inch, Vinyl record

The late 50s and early 60s were certainly the golden era of this famous Latin vocal trio – and this nice Columbia issue (part of their obscure "Ex 5000" series) brings together some classic material in a sparkling package that features a cover with the Panchos toasting each other with brandy snifters! Titles include "Sin Ti", "Rayito De Luna", "Contigo", "Sin Un Amor", and "Amorcito Corazon". CD

Seven guys and gals, coming together in harmony pop brilliance – thanks to a great set of arrangements from the legendary Artie Butler! In a world of soundalike groups in the 60s, The Eighth Day really stand out – working in a batch of all-original material here, one that uses folk, Sunshine, and harmony styles in the presentation – but somehow manages to focus the best elements of all modes together into a really sparkling little sound! Most numbers have a catchy sing-songy quality that should have made them bigger hits – yet there's also an under-discovered quality here that's probably one the things that makes the record so great! Titles include "Hey Boy", "Raining Sunshine", "Long Winter Nights", "Bandit Of Brazil", "Building With A Steeple", "Brandy", and "It Takes The Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

Time will tell whether the sophomore LP Late Registration will prove to be as revolutionary of a commercial force as College Dropout turned out to be – but it's a better album! We loved the debut as much as the rest of the world did, but this one's an easier listen from beginning to end. The production is tight, the guests earn their spots, and the whole thing's furiously soulful. Much is being made of LA hipster/orch pop troubadour Jon Brion's co-production, but this is Kanye's show. On one level Kanye can rock a subject as cliched as "Gold Digger", and still come out with a fresh perspective that runs deeper than it sounds on the surface, then deliver a serious track about the evils of the diamond trade that still rocks the ice. And those are just the first singles. Another great one! Tracks include "Wake Up Mr West", "Heard 'Em Say", "Touch The Sky" feat Lupe Fiasco, "Gold Digger" feat Jamie Foxx, "Drive Slow" feat Paul Wall & GLC, "My Way Home" feat Common, "Crack Music" feat Game, "Roses", "Bring Me Down" feat Brandy, "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" (rmx) feat Jay-Z, "We Major" feat Nas & Really Doe, "Gone" feat Consequence & Cam'Ron and more! CD

Sweet electric grooving from David Newman – a great little album cut with Roy Ayers on vibes and Pat Rebillot on electric piano – both of whom bring a very different feel to the set than Newman's work of the 60s! The style is warm and tight, but never too smooth – as there's these sharp edges and a slightly sinister undercurrent that you don't really find in some of David's other records of the period. Rhythm is by Ron Carter on bass and Andrew Smith or Roy Brooks on drums – plus added percussion from Armen Halburian, who kicks in a slight Latin essence on some numbers – which adds to the hipness of the grooves. Titles include nice versions of Roy Ayers' tracks "Foxy Brown" and "Sweet Tears", plus the cuts "Brandy", "Song For The New Man", "Baby Rae", and "Let Me Know". LP, Vinyl record album

A masterpiece of modern soul that shows The O'Jays working in a style that would become their dominant mode for the next decade – not as upbeat and club-oriented as in the mid 70s years, with a sweet, sophisticated modern soul approach that really let the group grow stylistically. Mellow cuts like "Brandy" and "Cry Together" have a warm, supple, and sexy sound that never would have shown up on earlier records – and they're offset by some more upbeat numbers, like the seminal groover "Use Ta Be My Girl" – a tune that virtually became the theme for the second half of the group's career at Philly International! Other tracks include "This Time Baby", "Take Me To The Stars", and "Strokety Stroke". CD

An all-star record from three contemporary forces in soul, hip hop, and jazz – yet one that's also got a nicely lean vibe as well – as the whole thing focuses on the best strengths of all three talents involved! Much of the music features Karriem Riggins on drums, Robert Glasper on keyboards, and Common delivering lyrics – usually with a style that's much more compact and down to earth than some of his own records of the past few decades! Glasper's right at home in the setting, and really helps set the tone – and singer Samora Pinderhughes is on many tracks, balancing out Common's rhymes with her vocals. Other guest singers include Bilal and Brandy – and titles include "Black Kennedy", "Practice", "Fly Away", "Aya", "Let Go", "The Time", "Optimistic", and "No Apologies". LP, Vinyl record album

A great later set from guitar genius Dennis Coffey – one that has him continuing the great run of instrumental funk albums he started a few years before – while also changing up the groove a bit more for the time! The set shows some of Coffey's influence working with clubbier acts on the Westbound label – not that the record is disco, as the sound is lean and a lot more laidback – mostly without vocals, save for a few contributions from Brandy – and served up with lots of great instrumental contributions from the Detroit scene – including trumpet from Marcus Belgrave, and saxes and flute from the great Larry Nozero. Coffey's guitar gets plenty of solo space throughout – and titles include "Wings Of Fire", "Back Home", "Free Spirit", "Funk Connection", "Our Love Goes On Forever", "Boogie Magic", and "High On Love". CD

The great first album from Rhinoceros – a group that's every bit as heavy as their name, and who really deserved much bigger fame than they received at the time! The sound is a great late 60s fusion of psych, blues rock, and other modes – given a nice Elektra Records spin and sense of freedom that really allows the group to be something strong on their own – sometimes adding in more sensitive vocals or harmonies that really show a lot of depth – balanced by strongly jamming guitar and lots of heavy drums! Titles include "When You Say You're Sorry", "I Need Love", "Belbuekus", "I Will Serenade You", "Along Comes Tomorrow", "Apricot Brandy", and "That Time Of Year". LP, Vinyl record album

Remixed tracks from Pavel Kostiuk, Psyco On Da Bus, Serge Gainsbourg, Seiji, Femi Kuti, Bebel Gilberto, AIR, Atjazz, Joakim Lone Octet, Brandy, Manu Dibango, P'Taah, Peace Orchestra, and Pierre Henry. CD

The incredible debut of Dando Shaft, and a key early moment of brilliance for Martin Jenkins – who not only handles lead vocals here, but also arranged the whole record with a wonderfully moody vibe! There's echoes here of some of the more experimental folk-influenced work of the late 60s – such as the gems by Davy Graham, or some of the more compelling Joe Boyd productions – qualities that really come through in the beautiful larger arrangements next to the core acoustic elements, and the album's great use of elements like flute or tablas. Titles include "Cat Song", "Lazily Slowly", "Rain", "Cold Wind", "In The Country", and "Drops Of Brandy". LP features the bonus track "Thruxtun". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer bit of female soul by a very short-lived group – one with a great sound that comes out of some real criss-crossing of styles – some deep soul currents, but some hipper modern soul touches at the top! The set was produced by Brad Shapiro, and has a good blend of his modern and southern styles of the mid 70s – similar to his work with Candi Staton – but it also features some impeccable arrangements from David Van DePitte, who gives the record a sweeping, swaying feel that buoys the vocals up on some really soulful backings. Titles include a great version of "How Long", plus the tracks "Mr Mystery", "You Accuse Me", "Rhythm Of Love", "One Woman's Trash", and "I Can't Weigh My Love". CD

An excellent recent session from drummer Al Foster – a player we love for his work in 70s funk and soul jazz, but who still really has the groove at this point in his career! Foster's working here with a quartet that includes Dave Kikoski on piano and Christ Potter on sax – working through a mode of expression that includes bits of Shorter, and bits of the Clifford Jordan/Cedar Walton school – but which also alights in rich colors and shades that are very much Foster's own spirit. Al wrote most of the tracks on the set, titles that include "The Chief", "Barney Rose", "No Title", "Monk Up & Down", and "Brandyn" – and the album also features a nice take on Wayne Shorter's classic "Black Nile". CD

An all-star group – featuring John SCOfield, Joe LOvano, Dave HOlland, and Al FOster, hence the unusual name of the ensemble – all grooving in an angular mode that recalls the current Blue Note sound at its freshest. Lovano's edgey tenor and soprano work really make the session hold together nicely, as he's got a tone here that almost reminds us of George Braith back in the days when he was recording for Blue Note himself – especially on some of his organ-based sessions. Scofield's guitar is in that cleaner, leaner sound he's using these days – which is a good match for Foster's spare work on rhythm. Titles include "Oh", "Right About Now", "Brandyn", "Faces", "Oh I See", "In Your Arms", and "Shorter Form". LP, Vinyl record album

An all-star group – featuring John SCOfield, Joe LOvano, Dave HOlland, and Al FOster, hence the unusual name of the ensemble – all grooving in an angular mode that recalls the current Blue Note sound at its freshest. Lovano's edgey tenor and soprano work really make the session hold together nicely, as he's got a tone here that almost reminds us of George Braith back in the days when he was recording for Blue Note himself – especially on some of his organ-based sessions. Scofield's guitar is in that cleaner, leaner sound he's using these days – which is a good match for Foster's spare work on rhythm. Titles include "Oh", "Right About Now", "Brandyn", "Faces", "Oh I See", "In Your Arms", and "Shorter Form". LP, Vinyl record album

A deep double-dip into the legendary TK Records catalog of Miami Soul – and one that offers up a very different version of the label than you might know from the hits! This 2CD set follows in the best tradition of the Free Soul series from Japan – which means that the collection is filled with unusual tracks that we might have missed otherwise, alongside other numbers that we do know, but which seem to have a really special vibe in this setting – an unpacking of the TK catalog from top to bottom, with a special focus on warmer, more unusual bits of funk and soul. Titles include "Jolie" by Lattimore, "Don't Waste My Time" by Jerry Washington, "Keep It Up" by Milton Wright, "You Knock Me Out" by Wildflower, "Cramp Your Style" by All The People, "I Can't Leave Your Love Alone" by Willie & Anthony, "Street Love" by Spats, "Concrete Jungle" by Little Beaver, "Good Good Lovin" by Charles Johnson, "90% Of Me Is You" by Vanessa Kendrick, "I Got Bills To Pay" by Johnny K, "You Can Be A Lady" by JP Robinson, "Love Is A Simple Thing" by Leon Ware, "Island Girl" by Lew Kirton, "Share Your Love" by Herman Kelly & Life, "Ain't Nothin Wrong" by KC & The Sunshine Band, "What Would Your Mama Say" by Facts Of Life, "Jazz Freak" by Paulette Reaves, "Let's Make A Baby" by Funky Brown, "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind" by Freddy Henry, and "How Long" by Brandye. CD

Warm and wonderful tunes from the mighty TK Records – the famous Miami label best known for its disco hits of the 70s, but a company that recorded a whole heck of a lot more great music at the time! Most of these tracks are turned down a few notches from disco or club – still relatively upbeat, but maybe more in a modern soul mode overall – with lots of warm touches that work perfectly with the vocals and instrumentals, and which seem perfectly tuned to set things up with just the right sort of catchy hook! The vibe here is almost more in the mode of some of the Japanese Free Soul collections than others with a Light Mellow tag – and titles include "Tell Me That You Love Me" by Steve Gibb, "All I Know Is That I Have You" by Milton Wright, "I Got Love" by Cheese, "Soul Searchin Lady" by Spats, "I've Got To See You Tonight" by Timmy Thomas, "Rhythm Of Love" by Brandye, "Jolie" by Latimore, "Brick Grits" by Betty Wright, "Elayne" by Freddy Henry, and "Shades Of September" by Obatala. CD

A wonderfully fresh set from saxophonist Dave McDonnell – a player with experience in a wide array of Chicago groups, which really seems to bear on the diverse sound of this set! Dave's got an ear for the modern and free, but also this inherent sense of groove as well – so that his alto will be carving out these soaring, sharp lines one minute – while the rhythms ruminate with warm tonal colors the next – creating an interplay between modern and groovy, freedom and structure – of the sort that almost takes us back to the criss-crossing vibe of 60s geniuses like Roland Kirk or Jaki Byard! McDonnell's joined by associates who can really move with his mood – Jason Adaciweicz on vibes, Josh Abrams on bass, Frank Rosaly on drums, Tomeka Reid on cello, and Chris Welcome on guitar – the last of whom may be the most essential to the sound of the record. Titles include "Bullitt", "Vox Orion", "Brandywine", "Cyclo", "Discovery Of The Ancient Geologist", "Bakers Man", and "The Contract With Bees". CD

Killer California sounds from the 60s – all served up by studio wizard Gary Usher – a legendary talent who worked in the same generation as Brian Wilson and Phil Spector, but never got as much time in the spotlight! That was all OK with Gary, though – as he spent endless hours creating wonderfully groovy records – including some key cuts by big names, overlooked gems from the Sunshine generation, and a few that were completely cooked up in the studio by acts who never existed in the real world at all! The sound here is fantastic – really unified, and one of the richest tapestries of SoCal studio genius we've ever heard – all put together with detailed notes that finally tell the whole story behind Usher's work and so many of these tracks. 24 titles in all – with tracks that include "Same Girl" by The Neptunes, "My World Fell Down" by Sagittarius, "Go Go Getter" by Keith Green, "So You Say You Lost Your Baby" by Gene Clark, "School Is A Gas" by The Wheel Men", "Sunstroke" by Chad & Jeremy, "I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight" by The Forte Four, "Happy In Hollywood" by California, "It's A Happening Thing" by The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, "Codine" by Sean & The Brandywines, "You Ain't Going Nowhere" by The Byrds, "Just One More Chance" by The Hondells, "Baby What I Mean" by Spiral Starecase, and "Take My Hand" by Sons Of Adam. CD