Raw funky blues from the Cleveland scene – unreleased recordings from the obscure singer Fred Davis, who hardly ever set his music to wax back in the day! The album's got a gritty blend of blues inflections and soulful expressions – similar to some of the hippest west side work from Chicago around the same time, but maybe even grittier and more stripped down – as the whole thing wasn't done by a bigger, professional label! Titles include "Express Train", "Midnight Is Falling", "Euclid Avenue", "Five Long Years", "Piano Boogie", "Time When You Say You Love Me", "Express Train", and "Wine Hop". LP, Vinyl record album

A new kind of love, and a new kind of groove from Ghost Funk Orchestra – one that's deeper than ever before, even though the group is really just the efforts of producer/instrumentalist Seth Applebaum! Yet this time around, he's also got some great female vocals at a few points – bringing a soulful focus to the energy that spins out at other points in a more instrumental mode – funky but moody at the same time, with a richness in sonic territory that takes the whole thing way past the early funky 45s that first bore the Ghost Funk name. Titles include "A Song For Pearl", "Bluebell", "Rooted", "Quiet Places", "Scatter", "Why", Your Man's No Good", and "A New Kind Of Love (parts 1 & 2)". CD

A new kind of love, and a new kind of groove from Ghost Funk Orchestra – one that's deeper than ever before, even though the group is really just the efforts of producer/instrumentalist Seth Applebaum! Yet this time around, he's also got some great female vocals at a few points – bringing a soulful focus to the energy that spins out at other points in a more instrumental mode – funky but moody at the same time, with a richness in sonic territory that takes the whole thing way past the early funky 45s that first bore the Ghost Funk name. Titles include "A Song For Pearl", "Bluebell", "Rooted", "Quiet Places", "Scatter", "Why", Your Man's No Good", and "A New Kind Of Love (parts 1 & 2)". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that brings together the earliest music by Ghost Funk Orchestra – previously only out there in the digital world and on cassette, and a great start to the legacy of the group! As with some of their recent albums, the vibe here is a spooky take on deep funk – bits of psychedelic instrumentation, eerie effects, and plenty of echo in the production – all of which really give the group their unique sound! There's vocals on a number of tracks, but often used in a way that swirls around nicely with the echo, only furthering the "ghost" in their sound – and the set features the full previous digital releases Night Walker and Death Waltz – with tracks that include "Brain Fog", "Lost Soul", "Brownout", "Dark Passage", "Blood Moon", "Demon Demon", "Franklin Avenue", and "A Moment Of Clarity". CD

This one-man orchestra just keeps on getting better and better with each new record – working with the funk you'd expect from the name, but also all these cool and moody touches that mix together David Axelrod-like ambition with some of the sharper snap of hip hop production! This time around, Seth Applebaum has a fair bit of strings and horns in the mix – plus added voices, some strong lead singers – and an array of sonic touches that make for a richness that's much deeper than it is ghostly! Previous records were good, but Seth's really onto something great hear – and mixes together strands of sounds into something that's much richer than its parts – emerging as a surprising maestro for the underground, on titles that include "Stoop Talk", "Mourning", "Drop Me A Line", "Little Bird", "Fuzzy Logic", "Quiet Soul", "Tojours", "Queen Bee", and "Cost Of Living". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's definitely funky, but which maybe has a lot more going on as well – richer production moments that move between ambitious soundscapes and fuzzier freakouts – but all without losing the groove at the core! The record's billed as "mysterious", but really seems to come from the talents of Seth Applebaum – a great producer and arranger who manages to keep all the tight elements at the core, including some great bass and drums – while also letting things freak out up top a bit more – almost as if David Axelrod were given the chance to work with some of the younger funk combos in recent years. There's a bit of trippy vocals, but most of the set is instrumental – and titles include "Seven Eight", "Spirits In The Distance", "Broken Boogaloo", "Isaac Hayes", "Slow Down", "Kaddish", and "Modern Scene". LP, Vinyl record album

A young contemporary trio, but one who work with a very classic vibe – a style that's maybe even more so than most of the vintage gospel albums you might find in the racks! The group's harmonies are wonderful – balanced with the force of the lead and the strength of the trio like some killer soul group from back in the day – and production is nice and lean, handled by Eli Paperboy Reed, but with a very different vibe than his own music, given the strength of the vocals! The whole thing's got the same blend of funk and message that you'd hear from similar contemporary projects on Daptone or Big Crown – and titles include "Hold On", "Look Up", "That's The Reason", "Hold Your Head Up", "I'm Grateful", and "Help Me To Understand". CD

A lost Ohio soul treasure – the initial effort by a singer with a hell of a voice, but one who languished in obscurity after the poor response to this debut LP! Barbara Howard really knocks it out of the park here – singing like a deep soul diva with a hell of a lot of power and focus – but also moving effortlessly through material from a variety of modes, often given a bit of a jazzy twist in the backings – almost as if Howard's trying to be the southern soul answer to Nancy Wilson on Capitol Records! There's maybe a Spanky Wilson vibe to the whole thing – with a similar punch in the arrangements – and titles include "The Man Above", "Save Your Love For Me", "Light My Fire", "My Song", "I Need You", "Welcome Home", "You've Made Me So Very Happy", and "For Once In My Life". CD

Man, these guys just keep on getting better – and this time around, Durand Jones & The Indications deliver a record that's way more than just another funk band with a lead singer! Instead, there's a depth and complexity to this set that takes us back to our favorite indie soul albums at the start of the 70s – particularly ultra-hip work from the Philly and New Jersey scenes, where sweet and funky soul modes could exist in equal space – and come up with results that are every bit as great! The core funky instrumentation from the group is still in place - but there's also larger arrangements with a bit of strings and vocals – really opening up the tunes, and somehow underscoring their more righteous currents in a way that smaller instrumentation would never do. Jones sounds better than ever – as if he's been waiting for a chance like this to really take off – and titles include "Morning In America", "Circles", "True Love", "Walk Away", "Long Way Home", "Sea Gets Hotter", "How Can I Be Sure", "Listen To Your Heart", and "Court Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

An organ trio, and one with plenty of soul – romping drums, riffing guitar, and some mighty sweet work on the Hammond by Delvon Lamarr! This is the first we've ever heard of the group, but they're rock solid and right on the money – working with a lean, hard style that's completely classic, but also a bit contemporary too – maybe swinging in the best sort of space between the Jack McDuff Quartet of the 60s and the Sugarman Three group of Desco Records fame! David McGraw handles the drums with a clear love of funk, and Jimmy James is wonderfully wicked on guitar – never trying to dominate too much, as there's no need – given how much he brings to the overall groove. Delvon's a hell of an organist too – the kind that knows that a little can often go much farther than a lot when handling the electric keys – which he does to set up some sweet solos on cuts that include "Ain't It Funky", "Al Greenery", "Can I Change My Mind", "Walk On By", "Between The Mustard & The Mayo", "Raymond Brings The Greens", and "Little Booker T". LP, Vinyl record album

Deeply funky work from one of the hippest Hammond organ combos around – just a trio, but one that's able to pack the punch of so many much larger groups! Delvon Lamarr took all the right lessons from Hammond heroes of the past – not that he's copying anyone's style, because he isn't – but he really knows the right way to make the instrument move between rhythm and melody, solo and groove – as he works here in ultra-tight formation with funky drummer Grant Schroff and guitarist Jimmy James! James gets in a few great licks of his own – and like Delvon, really knows how to move between staying on the rhythm, and getting loose – which makes for a wonderful album, through, filled with stone cold originals that include "Hole In One", "Call Your Mom", "Girly Face", "From The Streets", "I Don't Know", "Fo Sho", and "Aces". CD

A great combo, in a really great setting – the trio of organist Delvon Lamarr, captured in a sweet live radio performance! The tunes are long and open – very much in the group's killer blend of soul jazz and deep funk – with plenty of room for Delvon to soar out on the keys of the Hammond, and remind us again what a massive younger talent he is on the instrument! If you like the group's funky 45s, you'll find yourself really loving this live set – and the whole thing's only got us eager to keep on following the great growth of this group. Titles include a sweet remake of the Curtis Mayfield tune "Move On Up" – plus "Concussion", "I Don't Want To Play That", "Tacoma Block Party", "South Leo St Stomp", and "Memphis". LP, Vinyl record album

Slow funk and soul, with plenty of psychedelic touches – all delivered in the best mode we've come to expect from the Monophonics over the years! The group's always off in their own space in a really great way – creating a sonic environment that easily shifts between past, present, and future – often thanks to a range of keyboard work from vocalist Kelly Finnigan – who plays Fender Rhodes, Hammond, Farfisa, Mellotron, Moog, and other keyboards too! Finnigan's vocals are often processed in a great way – sounding different than albums under his own name – and given these great funky drums from Austin Bohlman, whose rock-solid rhythms really keep things moving forward. There's lots of other great touches too – subtle use of horns and strings amidst the swirling sound – on titles that include "The Shape Of My Teardrops", "Let That Sink In", "Check In", "Never Stop Saying These Words", "Crash & Burn", "Warpaint", and "Love You Better". LP, Vinyl record album

A very different album than previous instrumental outings on the Colemine label – a surprising set of jazz from the trio of pianist Steve Okonski – all musicians known for their work in the funk/soul side of the spectrum, but really standing out here in the world of jazz! The set is all improvised, but also not free jazz – as the trio work with a very rhythmic approach, but one that's often very contemplative as well – these gentle actions between Okonski's piano, the bass of Michael Isvara Montgomery, and the drums of Aaron Frazier – on tunes that are fragile and beautiful, and which have a wonderful sense of organic melody. All tunes were created/composed live in the studio – and titles include "Field Museum", "Old Friend", "Sunday", "Runner Up", "Dark Moon", "Sunday", and "Song For My Sister's Son". CD

Deeply funky work from the Sure Fire Soul Ensemble – one of those special groups that always seems to bring a little something extra to their work – not just a straight copy of old school funk instrumental styles, but instead a rich, fresh approach that's very much their own! The sound is lean, but there's also this sort of majesty in the music – and understated quality that comes from the careful application of horns next to the funky elements at the core – almost with the flavoring that you'd hear in an older Ethio Funk record, but without any East African flavors either. The approach is a bit hard to describe, but it grabs you right away, and makes you know you're listening to something that's really a cut above – on titles that include "Omnificent", "Time To Rebuild", "Step Down", "High Times", "Gandys", "In Common", "Love Age", and "Thomas The Cat". LP, Vinyl record album

You've never heard of The Winston Brothers before, but their music is definitely familiar – as the group features players from funk combos Mighty Mocambos, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, and Hamburg Spinners – coming together here with an equally great sense of groovy energy! The rhythms are nice and funky, with plenty of heavy drums from Lucas Kochbeck – but there's also a great ear for the odd offbeat sound, which really keeps things interesting – elements that sneak into the mix and give the record way more of an edge than just a funky combo trying to evoke the glory days. Titles include "One Thing", "Free Ride", "Brother's Strut", "Think", "Metering", "Drift", "Hang On", "Boiling Pot", and "Winston Theme". CD

Fantastic funk from the Colemine label – a company who've given us plenty of great albums over the years, but who seem especially well-tuned to the funky 45! Along with Daptone, Big Crown, and a few others, Colemine is one of the labels who turn out top-shelf 7" singles again and again – most of which are in limited pressings, disappear fast, and are sometimes pretty expensive if you can find them! This set corrects that issue, and brings together 27 nuggets that originally appeared as funky 45s – all stacked together nicely as a massive LP set, with a nice price break from trying to track down the singles. Titles include "Gripsweats Them" by The Gripsweats, "Don't You Know" by Durand Jones & The Indications, "NUSAU" by Jungle Fire, "Supermoon" by Ikebe Shakedown, "What A Shame" by Jr Thomas & The Volcanos, "War Room" by Black Market Brass, "Aragon" by Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, "My God Has A Telephone" by Flying Stars Of Brooklyn, "He's On Time" by Harlem Gospel Travelers, "Happiness" by Wesley Bright & The Honeytones, "It Was Only A Dream" by Thee Sinseers, "America" by Soul Scratch, and "Sure Don't Miss You" by The Dip. LP, Vinyl record album

The killer debut of a group we hope are going to be huge – as they definitely bring a whole new vibe to the world of funk – by combining lean combo instrumentation with some much larger arrangements, all at a level that's almost more in the David Axelrod side of the spectrum! There's a really majestic quality to the record – as the slow funk elements are expanded with strings in all the right ways – deepening, darkening the sound incredibly – so that there's way more going on here in terms of colors and tones than on the usual funk record! And if you're worried about things sounding too soft, don't – because the drums are heavy throughout, even when slow – and arranger Lou King really knows how to balance the elements perfectly. Titles include "The Web", "Ligurian Dream", "Shades Of Silver", "Violet Vanished", "Outlines", "West Wind", "Changing Light", and "A Return From Ashes". CD

The killer debut of a group we hope are going to be huge – as they definitely bring a whole new vibe to the world of funk – by combining lean combo instrumentation with some much larger arrangements, all at a level that's almost more in the David Axelrod side of the spectrum! There's a really majestic quality to the record – as the slow funk elements are expanded with strings in all the right ways – deepening, darkening the sound incredibly – so that there's way more going on here in terms of colors and tones than on the usual funk record! And if you're worried about things sounding too soft, don't – because the drums are heavy throughout, even when slow – and arranger Lou King really knows how to balance the elements perfectly. Titles include "The Web", "Ligurian Dream", "Shades Of Silver", "Violet Vanished", "Outlines", "West Wind", "Changing Light", and "A Return From Ashes". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the sharpest, funkiest album to date from the great jazz organist Delvon Lamarr – a live set that was done at the Colemine headquarters – but handled with a vibe that makes the whole thing feel like some small club date from the east coast from the 60s Hammond hero generation! Delvon is a monster on the keys – graced with as much a sense of pedal basslines as deft solo work on the keys – alongside support from Jimmy James on guitar and David McGraw on drums – partners in the rock-solid trio that's got to be one of the best funky jazz groups in the world! Tracks are all nice and long – and titles include "Love Land", "Ain't It Funky Now", "Tacoma Black Party", "Move On Up", "You Know When I'm Right Or Wrong", "Memphis", and "Can I Change My Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that really lives up to its title – the definite real thing from bassist Chris Lujan, who's working here in a slow funk soul style with superb lead vocals from Andre Cruz! There's a cool Cali vibe to the record – plenty of older elements from the East Bay and East LA scenes, mixed with some of the sharper production from the deep funk underground in more recent years – a quality that makes the whole thing every bit as cool and crisp as some of the best Big Crown or Colemine releases in recent years! Andre's vocals are wonderful – high-ranged and heartbreaking, and perfect for the tunes – which include "You're The One For Me", "My Back Hurts From Picking Up The Pieces Of My Broken Heart", "Don't Put It All On Me", "Guilty As Charged", "I Think I'm In Love With You", and "Don't Go Actin A Fool" – the last of which is a nice slow funk instrumental. CD

A record that really lives up to its title – the definite real thing from bassist Chris Lujan, who's working here in a slow funk soul style with superb lead vocals from Andre Cruz! There's a cool Cali vibe to the record – plenty of older elements from the East Bay and East LA scenes, mixed with some of the sharper production from the deep funk underground in more recent years – a quality that makes the whole thing every bit as cool and crisp as some of the best Big Crown or Colemine releases in recent years! Andre's vocals are wonderful – high-ranged and heartbreaking, and perfect for the tunes – which include "You're The One For Me", "My Back Hurts From Picking Up The Pieces Of My Broken Heart", "Don't Put It All On Me", "Guilty As Charged", "I Think I'm In Love With You", and "Don't Go Actin A Fool" – the last of which is a nice slow funk instrumental. LP, Vinyl record album

The debut album from the Greboy Allstars – a live group, and one that works in contrast to the funky beats that Greyboy was producing on his own – but at a level that still shares an equally strong love of the best sounds of 70s funk! These guys were very early in the deep funk game – before Daptone, Colemine, Soul Fire, and all the other labels that would issue material of this nature in yars to come – and they're joined here by the legendary Fred Wesley on trombone – who gives their music just the right sort of touch! Tracks include "Let The Music Take Your Mind", "Tenor Man", "Fire Eater", "Soul Dream", and "Fried Grease". CD