A fantastic collection of rare funky nuggets – put together by the folks at the Numero Group, and an album that's billed as "the only funk album you'll ever need"! That might be a big claim, but the record is pretty darn great – a set that features a few older underground classics, plus a number of cuts we haven't heard before – all brought together from the farther reaches of the Numero universe, into one fantastically funky set! Instrumentals sit nicely next to vocal tracks – and the whole thing is filled with heavy drums, riffing guitars, and other great elements – all chosen by the sorts of folks who really know their thing. Titles include "Corruption Is The Thing" by Creations Unlimited, Slow Burner" by Swithold, "Human Race" by Human Race, "First Thing I Do In The Morning" by Joyce Williams, "Soul & Sunshine" by Harvey & The Phenomenals, "The Vibration" by Sonny Harris, "Jungle" by The Young Senators, "Ghet-To Funk" by Doralcha, "So Dam Funky" by Hot Chocolate, "Akiwana" by Village Callers, and "Iron Leg" by Mickey & The Soul Generation. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Thurston Harris, the Coasters, the Bobbettes, the Dell-Vikings, Mickey And Sylvia, the Five Satins, Larry Williams, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, the "5" Royales, Lloyd Price, the Tune Weavers, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and more - 22 tracks in all. CD

Any album by tenorist Seldon Powell is a welcome one to our ears – because we've always loved his playing, and he never gets enough chance to record as a leader! Powell's got tremendous talents on a variety of horns – as heard on countless sessions as a sideman – but here, he gets deep and soulful on the tenor – blowing with a rich, full tone that puts him in a soulful legacy that includes Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons! The setting is nice and relaxed – long live tracks, recorded very well at Birdland in the early 90s – with a tight combo that includes Clark Terry on trumpet, Barry Harris on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums. And although the set's an obscure one, with a relatively unassuming cover and title, it's easily a key addition to the all-too-small catalog of Seldon Powell recordings! Titles include "Hackensack", "Push & Pull", "Park & Ride", "Flintstones", "Sel's Idea", and "Just In Time". CD