Brit jazz funk legend James Taylor returns with a solid set of UK flavoured tunes that mix soul with jazz funk, latin, boogie and more. Noel McKoy and Natalie Williams guest on several cuts and their contributions are tailormade for the sounds the band cook up. The cinematic sounding ‘A Giant Leap’ has a space thriller feel to it, the wiry boogie of ‘People Get Ready (We’re Moving On) has a breezy late 70s feel while the bumpin’ bus stop vibe of ‘Get Out And Walk’ is a throwback slab of street funk. The slight nod the disco on ‘Boogie...
Underground New York Disco classic, Donna McGhee’s 1978 LP, “Make It Last Forever,” was produced by the legendary pairing of Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams. Although it only contains five songs the album is high quality throughout and has been sought after forever. Rare groove club gems such as ‘Mr Blindman’, ‘It Ain’t No Big Thing’ and ‘Make It Last Forever’ feature as well and the all out disco of ‘I’m A Love Bug’ and the sultry ‘Do As I Do’. Top class production, fantastic orchestration and Donna’s sweet vocals make this an absolute must. CD ...
3rd Volume of our popular series includes full 12” versions of the brilliant Herbie Hancock ‘Stars in Your Eyes’, string laden ‘Come Down To Earth’ Choice 4, and the fantastic uplifting Harold Melvin ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way (Tom Moulton 11min mix). Greg Henderson ‘Dreamin’, Paul Simpson ‘Use Me Lose Me’, Cuba Gooding ‘Happiness Is Just Around The Bend’ provide the boogie tunes. Phil Hurtt’ Giving It back’ Rhyze ‘Do Your Dance’ and Mtume ‘So You Wanna Be A Star’ are also great uptempo tracks, and Candy Bowman ‘Since I Found You’ is a slower boogie track. Every one a...
The Voices were, an often, 20-member ensemble whose ages ranged from 12 to 21. They worked with producers Leroy Hutson and Curtis Mayfield on their recordings for the Just Sunshine Records label. 'Voices of East Harlem' was their debut for the imprint from 1973 and includes the iconic Modern Soul dancer ‘Cashing in’ and the massive Rare groove classic ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’. The stomping 'Just Believe In Me' is a funky soul gem, ‘Little People’, the up tempo floater ‘New Vibrations’ and beautiful ballads ‘Giving Love’ and ‘Loving you the way I do’ are also essential but the whole...
Lou Courtney recorded one of the all time great 70’s Soul albums in 1974 with the Jerry Ragavoy co-produced ‘I’m in need of love’. The 10 Great songs are expertly arranged by Leon Pendarvis backed with superb instrumentation and topped with wonderful expressive Soulful vocal performances from Lou Courtney. The album includes the modern soul gems ‘What Do You Want Me To Do’, ‘I Don’t Want Nobody else’, ‘I’m in need of love’ and ‘The Common broken Heart’. The Philly inspired up tempo cuts ‘I Will if You Will’ and ‘Somebody new is Lovin' on You’ plus there are some...
Superb Disco Jazz Funk album ‘Turn this Mutha Out’, recorded from the Kudu label in 1977. ‘Could Heaven Ever Be Like This’ – a long-term favourite is like being momentarily transported to Jazz Funk paradise, a magical track that has become a classic. ‘Camby Bolongo’ is a delightful percussion heavy rhythmic instrumental featuring Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Jeremy Steig on flute. ‘Crab Apple’ is a wonderfully funky track with a great bass line and groove that has found favour with samplers. ‘Moon Hymn’ is a beautiful etherial track featuring David Tofani on Soprano Sax, that develops into a mid...
Sandra Wright recorded one of the best albums ever made at Muscle Shoals in 1974 with ‘Wounded woman’. This superb Southern Soul album was unissued at the time surfacing only in 1989. This remastered version with a period stlye sleeve really brings out the beauty of the nine great songs. The bustling ‘Midnight Affair’ and the slightly slower ‘I Come Running Back’are fantastic and have become Modern Soul dancefloor favourites. The dancer ‘A Man Can’t Be A Man’ has more tempo. The Southern Soul ballads ‘Sha-La bandit’, ‘Im Not Strong Enough’ , ‘I’ll See your through’ and ‘Please Don’t Say’...
After an incredible 52 years in the business, Oakland legends Tower Of Power are still making superb jazz kissed funky soul and their 27th studio album, ‘Step Up’, finds them fresh and relevant even after five decades. Vocalist Marcus Scott is on point and the band are razor sharp. The bristling ‘Step Up’ has touches of Incognito, the pacier’ Story Of You And I’ is an incisive funker while the downtempo, bluesy ‘Who’d Have Thought’ shows how their versatility. The joyous ‘Let’s Celebrate Our Love’ has a flowing vintage feel, the sanctified feel of ‘Look In My Eyes’ soars while ...
UK funkers Speedometer’s 5th studio album comes 17 years since their debut and they’ve matured into leaders in the field, on a par with The New Mastersounds. ‘Our Kind Of Movement’ kicks off with the moody, soulful ‘We Gave Up Too Soon’ – a dark edged, instant dancefloor winner – the syncopated Afrobeat ‘Abuja Sunrise’ has an urgent rhythm with parping sax and soaring horns driving things along while the Indo-funk ‘Kashmir’ has Dave Pike feels. ‘Let’s Start A Movement’ brings to mind ‘California Soul’ in parts on a mid tempo soul effort while the New Orleans flavoured organ screamer...
Singer and pianist Kandace Springs pays homage to the female artists that have shaped her musical journey on this twelve-track set of covers that includes collaborations from an array of talent including Christian McBride on the jaunty ‘Devil May Care’, Norah Jones on the smoky ‘Angel Eyes’ and David Sanborn on the sweeping, bluesy ‘I Put A Spell On You’ to mention but a few. The haunting ‘Strange Fruit’ is handled with respect, the gentle ‘Ex-Factor’ is a highlight as is the soaring ‘Pearls’ featuring trumpeter Avishai Cohen. Relaxed, warm and sophisticated from this constantly impressive artist. ...
