Archives: Features

Great 1974 Barbara mason album recorded at Sigma sound, ‘Transition’ has all the hallmarks of a classic Philly album, with arrangements from Norman Harris, Richard Rome and Bobby Eli. It contains 9 songs with a social commentary and message. The classic ‘World in a Crisis’ and ‘Miracle man’ are Philly /Modern soul dancers. ‘Half Sister Half Brother’, and ‘Devil is Busy’ are also good uptempo tracks, ‘Trigger happy people’ and ‘Sunday Saint (Weekday Sinner)’also have that Philly sound to them. Strong album. CD See all by Barbara Mason here Listen to tracks Half Sister, Half Brother World...

‘Expansions’ from 1975 was Lonnie Liston Smith’s big crossover album that helped the keyboardist reach a wider audience. It is one of the all time greatest Jazz Funk albums. The title track ‘Expansions’ is one of those really special tracks that still sounds fresh even after 1000’s of plays and is totally engaging from the introduction triangle right to the last bar, pure magic if you are listening or dancing to it. Lonnie’s brother Donald Smith sings the positive lyrics with his distinctive voice. Every track on this album is special from pulsating ‘Voodoo Woman’ to the mystical ‘Shadows’, and...

1972 debut album originally cut for the Paula label from Dallas, Texas soul man Bobby Patterson that includes the huge crossover favourite 'I Get My Groove From You' as well as a raft of other killer funky soul and southern flavoured cuts. Check out the galloping rhythm of 'Make Sure You Can Handle It', the skipping tempo of 'Everything Good To You (Don't Have To Be Good For You)' the sumptuous Southern 'She Don' Have To See You (To See Through You)' the rasping funker 'Right On Jody' and the deep-with-a-beat 'One Ounce Of Prevention'. Bobby's voice is strong and...

Two years in the making, The Haggis Horns return with their 5th album in the shape of ‘Stand Up For Love’. Horn man Malcolm Strachan impressed s with his superb solo album a few months back and he’s back with the band for this tough nine-track soul/funk album. John McCallum returns on vocal duties on a set heavily influenced by the likes of Kool & The Gang, Fred Wesley & The JB’s, The Blackbyrds, The Fatback Band, and more. The instrumental burner ‘Haggis Express’ is a killer with wiry keys, sharp horns and a driving groove, ‘Suzy Traffic’ bounces while...

The Soul Searchers’ second album from 1974, like their debut ‘We The People’, was originally released by the revered Sussex label. By this time the Washington DC based band had fully developed their brassy sound and this album included the funk hits ‘Blow your Whistle’/’Funk To The folks’, and ‘If It Ain’t Funky’, along with the heavily sampled ‘Ashley’s Roach clip’. The album also includes their interpretation of Bacharach and David’s ‘Close to You’, showing a mellower side, which has become popular on the rare groove/two step scene. At this point they were an eight piece band with a full...