The Skull Snaps originally started life as The Diplomats (one of several groups under that moniker) but when they released their one and only album in 1973 on GSF they had fully re-emerged as the group that would lay down one of the most in demand albums ever. The thumping ‘My Hang Up Is You’ is rightfully a northern soul classic, the much sampled break of ‘It’s A New Day’ is a funk staple while the stunning crossover ‘Didn’t I Do It To You’ is a sublime slab of soul with a beat. The menacing chase-funk of ‘All of A...
‘This is Eleanore Mills’ was her debut and only album, recorded for the Sylvia Robinson’s All Platinum subsidiary Astroscope in 1974. The album was produced by Harry Ray and Al Goodman of the Moments and Tommy Keith of The Rimshots. It includes some great Crossover and Modern Soul cuts; including the in-demand string laden early Soul/Disco ‘Same Routine’ a popular killer cut and ‘I’m Gonna Get You’ another superb up tempo Soul cut. ‘Fascinating Devastating Man’ is a lovely mid tempo track. The album includes some beautiful Soul ballads ‘He Said Goodbye’, ‘How Can I Love You’ and the heavily...
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...
Download this show as a standalone mp3 here Playlist Vernon Burch - Lovely Lady From 7" Single Darrow Fletcher - (What Are Gonna Do About) This Mess From 7" Single Benita - Time For A Change From Disco With A Feeling Donna Mcghee - Mr Blindman From Make It Last Forever CD/LP Fonda Rae - Over Like A Fat Rat From Leroy Burgess Vol 2: The Producer Roy Ayers - And Then We Were One From 7" Single Larry Rose Band - Who Conned The Lady from The Jupiter Effect Lou Courtney - Somebody New Is Loving On You...
Today would/should/could have been #rsd2020 #recordstoreday but obviously the universe had other plans. Instead the good folk at @recordstoreday have come up with the idea of #RSDFilltheGap where you fill the gap in a collection, grab that record you've long meant to buy or discover something new that slots right into that space on your shelf. Check out our selections of some classic soul, jazz and funk albums that may have eluded you. The top 10 are showing- to view all in each category click the title headers... Or you can find our Blue Note recommendations here ...
It's a bumper week for new albums , reissues and singles this week. Thundercat returns with another zany new album ''It is what it is' that will please his many fans, available on Cd, Cream vinyl Lp and Deluxe edition Lp on Clear Vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. James Taylor Quartet's excellent album 'People Get Ready' is now back in stock on CD and LP. DW3 are a smooth Jazz Trio but there are some good soul tracks on their self titled album. Tenderlonious has a nice 4 track Ep on 22a and we now have up for pre-order his...
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 ...
Arguably Blue Note is the greatest Jazz label ever and was responsible for releasing so many classic albums over its 80+ year history. Its halcyon era was 1950’s/ 1960’s, when it pioneered Hard Bop. At various times, its roster included the likes of Art Blakey, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Horace Silver plus geniuses such as Miles Davis. The label recorded the first albums by a host of legends - for example, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard to name just a few. The label remained active in the Jazz Funk era and Donald Byrd’s 1973 album ‘Black Byrd’...
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...
