Lonnie Liston Smith’s last album for the Flying Dutchman label ‘Renaissance’ was actually released on RCA in 1976. It is a bridge between his jazzier Flying Dutchman recordings and his slightly more commercial Columbia albums that followed: Exotic Mysteries, Loveland, Song for the Children and Bridge Through Time. His only outing on RCA, the music is an intoxicating mix of vintage Lonnie Liston Smith Jazz-Funk with his prototypical arrangements, flirtations with spiritual and Latin Jazz and beautiful instrumentation. ‘Space Lady’ and the slightly slower ‘Mongotee’ are vintage Lonnie Liston instrumental Jazz- Funk grooves, hinging off a low-slung interplay between bass...
Most recently, Silk Sonic graced the cover of Rolling Stone’s September issue, where fans got an inside look at Mars and .Paak’s deep friendship and quest for the perfect “feel good” record. The duo coasted into the release of “Skate” on the wave of success from their debut single “Leave the Door Open,” which earned them Best Group at the 2021 BET Awards. “What’s new, smooth as silk on the ears, and features two stars of R&B?” wrote Billboard, praising Silk Sonic as “a groovy duo” and the single as “lounge at its heart.” Consequence of Sound enthused, “Mars has...
We are sending this week's mailer a day earlier so you can order for despatch before the postal strike on Friday. Orders placed before 3.45 will be dispatched today for delivery on Saturday (or Friday by Special delivery). Order placed after this will be sent on Tuesday 30th August for delivery on Thursday 1st or Friday 2nd after next week's strike. Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak have made a modern day Soul classic with their album 'An Evening With Silk Sonic' which is finally released on vinyl and one of the most anticipated releases of the year ! Thee Sacred Souls have a great...
Check out this list featuring 50 Original (and earlier reissue) Soul, Funk and Jazz-Funk 45's. There are some quite rare and in demand records listed along with many classics. Many of the records are in either Ex or near mint condition, although there are some VG+ as individually graded. All records are one off's, so please order early to avoid disappointment. Records can be ordered on-line, over the phone on 020 8875 1018 or collected from our shop in Putney Open Mon-Sat 11-6 (closed on bank holiday sun and mon). Happy Diggin Laurence
Grady Tate - Lady Love / Moondance Grady Tate’s cover of the Jon Lucien penned track Lady Love sees its first ever reissue on Expansion, courtesy of Ralph Tee. The original, released on Janus as a promo back in 1974, is an uptempo rendition of Lucien’s tune, a Latin-inflected soul track with a stark percussive backbone that contrasts against sharp orchestral arrangements, soaring strings and a bold horn section, carrying the track towards luxurious musical territories. The incessant pounding of conga drums and deep, crooning vocals make this an ideal summer anthem, a rare and in-demand single which never saw...
Wayne Shorter – Adams Apple (Blue Note) Adams Apple is the tenth album in the solo cannon of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recorded in 1966 and released in 1967, the set is a combination of post and hard bop styles of playing, featuring an experienced quartet of Herbie Hancock on Keys, Reginald Workman on bass, Joe Chambers on drums and Shorter on reeds. The album was recorded while Shorter was a prominent member of Miles Davis’ second great quintet—alongside Hancock, an invaluable member of the lineup whose calculated and skillful playing on this date are crucially important factors behind its sound....
There are two Expansion singles this week from Grady Tate and Jerry Bell. Grady's version of Jon Lucien's 'Lady Love' has only ever been available as a mega rare promo 45 and is backed by his great version of the classic 'Moondance'. Jerry Bell's rare groove track 'Tell me You'll Say' is issued on a 45 for the first time. Both singles are available as regular dinked versions and limited edition full centre DJ Copies. --- The latest two in the Blue Note Classic analogue vinyl series are Larry Young 'Unity' and Wayne Shorter 'Adam's Apple' both great Jazz albums. The first five albums...
War released this great album 'The World Is A Ghetto' in late 1972. It was a massive success commercially and the band's only No 1 R&B and pop chart album. 'Cisco Kid' is a classic crossover funky jam, which sold a million copies on the day of release, which still sounds great today 50 years on. 'Where Was You At' is another funky groove with syncopated New Orleans drum line. ' City Country City' is a wonderful 13 minute opus which goes through many changes of pace reflecting the title. It was originally featured in the Blaxploitation film 'The legend...
Step by Step were a 12 piece soul group founded in the Brewery State of Wisconsin—Milwaukee to be precise. The title track off the album, I always Wanted To Be In The Band, became a rare and in demand Modern Soul single which has exchanged hands for large sums of money in recent years. Newer generations will have heard it being played by Mafalda and Floating Points, certainly a track that the Melodies International crew would play at their parties and a lively, upbeat stepper that infuses sweet harmony vocals and chicken pickin’ guitar licks. The album is a lovely...
Theo Croker’s latest offering Love Quantum is enough to challenge expectations and pique the interests of the modern listener. The trumpeter, initially discovered by Dee Dee Bridgewater who went on to nurture him in the mid noughties, has released a slew of experimental Jazz albums in recent years. His take on Jazz is informed by a laundy list of contemporary influences, namely hip-hop, electronica and neo-soul, while he channels the musical lineage and playing power of Jazz. His tenure with Bridgewater as a soloist (trumpet) and his musical background as a producer/beatmaker certainly evidence of these musical characteristics. His music...
