Funk | Soul Vinyl 136 Items

Minako Yoshida's 14th studio album 'key', which was released in 1996, the year after the announcement of 'extreme Beauty', will be released on analog record for the first time! It will be released as a 2-disc set with double-page spread jacket specifications. Contains 10 songs in total.

Released in 1997, Minako Yoshida's 3rd and 15th studio album for MCA Victor, 'spell', will be released on analog record for the first time! It will be released as a 2-disc set with double-page spread jacket specifications. Contains 10 songs in total.

Minako Yoshida's 13th studio album 'extreme Beauty', released in 1995, will be released on analog record for the first time after 27 years! It will be released as a 2-disc set with double-page spread jacket specifications. Contains 10 songs in total.

* A masterpiece containing many of the monumental songs of 90's Japanese R&B * Produced by CAGNET/Daisuke Hinata
An R&B unit consisting of Saki, Izumi, and Marley who made their debut from the original soundtrack of the blockbuster drama 'Long Vacation,' which left a mark in TV history with the highest audience rating of 36.7%, starring Takuya Kimura, Tomoko Yamaguchi, and Yutaka Takenouchi. , Section-S's first album is the long-awaited first LP! A masterpiece containing many of the monumental songs of 90's Japanese R&B. Produced by CAGNET/Daisuke Hinata. Released in 1996.

This is a 1999 album by Weldon Irvine, who gained new recognition with the rise of the hip-hop scene and the rare groove movement in the 90's and beyond, including appearances on Q-tip and Mos Def albums!　Now, for the first time ever, P-vine is releasing this historically significant work on LP, as the original CD is hard to find. Featuring guests such as Q-tip, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and other artists representing the street scene of the time, the jazzy and tight groove is a must-listen, with a crossover of 70s feeling and 90s sound!

Limited to 24.150 copies. The Gold Experience was the first full-length Prince album to be credited to his unpronounceable symbol, and was released at the most public, heated stage of his battle with the major label industrial complex. With the word “slave” written on one cheek, Prince shined on the opulent ballads “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” and “Gold” and the defiant single “Eye Hate U,” and the album earned widespread critical acclaim.

The Record Store Day 2022 re-release of The Gold Experience is an homage to the rare US-only promo version of the album released in 1995. The two-LP set is pressed onto translucent gold vinyl with a bonus suite of “Eye Hate U” remixes on Side D.

For the first time on vinyl!

The remarkable third act of Mavis Staples’ legendary career has seen the gospel, soul, and civil-rights icon embraced by new generations of fans through her collaborations with the likes of Jeff Tweedy, Run The Jewels, Neko Case, and Justin Vernon. And it all began with Have A Little Faith, her independently financed mission to bring her message into the 21st century. After being turned down by other labels unable to see the commercial appeal of this legend’s fresh, genre-busting approach to spiritual music, it was embraced by Alligator Records, who helped Mavis fulfill her dream and relaunch her career. Alligator is proud to release this landmark album on silver vinyl for a 20th Anniversary Edition with a reminiscence letter by Mavis, expanded artwork, and remastered on 2LPs at 45rpm for the best possible sound.

BBE Music announces the first repress of the classic Roy Ayers albums ‘Virgin Ubiquity’ 1 and 2 since 2006, on luxurious 180g vinyl with brand new sleeve notes written by Sean P. The music on 'Virgin Ubiquity' was selected and mixed down from previously unreleased multi-tracks recorded between 1976 & 1981, which Roy had in storage. It's all unmistakably Ayers, but is diverse and fresh enough to be more than a mere adjunct to one of his most productive and popular periods - testament to his and his musicians' creative abilities, as much of most revered Ayers output stems from this time. These discoveries take their place beside some illustrious company in a timeline bookended by 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' and 'Africa, Center Of The World', several solo and Ubiquity albums, collaborations with Wayne Henderson & Fela Kuti, as well as guesting on LPs by Buster Williams and Herbie Mann. Out of print on vinyl and CD for over a decade now, BBE is delighted to re- present these groundbreaking Roy Ayers titles, neatly coinciding with the 45th anniversary of his classic album ‘Mystic Voyage’ and a UK tour to commemorate it during April 2020.

Baduizm is the 1997 debut album by neo soul singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. The album won numerous accolades including winning awards for "On & On" and a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998. Baduizm's success earned Erykah Badu popularity at the time and helped establish her as one of the emerging neo soul genre's leading artists. Recording sessions for the album took place during January to October 1996 at Battery Studios in New York City, Sigma Sounds and Ivory Studios in Philadelphia, and Dallas Sound Lab in Dallas.

It's September 1981 and it's matter of weeks away from the release of 'I'M A RAINBOW', the second album Donna Summer had recorded for Geffen Records, which had also been produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. At the time that the album was being recorded, the musical landscape had changed and production techniques were developing further. Geffen also wanted a more R&B-influenced album, despite the album having a more R&B feel than 'The Wanderer' had done. The songs and their lyrical content were very strong and Donna's voice had never sounded better, which was always a tough comparison against previous albums. A decision was taken by the label to withdraw 'I'M A RAINBOW' just prior to its release. David Geffen then brought-in Quincy Jones to produce the next new album; 1982's 'Donna Summer'. 'I'M A RAINBOW' was eventually issued in 1996, as an 18-track CD, without the usual fanfare that heralded a 'new' Donna Summer album. A few tracks were familiar to Donna and non-Donna fans, as they had been released in the early 1980s; 'Highway Runner' ("Fast Times At Ridgemont High" OST) and 'Romeo' ("Flashdance" OST). "Flashdance" also included the ballad 'Lady, Lady, Lady' which was performed by original Brooklyn Dreams singer Joe "Bean" Esposito, who appears on the duet 'I Believe (In You)'. Fast-forward 40 years and 'I'M A RAINBOW' receives a fresh coat of paint, giving credence to the songs' great lyrics and compositions that they richly deserved at the time. 'I'M A RAINBOW - RECOVERED & RECOLOURED' has been slimmed-down to a compact 10-track album and completely re-imagined by a host of international producers, from North AND South America, Europe and Scandinavia. Junior Vasquez, Le Flex, Figo Sound, Jean Tonique, Ladies On Mars and Oliver Nelson - who has just signed to Atlantic Records - have all added their touch. The album now has a thread running through it, with a sequence that sees the album open with the beautiful title track and builds throughout the album through soul and dance, ending with the high-octane 'girl power' statement track, 'Leave Me Alone [Ladies On Mars 'Independence' Remix]'. The lead single, 'I Believe (In You) [Figo Sound Version]', is released 25th June and it starts the four-month pre-release campaign, up until the album's release. This 2LP format also includes two radio edits and three extended mixes.

* Kumi Showji's second album
* Originally released in November 1990
* Four of the songs were recorded in LA and arranged by Jerry Hey

Kumi Showji's second album, originally released in November 1990. Four of the songs were recorded in LA and arranged by Jerry Hey (M1, M4, M9, M10), horn player for the legendary Hawaiian fusion band 'Seawind' and Grammy award-winning arranger.

180 gram pressing, includes download code!

Reissue! Poets of Rhythm founding members first crucial piece of the funk spectrum recorded as The Whitefield Brothers. A wear-your heart-on-your-sleeve, hypnotic, defiantly psychedelic funk album that is as modern as it is grounded in the great musical traditions from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring members of the Dap Kings, El Michels Affair and Poets of Rhythm. “The Whitefield Brothers In The Raw remains as potent in 2022 as the day it dropped twenty years ago. Originally released in 2002, and later reissued via Now-Again, the LP’s panglobal brew of ragged psychedelic funk dripped different, defying easy markers of genre, era, and locality...live breakbeat drums and tribal chants...anchor the set’s twelve tracks. Hypnotic and humid, come for the polyrhythms, stay for the swirling dub adjacent blasts of trumpet.” - Aquarium Drunkard

A powerful horn section, staccato guitar chords, a groovy rhythm section, and the powerful voice of the great Spanky Wilson! What more could you want? It almost seems as if she’s a conduit for “The Funk”, as she delivers one killer vocal performance after the next, covering songs as varied as the Doors’ “Light my Fire”, Cream’s “Sunshine of your Love”, and even free soul classic “Loveland”. Over 11 tracks, Wilson showcases her powerful, yet undoubtedly beautiful voice! Don’t miss the newly remastered recordings, available with a Japanese OBI-strip for the first time ever, available only from P-vine Records!

Mama's Gun is the second studio album by Neo Soul singer Erykah Badu, released in 2000. Covering themes of insecurity, social issues and personal relationships, Badu delivered a highly intimate and personal album that reached Platinum two months after its release.

180g vinyl.

R&B singer Yazmin had two albums to her credit in the 90s, released the lost album "A Scent Of Flowers" in 1993 but it's hard to find because it was released scandinavian edition vinyl only at that time, and P-vine has taken the opportunity to reissue it in analogue form for the first time. The album features 13 tracks, including Roy Ayers' 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' which was well received when released as a single in 2021, a cover of The Emotions' "Best Of My Love', , and the club classic Ray Charles' remake of 'Let Me Take Over'.

Ridiculously rare vinyl, superb musicianship, and a Playboy Club are ingredients that make the Don Cunningham Quartet's Something For Everyone album so tasty. Luv N'Haight is proud to preserve and re-issue one of the most collectible, highly sought-after jazz-dance records.

"Bunnies plus food and drink equals good time."Brad Holiday's original liner notes (featured on the back of this album) tell it like it was. Don Cunningham, Marion Miller, John Mixon, and Manny Quintero formed the Don Cunningham Quartet and played ‘The Living Room’ at Hugh Hefner's St. Louis branch of the Playboy Club between 1965 and 1968. Their music was different from that of the jazz mainstays playing in ‘The Penthouse Room’. It was also different from any act in St. Louis at the time.

"Before forming the Quartet, I traveled to Fiji, Australia, the Caribbean and beyond as part of the Johnny Mathis group," explains Cunningham. "On these tours I discovered the "island sound," which was something I'd never been exposed to before. It was enchanting, mysterious and sexual."

The Quartet's unique blend of exotica, Latin and Brazilian rhythms, jazz and easy listening was a perfect fit for the Playboy Club. "I was influenced by having seen Arthur Lyman, Cal Tjader, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, and Harry Belafonte play live. Not to mention that I was buying all the Les Baxter I could get!" adds Cunningham. The band's sound caught the attention of Bob Webb, a wealthy local businessman. As a friend of piano player Marion Miller he'd learned of the Quartet’s popularity. "I don't want to work, you work, I'll put up the money," Miller recalls Webb 's words. Webb fronted the funds for Miller to create Exclusive records, releasing three albums and two 45rpm singles, including the Something For Everyone LP.

"The music was only sold locally. We never looked up a distributor and we really didn't have a regular record deal," says Miller. Don Cunningham only remembers selling and giving-away the album at Playboy appearances and to a few friends outside of club hours. Only 500 copies were ever printed, some mono, some stereo, it's not known how many of each format.

Of all the tracks on the album "Tabu" has been the biggest hit with the jazz-dance crowd. That track is the reason many collectors have the album on their wants lists. It remains a tune worthy of heavy DJ play. "Something For Everyone" has been at the top of my wants list for about 10 years now. All my other wants I have managed to track down over the years, but to own an original copy of the Don Cunningham album is as illusionary as driving a Rolls Royce," says producer/DJ Rainer Truby of Compost Records. "Not only is it a rare album it is also a good one. "Tabu" to me is the mother of all jazzdance records! A welcome release! I'm curious to check the rest of the LP, but "Tabu" is more than enough of a reason to stroll down to your local record dealer," he adds.

Miller and Cunningham are surprised but obviously very happy with the current interest in the album. Both are still active musicians and hope that this re-issue may stimulate even more work for them. At time of writing Cunningham was on the road with his wife, appearing as The Cunninghams on tour with the Count Basie band. "It's great that the album is being re-issued. There's truly a quality of music on it that has been missed for so long. In a way it's world music - Polynesian, samba, Brazil, jazz, West Indian. It has the energy of Latin and funk records. It's inspired by - but is not really - easy listening, you couldn't exactly sleep in our "Quiet Village!"" says Cunningham.

Andrew Jervis. Ubiquity, February 2003.

Roy Porter released two albums in the 70's, "Inner Feelings" and "Jessica", which are now highly sought after as important rare groove albums. After a brief absence from the scene, he entered the 90s and challenged the times with a new Sound Machine! The killer funk tracks "Panama" and "Party time," which have been featured as sampling sources on numerous occasions, have been reconstructed by Roy Porter himself, and brushed up to sound with the texture of the 90s. It is no exaggeration to say that this album embodies the fusion of jazz and hip-hop that Robert Glasper and others have shown since the 2010s, 20 years ago.

Yellow vinyl reissue of the third volume of the 1997 "The Mood Mosaic" series. Contains the unforgettable French Kiss by Lil Louis, a 7 minute version.

180 gram pressing

180g vinyl

- "Let's Stay Together" sampled by Little Brother for "Light it Up"

180g vinyl

- "Look What You've Done to Me" sampled by Arrested Development for "Warm Sentiments"

- "Simply Beautiful" sampled by Mike Zoot for "Fat Chance",
Nefarius for "Ill Rhyme" and
Talib Kweli for "Good to You"

- "Love and Happiness" sampled by Above the Law for "G-Rupies Best Friend",
Al Tariq for "Think Not",
Busta Rhymes for "Turn it Up",
Cannibal Ox for "Painkillers",
Deacon for "Soul Saviour",
Encore for "Love and Hate",
Ganjah K for "Love Got My Mind Trippin'",
Mobb Deep for "3 from NYC",
Prodigy for "Freestyle",
Redman for "On Fire",
Special Ed for "The Bush" and
Tony, Toni, Tone for "Thinking of You"

- "I'm Glad You're Mine" (Drums) sampled by 113 for "Face A La Police",
A-Track for "Enter Ralph Wigum",
Abstract Rude for "Musically Inclined",
East Flatbush Project for "Tried by 12",
Eric B & Rakim for "Mahogany",
Freestyle Fellowship for "We Will Not Tolerate",
High & Mighty for "Open Mic Night Remix",
India Arie for "Video",
Jodeci for "S-More",
K-Otix for "Take My Life",
Lauryn Hill for "Sweetest Thing (Mahogany Mix)",
Mary J. Blige for "Time",
Massive Attack for "Five Men Army",
MC Lyte for "Paper Thin",
Morcheeba for "Trigger Hippie",
Mormon Ghetto Projectz for "Blaring Broadcast + Rap Professionals",
Notorious B.I.G. for "Dead Wrong" & "Story to Tell",
Obie Trice for "I'm a Hustler" and
RZA for "My Lovin is Digi"

Fresh 2023 repress. The neo-soul movement of the late 1990s, which fused classic soul sounds with contemporary elements, heralded the arrival of some of the greatest R&B recordings of the decade. Albums like Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo's Brown Sugar, and Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite were all born of this trend, while artists such as Mos Def, The Roots, and Common whole-heartedly embraced the sound, creating some of their most timeless material in the process. These are some of neo-soul's great successes, but a slew of underground acts were what set the initial blueprint for their more pop-friendly acquaintances to follow. Acts such as R&B duo Groove Theory. The New York pair, consisting of singer/songwriter Amel Larrieux, and producer Bryce Wilson, (A veteran of the legendary 80s electronic group Mantronix) helped set the tone for neo-soul via their lone studio release, the self-titled Groove Theory. The nearly hour-long record features 14 tracks of Wilson's smooth soul arrangements and atmospherics merged with golden era boom-bap beats, and Larrieux's siren-quality vocals, inspired equally by a combination of Native Tongues, peak Marvin Gaye, Joan Armatrading, Soul II Soul, as well as elements of breakbeat, jazz fusion, and even trip hop. It's a definitive, but often overlooked classic of the 1990s, which helped expand contemporary R&B's sound, render Billboard hits out the tracks "Tell Me", "Keep Tryin'", and "Baby Luv", and even found the time for a Todd Rundgren cover. On the cusp of Groove Theory's 25th anniversary, Get On Down is proud to bring you this vinyl reissue of an underrated 90s gem. The original record has never been re-released on wax since its 1995 debut, but is now presented here with fully remastered audio, and bundled in a full-color insert sleeve with complete lyrics and liner notes.

Finally, back on wax!
Double purple colored vinyl LP pressing. This is the first of a three-part series of acclaimed records by Erykah Badu where she explores a post-Civil Rights landscape in which African Americans have been left to sort out how to have a cultural identity as part of a nation that had, up until very recently, been a dedicated adversary. Originally released in 2008, it features the singles "Soldier," "The Healer," and "Honey."

26 tracks of fine Latin sounds

Following a path blazed in Belize and the Bahamas, The Numero Group finds yet another stop on the soul diaspora tour: Dimona, Israel. Between 1975-1981, a group of American ex-pats took their native sounds of Detroit and Chicago and intermingled them with the messages of the Black Hebrew culture. The results are a heavenly mix of spiritual soul and jazz with an undercurrent of gospel psychedelia. Featuring the Soul Messengers, the Spirit Of Israel, Sons Of The Kingdom, and the Tonistics, Soul Messages From Dimona is the only living document of a thriving community at both the center and fringe of the world.

Home Schooled, the 16th record in Numero’s library of the lost, looks at the unknown side of the early 70s kid soul revolution. Beyond the Osmonds, the Five Stairsteps, and the Brighter Side of Darkness lay hundreds of aspiring children (or parents) bent on becoming the next Michael. Numero has selected seventeen of our favorites. A detailed and photo stuffed booklet breaks down the history of the phenomena, while the disc straddles the line between historical artifact and wild mix tape.

Originally released on Fat Beats Records in 2009, El Michels Affair’s landmark album “Enter the 37th Chamber” is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2024. Featuring reinterpretations of hip hop anthems from the Wu-Tang Clan, the album took stripped-down, raw hip hop bangers and flipped them into richly-arranged instrumentals. Cover versions of tracks such as “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Can It All Be So Simple” instantly sounded as vintage as the records that RZA had sampled to create the originals, with the familiar melodies and driving rhythms elevated by expertly-arranged horns and strings. The gritty and bottom-heavy style of these analog recordings—dubbed “Cinematic Soul”—has been both widely celebrated and often imitated. El Michels Affair namesake Leon Michels has since gone on to produce for and collaborate with artists as diverse as Adele, Black Thought, Lana Del Rey, and The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z). Now 15 years from its initial release, “Enter the 37th Chamber” has proven to be one of the true classic instrumental albums of its era, every bit as enduring as the music it had meant to pay homage to.

A glorious batch of unearthed soul and funk from the early 70s central Ohio scene ... the storming singles of Prix label ... culled from ultra rare 45s plus previous unreleased gems!

THE GROOVE SESSIONS VOL.1 is the compilation of the 3 EPs released by CHINESE MAN between 2004 and 2007 since the creation of the CHINESE MAN RECORDS label.

Sharon Benson’s lost album Sunshine was originally unearthed by P-vine in 2015 having gathered dust on Polydor shelves since the early 90s. In 1992, following in the footsteps of the lead single release of which the album shares its name, plans to release the original ten track album grew increasingly unlikely, and eventually the project was abandoned.

The London-based singer would later return in 1995 for a fresh set of songs on a self-titled album before returning to acting and signing in the West End, but the mystery of Sunshine would linger. Uncovered and unwrapped, it’s easy to see why. Upon playing, it’s an album that immediately brushes aside its neglected state, and launches into some of the most slick and sweet sounding R&B and new jack swing at the turn of the decade. P-vine is excited to be reissuing the album on LP for the first time.

15 Heavy Funk Rarities Presented As A Double LP Cold Heat is Eothen “Egon” Alapatt’s a follow-up to the famous Funky 16 Corners set he curated in the early 2000s. And like that one, Cold Heat is overflowing with great bits that had barely (or never) been heard by the rest of the world at large. Egon went through a range of rare singles, masters, and demos and came up with tunes that burn with a brightness that's undeniable. The grooves are all on the harder end of the James Brown Funky People side of the spectrum and some tracks are by names that finally got their due here, thanks to Egon, Now-Again, and some of the other funky forces doing the good work over the years.

D’Angelo lost his shit over it. Aaliyah’s 3rd favourite track of all time is on it. David Bowie rocked up with it to a TV interview, declaring it “the most exciting sound of contemporary soul music”. In 1996, Lewis Taylor released his self-titled masterpiece. A true modern classic, it’s an album that was years ahead of its time. Forget 25 years ago, it could easily have been made in 2021. An effortless blend of neo-soul, sophisticated pop, smart grooves and laid-back white funk, it enjoyed rapturous reviews from critics and music legends alike. But the album never managed to make an impact and given what was likely a token vinyl release at the time, the original records have long since been near-impossible to find. Lewis Taylor’s Lewis Taylor remains a holy relic for some and criminally unknown to most. Lewis Taylor’s impeccable influences created a dazzling sonic palette: the LP as a whole suggests the visionary brilliance of Prince; the vocal stylings evoke the yearning power of Marvin Gaye; the effortless guitar playing shares the virtuosity of Jimi Hendrix; the haunting tones conjure Tricky; the innovative production and engineering invite comparisons to studio mavericks like Todd Rundgren and Brian Eno; the multi-layered, complex harmonies flash on Pet Sounds-era Brian Wilson; the dark, drama is reminiscent of both Scott Walker and Stevie Wonder; the complex arrangements create textures and moods with the feel of Shuggie Otis on Inspiration Information; the bold experimentation is akin to progressive artists like Faust and Tangerine Dream; the atmosphere is in conversation with Jeff Buckley’s Grace and we could go on.

1st studio produced album by the New Zealand group from 2005. The album utilized the band's trademark dub, reggae, soul and funk influenced sound, and has been successful both in terms of sales and of critical reception. 7 times platinum in New Zealand!

Discover the 3rd Album of The emblematic Crew Africanism All Stars led by Bob Sinclair and featuring, among others, Yves Larock, Joachim Garraud, Tony Allen, David Guetta...Includes the Hits "Summer Moon", "Viet Dao REmix" and "Sye Bea"

Discover the second album of the emblematic crew Africanism All Stars led by Bob Sinclar and featuring, among others, Bibi, S.U.M.O, Liquid People and Martin Solveig.Including the hits "Heartbeat", "Wintersong" and "Slave Nation".

Keyboardist and composer Weldon Irvine is among the most celebrated Jazz-Funk artists of all time. A longtime bandleader for Nina Simone, he wrote the lyrics for Simone's iconic civil rights anthem "To Be Young, Gifted and Black". Throughout the 1970s, Irvine released a series of seminal albums full of deep, soulful, funky grooves, many of which were later mined for samples. The Sisters is a collection of lost tracks and demos from his late-1970s studio sessions with fellow Jazz-Funk luminary Don Blackman. A potent mix of instrumental and vocal tracks from a remarkably consistent artist, The Sisters contains the hit single "Morning Sunrise", famously sampled on Jay-Z's "Dear Summer". Now, this rare album is available on limited red colored vinyl while supplies last.

Murcof"s first three albums are to be reissued on vinyl to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of his seminal debut album, Martes. Out of print for many years, these albums have been hugely influential in the worlds of minimal and ambient electronic music in their use of modern classical instrumentation, and are significant landmarks in the history of The Leaf Label. Each of the reissues is presented in a new gatefold sleeve featuring updated artwork, with Remembranza and Cosmos featuring fully remastered audio, and Cosmos including a previously unreleased bonus track.

Murcof"s first three albums are to be reissued on vinyl to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of his seminal debut album, Martes. Out of print for many years, these albums have been hugely influential in the worlds of minimal and ambient electronic music in their use of modern classical instrumentation, and are significant landmarks in the history of The Leaf Label. Each of the reissues is presented in a new gatefold sleeve featuring updated artwork, with Remembranza and Cosmos featuring fully remastered audio, and Cosmos including a previously unreleased bonus track.

Soul, funk and rock recorded by US Army Servicemen during the height of the Vietnam War and released as a recruitment tool by the US Army as a recruitment tool. United States Army soldiers made the music contained on this album during the politically turbulent early 70s, towards the end of the Vietnam War. East of Underground was comprised of soldiers stationed in bases across Western Germany. While little is known about the band, the players, and the milieu they came from - other than what can be pieced together from a handful of photos and documents found in a box in the New York Public Library, and the vague recollections of some of those involved – we at Now-Again Records have worked diligently with the United States Army and researchers the country over to present this important document – and some damn good soul and funk music.

Late Night Tales reissues the classic and hard-to-find ‘Late Night Tales: Jamiroquai’, compiled by none other than Jay Kay himself. The 10th edition of what is now a classic series of compilations was originally released 20 years ago, and hasn’t been available on vinyl for over 15 years. A blissful collection of soul, disco, jazz, rare groove, and funk, this collection is an electrifying journey through the aural influences of one of the UK’s most seminal jazz bands. Jay Kay showcases a wealth and breadth of inspiration that wouldn’t be amiss on the late-night dancefloors of the Loft (or Giant Steps, for that matter). From The Pointer Sisters’ uplifting and soulful ‘Happiness’ and jazz funk legend Johnny ‘Smith’ Hammond’s ‘Fantasy’ to the anthemic ‘Stay Free’ by Ashford & Simpson and mellifluous ‘Music Of The Earth' by Patrice Rushen, these two discs form a rite of passage into the creative mind of a true musical legend.

Record Kicks presents the 15th anniversary edition of “Return of the Iron Monkey”, the legendary soul jazz album from British Supergroup Trio Valore that features Steve White (The Style Council) on drums, Damon Minchella (Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft) on bass and Seamus Beaghen (Madness, Desmond Dekker, Tom Jones) on Hammond organ. The album originally released in October 2008, rapidly reached a cult status amongst mod jazz, soul jazz and rare groove fans and the vinyl is sold out for a long time now. The 15th Edition reissue will be released on November 17th on limited edition Crystal Clear LP and digital deluxe edition with two bonus tracks “Put Em Down (Muro Di Gomma mix)” originally appeared as B side of “Rehab” 45 and a cover of Roy Budd’s classic “Get Carter”.

UK funk maestros The New Mastersounds return from a year of intensive touring in the USA to deliver their sixth album, Plug & Play, featuring vocalist Dionne Charles. What you get: their trademark infectious energetic grooves, warm vintage production by guitarist Eddie Roberts, and successful forays into sub-genres like psychedelic afro-funk, CTI-era jazz-funk, souljazz and classic soul. Though the NMS wear their musical roots on their sleeve, this ain't no retro copycat band: each track sounds unmistakably like The New Mastersounds. And in Dionne Charles they have found a vocalist who can do justice to the phenomenal soulfulness of the music.

"Their best set yet" Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz) "In one word: CLASS!" Niccolo Pozzoli (Record Kicks, Milan) "Love it!" Jeff Krasno (Velour Records Usa) "This (King Comforter) drips with soul, down-home style. The NMS have lost none of their knack for hitting you where is hurts:- in a good way! Superb!" (The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Show, BBC 6Music)

feat. Claudette McLean, The Soulettes, ...

Original pioneers of rare groove, Push, make a welcome return with an existing and exciting album. Originally released in 2004, now 20 years later it’s still alive and kicking. “Push People” is a cross pollenation of classic underground rare groove and contemporary feel good funk n' soul in the shape of heartfelt songs and incredible instrumental pieces. Push emerged from the underground London club scene in 1987, where they were at the heart of a community that thrived on JB inspired Funk, Blaxploitation soundtracks and raw soul-jazz. Push toured Europe and Japan and were regulars onstage at Gilles Peterson's legendary Dingwalls’ Talking Loud & Saying Something sessions. They have worked with the likes of Style Council's Paul Weller and Mick Talbot and have long provided the soulful foundation for the regular European tours of US divas like Candi Staton and Marlena Shaw. The triumvirate of key band members Crispin Taylor (drums), Ernie McKone (bass) and Mark Vandergucht (guitar) also doubled up as the rhythm section for the innovative Galliano – a conscious and wayward band that sold in excess of 800, 000 albums. Push are one of the mainstays of the Eighties Rare Groove and Acid Jazz scene alongside Brand New Heavies, Young Disciples and Soul II Soul. Push is on a mission, bringing a breath of fresh air and a wealth of musical experience into a very popular scene for people that "Feel the Funk!"

Repress as black vinyl! The world moves faster than ever these days, and even in the digital age, things can always be counted on to go in cycles. Despite all of the advances in computer recording technology, home studios, and electronic instruments, there is a flourishing interest in analog recording techniques and in recreating the mood and sound of vintage soul records. With one foot in the past but their eyes firmly set on the future, El Michels Affair are among the leaders of a resurgent funk & soul movement from New York City that’s sweeping both the music community and the charts.

Led by saxophonist/organist Leon Michels and producer/engineer Jeff Silverman, El Michels Affair began as a loose collaboration of session musicians (including members of top-selling acts Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, the Budos Band, and Antibalas) that looked to blend some of the vibrant quality of soundtrack records with the recording aesthetic of early reggae, and the rawness of 60's rock--they called it 'Cinematic Soul.' This delicate balance was evident on their 2005 debut album Sounding Out the City, which earned critical acclaim and acted as the inaugural full-length release for Michels and Silverman’s burgeoning label Truth & Soul (also the moniker for the duo as a production team).

The buzz generated from the album and a series of moderately successful 7” vinyl singles from Truth & Soul led to an invitation by Toyota’s Scion division for El Michels Affair to accompany the rapper Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan for a promotional concert. As avid Wu-Tang fans, not only were the band leaders thrilled with the opportunity, but Michels found that the ‘Cinematic Soul’ sound was consistent with the moods of RZA’s gritty soundscapes on the classic Wu-Tang releases. The concert was such as success, El Michels Affair went oan to play several more concerts nationwide backing Raekwon and other members of the Clan, and the shows led to the recording of two smash 7” singles featuring instrumental reinterpretations of the Wu-Tang classiac songs “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Bring Da Ruckus.” The singles combined to sell an extraordinary amount of over 7,000 units worldwide, and their success led to a contract in 2007 with indie hip hop powerhouse Fat Beats Records to record an entire album of Wu-Tang Clan interpolations entitled Enter the 37th Chamber.

Since the contract was inked, a worldwide explosion of retro soul led by Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings has transformed the pop music landscape, and the Truth & Soul production duo have been in strong demand, recording with everyone from breakthrough Grammy-nominated artist Adele to punk rock innovator Iggy Pop. They’ve been commissioned for official remixes of Amy Winehouse and Dinah Washington (for the popular Verve Remixed series), and produced for Australian multi-platinum acts Jet and Gabriella Cilmi.

Despite the eclectic group of clients for the Truth & Soul production company, El Michels Affair continued to build an audience within the hip hop community. A track from Sounding out the City was sampled for Ghostface Killah’s 2007 track “Shakey Dog Lolita,” and a horn part written and performed by Michels (for Menahan Street Band) was famously lifted for Jay-Z’s smash single “Roc Boys.” Truth & Soul also worked in the studio on original productions with multi-platinum producer Just Blaze (T.I.’s “Live Your Life,” Jay-Z, Usher).

With their increasing presence behind the scenes in the industry, El Michels Affair looks to have their status as recording artists rise significantly in 2009. With the release of their finally-completed album Enter the 37th Chamber, they can finally step out of the shadows of the retro-soul trend and establish their status as one of the most exciting and versatile bands in modern recorded music.

Street soul grail alert! Freestyle reissue the previously white label-only Guess Who LP, originally released anonymously by Rick Clarke in 1992.

Crossing ruff-but-sweet UK street soul sensibilities with stripped-back house, garage and hip-hop flavours, the Guess Who LP was dropped covertly during a period in the early 90s when Rick was signed up to Soul II Soul's Funki Dreds label, contractually restricting him from releasing his music elsewhere. Bubbling with creative energy and a slew of ideas that he just couldn't help himself from getting out there, Rick brought a range of friends and collaborators to his MJB Records studio in West Kensington where the LP was produced and recorded on his trusty Fostex E16 in a matter of a couple of days.

Raw drum machines and simple but effective basslines & melodies abound across the album's 9 offerings - with tracks at times feeling like pencilled musical ideas still in flux. Highlights include Jill Francis' sublime vocal riding the stripped-back samba-esque groove of Gonna Make You Happy, the sugary soul harmonies of Imaani's Share My Love With You, and criminally short outro track Sweet Vibrations.

Murcof"s first three albums are to be reissued on vinyl to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of his seminal debut album, Martes. Out of print for many years, these albums have been hugely influential in the worlds of minimal and ambient electronic music in their use of modern classical instrumentation, and are significant landmarks in the history of The Leaf Label. Each of the reissues is presented in a new gatefold sleeve featuring updated artwork, with Remembranza and Cosmos featuring fully remastered audio, and Cosmos including a previously unreleased bonus track.

Murcof"s first three albums are to be reissued on vinyl to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of his seminal debut album, Martes. Out of print for many years, these albums have been hugely influential in the worlds of minimal and ambient electronic music in their use of modern classical instrumentation, and are significant landmarks in the history of The Leaf Label. Each of the reissues is presented in a new gatefold sleeve featuring updated artwork, with Remembranza and Cosmos featuring fully remastered audio, and Cosmos including a previously unreleased bonus track.