Funk | Soul 417 Items

Cover and vinyl are close to NM. 2022 reissue.

“The only time you wear a Tuxedo is when it’s time to party.”

So says legendary West Coast player Snoop Dogg on the opening track of “Tuxedo II”. The blessing of the Doggfather is of special importance to Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, whose second album as a duo finds them at the forefront of a new wave of gangster boogie - one that owes as much to G-funk as P-funk.This is the territory of pre- and post-hydraulic low riders: a mélange of Cali boom-bap, analog synth bass and elegant disco that resonates truth and authenticity in an era where so many are faking the funk.

Bonding over a shared love of Chic, Parliament, and the other signs in the greater funk Zodiac, Mayer Hawthorne (Aquarius) and Jake One (Taurus) were early predictors of the sea changes that American music would undergo in 2016. Their first release of 2015 debuted at #1 on iTunes America’s RnB charts, christened as “Dance Floor Catnip” by the Boston Globe, and “Pure disco-funk hot fire” by Okayplayer. Considering their individual successes (Mayer’s four solo albums, Jake’s production work for the likes of Drake, Future, The Weeknd, and De La Soul) and five Grammy nominations between the two of them, it’s no surprise that their powers combined have yet again yielded a bevy of absolute slappers that are packaged perfectly for dance parties in 2017. The material here, while wholly original, is an exercise in honoring its forebears. “Tuxedo II” recalls the future funk wobble of Zapp, Gap, Jam/ Lewis and Junie Morrison, while nodding lyrically to Mtume, Jodeci and Cameo.The crystallization of the album’s concept comes courtesy of its message of universal love; thanks to the signature combination of soul and pop sensibility that have come to define Mayer’s hooks.

“You gotta do what you love...” says Mayer in a recent interview with Nordstrom’s style blog, one of the many fashion outlets to cover Tuxedo’s rise. After all - the transcendental ritual of the party and the rippling self affirmation of the funk are of one spirit: the spirit of self love...of self expression. “Tuxedo II” is a modern testament to unity and positivity in trying times. It is a reminder that the dance floor will always be there to welcome you, whoever you are.

Two essential disco and soul cuts from Silvia Striplin orginally released in 1980. Produced by Roy Ayers.

A. 'Give Me Your Love' An umptemp disco groover for the more discerning dancefloor. Sylvia’s glorious vocals float over a sumptuous uptempo Roy Ayers tracj. Sampled by Armand Van Helden, Deepdown and Madd Rapper.

B. 'You Can't Turn Me Away' A soul breakbeat classic. Deep downtempo business, this shows Roy Ayers at the height of his powers and Sylvia more than does the track justice. Beautiful!

The instantly recognisable bassline was sampled by Notorious BIG/Junior Mafia on ‘Get Money’. Also sampled by Naughty By Nature and Backstreet Boys.

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2017!

Check out this in demand Latin Funk floor fillers from the group that launched the careers of Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, two giants in the field of Latin fueled jazz fusion playing tohether with one of the most prolific players of the day Bernard Purdie, providing the drums appearing here on 7-inch for the first time in full length versions

This is extremely special. Expansion have taken an 80s soul classic and released it for the first time as a single together with a brand new version.

One Of The Finest And Most Collectable Rca Single From 1967, The Former Just Brother Delivering A Mega-Classic Stomper Backed By A Slick Finger-Clicker

The long-awaited repress of the first Radio Maritko 45 “Oriental Shake”, featuring Habibi twist and Alba’s Shake. Exotica and twist mania from the Greek and Italian sixties that shakes all dancefloors! With a brand new layout!

Fantasy (Shelter DJ Mix) / Can't Hide Love (MAW Album Mix)

Originally released on Gloria and her husband Walter Whisenhunt’s label Selector Sound as a 7in single, “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” features her soaring vocals
backed by luscious strings, orchestral horns and a searing guitar. On the flip is “Brother Less Than A Man” which sounds like a proto Funkadelic
/Parliament psychedelic funk bomb. Pressed as a 7in single on the House Guests label, it highlights a grittier side of her singing that matches the song’s depth and intensity. Backed by a rhythm section featuring Bootsy Collins and brother Catfish who along with Gloria and her husband founded the label
after leaving James Brown’s band. Look for the similarly titled anthology of Gloria’s ouput on the Selector Sound label to drop later in 2015.