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Omar Lyefook MBE is without doubt, one of the greatest soul music talents the United Kingdom has produced in the last 40 years. If anyone has doubts about that, then they might want to consider the list of legendary artists who happily line up to collaborate with him musically, or simply sing his praises - from Stevie Wonder, the late Leon Ware, Erykah Badu, Common, through to Carleen Anderson, D'Angelo, and Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler, Angie Stone and U.K. artists Courtney Pine, Rodney P, Kele LeRoc, Natasha Watts and Estelle, all appreciate his truly original and unique voice, musicianship and songwriting talent.

When asked to reflect on his long, successful, critically acclaimed and deeply influential career that shows no signs of slowing up, Omar said "I feel blessed. I try to keep things moving and evolving, and when I finish an album, I always put my heart and soul into it. I'm looking at it from an outsider's point of view, because I never really see myself making the music. It's like I'm the vessel and somebody's controlling what I do, I just happen to be the one that gets the praise for it".

That modest statement just re-enforces the fact that Omar is simply a one off, a genuinely unique artist. That is a bold claim, but his sound is so immediately identifiable, that you will know you are hearing an Omar track within seconds - and that is the stamp of true originality.

This collection features many of his classic collaborations, from his evergreen worldwide anthem There's Nothing Like This, It's So, the dancefloor destroying banger inspired by the amalgam of sounds Omar heard at The Notting Hill Carnival.

Orgone is one of the most exciting bands in the new generation
of funk bands; led by the powerhouse vocals of Adryon de Leon,
Orgone recalls such legendary groups as Rufus and Sly & The
Family Stone at their best! The band has backed Alicia Keys on her
As I Am album and Cee Lo Green on his Grammy-winning track Fool
for You.
Beyond The Sun is the most complete fulfillment of Orgone s full
spectrum of sound, ranging from the in the pocket funk of Don’t Push
Your Luck to the evocative balladry of No Pain to the clubby-jam
of the title track and the scorching instrumental workouts on Meat
Machine and Sabi. A highlight is a hot version of Rufus I m A Woman
(I m A Backbone).

Vinyl LP pressing. By 1965, Otis Redding was already a force to be reckoned with, well on his way to earning his King of Soul® title. Then, he released this collection, which is absolutely foundational to any soul vinyl collection. This album includes Otis' soul-searing lament "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)," a cover of The Rolling Stone's "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" that is wholly original, the world's introduction to "Respect" before Aretha made it her own, and Otis' perfect versions of "My Girl," "Wonderful World," and "A Change Is Gonna Come", standards like "Rock Me Baby" and spirituals like "Down in the Valley."

Pete Molinari is a singer-songwriter from the Medway Delta. He was born into a large Maltese/ Italian/ Egyptian family in Chatham, Kent, where he was discovered by Billy Childish.

He’s got five critically-acclaimed albums’ worth of timeless folk, blues, rock and alt- country songs to his credit, plus a bunch more EPs.

He’s often described as a songwriter’s songwriter. Bruce Springsteen once publicly proffered: “Pete Molinari – if you don’t know anything about him, he’s great!”

Rome has a secret heartbeat, an underground and urgent pulsation whose memory is preserved within the walls of old recording studios, in the tales of veterans, and most of all in the grooves of the soundtracks of Cinecittà. Music that has always flirted with poetry.

Pete Molinari is a poet, and that's why his words perfectly blend with this pulsation.

That's why producer Luca Sapio chose to record "Wondrous Afternoon" among his Blind Faith Recordings and Maestro Piero Umiliani's Sound Workshop. The result is an album with a strong cinematic impact. The lesson of Motown applied to the sound of Rome.

Backed by Luca’s crack band better known as the Italian Royal Family, Pete Molinari sings with great expressiveness and soul, embedding his words like precious stones, exposing them in all their fragility and strength to the listener.

In 2019, she released her debut Stones Throw EP Reach Out. Now, she is ready to

make her PSA to the world. Across the album’s 12 tracks, Peyton collaborated with several producers to bring her vision to life.

Peyton previously collaborated with Steve Lacy of The Internet for the single “Verbs”. Peyton’s track “Sweet Honey” was featured on Issa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure.

In 2019, she released her debut Stones Throw EP Reach Out. Now, she is ready to

make her PSA to the world. Across the album’s 12 tracks, Peyton collaborated with several producers to bring her vision to life.

Peyton previously collaborated with Steve Lacy of The Internet for the single “Verbs”. Peyton’s track “Sweet Honey” was featured on Issa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure.

It was the San Francisco Bay Area where Herbie Hancock founded his Headhunters. It was the San Francisco Bay Area where Prince recruited Sheila E., Rosie Gaines and Larry Graham. Bands and artists such as Tower Of Power, Sly & The Family Stone, Meshell Ndegeocello and Santana came from the San Francisco Bay Area, and Rose Ann Dimalanta, or rad. for short, also originated from the San Francisco Bay Area. A Heavy Dose Of Oakland Funk – rad. did what she promised. Her 2nd album “gotta be" (1994) had all the ingredients that made the funk heart beat faster and the legs fidget: razor-sharp breaks, excellent hooklines, staccato clavinet and organ licks, driving bass lines, forward oriented drum grooves and a voice to fall in love with.
For these remastered two songs, she back then recruited her colleagues from the Syncopated Funk Champions League. Guitarist Ray Obiedo played in Herbie Hancock's band and with George Duke during the "Thrust" era. The percussionist Michael Spiro worked for Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin and Carlos Santana, Bobby Vega played the base for Bo Diddley, Booker T, Santana, Tower of Power, Etta James, Sly Stone and Jefferson Starship to name a few. Beside the fuzz guitar solo of mega funk star Roger Troutman on Come My Way, it is David Garibaldi and the Tower of Power Horns who add the undeniable quality of this two funk classics now pressed on 7“ vinyl for the first time ever…

Two stone cold classics right here from the Roy Ayers masterminded Ramp, taken from the holy grail album Come Into Knowledge. Sampled the world over, influentially positive and as prized as they get, South Street’s new sub-label South Street Soul couldn’t have picked a more perfect double header to reissue as their inaugural release. Although the Ramp acronym Roy Ayers Music Productions bared Ayers’ name, he did not perform with the Ohio band instead writing, arranging and producing the tracks alongside Edwin Birdsong and also William Allen. Drafting in some of the best session musicians in the game, from vocalists Sibel Thrasher and Sharon Matthews, The Spinners drummer John Manuel, guitarist Landy Shores and Cincinnati bass maestro Nate White, the result was pure ethereal excellence. Rare groove at its finest ‘Daylight’ is one of the standout cuts from Ramp’s only album - soulful, sumptuous and laced with a celestial touch that takes this track to another realm of conscious. A track that was famously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest for their hit ‘Bonita Applebum’ and J Dilla’s remix of Common – Come Close. On the B side, a Roy Ayer’s masterpiece 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' given the Ramp revamp, an end of the night masterpiece, a hazed-out dreamer - just downright blissful grooves from start to finish. Ready-made to ride out into the sunset with.

Rance Allen churned that rhythm smack between gospel music and soul. Rance brought the fire, his every performance a dedicated reach beyond expectations. It's like he lived in a realm above ours, and his performances were a ladder from our plane to his, an invitation to step up, step out, be good, do right, dance while doing it, jive and smile. And praise the Lord. Rance sang about Jesus Christ, even when he didn't mention him. His music was an invitation to groove along, but it was also a stepping stone to church. He focused not on the fire and brimstone but on building community, helping those in need, a church of embrace. His two brothers were his band, along with Stax guests. On "Everybody's Talkin'" you can hear disco coming around the corner and also the influence of Isaac Hayes. "You Need A Friend Like Mine" builds on the Staple Singers' "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)", and it features some of Rance's finest falsetto, up there with Rev. Claude Jeter and Al Green. Rance moves your spirit.

or the second release, we bring you obscure 1985 North Carolina boogie/gospel/electro banger filled with crazy bass synths, piano chords and rhythm machines. Very proud we managed to put out this unique record.
Also supported and played by Peanut Butter Wolf from Stones Throw!
Few words from the man himself:
"I was 32 years old when I did "Come Together", I recorded it in the studio in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It was my first studio project. I wrote it to reflect on how we all are God's creation and we all need each other no matter our skin color or background, we should love each other as God tells us to. I always wanted my music to go mainstream and worldwide to reach everyone. Shurfine gospel record company picked up my record and the rest is history!"

Reggie Soul real name Reginald Stone is just one of many illusive recording artists who had a very limited recording career for a handful of small independent Chicago labels then disappeared into obscurity, Reggie reputedly left Chicago in the mid 1970’s for the lone star state of Texas never to be seen or heard from again!

Reggie’s recording legacy is the sum total of 3, 45 singles two of which he recorded under the supervision of respected Chicago songwriter and producer Clarence Johnson., firstly the funk outing “I Got Jody” backed with the soulful “I Feel So Bad” for Red Balloon Records, “I Feel So Bad” was composed by Lee Sain who recorded his own version under the title of “Baby Don’t Leave Me” for the Broach label. Reggie Soul’s “I Got Jody” also came out as a B-side on Nation Time Records, the A-side was a version of the James Brown song “Soul Walkin’ but this side was credited under the mis-credited artist name of Reggie Smith?

Finally, Reggie’s third release “My World Of Ecstasy/Mighty Good Loving” was released on the Scott Brothers own Capri Records label in 1968. Both sides of the 45 were written by Reggie with Charles and Walter Scott, arrangements were provided by John Jackson and Bill McFarland who provided the horn section to many of the Scott’s future productions. The Scott Brothers of which there were several (all musicians) had begun their own careers during the late 1950’s recording under the group name of The Masquerades on the Formal label. Often referred to as The Scott Brothers Orchestra with Howard Sephus Scott at the head of their growing musical dynasty they formed their own company Capri Productions circa 1968, their initial recording productions were Fred Johnson (Shi-Lush Records) and the aforementioned Reggie Soul & The Soul Swingers. The Scott’s were also the house band in one of Chicago’s Southside’s most popular night clubs ‘The Bonanza Lounge on 7641, South Halsted. The Scott’s often used the Bonanza as a source of finding future artists for their labels, such as The Soul Majestics, Judson Moore, Bobby Jones & Duke Turner amongst others, they even recorded a live performance on The Bonanza Lounges’ resident comedian Randolph Browner which gained a release on the Shi-Lush label.

“My World Of Ecstasy” like several Capri 45 releases were heavily imported into the UK, often sold in soul packs before finding favour with aficionados of the Crossover Scene in the late 1980’s with it’s popularity still remaining high to the present day.

Soul Junction through their licensing deal with Scot-Tees Publishing would like to present the first release of their Capri Records series.

RSD First, Limitation: 1500

"Named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s Greatest Songs Of All Time, Sam Cooke’s iconic civil rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come” is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2024. “A Change Is Gonna Come” was recorded in January 1964 and was included on Cooke’s 1964 studio album Ain’t That Good News. Its single release didn’t come until two weeks after Cooke’s death in December 1964, when it was released as the B-Side to the Billboard Top 10 single “Shake.” To celebrate 60 years of this influential song, a limited edition 7” single on White Iridescent vinyl, featuring original mono single mixes of both “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Shake” is being released for RSD Black Friday. "

Originally released on Greenback Records, a label from New Jersey consisting of George Greene & Gary D. Jackson, two producers who scouted local talent to record at George's home studio and independently distribute. The duo had a string of releases before Jackson relocated to Goldsboro, NC in the late 70s to establish a string of non-musical related business', when he met recent high school graduate, Karen Scott. Jackson enabled the potential of Scott's talent by searching for a group to write & record with. Satin Finish started out as a trio of Goldsboro musicians, Donald Oliver (keys), Joe Exum (drums) & Dennis Kornegay (bass) who came together for the recording project. Scott didn't write music so the group were tasked with coming up with an albums worth of material to take to the studio. Jackson had hired additional musicians for the session, three horn players & a guitarist, which would take place at Greene's home studio in Durham, NC. Three tracks were laid down for the purpose of a 7" single, the A side being Scott's calling card 'I Don't Want To Lose Your Love', written by Oliver, arranged by Kornegay & sang by Scott. Penned for the flip was 'I Didn't Know Funk Felt So Good', a song dropped due to being beyond 6 minutes in length, which made way for 'Took A Chance On Love', a song written & sang by Kornegay. The single had local success, however shortly after the release of the single Scott went to college to pursue her education whilst the group engaged new members and continued for another couple of years before disbanding. Another slice in time that we're proud to present to you. Shout out Kool Hersh for introducing us to Dennis & making this happen.

Before there was War there was Señor Soul, which saxophonist/flutist Charles Miller formed in Long Beach, California; he played on Brenton Wood sessions for Double Shot, who released their loose interpretation of Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata,’ the hit that led to this blinding debut LP. Blending funk, Latin jazz and psychedelic soul, the group makes a range of material their own, led by Miller and vibraphonist Edwin Stevenson; everything from Heard It Through The Grapevine to Psychotic Reaction gets the Señor Soul treatment, rendered with equal doses of sensitivity, humour and funky flavour. Long before Miller recruited members of Nightshift to morph Señor Soul into War, this top-notch debut is a stone-cold winner from first note to last, a must-have for all funk and Latin jazz afficionados.

Why you'll love it...
With the ’60s coming to an end, the revolutionary spirit of the times was so ubiquitous that it simply demanded more from its artists. We started to see this shift in rock ’n’ roll (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones) and in jazz (Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock); it was time that pop and soul music followed suit. Marvin Gaye would release the seminal What’s Going On in May 1971, and while What’s Going On was pivotal in allowing Black artists to deliver popular music with a message that spoke to the times, There’s a Riot Goin’ On followed Gaye’s lead, but pushed the boundaries further. Sly Stone challenged what was possible for a Black artist in popular music, both lyrically and sonically.

Sly & The Family Stone’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On was synonymous with the anxiety felt by all alive at that time — how to navigate this new decade, after all the turmoil experienced in the last one. It’s a bit of a “purple haze,” really. Artistically, Sly managed to harness the confusion that not only he felt, but that most people were feeling then.

Sly & the Family Stone came into their own with their second album, Dance to the Music, released in 1968. It contains the Top Ten hit single of the same name. "Dance to the Music" peaked at #8 in The Billboard Hot 100, and reached 9th place in the R&B Singles of 1968. The song propelled Sly & The Family Stone into the stratosphere. This seminal album helped lay the groundwork for the development of Funk music.

180g vinyl.

Cover with shelf wear

Original US Santa Maria Pressing. Original inner sleeve.

Cover with seam split on top spine. Vinyl with scuffs and hairlines

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2013!

This is Sly and the Family Stone caught live in the Netherlands in 1970. A dream set list including big hits such as "Stand!", "Dance to the Music" and "I want to take you Higher", and a marvelous band at the peak of their game featuring Sly Stone - vocals, keyboards, guitar, Freddie Stone - vocals, guitar Rose Stone - vocals, keyboards, Cynthia Robinson - trumpet, vocals, Jerry Martini - sax and the great rhythm tandem of Larry Graham - bass and Gregg Errico - drums.

Original US Santa Maria pressing.

Vinyl is Close to VG. Original US Pitman pressing. Unipak has a seam wear.

Sly & The Family Stone are celebrating their 50th anniversary of There’s a Riot Goin’ On released December 10th 1971. The album was a commercial success featuring the hit single “Family Affair” reaching number 14 on the official UK chart. This was a departure from the optimistic psychedelic soul of previous records and shifted to a more political and militant vibe, perfectly encapsulating the turbulent political climate in the United States at the turn of the 1970s. To this day the album is highly regarded and continues to rank in many publications’ best-album lists, including 500 Greatest Albums of All time. This year There’s a Riot Goin’ 50th anniversary features a limited edition red 1LP, which will supported with a PR and marketing campaign.

The amazing, unpredictable, one and only Sly Stone has never made a secret of his beginnings as a teenaged hopeful in Vallejo, California in the early 1960s. A trio of singles with his interracial high school vocal group The Viscaynes, followed by two more releases as a solo, recorded in Los Angeles with producer George Motola, comprise the fascinating apprenticeship Sly needed to undergo on the road to fame. For decades, Sly’s earliest works have been spread around on a parade of unauthorized collections, most with low-fidelity sound, artificially extended versions, and tracks by unrelated artists. Yellow Moon: The Complete Recordings 1961-1962 corrects this injustice by offering up Sly and the Viscaynes entire output from the correct master sources. This special 2 LP set complements the recent Ace Records CD of the same title and adds a brace of additional, exceedingly rare Sly-related material. Along with the original singles by The Viscaynes, and Sly’s first solo releases as Danny (Sly) Stewart and Sylvester Stewart, there are also several unissued demo tracks produced by teen idol and Viscaynes mentor Gary Stites, plus the sought-after Jasper Woods 45, featuring an incognito Richard Berry with the Viscaynes on vocal support. Exclusive to this vinyl edition are a rare High School recording by an early incarnation of the Viscaynes, both sides of the 1961 Royal Aces single on which Sly plays guitar, and as a special bonus, the Stewart Four gospel release from 1956, featuring a teenaged Sly on lead vocals – his very first appearance on disc. The deluxe package comes with an authoritative and heavily illustrated booklet with much heretofore unpublished information and fresh interview material from the group and associates, as well as commentary from Sly himself. Yellow Moon: The Complete Recordings 1961-1962 is the last word on Sly Stone’s very first phase, and this vinyl edition is a must for any fan of his work.

This release heralds the launch of a new 7” series from Mr Bongo. In partnership with London-based DJ and digger, Miche, the series will feature his latest discoveries, as well as choice cuts, taken from his 'With Love' compilations. For the inaugural offering, we take a trip to hazy San Francisco, California, in 1977. Smoke, Inc. were an emerging band in the Greater San Francisco Bay area and a regular fixture in the buzzing live music scene. They had a strong following and were in rotation in most of the Bay area clubs, as well as opening for numerous prestigious acts such as Sly & The Family Stone, Taj Mahal, The Pointer Sisters and Toots and The Maytals. Members of the group worked with Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and many others considered the cream of the crop of the music world.

Smoke, Inc. featured Roy Schmall on keyboards and vocals, Stan Terry on lead vocals and harmonica, Michael 'Ollie' Schotka, on bass and vocals, Keith Stafford on drums and vocals, and Archie Williams Jr on guitar. They went on to release one 12" EP and two 7" singles. One of those 7’s included 'Waitin' For Love’. It was first released in 1977 and came out on the band's own self-titled imprint. It has gone on to become their rarest and most sought-after recording, now fetching up to an astonishing £2,500 on Discogs. It is a breezy, feel-good, modern/crossover soul beauty, with an infectious sing-along chorus, floaty flute solo, and packed with pure, uplifting dancefloor energy. The B-side features a cover version of the Holland Dozier & Holland-penned classic 'It's the Same Old Song’, made famous by the Four Tops.

Miche enthuses, “I included this gem on my first ‘With Love’ compilation and knew that it deserved its own dedicated reissue complete with original artwork. I’m delighted to get the chance to make that happen for this incredible, soulful AOR glide from a band that is well due another round of appreciation. It’s very rare, and consequently very expensive, so here it is for you all to spin and add to your record collections.”

46 years since its original release, it is our privilege to help Roy and the gang’s light shine once again and let a whole new audience relish the beautiful sounds of 'Waitin' For Love'.

The late Nathaniel ‘Snoopy’ Dean is one of those many underrated southern soul and blues men who never reached great fame outside their home ground. His legacy is deeply treasured though by hardcore black music followers. In the late sixties he instigated the now very sought after group Third Guitar who recorded some great sides for the Rojac label out of NYC. He subsequently became a member of the Deep City Band and started recording under his own name. In the early to mid seventies Dean made five singles and an album Wiggle That Thing on Henry Stone's Blue Candle imprint which is being reissued here. The album - originally released in 1977 - contains a rare combination of deep, southern soul, funk and blues in such a way that the LP really does not fall straight in neither category. In the 80’s Snoopy Dean became a much in demand session musician as a guitarist in Miami and recorded at least two more albums that belong more in the blues and indie soul field. Unfortunately Snoopy Dean died in 1998 due to complications arising from diabetes. Still, it is this great LP Wiggle That Thing he will be always and best remembered for.

“My name is Stan. I’m a soul man, but I’m gonna sing the blues”, growls Stan Mosely on “Blues Man”, the second track off of No Soul, No Blues. You thought you knew the blues? You haven’t heard anything until you’ve heard No Soul, No Blues!

Hailing from the modern day Chitlin Circuit, the down and dirty soul blues of Stan Mosely is as real as real gets. Armed with a brawny baritone and a closet full of rhinestone encrusted jackets, Stan Mosely has been one of the hottest attractions on the modern day Chitlin’ Circuit for over half a century. With nearly a dozen albums under his belt, Stan is a true veteran, and with the kind of charisma and energy he has, it’s a shock he doesn’t have more! Even just listening to No Soul, No Blues, it’s immediately obvious that Stan is of the highest echelon of singers, successfully translating his invigorating live performances to studio sessions.

But don’t take my word for it! Set to be featured on the cover of Living Blues Magazine’s December issue, the magazine has long praised Stan, with a longform interview in the issue further highlighting Stan and his dazzling music. The founders of P-vine (and two of the men most knowledgeable about blues in Japan) themselves have called the music of Stan Mosely the best that blues has to offer right now!

Pressed on limited edition vinyl with an obi-strip, No Soul, No Blues is sure to be one of the hottest blues records of the year - nay, the century! If I was you, I’d get my copy while I can, because these are going to be flying off the shelves!

La Matta Records proudly presents the First Official Reissue of the unique LP made by Stani Labonia, an Italian Soul-Funk masterpiece originally released in 1978 on Vincenzo Micocci's It/RCA label. This rare album recorded in Naples, finally comes out after more than 40 years, carefully restored from the original tape. Among the talented musicians who worked in the recording of this album we can find names as Jenny Sorrenti of “Saint Just”, Gaio Chiocchio founding member of “Pierrot Lunaire”, Enzo Avitabile and Gianni Guarracino, former “Città Frontale” but most importantly this LP boasts the courtesy arrangement of Pino Daniele in: La Prossima Donna. Labonia, whose real name is Stanislao Smiraglia, is from Bolzano but lived most of his life in Naples, collaborating with the main musicians of that city. He cou ld be compared with the best of the Italian scene, with strong funk and Latin influences. So this is a rare italian gem to anyone interested in Latin Jazz-Funk & Soul. Fully remastered and available as LP and in all digital stores.

Down to the Lowest Terms: The Soul Sessions is an album first envisioned by Steve as a young man, essentially decades in the making. The recording took place in 2019-2020 in collaboration with a cast of a new generation of talented producers, orchestrated with the help of Stones Throw founder Peanut Butter Wolf. Listen to “Keep Dreamin” (produced by Shibo)

Harbans, Steve and Mark met and recorded library music a few times prior. Steve and Mark were from Coventry and Harbans, Frank and Jaki were in Birmingham. Everyone was involved with the scene at the time playing jazz/funk and soul music with various acts.
Harbans had played with the popular disco/funk band The JALN Band. Frank played with the Cissy Stone Band who had a great following. Steve and Mark were in a popular jazz/rock/funk outfit called Pzazz. Jaki was singing in various bands and drawing a great deal of attention, of course we all know she went on to some great pop success. These songs were recorded sometime around the 1980's, during that explosive time of uk jazz funk, where it had a massive following up and down the country.

CD comes in a soft case, instead of the original crystal case. All booklets included.

She first emerged as an avant-garde violinist who channeled her playing through loop pedals. Then songwriter, vocal performer, and beatmaker. She's captivated audiences at festivals around the world, touring her trail-blazing EPs Sudan Archives (2017) and Sink (2018). Sudan's many identity coalesces in her debut album, Athena: a psychedelic, magnetic take on modern R&B.

"When I was a little girl, I thought I could rule the world," Sudan Archives announces in the sparse, string-plucked opening bars of Athena, on the strident "Did You Know". Her musicality and sense of self-belief developed as a young child in the church. Born Brittney Parks, but called Sudan from a young age, she moved around Cincinnati, Ohio many times as a child; religion and music were the most stable forces in her life. It was in church that Sudan began learning to play the violin by ear, participating in ensemble performances. "I remember begging my mom to get me a violin," she says. "From there I just never let it go – it felt like I had a purpose."

Growing up with a twin sister, Sudan also learned young that she was the "bad twin". Her stepdad – a one-time music industry executive – tried to turn the two into a pop duo when they were teenagers, but Sudan would miss rehearsals and curfew so frequently that the project was abandoned. Still, the experience was valuable: "My stepdad basically planted this whole idea of artistry as a career," she remembers. Though she left the band behind, Sudan clung onto the idea of pursuing music when she moved to Los Angeles at age 19. While studying and holding down two jobs, she would spend her spare time "fucking around with some beats and making some weird shit", which she released tentatively under the name Sudan Moon – a combination of her childhood nickname and her love of Sailor Moon. The ethereal quality of those early lo-fi, G-funk-inspired beats would eventually make its way into Sudan's current sound.

It was once she discovered ethnomusicology, and learned to incorporate the violin into her beats, that she really unlocked a new level. Cameroonian electronic music pioneer Francis Bebey was an early inspiration: "His music is so simple, and the way he combines strings and electronic music is such a vibe.” From there, she educated herself about other artists and ethnomusicologists, learning about the history of one-string fiddling in Ghana, Sudan, and all over the world, which "blew my mind". Now a fervent crate-digger with ambitions of studying ethnomusicology, she changed her artist name to Sudan Archives.

After she met with Stones Throw A&R and Leaving Records founder Matthewdavid, Peanut Butter Wolf signed her to Stones Throw. Her self-titled debut EP introduced the world to Sudan's fusion of North African-style fiddling, layered R&B harmonies, and pared-back production. Her second EP Sink was a resounding six-track statement that, according to Jenn Pelly at Pitchfork, saw Sudan "level up as a songwriter" — especially true of the bold self-love song "Nont For Sale".

Those EPs, Sudan says, were "like a haiku of what the album is". Athena is "more in your face, more confrontational – and that's also how I've grown as an artist. I used to be a hermit who would make beats in her bedroom, but now I'm working with other writers, producers and instrumentalists, I've learned how to communicate. It feels like I'm almost back in church." At first, it was tough for Sudan to cede any control in her creative process, but as she got stuck into the sessions with producers Wilma Archer (Jessie Ware, Nilufer Yanya), Washed Out, Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, Sampha, King Krule), and Paul White (Danny Brown, Charli XCX), she opened up. The resulting album, whittled down to 12 taut tracks from around 60, is her most ambitious work yet.

On the album's cover, she poses as a Greek goddess sculpted in bronze. Simultaneously at her most powerful — channelling the energy of her princess warrior heroes Xena and Sailor Moon — and her most vulnerable, Sudan challenges the viewer to see what's under the surface. "I'm naked!" she says. "I don't have anything to hide at all, it's all out there."

Fittingly for a record named for a homecoming event, Natural Brown Prom Queen is all about home – both Sudan’s adopted hometown of L.A. and Cincinnati, where she was raised. The album takes in themes of race, womanhood, and the fiercely loyal, loving relationships at the heart of Sudan’s life with her family, friends and partner.

Whereas Sudan came up as a violinist and loop maker creating beats in her bedroom, on Natural Brown Prom Queen she worked with producers including MonoNeon, Simon on the Moon, Hi-Tek and Nosaj Thing, and invited her family members to contribute lyrics and vocals. Over 18 tracks spanning hip-hop, disco-influenced R&B, Afrocentric soul, and much more, Sudan gets into character as Britt, the girl next door from Cincinnati who drives around the city with the top down and shows up to high-school prom in a pink furry bikini with her thong hanging out her denim skirt. While Sudan is unafraid to be vulnerable, tender and open about her insecurities, the record is also about finding pleasure – after all, this is the artist who played violin upside-down on a pole in a music video. On Natural Brown Prom Queen, Sudan Archives invites you to join in and embrace that shared joy.

Fittingly for a record named for a homecoming event, Natural Brown Prom Queen is all about home – both Sudan’s adopted hometown of L.A. and Cincinnati, where she was raised. The album takes in themes of race, womanhood, and the fiercely loyal, loving relationships at the heart of Sudan’s life with her family, friends and partner.

Whereas Sudan came up as a violinist and loop maker creating beats in her bedroom, on Natural Brown Prom Queen she worked with producers including MonoNeon, Simon on the Moon, Hi-Tek and Nosaj Thing, and invited her family members to contribute lyrics and vocals. Over 18 tracks spanning hip-hop, disco-influenced R&B, Afrocentric soul, and much more, Sudan gets into character as Britt, the girl next door from Cincinnati who drives around the city with the top down and shows up to high-school prom in a pink furry bikini with her thong hanging out her denim skirt. While Sudan is unafraid to be vulnerable, tender and open about her insecurities, the record is also about finding pleasure – after all, this is the artist who played violin upside-down on a pole in a music video. On Natural Brown Prom Queen, Sudan Archives invites you to join in and embrace that shared joy.

Another heavyweight release from the vaults of the legendary tax scam label TSG comes this reissue of The Corner Gang’s Stone Out Of Your Mind. Living up to the striking haze of the album’s sleeve, here are nine tracks of energetic pop and sweet soul packed with enough heat to ward off the coldest of winters. Album highlight “The Music Of Your Mind” hits the sweet-spot of the record with its chugging bassline, funk guitars and snarling vocals bouncing off the walls.

By the time the needle reaches the end of the groove, and it finally dawns on you that the album cover may have pinched an idea or two from Jimmy Mcgriff’s At The Organ, the band and its anonymous members have packed up their instruments and disappeared without a trace. P-vine is thrilled to be reissuing Stone Out of Your Mind on vinyl with a limited run for the first time since its original release in 1976. It is also newly remastered and fitted with an iconic Japanese obi strip.

We’ve all heard of crowd-funding, but what about crowd-FUNKing? A play on a popular donation portal inspires the title of NYC funk band The Du-Rites’ eighth 7” single, “Go Funk Me”. Drummer Jay Mumford’s syncopated, off-kilter groove counters a ‘60s drum machine pattern, taking a page from Sly Stone’s 1973 Fresh LP. Pablo Martin’s bass and rhythm guitar lock it all together, while guest flautist Seth Hachen and haunting synths float on top melodically. Then the funk kicks up a notch with breaks, stops, turns and funky counterpoint between the whole band, before breaking into heavy dance floor funk. “Go Funk Me” channels it all from ‘70s Jeremy Steig; to film score orchestration; to expensive private press jazz-funk from the same era. Intermittent “funk banter” from Du-Rites mainstay Broughamin’ Fred brings it all home to cement the band’s trademark sound, with a funky flute twist.

The B-Side belongs to “Bucket,” a tip jar anthem any band can relate to, but Mumford’s “put it in the bucket, and pass it around” hook can apply to whatever the listener chooses. The drum groove walks the line between Afro-Beat and New Orleans funk, setting the deep groove early. Then bridge takes it to a whole ‘nother universe, before settling back in while the guitar, bass, clavinet, and even a kalimba get a piece of the action with brief solos. Another double-sided deep funk entry for The Du-Rites, who individually have worked as session and live musicians for artists from Danger Mouse; to Tom Tom Club, to Dan Auerbach; to Kelly Finnegan, Adrian Quesada, Just Blaze and countless others.

'Freedom Is Love' Is The Debut Album From Kansas City's Newest Soul Juggernaut, The Freedom Affair. The Album Explores Themes Of Love, Heartache, Empowerment, And Togetherness Through A Varying Landscape Of Hard-Hitting Funk, Luscious Soul, And Everything In Between. The Freedom Affair Is A Unique Collective Featuring 3 Powerhouse Female Vocalists In Front Of A Dynamic 6-Piece Band. On 'Freedom Is Love', Each Of The Ladies Get Their Time To Shine Individually, But The Magic Is On Full Display When All 3 Come Together In Unison And Harmony, Symbolically Embodying The Messages That They Sing About. The Album Was Recorded And Produced By Chris Hazelton, Utilizing The Best Of Vintage And New Recording Technologies To Create An Authentic Experience, Befitting Of A Soul Record That Would Have Been Relevant 50 Years Ago As Much As It Will Be 50 Years From Now. For Fans Of Sly & The Family Stone, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Durand Jones & The Indications, Black Pumas.

A permanent fixture in the world of Rhythm and Soul, James Hunter follows up five critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Whatever It Takes, for New York City’s renowned label, Daptone Records. At the height of his famed recording career, Hunter and Daptone co-founder and producer Bosco Mann recorded an elegantly crafted collection of 10 originals that are evermore poignant and compelling than the singer’s previous works. The James Hunter Six and Mann recorded Whatever It Takes straight to tape at Daptone's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California.

The first Brit to sign to Daptone Records, Hunter is revered by critics both in his native UK and stateside, with MOJO touting Hunter as “The UK’s greatest soul singer” and the Los Angeles Times praising his “extraordinary soul voice.” Of his prior recordings, Rolling Stone called his U.S. debut People Gonna Talk, “a treat not to miss” and his second album “unbelievably awesome,” while The New York Times noted of The Hard Way, Hunter’s “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” Hunter’s accolades include milestones of reaching #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, a GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best Traditional Blues Album”, years as a singer touring and recording with Van Morrison, and many TV appearances on Conan, Later…with Jools Holland, and other late night TV shows.

Subsequent to his acclaim as one of today’s renowned soul singers, Hunter’s restless genius penning emotive and captivating works results in his best written compositions to date on Whatever It Takes.

Dedicated ‘to the United Nations and especially young people’, this is slow-burning, steeply screwed, early-seventies Atlanta funk by James Conley and co, spun out of a line from Eliza Hewett’s nineteenth-century hymn, When We All Get To Heaven.

The flip is deadly, too: a super-soulful blend of Sly & The Family Stone with Kool & The Gang, movingly confused and sincere in its pleading (without threats or machismo) to be loved back.

Both sides come with instrumentals. Check part two of Get Together.

Beautifully sleeved.

A few copies arrived with a damaged Cover. We're therefore selling it on a reduced price.

Join us as we welcome back New York Underground Funk Band with “Funk & Soul” and “Wanna Be Free” — a more psychedelic take on their funk sound. Funk & Soul states, “I’ve got funk and soul...don’t have to worry about a doggone thing” — and we’d have to agree. Yet another excellent track from NYUFB, though a little more psyched-out this time: imagine Sly and the Family Stone getting Jimi Hendrix for a session, then asking him to drop a fuzzed-out guitar solo. You might then end up with “Funk & Soul” — the heaviest, fuzz-driven Sly track you’ve never heard. Though it’s also NYUFB from start to finish.
Now that you’re in the right frame of mind from side A, you’re ready for “Wanna Be Free” — the deep funk B-side that trades out the spirit of Jimi Hendrix for the spirit of Jim Morrison. With all the respect that is due to these greats, NYUFB crafts their own psychedelic sound in this raucous cut that features thunderous drums and alluring interplay between organ and guitar. This was certainly designed to free your mind, and we believe the group succeeds.
These two tracks comprise one of our most exciting releases yet, as that promising band from the New York or New Jersey area further displays their remarkable range. These songs simply cannot remain buried. They’ve finally found their way to you on PP007, and we hope you’ll get a hold of it while you can.