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Repressed by popular demand!
Lauren Laverne's comp of the week on BBC Radio 6 Music w/c 11th Jan.
Guardian feature: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/12/a-thousand-teardrops-how-doo-wop-kickstarted-jamaica-pop-revolution-reggae-rocksteady
This collection of Jamaican doo wop from the late 1950s through to the early 1960s represents a period in which sound systems had begun to dominate the island, and were starting to step up their rivalry by beginning to record and release their own platters rather than rely on imported records to gain the competitive edge.
With the uniquely Jamaican ska explosion yet to completely catch hold, these tracks are largely imitative of the doo wop and R&B sound that had been reaching the island from American shores & radiowaves, albeit peppered with hints of what was to come ~ some of the future stars of ska, rocksteady and reggae are starting to cut their teeth on these tracks, providing a great view into the fledgling record industry on the island.

180g Colored Vinyl with heavy-duty card sleeve!

Welcome to our last instalment from Eryk and Antoinette McClinton. Brother and sister duo who recorded these demo tracks with Detroit legends Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey. Recorded around 1979 these cuts were a spotlight on the duo's talents, hoping land them a record deal. Both had been active in the past with various recordings. Erik & the Vikings, and together as Eryke and Aronnette on Honey records. Here we have Four cracking disco fused funky songs, "Love doctor" made it on to our record store day lp "Long Distance Love Affair" so you may have already heard this. Accompanying this track are two more disco funk cuts. "Its all in your mind" & "Funky time Saturday night". Last and not least is the 2 step jam of "Recollections". All four cuts included some tasty breakdowns.

One of the finest voices in Southern Soul, George Jackson’s success as a writer meant he wasn’t pushed as an artist and so his vinyl output is disappointingly small. Kent Records is rectifying that with this 12-track LP.

Originally released on Sue Records in 1963 this was Ike & Tina Turner fourth album, the one that earned them a first grammy nomination and a further step in the consolidation of their international success. Most of the tunes here are highly energetic up-tempo numbers while the whole album comes as the fruit of a unique combination of raw R&B and highly energetic Rock n Roll.

Liam Bailey returns with a flawless two-sider from his new album's recording sessions. The tried and true chemistry between Bailey and producer Leon Michels strikes again, taking the sound they established on Bailey's 2020 Ekundayo album and pushing it further. The A side "Dance With Me" is an infectious Popcorn two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early Reggae days. Bailey steps into the dance with hopes of finding a new love while the El Michels Affair produced track will pull us all out on the dance floor with them. The B side "Mercy Tree" is a powerhouse of Reggae Rebel Music. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope, making this anthemic tune an instant classic.

Vinyl with many scuffs and hairlines

We really are excited by our new release. Taken again from the vaults of Mr Stu Gardner we have the next instalment of the Twinn Konnexion story. We released the single SDE17 way back in 2016, a double sided 45 of "dont fight the love", a blistering slab of modern boogie soul that sold out very quickly upon release. The single was first championed by Dj Jeremy Underground at many of his dj nights. Move on a few years and we have discovered the original studio reels from that session. And it doesn't disappoint!
Pulled from those reels are another 3 amazing compositions where no doubt Mr Gardener called on his long list of musical associates.
The information of the players and singers has never been divulged with us, not sure why the secrecy & frankly we don't care. What we do know is each song oozes class from start to finish and there is something for everyones taste.
A "Sunshine of you day" has an almost gospel feel to its rhythm, with the singer telling how his women lights up his day. And to be honest its lite up our HQ since we had it. Just ripe for the dancefloor!
Moving on to the B side we have two incredible ballads/2 step songs for that connoisseur amongst you B1 "love side facing up" Well as soon as you hear the opening guitar and horn section with the male singers sultry voice you just know this is taking you down that classic 2 step sound that was big on the London and rare groove scene We know this is going to a be a big fave for years to come. B2 "Memories dont fade away" its pretty much as above. More 2 step action that you can fail to love!

Silky Steps hustles towards the scene trailblazed by Nile Rodgers, and currently held by the likes of Jungle, L'imperatrice and Parcels. The 5-piece hailing from Estonia's summer capital Pernau have their own concoction of neo-soul, nu-disco and pop-funk to offer, though. At the helm, a combo of male-female lead vocals sing about the X-rated side of life. Plentiful synths and suave basslines get all the right juices flowing. All the while a musical guest will pop in here and there to provide a sax solo, sing a ref or throw down a little rap.
The latter is especially true for their upcoming LP "Universal Language," as 2023 sees the group step up their game in a big way. Their 2nd single "Fly, Goodbye" took off as the title suggests and got its first BBC 6 airplay on the revered Cerys Matthews show. Robert Linna of Lexsoul Dancemachine lent his falsetto to the latter track, while MC Roki raps on "Falling For You" and Rahel collabs on the title-track. In total, there are 10 tracks on the album that's put out digitally and on vinyl via Funk Embassy Records - the Estonian imprint that recently won Record label of the Year at the local music industry awards.

Ultra obscure funk (official re-issue)

Loleatta Holloway’s sojourn at Aware records in Atlanta in the mid-70s was just about as good as soul music can get. We have taken the wonderful two-stepper ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ (not the 4 Tops song) from her “Cry To Me” LP for DJs and collectors and added the originally unreleased – until it’s Kent CD appearance in 1996 – ‘Mrs So And So's Daughter’. That track is a more raunchy, sister-funk number compared to the smooth top side; each side oozes class.

Limited vinyl edition!

Although best known in the global music world for his four years (1984-1988) as the music director and bandleader for Whitney Houston, John’s tenure in the soul music field began when he was a member (with his brother Edmund ‘Butch’ Simmons) of The Reflections, a New York City-based quartet who toured from 1972-1975 as the backing group for the legendary Melba Moore. In 1975, The Reflections had a Top 10 R&B hit with “Three Steps From True Love.”

In 1978, John began touring with Stephanie Mills, at the same time collaborating with Phillip Ballou, a member of another New York-based vocal group, Revelation and UK soul music journalist David Nathan (who he met when Nathan did an interview with The Reflections for Britain’s “Blues & Soul” magazine in 1975). The trio wrote a number of songs for Ballou’s demo as a solo artist and while nothing transpired in that regard, John recorded his own version of one of the tunes, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Love” for a small independent Michigan label, Sabrina Records in 1981. John had worked with Cissy Houston at New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey where she was the minister of music was asked by her to do some initial promotional dates with her daughter Whitney after Arista Records released her first single in 1984; he continued doing world tours with Houston until he passed away at the age of 45 in March 1989.

The Ballou sessions (held mostly in Montclair, New Jersey) expanded into recording dates for both Nathan and Simmons. None of the original recordings were released commercially – until now. In the wake of the interest among rare groove collectors in John’s version of “Ain’t Nothing Like The Love,” Nathan – himself a recording artist since 2003 – has uncovered the tapes of all the material he, Phllip and John recorded in 1978 and 1979.

Gaining its first-ever release now on Nefer Records via Super Disco Edits is the coupling of John’s solo composition, the upbeat gospel-infused “Safe” and the midtempo, “I Wanna Be Closer,” another one of the songs also recorded (and thus far unissued by both Ballou and Nathan).

In the chaos of our every day, it can be difficult to find time for pause. Knee-jerk reactions have become the norm, while the instantaneous fog clouding our culture urges us to move along, to step away from the present moment. Mexico City-based songwriter and instrumentalist Estrella del Sol wanted to craft a space where there is finally room to breathe, and time to arrange the patchwork of our reality. On new album Figura de Cristal, she encourages fragility, and celebrates the delicacy of our ever-evolving selves.Estrella del Sol is known for her work in shoegaze band Mint Field, hailed for their tender exploration of sentimentality and grief. While Mint Field propel their themes with oozing, amplified guitars and commanding vocals, del Sol's solo work blossoms in a quieter, more electronic space. "I wanted to experiment more with my vocals and mainly synth sounds, always trying to find a different sound," she explains. The result is a patient and nurturing collection of songs that remind us of the importance in taking our time. Her first solo album, Un espacio de lo imaginario, released in 2020 and recorded in the first two months of the pandemic, introduced del Sol'sethereal side. Expansive vocal dynamics dance carefully through gentle melodic structures, showcasing the intimacy of del Sol's soloarrangements. Figura de Cristal builds upon this intimacy, adding a blanket of subdued yet glittering drones, haunting electric guitars and celestial vocal textures. It was written, recorded and produced entirely by Estrella del Sol at her home in Mexico City, with cello contributions by experimental composer and personal friend Mabe Fratti and mixed by Mint Field bassist Sebastian Neyra. The album includes field recordings of Estrella del Sol's surroundings, namely her neighborhood in Mexico City. By including these miniatureportraits of her reality, Figura de Cristal acts as a kaleidoscopic interrogation into what it means to be alive, and how others figure into the images we create for ourselves. By usi...

Anybody remember STREET FEET? These guys used to be an all instrumental 1970s funk act with a cineastic feel, means that their music could easily have been used as library music for TV productions, especially police movies. They had one album in 1977 and then disappeared. At least it seemed so. But they rather teamed up with singer Sharon Robinson, who has been background vocalist with Leonard Cohen and songwriter for people like Diana Ross, Patti Labelle or Michael Bolton later on and was reluctant to use her own name on the album for tax shelter issues with her label. Since her middle name is Terea, as it was said, this became the project name as well. Original copies from the long since vanished BABY GRAND label fetch prices of 1500 $ and more, so here EVERLAND MUSIC, who own the whole catalogue of the BABY GRAND label, kick out the jams with their ultimate reissue of this classic. The music on this outstanding album could easily be regarded as some of the greatest late 70s black music. And what a great variation of sounds do we found here. Smooth funk with a silkier edge and piercing synthesizers, soul pop with lush arrangements, giant harmonies and a cineastic atmosphere or warm and soulful ballads, no matter what, it is in here. Each song has his own spirit and memorable hooks. The performance is tight and despite all perfection quite passionate. The overall musical direction is gentle since this is pop music par excellance. If you dream yourself on through the dense arrangements you will find so many nifty little details that you can only speak out your deepest respect for the participating band and the singer with the enthralling voice. What goes on beyond the surface is so sorcerous. All those ghostly synthesizer lines. The funky and evergrooving pop version of Hendrix‘ „Manic depression“ fits perfectly well with the rest of the tunes. Organ, percussions, bass guitar, electric piano and vocals make it a massive head swirler and dancefloor sweeper. Next big thing on this album a few songs later is the gospel influenced ballad „For free“, which could have been, in a little more reduced version, one of the most haunting pieces on an early THE BAND or Neil Young record. Here we get a song with lush string arrangments and melodies so haunting and so deeply touching that you almost start crying the one or another tear of joy. All in all this music might feel glamourous but it has an earthy approach and this makes it stand the test of time with ease. Black music aficionadoes will find themselves in need of this record.

Ella Thompson’s Domino is a spooky, bittersweet collection of cinematic soul cuts influenced by 1970s Italian 'Giallo' film scores, with luminous vocals that draw a line between 60s icons like Nancy Sinatra and contemporary soul artists like Kadhja Bonet. Ella’s effortless singing and haunting lyrics paint angular pictures in the moody darkness. The sparse production is intentionally cinematic, deeply influenced by the music of Italian ‘Giallo’ film scores of the 1970s, particularly by composers like Piero Piccioni but comparable to current artists like Adrian Younge or Bad Bad Not Good in a meditative mood. Minimal but propulsive bass and drums know when to hang back, as they do in the title track and when to step forward as they do in the chugging, deep and funky rhythm section work on the single Never Fight The Way You Feel. All the instrumentation used in Domino was created by Frollen Music Library, a library music project by the musicians behind Karate Boogaloo, Henry Jenkins, Hudson Whitlock and Darvid Thor, all long-term collaborators and friends of Ella’s. Ella has returned to making music under her own name in 2023 after years of releasing music with her electro-pop duo GL and cult indie band Dorsal Fins. One of Australia’s truly accomplished singers, Ella’s range ranges from art music to cinematic soul, jazz, and pop. In addition to her solo project and bands, she has been a featured artist for numerous acts, most notably deep funk pioneers The Bamboos and Mark Ronson.

After 3 years of captivating audiences with their unique blend of soul, jazz, and undertones of hip-hop, Minneapolis-based Nooky Jones are finally releasing their debut self-titled album via Young And Foolish Records. A truly cohesive collection of love stories and music that takes listeners to beautiful places alongside deeply provocative characters, the album is a much-needed artistic expression of self for vocalist/frontman Cameron Kinghorn.

In early 2014, Kinghorn was working mostly as a trumpet player and singing in cover bands around town when he caught the eye of local trumpet player Adam Meckler, who tapped him to front a new project he was starting with drummer Reid Kennedy. That new project would eventually become Nooky Jones, and it would be Kinghorn’s first real foray into this type of artistic expression.

Produced over the course of 15 months at RiverRock Studios in the band’s hometown of Minneapolis, their debut album relies on each musician’s unique style as a critical part of the overall sound. Atop airtight yet comfortably loose drum and bass grooves often reminiscent of 90s R&B and Hip-Hop, layers of harmonically complex piano, organ, and Fender Rhodes create a lushness associated with jazz that rarely integrates into pop music so tastefully. Adding flairs of excitement throughout, the horns bring their powerful chops to the forefront when appropriate without ever stepping on the vocals, which float effortlessly from deep sultry textures to a silky smooth falsetto on par with the best soul crooners in the business. A non-stop rollercoaster of emotions, the album masterfully draws the listener in with slow burns that eventually boil over, only to be brought back down and start over again.

Like most other Northern Soul aficionados, I would love to have an original of Milton James’ trance-like, rhythmic soul dancer ‘My Lonely Feeling’ but a Kent 45 is going to have to fill the gap until that lottery win. Milton was a member of, and is backed by, the Creators who usually had Little Johnny Hamilton out front.

It is coupled with the quirky and similarly elusive ‘What Did You Gain By That?’ by Lew Bedell’s right-hand soul man - Kennard Gardner.

Big Crown Records is proud to present Dear Sunny... a compilation of Sunny & The Sunliners covers by Big Crown artists. Since the first time we heard "Should I Take You Home" by Sunny & The Sunliners, we have been avid fans. That record, which we were introduced to on MF Classy Chris' now legendary mixtape, The Time Is Right, set a lot of things in motion. It started of course with tracking down copies and collecting all of Sunny's records for our personal collections. That quickly turned into the desire to reissue some of his vast catalog on our label for the rest of the world to hear. We got in touch with Sunny and his son David and brought the idea to them. It took a lot of phone calls, a visit to their home in San Antonio, and three more years of calls and emails to convince them that our New York record label was a good place for them to entrust their music. After getting to know each other well enough Dave said, "You have been calling us non-stop for more than three years, you Must mean what you are saying" and with that, we signed a deal to do a reissue project on Big Crown. We then flew out to San Antonio again, this time with a scanner and a videographer. We sat down with Sunny to interview him, went through his vast collection of photos, and talked about his life and career. Sunny was even kind enough to let us film him performing acoustic versions of a few songs. We used all of that material for our 2017 compilation, Mr Brown Eyed Soul. That release is our highlight reel of Sunny's Soul tunes. Looking back at the response to that compilation, it is safe to say that we achieved our goal of connecting a whole new audience to Sunny's incredible music. We also made his rarest records readily available to collectors at a price that wouldn't empty their pockets. The concept for Dear SunnyâÇÝ came to us right after we signed the deal. We wanted our artists to cover his music as a tribute to him. Three years later we released the digital album on Sept 4th to coincide with Sunny's 77th birthday. The response has been nothing but love and now we are ready to press this up on vinyl with the addition of Liam Bailey's scorching cover of "Give Me Time". Everyone here stepped up to fill very big shoes doing these covers. Bobby Oroza teamed up with Cold Diamond & Mink and made a smashing version of "Should I Take You Home". The Shacks took on the anthemic "Smile Now, Cry Later" while Holy Hive covers "If I Could See You Now" building off the uptempo dance floor energy of the original. Paul & The Tall Trees bring a crooning vibe to "Rain Makes Me Blue" and Brainstory turned "Runaway" into a haunting ballad reminiscent of early Lee Hazelwood productions. Some of these turn out to be covers of covers. Bacao Rhythm & Steel B and takes on the funk collector's holy grail from Sunny, his cover of War's "Get Down" while 79.5 take Sunny's version of "My Dream" and change the vibe from a floating love song to theme music for the brokenhearted. Mr. Lee Fields does "The One Who's Hurting Is You" and the latest addition to the Big Crown Roster, Lizette and Quevin, do a rendition of the song that brought Sunny to Dick Clark's American Bandstand in 1963 and catapulted him to fame; his cover of Little Willie John's "Talk To Me". So as the letter begins, "Dear Sunny.." we hope that you enjoy this homage Sir. Thank you for all the music you have given all of us, it has been a pleasure to work with you and to get a chance to know you and your family. We will keep calling Dave every other week trying to get you in the studio with Leon to record some new material until it happens or you flat out tell us no...but all jokes aside, thank you Sunny. This was all really a dream come true for us. We hope everyone enjoys this homage to t he living legend, San Antonio's finest, Mr. Brown Eyed Soul, Sunny Ozuna as much as we do.

‘New label out of Bristol, Ghost Phone represents RnB's deep and club friendly potential with four anonymous versions from various artists. Hand picked from across the globe for their deep love and appreciation of the original sound, each producer brings thier individual style to the fore. Bending things out of shape for the freaks but still retaining the genres slick, sensual aesthetic.

Chopped and screwed soul gets the full dub treatment on opener ‘Quiet Storm’, alongside 'Hit it Tool' where bumping 2 step drums meet Bmore breaks for the most dance floor primed cut on the 12". B1: ‘Single And Searching’ floats pitched vocal snippets in to the clouds, layering them over misty eyed rave chords. Finally, there is the pale faced club shuffle of '2ON’.’

Cult Uk Producer Iglew Returns With His Highly Anticipated Sophomore Record After A Six Year Hiatus, Finding A Perfect Home On Facta And K-Lone's Label, Wisdom Teeth. Iglew First Burst Through During The Instrumental Grime Boom Of The Mid-'10s, Debuting On Mr Mitch's Gobstopper Imprint With The Now-Verified Classic 'Urban Myth' Ep. A Run Of Massive Edits, Remixes, Radio Rips, Plus A Feature On Legendary Label Boxed Followed - And Then He Went Into Hiding. Six Years On, His Follow-Up Ep Expands And Consolidates His Sound Into Something Truly Unique And Distinct. His Central Talents - Glacial Synth Work, Timeless Melodies, Pristine Sound Design - Are All On Show Here In Abundance, But Twisted To Fit New, Refreshed Patterns And Structures. 'Caffeine Dream' Is Mutant Uk Techno That Offsets Distorted Bass And Glitching Synths Against Warm Chords And A Noodling Melody. 'Gold' Is Cool And Stepping, Sitting Somewhere Between Early Night Slugs And The Refracted Deep House Of DJ Python. Title Track 'Light Armour' Is The Ep's Understated Climax - A Lowlit And Psychedelic Take On Modern Pop, Sounding Something Like A Charli Xcx Record A&R'd By The Freerotation Crew. To Close, 'Microfunk Lament' And 'Hakwsworth Woods' Lean Into Microhouse And Reich-School Minimalism, Putting Iglew's Immense Knack For Melody And Soul On Full Display.

This pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure - perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate.

This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful and vital than the Anderson Brothers which was huge on the Northern Soul scene, but without this take for competition at the time.

Maybe the steamy finale to the Mayberry’s version was a bit too much for radio play, but surely the brilliance of the ballad A side would have compensated for that. Their loss; our gain.

"I don't like rap music at all. I don't think it's music. It's just a beat and rapping." Nina Simone

Straight off the streets, Hip-Hop burst onto the scene, leaving no one indifferent, igniting a cultural revolution that would shape generations to come. Now, in celebration of its 50-year anniversary, Art That Kills proudly presents Hhcomp01.

Hhcomp01 aims to capture the freshness and innocence of a genre in the midst of defining itself. As the world embraced this new phenomenon, it was a time of raw creativity and unbridled expression. With a selection of seven fantastic tracks stepped out of the underground, Hhcomp01 is a window into the origins of a genre that has resonated with countless hearts and minds.

Madison's latest project, I Hope You Can Forgive Me, represents an evolution in her career as she finds ways to improvise and self-produce in the midst of an ever changing global pandemic landscape. I Hope You Can Forgive Me builds upon that next step sonically while exploring themes of love, self-preservation, fear, and conjuring. What comes out of this work and Madison's career thus far is a commitment to leave - leave fear and doubt behind in order to make space for what is next to come, all with a sense of style, fun, and invitation to dance through it

Step into a cosmic journey with "Cocaine Kisses," an ethereal album that effortlessly blends spacey synthesizers, moody melodies, and loungey beats. This captivating musical expedition reflects the tumultuous emotions of love and trust issues, resonating with listeners on a profound level. Crafted during a period of personal transformation and isolation brought about by losing management and enduring the trials of quarantine for Covid-19, each track becomes a portal to both introspection and connection. From hauntingly beautiful melodies that mirror the depths of heartache to uplifting rhythms that evoke moments of hope, this album encapsulates the paradoxical nature of human relationships. As the celestial harmonies intertwine, listeners are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forging meaningful bonds amidst adversity. Through "Cocaine Kisses," prepare to embark on an otherworldly sonic odyssey that transcends the boundaries of time, welcoming you to a universe where love, loss, and self-discovery collide in a symphony of emotions.

For fans of Khraungbin, El Michels Affair, Skinshape, The Shacks. Features the singles ‘Wake Up’, ‘The Deep’, ‘I Wanna Be With You’ and ‘It’s Not Over’. Supported Big Crown’s Surprise Chef on their 2023 UK Tour. Brooklyn duo The Still Brothers is a musical project of childhood friends Evan Heinze (The Shacks/Big Crown) and Andrew LeCoche (Ula Ruth). Heinze has toured with the likes of Khraungbin, Lee Fields and Cut Chemist, while LeCoche’s old band once opened for Paul Simon and Edie Brickell. A former student of Madlib’s uncle Jon Faddis, LeCoche has scored music for Netflix and Patagonia and sound design for Twitter, Patron, and Marvel. Signing to Lewis Recordings in 2020 the band’s first single ‘The Deep’ was instantly picked up by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music who regularly plays it to this day. ‘Wake Up’ featuring the vocals of Marina B. spent six weeks on the BBC 6 Music playlist gaining support from Lauren Laverne, Gilles Peterson, Mary Anne Hobbs, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, Cerys Matthews, Don Letts, Tom Ravenscroft and Guy Garvey. Lockdown didn’t slow down the band’s creativity with many tracks on their self-titled debut EP recorded remotely. Two such tracks were the collaborations with London based singer/songwriter Shauna Kelly aka Shoshy. ‘It’s Not Over’ and ‘Crazy’ were released on 7” and both received BBC radio support. Marina B stepped back on the mic with the upbeat hit ‘I Wanna Be With You’, a dancefloor filler mixed by St. Frances Hotel (producer for Michael Kiwanuka). The b-side ‘Sungalz’ is a hazy dream pop number that started life as an instrumental jam.

* Rare 1986 Funk/Soul From Alabama * Originally released as a private pressed cassette tape only * First Time On Vinyl * Released in collaboration with the Numero Group * 180g Clear vinyl limited to 100 copies (lita Exclusive) * 180g Black vinyl limited to 500 copies w/obi strip Armed with little more than his Peavy T-60 guitar and a Jumbo Fuzz pedal, Errol Stubbs and his bar-band cohorts cranked out a self-released tape of funked-up disco soul in 1986. With no label or distribution to speak of, Errol would simply put on his best suit and sell the cassettes by hand. The tape languished into obscurity…until now! The story of Errol Stubbs begins in Birmingham, Alabama in 1959. The youngest of five, he was surrounded by music as a child–his aunt taught piano at Daniel Payne College while his older brother, Avery Beavers, was an accomplished jazz trumpeter. Under the guidance of Avery, Errol started playing trumpet at the age of nine, though he gravitated toward songwriting and quickly picked up the guitar. Inspired by blues greats the likes of Albert King, Buddy Guy, and Little Milton, 12-year-old Errol began mimicking the sounds that filled southern airwaves. As a teenager, he played at barbecues, fish fries, and dive bars across the Magic City. After a brief stint at Jefferson State studying music, Errol’s passion for songwriting beckoned him away from the classroom. Stubbs bounced around bar bands before settling on a live lineup and saving enough dough to take his vision to the recording studio. Over the course of two days, his well-rehearsed band recorded Turning it Out mostly live to tape at the Sound Of Birmingham Studio. Located on Birmingham’s east side, the state-of-the-art studio kept the lights on by recording commercial jingles but was more than happy to open their doors to local talent. Taking notes from guitar god Ernie Isley and funk legend Rick James, the resulting recordings are drenched in cosmic phaser-fuzz guitar work, slapping bass lines, and sexual disco innuendos. Big brother Avery lends a hand on Clavinet for “Sweat,” while studio owner/engineer Don Mosley adds a tasteful dose of Moog synthesizer across a handful of cuts. Soon after the Sound Of Birmingham sessions, Errol released the private pressed EP “Dancin’ Fancy,” b/w “Spaced Out On Your Love,” the latter of which was featured on Numero Group’s 2019 compilation Visible and Invisible Persons Distributed In Space. The seven-song cassette Turning It Out was sold in local record stores and from night club stages, but only a few copies made their way out of Birmingham. Now Tidal Waves Music (in collaboration with the Numero Group) proudly presents the first ever vinyl release of these unearthed and overlooked recordings, professionally restored for fans and collectors of rare funk/soul to discover and enjoy. This album comes as a 180g vinyl edition (limited to 500 copies) complete with all new artwork and obi strip.

Here are two big Northern tracks on the funkier edge that are already hugely popular with forward-thinking DJs and dancers. Gruff-voiced Eddie Parker’s ‘Body Chains’ is a very different take on the Prodigal release with an added girl chorus and some appropriate and effective metal chains added by Jack Ashford for percussion. The Pace-Setters’ politically motivated ‘Push On Jesse Jackson’ has crossed over to the main Northern Soul dancefloors and this extended version from a five minutes plus master tape will cause a major stir for dancers and DJs alike.

"Although Chuck Jackson had eight solo LPs on Wand, there has never been a greatest hits compilation derived from all of that fine label’s recordings, until now.

First known to the original mods as a singer of superb ballads such as ‘Any Day Now’ and ‘Tell Him I’m Not Home’, he attracted a loyal following and further releases such as ‘I Keep Forgetting’, ‘Beg Me’ and ‘Hand It Over’ demonstrated the depth of his and Wand’s talents on uptempo tracks. Somewhere in between rhythmically were highlights such as ‘Two Stupid Feet’, an album-only track, and Jackson’s Wand debut that first made his name in the USA, ‘I Don’t Want To Cry’.

By the mid-60s it was back to ballads as a stunning reading of the Skyliners’ ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ charted, followed closely by Goffin and King’s ‘I Need You’. These two sold well so it is surprising that the superb version of the Van McCoy song ‘I Don’t Want To See You Cry’ was never released. Vee-Jay released Jerry Butler’s version on 45 in 1965, but Jackson’s rendition tops even that.

Moving with the times, in 1965 Wand took Chuck to Detroit for ‘Good Things Come To Those Who Wait’ which, like ‘Chains Of Love’, became firm favourites on the early Northern Soul scene, while being largely ignored in the States. Those rare soul fans rekindled their appreciation of all things Chuck in the late 80s when UK Kent Records unearthed unissued Wand recordings. They included ‘What’s With This Loneliness’ and ‘(I’d Be A) Millionaire’ which filled dancefloors with new recruits and older originals who appreciated the easier pace and more soulful delivery of these gems.

The compilation is crowned with a brilliant studio publicity shot of Chuck on the cover which captures both the majesty of his singing and the era.
"

Dee Ervin suffered collateral damage from GRC/Aware’s bankruptcy. He only got to release two mediocre sides on Hotlanta but these recordings match anything he created in a successful career throughout the 60s & 70s.

By 1974 he was as much a composer as artist, but he excels at both on these two numbers that were fully produced and ready for release. ‘You Make Me Happy’ is a terrific uptempo dance track that recently featured on Cdkend 512 “Masterpieces Of Modern Soul; Vol 6”.

‘Give Me One More Day’ was issued erroneously in 1975 as a Tribe LP track on ABC, but the session details clearly have it as a Dee Ervin recorded number.

Limited to 100 copies, exclusively available at HHV! Only 2 per customer!

Rare Philadelphia Soul-Funk Album From 1982 * First Ever Official Vinyl Reissue since 1982Karin Jones (born and raised in Philadelphia) took her first musical steps singing in church. She was gifted with an extremely talented ear, and an accomplished pianist, percussionist and drummer, mostly developed without formal training. In her pre-teens, Karin and her two older sisters formed a soul group called The Jonesettes that was managed by their father. They released a single titled 'Once I Had Love / Stop, Look & listen' on Cougar Records in 1971 and participated on the gospel classic “After While” by 'Rev. Arvetra Jones And The Jonesettes' released on HSE Records in 1975. In 1976 a friend of Stevie Wonder told her that Marvin Gaye was looking for backing singers for his new record and subsequent tour. Karin auditioned for Marvin and was instantly hired. They recorded the “Got To Give It Up” EP and she hit the road for Marvin Gaye’s London Palladium tour (later released as a double live album on Motown in 1977). Soon after Karin Jones started doing session work for the renowned label Jobete Records where Teddy Pendergrass got really impressed with her unique musical style. She signed with him for management in 1979, but with Teddy's own frantic schedule, the arrangement dissolved a year later. At a convention of the Black Music Association in Philadelphia, Karin met with Jim Tyrrell, who at the time was establishing his own label, T-Electric. Karin signed with T-Electric Records and recorded an album in 1980. However, the album was shelved because the label run out of money. After collecting dust for two years, producer Jim Tyrrell brought it under the attention of industry veteran Ron Alexenburg who was president of Handshake Records. Alexenburg heard the album and very much liked it. He got Karin Jones to sign with his label, and 'Under The Influence Of love' finally got its well-deserved release in 1982. “Under The Influence Of Love” is a monster of an album arranged by Dunn Pearson Jr (known for his work with Roy Ayers, Lou Ragland, Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo) and Bruce Hawes (Stevie Wonder, Kool And The Gang, The Temptations). All of this carefully supervised and produced by Jim Tyrrell. Also worth mentioning is that the duet on the album is the one and only time Eddie Levert, of the legendary O'Jays sang with a female artist. Sadly (and shocking) Karin Jones suddenly passed away in 1984 from a diabetic coma. Strangely, she predicted an early demise while preparing her photo shoot for the album. Karin Jones was a true example of a bright light burning out way too quickly, thankfully we are left with the unique (and very rare) document that is her “Under The Influence Of Love” album. The entire album is filled with heartbreaking modern soul, deep disco, boogie-funk and a great range of tempos…all of this is topped off with Karin’s trademark vocals. Also included is the hit ‘Ready, Ready Love’ which was one of the biggest songs of the London steppers scene (or more fashionably known as 'rare groove') and almost impossible to get a hold of (unless you had deep pockets). To this day, it remains a much sought-after gem and a 'holy grail' for fans and collectors alike. Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the First ever Official vinyl reissue of this rare Philadelphia album that goes for hefty amounts on the second-hand market (it was originally released on Handshake Records And Tapes back in 1982 and plagued by inferior bootlegs ever since). This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g White North American vinyl edition (strictly limited to 500 copies) with obi strip and features the original artwork.

Watch The Sun is the next studio album from the acclaimed musician, PJ Morton. Following a prolific and remarkable creative run that saw 5 consecutive years of Grammy Nominations and 6 LPs since 2017, Watch The Sun aims to take a step back from it all. Looking to escape from outside noises and influences, PJ Morton chose to record in the secluded and storied Studio In The Country, where Stevie Wonder worked on 1979’s Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, and artists like Allen Toussaint, Betty Davis and Dr. John have all recorded. Featuring the previously released “Please Don’t Walk Away,” & “My Peace,” the album is set to be his biggest and most anticipated release to date, delivering one of the most expansive sonic palettes he has ever developed as producer. Watch The Sun includes appearances from JoJo, Mr. Talkbox, Chronixx, Stevie Wonder, Nas, Wale, Jill Scott, Alex Isley, El Debarge, Zacardi Cortez, Gene Moore, Samoht, Tim Rogers & Darrel 'MusiqCity' Walls.

Australia’s hardest hitting Hammond Organ trio Cookin’ On 3 Burners drop a brand new 45 of scientific soul sonics from their latest album Lab Experiments Vol. 2 available as a limited edition 7”.
Boasting two fresh Burners’ vocal cuts, this 45 comes off the platter direct from the Cookin’ kitchen where it was scorched onto analogue tape. Featuring the voice of ‘This Girl’, Kylie Auldist on the One Of The Ones (A side) and Chicago born, Melbourne-based king of suits Fallon Williams lending his gritty vocals to Force of Nature (B side).

A. Side
One of the Ones feat. Kylie Auldist
Kylie Auldist shines bright on the melodic soul chugger, the perfect blend of sweetness and heat. Kylie’s not one of the millions she’s One of the Ones stepping out and claiming what’s hers.

B. Side
Force of Nature feat. Fallon Williams
Fallon’s on the warpath, speaking truths and giving notice to all those trap talking politicians - watch out!

Since its inception in 1997, Cookin’ On 3 Burners has continuously evolved and branched out, bringing their strong trio sound and fiery interplay to audiences worldwide. Prolific collaborators, their 2016 meeting with French electronic wunderkind Kungs resulted in the Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners version of their classic soul track ‘This Girl’. The track exposed them to a global audience with substantial chart success world-wide, reaching #1 in Europe, #2 in the UK and was the worlds most Shazamed dance track of the year.

Get down to the future sound of yesterday with Cookin’ On 3 Burners.

Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore’s productions on the Detroit group CJ & CO were mainly in the disco field but Westbound’s tapes also revealed a superb version of the Moods’ ‘Rainmaker’ and a glorious mid-tempo number ‘Let Them Talk’. Diggin’ Deep’s limited release of ‘Let Them Talk’ sold out in days so here it is to satisfy demand, coupled with a first time on vinyl for ‘Rainmaker’.

Remember Rainbow Bridge', the new album by Croatian Amor, is a homage to youth and the delicate metamorphosis that occurs as childhood trips into maturity. Focused on this tender flux, the songs on 'Remember Rainbow Bridge' are infused with the restless energy of adolescence and a dawning sense of mortality. From the sun-kissed title track, to the night burn and wet pavement of 'Paper Birds', monumental highs are shuffled with great lows that we perhaps feel most clearly and earnestly in those formative years. Since the earliest collages committed to tape under the name of Croatian Amor, Loke Rahbek's alias has at every step gravitated towards constant discovery and experimentation. The sound collages are still present while the unity of each song's construction now often conceals the juxtapositions and overlapping edges. Employing a medley of diffuse electronic music traditions, fantastical synthetic worlds are evoked and while 'Remember Rainbow Bridge' heavily relies on rhythmic structures to propel the compositions, Croatian Amor continues to tend a highly textured field in his own inimitable way. 'Remember Rainbow Bridge' is a celebration of the liminal space between phases of life, the chrysalis of youth. It is a record about coming to terms with our ever-changing place in the world, its title urging us to see the world with a child's eye, to never forget the miraculous at play only an arm's-length away. "This world as we see it is passing away"

What started as an idea 5 years ago now becomes reality with the release of SAIGON SUPERSOUND Vol.1, compiled by Jan Hagenkötter. A compilation about the story of a musical era in Vietnam that was almost lost, made of tracks from 1965 to 1975, the so-called “Golden Music” period in the south of Vietnam, where – under difficult circumstances – a lively pop culture had developed. This period is characterized by the fusion of Vietnamese music with western pop music. The compilation includes some tunes reissued for the very first time since they´ve been released originally. With the release of Saigon Supersound Vol. 1 on double gatefold vinyl and cd in May 2017 the story of this nearly unknown music will be reissued.
Jan Hagenkötter a music-lover and DJ who is also the mind behind the renowned music publishing company and record label INFRACom!, relocated to Saigon in 2012. In co-operation with the Vietnam based dOSe crew, Jan organized parties and shows, inviting guest and friends like DJ Spinna, Jazzanova, Alice Russell and many other artists. During this year as he was spinning tunes in Saigon and other parts of South East Asia the idea for this project was born. In 2013 Jan returned to Germany but has been swinging back and forth between Saigon and Frankfurt ever since.
In the following years he began to research and collect more seriously. He bought vinyl singles from around the world, often several copies of the same release, just to restore or rather “rebuild” one good recording from several sources. With the help of friends based in Saigon, he was able to navigate an almost impenetrable jungle of music websites. Thanks to invaluable support and translation assistance from Vietnamese friends, he came into contact with several collectors. The best recordings from this treasure hunt were then retouched, refined and remastered in the studio for this release.
Besides this amazing project, Vietnamese producers like Maqman from Saigon, DJ Yellow from Paris and others who also share roots in Vietnam have already started to work on edits and re-works of songs featured on Saigon Supersound Vol. 1. These will be released in a next step....the mission is not completed....it just started!

Kendra Morris, the Brooklyn-based Artist is back with her fifth LP, entitled “I Am What I'm Waiting For”, on Colemine imprint Karma Chief Records. Co-Written and Produced by Torbitt Schwartz (Run The Jewels, Killer Mike, Rubble Kings, Chin Chin), this collection is Kendra's most personal album to date. It was spring of 2022 and Kendra had just released “Nine Lives”, her first new album in almost a decade. She felt an urgency to get back into the studio, but something felt different this time. Returning to her usual ways, places, and people that she had been creating with felt like dragging herself back to a familiar and comfortable place - but that wasn't what she was looking for. "I had to step into a new, unknown process because I knew it was the only way that I'd continue to grow," she explained. She took a small batch of songs to Torbitt's studio and the two began to write. "He challenged me to find the best version of every lyric," she shared. "When I listen back, I'm so proud of the time we spent, because every single line is deliberate. I challenged myself to write just to write. No love songs this time around. Torbitt and I wanted to create a record that felt like you cracked open the ooze in my head. There are a lot of layers to me but I only recently through age and experience have fully accepted the weird little nuances that I'm made of. I'm a messy introvert that pretends to be an extrovert so I can feel like I fit in." From top to bottom, “I Am What I'm Waiting For” is sincere. It's a fresh take on a timeless sound, and Kendra exudes power. "My heart has always been in soul music," she shared. "On this record, you'll hear my influences and then some. You'll hear all the bits of me… the vulnerable bits, the silly bits, all of it. This record is my melting pot." Whether you're a longtime listener or just now beginning to explore the whimsical world of Kendra Morris, the relatable lyrics and modern soul sounds on “I Am What I'm Waiting For” are sure to turn you into a fan.

The journey gives your senses a taste of a future groove, erotica and nu-disco exploitation. With Private Alex is stepping forward musically into a new club direction, bringing a fresh sound to the production with retro drum machines, synthesizers, house piano, and killer funky basslines. Open the door and walk through the secrets of the night with ”Submission”, ”Blue City Club”, ”Dark Room”, ”The Visitor” and the singles ”I Feel You”, ”Attraction” and ”Odyssey 9000”.

Tre D'ambrocia - vibraphonist and first tenor with Ben Pirani & The Means Of Production - steps to the lead microphone to deliver this charming, funky, ultra smooth two stepper. Closer & Love Is Gonna Let You Down were recorded by Pirani's former iteration Benjamin but Here they are reimagined and rearranged at a late night cool down tempo. Backed by The Means Of Production Tre draws on his deep knowledge and musical experience, tapping into Jazz, Disco and even Musical Theater. on Closer D'ambrosia captures an innocent yet sophisticated mood, beckoning a love interest, gently, to come closer. Love Is Gonna Let You Down, a song of consolation pulses with a mighty heavy rhythm track while Tre's falsetto soars above. altogether a double sider for a night in or a night out.

Lost soul phenomenon Lewis Taylor's Numb finally arrives on double vinyl! One of UK soul’s most fascinating artists, most enigmatic figures and most under-appreciated talents, Andrew Lewis Taylor is a prodigious multi-instrumentalist and eclectic polymath. He enjoys a fiercely loyal following which, over the years, has included celebrity champions like Bowie, Elton and D'Angelo. Numb is Taylor's sixth album, initially released on his own label Slow Reality (an anagram of his name) and licensed to Be With for this long-awaited physical edition. It captures Taylor's wholly unique, intoxicating take on lush, late-night psychedelic soul music.

Lewis wrote and recorded these 10 brand new tracks after a 17 year break from making music, although the album came together over a two-year period. The years away have done nothing to dull Taylor's unique musical vision. He still astounds. The lyrical themes, however, have shifted. Understandably, more than a decade and a half of soul searching and unflinching self-examination cannot fail to influence this most honest of songwriters, and boy does it show. Numb marks a return to the darker, more mysterious side of his output: "Brian Wilson-channels-Smokey Robinson atmospheres", as Mojo put it recently.

After playing a rapturously received gig at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC in 2006, Lewis unceremoniously walked away from music and disappeared completely. An interview in 2016 shed light on some of the reasons for Taylor’s withdrawal from the business, but there was no hint of a return anytime soon. Then in June 2021, news emerged out of the blue that he was readying new music alongside Sabina Smyth with whom he had worked first time around.

On Numb, Lewis deftly balances stark, soul-bearing lyrics with moody mid-tempo pop-soul sheen. He deals candidly with depression, mental turmoil, even thoughts of suicide - clearly more personal than Taylor's earlier songs. The music is rich, warm and layered, with infectious melodies and hooks that stick with you. A true grower of an LP, it really does reward repeated listens. As Jim Irvin in Mojo reflected, "despite the depths these plumb, it's a curiously uplifting experience, unfurling like a concept album about life's challenges with an optimistic beauty at its heart."

Triumphant dubwise horns ring out yet, almost instantly, “Final Hour” takes on a dark, downbeat vibe. With lyrics that confront (and, seemingly, confound) death head-on, Lewis ensures the groove is still there, the beats still swing and your head still nods, strings glissade. Woven around delicate yet insistent piano and subtle strings over a killer bassline, the title track “Numb” is a good example of the lyrical themes throughout the album. As Taylor reflects, "So removed I feel no pain / And for all I know I could be having the time of my life" with a coda that feels very much in conversation with Brian Wilson's finest harmonies. "Feels So Good" is sophisticated 90s-sounding soul of the highest order. The music and vocals feel simultaneously optimistic and despondent. Downlifting. A neat trick, and one Lewis has been so adept at over the years. "Apathy" is a mini-epic, a symphonic-soul gem which builds and glides and, eventually, soars. “Worried Mind" is another slow-builder, creeping out the gate in a sketchy, discordant fashion before climbing to half-crescendo but never quite breaking free of its disorientating restraint.

The brighter "Please" presents a more hopeful mood, with the refrain "I still believe" ringing out as Lewis harmonises with himself. "Brave Heart" quietly struts from step one, as Lewis's falsetto swaggers over a downtempo backdrop with ace echoey drums, beautiful strings and serene electric guitar. Closing out Side C, "Is It Cool" answers its own (non-) question with a spellbinding five and a half minutes of swoonsome deep soul that oscillates between a restrained, barely-there backdrop and a lushly full musical accompaniment of acoustic and electric guitar and organ over bass and slick drums. The penultimate track "Nearer" is a magical, soul-stirring ballad in which Lewis sings of reaching a sweet salvation and achieving a peace of mind. If the hairs on the back of your neck aren't standing up by the midway point, you might need to check your pulse. Album closer and true tear-jerker "Being Broken" places Lewis's gorgeous voice high in the mix and the wordless falsetto and melodies invite you to ponder what Pet Sounds might sound like if it were refashioned as a dubby 21st Century electronic soul album. Astonishing.

Simon Francis’s vinyl mastering spreads out the ten tracks over a double LP so, as ever, nothing is compromised. And as usual, the records have been cut by Cicely Balston at Air Studios and pressed at Record Industry. Turn it up and let the Lewis Taylor sound envelop you.

Keeping On Records is proud to present the new but nostalgic sound of Perpetuals. Coming to life via the northernmost metropolis in North America this doleful selection serves as the band’s proper introduction to the world. Downtown Apartment holds the listener gently, with an effortlessly intimate touch while stepping into the sparkling ‘Fender Rhodes’, deep snare hits and swirling synths, until a comfortable sway slowly says goodbye.

This release also doubles as your introduction to Keeping On Records founded by multi instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, arranger and DJ - Aladean Kheroufi. Keeping On’s main goal is to ensure more good music is put out into the world rather than bad music. Keep your head up enjoy what’s to come from the wild sound of Canada’s west.