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NOW Music is pleased to announce NOW Presents…Classic Soul, a stunning 5LP boxset of 85 of the greatest 60s & 70s Soul tracks ever... Out September 22nd!



LP1 opens with ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ from the “Queen of Soul”- Aretha Franklin, the peerless ‘Walk On By’ from Dionne Warwick and followed by massive hits from Marvin Gaye with the #1 ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Was Made To Love Her’, plus classic tracks from The Temptations and Otis Redding. Flip to the other side for legendary groups – The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Marvelettes, The Velvelettes and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.



LP2 begins with the powerhouse vocals of Tina Turner (with Ike) on ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. Top tracks from the Jackson 5 & the Four Tops give way to a run of Northern Soul classics from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons with ‘The Night’, ‘Tainted Love’ from Gloria Jones, Frank Wilson’s legendary ‘Do I Love You’, and ‘Green Onions’ from Booker T. & The M.G.'s. Side 2 begins with the superb vocals of Ben E. King with ‘Stand By Me’ and Percy Sledge with ‘When A Man Loves A Woman’. Another Otis Redding classic alongside the genius of both James Brown and Nina Simone brings this LP to a close.



The A-Side of LP3 kicks off with the signature smash from Aretha Franklin ‘Respect’ before the first UK #1 for the Motown label from The Supremes with ‘Baby Love’, and there’s still room for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Drifters, and another #1 from Freda Payne. Side B begins with one of the most iconic and funky baselines ever on ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’ from The Temptations and the classic grooves ‘Move On Up’ from Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes’ ‘Theme from “Shaft”’, the emphatic ‘War’ from Edwin Starr and the cool sophistication of ‘California Soul’ from Marlena Shaw lead to the closing track ‘Could It Be I’m Falling In Love’ from The Spinners.



LP4 begins with a run of beloved tracks from iconic artists opening with the politically charged masterpiece ‘What’s Going On’ from Marvin Gaye, followed by Al Green, Bill Withers and Billy Paul, plus The Stylistics and The Delfonics to add to the selection of celebrated groups on this release. The second side begins with the exceptional ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ from Roberta Flack, before the stunning vocals of Minnie Riperton’s ‘Lovin’ You’ and Deniece Williams, The Three Degrees and Gladys Knight. The Jackson 5 bring this disc to a close with their timeless ballad ‘I’ll Be There’.



LP5 contains a run of 1970s favourites beginning with ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ from Diana Ross and ‘You're The First, The Last, My Everything’ from Barry White. ‘Fantasy’ from Earth, Wind & Fire, ‘Summer Breeze, Pt. 1’ from The Isley Brothers and ‘Love Train’ from The O’Jays all feature before the Commodores kick off the final side with ‘Three Times A Lady’. Rose Royce, Peaches & Herb and a second selection from Gladys Knight & The Pips feature along with George Benson, before the “Prince of Soul” Marvin Gaye brings this essential collection home with ‘Let’s Get It On’.



85 tracks across 5 stunning LPs, NOW Presents Classic Soul... Out September 22nd!

Cover is cut and taped. Vinyl is close to NM.

Ships in a label sleeve with small tear at the centre.

Hot off the press, Danny James’ debut full length album “Heatwave” is hitting the shelves on February 9th and warming our hearts with groovy neo-soul and r&b that we all need in our lives. Co-produced with long time friend and collaborator Es-k, a legendary beat maker in his own right, the two have delivered an album that’s a breath of fresh air; a revelation in the weight of lightness. Split equally between instrumental grooves and the buttery vocals of James and his friends Maari and Stephanie Wilson. Sprinkle on top a little extra sweetness with ultra smooth guitar licks by Max Bronstein-Paritz (aka Steen) and soulful trumpet by John Culbreth. The whole crew showed up on “Heatwave”, a debut album baked to perfection.

Sault's Untitled (God) is one of the standout releases from the enigmatic collective known as Sault, who are known for dropping multiple albums in a short span of time with little to no prior announcement or promotion. The album was released in November 2022, alongside a few other albums in a unique and unexpected move, where Sault offered them for free for a limited time as part of a “gift to God.” This aligns with the group's spiritual themes and desire to explore deeper social, cultural, and personal reflections in their music.

Musically, Untitled (God) blends a variety of genres, which is a hallmark of Sault’s sound. The album incorporates elements of soul, R&B, gospel, Afrobeat, and funk, paired with lyrics that are deeply introspective, often touching on themes of faith, spirituality, and divine purpose. The production is marked by rich, layered instrumentation and rhythmic diversity, making it feel both modern and rooted in traditional sounds.

The Untitled (God) album has been praised for its artistry, its ability to mix social consciousness with a profound spiritual lens, and its creative and powerful production, following in the tradition of their previous releases like Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise).

Sault, which often avoids the traditional routes of fame and marketing, remains mysterious in its membership. However, key contributors like the producer Inflo and artists such as Cleo Sol and Kid Sister have been speculated or confirmed in connection with the collective.

Original US stereo pressing. Beginning seam split.

Betty Davis was a musical maverick with vision. Image, substance, sex, and grit combined with a badass band that could deliver the funk bed backbone to the sultry music between the sheets. After cutting two notorious discs for the Just Sunshine label (Betty Davis and They Say I’m Different), and Nasty Gal for Island Records, Davis went to work on her most personal and expressive record yet. After capturing 10 hard-hitting tracks in 1976 at the remote Studio In The Country (Louisiana), a creative difference with her then label caused the platter to be unexpectedly shelved. Davis would cut one final album and soon retreat from the music business, completely disappearing from the public eye.

Is It Love Or Desire is a little-known gem in the Davis catalog. Mastered from the original tapes, and untouched for over 30 years, this release features detailed liner notes, the originally intended artwork housed in a lavishly packaged digipak, rare photos, archival material, and recent interviews with Davis and her skin-tight band Funk House.

Never bootlegged, never released, never heard until now, the secret story of this lost album will finally enter the history books and cement this bold soul sisters contributions to music and popular culture. Its time to get down…

Long live Betty Davis!

Linda, you already know her, without really knowing her. Because in 2002, she piloted The beat goes on, DJ Bob Sinclar's house hit. because she directed Gospel pour 100 voix, an XXL choir that filled Bercy several times. It's a big difference, in keeping with the way she embraces music: a matter of emotions and feeling, not labels. A deep love that goes back to the childhood of this American native of North Carolina. When her father's amateur gospel group rehearsed at home, when the microphone was a hairbrush in front of a mirror reflecting a little girl imitating Aretha, Otis and Michael. As a young adult, winning a singing contest in a Pennsylvania club gave her confidence. Linda is gifted at embodying songs and drawing audiences along with her. Word of mouth opened doors for her. Under her spell, several bands recruited her in the seventies, until she set up her own band in 1980. And then she was hired by a musical that ran for several years in Atlantic City. A few years on the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin followed, before a guardian angel extricated her from a nightlife that was beginning to burn her wings. Off to Paris. In June 1991, Linda settled in for good. A godsend for France, its studios and touring artists. Nino Ferrer, Bernard Lavilliers, Gloria Gaynor, Percy Sledge, Ray Charles and many others called on Linda's expertise. As did Ben l'Oncle Soul in 2013 for Hallelujah!!! (J'ai tant besoin de toi), the lead single from his second album "À Coup de Rêves". Ben knew that this treasure of a voice deserved a new light. He introduced her to his great guitarist & accomplice Christophe Lardeau. The collaboration is immediately crystal-clear, naturally fruitful, and the compositions are deep and meaningful. For the first time, Linda has her own album. Drawing on the rich roots of Afro-American music and her own personal experience, "Spirit & Soul" encapsulates all the vitality of a hidden gem that we are at last truly discovering. With a repertoire like this, upcoming concerts promise to be particularly intense moments.

On the heels of her showstopping Met Gala appearance & the release of new single “Lipstick Lover”, Janelle Monáe announced her hugely anticipated new album, The Age Of Pleasure, due out June 9th.



THE AGE OF PLEASURE also includes the acclaimed new single, “Float (Feat. Seun Kuti + Egypt 80).” Hailed by Pitchfork as “swaggering, brass-heavy…the sound of a top-tier talent doing a little victory dance,” the track is joined by an official dance video



To celebrate the launch of this new era, Monáe graced the March cover of EBONY Magazine, which stated, “the singer-songwriter returns to music as their fullest self…we’re perhaps witnessing the queerest, and by association, the Blackest, of Monáe’s eras yet…”



“Float” – which Monáe initially teased on her hugely popular Instagram – was first heard late last year as the official anthem of ABC/ESPN’s NBA Saturday Primetime campaign, with Janelle contributing voiceover narration to promo spots highlighting the biggest matchups and stars in the league. The track was used extensively throughout all NBA coverage through mid-March, spanning promos, Primetime matchups, in-game placement, social media, and more. In addition, “Float” was featured in an animated piece marking Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the #1 spot on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list, shared across ESPN’s socials and James’ Instagram to reach more than 275M combined followers.



Janelle Monáe is without question one of the most celebrated artists of the modern era, an 8x GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, performer, and fashion icon known worldwide for her inimitable style and visionary sound. With multiple celebrated albums, THE ARCHANDROID (2010), THE ELECTRIC LADY (2013), and DIRTY COMPUTER (2018), numerous critically-acclaimed theatrical and television performances, and her unwavering activism for social justice and the LGBTQIA+ community, Monáe continues to be one of the most compelling and important artists of this generation.

Betty Davis was a musical maverick with vision. Image, substance, sex, and grit combined with a badass band that could deliver the funk bed backbone to the sultry music between the sheets. After cutting two notorious discs for the Just Sunshine label (Betty Davis and They Say I’m Different), and Nasty Gal for Island Records, Davis went to work on her most personal and expressive record yet. After capturing 10 hard-hitting tracks in 1976 at the remote Studio In The Country (Louisiana), a creative difference with her then label caused the platter to be unexpectedly shelved. Davis would cut one final album and soon retreat from the music business, completely disappearing from the public eye.

Is It Love Or Desire is a little-known gem in the Davis catalog. Mastered from the original tapes, and untouched for over 30 years, this release features detailed liner notes, the originally intended artwork housed in a lavishly packaged digipak, rare photos, archival material, and recent interviews with Davis and her skin-tight band Funk House.

Never bootlegged, never released, never heard until now, the secret story of this lost album will finally enter the history books and cement this bold soul sisters contributions to music and popular culture. Its time to get down…

Long live Betty Davis!

Longtime friends and part time bandmates Woody and Jeremy return with their new album Hold Up, Look Back. Their junior effort turns out to be their most cohesive, tasteful and mature work yet. It’s also goofy, silly, often dryly funny and pretty much always funky. Or in other words it could be considered a classic Woody and Jeremy record.

It’s got that low-key “Hey folks are over, let’s put on some vinyl and rev up the turntable” kind of energy to it. It’s a break up record but it’s also a get together record. It’s a thinking about the past kind of record but it’s also a moving into the future kind of record. It’s a record about learning from your mistakes and moving towards emotional resolution, but it’s also about enjoying life, being horny, stupid and having fun.

The tracks move from yacht rock to full on dance funk vibes. Woody and company are operating at an all time high in the rhythm and grooves department.

A usual cast of characters returns to flesh out the sound, including Joe Dart and Andrew Vogt trading off bass duties, Packy Lundholm handling guitar and percussion and Reuben Garza on drums. A few special guests appear as well, including percussionist Brijean Murphy, saxophonist Ted Taforo, multi-instrumentalist David Celia and vocalists Jess Best and Taylor Harvey.

The album was recorded at Rax Trax and Sound Vault Studios in Chicago and in living rooms and backyard sheds all across Los Angeles. Paul Cherry mixed the record and added a guitar lick or two as well for good measure.

The tracks “Love Letter” and “In My Cessna 206” have become band favorites but there’s also two incredible six minute plus jammers on the B-side that aren’t to be missed - “Just A Little Bit” a Bowie-esque dance number and “End Of The Line” which might be the boys at their most Steely Dan yet. But whatever might be your standout track, hopefully this fun and groovy album finds a place in your heart and on your record shelf.

Betty Davis was a musical maverick with vision. Image, substance, sex, and grit combined with a badass band that could deliver the funk bed backbone to the sultry music between the sheets. After cutting two notorious discs for the Just Sunshine label (Betty Davis and They Say I’m Different), and Nasty Gal for Island Records, Davis went to work on her most personal and expressive record yet. After capturing 10 hard-hitting tracks in 1976 at the remote Studio In The Country (Louisiana), a creative difference with her then label caused the platter to be unexpectedly shelved. Davis would cut one final album and soon retreat from the music business, completely disappearing from the public eye.

Is It Love Or Desire is a little-known gem in the Davis catalog. Mastered from the original tapes, and untouched for over 30 years, this release features detailed liner notes, the originally intended artwork housed in a lavishly packaged digipak, rare photos, archival material, and recent interviews with Davis and her skin-tight band Funk House.

Never bootlegged, never released, never heard until now, the secret story of this lost album will finally enter the history books and cement this bold soul sisters contributions to music and popular culture. Its time to get down…

Long live Betty Davis!

Rare Private Pressed NC Funk/Soul from 1983
First vinyl reissue since 1983
Comes with insert
Black Vinyl Edition Limited to 500 copies, comes with obi strip

JPQ (Jimmy Person Quintet) was a short-lived soul & funk band from the Greensboro, North Carolina area who released just one album in 1983. Their only album (Quintessence) would become a much sought-after private pressed holy grail within the record collecting community.

Jimmy Person started performing as a singer/guitarist in the early 70’s in Greensboro…after appearing at several local events and multiple appearances on Wfmy-tv, he was approached to perform regularly at a restaurant (named Sammy’s) that featured live music. By the mid 70’s Jimmy began working with his sister (Rhoda Randolph) and his then wife (Marilyn Person) both featuring as background singers. Other skilled musicians began to sit in on Jimmy’s performances…starting with Charles Carlton (guitar), followed by Cirt Gill (bass guitar) and then finally by Larry Clay (drums). The group gained quick popularity and played to a regular packed house. After Talib Din (keyboards) joined…JPQ was now complete!

Offers for gigs started coming in fast and the group began giving regular performances at a larger restaurant named Huck’s. With a fast growing fanbase, the group started evolving beyond just being Person’s “backup band” to a serious outfit with strong lead-vocals by Jimmy, Larry, and Cirt. The group started traveling to perform at dances, wedding receptions, concerts, clubs, and outdoor jazz events. The group performed as an opening act for many national artists from the likes of Melba Moore, Archie Bell and The Spinners as their popularity increased. JPQ is still remembered today for their memorable live performances in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia!

JPQ’s first recording was, “Have A Little Faith in Me” released as a 45 single. The 7inch got radio airplay on stations in North Carolina and this then led to the production of the “Quintessence” album (released on Jam-A-Ditty Records in 1983). The name of the label was a reference to Cirt’s father who was a radio pioneer (and the first Black DJ at Wgbg Radio) from 1949 to 1960. He was known on the air as ‘Jam-A-Ditty’.

After JPQ disbanded in the mid 80’s, members went their own way… Cirt Gill started his work as a band director in the Guilford County School system where he directed marching bands & jazz bands at different schools and in numerous concerts/performances. He has been busy teaching academic music production, playing in regional bands (that were opening acts for major artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Millie Jackson, Bobby Womack, The Isley Brothers, etc.) and has performed on tours both at home as abroad (from Iceland to Japan). In 1985 Gill was cast as the ‘Juke Joint Musician’ by Quincy Jones to star in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film ‘The Color Purple’ and got the chance to work with Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne & Oprah Winfrey.

JPQ 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 their “Quintessence” album. The entire album is filled with sexy (yet strong) vocals, groovy bass lines & even cosmic/bluesy guitar touches …one can clearly hear the influences of artists like George Benson, The Crusaders, as well as several Motown acts like Marvin Gaye softly slipping in. If you like your tracks either slow, sexy and groovy or prefer them fast paced and more experimental…look no further, “Quintessence” has it all. This is THE perfect combination of slick soul, timeless funk, smooth jazz and melancholic R&B.

Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first ever vinyl reissue of this fantastic private pressed North Carolina soul/funk album (originally released in 1983 on Jam-A-Ditty Records). This rare record (original copies tend to go for large amounts on the secondary market) is now finally back available as a limited vinyl edition complete with the original artwork and insert.

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."

Why you'll love it...
"‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’ runs the stylistic gambit without feeling Franklin is doing things just for show. The album isn’t trying to function as a resumé of her skills. Genre shifts feel organic and natural. “Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream” is built on a bossa nova groove, while “Do Right Woman Do Right Man” has a little country ballad flavor. “Dr Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business)”—one of four songs penned by Franklin herself—is a bluesy belter. She might have been Queen of the genre, but pigeonholing Franklin in soul is like calling Sugar Ray Leonard just a welterweight. She could shuffle through styles as smooth as velvet. Everything is stamped with her own distinct character."

Originally released in 2014. Ikebe Shakedown’s powerful instrumental soul takes “big unison horns, slinky bass lines, tight little guitar licks—and blends them with tasty grooves culled from '70s-style horn-driven funk (WNYC Soundcheck).” The Brooklyn-based collective is set to follow up their well-received self-titled debut album with the heavier, more mature sound of their second full-length Stone By Stone. The self-produced album was recorded at the famed “House of Soul” Daptone Studios in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Notes bassist Vince Chiarito, "Thinking of all the great music that has come out of the Daptone Studio really pushed us to refine our songs and grow as a band. It was really inspiring to record there." The band adds that, “Stone By Stone is a much more layered and arranged album. The self-titled debut captured the raw energy of us playing live and the new record is much more of a studio effort. Psychedelic textures weave in and out of the grooves while the horn section offers an explosive response. The songs are heavy and danceable and show our moodier, more melodic side.” The seven-piece band—named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record and pronounced “ee-KAY-bay”—formed in 2008 and has developed a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves. Following 2009’s debut EP Hard Steppin', the band released their self-titled debut full-length LP on Ubiquity Records in 2011 that Okayplayer called “an adventurous trip through time” and “one of the best releases of the year.” Their music has also been featured on a number of television shows and commercials including HBO's Eastbound and Down, Mini Cooper and Vans.

This summer, dive with us into the often-overlooked sea of late '70s/early '80s Italian Soul, AOR and Disco. Compiled by journalist, producer and digger extraordinaire David Nerattini (with a little help from our own Pierpaolo De Sanctis), Paisa' GOT Soul is the smooth and near-danceable soundtrack to a decade that is somehow still with us. A time of gentle grooves, summer loves and sweet escapism – one beautifully captured by Claude Nori in his photographs of Italian beaches and summer holidays. Welcome to the mood of an era.

The latest Paris DJs release is a kinda Library Funk album, produced by Grant Phabao with the help of friends Frank Biyong (Massak), RacecaR and Sake Smith (Seun Kuti, Les Frères Smith). The album is released as a 300 copies only limited edition LP, with a download code to access three exclusive, unreleased Paris DJs Soundsystem mixes, which were part of the creative process…

Way back in 2012 we were asked to do the George Clinton website, the kind of job you're proud to be offered. We were told we should work with a specific graphic guy from France, named Ben Hito. We thought "well another designer who never produced web images" but we contacted him anyway. He sent a handful of Amazing banners, totally on-point with pure P-Funk colors. So we asked him to do a few visuals for our Paris DJs' label releases. Very soon, we handed him the keys to all Paris DJs imagery. Carte Blanche. For 12 years now he's created more than 200 visuals for Paris DJs. With him we put out 45s, LPs, CD boxsets, CDs, T-shirts, stickers, magazines, flyers and even some beach towels.

Most of the time, Ben Hito has been illustrating our music. With the artists names, the titles and the tracks themselves for inspiration.

When we did our Afro, Funk & Hip Hop boxset compilations, he only had the titles and the music genres, for him to create something. Then we would publish the artwork and ask people to send music that would fit the specific theme and its visual interpretation. The results looked so cool, many artists wanted to be on those compilations and sent music our way.

Last year's "Le Son de la Ville Lumière" releases were quite something too. We only told Ben Hito we had a trilogy of Paris DJs compilation to put out, volumes 1, 2 and 3. The sleeves he designed are nothing short of extraordinary. Some of his most beautiful work ever. The music, a blend of reggae, funk, afrobeat and hip hop, is pure gold. We felt we had reached new heights.

Always on the path of re-invention, for this new Grant Phabao LP we tried something completely new. It was Ben Hito who contacted us with a poster he had drawn. He asked us to create a "luxurious, arabic-themed" music mix to illustrate his image. We tried to gather some contemporary productions with a musical arabic twist but failed. So we tried to go into the old school stuff, but what we had amassed we found out 'everybody' knew already. So we went in a totally different direction, and opted to construct a mix of instrumental, psychedelic grooves, from current artists, released on a vinyl 45 (7 inch), which we physically had in our collection. Many constraints but we had so many tunes on that precious little vinyl format, that we ended up cooking 3 one hour-long mixes, called "Magic Kingdom - Volumes 1, 2 & 3".

Strangely, we never had so much feedback on any of the 500 mixes we published on the Paris DJs podcast those last 15 years, than we had with this new trilogy, even though nearly nobody heard it, besides a happy few at the store, or at a special summer outdoor unannounced gig. Djouls prepared the selection of 45s and Grant Phabao did the mixing and mastering. At some point the latter said "I can do an album of instrumental tunes like those". To which the former replied "It's a good idea, and we already have a Ben Hito artwork for it that we never really used". And this is how Grant Phabao went into his studio and produced a brand new LP inspired by those 3 hours of magic psychedelic contemporary grooves, which themselves were inspired by a visual from poster artist Ben Hito! Of course this is purely dialoguing between our own selves, but doing things totally from the end was an incredible experience for us.

For fans of Brownout, The Cactus Channel, Calibro 35, El Michels Affair, Kelly Finnigan, Greg Foat, Serge Gainsbourg, Karate Boogaloo, Shawn Lee, Ocote Soul Sounds, Misha Panfilov, The Poets of Rhythm, Adrian Quesada, Skinshape, The Sorcerers, The Soul Surfers, Surprise Chef, The Traffic…

Originally released in 1981, the sole album from Alabama modern-soul group Piranha, Headed In The Right Direction, typifies the life cycle of many rare groove records. Recorded and pressed by an obscure local band, a lack of proper distribution and industry insight led to the album being relegated to attics and record store crates; until collectors began to notice that it had some of the tightest grooves ever! Once a Japanese disc guide picked it up, the record’s fate was sealed. Little information about the members of Piranha is available, besides that they hail from Alabama. But put your needle to the wax, and you’ll have all of the information you need! Opening track “Good Time Lady” is an upbeat funk tune, staccato guitars, a driving bassline, and some of the best horn lines written in the last fifty years. A-side closer “(Get Up) Let Your Feelings Show” and B-side opener “One Sided Love” are both playful dance numbers, with the perfect combination of 80’s flair and earnestness to bring a smile to your face. Close your eyes, and you can practically see the members of Piranha dancing in the Earth, Wind, and Fire-esque outfits they’ve adorned on the cover of the album. Pressed on limited edition black vinyl with an obi-strip, the sole album from Piranha, Headed In The Right Direction is 7 tracks of pure modern soul!

Allen Toussaint had it all around him – the voices and spirits of black music, rhythm ’n’ blues, funk and soul. He was born in New Orleans and grew up there, the birthplace of jazz. As from 1960, he worked as a record producer and an A&R man at Minit Records, an independent label, which was closely associated with the transformation of the New Orleans Sound. His compositions for fellow musicians landed them in the charts, he frequently participated by performing with them on the piano, and so became a connoisseur and master of all possible sounds. "Life, Love And Faith" marks his launch into his solo career, and quite rightly so. In the songs, Toussaint amalgamates all he had mastered with a rocking R&B, funky rhythms and expressive soul to create his highly personal sound. Although it is a soul album through and through, one has the feeling that one is listening to an album from Reprise’s stable of singers/songwriters – including such artists as Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat and Joni Mitchell – rather than what usually came out of New Orleans in the early Seventies. And also because "Life, Love And Faith" captures an eccentric genius who pursues his own idiosyncratic vision. It is a structured, multi-layered album, which does not show Toussaint in his purest form, but it is his only album that shows just how widely ranged and profound his many talents were.

This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head. More information under www.pure-analogue.com. All royalties and mechanical rights have been paid.

Recording: 1972 at Jazz City Studios, New Orleans, by Cosimo Matassa and Skip Godwin Production: Allen Toussaint

Soul Classic BY Soul and Hip Hop Godmother Sylvia Robinson, Released IN 1975 on her Vibration Label and reissued on Vinyl for the first Time IN Decades, With Bonus Tracks.

Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue Sylvia Robinson's super rare soul LP released in 1975 on her Vibration label, part of her All-Platinum/Stang/Turbo empire. A few years later, she would launch Sugarhill Records and put hip hop on the map with "Rapper's Delight" in 1979 and "The Message" in 1982. "Sweet Stuff" features several Sylvia cult classics including "Private Performance," "Soul Je T'aime", a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" and the mellow favourite "Sho Nuff Boogie" recorded with The Moments. As bonus tracks, the release features "Sho Nuff Boogie, Part 2" which only came out as the single's b-side at the time and the long version of "Soul Je T'aime", all packaged in the album's original artwork. Born and raised in New York, Sylvia Robinson began recording at a young age under the name "Little Sylvia" in the early 1950s. She gained exposure when she teamed up with Mickey Baker scoring a hit in 1956 with "Love Is Strange" as Mickey & Sylvia. She went on to record many singles during the late 50s and 60s before setting up her own label, All Platinum Records in 1966 followed by Stang Records and Vibration. Through these labels, she had several hit records in the 70s as a producer including The Moments' "Love On A Two Way Street" and Shirley & Co's "Shame Shame Shame". ? Sylvia Robinson continued to record as a solo artist shortening her name as 'Sylvia'. She got a massive hit of her own with "Pillow Talk" in 1973, a song she'd originally penned with Al Green in mind. The song went to nr 3 in the charts and started a string of other hits over the next few years. In 1973 she covered Serge Gainsbourg's 1969 megahit "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" renaming it here "Soul Je T'Aime" and duetting with Fania Records' Latin soul singer Ralfi Pagan. ? The following year was also busy for the singer and producer with three singles that went to the R&B chart: the Soul Ballad "Alfredo", the Funky "Private Performance" and "Sho Nuff Boogie," sung with The Moments. They are all featured on the album "Sweet Stuff" which was released in 1975. Interestingly the song "Sweet Stuff" notoriously sampled by J Dilla for "Crushin'" doesn't appear on this album even if "Sho Nuff Boogie" sounds very much like a forerunner of the song with its similar languorous pace and almost identical melody. "Sweet Stuff" is packed with other tasty soul songs including "I Can't Help It", "The Notion" and "Love Is The Only Thing." Four years later in 1979, Sylvia Robinson would make another genius move with the launch of Sugarhill Records and the Sugarhill Gang's single "Rapper's Delight" which would revolutionize music and almost single-handedly launch hip hop but that's another chapter of Sylvia Robinson's life. Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue one of her rarest albums from her best 70s period for the first time in decades and make it available on vinyl.

Why you'll love it...
Recorded inside a geodome at upstate New York's The Outlier Inn, Gently Powerful is a live reimagining of Anna Wise's debut solo LP, As If It Were Forever (and includes one track, ‘’Balance In All'' from Wise's earlier release, The Feminine: Act II). Almost exactly one year to the date of its release, Wise and some of her closest collaborators safely gathered to celebrate As If It Were Forever with these intimate live recordings.

All tracks on Gently Powerful feature performances by Anna Wise (vocals, loops), Jon Bap (drums, vocals, samples, guitar), Joy Morales (keys, synthesizer, vocals) and Juuwah (bass), recorded and mixed by Steve Vealey, and mastered by Kevin Moo. The arrangements heard on these recordings were originally conceptualized as part of Re/Birth, Wise’s February 2020 residency in Los Angeles produced in partnership with Gxrlschool.

Wise first gained recognition with her band, Sonnymoon, and through collaborations with Kendrick Lamar. Wise won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance for her collaboration on Lamar's ‘’These Walls,'' and she has appeared on each of his projects since good kid, m.A.A.d. city. In 2016, Wise independently released The Feminine: Act I, her first solo EP, and followed it up in 2017 with The Feminine: Act II. The studio version of As If It Were Forever saw a return to collaboration, featuring Little Simz, Jon Bap, Nick Hakim, Denzel Curry, Pink Siifu and more. Recently, Wise has also collaborated on records from Durand Bernarr, Mndsgn and L'Rain.

Dive into the soulful world of Little Beaver with the long-awaited reissue of his 1972 debut
album, Joey. Released on Cat Records, this album showcases the unmistakable talent of a
musician who not only crafted the unforgettable guitar riff in Betty Wright's "Clean Up
Woman" but also delivered the #2 R&B hit "Party Down."
Joey stands out as a masterful blend of Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and a touch of Funk & Blues,
enriched by lush orchestrations that elevate each track. The album features the enchanting
title track "Joey," which was produced by Betty Wright, "I'm Losin' the Feelin'," later covered
by Gwen McRae, and the deeply evocative "Katie Pearl," adding layers of soulful resonance
that speak directly to the heart.
Before his solo breakthrough, Little Beaver was a revered figure in the Miami Soul scene,
known for his work as a bassist and guitarist since his early teens and as an arranger who
brought magic to the music he touched. This release not only showcases his formidable skills
as a guitarist but also highlights his deep, intuitive sense of songwriting that draws listeners
into the emotional landscapes of his songs.
This reissue isn't just a return to the shelves; it's a celebration of a profound musical legacy
that continues to resonate. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his music, Joey by
Little Beaver is an essential addition to your collection, offering a timeless journey through
the depths of soul music. Don't miss the chance to experience this seminal album,
beautifully remastered to capture the original warmth and spirit of Little Beaver's early work.

Art Pop and experimental sounds in a sensitive, intimate experience. Helen Olhausen weaves mesmerizing vocals, hypnotic melodies, and minimalist beats. Romperse captures mystical, transformative songs, casting a new Uruguayan music atmosphere. Helen Olhausen, untethered by a single genre, combines her deep and ethereal voice with synthesizers, piano, strings, electronic elements, and human drums that sound like machines. In 2020, she released her debut album Romperse a collection of 35 minutes divided into 9 original creations. Her music explores diverse climates ranging from pop to electronic. Romperse tells the intimate, nostalgic, sensitive, and electric story that traverses the predictable rhythm that reaches the body in parallel with the unexpected and complex, as well as the nature of this element. Helen is a Uruguayan composer, singer, and producer from Salto (a city in northern Uruguay) who currently resides in Montevideo, Uruguay. Her music mesmerizes in its bold pursuit of experimentation and intimacy.

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

Eight incredible previously unreleased soul songs from the mid-70s of the highest quality, straight from a matertape sourced from Eddie Caldwell Vault, CEO and Founder of Music Of The Sea Inc. Keys & Friends is a group put together by William A Keyes, a very talented songwriter from Southside Chicago who has written songs for Sly Johnson, Little Johnny Taylor, Joyce Faison to name a few. This is the first time these songs have been released on vinyl.

Produced entirely by Norman Whitfield, The Temptations’s "Puzzle People" takes the next step along the path that Cloud Nine started, and takes the Detroit band further away from a classic soul sound, and more towards the realm of psychedelic soul. Although a few ballads, including “Running Away (Ain’t Gonna Help You),” are still present, the album is primarily composed of Sly & the Family Stone/James Brownderived proto-funk tracks such as the lead single “Don’t Let the Joneses Get You Down,” and the number-one Billboard Pop hit “I Can’t Get Next to You.” Also included are psychedelic-styled covers (recorded with distorted guitars, clavinets, and spacy reverb and sound effects) of contemporary songs such as The Isley Brothers’ “It’s Your Thing,” The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” and Roger Miller’s “Little Green Apples.” "Puzzle People" was released on the same day (September 23, 1969) as "Together", a duets album of covers by The Temptations and label mates Diana Ross & the Supremes. It peaked into the Top 5 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and spent fifteen weeks at number one on the R&B Albums chart.

This silver sounding piece of South American modern music is the result of experiences had by the Uruguayan musician Paul Higgs throughout his adventures in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and naturally his native Montevideo. In Tridimensional you'll ?nd a myriad of re?ections, sonic images and references to whatever this anomalous histrionic and enthusiastic spirit has to share. It is produced by the wise, well-seasoned and also Uruguay born musician Martín Buscaglia, thus adding a graceful and ?rm step to the intergenerational staircase of art in Río de La Plata's ever-growing culture.

Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 exclusive release Limited 180g Deluxe Double Vinyl Edition (1000 copies) with obi strip Rare unearthed Dutch recordings from 1970 Featuring an all-star line-up First Time ON Vinyl Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster (born Kansas City, 1909) needs little introduction, Webster is regarded as one of the three foremost swing era tenor saxophonists – the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Webster became famous for his unique sound, quick tempos, his solos that contained great virile rhythmic momentum, a rasping timbre and an almost brutal aggressiveness filled with growl, while his ballad playing was breathy, tender and sensual. The list of his collaborations is long, Ben Webster worked, recorded and played with legends from the likes of Art Tatum, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Roy Eldridge and Dexter Gordon…but a dream came true when he was offered a permanent job in Duke Ellington’s orchestra where his personal style matured. Webster stayed with Ellington until 1943, after which he formed his own groups and played with other small ensembles. From 1952 on he spent his time between Los Angeles and New York playing, freelancing and recording with a variety of soloists, among them high-profile singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and Frank Sinatra. Despite excellent reviews of his albums, it was difficult for Webster to find steady work in the US during the early 1960’s, and when in 1964 he got offered to play for a month in London he accepted and sailed to England. Webster never returned to the United States. In Europe he found plenty of work, playing residences in Scandinavia, settled in Amsterdam (1966-69) and then in Copenhagen (where he even has a street named after him). He toured frequently, playing in clubs and at big festivals with local bands or with visiting American musicians. Ben Webster suffered a stroke in Amsterdam in September 1973 following a performance in Leiden and died on September 20. Even when his health started to decline during his last years, his playing never did. To the last day Webster played with passion and intensity, delivering weight on every note. Webster is the subject of two renowned documentaries and two extensive biographies have been published about his legacy. Responsible for a plethora of excellent recordings he remains THE best-selling tenor saxophonist in jazz. Ben Webster was one of those unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording (He recorded for prestigious labels including Verve, Impulse!, Prestige, Reprise, Blue Note…and countless others. On the album we are proudly presenting you today (Wayfaring Stranger recorded in 1970 by the NPS Radio network in The Netherlands) you will find mind-blowing high-quality Dutch sessions that were left dormant on a shelf and weren’t commercially released for over 30 years! On ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ the listener is treated to no less than nine sublime tracks that document Webster’s trademark relaxed-swinging but imaginative playing style that never gets boring. The album features an all-star line-up from the likes of Rob Langereis (Toots Thielemans), John Engels (Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie) and Cees Slinger (Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton). Expect a 61-year-old Ben Webster in excellent form giving a warm, dusky, gritty yet funky performance where he delivers everything from up-tempo material, 12-bar blues jams to soulful expressive ballads. Webster’s quartet is in constant musical dialog with each other, creating a unique back and forth between musicians at the top of their game. Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the First Ever vinyl release of this fantastic album (originally released as a limited Compact Disc edition back in 2000). This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g Double vinyl edition (strictly limited to 1000 copies) with obi strip. Released exclusively for Record Store Day Black Friday (UK & Europe) 2023 and available in participating stores on November 24, 2023.

‘Little Orphan Boy’ is the second single taken from album ‘This Is Brian Jackson’, presented with remixes by Two Soul Fusion, a.k.a. Louie Vega and Josh Milan.

The veteran artist’s first true solo LP in over 20 years, ‘This Is Brian Jackson’ is produced by Phenomenal Handclap Band founder Daniel Collás. Collás lovingly re-frames and updates ideas and demos that Jackson first laid down back in 1976, right around the time he recorded ‘Bridges’ with Gil Scott-Heron, for a solo project that never saw the light of day… until now.

Alongside his ‘Two Soul Fusion’ partner Josh Milan, Louie Vega gives the album’s closing track ‘Little Orphan Boy’ two truly vintage remix treatments, taking the song on an eclectic, soul-stirring, timeless journey. The extended ‘Two Soul Fusion’ mix calls to mind the golden era of Masters at Work productions, featuring a Latin-infused percussion groove, shimmering organs and in-the-cut funky guitar lines. The ‘Downtempo’ remix lets Brian Jackson’s vocals ride over a head-nodding, stripped back, yet equally soulful arrangement.

“A dream to work with Brian Jackson” says Louie Vega. “I mean, he’s a big part of our musical landscape and has been a huge inspiration in our lives. From way back to my early years in the Bronx, through to my DJing and producing career, into productions like Nuyorican Soul, Elements of Life, Kenlou, Brian and Gil have always been with us! Now to work on such an amazing song with Brian’s keyboard work and lead vocal, it made it so much easier for Two Soul Fusion (Josh and I) to find that pocket and groove. We had to create an epic piece and take you on a trip through several styles, it was calling for it. That’s due to the original work of Brian Jackson, a true Master at Work & Two Soul Fusion hero!!! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next on the horizon with us and the one & only Brian Jackson.

Brian Jackson: “I have always loved the musicality and the rhythmic power that surges through the artistry of Louie Vega since I first heard him in Masters at Work. I made a silent wish that one day I would hear one of my songs given that special treatment. Imagine my elation to know that it would finally happen – with a song I wrote and recorded 45 years ago for a solo project that might have never happened if not for producer Daniel Collás and BBE chief Peter Adarkwah! Louie, along with Two Soul Fusion partner Josh Milan and I are alike in so many ways, I knew that if we ever got together, magic would happen and well… here’s to magic! My love and gratitude to Louie, Josh, Daniel, Peter and the beautiful BBE family.”

Some have made the claim that Get On Down may love James Brown just a little too much. To which the label replies, it’s not possible to love James Brown too much. The label’s welcome obsession with Mr. Brown and the incredible line up of talent found on his People Record imprint continues with the reissue of “Funky People Part 1”. Long out of print on vinyl, “Funky People Part1” features the top tier of artists from Brown’s People Records label, including The J.B.’s, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker. Some of the James Brown organizations all-time best material is collected here, including The J.B.’s “Pass The Peas” and “Hot Pants Road”, Fred Wesley’s in your face politics through funk statement “Damn Right, I Am Somebody”, Lyn Collins smash hit “Think (About It)” and many more. Newcomers and diehard fans alike continue to dig into the James Brown and People Records vaults, and the more they do so, the more they realize that it’s a nearly never ending source of truly next-level funk and soul music. And you can be sure this aural goodness will keep flowing to the public, thanks to the exhaustive efforts of Get On Down.

Record Store Day 2023 limited release with regional focus limited to 1000 copies. Soul Jazz Records’ new Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul: Gospel, Funk and Soul at the Crossroads 1971-83 is a one-off limited-edition heavyweight red vinyl pressing + download code exclusively for Record Store Day 2023.

The album draws upon the extensive links between Black American Gospel music and Soul music, showing how the sensibilities of gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Andraé Crouch and others crossed over into secular soul music during this period.
Many of the most successful soul artists – from Aretha Franklin to Al Green, The Staples Singers to Sam Cooke – all drew upon their upbringing in the church for their musical inspiration. This album discusses how important the links between the Black church and Soul music were in creating Soul, and spotlights some of the many important (and also little-known) Gospel artists who walked this line between sacred music and soul, funk and disco in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul shows how sacred Gospel music was at home with Stevie Wonder and Blaxploitation-style funk and produced music celebrated both in New York’s underground discos (The Paradise Garage, Studio 54, etc) and later sampled by the likes of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige.

Down across the railroad tracks, on a narrow road called Church Street in West Point, Mississippi, there"s a windowless brick building that"s been converted into a house of worship called The Message Center. One chilly January morning, the original members of a little-known gospel group from Aberdeen, Mississippi, called the Staples Jr. Singers gathered there to play some of their early songs for the first time in nearly 50 years. Many of these songs, which they wrote when they were just teenagers, first appeared on their only full-length release in 1975, When Do We Get Paid (Luaka Bop, 2022), but none have been revisited-until now.

Pye Corner Audio releases a new album, Let's Emerge!, for Sonic Cathedral. It's his first studio outing for the label following the acclaimed live recording Social Dissonance, which came out earlier this year, and it features Ride guitarist Andy Bell playing on five of its ten tracks. From the first glimpse of the artwork to the first note of the music it's a marked deviation from Pye Corner Audio's more traditional shadowy sounds. Whereas his last outing for Ghost Box (2021's Entangled Routes) was inspired by the underground fungal pathways through which plants communicate, this one is very much above ground, bathed in sunlight and acid-bright psychedelia. "This is a departure to sunnier climes, but a departure nonetheless," says Pye Corner Audio, aka Martin Jenkins. "It's something that I'd been thinking about for a while. I try to tailor my work slightly differently for the various labels that I work with, and this seems to fit nicely with Sonic Cathedral's ethos." Designer Marc Jones' bold and ultra vivid artwork consciously references the likes of LFO, Spacemen 3 and the early output of Stereolab. "I think it mixes together many of my earliest influences," explains Martin. "I've been a long-time fan of Spacemen 3 and Stereolab. Their moments of repetition and drone have always seeped into what I've tried to create. "I was living in a small apartment and I'd stripped down my studio set-up when I was recording this album. This enabled me to focus on a few key pieces of equipment and explore them fully." The recordings were fleshed out by Andy Bell, who Martin first met at the Sonic Cathedral 15th birthday party at The Social in London back in 2019 - the same show that became the live album Social Dissonance. "New alliances were formed and friendships made in that basement in Little Portland Street," recalls Martin. "When I met Andy, we agreed that we needed to work together in some way. After I'd remixed a few tracks from his album The View From Halfway Down, he kindly repaid the favour." The end r...