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Born in Hanceville (Alabama), Canzetta Maria “Candi” Staton possesses one of the most recognizable voices of southern soul due to its characteristic and unmistakable tone. Her musical journey began in the 50s as a teenager singing gospel with the Four Golden Echoes and the Jewell Gospel Trio. In 1967 she made the transition to secular music and two years later started an artistically and commercially successful recording career with Fame Records, under the umbrella of Rick Hall, recording a dozen singles and three outstanding albums. Candi was introduced to Hall by Fame’s main artist Clarence Carter, who eventually married her in 1970. A new chapter began in 1974 at Warner Bros, from which the two songs paired on this record originated. They are now available on 7” for the first time. “Can’t Stop Being Your Fool” is a powerful composition by Phillip Mitchell perfectly suited for her; on the flip side we find “You Bet Your Sweet, Sweet Love”, a country soul masterpiece produced by Dave Crawford. Another essential release on Soul4Real.

Senking and DYL team up again after first collaborating for a track on 2020"s "Uniformity Of Nature" EP that also featured different solo productions by the two producers. "Diving Saucer Attack" is the first full-length record by the German artist and his Romanian collaborator, released through the Berlin-based Karaoke Kalk label, home to the former"s work for more than a quarter of a century. The six pieces, two of which were produced individually, both showcase the duo"s shared interests for dub-heavy, adventurous electronic music while also emphasising the productive friction generated by the subtle differences between their respective approaches.

Essential pick! These buddy's "Baby" was recently covered by Hype Williams on their "Ebony" album, and both tunes are hella fresh!

Pacific Northwest isolation mixed with wide-eyed ambition, a strong sense of family and the gift of music proved to be quite the combination for teenage brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson. Originally released in 1979, Dreamin’ Wild is the sonic vision of the talented Emerson boys, recorded in a family built home studio in rural Washington State. Situated in the unlikely blink-and-you-missed-it town of Fruitland and far removed from the late 1970s punk movement and the larger disco boom, Donnie and Joe tilled their own musical soil, channeling bedroom pop jams, raw funk, and yacht rock.

Spurred on their high school’s music program, Donnie and Joe received a further push from their lifelong farmer father, who drew up a contract stating that he’d support his sons lofty ambitions with their very own recording studio as long as they focused on original material, sage advice for a man with zero experience in the music business. After taking out a second mortgage to help cover costs, Don Sr. also built his children a 300-capacity concert hall (dubbed Camp Jammin’) replete with ticket booth, stage, and fully functioning snack bar. The only problem was that the projected audience never quite materialized, despite a prime time TV profile entitled “The Rock And Roll Farmers” from nearby Spokane, Washington. Even the Emerson brother’s school pals were nonplussed at their privately pressed long player; hand distributed to local music stores, but not as far as Seattle, five hours away from their rural home. Somewhat rejected by the muted response, but never surrendering, both Donnie and Joe continued down a musical path and are still active as performers today.

In a career spanning over 50 years James Brown became known as a progenitor of funk music and influencing the development of many other genres. All his hit songs, hidden gems and collaborations are now bundled on 'Collected'. It contains 29 songs, including music from his early days with the Famous Flames, the J.B.'s and a wide collection of tracks from his solo career. Brown began his career as a gospel singer and joined a rhythm and blues vocal group, the Famous Flames, as the lead singer in the 1950s. Later on he formed his own band and released successful singles as 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag', 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' and 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World'. While developing the funk to a new level he created the J.B.'s, with which he scored hits like 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine' and 'The Payback'. Brown was inducted into 1st class of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. During the years he gained different honorific nicknames including 'Godfather of Soul', 'Mr. Dynamite', and 'Soul Brother No.1'. James Brown Collected includes an insert with liner notes, photo's and credits. The release is available as a pressing on 'Stone Cold' black vinyl.

180 Gram Audiophile Pressing / Gatefold Sleeve

The Well is the second album by the duo So Sner, composed of Susanna Gartmayer (bass clarinet) and Stefan Schneider (electronics). Recorded over nearly two years in various studios and spaces, the album reflects So Sner"s extensive touring across Europe. The final mixing took place in Vienna at the studio of Martin Siewert, who served as both co-producer and mastering engineer. Known for his meticulous attention to sonic detail, Siewert brings his unique techniques and distinctive sound enhancements to the album, resulting in a work that is both stylistically cohesive and daringly uncompromising.

Under the tutelage of trumpet player, Joel Ricci aka Lucky Brown, Soul's Path Ensemble brings you two sultry, raw instrumentals. "Another Mother Pt. 1" is a big-kick drum, head nodding, Soul-style spinner where the circular structure keeps its Funk-pass intact. And if Part 1 is the theme song for slowly strutting into your favorite music hall with the utmost style, Part 2 plays center stage as the go-to platter for Boogie and Disco DJ's dead set on getting flowers off the wall and onto the floor. Soul's Path Ensemble is an homage to that combination of instruments that evoke a by-gone musical era based on a warm, homegrown, funk.

2nd release of the Funkways series.

Produced by Barry White

First time reissued on vinyl! This is in fact more than just a rare record and definitely more than just a vinyl share for insatiable collectors who only judge a record by it's monetary value. This is a prime example of overflowing talent coupled with a simmering passion for music and the hunger for life right at the moment. The story begins on Jue 7th 1957 in a small Ghanaian village where Kofi Kwarko Gyan, nicknamed Kiki, was born into a middle class family. Soon his talent as a musician began to show when he started taking piano lessions by the age of 5 and went professional by the age of 12. He dropped out of school shortly after and began living a life on the road with regional Ghanaian bands. One trip abroad took him to London in the early 70s where his career received a giant push at the age of 15. He joined afro rock legends OSIBISA in 1972 as their new keyboardist after his predecessor had left the band. By the mid 70s Kiki Gyan had played with OSIBISA to giant audiences allover the world and met personalities from the international music scene such as Elton John and Mick Jagger. He was not only a steady keyboardist for OSIBISA but also a very popular session man for fellow African bands and musicians, among them OFEGE from Nigeria. He released a couple of solo albums and we take a closer look now at his second effort from 1979, “Feeling so good”. The music keeps what the title promises as this is a delightful example of joy manifesting in music. Everything is bright here, the grooves are complex and powerful, yet always accessible. The harmonies enchant you with their friendly approach. The African sun shines from each note played on this record. Gyan mixes Western disco sounds, funk, African traditional chants and reggae sounds into an ever flowing groove music that has lot's of melody and mesmerizes by the swirling percussion patterns. “Feeling so good” is an equally physical and spiritual affair and contains six lengthy tunes. Tunes that live from the tight interplay of all instruments, the crisp, clear and powerful production and a wild and steaming atmosphere. Kiki Gyan was on the step of entering the 'Hall of Legends' like Stevie Wonder did, to whom he often got compared to. His legacy remains huge, not only for African music but for all black music that ruled the early disco scene in the 70s and whose popularity is still at full blossom. Next to Fela Kuti and Geraldo Pino, Kiki Gyan can be called a true force in African pop music of the 70s!

Recorded in 1971 by a 27-year-old pastor and an after school program choir, Like A Ship is a stirring and powerful meditation on the wayward aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Tracked with the help of Chess/Cadet maestros Gene Barge, Phil
Upchurch, and Richard Evans, the album is a mix of euphoric gospel and Mayfield- esque political soul, with sleigh bells, hand claps, and jazzy piano stabs. Sampled by T.I., Kanye, and Khaled, Barrett created a rapturous, crossover gospel classic that’s still wildly relevant.

Holy Hive, the group that coined the genre Folk/Soul, comes out swinging with this monster of a two-sider. The A side "Oh I Miss Her So" is pulled from their recently released Harping EP: a drop dead gorgeous tune of love and longing, featuring the harping of Mary Lattimore. The tune serves as a testament to The Hive's gift for songwriting and arrangement, taking the listener on a ride from the first notes of Paul's falsetto to the outro featuring Dave Guy's (The Roots) gorgeous trumpet solo. The B Side is The Hive's crushing cover of Sunny & The Sunliners' classic "If I Could See You Now". Homer's world renown drumming provides an instant dance floor backbone to the tune while Paul's signature vocals add a welcome twist giving the original version a proper run for its money. This cover is pulled from the forthcoming Big Crown Records label compilation "Dear Sunny" a collection of Sunny covers done by the roster of Big Crown artists.

During the summer youth program of 1970 and '71 at St Paul's Catholic church a young Tunnie Smith was singled out by Father George Artist for his outstanding singing abilities. He was soon introduced to Joe Delpit and Reginal Brown to sing along with their show and dance band "The 13Th Amendments. It didn't take long before Tunnie was a full member of the band and became a featured singer performing throughout Louisiana. After a year and a half of performing at nightclubs, military bases and universities Tunnie landed a record deal with Rick Hall's Fame/UA record label. His first single from 1973 was a wonderful mid-tempo number entitled "Finders Aren't Always Keepers" flipped with "Do That To Me" It gained National distribution and had some good success. Tunnie left Fame records and was introduced to Stax record executives Al Bell and John Smith. After signing with Stax Tunnie met legendary writer and performer David Porter where they recorded an album which was scheduled for release around 73/74.Unfortunately Staxs association with CBS came to a halt and the project got shelved. Tunnie went home and carried on performing around the Louisiana area with his new band Sweet Music Orchestra" Fast forward to 1983 Tunnie whilst recording some vocals at River City Recording met Chicago producer and arranger George "Paco" Patterson. George was musical director and had worked with The Isley Brothers Wilson Pickett and many other well known artists. During this period Tunnie along with George formed a great partnership and along with some top session musicians record some incredibly lush, well produced and atmospheric songs The A Side "Dancing On Da Cloud" kicks of with female backing vocals and cascading strings layered over each other to create a full bodied 2 Step Rare Groove classic, which we can only compare in the highest esteem to an out take from Marvin Gaye or Leon Ware. It oozes sheer class with rasping horns and Tunnie showing he hasn't lost any of the singing prowess he got singled out for as a young boy in1971. "I Found A Miracle" is a slightly slower affair than the A side but still kicks a punch. It starts with pounding drums and again those cascading strings whilst Tunnie's scatting vocals flow until the verse arrives. It is a powerful beat ballad-esque song that sits perfectly back to back with "Dancing On Da Cloud." We at Super Disco Edits are very excited to be able to bring you the first instalment of Mr Tunnie Smith!

Even if you don't know her name - you will know her voice. It's 'Melbourne's High Priestess Of Soul' Kylie Auldist's unmistakable vocals on the 2016 global dance hit 'This Girl' by Kungs vs Cookin' on 3 Burners - the track that not only topped almost every pop chart across the planet, featured in many TV shows, adverts and films and social media memes, and has achieved over 1 billion streams & climbing. But of course, that's far from the whole story. Kylie established her enviable reputation as the featured vocalist in the awesome Australian outfits The Bamboos, and Cookin' On 3 Burners, and her fantastically well received solo albums for Tru Thoughts; 'Just Say' (2008), 'Made of Stone' (2009) and 'Still Life' (2012) and 'Family Tree' Freestyle Records (2016). Kylie's brand new album - 'This Is What Happiness Looks Like', her first for Greg Boraman's brand new label Soul Bank Music, further develops the musical approach she began on it's predecessor 'Family Tree' - and is very firmly entrenched on an electro boogie tip, rooted deep in the New York club scene of the early 80's. The opening track 'Everythink' sets out that 1980's electro-boogie sound and then fuses it with the song writing of a classic Wham or Hall & Oates tune - it has an infectious, slinky Moog synth bass line that will lodge itself in people's minds. Kylie's simply stunning vocal performance on this breezy and summery tune will surely make it a future classic. Producers Warren Hunter and Lewis Moody skills in the studio have brought forth many musical highlights on this album, but special mention has to be made for Is It Fun? This is where a brilliant and incredibly infectious composition is further enhanced by some top notch instrumentalists, perfectly executed production, a simply beautiful vocal performance, and results in what should surely end up being an anthemic, brand new 'soul weekender' style classic. Soul boys & girls, funkateers and disco fans won't be able to stop themselves falling deeply for this new collection of tunes, because it's not only a highly original take on a classic sound, but it was conceived, performed and recorded with a genuine passion and love, as Kylie says "Some albums are written fast, some take a long time, some albums experience setbacks, become beset by creative blocks and personal issues, and can generally be a whole lot of hard work which makes you question why you even bothered to start it in the first place - this was not one of those albums - hence the title 'This Is What Happiness Looks Like'!

During the summer youth program of 1970 and '71 at St Paul's Catholic church a young Tunnie Smith was singled out by Father George Artist for his outstanding singing abilities. He was soon introduced to Joe Delpit and Reginal Brown to sing along with their show and dance band "The 13Th Amendments. It didn't take long before Tunnie was a full member of the band and became a featured singer performing throughout Louisiana. After a year and a half of performing at nightclubs, military bases and universities Tunnie landed a record deal with Rick Hall's Fame/UA record label. His first single from 1973 was a wonderful mid-tempo number entitled "Finders Aren't Always Keepers" flipped with "Do That To Me" It gained National distribution and had some good success. Tunnie left Fame records and was introduced to Stax record executives Al Bell and John Smith. After signing with Stax Tunnie met legendary writer and performer David Porter where they recorded an album which was scheduled for release around 73/74.Unfortunately Staxs association with CBS came to a halt and the project got shelved. From those session arose the wonderful "U And Me Together", leading on from the well produced "Finders Keepers" cut the song builds up with an epic 1:30 string and drum arrangement that really sets the picture for Tunnie to arrive with vocals way above his young age would suggest. A story of a boy and girl determined to make it and be the great combination that their love affair deserves. We cant believe a gem like this has been waiting to come out. And should have catapulted Tunnie to the next level or artist rosters. Alas, Tunnie went home and carried on performing around the Louisiana area with his new band Sweet Music Orchestra" Fast forward to 1983 Tunnie whilst recording some vocals at River City Recording met Chicago producer and arranger George "Paco" Patterson. George was musical director and had worked with The Isley Brothers Wilson Pickett and many other well known artists. During this period Tunnie along with George formed a great partnership and along with some top session musicians record some incredibly lush, well produced and atmospheric songs The A Side "Join Together " is from the same session as "Dancing On Da Clouds" and could have easily be picked for his first single on Pass The Baton records. It oozes the same heavy production with opening piano cords and layered scatting then bosh, in comes the drums and Vox taking you on a mesmerising space like 2 step extravaganza . So there you have it, once again two amazing slices of soul on one single from Tunnie Smith. Lets hope this artists finally reaches his potential from that young man who stated recording in 1973.

"Based out of Washington, D.C. & led by the genius of the late great Steve Dory & Keita Thompson, displayed here is gospel at its most eclectic form with strong influences of modern soul, funk, & island music while also marking the start of development in future R&B stars Kenny Lattimore & Keith Martin. Reissued for the first time since 1982, this album has had limited accessibility as it was originally pressed in a very small quantity. Shortly after this album, they released a 45 titled “Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother” in 1983 containing “Mommy’s Song” & “Daddy’s Song” with such an illusiveness that it dodges internet searches and never released anything after that."

40th Anniversary Edition
Pressed on Baby Blue Wax
LP include detailed liner notes by Dave Segal, interviewing the Emersons plus unseen photos
Housed in gatefold “tip-on” jacket, with insert and includes download card for full album

“‘Baby’ has been a staple on just about every playlist/mixtape I’ve assembled in the past 3 years. It is nothing short of sublime.” – Ariel Pink
“This is one of those LPs that helps one understand why people bother to even look for records to begin with… lovely, surprising mix of folk, soul, psych and funk.” – Oliver Wang, Soul-Sides
Pacific Northwest isolation mixed with wide-eyed ambition, a strong sense of family and the gift of music proved to be quite the combination for teenage brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson. Originally released in 1979, Dreamin’ Wild is the sonic vision of the talented Emerson boys, recorded in a family built home studio in rural Washington State. Situated in the unlikely blink-and-you-missed-it town of Fruitland and far removed from the late 1970s punk movement and the larger disco boom, Donnie and Joe tilled their own musical soil, channeling bedroom pop jams, raw funk, and yacht rock.
Spurred on their high school’s music program, Donnie and Joe received a further push from their lifelong farmer father, who drew up a contract stating that he’d support his sons lofty ambitions with their very own recording studio as long as they focused on original material, sage advice for a man with zero experience in the music business. After taking out a second mortgage to help cover costs, Don Sr. also built his children a 300-capacity concert hall (dubbed Camp Jammin’) replete with ticket booth, stage, and fully functioning snack bar. The only problem was that the projected audience never quite materialized, despite a prime time TV profile entitled “The Rock And Roll Farmers” from nearby Spokane, Washington. Even the Emerson brother’s school pals were nonplussed at their privately pressed long player; hand distributed to local music stores, but not as far as Seattle, five hours away from their rural home. Somewhat rejected by the muted response, but never surrendering, both Donnie and Joe continued down a musical path and are still active as performers today.
This rare slice of bedroom-funk gets the usual Light In The Attic treatment with newly remastered audio, detailed liner notes, and expanded original album art with loads of photos from the Emerson’s collection. Be sure to also check out the short documentary (above), Rock and Roll Farmers.

Recorded in 1971 by a 27-year-old pastorand an after school program choir, Like AShip is a stirring and powerful meditationon the wayward aftermath of the CivilRights Movement. Tracked with the helpof Chess/Cadet maestros Gene Barge, PhilUpchurch, and Richard Evans, the albumis a mix of euphoric gospel and Mayfieldesquepolitical soul, with sleigh bells, handclaps, and jazzy piano stabs. Sampled byT.I., Kanye, and Khaled, Barrett createda rapturous, crossover gospel classic that'sstill wildly r elevant.

The Days of Mars is the debut album from artists Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom. It was released on October 10, 2005. All the music was created by layering live takes of custom built synthesizers and other instruments."DFA duo skips stones across the same cosmic lake as forefathers Tangerine Dream, Terry Riley, and Mike Oldfield. (...) Still, in a landscape full of seen and unseen phenomena, where the unknown seems almost passé, Gonzalez and Russom make music for taking things in stride. By turns bleak and beautiful, this is music for a new, but vaguely familiar world." - Pitchfork

Having been recently credited for being the Hailey's Comet of the edits world, The Hole In The Wall Gang return after many calls over nearly two decades to bring you two outstanding dancefloor heaters on this limited 7 " release.

Bobby ’Blue’ Bland
Bobby ’Blue’ Bland (1930 – 2013) was one of the leading US-American Blues, R&B and Soul entertainers. He knew how to combine the intensity of Gospel music with the expression of the Blues. His voice sounded as he wanted to bear witness to one's resolve but he was able to let his voice sound soft, sometimes cool but always culitvated so he could also reach the fans of Frank Sinatra and Nat ’King’ Cole with tremendous success. He formed his remarkable style of singing out of many different influences, characteristic and remained solely reserved for Bobby ’Blue’ Bland.
Duke-Label & ABC Dunhill
Blands voice was always the center of attention. After his huge successes during the 1950s and 1960s for the Duke label, he moved to ABC Dunhill when Duke was sold. He could reach a wider white audience in the early 1970s with his two LPs, ’His California Album’ and ’Dreamer’, plus productions together with B.B. King. ’

Dreamer’ was the record company's trial to produce an album in California with the cool Soul appeal of the city of Los Angeles. As a timeless Soul and Blues classic the album 'Dreamer' contains the in recent years often sampled track Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City, one of the musical back bones to one of the favorites by Jay Z. The whole album is a wonderful soundtrack for those lonely nights alone and blue in a sleazy joint trying to forget a lost love in a bottle of bourbon.
Dreamer
’Dreamer’ is the warm velvet cover against cold loneliness with so many great songs like I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me) and Whose Foolin’ Who?, the bluesy Cold Day In Hell, Lovin’ On Borrowed Time and When You Come To The End Of Your Road. I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry has indeed the lyrical quality of The Thrill Is Gone. The production by Steve Barri and Michael Omartian sounds full and ponderous.

The accompanying musicians, guitarists Dean Parks and Larry Carlton, bassist Wilton Felder and drummer Ed Green, ranked as being part in the cream of L.A.'s studio musicians. When ’Dreamer’ was first issued in 1974 a controversial discussion started regarding the production and the arrangements containing a brass section and strings. But now, forty years later, the LP album counts as one of the great masterpieces of its genre and the songs became standards in the repertoires of many Soul and Blues performers. Newly remastered with its original gatefold cover jacket the first real reissue on vinyl after 43 years comes from Bear Family Records!
Grammy® as a lifetime achievement award in 1997
Bobby ’Blue’ Bland was inducted into the ’Blues Hall of Fame’ in 1981 and 11 years later the induction into the ’Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame’ followed. He received a Grammy® as a lifetime achievement award in 1997.
1-LP, 180 gram Vinyl-LP, 10 tracks

Music, Sweet Music" sounds like a perfect little song with lovely summer vibes, a bit of vocal scatting and lovely organ licks from the multi talented Ellis Hall. We love the feel of this one that sounds like The Crusaders/Blackbyrds, and Stevie Wonder rolled into 2:38 of soulful pleasure. Flip it over and "Forward Motion" kicks off with some pretty generic 70's horn play, boom, rasping drums and melodies kick in with some fun interplay between Ellis , Patty Unitas and Pat Thomas on the background vox. The full line up from these recordings are Ellis Hall Jr (Keyboards/Vocals) Patty Unitas (Vocals) Pat Thomas (Vocals) David Fuller (Drums/Vocals) Michael Thompson (Guitar) Stanley Benders (Percussion)

Gil Scott-Heron’s “Pieces Of A Man” is one of the most important albums in the history of black American music. Although it didn’t set the charts alight, it stands as a masterpiece alongside contemporary works such as Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Curtis Mayfield’s debut LP, Funkadelic's “Maggot Brain” and Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft”. All were brilliant in their way, but lyrically Scott-Heron was on a different level from almost every other writer. It was a landmark album with its bold, poetic lyrical content allied to progressive and melodic music, and it saw producer Bob Thiele help Gil and his musical partner Brian Jackson paint the picture they needed to get their message across. Thiele put Gil and Brian together with Ron Carter, Hubert Laws and Bernard Purdie, giving them the musical heft they wanted. For many years the focus was on ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’, which was included in the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2014, but this focus sometimes overshadowed the heights which Gil reached throughout the album. Today ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’ and ‘Lady Day And John Coltrane’ are also considered standards, whilst the album’s title track is a prescient and heart-breaking warning about the way in which big business dehumanises its workers. The album reached its landmark 50th year in 2021 and we decided that we would create this special edition to celebrate its incredible sound. The original master tape was taken to Frank Merritt at The Carvery in London, who cut it as a double disc 2 x 45 RPM record, in an all-analogue chain. The original record - especially side two - was long, and serving it up this way allowed the music a greater level of fidelity. The release is packaged in the original album’s gatefold sleeve.

Fame Records was an off shoot of the renowned FAME Studio, and this special vinyl-only compilation looks at the very best of the label’s work during its first four years.

Helmed by owner Rick Hall, aided and abetted by his team who included Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and the Swampers house band, this LP collects together some of the very finest music from the birth of southern soul.

The LP features hits by Clarence Carter and Jimmy Hughes, Northern soul classics from James Barnett and Art Freeman, recordings by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham as well as a plethora of cuts appearing on vinyl for the very first time.

Two albums in a single sleeve with two lavishly illustrated inner bags including extensive notes.

Released in August 1970, as well as detonating hard and reaching #4 in the US R&B charts, ‘Stand By Your Man’ became a break-through single for Candi Staton, spending 14 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #24. When it came to the follow-up to ‘Stand By Your Man’, the formula was repeated with Candi taking on another country song ‘She Called Me Baby’. This song was written by country singer Harlan Howard and appeared on “Harlan Howard Sings Harlan Howard” released in 1961. It was first drenched in strings and sung from the female perspective as ‘He Called Me Baby’ by Jeanne Newman in 1965 and then, in more soulful form, by Ella Washington, whose version got to #77 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. As with Newman and Washington’s versions, Rick Hall dressed the song in strings as well as belting brass. Staton’s definitive southern soul version of ‘He Called Me Baby’ got to #9 in the R&B chart and #52 in the Billboard Hot 100 when released in January 1971.

Both ‘Stand By Your Man’ and ‘He Called Me Baby’ – as well as their flips ‘How Can I Put Out The Flame (When You Keep The Fire Burning)’ and ‘What Would Become Of Me’ – appeared on Staton’s second album “Stand By Your Man”, released at the end of 1970. As with her singles and debut LP, “I’m Just A Prisoner” Capitol’s promotional rodeo ran wild and one advert even included the line, “Stand by your radio. Stand by your racks. Stand by for Candi Staton, a new American singing star.”

“Stand By Your Man” is one of the cornerstones of Southern soul. As well as the tracks listed above it features other ear-Candi such as ‘Mr and Mrs Untrue’, Freedom Is Just Beyond The Door’ and ‘Sweet Feeling’.

The Black Smoke Band were comprised of five members

Norwell McNeill on lead vocals (and songwriting duties) Bobby Moore on bass guitarJames Jacobs on lead guitar Joe McLaughlin on keyboards Ronnie Brewington on drums. Joe was also the man behind the band’s resources, financing both the musical kit and studio time.All of the members hail from the town of Dunn, North Carolina - a state which has gifted us some amazing soul music from the 1960’s, 1970’s and beyond.

All of the members of the group began recording music prior to the band’s two releases, before they met and formed as teenagers playing local bars, dance halls and night clubs. They gigged with other local acts. Both of the band’s releases were recorded in 1977 at Arthur Smith’s Studios in Charlotte - and both released on the group’s own label, Black Smoke Productions. ‘Starting my Life All Over Again’ was the first of two releases, a beautiful sweet soul effort, that really showcases Norwell’s earnest, soulful vocals. The flip is a solid funk cut called ’Skateboard’.

‘I’ll Keep Searching’ b/w ‘Get n Off’ was the second and sadly final release from the group - but what a record it is!

A moody, funky, and compelling arrangement that eschewed the ubiquitous disco sound of the period and created a gritty masterpiece for lovers of hard edged soul music. Norwell’s gruff, captivating vocal and some stellar guitar work were all laid over a tight, rolling beat accompanied by strong horn stabs. The pleading, emotional dynamics of the record work brilliantly with its strutting, insistent pace. Delivering both emotionally and musically it was to be the group’s swan song, but left ample evidence of the talent that lay within them as a band.

Eventually the group decided to go their separate ways in 1978, although that was not the end of their musical careers, with all of the members continuing to perform in and around North Carolina for many years.

Ronnie sadly passed away, but the other four original members of the group are still actively making music, with Norwell and Bobby remaining in regular contact today.

Bobby played with Kool & The Gang for a brief spell, alongside other well known acts. Joe continues to run his own studio, and has a large back catalogue of previously unheard material recorded both before and after the Black Smoke years.

That is the story of the Black Smoke Band in 1977. Although short lived, the group have provided soul fans across the UK and beyond with two fabulous singles, considered by many to be shining examples of the musical talent that coursed through America’s suburbs and communities during the golden age of soul and funk music.

A rich vein of talent which remains largely undiscovered even now...

Exclusive Version Of The Mega Northern Soul Classic With None Other Than The One And Only Mrs. Holloway Providing The Soulfulful Vox

In 1972, Rick Hall moved distribution of his Fame label from Capitol to United Artists. This was to give his label more heft internationally as well as Stateside. The first single from this new agreement was Candi Staton’s ‘In The Ghetto’ which was released in May 1972. Not only did the single do well, but Staton received a personal note from Elvis Presley telling her how much he had enjoyed her version of the songs.

Released For The Very First Time In The Format It Was Recorded For. The Holy Grail Of Bolan's Unreleased Soul Recordings As Producer For Sister Pat Hall, Includes Completely Unheard Version Of Do Your Thing Taken From Newly Acquired Original Reels Features Completely Reworked Version Of Classic T. Rex Tracks 'Jitterbug Love', 'Get It On', 'Sunken Rags', And The Never Released In Marc's Lifetime 'Sailors Of The Highway'. Besides Some Self-Released Gospel Recordings, Pat Hall Was A Much Sought After Vocalist In The Late 60's Early 70's, Having Worked With Joe Cocker As One Of The `Sanctified Sisters' Along With Gloria Jones.In 1972 Pat (& Hloria) Became Backing Singers On The U.S T.Rex Concerts And In Mid To Late 1973 Marc Bolan Decided He Was Going To Produce An Album By Pat, Being Well Ahead Of The Then Interest In Black American Soul By Fellow Pop Stars David Bowie John Lennon And Elton John. The Album Was Recorded But Never Released (On Vinyl), Until Now!Pat Hall Never Released Anything Again, This Album Remains The Sole Released Recordings Of This Extraordinary Singer.

Wigan Casino - the original UK dance culture super club - ran its’ first Nothern Soul All-Nighter in September 1973. It’s last session was in December 1981, and by then its 500 plus frantic All-Nighter had firmly stamped Northern Soul as an integral part of the British music landscape,

Wigan Casino Classics 1973 - 2023 proudly celebrates 50 years since the birth of the most important ever Northern Soul venue with 14 all time classic floor fillers. The Sandi Sheldon, Major Lance, The Seven Souls and Johnny Robinson gems were originally released on the Uber cool Okeh label but despite being part of the mighty Columbia Records empire sank without trace on release in the USA only to be discovered (and revered) by UK Soul devotees.

The Metros and Lorraine Chandler tracks were produced by Detroit’s mighty Pied Piper Productions crew and demonstrate that Motown were far from the only Motor City set up that knew how to conjure up truly breathtaking music.

In Northern Soul lore there is an intriguing story behind all 14 tracks - who produced and wrote them, which Rare Soul detectives - the original crate diggers - discovered them, what DJs played them..

But at the centre of it all is Wigan Casino, the seen better days Lancashire dance hall where 2,500 plus Soul fanatics flocked to every weekend to dance dance dance at the pre Rave era ultimate Rave. The recent 50th Anniversary celebration in Blackpool attracted a 5,000 turn out. The legend lives on.

This release marks the return of the always style wise Joe Boy label. Their trademark on point graphics are reinforced with the LP front sleeve being devoted to an iconic photograph by Francesco Mellini taken at the last ever Casino All-Nighter.

Soul plus Art from The Heart of Soul.

Still deeper forays into the musical landscape of the Windrush generation.

A dazzling range of calypso, mento, joropo, steelband, palm-wine and r’n'b. Expert revivals of stringband music, from way back, alongside proto-Afro-funk.
An uproarious selection of songs about the H-Bomb and modern phones, prostitution and Haile Selassie, mid-life crisis and the London Underground, racism and solidarity, the Highway Code and a 100% West Indian Royal Wedding.

For example some frantic British-Guianan joropo music-hall about Eatwell Brown from Clapham, who starts out biting off a piece of his mother-in-law’s face at a party, then devours everything in his path… a chunk of Brixton Prison, a Union Jack, a policeman’s uniform. Or Marie Bryant — collaborator of Lester Young and Duke Ellington — taking time off from skewering the South African PM Daniel Malan at her West End revue, to contribute some arch, swinging filth about uber-genitalia.

Superior sound, courtesy of Abbey Road, D&M and Pallas; lovely gatefold sleeve; full-size booklet, with full notes, and fabulous previously-unseen photographs, including a set from the family archive of Russ Henderson (who led the first, impromptu Notting Hill Carnival march, in 1966).

Vinyl close to VG+

Limited edition vinyl!
Bill Brown and Al Hall jr. met around 1971, they were both in south central L.A and shared the same apartment building, also in the same building was Doug Carn and brownstone singer Billy Wilson.
These studio sessions were don't at Paramount studios Hollywood where Al Hall jr. was working for producer Art Smith A&C music.
The main distributor for A&C was Accent records. So, the Soul Injections very first single "Stay Off The Moon" was released via Accent, as was Bill Browns "Bip Bam". The group wasn't that pleased with how Accent handled the releases so Bill took it upon himself to set up his own label called Brownstone records. Many musicians were called in for studio sessions these included Doug Carn (organ), Kirk Lightsey (keyboards) Mel Bolton (guitars), Mel Lee (drums), Al Hall jr. (trombones), Willaim 'Bill'Henderson (strings).
The label was met with some confrontation from other Hollywood labels and many of the Brownstone releases were told not to hit the shops by Mafia run labels. Later around 1975 Brownstone released a track by Everyday People feat Alexis "World Full Of People", a now cult soul 45. But wait, Super disco edits have unearthed the original tapes with the very first incarnation of that song and music, different lyric content and sung by Bill Brown. Not just this you get the instrumental on the B-side!! TIP!!

Next up in Mr Bongo's Groove Merchant Records reissue series, sees an outing for a much-loved and heavily sampled funk/soul/blues album by Junior Parker. Originally issued under the title The Outside Man on Capitol Records in 1970 with an alternative cover, this reissue replicates the Groove Merchant release titled Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On featuring the car cover released in 1971.

The Mississippi-born, Memphis-based blues singer, harmonica player and songwriter Junior Parker (aka Little Junior Parker) had a stellar career in music. Since the early 1950s he released records on labels such as Duke, Mercury, United Artists Records and more. Sadly though, Parker died at the young age of 39 during surgery on November 18, 1971.

Originally released under the alternate title a year before his untimely death, Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business Goin' On is drenched in Parker’s trademark buttery vocals and soulful grooves, swaggering between smokey blues, raw funk outings and orchestrated soul ballads (with sublime arrangements by Horace Ott).

The album also features three Beatles cover versions in the form of ‘Taxman’, ‘Lady Madonna’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. For 'Taxman', Parker completely reinterprets the song taking into a New Orleans funk realm, a sample of which was used as the main hook line on Cypress Hill's classic 'I Wanna Get High'. Elsewhere, 'Tomorrow Never Knows' is flipped into a tripped-out, psychedelic soul-swamp blues ballad, whilst 'Lady Madonna' is given a funky blues makeover.

As shown with Cypress Hill’s use of ‘Taxman’, since the ‘70s Parker’s legacy has been immortalised for future generations through the deep well of samples that his music has become a source of. Tracks from Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business Goin' On have been sampled by some of the biggest names out there, such as A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Shadow and De La Soul.

A seriously smooth album oozing with soul and emotion from a Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Junior Parker’s Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On is a superb example of the early ‘70s crossover funk/soul sound.

The sequel to Pastor Barrett’s landmark 1971 masterpiece Like A Ship…, Do Not Pass Me By finds the young Chicago preacher and his Youth for Christ Choir continuing their genre-bending spiritual journey. Heavy drums, soaring falsettos, euphoric tambourines, sharp horns, and Barrett’s unwavering devotion dance around a 40-piece choir, working together to form sanctified slab of gospel funk. Pressed in a minuscule quantity in 1973, Do Not Pass Me By was sold primarily from the pulpit of Barrett’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church, disappearing into Chicago’s south side for 45 years before Numero’s excavation. The ten-song album has been remastered, it’s generic album cover updated to match Barrett’s vision. On the back of the jacket, he insisted on the following words: “After listening to this album you will be glad that you did not pass it by!”

Miles Away Records are extremely proud to introduce our latest single by the incredible Howard Lemon Singers. You Are Somebody and For The Children are two blinding tracks cherry-picked from the incredibility rare 1977 album Seasons released on the legendary TK Records subsidiary Gospel Roots.
Both sides of this 45 are oozing with positivity and good sentiment, a fine example of the harmony between sacred and secular sounds, and the experimentation taking place, during the late 1970s as gospel artists were modernizing the soundtrack, and lyrical content of gospel music..
You Are Somebody is a gorgeous modern soul heater. Accomplished vocalist Esther Smith's sublime voice delivers her vocal lines with such confidence and assurance that the words seem to strut over the funky basslines and drumming support. Flip it over and For The Children is a more mid-tempo burner, but don't let this fool you - it's "stop-you-in-your-tracks" good. Smith's vocals once again shine brightly and are delightfully accompanied by the Nile Rodgers-esque 'wacka-wacka' guitar of Lester Snell throughout. Musicianship is of the highest quality as Howard Lemon, group leader, called upon some of the best musicians from Stax Records – Willie Hall and the aforementioned Lester Snell were key components of such groups as the Isaac Hayes Movement and the Bar Kays.
These two nuggets are presented here for the first time on a 45 and complete in our customary teal green labels and sleeve. Remastered and cut by Timmion.

"There was no internet, no cell phones. We didn't have streaming services, cable television, or even VCRs. People in Portland were out to see music seven nights a week"

In 1982, it seemed club nightlife in downtown Portland had reached its zenith. Musicians could make a living in a multitude of clubs throughout the city. And they made music on their own terms. Calvin Walker's recollection above speaks to the sovereignty of an independent community devoid of the recording industry's bottom line.

Lights Out gained traction when Pleasure wasn't in the studio or on the road. They were led by Pleasure's trumpeter Tony Collins, whose agenda involved prodding his group with gnarled fusion covers, complex horn arrangements, and masterful wardrobe flexing. "We wanted to be better at what we did," claims Collins. "Everybody grew."

But even with platinum level players holding recording contracts a la Fantasy Records, Lights Out struggled to find bookings in Portland's white-owned club circuit. "There were rules to these things and you had to play by them," remembers Walker. "They had to push up against that."

"I remember it being tough to get this band booked on the West side of the Willamette River back then," remembers bassist John Mazzocco. "When Peter Mott at Last Hurrah called to book us on a Tuesday, I was elated."

Knee-deep in the jazz fusion sound made popular throughout the city, Lights Out soon evolved into a synthesizer-fueled funk group fronted by vocalist Andy Stokes and featuring guitarist Greg "Gee Mack" Dalton. It's this era of Lights Out that made converts of the haters and annihilated 800-capacity dancefloors. It’s this era of Lights Out that is being celebrated on this release.

Recorded in 1982 at Wave Sound Studios - a facility that housed local punk acts such as The Wipers and The Rats - the material on this LP was intended as a demo for Solar Records. As a touring trumpeter for The Whispers, Collins was to pass the reel up the chain. When Solar fumbled it, Collins and Dalton left Portland for Los Angeles signaling the end of the group.

Forty years later, the legacy of this canonical Stumptown act has been remembered in devastating detail. The vinyl package includes a 12-page booklet of the band's oral history and deluxe archival photography. With tape restoration and mastering by Gus Elg, this painfully obscure recording has been waxed and buffed by one of the reissue industry's greatest.

Lights Out personnel have since made waves beyond the Pacific Northwest. Collins founded NDN Records in Atlanta. Andy Stokes has received the Grammy nod, releasing singles with Snoop Dogg and Battlecat. John Mazzocco toured with John Lee Hooker and was recently inducted into the Oregon Music Hall Of Fame. Damian Dillon went on to a successful radio career in Germany. And Greg Dalton has sessioned relentlessly, working with everyone from Patrice Rushen to Kamasi Washington to Tupac.

As Stokes puts it, "Being in this band gave me the strength to branch out. You don’t just do that by yourself. You have a family. This a family.” credits released July 15, 2022

Cover and vinyl are close to VG+.

First in a series of split 12inch singles, PPU-019 features the rare 80s funk recordings of Durham North Carolina’s Willie Hill and Milwaukee Wisconsin’s Roshell Anderson. “Delicate Rose” blossomed on the PPU Video Party DVD, due to many requests for it PPU decided to release the vinyl. “Wild Dreams” originally released in the late 80s only came out locally in Milwaukee on Deerfield Records.