SOUL RECOMMENDATIONS JUNE 2014

Review: With roots as a backing singer for Stevie Wonder, Wycoff went on to become a soul ambassador throughout the early 80s. This 1982 reissue is one of the best examples of his silky, heartfelt delivery... "Looking Up To You" is a dynamic love song where traces of big 70s production build and build throughout. "(Do You Really Love Me) Tell Me Love", meanwhile, was only ever released as a B-side. Its 80s production counter the dramatics of the A-side with cool synthetic perfection. Reissues don't get much broader in production or sweeter in sound than this.

Review: Two big cuts taken from the Melbourne trio's sixth album Blind Bet, here the band flip two sides of a ridiculously funky coin. "Mind Made Up" features the vocals of Tru Thoughts starlet Kylie Auldist. Her rich emphatic vocals fit the 70s soul licks perfectly. Smooth and dynamically delivered with big horns, subtle strings, major chords and an instantly catchy chorus, you'll make your mind up on this long before the last horns blast a final cheerio. "Skeletor", meanwhile, is a much more party-focussed jam where big breakbeats provide the back bone for sharp horns, heavy Hammond slapping and warm gravelly vocals.

Review: Legendary singer songwriter Barbara Mason is represented in the finest fettle on this 1974 reissue. "World In Crisis" first appeared on her Transition album. Complete with warm harmonies and soft cinematic orchestration, her honey-toned sermons cut through the mix with a cool sense of dreaminess. "Give Me Your Love", meanwhile, is a fantastic cover of the Curtis Mayfield classic where here surging emphasis coats the groove with silky come-to-bed whispers. Stunning.