Review: Australian soul singer Stella Angelico has been at it since 2012, and now, signaling yet more to come, we hear a fresh 7" documenting her work with Cookin' On 3 Burners, a Melbourne-based band whose specialism is Hammond organ funk and soul. On the A we've got 'I'm Comin' Home To You', a nimble pop-soul of impeccable quality, expressing the joy of a long-awaited return. The B-sider, 'Whole Woman', is more of a monologue and slow jam, expressing the joy of staying fully embodied and grounded.
Review: The ever vital Boogie Back has another pearler on its hands here. This 7" is an SOS Band influenced double header produced by Ernie McKone, with Cheri Maree on the vocals. Firstly, 'Time Waits' pairs nice analogue drum work and big, pixelated chords straight from the 80s. It's a sugar sweet tune with a buttery smooth vocal that will get those rumps wiggling. Flip it over and you will find 'Is It You', a more slow and sentimental tune with splashy chords and bendy bass. The vibe is steamy and romantic, with the sort of tempting groove that you won't be able to resist.
Review: Jonny Benavidez is the soul star we can't get enough of right now and thankfully he is back with another doozy with Cold Diamond & Mink, whose mesmeric grooves make for another sublime voyage. This new 7" is a double-sider that has tunes taken from the My Echo, Shadow and Me album and 'Do What You Wanna Do,' is a lovely dancer with buttery top lines from Benavidez, rolling grooves, backing vox and big horns embellishing it yet further. On the B-side is 'Your Last Song,' a more bluesy and downtempo sound that is packed with powerful melodies that you wont't be able to stop humming.
Jonny Benavidez & Cold Diamond & Mink - "Tell Me That You Love Me" (3:42)
Cold Diamond & Mink - "Tell Me That You Love Me" (instrumental) (3:44)
Review: Coming through on Timmion's offshoot Stylart Records, Jonny Benavidez Cold Diamond and Mink have exactly what it takes to soothe those winter blues with a little bit of their own bluesy spirit. To be exact, this is pure-class soul music from the deepest part of their hearts, but there is a strong element of melancholia at its core, and that's what gives "Tell Me That You Love Me" its sparkle and mystique. Mink's voice is like velvet on this beautiful recording, and even the instrumental sounds like the sort of gem that everyone from Floating Points to Theo Parrish could dig. New music, too!
Cold Diamond & Mink - "Let's Get Together" (instrumental) (4:22)
Review: We just love hearing new soul and funk. Sure, a rare single from the 60s or 70s goes a long way in satisfying our needs, but how good is it to hear NEW music!? That's why we rate Finland's Timmion imprint so highly; they always come through with the goods, and there isn't a single EP they've put out that hasn't interested us... or flown off our shelves! This time, Jonny Benavidez, Cold Diamond and Mink team up for the absolute sexiness that is "Let's Get Together", a seductive soul ballad that is bound to lit up the room instantly! The instrumental is rather fine, too.
Review: Timmion is one of our favourite labels out of anywhere, let alone Finland. 'here comes another golden soul cut from the frozen north with Jonny Benavidez back in collaboration with the ever delightful grooves of Cold Diamond & Mink. The A-side is a heart melting soul ballad in the form of 'My Echo, Shadow and Me' which manages to pay homage to the classics while bringing something new. On the flip is a more dreamy and mid tempo soul sound in the Mandells'esque 'Playing The Fool' which carries you away to a better place.
Maxine Brown - "I Wonder What My Baby's Doing Tonight" (2:25)
Chuck Jackson - "Two Stupid Feet" (2:32)
Review: Maxine Brown and Chuck Jackson are two of Wnad Records's finest singing talents, as well as being firm favourites of the Kent label. For that reason they are paired up on this vital 7", which provides DJs with some high grade weaponry. They tackle popular songs from Van McCoy and Luther Dixon respectively. with Brown serving up the super short but sweet "I Wonder What My Baby's Doing Tonight", a soul gem that will make your heart soar. Chuck Jackson's "Two Stupid Feet" is more slow motion and mellow, but makes just as much of an emotional impact.
You Don't Love Me (No No No) (feat Delroy Williams) (3:38)
You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good (5:01)
Review: Susan Cadogan is an esteemed reggae vocalist who has been since the 1970s. Now she continues her musical journey with this cover single which is taken from her excellent 2020 album Hurt So Good - Storybook Revisited, distributed by Burning Sounds. Side-A features a rendition of the reggae classic by Dawn Penn, while Side-B offers a sweet soul interpretation of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' track. Enhanced with Japanese-inspired artwork on the jacket, this release showcases Cadogan's timeless talent and versatility as it bridges the gap between reggae and soul music across generations.
Review: The Magnetics was formed in 2017 and bring a fresh fusion of vintage Jamaican sounds with elements of 60s ska, early reggae and rocksteady all couched din a soul and R&B style. This new 45rpm is another glorious one with the superb vocals of Susan Cardigan bringing the sunshine to 'My Oh My' with its Hammond chords and snaking bass. The flip side is another slow and seductive sound with more classic reggae instrumentals and another standout turn from Cardigan. The dusty production is as authentic as it comes.
Review: What we would give to go digging in the vast vaults of influential soul label JB's. Well, thankfully, they do it themselves each Record Store Day and as such we have some real treasure here with Richard Caiton's swooning and soul-drenched love song 'Thank You.' It's a super rare one from back in 1978 that is a real piece of New Orleans soul history (it is eye wateringly pricey for an original, too, with the only current one listed at just L2500.) On the flip is another lush modern soul tune 'Where Is The Love' which has been arranged by Wardell Quezerque.
Review: Formed in 1973, Cake was a New York band that recorded only one 7" at Arabellum Studios in Colony, Albany. It proved a huge hit, making many appearances in DJ sets and mixes over the years, and then going on to fetch eye watering prices on second hand markets. It achieved holy grail status some time in the last decade and now has been remastered form the original tapes. The original 12" single is served up here with an instrumental version and the funky backside gem, 'Let Your Body Go.' This is timeless disco funk that will prove irresistible to all.
Review: The enduringly popular 'What You Won't Do For Love' by Bobby Caldwell, which stood out as the highlight soul single from his debut album Bobby Caldwell from 1978, served as great sample fodder for many a legendary musician to come thereafter, such as Tupac Shakur. The record has thus indubitably imprinted itself on the collective music fan's psyche, what with its leaping chorus refrains and resolute phrase-stop hook. Now, Be With Records make a one-of-a-kind statement, honouring the history of the record as it was first pressed: the U.S. first edition came as a 10", heart-shaped red vinyl record. And while the redo does indeed look similar, it sounds different: Caldwell's 'Open Your' Eyes' replaces the original 'Love Won't Wait' on the B-side, further hammering home the shag-trimmed, blue-eyed singer's brilliant range.
Review: The Glades label was a very fine outlet for outsider soul music, indeed. Yes, we have just made that term up, but that is exactly the sort of tip that these guys were on back in the '70s, and each one of their releases had something new and fresh about them. Nate Calhoun's "Funktown" was no different, and its chirpy disco beat is led by a delightful organ and veritably sunny, happy-go-lucky vocals. "Have Some Of Me", on the other hand, is deeper and more soulful, a sublime little ballad for the lovers.
Review: Ten years have passed since Italian "cinematic funk" specialists Calibro 35 delivered their debut release, an anniversary they recently celebrated via a killer album called "Decade". Here, one of the album's standout cuts is released as a single. "Travelers, Explorers", featuring the seductive vocals of Elisa Zoot, is a beautiful end-of-night number rich in atmospheric instrumentation and cinematic strings reminiscent of Italian great Ennio Morricone. Over on the flipside they go down an altogether heavier route, delivering superb vocal and instrumental covers of Barry Gardiner's familiar theme from Gerry Anderson puppet show "Stingray". Short but sweet and thrillingly sweaty, the instrumental is arguably the seven's standout track by some distance.
Review: Milan mystic funkateering five-piece Calibro 35 tease with two songs from their forthcoming album Decade. As always, expect full instrumental mischief as the long-haired gang duff us up with fast-paced, super-tight grooves laced with heady levels of cosmicity. "SuperStudio" is the entrance theme of your dreams. A big ballsy riff, full orchestration and a momentum that pushes you deep inside your favourite 70s movie. "Gomma" is straight up funk prog fusion with its warbling synths and big dark energetic waves. Bring on the album!
Calibro 35 & Marco Castello - "Lunedi Cinema" (1:57)
Calibro 35 - "Chaser" (3:02)
Review: Calibro 35's latest release showcases the band's ability to explore new sonic territories while paying tribute to the legends of jazz-funk. This limited edition 7" vinyl includes two standout tracks, 'Lunedi Cinema feat. Marco Castello' and 'Chaser.' 'Lunedi Cinema' revisits Lucio Dalla's iconic theme from RAI TV's Monday Movie, infusing it with a fresh jazzy disco-funk feel. Marco Castello's scat singing adds a playful yet sophisticated layer to this energetic reimagining, keeping the spirit of the original intact while adding a modern flair. On the flip side, 'Chaser' is a groovy jazz-funk stormer originally composed by Piero Umiliani for the 1975 noir film The Body. Calibro 35's rendition brings the song's cinematic intensity to life, weaving in funky rhythms that make it an electrifying listen. Calibro 35 once again prove their versatility and creativity in this thrilling release.
Review: Terry Callier's rediscovery in the early 90s was a turning point for Acid Jazz and few records symbolise that era quite like 'I Don't Want To See Myself (Without You)'. Originally released as a one-off on the indie label Erect, the track was Callier's final release before stepping away from music, leaving behind a career that had spanned Prestige, Cadet, and Elektra. By the time Acid Jazz reissued it in 1990, the original pressing had become a grail for collectors, with prices soaring. The song itself is a masterclass in understated soul, Callier's plaintive vocal weaving through rich instrumentation with the kind of deep emotional resonance that only he could deliver. Over the next decade, his legend grewihe returned to recording, toured the UK, and finally received the recognition he deserved. In 2006, Acid Jazz gave the record another limited pressing, featuring a fresh edit from Andy Lewis. Now, with the blessing of Callier's estate, the single is back once more, backed with 'If I Could Make You'. A vital piece of modern soul history, fully restored.
Review: On the latest edition of their excellent Soul Essentials series, Outta Sight has decided to bring together two versions of 'Ordinary Joe', a seemingly perennial favourite written by the late, great Terry Callier. His celebrated 1972 recording - all bold, sing-along choruses, organ stabs, jangling piano and lolloping grooves - breezes its way across side A, while Jerry Butler's earlier version, laid to tape in 1970, sits on side B. His version is much more expansive and musically detailed than Callier's take, with superb production from Gamble & Huff and some brilliant orchestral arrangements courtesy of Donny Hathaway. Both versions are, or course, incredible.
Review: The on point Funk Night label returns with these raw and emotive jams from Rickey Calloway & The Tennessee Band. The tidy two track 7" opens with the raw soul jazz sounds of 'Everybody Say Yeah' with its blasts of horns, expressive vocals and rolling rhythm section all cutting deep. Flip it over for the slightly more loose feeling 'Mr Meaner,' an instrumental version with the backing singers left in place to inject some human warmth to the lo-fi grooves.
Review: Northern Soul heads rejoice - Cam Cameron's delightful 1968 gem 'They Say' is back on 45 rpm thanks to Soul Junction. Cameron is a Black American artist who has a stunning voice, as you can hear here, but is one of many such talents to apparently have only ever recorded one tune before disappearing never to be heard from again. More's the pity. His real name was Alvin Cameron and he wrote this one while the lush strings come from the late John Andrew Cameron, a hugely respected arranger, producer and songwriter who had a big impact in the soul scene in the 60s and 70s in Chicago.
Review: GC Cameron was born and raised in McCall Creek, Mississippi, and by the age of 22 he was already famous having joined Motown Records. He was signed up as lead singer of the legendary group The Spinners and had several web recover tunes and a few hits such as 'It's A Shame,' which was co-written and produced by Stevie Wonder. After that, Cameron left the group and went solo and teamed up with Harvey Faqua, Greg Crockett and Elgie Stover to record his best-ever work, which now makes its way onto this fine four-track EP courtesy of Soundway.
Review: During the 1970s, Cornell Campbell made some fantastic records with producer Bunny Lee. 'My Baby Just Care For Me', a favourite amongst the lovers rock-powered 1970s blues party scene in London, is undoubtedly one of their best joint efforts. The riddim is loose and languid, the added piano solos pleasingly expressive and jangling, and Campbell soulful lead vocal tterly beguiling. Chunkier, more dancefloor-friendly roots reggae vibes are the order of the day on flipside cut 'Jah Jah He Morn Ya', where Campbell's vocal improvisation between verses add even more energy to an already heavyweight jam. In a word: essential.
Review: The label says it all... Neither of these tracks have ever been released outside the original albums they came on. Until now. The legendary Candido steps up for the A-side with an uptempo, percussion-heavy groove from his 1971 album Beautiful; with big brassy fills and a stripped back, sample-addict's dream breakdown, this still punches as hard now as it did over 40 years ago. Flip for a funk trip from the equally revered Edwin Starr. Taken from his Hell Up In Harlem soundtrack, it's quintessential Blaxploitation funk with slippery bass, sleazy guitars and Edwin's velvet vocals that can go from purring to roaring in 0.03 seconds. Limited to one per customer, jump on this as soon as you can.
Candy & The Kisses - "Are You Trying To Get Rid Of Me Baby" (2:39)
Val Simpson - "Mr Creator" (2:11)
Review: Candy & The Kisses burst onto the Northern Soul scene with their first single and all-time classic "The 81" co-written and produced by the late Jerry Ross. "Are You Trying To Get Rid Of Me Baby" is a storming soul number that went under the radar for the most part, but is good as any of other hits of theirs like "Chains Of Love" and many others. Flipside "Mr Creator" co-written by Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson was taken up by The Apollas in 1967 on Warner Bros. and went on to become an all-time classic.
Review: The unequalled Soul Jazz label is serving up some monster funk this month and they don't come much bigger than these two cuts from Chuck Carbo. Opener 'Can I Be Your Squeeze' is a super catchy, break heavy and funk fulled party jam to destroy the floor. Written and produced by the celebrated Eddie Bo, it comes with big drums from New Orleans stick man James Black. On the flip is the ever so slightly more mellow but not less dance 'Take Care Your Homework Friend.' These have long been hard to find and now come pressed nice and loud on fresh wax.
Review: First released in 2009 through People's Potential Unlimited - the vintage funk and soul outfit operant out of Washington, D.C. - Cardell Funk Machine's 'Shoot Your Shoot' is a daring tease, dealing in candid soul thematics about taking chances, and/or asking, "what's the worst that could happen?". The first ever release by this alias of the avant-soul Chicago musician Cardell Harrington, 'Shoot Your Shot' was released in 2009 but may have been recorded even earlier; Cardell was said to have only been 19 at the time, allegedly laying it down in prominent soul producer Donald Burnside's studio. Backed by the 'lo-fi' halfstep number 'It's All Over', this is electric soul through and through, commanding a bare-boned but still brilliantly even, neon sonic keel.
Review: Guitarist Carl Holmes formed his band with The Commanders and recorded a full-length in 1962 for Atlantic, just a few years after first started gigging. He later went on to record for the Parkway and Verve labels and even gigged with Jimi Hendrix, though never conveyed any of the sessions to tape. His group disbanded soon after in the late 60s and he then formed this one which was defined by its strong rhythm section. This is their only record and it's a classic bit of funk from smoking breaks to syncopated Latin-tinged jams and some more mellow magic in between.
Review: Swedish superstar Magnus Carlson prepares us for his next album From Now On. His first English sung album since his work with the Moon Ray Quintet, this pokey little "45 gives us a strong flavour of what's to come. "The Long Way Home" is all about the big soul vibes with surging vocals and a tight driving groove while "Beggin'" is a fantastic cover of Frankie Vallie that blows his Swedish version from 2003 completely out of the water.
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