Heavy D & The Boyz - "Don't Curse" (DNA edit) (4:41)
Review: You have to liov these 45s that elegantly bridge the lineage between the original and the sampled while also highlighting hip-hop and r&b, showcasing the seamless interplay that defined the 90s. On Side-1, 'Back & Forth (DNA Edit)' gets a UK remix treatment from the legendary DNA crew, amplifying the track's smooth groove and youthful energy, silky vocals and laid-back charisma shining even brighter under the remix's refined production.. Side-2 features 'Don't Curse (DNA Edit)', transforming the posse cut into a sharper, more rhythmically dynamic experience as playful, feelgood verses and the crew's lyrical finesse are elevated by the remix's polished beats.
Review: The third edition in Ten Lovers' Coin series hears Marcello Cassanelli, Caruso and Helen McCormack fuse churnout disco, chicken pickin' guitar and Rhodes solos, in an extravaganza of fresh, sartorial dance music. Never pressing too hard, Cassenelli's 'Starlight' and 'Tropical Breeze' go easy on the master channel, with unhurried pan flutes, roiling strings and twizzling G-synths stuck loosely to a soft but firm electro-tropical backbeat. 'Dream Horizon' is a brilliant outerlude on which to close the side. On the flip, Caruso & Helen McCormack allude equally to the Manchester Street Soul scene of the late 80s with 'Have & Hold', whose razor-edge r&b vocals and low-slung progression lend the record a surprise twist. Their 'Love You More', meanwhile is lushness personified, before Caruso's 'Central' chugs magnficently towards the run out groove with oozing synths and glitterball glamour.
Review: Charlie Charlie's 'Save Us' is a track brimming with raw emotion, and Mondag's remix feels like a perfect counterpart, bringing a subtle touch of melancholy with its soft saxophone solo. The track maintains its weight, but Mondag's approach gives it a dream-like quality, coaxing out the depths of its aching beauty. Bella Boo's edit brings a noticeable shift, tightening the rhythms and infusing the track with a sharper energy, but it never loses the soul of the original. Gerd Janson, meanwhile, offers an ambient version that feels like an entirely different experience - less immediate, but no less absorbing. On the other side, Hypernatural's remixes expand on the dreamlike, almost otherworldly feeling of the originals. Knightlife's take on 'Spirit Walk' stretches the song's already fluid nature, making it feel weightless, while Gerd Janson's remix of 'Stormfront' adds a darker, more reflective mood.
Don Covay & The Jefferson Lemon Band - "If There's A Will There's A Way" (3:36)
Harvey Mandel - "Baby Batter" (3:40)
Review: Climactic, psychedelic soul and blues brilliance by Don Covay, co-written by Donny Hathaway and backed by a proto-Balearic sweetmeat on the B, Harvey Mandel's 'Baby Batter'. The A-side was originally released one year after (1972) the B-side (1971) on the American Janus label, and the tracks provide a palpable contrast, drawing on the same idiom yet approaching it with remarkable difference. Covay's lyrics are, thematically, overflowing with determination, despite the psychic conflict at the track's heart. Is there any resolution? "The sweeter you, look, mama... the bitterer you treat me..."
Carolyn Crawford - "It Takes A Lotta Teardrops" (2:47)
Hodges, James, Smith & Crawford - "I'm In Love" (2:26)
Review: It Takes A Lotta Teardrops showcases the refined touch of Mickey Stevenson, delivering a timeless Motown sound. This Leon Ware and Vicki Basemore composition, although unreleased until now, echoes the classic vibes that Kim Weston also interpreted, but like hers, it remained in the vaults. The decision to shelve this gem in 1972 may have been due to its retro style during a time of evolving musical tastes, yet it remains an essential listen for Motown and Northern Soul enthusiasts. On Side-2, 'I'm In Love', stems from Carolyn Crawford's work with Hodges, James and Smith in 1971. Released under the M'Pingo label, this track embraced a more contemporary feel for its era and continues to resonate in Modern and Crossover rooms today. This single is a fine addition for collectors and fans of classic soul.
Review: Remark at this 1979 step-by-step musical instructional manual on how to transform the melancholias and morosenesses of glum men into feelings of gratitude. The Capreez, whose band name informally evolved from the more conservatively spelled "The Capris", were an obscure band from the Detroit area, who released singles on both Tower and Sound Records in the 1960s. The how-to in question involves telling him you love him and need him, explicating an amorous solution.
Review: Expansion is pushing the boat out for Record Store Day 2020. Chief among the label's must-check RSD releases is this 12", which offers up fresh re-edits - courtesy of an un-credited re-editor - of two sought-after cuts by late-'70s and early '80s West Coast fusionists Halo. The headline attraction is undoubtedly the fresh edit of the ultra-rare extended mix of 1981's 'Let Me Do It', a warm and groovy modern soul/boogie jam primarily known for its' familiar "let me do until you're satisfied" vocal refrain. The band's shorter original version is also included in the package, alongside a shorter re-edit of their sparkling, synth-heavy 1988 single "Life". In keeping with the more celebrated A-side, it's an energetic, life-affirming earworm.
Music Makes The World Go 'Round (instrumental) (3:30)
Review: Numero's Hottest Sounds Around collection captures obscure late-70s grooves from the Greater Antilles. Trinidad's Stan Chaman's Semp label delivered Wilfred Luckie's quirky 'My Thing' and the Hamilton Brothers' calypso-disco hit 'Music Makes The World Go 'Round' in 1978. Meanwhile, across the sea, Frank Penn's G.B.I studio recorded Stephen Colebrook's Doobie Brothers-inspired 'Stay Away From Music,' appealing to cruise ship audiences. All three tracks are packaged in a custom Numero sleeve, echoing the design of Edward Seaga's influential Caribbean music label, WIRL (West Indies Records Ltd.). This compilation revives the vibrant, eclectic sounds of the late 70s, providing a fresh look at the music that once enlivened the Caribbean scene.
Music Makes The World Go 'Round (instrumental) (3:23)
Review: Numero's Hottest Sounds Around series has excelled at unveiling a treasure trove of late-70s Caribbean grooves. Now they look to Trinidad where Stan Chaman's Semp label originally presented the Hamilton Brothers' calypso-disco hit 'Music Makes The World Go 'Round' back in 1978. It is a vibrant sound with multi-layered grooves, plenty of inescapable summer vibes and a tropical edge that cannot fail to bring the good times to any session. On the flip is an instrumental that pairs things back to the bubbly rhythms. What's more, it comes on lovely pink vinyl.
Review: Chant record label head and under-represented South soul genius put out his Bill Haney's Atlanta Soul Brotherhood CD in 1998 which had these two previously unreleased tunes on. Now they finally make it to wax with a good backstory that was told by Bill and published in Voices From The Shadows. It goes that 'The Golden Voice' aka Roy Hamilton was in town and Bill gave him a song to record which turns out to be the majestic A-side here, while The Drifter's Charlie Thomas was also in the area one time when he recorded the b-side. Both gems.
Review: A really cool concept from Expansion here; one side is a reissued seminal classic, the other is a contemporary version. And what a way to start the start the series; hard bop hero Johnny Hammond influenced pretty much every soul, jazz, rare groove and funk artist who've followed in his path, and the joyously unpredictable "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" is one of his best. Naturally Japanese jazz outfit Quasimode are an ideal remix choice. Known for their wildstyle riffage and signature switches, they've paid the utmost respect to Hammond.
Review: Two out-and-out rarities from Hancock's Columbia-era output. Strictly the sole preserve of DJ promo back in 79/80, the clue is in the title 'special' disco remixes. Smooth, soulful and arranged with such style, every element of Herbie's essential ingredients is brought to the fore in its own time with its own space. "Stars In Your Eyes" swoons with a soulful ballad feel while "Saturday Night" pumps and jumps with party-pulling allure. Simply essential.
Review: A new 7" all the way from Japan's Urban Discos label, from a live band with roots in soul, jazz and funkFirst up is their cover of 'Give Me Your Love,' a Curtis Mayfield jam. It's an instrumental in their hands and one that has some superb guitar solos and nice drum jams under organ vamps that are warm and subdued. 'Koi No Yokan (The Premonition Of Love)' is another vibrant mix of Hammond organs, swaying drums and splashing cymbals that is full of laid back melancholy.
Review: Mr Bongo are enacting a thorough revisiting of some of the very best soul, funk, MPB and boogie gems to stud their catalogue over the years; at this rate, the tagline "back by popular demand" has become a motto. This careful pairing of mutually constitutive Hanna and Almir Ricardi tunes made up the label's 54th release. 'Daixa Radar' comes first as the initial "rediscovery" of DJ Koco, whose Brazil 45's mix was the functional tipoff. Ricardi's 'To Parado Na Tua' is a similar midtempo boogie cut, produced by the legendary duo of Lincoln Olivetti and Robson Jorge, whose singularly timbral slap-drums are to die for.
Jeff Silna - "It's Always Something With You" (4:14)
Review: Favorite Recordings unearth two rare gems from the AOR Global Sounds series on this 7" single. Jonathon Hansen's track, recorded in 1978, captures a soulful AOR sound with heartfelt lyrics inspired by the breakup of his band. Backed by a close-knit group of musicians, the recording feels both intimate and timeless. On the flip, Jeff Silna's contribution channels the energy of Miami's TK Studios, blending funk-inspired grooves with smooth, melodic arrangements. Both tracks are a testament to the creativity of their era, lovingly reissued for collectors and fans of vintage soul.
Review: Maledetta Discoteca closes out its year with this special blue vinyl featuring a mix of brilliant Italo disco artists. They all hail from Italy and Argentina and are editing originals that span disco, electro, proto-house and more. Hararis' 'Si No Pagan' is the first under the scalpel and is a funky cut with raw drums. Lance's 'Yo Quiero A Lucy' is a more slowed down and seductive sound with 80s synths, Marta Paradise's 'Calling' (edit) is a direct and sugar synth laced house stomper and Alan Strani's 'Tension Salsable' brings things to a closer with a nice stomping disco grove with mysterious synths and lush percussion.
Review: Bobby Harden & The Soulful Saints are back with a new 7" that arrives in conjunction with their new album Bridge of Love with arrives in May. These two tunes exemplify what to expect from the long player with sleek seventies pop sounds. 'One Night of the Week' is led by Harden's voice with the dexterous Soulful Saints adding the buttery support next to Latin percussion, horns and even a string quartet. On the flip is the exuberant 'Rase Your Mind'. This outfit has performed live and recorded together with acts such as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and The Wu-Tang Clan and it's easy to see why.
Peggy Lee - "Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay" (Wonderlove edit) (3:55)
Review: French label Battle Weapons does it again here with another superb reissue of a dynamic fusion of vintage soul-jazz and catchy beats. They come from Hardly Subtle featuring Peggy Lee, whose iconic vocals soar over Hardly's masterful production to utterly alluring effect. The track pulsates with a gently infectious energy and infuses organic drums with modern electronic rhythms. It is a great one among many from Peggy Lee, and on the flipside you're treated to a superb Wonderlove edit of her sumptuous take on the Otis Reding classic 'Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay'.
Review: This limited edition double 7" vinyl offers up Rob Hardt's hit track 'Weekend,' which you might consider to be the ultimate family barbecue anthem, as well as being the title song of the inaugural 45 Weekender Hamburg festival. The single comes with some on-point remixes by renowned DJs and producers like Rob Hardt, DJ Friction, and EFBNMXMIX who work it into different realms but all of them are still suited to summer gatherings, block parties, and smooth DJ sets. It comes pressed on coloured vinyl after originally being released for the festival's opening party on July 12th 2024 when it was handed out to 30 international 45Soulciety DJs who helped quickly make it a classic.
Review: If you like classic r&b and Afrobeat then get your lugs around this where both sounds meet in a perfect fusion on this German-Nigerian collaboration. Featuring modern, warm drums and potent basslines, this release kicks off the Sedsoulciety Recordings Gold Line series aimed at showcasing contemporary styles. 'Tell Me What You Want' is presented here in two versions: the Afro Vibe Mix on the A-side and the Groove Mix on the flip. Both tracks bring plenty of heart and also dance floor heft so get things underway in great style.
Keep Loving Me (Like You Do) (instrumental) (2:48)
Review: Silky by name, silky by nature: this reissue is a wonderfully soulful sound by Silky Hargraves originally released in 1966 on the Dearborn label. The single's A-side is it up with some sumptuous string stabs. It has raw, emotive production and hard-hitting soul-funk drums, big brass and a deep, buttery vocal from Hargraves. And the B-side 'You're Too Good (To Me Baby)' is no less powerful and all-consuming which makes this reissue a real doozy for fans of these sorts of classic vintage soul sounds.
Review: There have now been almost 100 hundred entries on Mr Bongo's Brazil 45 series and as far as we can tell not one of them has been a dud. This time they opt for a big and airy soul sound from The Harmony Cats. They were an all female vocal quintet that hailed from Sao Paulo and banded together in 1976. Most prolific in the disco days, the b-side here is their best known tune outside of Brazil. It's got a cosmic breakbeat and light vocals that soar to the skies. A-side 'Seja Como Nos (De Pe No Chao)' is a just as sweet sound that transports you to Latin America in an instant.
Review: The Brazil45 series has always been pure gold and now come a pair f beauties from Harmony Cats, a vocal quintet-turned-trio from Sao Paulo known for their disco-era hits. Harmony Cats' 'Theme' from 1976 is their most recognised track outside Brazil and is inspired by Rhythm Heritage's Barretta's Theme with its spacey breakbeats, lush vocals and percussive flair, all of which have made it a true crossover classic. On the B-side, 'Seja Como Nos (De Pe No Chao)' delivers an exuberant Brazilian twist on The Jacksons' 'Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)'- it's a guaranteed floor-filler with radiant disco energy and Harmony Cats' signature vocal style.
Review: American jazz pianist Gene Harris first released 'Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong' and its counterpart 'Summer' in 1974, when both initially appeared on the classic soul jazz album Astral Signal. Thereafter, it enjoyed a second bout of popularity after being picked up by the trailblazing rare groove scene in London. Now for a third: Selector Series now proffer another reissue of this rare groove workout, a Latin funk gem for an age not yet properly recorded or recognised. Snappy, pugilist drums, wowwing synths and filling choral counterpoints make this a real funk treat.
Review: Athens Of The North celebrate the longstanding contributions of host, presenter, writer, personality and occasional singer Bernard "Spider" Harrison. Recorded sometime around 1970, and fetching large triple figures between collectors, the feel good bluesy soul cut "Beautiful Day" first landed on Lulu Records and has barely seen the light of day since... Until now. And it's loaded with a never-before-released drum cut. Don't sleep, though. Only 500 of these have been pressed.
Review: Izipho Soul has got another release together here that is sure to fly off the shelves as quickly as all their others. It's two tunes taken from a now hard-to-find 2007 album by prolific musicianship and sometimes Diana Ross collaborator Richard Hartley & Soul Resurrection called Face II Face. Phil 'Phillet Of Soul' Ward is the man who has selected them and he's picked real doozies. 'Jesus Makes Me Happy' is a slow motion and sentimental rhythm for dancing at sundown while 'Heart & Soul' is a sentimental ballad.
Review: Mayer Hawthorne's debut release hears a faithful reissue via Stones Throw. 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' was first released in 2008 as the first forerunner to the LP A Strange Arrangement, which was released the following year. Housed on a distinctively oblong, heart-shaped, red 7", the star track hears Hawthorne segue uncertainly from serenade to breakup song, and we're treated to his trademark croaky falsetto too; too nice to pass up. B-sider 'When I Said Goodbye' is a haunting soul reminiscence, giving barbershop harmonies laid down by a ghostly troupe, amid talk of shattered wills and wistful post-breakup apologies.
Review: Northern Soul devotees have long been captivated by unreleased Motown gems, and this one may be the best yet. Written by Chester and Gary Pipkin, 'Stuck-Up' was crafted to replace Mary Wells after her departure from Motown. Although Oma Heard recorded extensively, including a duet with Marvin Gaye, she was dropped for not fitting the label's image. The song was then given to Shirley Gunter, whose 1966 version on Tangerine Records became one of the rarest Northern Soul records, often fetching over 500 quid. Recently, the original Oma Heard version surfaced on a Motown unreleased CD and has been hailed as a classic by Ian Levine. Now, for the first time, it gets released on vinyl by Motown's V.I.P. label.
Review: Here's something to excite those who dig quality 1970s funk, soul and disco: a tidy 7" containing two stone cold classics from the Rod Temperton-helmed, UK-based "international band" Heatwave. Side A boasts one of the standout moments from the group's much-loved 1977 album "Central Heating", seductive, string-laden love song "The Star Of A Story". It's superbly arranged and brilliantly produced, with warm keys, Spanish guitar solos and rich orchestration combining beautifully with the band's slick and smooth vocals. Side B is taken up by 1976 single "Ain't No Half Steppin'", a bolder and more dancefloor-friendly chunk of warm and woozy dancefloor soul.
Review: This single is taken from the only studio album from US soul/rare groove duo Heaven Sent & Ecstasy, originally released back in 1980. P-Vine reissued it as CD in 2006, but this is the first time it has been released on 7' format. Features the well known track 'I'm A Lady' newly edited as single version, in addition to 'The Greatest Love Story' on the flip which is taken from their only album of the same name. A highly treasured album with strong appeal to collectors.
Review: Ron Henderson released only one album with his Choice of Colour band, and that was Soul Junction in 1976. The North Carolina-based singer-songwriter has become an object of cult admiration over the years which is what might explain how an original of that album can often go for upwards of $800 at auctions. The 2020 P-Vine reissue soon sold out and included an extra single from 1983, 'Gemini Lady.' It is that which now gets pressed up to its own 7". It comes with the same label design as the original with a special jacket to make it even more of a collector's item.
Review: Ron Henderson is the North Carolina-based singer-songwriter who, along with his group Choice of Colour, released their sole album Soul Junction in 1976. This now mad rare record has fetched prices over $800 at auctions which prompted a 2020 reissue by P Vine which quickly sold out. Recently discovered, the 1983 hit single 'Gemini Lady' which was included as a bonus track on that reissue was an alternate take, not the original. Consequently, P-VINE decided to reissue the single in its authentic form. As such this formerly hard-to-find 7" single is reissued and replicates the original label design making it a must-cop.
Review: Discos Martos is a new division of Rocafort Records. The imprint takes its bow here with a cultured single from soul singer Glen Anthony Henry who is originally from Los Angeles but now based in Spain. His vibe is to blend the best bits from classic soul with a modern edge that hits different. The A-side, 'Thankful,' is an upbeat tribute to love and friendship featuring a catchy hook and an Al Green-style drum groove. The B-side, 'Fade Away', highlights Henry's falsetto in a deep, introspective ballad. Both tracks are produced by Oscar Martos using full analogue recording so they capture the warmth of 70s soul and make for an exciting start for Discos Martos.
The Heptones - "Love Has Really Got A Hold Of Me" (3:50)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Breezin' Up Brentford Road" (3:44)
Review: If you're reading this you will already be familiar with Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio The Heptones and their very many lovely tunes. This one with Woodfield Road All Stars is as smooth as they come. 'Love Has Got A Hold Of Me' has slow motion grooves and lazy drums with the most gently persuasive acoustic riffs next to soul drenched and warm vocals. On the flipside is 'Breezin' Up Brentford Road' which has some lovely hammond organ vibes and an evn more laid back swagger to it.
Review: Eddie Parker offers a compelling slice of Detroit soul for northern soul enthusiasts, repurposing the unmistakable Pied Piper backing track from the Hesitations' rare 'That's What Love Is'. Revered within the scene, both versions of this stomper are beloved for their punchy, soul-filled power. With this 45 release, the track finds its rightful place in the hands of collectors and dancers, bringing the unmistakable Pied Piper sound back to life in a more accessible form, ready to ignite the dancefloor once again. On the flip, 'Soul Superman #2' makes its debut on 45, expanding the Pied Piper legacy with a previously unreleased track that shares the same bold, masculine energy as its more famous sibling, 'Soul Superman'. While '#2' might not have the chart success of its predecessor, it holds its own with a driving rhythm and recognisable hooks that will easily appeal to fans of the original. This release proves once again the timeless quality of the Pied Piper sound, replete with its rich, groove-laden atmosphere
Review: It's been a weird summer for sure in 2020, but you can improve yours by a guaranteed 100% with the addition of this hard to fine and often expensive 1980 great. High Frequency was a disco offshoot of Aleem, a boogie-funk, r&b and dance music trio formed in New York City. "Summertime" is the sort of bristling and infectious disco cut even the stony hearted can enjoy. The funky bassline, the feel good vocals, the lush chords - it's a real pearl of a track. The instrumental is just as feel good and uplifting. What a 7" this is.
Review: Legendary Harlem label Queen Constance brought the world the most raw and authentic disco direct from the source. Years later, collectors and dancers alike still fawn over plenty of its output and now two of its more notorious tracks get on-point edits by contemporary stars Kon and Moplen. With Kon at the buttons, High Voltage's "Rock Spank Freak" is tweaked and coerced, with extended funk breakdowns and heavier bottom ends. Moplen then adds some extra colour and pumps up the trumpet lines to make for an unabashedly glorious disco stomper. This is a 100% legit reissue with fresh remastering, so do not sleep.
Hill District - "You're Scared Of Falling In Love" (3:35)
Richie Merrett - "You'll Always Have Yesterday Standing By" (3:35)
Review: Dave Welding's Soul Junction has another great package here from The Hill District. This was a group of working musicians that was initially assembled by bassist Walter "Sonny" Hughes who was impressed with them after seeing them rehearse one afternoon. They only ever managed to record one 45, however, and it is this one, and it has overmuch remained hard to find over the years. Hill District's 'You're Scared Of Falling In Love' is glorious sunny and carefree soul with gentle rhythms and great vocal work. Richie Merrett then steps up on the flip with 'You'll Always Have Yesterday Standing By' which is much more verily sentimental and pained.
Review: Some labels deal only in pristine soul legitness - and Celestial Echo are one such set of aesthetes. A reissues label, Celestial Echo focuses on modern soul and boogie, and is curated by Miche (Michael Davies) and Stu Clark. Following three impressively chosen sonic chrisms, all reissued in 2024 - releases by Glenda McLeod, Brutal Force and Winfield Parker - comes this fourth foray into one of the best-loved and perhaps only publicly known tunes by the obscure boogie singer Lisa Hill: 'I Am On The Real Side'. New York's Qit Records were the original purveyors of this track, though its initial obscurity is so baffling to us that we'd guess some case of derelict nobility was at play here; either that, or there was just this much amazing soul music being made in the big city at the time! Here, Hill proclaims her place on the right side of love, with a lyrical emphasis on the object of her passions proving themself to her before she submits.
Review: There's a reason that original copies of Marcia Hines' 1976 single 'You Gotta Let Go' change hands for genuinely eye-watering sums online: it's genuinely brilliant. One of the 'Holy grails' of Australian soul and funk, the track was originally released on a tiny Sydney-based label and, bar plays from a few local DJs, largely sank without trace. Happily Selector Series has delivered this much-needed reissue. As with the original 45, it pairs the astonishingly good 'You Gotta Let Go' - a classic chunk of soaring, orchestra-sporting sing-along dancefloor soul from the era when disco had yet to be defined - with the sweet and cheery 'Don't Let The Grass Grow', which sounds like a long-lost Jacksons record featuring a very young Michael Jackson.
Review: Japanese nu-jazz doesn't get any more smouldering than this deep cut from Yusuke Hirado featuring Lil Summer on vocal duties. 'Fly Away' is a mellow melter thanks in no small part to the moody strings lingering behind Hirado's fluid funk production. It's a downtempo vibe which calls to mind the UK street soul sound, contrasted by B-side joint 'Dear Limmertz' which has a more jazz funk oriented flavour. Both joints won't let you down when you want to set the mood as smooth as possible - with a seasoned pro like Hirado at the controls, what else would you expect?
Review: Genesis present a 7" release of Japanese jazz singer Yusuke Hirado's cover of 'He Loves You'. The original song was written and recorded by Hawaiian jazz-fusion band Seawind, and now it's been given a silky smooth update by Hirado assisted by Yu-ri Tanaka. The track is buffeted along by the sweetest Rhodes chords and a funky, Moog-esque lead, but there's also a distinct slant from the steady tick of the drum machine patterns which form the rhythmic backbone of this version. Backed up with 'Collision In Blue', this is a perfect single for anyone who appreciates that clean, crisp approach to a jazz classic.
Review: Brand new sub-label from the Favorite camp, SOL Discos launches with an absolute reissue gem that has previously passed hands for well over a L100. Hiram & Direct's Detroit-recorded, Hirome-released double-A sets up the new label's stall really well as we're treated to frenetic jazz boogie on "Love Flight" which hasn't lost so much as an ounce of dancefloor focus in its 30+ years while "Turn It Around" is a classic torch ballad Faze-O style. One for getting freaky on the floor, one for getting freaky elsewhere. More please.
Review: This is one of those man-old 45rpms that can still command eye wateringly high prices on second-hand sales markets. It was a real favourite of the rare soul scene thanks to be popularised by Mark "Butch" Dobson at the start of his DJ adventures. It has remained true illusive over the years but this reissue from Soul Direction Origins changes all that. On the a-side is Hank Hodge & The J Notes Band's 'Eye for An Eye' which is an upbeat soul burner with big horn arrangements and plenty of interaction between the male lead and female chorus on the backing. On the flipside is 'Since You Said Goodbye', a slow-burning and heart-melting sentimental soul lament.
Review: Defiant, spruce and intractable, Hodges James Smith & Crawford's 'Nobody' marks this brilliant new funk reissue with a caustic grip-quip after at the slippery satins of love: "nobody's gonna tell me that you don't love me, baby. They just don't know that you're an angel..." Walking a universal tightrope of ambivalence - this is a situation that we'd wager everyone of one stripe or another is familiar with - this record could function either as a tell of blind infatuation with a ne'er-do-well, or a real statement of loving intention for a misunderstood penitent. 'It Cracks Me Up' backs up the B with an ensouled, ensemble-armoured musing on "girls with shiny faces" and "superdudes", resolving on a tonic note of equal sexual charge. The West Coast vocal group outdid themselves back in 1971, so much that original copies of this fetch unholily exorbitant prices; high time for a repress!
Review: Two super rare takes on verified northern soul anthems from Tamla Motown singer/songwriting legend Brenda Holloway on Eight Mile: Her biggest track - a cover of Prince Philip Mitchell's "I'm So Happy" - is thrown down in true Tamla style with big orchestration and belting backing vocals while the highly sought after "Love Me For All The Right Reasons" digs deep in the heart with more of a contemporary soul touch. Heaven sent.
Brenda Holloway - "Think It Over (Before You Break My Heart)" (3:07)
Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers - "Think It Over (Before You Break My Heart)" (3:12)
Review: American singer Brenda Holloway's lost classic remained a hidden gem for decades, its brilliance only coming to light in the 1990s when an acetate copy surfaced on the UK Northern Soul scene. Initially misidentified as 'Reconsider,' a phrase from 60s-era Motown roster member Holloway's stunning vocal performance, the track quickly became a prised rarity, with bootlegs circulating under the wrong name. Over time, the correct details emerged, and what was once an obscure recording grew into a Motown and Northern Soul classic. The two newly released mixes highlight Holloway's breathtaking vocal prowess even further, with the B-side showcasing the mastery of Motown's Funk Brothers, led by Earl Van Dyke. A masterpiece rediscovered and now immortalised on vinyl.
Review: Japan's Kickin' series compiles rarities recorded for TK Records in the late 1970s, the latest example of which comes in the form of this dual-tracked gem by American disco singer Jeanette Holloway. Homing in on an extended project that has included the likes of KC & The Sunshine Band, Timmy Thomas, and George McCrae over the years, Holloway's contribution is incredibly bright, with the titular 'I Won't Be Around' boasting an impressive array of guitars, harmonies, and production crunch. 'You Got To Give A Little' is a far lesser known B-side, not yet known to the public but certainly one of equal potential to beguile.
Review: A crunchy and honest reissue of Loleatta Holloway's 'I Can't Help Myself', which has only seen a smidgen of recognition compared to what it deserves so far. Originally featured on the 'Cry To Me' LP for DJs, the song is a strutting ode to dashed expectations in love. The B-side, 'Mrs So & So's Daughter', meanwhile, meditates through dry, electric funk. Astonishing remaster from Kent Dance.
Review: The Sonic Wax label is doing some Godly work of late and this new limited edition one-sided 7" is further evidence. It takes the form of Hank Hollywood's 'Take Your Time'. This stunning, never-before-released 60s crossover soul track has never been on vinyl before so it is a real rarity. Musically, despite being just over two minutes, it is a non-laced and authentic deep-cut funk and soul fusion with a breezy vocal line and some bold brass notes heightened the message while a knotted funk bassline and some well-plucked guitar add extra layers.
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