SOUL RECOMMENDATIONS MAY 2015

Review: When copies of Raw Soul Express's The Way We Live crop up online, they regular fetch eye-watering sums of money. Originally released back in 1977 on T.K Records' soul/funk offshoot Cat, it remains the greatest single work by the short-lived Miami band. "The Way We Live" is a superb example of sun-kissed, feel good, conscious disco/soul/funk fusion, built around a killer, horn-toting groove and emotion-rich vocal. The jazzy, low-slung flipside "This Thing Called Music" is less in demand, but almost as good. As a result, this is a surprise reissue that all funk, soul and disco diggers should crave.

Review: A tale of two Dusty Springfield's on this special RSD 7". "What's It Going To Be" is a straight up, sweaty and stompy northern soul classic while the heavily-sampled "Spooky" explores Springfield's more sultry, purring, sexual side. But then you probably knew that already. Two classic Dusty jams, one excellent RSD special; only 1000 of these 45s have been pressed. You know what to do.

Review: Brand new music from Nicole Willis and her intrepid Soul Investigators, their first new material since 2013's Tortured Soul album, and its business as usual. "Paint Me In A Corner" is a lively strutting funk gem peppered with harmonies and driven by a strict, solid drum beat and subtle percussion. "Where Are You Now", meanwhile, is a slower, more heartfelt ballad with lush swooning horns that nestle Nicole's raw and heartfelt vocal imagery consummately.

Review: 

Another all-time classic from the extensive back catalog of the legendary Miami songstress Gwen McCrae.

"90% Of Me Is You" is instantly recognizable, it's been sampled countless of times by some of the most seminal Hip Hop artists ever (Large Professor, Jaylib, Mobb Deep & more) & is a bonafide "Rare Groove" sure-shot that never loses it's appeal & is always in demand with DJ's & producers. Perhaps it's the pairing of the languid guitar & strings, or Gwen's sultry vocals & that steady breakbeat that keeps people hooked some 40 years after it's original release? Whatever it is, it's classic material from start to finish!

Backed here with it's original b-side slow jam "It's Worth The Hurt" this super-rare 45 has been re-mastered, re-pressed & brought back for 2015's dance-floors in conjunction & with the permission of T.K. Disco / Henry Stone Music, Miami USA.

Review: rare soul from the sunshine state! Phillip Wright only dropped 1 45 single under his own name on TK Disco's tiny Dash label in 1976. Long sought after & coveted by lovers of rare disco & modern soul "keep her happy" has never been reissued in its original 45 format, until now!

Often fetching around the $200 mark for a used copy this sublime slice of funk deserves to be heard by a wider audience, sadly Phillip never achieved the commercial success of his sister Betty but perhaps now this obscure single of his will make people hit the dancefloor in 2015!

Repressed, remastered & re-released in it's original dinked 45 rpm format with all original Dash records artwork intact in conjunction with Joe Stone / TK Disco, Miami FL.

Review: Straight up steamy, sweaty shake-down soul that - until now - has been rare as hen's teeth. Spotted passing hands for upwards of L500 in the past, we have two storming sides for the price of one: "Mood For Love" is a stomp happy northern soul classic loaded with all the right ingredients; big harmonies, bigger horns and a beat that won't quit. "Let Me Down Easy" didn't achieve anthem status in the same way and has since been the driver for the original pressing's high price. Stick the needle on and you'll know why; powerful Rhodes, life-affirming horns and a gutsy vocal that burns from the inside in the best possible way.

Review: Brooklyn funkers T&S unveiled their future releases with this special 10" sampler. Oozing soul from every groove, highlights include the orchestral narrations of Wu Tang collaborator El Michels Affair, snake-charming, barrel-massaging smoke from Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band and brand new funk from one of the most consistent soul legends Lee Fields. Effectively a massive tease... We can't wait for all of these artists' albums to drop later this year!

Review: A very special Record Store Day release that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Gaye's breakthrough smash "How Sweet It Is". An undiluted R&B swinger coated in harmonies and shaking percussion, it's backed by the softer, soulful duet with Mary Wells. Both still as stunning as the day they were the day they were released, grab your copy now before Robin Thicke cops them all.