What The World Needs Now Is Love (Silent Dream version) (4:32)
Review: Reggae Disco Rockers are Japan's leading reggae and lover's rock band. They have been active since they dropped their first ever single way back in 1996 and since then they have put a steady stream of sounds including six full albums and many more singles. This one is a cover of an absolute soul classic. 'What The World Needs Now Is Love' here becomes a slow, weighty dub with splashy cymbals, nice incidental melodies and a re-sung vocal that conveys the same emotions. Flip it over for a more steamy, sax-laced Silent Dream version.
The O'Jays - "Now That We Found Love" (Soul Flip edit) (4:17)
Review: After a pause since last March, Soul Flip Edits returns with a fresh new logo and a highly anticipated new Soul Flip outing on 7" vinyl. To mark this comeback, the much loved label has reimagined a classic: Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man' and they have givien it a punchy update that stays true to the original's vibe. On the B-side, they've reworked 'Now That We Found Love' by The O'Jays by adding a smooth touch that promises to keep dancers moving. Both tracks bring timeless soul energy with an enhanced twist so are two perfectly "flipped" soul anthems ready for the party.
Judson Moore & The Al Tog Staff - "Everybody Push & Pull" (3:11)
Review: Soul Junction revisits the Scot-Tees Capri master tapes here to unveil two previously unreleased tracks. First is 'My Sweet Polly' by The Scott Brothers, a late 60s dance tune inspired by Howard Scott's former girlfriend. Coupled with this is a studio version of Judson Moore's "Everybody Push & Pull," a crossover hit influenced by Rufus Thomas. The Scott Brothers evolved from the 'Elpeccios' in 1958 to the Scott Brothers Band in 1963 and were instrumental in Chicago's music scene. Their label, Capri Records, produced hits like 'We Like Girls' and worked with legends like Garland Green. Judson Moore was a veteran singer who thrived under their mentorship and went on to leave a lasting legacy.
Review: Back in the 60s and 70s, library music exploded as a genre. It saw plenty of talented musicians make extra cash by laying down endless instrumental grooves for use in TV, film and radio. The King Underground label is now digging into the vast vaults for a new series of releases of some of the finest sounds from the era. The first 45 features tracks considered to be 'dramatic' from John Scott and Tony Kinsey. Scott's 'Milky Way' opens up with cosmic chords and sweeping strings that take you to the stars while 'Star Voyage' has a more busy lead. Kinsey's 'Kaleidoscope' builds the tension with multiple movements from several instruments.
Review: A dynamic duo of Brazilian classics on 7" from Wilson Simonal and Trio Mocoto. On Side-1. you have the infectious samba-MPB hit 'Nem Vem Que Nao Tem' by Wilson Simonal, a standout from his 1967 Alegria, Alegria !!! album. This track gained renewed fame in 2002 when it was featured in the critically acclaimed film City of God, exciting new audiences with its lively rhythms. On the flip side, Trio Mocoto delivers the orchestral-infused gem 'Nao Adianta,' first appearing on their self-titled 1977 Arlequim LP. Known for their collaboration with Jorge Ben on seminal albums like 'Forca Bruta,' this group was instrumental in developing the samba rock sound, blending samba, soul, and rock with an unmistakable sun-kissed flavor. This release is a vibrant celebration of Brazil's rich musical heritage, capturing the essence of two legendary acts in one compelling package.
Review: Sultry street soul/R&B from two otherworldly underground names, intro'ing Vol. 1 of their 'Grown and Sexy Music' series. Sudi 'Space Ghost' Wachspress handles the production on these three swaying, sex-soul tidbits, while Teddy Bryant aka. Urbyne tops things off, adding melismatic croons to the affair. A-sider 'Heaven Sent' is a glistening, ecstatic exercise in digi-R&B moods, as Bryant sings of excited imaginations and loving fantasies. 'Little Bit Of Love' spices things up to a boom-bap flavour, with thoughts of neediness prevailing - of course, they just "need a little bit of your drug". 'Relax Your Mind', finally, ushers in a safe space / comedown after the high.
Review: The Tito Lopez Combo brings together some of London's finest musicians and here is led by the renowned drummer Harbans Srih, who gained fame for his performance on the iconic Starsky & Hutch theme with the James Taylor Quartet. On this one, 'Bostin ' Norton' gets going with some steamy and seductive sax notes which rise out of a bubbly funk brew. 'Play It Again Sam' los it don t more pensive and prying melodies which unfurl at their own pace of icy cymbals and deep drums.
Review: Strut rings in the holiday season with a special reissue of The Qualities' rare 1961 single 'It's Christmas Time' b/w 'Happy New Year To You!', originally released on Sun Ra's Saturn label. This mysterious vocal harmony group, guided by the visionary Sun Ra, captures a unique moment in music history. Likely recorded around 1956, the festive tracks showcase Sun Ra's influence, blending jazz and harmony group experimentation. Remastered and restored, this exclusive 7" features a new picture sleeve designed by Liam Large, making it a collector's item that celebrates both the holidays and Sun Ra's boundary-pushing legacy.
Review: Riveting, super-punchy uptempo funk from Japan's Mushi 45 imprint, the label home of the band The Mushi Players, and whose wily curatorial wits are put on full display with this incredible new release shared with Super Eagles Band. The Players' fourteenth release, 'Sock It To Me' welcomes the newly formed Super Eagles for an enthralling sonic spectacle; part one on the A signals an unmatched taste for unisons and tightness, prepending singeing axes with gnarly vocal yaps and an overall unmatched fonk; the instrumental B-sider, meanwhile, eschews the various voxes and solos for a full-frontal exposing of the nude groove, evincing a strong taste for on-beat hat-batterings and firmly-held sax notes in their place.
T Funk Collective - "Since I Fell For You" (feat Mali) (4:01)
Atomphunk - "Come Boogie" (feat SI Brad) (4:03)
Review: The story goes that T Funk Collective were formed during lockdown after the wealth of time offered by the anti-pandemic measure allowed Manchester DJ T2Funk to hone and streamline his crate-digging chops - leading naturally to the formation of a collective of producers and turntablists, who now contribute their own modern funk bits to their very own label. 'Since I Fell For You' is a quality, hi-fi instrumental funk number suited for DJs and dancers alike. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything less inhibition-melting for some time.
Review: Last year, Freestyle Records reissued 'Tonight's The Night', the 1983 debut from West London outfit Take Three - a collaboration between production trio S.H.E (Steve Sinclair, Peter Hinds and Kevin Ellis) and lover's rock vocal harmony group Alpha (AKA Marlene Richardson and sisters Jackie and Jean Heron). 'Can't Get Enough', another gem from the band's vaults, dates from 1985 and was initially released as their final single. In keeping with the group's roots, it comes in two contrasting mixes: a gorgeously dreamy, glossy and glassy 'Soul Mix' powered forward by squelchy synth-bass, mid-tempo beats and jaunty, jazz-funk style keyboard riffs, and the 'Reggae Mix'. As the title suggests, this radically alters the tempo and groove of the track - it's basically synth-heavy, mid-80s lovers rock - whilst retaining key elements of the A-side soul version.
Review: This one is such an evergreen classic that it is never long between reissues. The Take Vibe EP is musician Laurence Mason and he here mashes together the sounds of Dave Brubeck and Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers - it started on YouTube and got over one million hits, so then made it to vinyl and keeps selling out. On the flip is a romantic, late night jazz version of The Police classic 'Walking On The Moon', making this a real collector's item.
Review: This one is such an evergreen summer classic that it sells out whenever it reappears and gets reissued on a regular basis. Last time was last summer but now the rays are back in our lives we're glad it is available one more. Brazilian jazz vocalist Tania Maria is a true icon with a huge back catalogue of music behind her. Here, Soul Brother look back to her 1983 album Come With Me and lift a pair of pearlers for this vital 7". 'Come With Me' is a sundown slinker, with Maria's airy tone gliding over the sprightly piano chords while on the flip 'Lost In Amazonia' is a joyous, scat-powered slice of jazz funk with incredible slap bass flex. Essential summer grooves.
Review: Kaidi Tatham back on 2000BLACK needs little explanation really, does it? Anyone who takes broken beat and neo soul seriously should already be slipping this on in their cart, but for the uninitiated this is one of the grandmasters of the sound in full flight. 'Galaxy' is a beautiful, uplifting soul-boogie jam with a stunning vocal turn from Lola Violet, and it comes in two different twists depending on the energy you need to bring to your set - for us the 'Uptempo Mix' is a perfect shot of joy in the arm. 'A Message From Above' cools things down with gorgeous keys, a characteristically snagging beat and sultry horns, and 'Ergonomic Structures' slinks into the sweetest of downtempo funks that'll have you head nodding hard and keeping you chill all in the same beat.
Review: When it comes to immaculately produced and brilliantly performed deep soul, you'll struggle to find a better example than Gloria Taylor's 1973 single "Deep Inside of You". The track became a favourite with DJs during the disco era thanks to its sensual groove - all elongated organ chords, gradually intensifying four-to-the-floor drums and eyes-closed guitar solos - and an awe-inspiring vocal from the Ohio-born soul-stress. This 7" reissue edition includes the marginally longer version initially featured on a later 12" single, as well as original B-side "World That's Not Real", a slightly more psychedelic soul affair that boasts another incredible vocal performance by Taylor.
Walter Whisenhunt Orchestra - "Love Is A Hurting Thing" (feat Gloria Ann Taylor) (7:18)
Review: Sometimes, incredibly rare and expensive records don't live up to the hype. We can safely say that Gloria Ann Taylor's "Deep Inside You"- a superb, disco-era chunk of sexually charged soul - is not one of those records. Very few original copies were pressed, which not only explains the eye-watering second-hand prices but also the numerous bootlegs that have appeared over the years. This, then, is the record's first licensed reissue. It's worth picking up, not only for the sublime title track, but also for bonus cuts "What's Your World" - a laidback, super-sweet chunk of laidback West Coast soul - and the lushly orchestrated "Love Is A Hurting Thing".
Review: Johnnie Taylor never really wrote any of his own music and he couldn't play any instrument particularly well but that hasn't stopped him becoming known as a rather accomplished soul artist. He penned an incredible 30 odd albums and more than 120 singles as a leading male vocalist in the sixties and works dunder names like 'Blues Wailer' and the 'Philosopher Of Soul'. He was a doo-wop group member initially back in the 50s but by the mid-sixties he was working with Stax as a blues artist. 'Let's Get Back On' on the A-side here is from his 1999 album Gotta Get The Groove back and is backed with a beautiful ballad from the legendary Bobby 'Blue' Bland.
Review: Josephine Taylor's 1969 single 'I've Made Up My Mind' is a hugely expensive record if you can find it. It came on a short lived but much hyped Chicago label and was backed with 'Is It Worth A Chance' which is want is pressed up here. It is laced with big brass sounds and has a driving bassline but the vocals from Josephine will always be the centre-piece. Here it is cut with Krystal Generation's 1970 'Satisfied' which was the A-side of the well known 'Is It Meant To Be' and is another pearler of a soul cut with Northern overtones and real musical richness.
Review: Steve Taylor is credited with just one single on Discogs, and this is it. It's as hot and infectious as his name is plain and it now gets reissued on 12" after first being put out back in 1986. 'Shine Down (Light Of The World)' has some big sultry trumpets, lovely synth basslines and a hip-swing grave that is part disco, part funk, part street soul. The vocals are buttery smooth and the production is very much of the time. A more crisp Menu remix appears on the flipside. A second-hand original will cost you somewhere in the region of 250 quid so do not sleep on this one.
Review: TC.KYLIE x The Hourglass deliver a dynamic jazz fusion outing here that mixes up Hong Kong, Japanese, and British cultures in a top debut album. Jazz fusion pianist Kylie leads her band with great energy while playing keyboard and synth keytar that is a little reminiscent of Japanese jazz rock. Based in Hong Kong and London, she's inspired by Shaun Martin, Robert Glasper and Japanese acid jazz groups like Fox Capture Plan and Jabberloop and that shows in these sounds. They are bright, happy and uplifting with the majestic flute leads of 'Merry-go-round Of Life ' impossible not to fill you with excitement and joy.
Review: Sometimes the act of love comes accompanied by a feeling of revelry in simplicity; in love, you've skived the potentially overcooked acrobatics of a life led insatiably, playing truant to the ever-increasing and limitless demands of business affairs or public personage. Tearra's 'Just Loving You' is an A-sider single whose sentiment expresses this idea as simply as the product of a real loving relationship can, with the Alabaman singer expressing, in frank terms, the internal limit and thus soul-sating dimension of love: "all my dreams have come true... all I want is lovin' you." Soul Junction's reissue does a timely justice to the original Midtown release format, though the two tunes here have actually never been paired together before.
Review: Willie Tee is one of those New Orleans artists whose records are hard to find and expensive. He is the perfect subject of special record store day reissues and that's what we get here from the Gatur label. 'Concentrate' is some high-class mellow magic from 1980. The backside tune is another doozy with more New Orleans mellow funk bringing to mind the quality of Roy Ayers., It all makes for a 7" you simply cannot find anywhere online for any money whatsoever and thus a crucial one to snap up before it's gone again.
Review: These two Mirwood classics are well-known and well-loved so don't need much hype, but having both tracks on the same 45 is a true treat. 'That Beatin' Rhythm' epitomises the Northern Soul dance scene and is still drawing dancers to the floor all these years on. The instrumental flip is credited to the singer of the A-side and was also hugely popular back in the day but has received less attention in recent years with the vocal version dominating DJ spins. This pairing is a potent one that still very much gets us up and going.
Review: William, Bertram and Randy Brown are legendary Memphis soul singers who released an album Facing The Music back in 2009 as TEN-63. It had been recorded many years before and featured 'You And Me' which was already a cult fav. It now gets pressed up to this delightful 7" backed with 'Say We'll Stay'. Both are gorgeously arranged songs with sexual sax motifs and plenty of longing in the buttery baritone vocal. The harmonies too are sublime and it's not hard to see why this brotherly threesome had such a big impact on their local Memphis scene with magic like this.
Freddie Terrell & Blue Rhythm Band - "You Had It Made" (1:52)
Charles Williams - "Standing In The Way" (3:44)
Review: Freddie Terrell & his Blue Rhythm Band delivered a gem in 1970 with the timeless crossover soul track 'You Had It Made'. Co-written with the elusive rare soul figure Herman Hitson, the song is a perfect fusion of soul and funk, combining Terrell's smooth vocals with a vibrant arrangement that feels both classic and ahead of its time. On the flip side, 'Standing In The Way' brings a laid-back, jazzy groove that's become a cherished favourite, especially on the UK soul scene. Its midtempo rhythm, underscored by Terrell's effortlessly cool delivery, continues to resonate with audiences, solidifying its place in the rare soul canon. The track's obscure roots and soulful depth have kept it alive on dancefloors and in collections, a true testament to its lasting appeal.
Review: West Coast soul outfit Thee Baby Cuffs keep the slow-burning romance alive with 'There Ain't Enough Roses', a tender ballad drenched in harmonised falsettos and vintage charm. Now composed of Joe Narvaez and Reality Jonez, the group channels classic lowrider soul, working once again with Finnish production outfit Cold Diamond & Mink. Their signature downtempo style remains intactilush instrumentation, delicate grooves, and a melody built to sway. Previous Timmion singles like 'My My Baby' and 'You're My Reason' cemented their status as torchbearers of group soul, and this latest offering only deepens that legacy. On the flip, a flute-led instrumental nods to Steve Parks, sealing the track's timeless appeal.
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