Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: The idea of what makes "modern soul" has long been a subject of debate, even among those at the top, specially tasked with arbitrating its definition. At Success Bottling Co., such spats escalated to the point where A&R team members Stephen Arndt and Tim Zawada had to be physically separated during a heated tracklist meeting. Yet we know that M-soul's origins can be traced to the UK's Northern Soul scene, where, in the late 70s, disco-adjacent 45s began appearing alongside traditional 60s selections. Today, modern soul is often associated with the 80s, incorporating synths and rhythm-machines. Quibbles persist: How much brass is too much? Can strings and synths truly coexist? Eccentric Modern Soul explores these ideas across eleven rambunctious ones, pinching previously unissued recordings from Wee, Ujima, and Wind alongside neat classics from Universal Togetherness Band, Mind & Matter, Maxx Traxx and 94 East.

Review: Heavyweight champions of the compilation world, Numero Group, defend their undisputed title once more with this collection of greats from San Antonio mogul Abe Epstein's Dynamic label. In its heyday, it became a hub for soulful music with its flagship band the Commands scoring a hit in 1966 with 'No Time For You.' Their success led to 20 more singles over 30 months and Epstein's inclusive studio welcomed a diverse racial mix of Texas talent which in turn created a melting pot of sound. This collection reflects that across 28 gems from groups like the Tonettes, Little Jr. Jesse & the Tear Drops and Bobby Blackmon & His Soul Express all exploring different soul niches.

Review: We're yet to get our ears around a compilation from US label Numero Group that isn't absolutely brilliant. This latest one isn't going to change that, either. Eccentric Soul: The Linco Label dives deep into Civil Rights-era Greensboro, where Black excellence and raw musical talent converged at North Carolina A&T. Local label head Walter Grady tapped a vibrant cast of "townies, homecoming queens, and big men on campus" to craft a revolutionary soul sound rooted in community and resistance. This collection captures the pivotal moment with hometown pride and boundary-pushing grooves coming thick and fast. From basement studios to protest marches, these tracks reflect a powerful cultural awakening and make for a great document of soul's grassroots history.