Expansion Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The UK's number one independent soul label Expansion Records commences each year with the label's most anticipated collection, Luxury Soul. The success of the series comes down to the quality of tracks sourced from independent soul artists, focusing on the major and emergent names of the year - this time including Will Downing, Con Funk Shun and Narada Michael Walden. For many of the 35 tracks featured on the compilation, this is the first time they'll have ever appeared on CD, having landed in the soul charts either at number one or in the top ten over the last 12 months. Further exclusives include The Requestors feat. Vivienne McKone, Kloud 9 feat. Kenya, and The Paradise Projex with an exclusive mix of 'Here & Now'. The release is to coincide with the Luxury Soul Weekender in January 2024, and includes tracks by three artists performing live at the event.

Review: Last year, the Expansions label kicked off a wonderfully intriguing 10" series featuring classics from soul music's rich canon complemented by contemporary cover versions and so far it's seen Blue Note troupe Quasimode tee off against Johnny Hammond and Bembe Segue challenge Norman Connors. A third edition duly arrives and hints Expansions are really enjoying the creative challenge the concept allows them with the jazz funk classic "Zaius" from Eddie Russ joined by a cover from the celebrated UK funk veterans Incognito. Originally appearing on the 1976 LP See The Light, "Zaius" is a blinding example of why Russ is described a master of the keyboard and it's complemented well by Incognito's B Side cover which appears on vinyl for the first time. Don't sleep!

Review: Soul doesn't come much finer than when served up by the legendary Expansion label. Their latest 45 rpm is from 1975 when r&b producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Pete Warner dropped his one and only single 'I Just Want To Spend My Life With You'. It has aged well and become ever harder to find as well as expensive on the second hand market so this is a welcome reissue. The A-side has lots of big string energy and hints of Northern Soul magic as the lush vocal harmonies soar. On the flip is the equally lovely 'Hands.'

Review: Collins And Collins were originally at the Top Of The Stairs back in 1980 when this one first landed. It has since become a revered underground classic much loved on the modern soul circuit as a timeless gem. The song was first composed by Ashford & Simpson who recorded their own version but when playing live would switch to the Collins & Collins version. The tune first came on CD via Expansion back in 1993 and now gets a first official 7" version back with the exceptionally rare version of Gamble & Huff's 'You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good' which first was recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1975.

Review: Berkeley-born Cornell CC Carter returns with 'The Change,' which is the lead single from his upcoming album on Expansion. Initially making waves with his debut album Vindicated Soul in 2017, Carter has become a force in the UK soul scene with subsequent albums such as One Love, Absolutely, and Next Life. With a storied career that includes collaborations with The Isley Brothers and performances alongside James Brown, he has been a staple on Expansion's Soul Togetherness and Luxury Soul series, and graced the stage at the Luxury Soul Weekender in Blackpool. Here 'The Change' comes with 'Sometimes,' which is produced by Brian Carter and offers a nice counterpoint to the a-side.