Expansion Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Expansion's offshoot label is back with a second release and for the occasion have put together a special eco vinyl 10" here that is strictly limited to just 100 copies and is fully deserving of that treatment: Tom Browne Feat. Carol Woods combined to great effect in the 80s on this soul classic that now gets a first-ever single release. It's the sort of immediately heartwarming tune that draws from soul, jazz funk, disco and more to cook up a steamy and excellent groove. On the flip is Diplomats Of Soul with their own super cover of 'Brighter Tomorrow' featuring Brit funk and acid jazz greats Incognito & Imaani.

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.

Review: You'll find few jazz-funk era rays of sonic sunshine better than 'Give Me The Sunshine', the career highlight of relatively short-lived American soul band Leo's Sunshipp. It originally opened their 1978 debut album, We Need Each Other, but later became something of an anthem throughout the UK on the jazz-funk and rare groove scenes. If you don't already own a copy, you should cop one of these reissues. The full six-minute version of the track featured on the A-side is little more than a languid bob through sun-soaked pastures full of liquid bass, simmering strings, whistling synth lines and a smooth, ear-catching lead vocal. Also worth a listen is flipside 'Back For More', a more up-tempo modern soul club cut that's not quite as incendiary but every bit as alluring,