Seven Heven: Perfect Little Slices Of Soul Funk & Funky Jazz From The 21st Century CD

As the title hints, this collection from broadcaster and journalist Mark Webster is a shameless celebration of the 7" single. Yet unlike previous compilations extolling the virtues of the humble 45, Seven Heven [sic] doesn't hark back to the glory days of the format. Instead, the 19 tracks are culled from 7" singles released in the last decade. Crate-diggers may sneer, but the quality threshold is surprisingly high, and there are some real bangers amongst Webster's curiously open-minded tracklist. Sure, there's plenty of rip roaring modern funk and soul (Speedometer, the James Taylor Quartet, Soopasoul), but Webster also finds space for expansive downtempo beats, nu-Balearica (Smith & Mudd), jazz dance, Latin beats, contemporary Philly disco and a superb cover of the theme from "Get Carter".