Expansion Records

Review: Released in celebration of Expansion's recent re-serving of two of Leon's early 80s albums - Rockin' You Eternally and Leon Ware - here's a delightful 45 that reminds us of his finest solo moments. "Why I Came To California" is a sun-kissed soul boogie groove with big horns and even bigger chorus. "Rockin' You Eternally" (which is, let's face it, one of the smoothest song titles to ever come from the 80s) showcases Leon's softer side. A ballad steeped in sentiment, play this loud enough and everyone in a five mile radius will stop and get smoochy.

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: Serious jazz dance fusion from 1974, Norman Connors' cover of Carlos Garnett's "Mother Of The Future" drives with shamanistic fury before the firing keys, heaving horns and deep soul vocals fly into the mix. For a more contemporary jazz take, flip for Bembe Segue's emphatic live version. Lavished with her distinctively rich vocals and stern spoken word and complete with wild bass runs and a thick bed of percussion, it's an instant show-stopper. Two incredible covers, one special 10".

Review: US newbie Gregory Porter was man of the year as far as nu-soul and funk goes and championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson,Patrick Forge & Nik Weston to name but a few. This record had an incredible amount of attention around it even before its release and to be honest, it ain't no surprise! It's just a future classic, end of discussion - it takes Detroit's fine soul and funk heritage onto a new level, showing us that classics are still very much in the making. Porter's own voice is majestic and prophetic as he talks about "Motor City burnin'" and who then goes on to deliver his powerful and emotional words. There's even a slightly "housier" remix by Opolopo, giving us the chance to also enjoy this mighty record at the centre of late-night set...this is certified Theo Parrish material right here!

Review: Paul Johnson - not to be confused with his Dance Mania namesake - is a British vocalist known for his work with '80s gospel group Paradise. A special numbered version of this record was released for Record Store Day this year, but if you missed out on that, or don't want any of the bells and whistles, here's the OG. And what soulful house artist could be better to remix such a track than Frankie Knuckles, who does so with a classic cut of heavenly house music like only he can, while the Soul Talk mix is down beat and sultry, oozing the same type of emotion you'd hear from Marvin Gaye. Meanwhile Dego & Kaidi open up the B-side with a stripped back, but still very musical version of "Better Than This", while Osiki Ojo really works the oohs and ahhs in their mix. Only happiness and love on this record.