Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Here, There and Everywhere: Black America Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney & George Harrison is Ace Records' third compilation of soulful jazz and r&b covers of Beatles classics by Black American artists. This collectio has a deep Motown presence, acknowledging the Beatles' early admiration for Motown before the label's music even hit the UK charts. The album spans Beatles and post-Beatles compositions from 1964 to 2004, with standout performances by artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. The song selection takes listeners on an inspired journey through well-known hits, reimagined with rich soul and jazz interpretations. The Supremes' take on 'You Can't Do That' and The Four Tops' 'Michelle' reveal fresh, emotive layers in songs that are simultaneously faithful and transformative. Randy Crawford's stirring 'Give Peace a Chance' and Stevie Wonder's vibrant 'We Can Work It Out' underscore Black America's lasting engagement with the Beatles' work, while tracks like Sam Fletcher's 'Can't Buy Me Love' and Keb' Mo's 'Imagine' breathe new life into familiar melodies with jazz-infused warmth and soul. Each cover on the compilation not only reflects the artists' creative voices but also traces the Beatles' own roots in soul and r&b, bridging cultural influences that shaped music in the 60s and beyond. Here, There and Everywhere is an enriching and unique compilation that has one of the most enduring cross-cultural exchanges in modern pop history.

Review: Paul Weller of The Jam pens an unlikely soul missive in 4xLP compilation form, released through Ace. The British new wave and mod revivalist naturally grew up listening to soul music, though the likes of 'That's Entertainment' and 'Going Underground' hardly bear their imprinting marks. Having hassled Weller for years to compile such a thing, Ace now finally, happily deliver this biographic brain-pick. From James Carr's 1966 'Pouring Water On A Drowning Man' to 'Life Walked Out' by The Mist, we've a somewhat obscure selection here; but it's only natural for a man so immersed in 60s soul as a teenager that he'd go so far as to buy a Lambretta and vow never to take off his mohair!