Review: Johnny Hammond was a prolific organist, composer and multidisciplinary artist active throughout the USA for the majority of the 20th Century. By the time the lesser-known LP and meditation on devilish excess 'Gambler's Life' was released in 1974, Hammond's sound had grown unusually cacophonous and was noisy to a kind of perfection that could only be described as an acquired taste. That doesn't deter us, though: this reissue from Soul Brother carefully pays homage to the late great's 28th album, with the broken wonk of 'Rhodesian Thoroughfare', the voluptuous funk of 'Star Borne' and the melismatic virtuosity of 'Virgo Lady' all tempting us back towards the broad gate.
Review: Bobby Lyle's 1977 classic jazz-funk album showcases his well-renowned keyboard mastery with standout tracks like the inventive title cut, 'The Genie,' which is a wild groove-driven journey through multiple shifts. His rendition of 'Night Breeze,' previously recorded by Ronnie Laws, is another highlight and the mystical 'Mother Nile' features deep rhythms while the dreamy mid-tempo roller 'Pisces' soothes. Up-tempo 'Magic Ride' and atmospheric 'You Think Of Her' showcase Bobby's rich vocals and a stellar lineup including Roland Bautista, Babatunde, Victor Feldman, Ernie Watts, and Donnie Beckhelp make this it's a definitive jazz-funk fusion gem.
Review: Idris's fifth and perhaps most popular of his near-20 LP strong solo discography (that's not including the epic array of artists he's worked with from Fats Domino to Art Davis) Ranging from the heavily-sampled stone-cold soul stunner "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This" to silky disco funk such as the album title track and the sleazier "Crab Apple" to the frenetic jazz blasts of tracks such as "Camby Bolongo", this is the sound of a man fully committed to the craft and spirit of the groove. Nothing short of essential.
Willie Hutch - "Ain't That (Mellow Mellow)" (3:00)
Sisters Love - "Give Me Your Love" (4:19)
The Voices Of East Harlem - "Wanted Dead Or Alive" (3:03)
Mighty Ryeders - "Evil Vibrations" (3:46)
Etta James - "All The Way Down" (5:33)
Bobby Blue Bland - "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" (3:54)
The Dramatics - "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" (3:34)
The Four Tops - "Strung Out For Your Love" (5:41)
The Reflections - "She's My Summer Breeze" (4:28)
Ronnie McNeir - "I'm Your Lover" (3:37)
Thelma Houston - "Nothing Left To Give" (3:23)
Jeannie Reynolds - "I Don't Want To Be Second Best" (4:21)
Penny Goodwin - "Too Soon You're Old" (5:12)
Marlena Shaw - "Save The Children" (4:08)
Mike James Kirkland - "Hang On In There" (5:14)
Review: Soul Brother does all soul and rare groove lovers a favour by collection totters a load of desirable hits on this 30th anniversary edition of the fifth volume of their The Wants List series. The collection focusses on tunes form the 80s onwards from two steppers to modern soul. It's pure gold from the first needle drop with Barry White's buttery smooth baritone seducing beneath gentle sax sounds on 'Playing Your Game Baby.' Elsewhere the likes of Sweet Charles, Etta James, The Four Tops, Bobby Blue Bland and many more soul icons all serve up some of their warmest grooves.
Review: This record was thought to have been lost until recently re-discovered. Recorded in the 1970s and has been loving remasters from the original tapes here and pressed onto heavyweight wax. This collection features some heavily sampled tunes such as 'Funkanova' which has been pillaged by the likes of Black Science Orchestra, DJ Sneak and The Bucketheads. It also has a famous rendition of the Ronnie Laws jewel 'Always There'. Wood, Brass & Steel members include the likes of Doug Winbush who went on to play with the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash.
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