Review: Powerful belters from soul supernova Baby Huey. The only solo 45s he cut for Curtom Records before he passed away aged only 26, this was released posthumously and OG copies regularly go for over 200 pounds. Now reissued on Soul Brother, the two sides give you the full fat Huey; "Hard Times" hits with a raw Lee Fields style gravelly, story-telling delivery while "Listen To Me" shows Huey's deft ability to band-lead an all-out rock jam. Raw and emotional, Huey left this world far too soon.
You Don't Care (About Our Love) (long version) (6:30)
You Don't Care (About Our Love) (3:48)
You Don't Care (instrumental) (4:27)
Review: The Record Store Day releases are coming thick and fast right now, and this is another doozy that arrives in limited quantities. British artist Mark 'China' Burton left an indelible mark with his one and only ever release, which is this soulful disco masterpiece. Produced by Adam Sieff and unveiled on the Logo label in 1979, this string-laden gem remains highly coveted, with original 12" copies fetching over L400. The arrangement, crafted by the UK's John Altman, who later collaborated with icons like Diana Ross and Tina Turner, adds to its allure. Altman, known for his work on the iconic 'Walking In The Air' with Aled Jones, lends his expertise to this limited edition release.
Review: First released in 1976 on Polydor, 'All Alone By The Telephone' is a lesser-sung sleeper hit by the Checkmates Ltd., but it hardly deserves this obscurity compared to their far more well-known hit 'Black Pearl', produced by Phil Spector. This one, to contrast, was produced by H.B.Barnum. It's a known go-to for DJs on the 2-step and modern soul scenes, but it's not the hype that counts; rather, the track's production is delectable, meting out near perfect harmony and balance to evoke the excruciating feeling of loneliness. 'Body Language', on the B, hears the band rested and recuperated from this isolated spell, and comes far funkier, more delightful.
Review: Soul startlers Crystal Clear (not to be confused with the many house and drum & bass artists of the same name) laid down 'Stay With Me' in the mid-1970s. The song is a sweet and romantic, yet no less punchy, ditty, packed with contrasts between flitty, fay vocals (from an unknown singer no less) and a heavy-set drum recording to juxtapose. Now re-released via Soul Brother, we're reintroduced to the song in all its hip-swanging glory. Just as its themes deal well with reconciliation, we feel to have been reunited with its charms, as we eagerly oblige the command to "stay"...
Review: Betty Everett's style of soul was usually energetic rather than bashful, but 'Wondering' and 'Try It You'll Like It' were curveballs. Taken from her 1970s album 'Styrene', the two songs were composed alongside mega-producer Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, and both explored the loneliness of relationships, despite closeness. Track one is a blissful slow jam canopying an angel's voice, hurting at the pain of a lover's absence, while the B insists on physical intimacy through the boudoir of soul.
Review: Soul Brother present two sublime cuts by Carolyn Franklin, younger sister to Aretha, for their debut appearance on the seven inch format. On top of her significant body of work as a songwriter and background artist for Aretha and several other acts of the 60s and 70s, Carolyn Franklin record four solo albums and several singles for the RCA label. Rare groove heads favour Franklin's fourth LP If You Want Me in particular, issued in 1976 but originally recorded three years earlier, and Soul Brother have licensed two highlights for this 7" which demonstrate Carolyn's range for anyone not familiar with her work. "Sunshine Holiday" is a psyche delight akin to Linda Lewis' "Reach For The Truth" whilst "Deal With It" is pure funk.
Review: Repress time: released last year on a limited run of 45s, Chet Ivey's double-A "Dose Of Soul" / "Get Down With Greater" returns to the relief of collectors and funk lovers who missed out. Two of many swelteringly funky gems on his Sylvia Funk Recordings album curated in 2017, "Dose Of Soul" has a raw edge and looseness that's held together with Ayers-style vibraphone chords, while "Get Down With Greater" is much more of a traditional funk jam, with the organ player and bassist playing at their fullest of flavours and Ivey leading in his inimitable 'poisonous' style. Don't sleep!
Review: Salena Jones has been active since the 60s, recording over 40 albums of jazz, soul and easygoing pop in that time. Her rendition of 'Am I The Same Girl' - the soul standard written by industry songwriting string-pullers Eugene Record and Sonny Sanders - lies among the greats of its reinterpreters. While Barbara Acklin's version is most famous, Salena Jones' version is much warmer, and its mention of the instrumental's name, 'Soulful Strut', to the main title should be indication enough from the off that Jones' version carries a far greater buoyancy.
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: Although hard-to-find, Harold McNair's 1968 cut 'The Hipster' has long been an anthem on the British jazz-dance scene, with numerous contemporary musicians (Chip Wickham included) referencing it in their work. Here reissued officially by Soul Brother, the track features the Jamaican-born flautist and saxophonist delivering energetic, life-affirming flute solos over an infectious, piano-sporting jazz groove. As the original RCA 45 did, this pressing also features fellow 'Flute and Nut' album track 'Indecision' - a more laidback affair built around brushed snares, languid jazz breaks and rubbery double bass - on side B.
Bobby Moore - "(Call Me Your) Anything Man" (6:14)
Sweet Music - "I Get Lifted" (7:18)
Review: Soul Brother Records' Record Store Day 2020 release offers up re-mastered versions of two hard-to-find early 'disco mixes' of modern soul-era gems. On the A-side you'll find Tom Moulton's scarce, five-minute club version of soul man Bobby Moore's '(Call Me Your) Anything Man', a delightfully orchestrated and super-sweet dancefloor workout built around a Latin-tinged groove reminiscent of Grace Jones' 'La Vie En Rose', which of course Moulton later famously remixed. Over on the flip there's a chance to savour West End Records' boss Mel Cheren's wonderfully over-the-top dancefloor extension of obscure vocal group Sweet Music's soaring cover of K.C & The Sunshine Band favourite 'I Get Lifted'. It's very different to their much-loved take, but every bit as essential.
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.
Review: A defiant rhythmic funk odyssey for those needing a little sonic boost before overcoming life's struggles and challenges, 'We're Gonna Make It' is a neat slice of understanding, optimism and determination. Recorded by New World, an American soul group active throughout the 70s, the song is emblematic of the sunniest facets of soul and funk, backed by a hand-drummed skeleton and falsetto'd vocal refrains. This new release version comes part of the Soul Brother series, reissuing this rarity for the completists out there who aren't remotely fussed about first editions.
Review: Next time your kid is going through the "why" phase, give them this record. 'Step Inside My World' by The Reason Why - an incredibly obscure band releasing with Polydor originally in 1977 - is an excellent modern soul mid-tempo dancer, having remained in hot demand for many years thanks to its sensitive recording and lyrical matter. With original issue copies having reportedly sold for roughly L700, we can only affirm that the two songs on the record amount to no less than sonic blessings, spanning keen emotivity and string-laden passion.
Review: You'll struggle to find a more loved-up and life-affirming chunk of proto-disco brilliance than The Sisters Love's 1973 "Give Me Your Love". The record's lasting impact can be seen in the number of times that it's been reworked, re-edited or bootlegged over the years. Here it gets an official 7" reissue via Soul Brother Records. It sounds as good as ever, with the all-female group's now familiar vocals rising above Blaxploitation style guitars, fluttering flutes and powerful horns. It's a celebratory release, and then some. This time round it's accompanied by a lesser-known gem, "Try It, You'll Like It", which first featured on the B-side of a 1973 single. This is a powerful chunk of conscious funk/soul fusion of the sort that was incredibly popular during the period it was recorded.
Review: Edwin Starr's poignant and bright original funk number 'Time' gets a notable reissue via Soul Brother, once again casting a retrospective light on the American Motown boy wonder's advanced songwriting capabilities and out-the-box subject matters. Never one to shy from important messages, 'Time' perhaps rivals Starr's 'War' in its laser-focused singular theme, yet this time errs more existential and metaphysical than political; here Starr muses on father time and his obscurant curtain, pondering the fact that the ticking clock is indeed something that all human subjects feel, yet not all sense the gravity of until it's too late. On the B comes the comparatively righteous romantic march, 'Running Back & Forth', which by comparison lilts through jovial croons and lovestruck reveries.
Review: This one is such an evergreen summer classic that it sells out whenever it reappears and gets reissued on a regular basis. Last time was last summer but now the rays are back in our lives we're glad it is available one more. Brazilian jazz vocalist Tania Maria is a true icon with a huge back catalogue of music behind her. Here, Soul Brother look back to her 1983 album Come With Me and lift a pair of pearlers for this vital 7". 'Come With Me' is a sundown slinker, with Maria's airy tone gliding over the sprightly piano chords while on the flip 'Lost In Amazonia' is a joyous, scat-powered slice of jazz funk with incredible slap bass flex. Essential summer grooves.
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: The Voices Of East Harlem were an ensemble of vocalists who for Just Sunshine Records recorded two albums under the direction of Leroy Hutson and Curtis Mayfield. "Cashing In" is one of their most classic songs, a highly sought after track on original 7" fetches a small fortune on the collectors market. First recorded and released in 1973, it has all the hallmarks of a Leroy Hutson composition and an established audience that crosses the boundaries of northern, crossover and modern soul. The song is coupled here with "Take A Stand', another highly regarded and sought after modern soul room dance floor tracks, never previously released on 7" single until now
Review: Produced by Leroy Hutson and Curtis Mayfield, released by Just Sunshine Records, over the course of five years, the community-based collective Voices Of East Harlem blessed the world with three albums and a whole string of funky singles, including these two cult tracks. "Wanted Dead Or Alive" is straight up funk with a strong splash of gospel. One of their most popular cuts, it was taken from their 1973 self-titled album. "Can You Feel It" on the B offers much more of a rare groove and funk vibe with keys and some powerful backing vocals. It still sounds as fresh as it did 45 years ago. You feeling it?
Review: 40 years young: Wood, Brass & Steel's eponymous debut album enjoys a highly timely reissue and it still sounds every bit as funky ("Theme Song"), soulful ("Working On A Dream") and emotional ("My Darling Baby") as it did in 76. Complete with cult dancefloor hit "Funkanova" and the crossover disco hit "Always There", this LP has aged with real maturity and clout. Considering what the members did next (Tackheads, Sugarhill and Fats Comet) Wood, Brass & Steel was something of a supergroup in hindsight... And this album is where it all began.
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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