Tramp Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: Missouri man Early Turner is the latest to be celebrated on the always sharp Tramp label. This was his first record in the late 70s, right on the cusp between trad funk and the emergent sound of boogie. 'S'port City Rock' is a sweat-inducing dancefloor cut with a deadly on-the-one groove and some serious bass, letting just a few choice synth zaps to sneak into the mix but keeping things primarily organic. 'Sunshine' is a softer soul number - the perfect sentimental foil to the serious get-down on the A-side.

Review: Thanks to the year being 2025, te jazz age of the 1920s is being centennially anniversaried the world over. But when recorded music took the world by storm from the 50s onwards, it was only a matter of time before such starlets Lu Elliott would make latent but no less powerful waves in the same early jazz sound, except this time around, the sonic vestiges of the time were preservable. Elliott, a jazz/blues singer and recording artist, was a onetime BB King and Duke Ellington posse member, having found her lungs playing in a band known as The Cubanaires before bronchi-ating out into mid '60s solo stardom with tunes such as 'Speaking Of Happiness'.

Review: If you managed to catch the Natural Resources II compilation album then you might have, rather like us, decided that the best track on it was from Walt Jenkins. His super funky 'How Does Your Garden Grow' is a great bit of work that now gets its own standalone pressing on vital thanks to the mighty good people over at German's leading funk and soul label, Tramp. An original is hard to find on 45rpm so this is a godsend for anyone who wants it and as well as the aching soul beauty of the original, this one comes backed with the slower, more jazzy and laid back cut that is 'T.G.I.F.'

Review: Tramp Records come at us with an exclusive, ninja-lethal wax, chucked squarely in our direction: the debut 7" single from Natural Life lays down two extra-special instrumental jazz-funk cuts for our pleasure. Never heard before on the tiny label, and with little background info out there to scour (we're pretty sure it's not the same Natural Life as the upbeat funk band active throughout the 1990s), all that's left is to use our ears. Both versions of the eponymous track are essentially an obverse and inverse of the same theme, except for the fact that one is funky in the fast, riveting sense; the other in the slower, sultrier sense. Both are nonetheless rapid, to-the-point heaters, and can be easily deployed and exploited in many a party - or afterparty - context.

Review: Originally released in 1968, this debut 45 from the Reggie Sadler Combo would soon go on to become a verified bona fide Northern Soul classic in the UK. Fronted on vocals by the lesser-known but multifarious talent Reggie Sadler - variations on the Combo name also include the Reggie Saddler Family and the Reggie Sadler Revue - 'Hear My Song' is a pacey master-classic case study in effortlessness and penitence, in which the narrator begs for his baby's return to him. The star of the show, in our opinion, is 'For The Love Of Hunice', which offers a comparatively mellow, instrumental Hammond organ purr set to funk. Now available again thanks to this reissue by German label outcropping Tramp.

Review: The charming slight crackle of a vintage stereo sound suits 60s garage rock best. If these tracks from German beat group The Rippers were scrubbed up too clean and streaming digitally it just wouldn't have the same charm. When you hear the funk-y a-side 'Honesty', with its Doors-esque organ flourishes, on this 7" format it takes you right back to 1968 when it was recorded. And B-side 'The Night At The Lagoone' is garage-psych-rock at its absolute finest. For all its woozy psychedelia, at its core is a strong pop sense that makes them appealing to fans of the Hollies or The Beatles, too. These deep cuts, lifted from an album released that the pioneering British indie label Saga Records originally released, make for a true marvel in even the most experienced crate digger's collection.

Review: The super Tramp label has done it again here with another mighty soul 7" that packs an irresistible punch. These cuts are super hard to find and fairly pricey for anyone who manages to unearth them, though they have been out on the superb Feeling Nice Vol.4 compilation album. Donnie Sanders is in top form here with 'Shing-A-Ling Baby' starting with big raw horns perform a smooth and low slung bassline arrives and things get moving with swagger. 'Naptown USA' is a more upbeat and party starting funk cut with big organ chords.

Review: The Shake & Bake Band's Shake & Bake is an undeniable invitation to hit the dancefloor. Side-1 kicks off with 'Shake & Bake (part 1),' where the band lays down a groove that's nothing short of exhilarating. The track stands out for its originality, offering a vibe that feels almost hedonisticiperfect for those looking to experience something fresh and exciting. On Side-2, 'Shake & Bake (part 2)' strips things down, bringing in a hoedown-like twist with the addition of a harmonica. The drumming intensifies, building excitement as the funkiness truly shines through in this version. Overall, Shake & Bake delivers two distinctive takes on a groove that will keep the energy high and the dancefloor moving.

Review: German sextet "SOUND" recorded a standout set in Frankfurt in 1978, immortalised on the LP "Jazzlife" at Night (Vol.1). Singled out was their composition 'Sound Spirit,' a dancey, post-bop jazz track where Volker Burkhardt's tenorsax soulfully wails in a Coltrane fashion over Werner Bauer' syncopated keys and Heli Kneipp's and Athur Greaves' driving percussion and drumming, intertwined with Jann Meyer's funky bass. All culminate in this super groovy contrapuntal track that often takes you nicely by surprise. Now this seminal piece arrives in a limited edition 7" of 300 on Tramp Records, the small but significant home of some of Germany's best reissued funk, soul and jazz on vinyl. Nat Adderly's 'Sweet Emma' was one of "SOUND's" other distinctive tracks that night, and it too resurfaces on the B side. This upbeat version may teeter on a 'trad' jazz precipice, but as the saxophone takes the cornet parts of the original, its tonality draws the listener in. These tracks already command attention from the discerning contemporary jazz community, and now again available is a must for those who like both upbeat or downtempo late 70s jazz.

Review: The wonderful and now reissued 'Bi Centennial 1976' by Frankie Staton & Speckled Rainbow encapsulates the essence of a pivotal moment in American history. Released during the nation's bicentennial celebration, the track embodies the spirit of unity and pride, blending elements of folk, rock and Americana in the process. With heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, it serves as both a tribute to the past and a reflection of the hope and promise of the future. A timeless anthem that will still resonate now as much as it did almost 50 years ago, few tunes capture the essence of a nation coming together to commemorate its heritage as ably as this one.

Review: German label Tramp continues pack a serious punch when it comes to funk with this newest 7". It is a standalone pressing of two superb cuts from the fourth volume in the Can You Feel It compilation series. Up first is the super cool funk of 'Steps On A Cloud' with its dynamic drums and indie male vocal all back with some neat and funky guitar lines and almost prog style guitar freestyles. On the B-side you will find 'Whispering' which has not yet been re-issued so makes an exclusive appearance here.

Review: The much loved Tramp label is mighty good at serving up the soul and this time it is the buttery smooth sounds of Stroke they turn to for this reissue. The original 45rpm is one of those rare as hens' teeth cuts that cost way too much to buy even if you do track one down. The A-side is the sort of wonderfully uplifting tune that brings life-affirming joy to your life. On the flip is something really quite different - a more rock-tinged funky stepper by the name of 'The Real Deal'.

Review: Featuring sister funk paired with a beautiful ballad, this release is a true gem for aficionados of 1960s indie soul music. It comes from The Velvet Vettes via Tramp and is a limited pressing so don't sleep. A-side cut 'Give Me A Little Bit Of Time' is a lively one with plenty of Northern soul energy as well as lung busting vocals and great backing harmonies full of soul. Flip it over and you will find the much more slow and sentimental sounds of 'I'd Like To Know' which is a real heart melting crooner.

Review: 'Funky Broadway' by The Villagers appeared on the well-received Movements Vol.12 compilation album and was a clear standout amongst standouts. As a response to that it now makes its long-awaited debut release on standalone vinyl. It's a soul-stirring gem that brings classic sounds and heart-melting grooves. On the B-side comes the red hot garage-rock gem 'You're My Baby (Don't You Forget It)' which is originally from 1966, and which coincided with Dyke & The Blazers' original recording of 'Funky Broadway' in the same year. Neat.