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Review: In one of those instances where the soundtrack eclipses the film, Curtis Mayfield's Superfly stands tall as a career highlight from one of soul's all-time greatest. The blaxploitation film itself was solid, but the songs Mayfield wrote for it are pure perfection - an acerbic portrayal of street life in urban America that views its players with heart and understanding, a truly wise rumination on cause and effect set to some of the most transcendent funk playing imaginable. As well as the original album, this special double-disc edition features single mixes, instrumentals and alternate takes from the sessions, deepening the legend of this seminal work.

Review: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a second collection of 7" a-sides from Loveland Ohio's essential Colemine Records. The label has long dealt in heavy soul, funk, and r&b that is always perfectly authentic, with old school production values and timeless songs that translate across the ages. Lots of ground is covered here in fine style, from the raw and direct opener from The Gripsweats on through superb drum-funk from Jungle Fire and more tender and soft-hearted moments of soul bliss such as Jr Thomas & The Volcanos's 'What A Shame.' Highlights about on this one which comes in its own slipcase.

Review: Seattle label Light In The Attic Records is proud to present a reissue of material from Nancy Sinatra's most prolific period between 1965-1976, with 23 tracks including her revered collaborations with Lee Hazlewood. Sinatra's performance of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' became her signature tune. The pair began a three year run of successful recordings, with 'Sugar Town,' 'Some Velvet Morning,', 'Summer Wine' as well as the James Bond theme 'You Only Live Twice' being just a few. She also worked with songwriter Mac Davis, producer Lenny Waronker and arranger/producer Billy Strange on the album.

Review: Even posthumously, Bill Withers is 'Still Bill'. Because he's still got it; Mobile Fidelity here reissue the album on its 50th Anniversary, doing thorough justice to the soul crooner's original album first released on the landmark Sussex Records in 1972. Following up the familial, sunned and simple subject matter of his debut 'Just As I Am', Still Bill opted more specifically for a sultrier and more romantic lyrical affair, and like its cover, saw Withers express his many-angled take on love.

Review: The arrival of the Acapellas Anonymous series in the mid/late '80s was a massive gamechanger, giving immediate access to DJs and producers to hundreds of vocal samples that would have taken a fortune (and a lifetime) to collect. Edit king Mr K has rebuilt, remastered, and carefully portioned them onto a five disc set of 7-inch singles, "including all the classic vocal bits that became iconic samples," and more than a few new additions to bring things up to date. You'll know more than a few of these on first listen, others you may have never even realised were samples, but no-one will underestimate the power of a great vocal sample dropping in the right way in the right mix. An absolute essential.

Review: The rather legendary NOW series has done it all throughout its long history - perfect snapshots of the current pop landscape, retro collections of 80s gold, and now it serves up a classic soul selection across no fewer than 10 whole sides of fresh vinyl. With such a huge run time to play with it is no surprise that just about every single conceivable base is covered here and all the major tunes and artist are included. Take your pick from the likes of Ike & Tina Turner, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and many more highlights here.