Back catalogue: Soul

Review: The music of Earth Wind and Fire is pretty inescapable, but you won't find us complaining. The American soul, disco and funk collective have crafted some of the greatest dance floor tunes of all time, and they still bang decades later. This Ultimate Collection gathers together the best of them on nice heavyweight yellow vinyl. From the epic 'Boogie Wonderland' to the more sentimental 'Fantasy' via super funky gem 'September' there is plenty to love here. First released in July 1999 on Columbia Records, it claimed high in the album charts and remains an invaluable collection.

Review: A gatefold curacao blue vinyl reissue marks this album's tenth anniversary, inviting fans to revisit her channelling 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s influences, from doo-wop to disco, with the Pharrell Williams-produced 'Can't Rely On You' leading the charge. The album's homage to bygone eras is evident and the execution does a brilliant job of capturing the spirit of its inspirations. Tracks like 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' and 'Mouth to Mouth' highlight Faith's vocal prowess and occasional emotional depth. The album's more upbeat numbers, provide the energy needed to balance out the more soulful songs and ballads. Overall, A Perfect Contradiction offers a nostalgic look at retro styles. The reissue's striking curacao blue vinyl adds a visually appealing touch to complete the product nicely,

Review: In 2024, H.E.R. marks the fifth anniversary of her critically acclaimed album I Used To Know Her with a special 2xLP reissue. Featuring all 19 original tracks, including standout hits like 'Could've Been' featuring Bryson Tiller and 'Take You There', this release captures H.E.R.'s signature blend of soul, r&b and introspective lyricism. This edition is a must-have for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Review: Oh Whitney how we miss your belting tones and killer grooves. Years after her passing The Voice's legacy lives on through her exceptional back catalogue which is once again getting reissued by Sony. My Love Is Your Love arrived in 1998 and was one of her biggest hits across Europe. It was her first record in eight years after a long break following I'm Your Baby Tonight and sold over 10 million copies. It found Whitney introducing hip-hop elements for the first time and produced big hits like 'When You Believe', a duet with Mariah Carey.

Review: Several of Whitney Houston's albums are being reissued right now including this soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife, which is now making its first ever appearance on vinyl. The album is the best-selling gospel record of all time and was released in November 1996. It features songs both performed and produced by Houston herself and she also, of course starred in the film. Her heart-swelling vocals make this an emotional record with the hauntingly beautiful likes of 'I Believe In You and Me,' spiritual sounds of 'Joy To The World,' and fine guest artists including Shirley Caesar, the Georgia Mass Choir, and Houston's mother and singing legend in her own right, Cissy Houston.

Review: Several of Whitney Houston's albums are being reissued right now including this soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife, making its first ever appearance on vinyl. The album is the best-selling gospel record of all time and was released in November 1996, featuring songs both performed and produced by Houston herself and she also, of course starred in the film. Her heart-swelling vocals make this an emotional record with the hauntingly beautiful likes of 'I Believe In You and Me,' spiritual sounds of 'Joy To The World,' and fine guest artists including Shirley Caesar, the Georgia Mass Choir and Houston's mother and singing legend in her own right, Cissy Houston.

Review: The Voice, as she was affectionately known, is having plenty of her greatest albums all reissued this year and that is never going to be bad news. Whitney Houston's range, emotion and heartfelt delivery style is surely never going to be bettered and even by her own standards she was in superlative form on I'm Your Baby Tonight, her third studio album back in 1990. At this stage she was already one of the most successful recording artists in history but didn't let up with singles including the title track, and 'We Didn't Know', a duet with Stevie Wonder, both proving massive.

Review: What's your favourite Whitney tune and why is it all of them? Famously known as The Voice for the incredible range and emotion she could deliver on the mic the late great Whitney was a pioneering artist who always wanted to do more than the pop hits her label often tried to push on her. That's evident when you look at how her sound changed over the years from album to album. I'm Your Baby Tonight came in the middle of her career in 1990 and has since been certified quadruple platinum in the US. It is packed with funk, dance-pop delights and emotive ballads plus a fine collar with Stevie Wonder.

Review: The self-titled name of the debut album featuring Luther Vandross is reissued for the first time by Sony. Originally released in 1976, Luther was a five person soul, disco and rhythm and blues ensemble with Luther Vandross as the lead vocalist. A popular session singer at the time, Luther eventually outgrew the band and went solo, but not before two full albums worth of material - this being the first. At the time, the record flew under the radar with the singles 'It's Good For The Soul' and 'Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)' not making much of an impact on the charts. As the years have gone on and with the success of Luther as well as the resurgence in music of the period, the two albums have gained a lot of interest.

Review: Rag'n'Bone Man, born Rory Charles Graham, is "embracing joy and balance in his life" as he releases his new album What Do You Believe In?. Known for his gravelly blues vocals, the British singer gained global recognition with his 2016 debut Human, which went platinum four times in the UK and multi-platinum in 27 other countries. Now, supported by family and newfound confidence, Rag'n'Bone Man's latest work blends personal growth with vibrant hooks and takes fans on an uplifting musical journey with title track setting the tone in superb fashion.

Review: Promise solidified Sade's signature sound with lush, unhurried compositions that blended jazz, Brazilian pop, and soul. Building on the success of their debut, Diamond Life, this album established Sade as masters of mood music, transporting listeners with their sophisticated arrangements and Sade Adu's soft-touch vocals. The lead single, 'The Sweetest Taboo,' epitomizes the album's accessibility, with its infectious midtempo groove and breathy vocals. However, it's the opener, 'Is It a Crime,' that steals the spotlight, showcasing Sweetback's (the trio behind Sade) talents with Hammond organs and djembes, while Adu's vocals soar over big band-style crescendos. Throughout Promise, Sade explores the varied stages of love and relationships, with Adu's autobiographical lyrics conveying melancholy and introspection. Tracks like 'War of the Hearts' and Jezebel' delve into the complexities of human emotion, while 'Tar Baby' addresses themes of racial identity and unexpected pregnancy with sensitivity and depth. With each track, the band reaffirms their commitment to crafting music that moves and transports listeners - an approach that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Review: Sade's Lovers Rock marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and image. Departing from their signature luxuriance, the album embraces a sparser, knottier sound that beautifully balances past influences with contemporary trends. Adu's vocals, thick and low as ever, blend seamlessly into the breezy landscape of acoustic guitar, reggae bass, and simple percussion, creating an atmosphere of understated sensuality. The album's themes range from new love to motherhood to societal issues, showcasing Adu's lyrical prowess and her ability to navigate the complexities of human emotions. Lovers Rock also pays homage to the cultural influence of Caribbean Britishness, both in its title and its musical style, adding depth to Sade's sonic palette. While the album was released amid a pop landscape dominated by shiny, slick productions, Sade remained true to their sound, avoiding obvious trends and opting for a more introspective approach. The album's impact reverberates through contemporary music and allowed Sade to maintain their unique identity and continue evolving with each release.

Review: Sade's first album in ten years at the time, 2010's Soldier of Love reaffirmed her unique place in music. In an era dominated by bombastic pop acts, her signature blend of smooth grooves and restrained emotion still stands out today. The album maintains that classic sound while subtly incorporating new elements, like the dub-esque snare crashes on 'Babyfather.' Sade's music, often characterised by its tasteful understatement, captures moods with nuance and precision, such as the haunting piano motif that runs through 'Morning Bird'. With its soothing allure and timeless appeal, Sade once again proves why she remains unparalleled in her craft.

Review: Sade's 1992 album, Love Deluxe, immerses listeners in a luxurious blend of quiet storm, r&b and jazz-pop, enveloping Sade Adu's evocative expressions of desire and heartache. Emerging from the mid-'80s UK jazz-pop scene, Sade perfected a sound that fused jazz, bossa nova, and soul with a modern, streamlined edge. From their beginnings as a fusion of former members of post-punk and new wave bands, Sade the band evolved into a cohesive unit, crafting seamless compositions that seamlessly merged soulful staircases of sound with liquid-crystal pop-funk. Love Deluxe stands as their most monolithic work, a sonic journey characterised by its ethereal fluidity. Sade's music became synonymous with cosmopolitan exotica, transporting listeners to a world of jet-setting luxury and romantic introspection. Adu's introspective lyricism explores themes of love and longing with a depth that transcends traditional romanticism, delving into the complexities of human emotion. The album's production, marked by programmed beats and a minimalist approach to instrumentation, aligns it with the emerging trip-hop genre, characterized by its fusion of lushness and dread. The precise interplay of drums, synth, and guitar creates an immaculate sonic landscape, perfectly complementing Adu's mesmerizing vocals. Each track on Love Deluxe serves as a poignant exploration of love's multifaceted nature, from the relentless devotion depicted in 'No Ordinary Love' to the introspective character studies of 'Feel No Pain' and 'Pearls. Through Adu's evocative storytelling and the band's masterful instrumentation, Love Deluxe transcends mere romanticism, offering a profound meditation on the mysteries of love, birth, and death. It's an album that defies easy categorization, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its blissful abstraction and emotional depth.

Review: Stronger Than Pride marks a subtle shift in Sade's sound, emphasizing a more stripped-down, meditative approach to romance and introspection. Recorded after a hiatus, the album exudes a breezy, unhurried vibe, with compositions that loop back on themselves and melodies that leisurely unfurl. While not as minimalistic as later efforts, the album showcases softer rhythms and lighter melodies, allowing Sade's airy vocals to shine. Songs like 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride' and 'Turn My Back on You' capture emotional honesty and candor, buoyed by sparse arrangements that enhance Sade's directness. Throughout the record, Sade's writing maintains a mantra-like quality, repeating phrases to imbue the songs with quiet anguish and introspection. Leroy Osbourne's background vocals add warmth to Sade's cool melodies, enhancing the emotional resonance of tracks like 'Paradise' and 'Nothing Can Come Between Us.' The band's cohesion and faith in each other are evident on Stronger Than Pride, with each member contributing to flesh out Sade's ideas or provide space for them to bloom. While lacking the glitz and melodrama of previous hits, the album's emotional clarity and restrained production make it a compelling addition to Sade's discography, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their signature sound.

Review: This soundtrack delves deep into the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, offering an immersive experience of the American funk legends' groundbreaking music and the complexities that shaped their journey. The collection takes listeners through the band's rise to fame, highlighting their timeless funk and soul hits, while also reflecting on the unseen burdens faced by Black artists in America. Notable tracks like 'Sing A Simple Song (Alternate Mix)' and 'Underdog' offer fresh takes on familiar classics, giving fans new perspectives on songs that have long been anthems. There are also remixes, such as J.PERIOD's edits of 'Dance To The Music' and 'Everyday People,' which breathe new energy into the band's beloved sound. The collection also features rare versions of tracks like 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' and 'Family Affair,' adding to the richness of Sly's musical legacy. By incorporating interviews and insights from figures like Andre 3000, D'Angelo, and George Clinton, the soundtrack elevates the music, providing a context that goes beyond just the sound. It's a poignant reminder of the depth of Sly & The Family Stone's influence, revealing how their music continues to resonate with generations.

Review: This release serves as the perfect companion to the new documentary chronicling Luther Vandross's illustrious career. This compilation offers a definitive look at the r&b legend's most iconic tracks, showcasing his silky voice and timeless songwriting. Spanning decades, the album includes chart-topping hits like 'Power of Love', 'Stop to Love', and his heartfelt duet 'Endless Love'. Fan-favorite ballads like 'A House Is Not a Home' and his soulful rendition of 'Always & Forever' are also here, highlighting his ability to evoke deep emotion with every note. Vandross's journey from a sought-after session singericontributing to David Bowie's Young Americansito a pioneer of lush, romantic r&b and disco is reflected beautifully in this collection. His unique ability to blend vulnerability with vocal mastery cemented his place as one of the greatest voices of all time. This album is a fitting tribute to a career that defined generations of music lovers, offering both longtime fans and newcomers an unforgettable glimpse into Vandross's remarkable legacy.