Back in stock: Soul

Review: With both tracks now coming out for the first time on 7" vinyl, the 'Liquid Love' and 'What's The T?' 7" single is a must get for all Roy Ayers fans and serious music collectors, not least as 2023 witnesses Roy's final ever tour of live dates. This release is a fitting tribute to the career of one of the most influential musicians in global Black music history and each track represents his virtuosity as a vibesman and his versatility across genres. 'Liquid Love' is taken from the 2015 BBE released album of Roy's unreleased material, Virgin Ubiquity II and is a wicked mid-tempo track where Roy's vibraphone complements an amazing female vocal arrangement to create harmonies and melody over a tough-as-you-like breakbeat, bassline and keyboard riff.

Review: The Cosmologist's Under The Influence series returns with a soul 7" especially for RSD! "Child Of The Street" by Sam Dees originates from 1973 and comes dripping with socio-political undertones, which remain intact on The Cosmologist's 2015 tweak which subtly embellishes the groove into something close to a hip hop beat. Face down and we go back a decade to 1968 and the outright soul gem "Same Girl" by Barbara Acklin, twisting it up with the lesser known piano version from Young Holt Unlimited for 5 minutes that will nice up any dance!

Review: Expansions' latest essential reissue takes us back to 1980 and the much sought after seven-inch edition of singer Ty Karim's collaboration with lesser-known soul man George Griffin. "Keep On Doin' Whatcha' Doin'" was written and produced by Karim's other half Kent Harris and, like the original seven inch, appears here in two parts. The glorious A-side version is a lolloping chunk of disco-era sweet soul rich in soaring orchestration, fluttering flutes and Marvin Gaye/Tammi Tyrell style duet vocals from Karim and Griffin. Part two focuses more on the killer groove and the duo's impassioned improvised vocalizations, with a variety of tasty solos helping to whip things into a mid-tempo dancefloor frenzy.

Review: 'On A Magic Carpet Ride' was a single originally written by Randazzo/Pike who worked on a lot of Little Anthony records. It is a Northern Soul classic, as is a much sought after and hugely expensive version by Bradford born singer Kiki Dee, who was the first white British female to be signed to Motown in 1970. This cheeky one-sided 7" makes the soul stunner available once more in original form and is full of big bouncing drums, string stabs, soaring vocals and unbridled upbeat joy.

Review: For those of a certain age, Gwen McRae's "All This Love That I'm Givin" will always evoke memories of Cassius' French Touch classic "Feeling For You", which sampled it heavily. It remains a killer record in its' own right, though, as this timely reissue proves. Originally released in 1979, it sees McRae at her powerful best, delivering a potent message to an errant lover over a killer, low-slung disco-funk groove. It's one of the tracks that should really be in any discerning funk, soul or disco DJ's collection. Flip for original B-side "Maybe I'll Find Somebody New", a breezier chunk of laidback soul with a slightly Southern lilt. It's good, but pales into insignificance compared to the brilliant 'A' side.

Review: Soul gems from the 60s - well, 1969 to be precise - don't come much more coveted than this one from The Notations. An original copy of this 45 rpm will quite likely fetch over 1500 quid. The r&b group was formed in Chicago, Illinois and featured Clifford Curry, LaSalle Matthews, Bobby Thomas and Jimmy Stroud. They went on to put out four albums and around 15 EPs but none as cherished as this one. 'Trying My Best To Find Her' now lands on a one-sided 7" and is a superb Northern Soul-style, high-energy soul cut with raw drums and aching vocal harmonies that soar and soar and soar.

Review: Soul-Direction Records recently had huge success with the release of the Decisions' 'We're In Love/I Love You' and now follow it up with another vital 45rpm after a conversation with Numero who gave their permission. As such this is the only 7" vinyl release of 'P's and Q's' and its instrumental version. These tracks were part of the quartet from Washington DC's recordings with DC International. The band generated plenty of local buzz but never quite got the major label deal they craved. On these evidence of these two, though, they should have. 'P's & Q's' is lively and funky work, with heart-melting vocals and super smooth grooves.

Review: This very tasty one-sided 7" here from Mah's is a great tool for DJs who want to inject some serious soul into their set. Bobby Womack's 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' resonates with heartfelt soulfulness as he weaves tales of love, longing, and the journey back to one's roots. Released in 1976, this single showcases Womack's signature gritty vocals and masterful storytelling over lush arrangements of soul, funk, and gospel-infused rhythms as Womack's emotive delivery captures the essence of homecoming and the universal quest for belonging.