Everything's Gonna Be Alright (2024 Stereo remix) (3:09)
Is This What I Get For Loving You (Studio alternate) (3:52)
Rod Stewart & PP Arnold - "Come Home Baby" (2025 Stereo remix) (2:52)
Letting Go Of A Good Thing (demo aka Sweet Thoughts) (2:15)
How Does It Feel To Be Lonely? (demo) (3:35)
PP Arnold & Small Faces - "(If You Think You're) Groovy" (reprise - Studio alternate) (3:12)
Review: Born in South LA and first known as an Ikette with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, P.P. Arnold made her mark in 60s Britain with a string of soul-pop classics on Immediate Records. Now, her long-lost third album from that era finally surfaces, packed with unreleased gems, alternate takes and studio demos in stereo for the first time. Her version of 'Piece Of My Heart' is a highlight-grittier and more vulnerable than Erma Franklin's original-while other cuts spotlight her flair for dramatic phrasing and orchestral soul arrangements. It's a rich document of a transatlantic voice at the peak of its powers, bridging US gospel roots and British mod-soul polish with ease. A vital recovery from one of the decade's most underrated performers.
Review: Chicago-born singer James "Baby Huey" Ramey's only full-length album, released posthumously in 1971, remains one of the sharpest hidden gems of psychedelic soul. Produced and completed by Curtis Mayfield after Huey's untimely death at age 26, the record bursts with raw, genre-melting powerifrom the explosive groove of 'Hard Times', famously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest and Ice Cube, to the deeply soulful covers of Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Going To Come' and The Mamas & the Papas' 'California Dreaming'. Cuts like 'Mama Get Yourself Together' and 'Running' showcase Huey's towering voice, mixing gospel intensity with an almost proto-rap directness. Newly remastered from the original tapes by Chris Bellman, this reissue, pressed onto heavyweight vinyl, gives deserved clarity and warmth to Huey's powerful, forward-thinking music, reaffirming his lasting influence across hip-hop, funk, and soul.
Review: It may have actually been released in 1987, but this 7" feels like a time capsule to the mid-70s. Backed by her brother George on production for A.G.B. Records, these two tracks stand out from the rest of her debut LP with their classic, timeless charm. On Side-1, 'Let's Stay In Love' radiates a dreamy, mellow vibe. Bailey's sultry, soft vocals flow effortlessly over funky basslines and melodic organ flourishes, creating a lounge-like atmosphere that's both soulful and inviting. It's a track that oozes 70s sophistication. On Side-2, 'Closer To You', is a laid-back groove. With tender vocal harmonies, a lullaby-like flute melody and a relaxed rhythm, the song captures an intimate and soothing essence. It's a perfect complement to Side-1, a gentle yet relaxing listening experience.
Review: The Baker Brothers are UK soul and funk mainstays known for their energetic, rock-tinged sound and now they're reissuing their sought-after modern soul album Patience. First though comes this limited 7", which is a long-time hard-to-find favourite but now brings fresh attention to one of their standout works. As well as the sunny, flute-led title tune, also included is their powerful cover of Sly & The Family Stone's classic 'If You Want Me To Stay' with gritty grooves, tight instrumentation and undeniable funk. This is a great two-tracker for funk-heads new and old.
Review: Originally released in 1986, Rapture remains a landmark in sophisticated soul. This sophomore album didn't just confirm her talent, it launched her into superstardom. From the moment 'Sweet Love' opens, Baker's rich, emotive contralto takes center stage, blending jazz phrasing with smooth r&b textures in a way that still feels timeless. The record is full of restraint and elegance. Tracks like 'Caught Up In The Rapture' and 'Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)' shimmer with warmth, carried by tasteful instrumentation, gentle keys, soft horns and grooves that never overpower her voice. It's a deeply romantic record, full of subtle confidence, and Baker delivers every line with clarity, poise, and emotional weight. The production, courtesy of Michael J. Powell, strikes a perfect balance between intimacy and polish. This reissue brings renewed clarity to the album's sonic depth, making it easy to appreciate the lush arrangements and Baker's flawless vocal control. Rapture is a defining piece of the decades best in soul and a reissue like this is a welcome reminder of Anita Baker's lasting influence in pop music.
Review: Anorax Records' motto and hash-taggable suggestion is to #eatsleepcollect, as if we weren't doing so already! This time they deliver on the highly anticipated 'Tighten Up' by Melbourne soul collective The Bamboos. First released in 2006 on Kenny Dope and Keb Darge's Kay-Dee label, this instrumental version of Archie Bell & The Drells' 1968 hit quickly became a favourite in soul and acid jazz circles. Rhythm-made by The Bamboos' leader, Lance Ferguson, this one stands out for its vocal absence, offering a quirky, irresistible take.
Review: BDQ - or the BunnDebrettQuintet, who emerged from the ashes of 90s acid jazz titans Mother Earth.- wrap up their covers project in emphatic style with a double punch of 'The Night' and 'Tainted Love', ahead of the upcoming full-length The Ultimate BDQ. Sarah Orpen leads the charge on vocals, delivering a fiery take on Frankie Valli's Northern soul stomper 'The Night', reimagined here with a female vocal and a storming arrangement. On the flip, Soft Cell's synth-pop classic 'Tainted Love' gets a fierce, bass-driven overhaul, clocking in at a lean 2 minutes 18 and hitting with full-force momentum. Rather than the usual album-first approach, BDQ have been rolling out each track on 7" before compiling them into a full LP due soon, with subtle tweaks to the single versions.
Review: Born and raised in Chicago, Charly Valentine aka Cheryl Berdell's 'Giving It All To You' is a disco-soul gem that encapsulates the lush, dramatic elegance of late 70s dance music. Produced by Tom Tom 84, the track opens with a big flourish and keeps on blooming from there - the strings are joyous, the nimble drums upbeat, the horns full of joy and outward celebration, all while framing Berdell's sweet yet commanding vocals. The arrangement builds tension without overindulgence and it's the sort of perfect set-closing gem that will send people home with indelible memories. Rediscovered on Al Kent's Best of Disco Demands, it is now back with its own essential standalone 45 rpm.
Review: Recorded live at Brooklyn's Glasshaus in front of just 100 guests, Live at Glasshaus captures a one-night-only performance from Philadelphia-born vocalist Bilal, reinterpreting material drawn from a two-decade discography. Backed by an ensemble comprising his long-time creative circle, the set revisits early breakthroughs like 1st Born Second, cult favourite 'Love For Sale' (still never officially released), and later highlights from Airtight's Revenge and his collaborations on Common's Like Water for Chocolate and Resurrection. At 78 minutes, the session moves between stripped-down soul and expansive jazz-schooled improvisation, with appearances from Questlove and Common woven in. 'Soul Sista', 'All Matter' and 'Funky For You' get fresh treatment, while interludes lend a loose, intimate feel. First pressing gone; second underway with global shipping across 15 territories.
Review: Pam Bowie is still a somewhat rough diamond of the late 60s Chicago soul landscape. Her sole single release came through Aquarius in 1969, and now apparently comes reissued through the reinvigorated label a whopping 50 odd years later. A gutted swill of soul-astalgia, 'Everlasting Love' hears the relatively culturally undocumented Bowie sideline personal greatness and climactic soul joie de vivre, instead offering us listeners a lyrical "shoulder to cry on". The track's singular legacy would be otherwise dwarfed by her labelmate Candace Love weren't it for this reissue.
Review: Chicago's Dion Bracken returns with a fiery EP packed with rare disco, boogie and funky soul edits guaranteed to light up the 'floor. The opener is a long-form funk workout with squelchy bass and classic 70s vocals next to big strings. 'Track 2' is a more subdued and stripped-back sound, 'Track 3' is a real heater with low-key funk bass and call-and-response vocals that will get big reactions and 'Track 4' then jumps aboard the soul train. Last but not least, 'Track 5' brings everything to a close with some fulsome funk and disco flavours.
Review: The first official reissue of Brooklyn People's rare 1975 soul-funk classic 'Peace and Love / Wreck' arrives courtesy of Selector Series for Record Store Day 2025. Originally released on Cheri Records half a century ago, this sought-after 7" has fetched prices of around L50 on the collector's market. It's one of those true crate-digger gems with its perfect mix of soulful, spiritual deepness and driving, dynamic drum grooves that never quit. 'Wreck' has atmospheric crowd sounds as well as jazzy keys and horns to really take things up a notch.
Terry Callier - "Lover (Where Have You Gone)" (3:04)
Review: This special EP unearths hidden soul treasures from the late 60s and has powerful performances by Laura Lee and Irma Thomas that have an impact that far outweighs the modesty of the 7" they come on. Those two tunes were recorded at the legendary FAME Studios and originally released on Chess Records and also included are two of Afro-soul legend Terry Callier's most refined and emotive productions from the Cadet label/ They really underline his lush, orchestral take on soul with his own unique voice soaring to emotionally wrought heights. None of these tracks have been previously issued on 45 rpm and they are all sophisticated, heartfelt vintage magic from a golden era of Southern and Chicago soul.
Got 2 Get Up (Micky More & Andy Tee Prime Time remix) (6:28)
Got 2 Get Up (Micky More & Andy Tee To The club remix) (7:01)
Got 2 Get Up (Figo Sound & JL remix) (5:41)
Got 2 Get Up (album version) (4:13)
Review: Born of Italy's late-70s disco explosion, Change were known for their frictionless blend of European groove and American soul, scoring international success with 'The Glow of Love' and 'Searching'. Their latest single sees Tanya Michelle Smith step in on vocals, bringing warmth and clarity to a lush, live-instrumentally-driven psychodrama, nodding further to a golden-era sound that excises nostalgia for a modern twist. As well as the original, this 12" hears two reworks from MM & AT, extending our floor fortunes out to an extra remix by Figo Sound & JL. A strong return from a group whose music has long stood at the junction of sophistication and soul.
Review: Ray Charles stands at the crossroads of 20th-century music i born in Georgia and raised in Florida, he emerged from the Jim Crow South not just as a titan of rhythm and blues but as a shape-shifting interpreter who redefined genre boundaries by sheer force of personality. On this early landmark, his voice is the instrument i bold, broken and utterly assured. The first half pairs him with a brass-soaked big band stacked with Basie and Ellington sidemen; 'Let the Good Times Roll' and 'It Had to Be You' swing with a mischievous, winking power, while 'Two Years of Torture' is pure stage-lit agony, with Charles unflinching in the spotlight. The second half turns orchestral, lush but never polite i 'You Won't Let Me Go' and 'Come Rain or Come Shine' turn show tunes into prayer, soul bleeding through every note. Charles strips these standards of their Broadway polish and threads them through lived-in phrasing, delivered from the gut. It's a feat that would shape his catalogue for decades, but rarely with this much risk or reward.
Review: Norwich's I Travel To You imprint has released some extremely good re-edits and re-rubs over the last few years, most coming from the shadowy Comb Edits - an alias, we have been informed, of the East Anglian DJ/producer who founded the imprint. He's in terrific form on this two-track dose of 'Comb Versions'. First up is 'Don't Wait', a deliciously breezy, colourful and summer-ready spin of a disco-boogie vocal number rich in heady horns, sweet and soulful vocals, squelchy synth bass, crispy disco guitar and kaleidoscopic keyboard motifs. Over on the flip the East Anglian editor successfully plays around with a heavy disco-soul number (here titled 'Spotlight'), heading straight for peak-time dancefloors via effects-laden vocal trickery, insatiable grooves and gritty horns.
Betty Crutcher - "Sleepy People" (Old Chap Alteration) (4:46)
Gwen McCrae - "Move Me Baby" (SanFran Disko Transformation) (4:42)
The Sisters Love - "Give Me Your Love" (Fingerman Remodel) (4:48)
Clydie King - "Punish Me" (Bully Boy Makeover) (2:58)
Review: French funk lovers Acts of Sedition love double dropping 7"s, and after several fine outings in the last year comes this latest under the title 'Feemes Fatale.' It features some disco classics reworked by mysterious names, starting with Betty Crutcher's 'Sleepy People (Old Chap Alteration)', which is a swooning sound with strings of lament and funky drums. Gwen McCrae's 'Move Me Baby (SanFran Disko Transformation)' is a more stirring and upbeat sound, The Sisters Love's 'Give Me Your Love (Fingerman Remodel)' is a blissed out and cinematic soul and disco fusion and Clydie King's 'Punish Me (Bully Boy Makeover)' ends with a more raw and guttural soul sound and big horns driving the pain onwards.
Betty Crutcher - "Sleepy People" (Old Chap Alteration) (4:46)
Gwen McCrae - "Move Me Baby" (SanFran Disko Transformation) (4:42)
The Sisters Love - "Give Me Your Love" (Fingerman Remodel) (4:48)
Clydie King - "Punish Me" (Bully Boy Makeover) (2:58)
Review: French funk enthusiasts Act of Sedition return with another killer double 7", this time titled Femmes Fatale and as well as a plain back version, it also lands on translucent orange vinyl. Following a series of sought-after edits, this latest drop delivers four deep-digging disco reworks by a cast of shadowy edit masters. Betty Crutcher's 'Sleepy People (Old Chap Alteration)' opens with moody strings and dusty funk grooves, while Gwen McCrae's 'Move Me Baby (SanFran Disko Transformation)' kicks things up with uplifting soul-disco energy. Fingerman turns The Sisters Love's 'Give Me Your Love' into a load up and widescreen sound that is brilliantly symphonic and Clydie King's 'Punish Me (Bully Boy Makeover)' closes with raw horns and aching vocals.
Review: Giovanni Damico is a musician who brings real craft to his sounds on top labels like Lumberjacks in Hell, Chicago's Star Creature, Faces and MCDE. The Italian is back with more heat here on this supreme Italo-boogie double-sider which has been pulled from his long out-of-print Fall In The Groove LP. These two cuts from 2020 still do the trick five years on and the A-side delivers a slice of psychedelic boogie that feels effortlessly timeless as it is equal parts retro and futuristic. On the flip, an Afro-Italo heater that's already tearing up dancefloors from Tokyo to Berlin, Rio to Lyon, making this a certified crate essential.
Review: Junior Dell & The D-Lites are back once again with a reissue of one of their masterful reggae stylings that originally dropped late last year. This one was another standout dub cut via Original Gravity that has proved a big one on the sound system circuit. 'East Of Hurghada' glides on dusty drums and a breezy melodic line, gradually giving way to a textured horn that takes centre stage. It's a smooth, sun-drenched journey steeped in classic dub vibes. On the flip, Woodfield Rd Allstars deliver 'Lickle Fat Mattress,' a spirited fusion of ska, reggae and dub with crisp rhythms and playful keys. Together, these two cuts offer a warm, groove-heavy slice of vintage-inspired sound that suggests both acts are firmly in their element.
Review: Moscow's premier instrumental outfit the Diasonics return with a limited clear vinyl 7" drawn from their forthcoming second LP Ornithology. The A's 'Oriole' locks into a crisp disco-funk rhythm, combining icy Soviet-era synth motifs with the kind of motorik groove that could've come straight off a 70s Eastern European library session, its minimalist melody mimicking the oriole's call while nodding to the Moscow commuter train of the same name. Flip it for 'Chickadee', all break-heavy thump, plucky bass and streetwise swagger straight from early 80s NYC.
Review: Retro-Respect's DJ-AL is a fluent speaker of hip-hop edits phonetics, having put out over 16 7"s for his so named label since 2019. 2025 has so far seen 'MVP' and 'Make Me Wanna Holler', the latter of which you hear here: The Supremes' 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' gets a big breaks beat furtherance with horn-laden cliffhanger moods, while the Motown trio's 'This Is Why I Believe In You' is rerubbed to equally squeaky-clean sheen on the A.
Review: The Supremes' 'This Is Why I Believe In You' is the centrepiece of this new 7" redo by DJ A-L, high retainee of the Retro Respect label, based in an unknown US locale. "I'm a believer" goes the lyrical lit-urgency of the original track, redone as 'Make Me Wanna Holler', as the historic Motown vocal soul trio remark on their joint lover's mindblowing skills beneath the sheets. "Feeling more than I can dream / Is it really me?" Curiously, another version of the record has also surfaced, with the A and B sides flipped.
Review: Earth, Wind & Fire's Gratitude is a 1975 double album blending live recordings with new studio material, released during the band's mid-70s peak. Combining funk, soul and jazz with rich vocal harmonies and signature horn arrangements of the sort that any fan or even passing ear will recognise, it features hits like 'Sing A Song,' 'Can't Hide Love,' 'Devotion' and the title track. The album topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks and earned Triple Platinum certification in the US. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Gratitude is now reissued and reminds just what a seminal band this was.
Review: Earth, Wind & Fire's debut album is a masterstroke of 70s soul and spiritual funk, recorded during the band's creative peak and released in 1975 as both a studio LP and soundtrack to the film of the same name, about a record exec whose white-only signing policies get the worst of a young black musician. Maurice White and Charles Stepney's production fused gospel uplift with jazz inflection, ungrounding cosmic themes in airtight arrangements and vocal interplay. The album opens with 'Shining Star', a swaggering, horn-charged affirmation that became their first US number one, winding through slow-burning ballads ('Reasons', 'All About Love'), celebratory grooves ('Happy Feelin', 'Africano') and expansive epics ('See The Light').
Elder Ward & The Ward Singers - "It'll All Be Over" (2:22)
Victory Travelers - "Power Lord" (3:10)
Review: Celestial Echo aka Miche and Stu Clark, join forces with Divine Disco's Greg Belson to launch a new 7" reissue series spotlighting Detroit's legendary gospel, soul and R&B label HOB, which stands for House of Beauty. Founded in 1956 by Mrs. Carmen Murphy, HOB was more than just another label, it was a trailblazing Black woman-owned creative sanctuary in turbulent times. This debut release features two gospel soul treasures in the form of Elder Ward & The Ward Singers' explosive 'It'll All Be Over,' which is a raw and floor-filling anthem, and the Victory Travelers' 'Power Lord,' which is a deep, electrified spiritual classic. Fully licensed and remastered, this is guttural gospel gold.
Review: Roberta Flack's version of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' stands as a defining moment in soul and jazz, where vulnerability and poise collide. The track's power lies in its simplicityiFlack's warm, restrained delivery brings a sense of intimacy to every note, drawing the listener in with a kind of quiet intensity. The surrounding tracks showcase her exceptional ability to weave storytelling into melody, each song carrying its own emotional weight without ever feeling overdone. It's an album that remains as relevant today as it was upon release.
Review: Way back in 1982, and in keeping with Italo-disco trends of the period, singer Francesco Puccioni decided to adopt an anglicised alias for his debut single. He's retained the name ever since, going on to be something of a star in his native Italy. That success began with 1984 debut album Let's Not Talk About It, which here returns to wax courtesy of reissue specialists Music on Vinyl. It remains an attractive and entertaining album, with Francis and his production team delivering cuts inspired by a mixture of bubbly electrofunk ('Night Time Lady (Remix)'), Clavinet-heavy synth-pop/disco-funk fusion ('Cover Girl'), seductive slow jams ('Late Summer Night'), the blue-eyed soul of Boz Scaggs ('This Love') and boogie-era AOR disco ('Let's Not Talk About It').
Review: Shreveport-born musician Fred Moss has spent decades as a session player, touring sideman and mentor, but tucked between those gigs were his own soulful recordings, long shelved until now. Athens Of The North unearths two gems from the vault, reworked from original multitracks and pressed to 7" with care. 'Stay Away' is a silky, gospel-schooled stepper with enough lift and longing to rival any modern soul holy grail. On the flip, a tightly swung slice of 70s funk - full of snap, sass and syncopation - geared toward adventurous Northern selectors. It's the first time any of Moss's solo work has seen the light, and the label's made sure the mix and cut do it justice.
Review: Originally tucked away on their 2014 debut 'Love Hexagon' EP - a cassette-only nod to DIY boogie and off-centre synth-funk - GL's 'What Happened To Us?' and 'It Could Be You' finally make their way to vinyl a decade on. The Melbourne duo, elevated to prominence by their crisp LinnDrum pulses and lovesick DX7 lines, saw fans clamour for a repress ever since the cassette sold out. Now plucked from the archives by PPU and issued on a hand-stamped 7", the two tracks still hit with the same sly charm - equal parts street-lit melancholy and mall-lit daydream.
Review: Co-produced with longtime collaborator Yianni Adams, Ella Haber's new EP was born from late-night piano sessions during lockdown that capture Ella's emotional awakenings and artistic growth. The soulful and intimate collection - a powerful return after her 2019 debut Clay - is shaped by love and loss and finds the classically trained musician blending folk, soul, jazz and pop into raw but complex soundscapes with great mixing by Nick Herrera. Standout lead single 'My Father' explores healing family ties with tender strings and rich vocals, and embodies the emotional weight of the whole album.
Review: MURO Select presents yet another crucial 7" for Fourth Wave Record Factory for anyone whose ears prick up when it comes to Far Eastern soul, city pop and jazz cause this one has two of Hamada Kingo's urban mellow gems. He was a key figure in 80s city pop and AOR and his iconic track 'Dream Is Alive' from the Earthian image album makes its vinyl debut and is full of The flip side features 'Yokaze,' another standout urban mellow tune that captures the smooth, soulful vibe of his work and is perfect for those close listen bar sessions or the gentle moments early in the evening.
Review: Greg Henderson was a disco, soul and funk powerhouse. Je head up his own Rain Records label that put out many gems in the genre, and produced and arranged for many other artists, worked solo and also as part of the cult band Master Force. For this one he linked with Leugene Whitfield back in the early 80s for a seminal early 80's New York boogie jam that has long been sought after and never before reissued. This officially licensed 12" has been remastered and cut at 45 rpm so that 'Dancin' To The Beat' hits loud and proud, with belting vocals and proto-house beats marbled with funky riffs and sparkling with percussion. Superb.
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