Hip-Hop News

*Incredible performance, live at the 2nd annual Chicago Blues Festival

*The entire original WXRT-FM broadcast

*Professionally re-mastered with background liners and rare archival photos.

Etta James live at the Chicago Blues Festival, Grant Park on 7th June 1985

Etta James needs no introduction to lovers of soul, blues and R&B. Her long career began way back in the 1950s, and she was a legend by the age of 21. Thereafter she experimented with funk and rock, and toured with the Rolling Stones in 1978, but sank into drug addiction and alcoholism. Originally broadcast on WXRT-FM, this superb set captures her on terrific form, performing a selection of her best-loved songs in front of a delighted crowd, and is presented here together with background notes and images.

Only 200 Copies ready to go ship out.

Same producers as the Whats going on Hand Stamped 7 inch From Chicago.

Third release on SUNCUT! This time the label reaches out to the archive of little known Detroit soul group, Masterpiece. This is the first ever reissue of the band's only known release, that originally surfaced on the rare YPSI label in 1974, and both cuts are breezy, heartfelt soul gems - a quality assured, double-sided release! Essential!

23 year-old violinist and vocalist, Sudan Archives writes, plays, and produces her own music. Drawing inspiration from Sudanese fddlers, she is self-taught on the violin, and her unique songs also fold in elements of R&B, and experimental electronic music.
Sudan Archives grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she messed around with instruments in the house' and took up violin in the fourth grade, eventually teaching herself how to play the instrument by ear. When she discovered the violin playing style of Northeast Africa, her eyes opened to the possibilities of the instrument. The way they played it was different from classical music. I resonated with the style, and I was like, 'Maybe I
can use this style with electronic music,'' she says.
This fusing of folk music and electronic production was the turning point for Sudan. I started mixing my violin into beats,' she says, It wasn't complicated — I'd just sing straight into the iPad.' She honed her at-home style after moving to Los Angeles aged 19 to study music technology, and after a chance encounter at a Low End Theory party with Stones Throw
A&R and Leaving Records owner Matthewdavid, she signed with Stones Throw. At the very start of her musical career, she's already won plaudits from the likes of the New York Times and Pitchfork, and played live at experimental festival Moogfest

Known by genre aficionados as one of the greatest singers and most riveting stage presences in soul music, Jackie Shane has remained largely unknown outside Toronto, where her career briefly flowered in the 1960s. Beyond her unmistakable gift of the gab, Shane is a pioneer of transgender rights, born in a male body but unabashedly living her entire life as a woman at a time when to do so seemed unthinkable. Any Other Way is the first artist-approved collection of Ms. Shane's work, collecting all six of her 45s and every highlight from the legendary 1967 live sessions at the Sapphire Tavern, including three mind blowing, previously-unreleased tracks. Rob Bowman's 20,000 word essay is Jackie's first communication with the public in nearly half a century, telling for the first time ever Jackie Shane's story in her own words.

Recorded in 1971 by a 27-year-old pastor and an after school program choir,

Like A Ship is a stirring and powerful meditation on the wayward aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Tracked with the help of Chess/Cadet maestros Gene Barge, Phil Upchurch, and Richard Evans, the album is a mix of euphoric gospel and Mayfield esque political soul, with sleigh bells, hand claps, and jazzy piano stabs. Sampled by T.I., Kanye, and Khaled, Barrett created a rapturous, crossover gospel classic that's still wildly relevant.

The sweet and soulful harmonies of the Whatnauts spanned a 15-year career in which they recorded three albums and numerous singles, ranging from timeless ballads to Temptations-esque politically-charged funk to dance­oor boogie. The music of the Baltimorebased group, which featured the angelic falsetto lead of Billy Herndon, gained relevance for a younger generation via samples taken by the likes of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Kanye West. This 2LP set is a career compendium of their best slow jams, funk grooves and 12-inch club tracks, including multiple unreleased and rare sides.

Fusing diverse elements of blues, barrelhouse boogie-woogie, funk, and gospel, with mambo, rhumba, and second-line street parade rhythms, Professor Longhair's contribution to today's musical vocabulary is immeasurable. You can't listen to Fats Domino, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, James Booker, or Huey Smith without recognizing the unique 'Fess' imprinting. This compilation of B-sides, rarities, and alternate takes, recorded between 1949 and 1957, honours one of the great and unique talents in rock and roll history.

In 1980, during her run on Broadway in the musical, Ain't Misbehavin' and before being cast in Dreamgirls, singer/actress and Detroit native ROZ RYAN teamed up with the legendary team of DENNIS COFFEY and MIKE THEODORE on a six song album that wound up being unreleased. Recently, the folks at Super Disco Edits released this 45 featuring Roz' taking on Preston Glass' KEEP SHINING' b/w PUT LOVE BACK' (composed by Eric McClinton). Both tracks were from the Theo-Coff sessions and make their debut for lovers of dancin' ( Keep Shining') and romancin' ( Put Love Back'). Enjoy!

Great rockin' R'n'B double sider

Classic female R'n'B twin spinners from the Savoy stable.

Named for her first two big British hits, Stay Awhile-I Only Want To Be With You was Dusty's American album debut in June 1964. Both of these timeless singles are included, along with the rare flip side 'Something Special' and UK EP cut 'Every Day I Have To Cry.' The rest of the tracklist is drawn from the singers first UK album, and includes her thrilling interpretations of choice Motown and girl group gems like Lesley Gore's empowerment anthem 'You Don't Own Me' and the Bacharach classic '24 Hours From Tulsa.' Record stampers produced by Record Technology, Inc. Camarillo California, USA.

Dusty shared the same striking cover photo as that UK album, but its contents were completely different. Originally released in November 1964, this well-programmed disc features the US-only single 'All Cried Out' and two of Dusty's signature performances in the ballads 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself,' and 'My Coloring Book.' Several songs such as 'I Wish I'd Never Loved You' and 'Summer Is Over' were B-sides or EP cuts elsewhere, and tracks like 'Guess Who' would not even see release in the UK until the CD era. Once again, the mono mixes of many of these cuts have not been reissued on vinyl since the 1960s. Record stampers produced by Record Technology, Inc. Camarillo California, USA.

One of Dusty's rarest and most desirable albums from this era, Ooooooweeee!!!, issued in March 1965 was another fascinating potpourri of UK singles tracks, stray EP and LP cuts, and material initially exclusive to the release. Amongst the latter were several songs Springfield recorded in New York such as 'Here She Comes' and 'If Wishes Could Be Kisses,' the mono takes of which have different vocal parts to the stereo. Record stampers produced by Record Technology, Inc. Camarillo California, USA.

Sampled by Drake ( Jungle') and G-Eazy ( Running'). Instrumental versions of Gabriel's Stones Throw Records debut Jardín now available on limited edition wax. Gabriel Garzón-Montano's formidable skills have come to fruition on Jardín in his Stones Throw debut. This album came out of wanting to make music that reminds people how beautiful life is and how delicate their heart is,' he said. I've always wanted to make music that is healing, comforting, and funky. I named the album Jardín hoping for it to create a space for healing when people put it on. A garden is full of life, growth and beauty,' Gabriel said of choosing that unifying image as the title for his new album. It makes me think of green and white and all the colors as they appear in different flowers.' That vivid spectrum bursts forth on Jardín itself and the album contains references to fruit of all sorts, sour mango, juicy tangerines and sweet peaches. From the heartache and aching vocals that float over the dusty drums of Crawl' to the stutter-step thump of Bombo Fabrika' to the high falsetto he nails on Octave,' Garzón-Montano proves himself to already be one of 2017's biggest breakout talents.

A dynamic presence on every bandstand she graces, singer Kennedy brings a capti vati ng soulfulness to the proceedings on the Kennedy Administrati on's self-ti tled debut.

Whether it's the funk-laden opener It's Over Now', her smouldering take on Al Green's Let's Stay Together' or energised interpretati on of Billy Preston's Will It Go Round in Circles', her own nostalgic Mama's Kisses' and other compelling originals like the alluring Finally', the anthemic Victory Song' or the group's old school throwdown Let's Party', the Michigan native and Brooklyn resident makes a stunning impression on her fi rst recording.
The group is led by keyboardist-musical director and songwriting partner Ondre J. Pivec, who is touring with Grammy-winning singer Gregory Porter.

The minute we started playing together three years ago, something clicked right-away. It seemed like we both knew what to do to make things work. It was like magic.' That magical connecti on developed on their longstanding Wednesday night residency at Groove, a strictly covers club in the heart of
New York's Greenwich Village. And while the Kennedy Administrati on delivered on that gig with the kind of crackling intensity of a modern day Rufus & Chaka Khan, Ms Kennedy and Ondre J also proved to be a potent songwriti ng team when they began collaborati ng on their originals.

The group alos includes bassist Chelton Grey and veteran drummer Nathaniel Townsley, who has played with Joe Zawinul, Richard Bona, Will Downing and Alejandro Sanz. Together with Ms Kennedy, Ondre J, superb backup vocalist Stephanie Fischer and special guest harmonica ace Gregoire Maret, who appears on the alluring bossa nova Don't Forget to Smile', they create an
irresisti ble vibe on their groove-heavy debut.

Before Aretha hit big with her stomping southern soul sound in the late 60s, she'd already had quite a career. Beginning as a gospel singer Franklin spent the early 60s recording in a variety of styles to varying success. While her other releases were overproduced and poppy, these very early recordings with the Ray Bryant group are beautiful jazz vocal stylings in the manner of Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald. Beautifully recorded with no overdubs this is fantastic early 60s jazz and her voice is as perfect a fit for this material as it is for the soul she's famous for.

Given the success of Volumes 1 & 2 it would have been rude for Mako & Mr Bristow not to follow-up with a Stank Soul Edits Vol. 3 so that is precisely what they have done. And this time they're hitting you with both barrels of the sister-funk shotgun. On the A-side, is "How Strong Is Your Booty", which re-tools a horns-toting southern soul ballad into a sho' nuff, dancefloor anthem while on the flip, a different diva's late-night love-song to her man becomes raunchy, stone-cold banger So Glad. Oohh, mama's got a bag of her own !

Our Soul7 label is back with bang with a double sided treasure from the early '80s by a little known Detroit band called Pure Pleasure


DJs and dancers alike will love this full-sounding remastered 7" repress!

It's hard to decide which of the two sides is better, the outstanding, uplifting "By My Side" is considered 'the track' - but don't dismiss the flip! Co-written and sung by Barbara Love, 'By My Side' is a super charged mid-tempo vocal dancefloor fave that's a blinder from the start with driven, tight horn and bass stabs swinging into a stunning two step soul track with the perfect beat. It,'s as wonderful on first hearing today as it was back in 1981. 'I remember heading down to Indianapolis to cut this record. We had a lot of fun' Barbara told us recently, 'I don't know why we went all the way down there, it was all over in a day'.

On the flip "Dancin & Prancin", a true dancer from the off, disco jazz funk bass groove and a top class vocal from Tony D. Perfect sounding for today's modern soul clubs - it even includes a nice b-boy disco drum break!

The band members all went to the same school in Detroit back in the late '60s. Upon leaving school the boys started a band called The Soulful Sonics in the early '70s. Barbara used to gig with them on occasion but nothing was ever recorded. The band changed their name to Pure Pleasure in the mid '70s and in 1979 they asked Barbara to join. Around June 1980 'By My Side' had been written and the group were finally readly to release a 45 on their own label. QC Records was born - it stood for "Quick Cash"!

Unfortunately, like many bands after their first release, tensions arose which caused a breakup. In this case it was disruption within the band due to Barbara getting the lion's share of credit and attention. But years late Pure

Pleasure

is back together doing gigs and rockin' the crowds

, and this 45 lets the music live on.

Keyon Harrold is one of the most sought after trumpet players in the world, having worked with Beyonce, Keith Richards, Maxwell, Jay-Z, Rihanna and more. Keyon played the trumpet sound of Don Cheadle playing Miles Davis in the 2015 biopic. This new album is a 12 track hybrid of jazz, hip hop, blues, rock and reggae with featured artists including Robert Glasper, Gary Clark Jr, Bilal, Pharoahe Monch and Guy Torry. Specialist promo/marketing. Single LP format will follow in mid October.

Record Kicks proudly presents "A little taste of Soul" / Unwind Yourelf" a little appetizer of the much awaited new album by James Brown's protégée Martha High produced and recorded in Tokyo by mighty Osaka Monaurail. This 45 vinyl is limited to 500 copies worldwide and anticipates Martha High's forthcoming new album "Tribute to my soul Sisters".

The "funky diva" Martha High has been an integral part of James Brown's life and career for more than 30 years. After a lifetime spent shoulder to shoulder with the Godfather of Soul, she flew to Tokyo and teamed up with Japanese funk ambassadors Osaka Monaurail to pay homage to the great Soul Sisters of the JB Revue.

Born in Victoria, Virginia and discovered by rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, Martha took off her career with soul band The Jewels, with whom she scored the national hit 'Opportunity" in 1964. Soon The Jewels caught the attention of James Brown in the same year the group joined the "James Brown Revue". Martha stayed with James Brown and continued to work with him as his personal vocalist for 32 years. Mr.Brown produced several Martha's singles on his own label "People" such as "Georgy Girl", "Try Me" and "Summertime",meanwhile Martha launched her solo career in 1979 with the self-titled debut LP for "Salsoul Records". Since then she released five albums under her name and, being one of the "hardest working ladies in the show business", she became as well the lead singer of the legendary funky music machine Maceo Parker. Throughout her career Martha shared stages worldwide with some iconic artists like Little Richard, Jerry lee Lewis, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson and George Clinton to name a few.

A brand new collection of 13 dance classics & fans favourites. Includes "Thriller", "Blood on the Dancefloor", "Scream", "Dirty Diana", "Xscape", "Ghosts" & more plus a brand new bonus track which is a 5 song mix ('The White Panda Mash Up'). Fans can unlock an immersive augmented reality experience from their mobile device. Includes a collectable poster.

Deep Funk out of Seattle! Camelot Records, operated by Jan Kurtis Skugstad from 1964 to 1966, released an astounding number of 45s during its short time of existence. Mr. Clean & The Cleansers' "Karate" was one of them and remained their sole 45 for the label. It was co-written by Ron Buford who is best known for his own recordings on Camelot. Those of you who are familiar with his playing will certainly recognize him on the Hammond B3. As most of the 45s on Camelot they are not that easy to turn up so here you have one hell of a re-issue.

This autumn, Wah Wah 45s are very proud to present their latest signing, an outfit who've garnered huge praise from Jools Holland, are darlings of The Guardian's music reviews pages, and have set festivals alight up and down the country with their unique melange of sounds.

For a good few years, Honeyfeet has been a conduit for the ideas and expressions of an exotic mixture of Manchester based musicians. Jazz Yes, some of that! Folk Stick that in there! Hip-hop I thought you'd never ask! Someone once called it Folk-Hop and Barrelhouse-pop, and that's just vague enough to make sense.

It helps that they are fronted by Ríoghnach Connolly, Real World's newest signing and "a remarkable singer and flautist who can ease from Irish traditional influences to soul" (The Guardian).

This extraordinary band's debut single for Wah Wah 45s, Sinner, was originally affectionately known as Boingy Squelch, after the unconventional sounds trombonist Biff Roxby used in his early demos. Ríoghnach conveys the story of a woman who never intends on staying at home "chained to the sink" - "I may be a sinner, but I'm not a slave". In that way, the song is a rejection of outdated, traditional roles.

Since their previous album, 2013's It's a Good Job I Love You, keyboardist John Ellis jumped on board as full-time member, bringing his unique musical presence. This enabled the development of a more texturally adventurous style, as witnessed with the dual atonal solo between himself and guitarist Ellis Davies on Sinner. Similarly, for their next LP, Orange Whip, engineer, bassist and spiritual guide Lorien Edwards makes his Honeyfeet recording debut, so completing the "kitchen" of this very special band.

Sinner is released on limited 7" vinyl (100 copies only!) on October 20th and comes complete with a woozy, low slung club-friendly mix from former Innocent Sorcerer, Polish DJ and producer Envee.

The album, Orange Whip, will be released on Wah Wah 45s in the summer of 2018.h

The Dubplate series continues with Scrimshire bringing us a frighteningly funky pair of edits, released for the first time on vinyl, well in time for Halloween.

Lalomie's Strangeness finds the master of the chop shop slicing and dicing a particularly freaky serving of soul with some rather devilish vocals to boot.

Ray's Superstitions takes one of the finest, and more obscure, versions of this fright night favourite and gives it a petrifying percussive workout complete with monstrous Moogs a-go-go!

An essential slab of wax for All Hallows' Eve courtesy of your favourite Dubplate provider!

As we approach the 45th Anniversary of the legendary Wigan Casino Soul Club in 2018, Outta Sight presents the perfect prelude with 16 Casino anthems chosen by Russ Winstanley!!!

In the early hours of a September morning in 1973, a huge World War 1 building tentatively opened its doors to the cult followers of an underground dance scene. The unfashionable Casino Club was open for business for its first-ever Northern Soul All-Nighter. Little could the promoters have realised the phenomenon they were creating - a phenomenon that would put Wigan and the Casino on the map, not only across the length and breadth of Britain but also in Europe and America. For eight years, the Wigan Casino all-night Northern Soul sessions achieved fame, notoriety and, eventually, legendary status among youngsters all over Britain. It was loved by each of its 100,000 members, voted the world's best disco by the American-based magazine Billboard and started its own record label and magazine. Its DJs unearthed rare 1960s American soul recordings and launched them into the national pop charts, reviving the careers of many black artists. Now, as we approach the club's 45th anniversary, the timeless music and nocturnal lifestyle created by Wigan Casino is enjoying a massive revival as former Casino-goers and many new soul fans are once again filling all-night clubs and Northern Soul Weekenders.

Russ Winstanley, who first conceived the idea for the Wigan Casino all-nighters, was voted Britain's number one disco DJ three times, he has been a contributory factor in many chart successes and has worked tirelessly to promote Northern Soul. Here Russ has selected Casino classics and personal favourites, many of which he played for the first time. 

'Silky and smooth, wrapped up in '90s R&B influences, Two Another add some warmth to their expanding midnight-soul sound on their latest release.' - Line of Best Fit.

On new single 'Shouldn't Have Done That,' Two Another add delicate dimension to the sound put forth on previous singles 'Higher' and 'Keeping Me Under,' stripping back the danceable R&B influence to something breezier and more elemental—the perfect soundtrack for a daydream or a cool spring evening." - Pigeons and Planes

"The project's second EP is incoming, with Two Another recently sharing twinkling new cut 'Aiming Up'.Spectral production matched to a haunted atmosphere, it's a quietly over-powering return." - Clash Magazine

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL

Hold On, I'm Comin' is the debut album by 60's soul duo
Sam & Dave, issued on the Atlantic-distributed Stax label
in 1966.

The album reached number one on the Billboard Black
Albums chart and number 45 on the Billboard 200,
launching two charting singles. The title track peaked at
number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, while You Don't Know Like I Know' peaked at number seven and number 90. An Allmusic review refers to Hold On, I'm Comin' as epitomizing Memphis soul in all its unpretentious, down-home glory'.

Sam & Dave are one of the best soul singers and this album is to back up this statement. Plus, it's got Booker T. and the MG's working as the backup band.

If you're into 60's soul, you can't go wrong with this album!

Two completely unissued belters from one of our favourite female R&B vocalists, Camille Howard. Recorded for Federal but never seeing the light of day until now, both 'Rock With Me' and 'Nasty Man' are superb mid-tempo R&B stompers, with Howard in full voice channelling her best blues shouter persona before giving way to greasy sax breaks at the mid-sections. Mastered from the original 1953 tapes, get this limited, fully licensed release while you can, these tracks are unlikely to see a vinyl release again any time soon.

BlackCash & Theo- Back at it with this series of FUNK - Soul- Party Edits (Thelonious Beats)

COKE

I Wouldn't Change A Thing (Edit)
Thelonious Beats back at it (aka Blackcash & Theo)

Coke Escovedo's 1976 album track take 45, a longtime favourite on Modern Soul dancefloors. Gets nice little drum break rinse to get the party started. Perfect tune drop at the right Summer outdoor party. Intro drum for beat heads and dance floor enthusiast getting party rocking..

*** SUMMER TIME TUNE**** Perfect feel good song..

ODETTA HIT OR MISS Edit (1970)

Originally Recorded Muscle Shoals Sound Studios,
IF you see the line up who played on this album Blow your mind!!! Sweet Soul!!
We all love Early 70tys DRUMS Break in this record!
Always a favoite of ours especially when you rock 2x copies back and fourth.. WE all know that ODETTA is BOSS - Bad to the Bone!!! Heavy Funk / Heavy Drum Break Cant go wrong with a cut like this!!

"Sit back and ENJOY THE MUsiC "
Thelonious Beats.
GSC Crew.