Hip-Hop News

The Snitch from London play raw funk that recreates the feel of obscure bands on small private labels in the early 1970s. Their first album 'The Dirty Job', recorded with primitive analogue equipment, became part of Warner/Chappell's library music catalogue, available only for usage in TV and film. While you might have heard several tunes in programmes, trailers or films, the material has never been commercially released. Two brilliant cuts are now availabe on 45 for the first time in a limited run of DJ promo copies. The Snitch's funk is rough and dirty, fueled with heavy breaks and frantic horns like you'd only find them on a 300$ funk 45. Get your copy while they are still a bit cheaper.

Zum Film "Ruined Heart" des philippinischen Underground-Regisseurs Khavn de La Cruz veröffentlichen wir zum Kinostart die Single "Ruined Heart (Rocksteady)" der philippinischen Soulband-Sensation Bing Austria & The Flippin' Soul Stompers. Der Song erscheint als 7" auf dem eigens für diese 7" gegründete Staatsakt-Sub-Label Fun In The Church. "Ruined Heart" ist ab dem 26. März in den deutschen Kinos zu sehen.

D3 Elements clocks up release number five here by offering up a full EP to Zhao-Ski, who previously appeared on the VA EP release in 2014. What he serves up are a clutch of instrumental hip hop tracks that speak to the soul.
Zhao-Ski has been a key figure on the Detroit scene for years. A DJ since his teens and owner of the Black Operation Records label since the 90s, he has produced as part of collectives, played live with MCs and has been mentored by the famous Mad Mike Banks. As such his credentials and skills are long established, so he makes a welcome return to the D3 ranks.
'Enter the Void' opens things up with louche, sun kissed beats that immediately brighten up your world. 'Mischief Meadow' has tumbling drums, trilling keys and lots of dusty atmospherics and 'Warning Signs' marries spoken world snippets with jazzy percussive, slowly funky drums and woozy pads that lull you into a wholly relaxed state. On the flip, 'Tight and Upright' is all about the huge over sized drums, snares and cymbal splashes that are all miked up super closely, then 'Time Reimagined' starts with some filmic and evocative vocals and sound design before a trumpet led groove unravels in stoned trip hop fashion. Overall, this is a magically compelling and authentic little ride through the mind of Detroit's hip hop king, Zhao-Ski.

Kisstory 2015 - The Best Old Skool & Anthems is the next instalment in the hugely successful album series, following 'Kisstory' and 'Kisstory 2014', which have to date sold over 200,000 copies combined, a further continuation of the enormously popular Kiss FM radio show and spin-off radio station.
The biggest Dance, R&B, Hip-Hop and Garage tracks from the 90s & 00s over 3CDs, take fans on a seamless journey from old classics through to the biggest contemporary floor-fillers, including No1 smash hits from Three Of A Kind, Oxide & Neutrino, Fatboy Slim, Wamdue Project, The Tamperer and The Pussycat Dolls - alongside cult classics from Artful Dodger, 50 Cent, Junior Senior, Blackstreet, Another Level, Mousse T, Nelly, Sean Paul, plus many more.
Make it a summer to remember, keeping it old skool.

01. 3 Of A Kind - Babycakes
02. Gabrielle - Sunshine (Wookie Main Mix)
03. Oxide And Neutrino - Bound 4 Da Reload (Casualty)   
04. DJ Luck & MC Neat - Ain't No Stoppin Us (Oracles Mix)
05. Another Level - Be Alone No More (Another Groove Remix)
06. Artful Dodger Feat. Lifford - Please Don't Turn Me On
07. M.J. Cole - Sincere
08. Roy Davis Jr & Peven Everett - Gabriel (Live Garage Mix)
09. The Streets - Has It Come To This (Original Mix)    
10. Wideboys Feat. Dennis G. - Sambuca (The Return)
11. Ramsey & Fen - Love Bug (Original Bump Mix)
12. Dub Conspiracy Feat. Tru Faith - Freak Like Me
13. Jodeci - Freek'n You (MK Dub)
14. M-Dubs - Bump 'n' Grind (...I Am Feeling Hot Tonight) (Sunship Mix)
15. Zed Bias - Neighbourhood
16. Sticky Feat. Ms Dynamite - Booo!
17. Roll Deep Feat. Jodie Connor - Good Times

01. 50 Cent - In Da Club
02. Nelly - Hot In Herre
03. Sean Paul - Like Glue  
04. Jason Derulo - Ridin' Solo        
05. Amerie - 1 Thing
06. Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine
07. Blackstreet Feat. Dr. Dre - No Diggity
08. Akon Feat. Taz & Styles - Locked Up
09. Chamillionaire Feat. Krayzie Bone - Ridin'
10. Usher Feat. will.i.am - OMG
11. Ne-Yo - Closer
12. Jay Sean Feat. Lil Wayne - Down
13. 2play Feat. Raghav & Jucxi - So Confused
14. Rupee - Tempted To Touch
15. The Pussycat Dolls Feat. Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha
16. Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love
17. TLC - Unpretty
18. Craig David - 7 Days            
19. Ja Rule Feat. Ashanti - Always On Time

01. Mousse T. Vs Hot 'N' Juicy - Horny'98
02. Booty Luv - Boogie 2Nite (Seamus Haji Big Love Edit)
03. The Tamperer Feat. Maya - Feel It     
04. Gala - Freed From Desire
05. Wamdue Project - King Of My Castle
06. Eric Prydz - Call On Me
07. Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
08. The Supermen Lovers - Starlight
09. Phats & Small - Turn Around
10. Fatboy Slim - Praise You
11. Basement Jaxx - Red Alert
12. WildChild - Renegade Master
13. Jinny - Keep Warm (Short Version)
14. M&S Presents...The Girl Next Door - Salsoul Nugget (If U Wanna)
15. Everything But The Girl - Missing (Todd Terry Club Mix)            
16. Rui Da Silva Feat. Cassandra - Touch Me
17. ATB - 9 Pm (Till I Come)
18. Robert Miles - Children
19. Ian Van Dahl Feat. Marsha - Castles In The Sky
20. Chicane Feat. Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up
21. SNAP! - Rhythm Is A Dancer

Four years after its original CD release, and due to phenomenal demand, we're hugely to excited to announce the first vinyl LP release of the Hackney Colliery Band's eponymous ddebut album! In those four years the band have risen to the top of the global brass band scene, sold out The Jazz Cafe in London three times over, played at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, and collaborated with artists as diverse as the late Amy Winehouse, Eliza Doolittle and Jamie Cullum.

Mining nuggets of funk, hip-hop and hi-octane rock from the musical coalface and throwing in a few chunks of Balkan brass, ska and contemporary jazz for good measure, the Hackney Colliery Band (HCB) are as diverse as the London borough that gave them their name. The self-titled debut features quirky covers, such as the sousaphone led, heavy hitting take on Blackstreet's "No Diggity", deep afro jazz inspired cuts like "Pigmy Goats" and even a gorgeous ballad or two! The album received huge support from DJs as diverse as Gilles Peterson & Huey Morgan (BBC 6Music) Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) and Robert Elms (BBC London).

LIMITED official w/l promo copies at cheap price, these tracks were originally released in 1979 (A1 and B1) and 1975 (B2)

When Terry Kane - a sound engineer who was barely twenty years old at the time - built an 8-track recording studio above Henry Stone's office space in the Hialeah area of Miami, he probably never envisaged that he was laying the bedrock for a creative hub that would spawn over 25 gold records and over 100 million record sales worldwide. In the process, it would help to make Henry Stone a legend of American music.

At one end of the spectrum, warehouse boy turned global superstar Harry Wayne Casey - better known as leader of K.C. & The Sunshine Band - was pumping out disco classics on a massive scale with ubiquitous airplay and sell-out shows. At the other, Rodney Matthew and his group Formula 1, were relying on the might of the T.K. distribution machine to propel them into the spotlight. As remarkable as their 1977 masterpiece on Du-Vern records was, it inevitably failed to have the seismic impact of The Sunshine Band's commercial dance pop.

For every success story like T-Connection, with their firebrand funk-disco fusion and major label achievements, there were equally talented acts such as Stevens And Foster who also called on Stone's services to showcase their vision: judging by the scarcity of original copies of their self-written and produced modern soul jewel on Jerri Records, they also failed to reach beyond the Sunshine state, save for the rarified ears of collectors and connoisseurs.

The sheer amount of records that came out of those modest premises at 495 SE 10th Court - about 8km from Downtown Miami (as the pink flamingo flies) - is mind boggling. With a huge roster of in-house labels as well as production and distribution deals, label boss Henry Stone was a passionate, busy, and exceptionally well connected man.

There has never been a team quite like Sue Records' Ike and Tina Turner, and now, making the vocal solo scene, Tina proves herself a performer and show-woman nonpareil. Aided by the fine hand of hubby Ike, who stays to cleff some of the numbers and play the guitar and piano in fine style, Tina applies her pulsating rhythm sense to uptempo tunes with devastating effect. Then she turns around (and around) and croons a love ballad with an earthy, emotional feel that leaves the listener humble with admiration. So listen to Tina's driving renditions of Wake Up,' Mama Tell Him' and I Made A Promise Up Above', plus her rockaballad versions of Don't Play Me Cheap,' Pretend,' Look Through Me,' Forever Mine' and My Everything To Me.' These songs were inspired choices to bring out Tina's rare ability to be equally at home with a shouting, screaming pulser, or a tender ballad that gives her a chance to show off her more gentle, kittenish side. As a nightclub attraction Ike and Tina have wowed'em from coast to coast, and as recording stars they have no peers. And Tina's dynamic performance in this her latest Sue album firmly places the attractive, shapely star in the annals of all-time great disk stars.'
(taken from the original liner notes)

Als Hälfte des US-amerikanischen Duos The Civil Wars feierte Joy Williams zwischen 2009 und 2014 weltweit große Erfolge; die beiden Alben verkauften sich alleine in den USA mehr als 800.000 Mal und bescherten den beiden vier (!) Grammys. Mit "Venus" erscheint nun am 26. Juni 2015 das erste Solo-Album von Joy Williams seit dem Ende von Civil Wars. Die erste Single "'Woman (Oh Mama)' handelt davon, die eigene Schönheit und die Stärke zu erleben, die man in seiner eigenen Haut erfährt. "Ich habe einmal ein Zitat gehört, das glaube ich ursprünglich von Eleanor Roosevelt stammt: ‚Eine Frau ist wie ein Teebeutel... man weiß vorher nie, wie stark sie ist, bis in heißes Wasser gerät. Als ich ‚Until The Levee' schrieb, fühlte ich mich, als würde ich in heißem Wasser umherschwimmen. Jeder fragte mich nach dem abrupten Ende von The Civil Wars, ich musste mich als frischgebackene Mutter an einem neuen Lebensrhythmus gewöhnen, ich kämpfte um meine Ehe, die einer Generalüberholung bedurfte und hatte mit der tödlichen Erkrankung meines Vaters klar zu kommen. Ich verspürte den Drang, in diesem ganzen Chaos eine neue Stabilität zu finden." Darum geht es auf diesem starken, emotionalen Erstling!

12inch Dance Chilled' - a 3CD compilation of the finest laidback, mellow mixes from the 70s to the present. Featuring a mix of the classic and the rare, CD1 showcases a selection of iconic chill-out anthems from the 90s/00s, from William Orbit to Zero 7/Sia, from St Germain to Coldplay. CD2 presents a selection of timeless Balearic/House classics from the Beloved to Orbital, from New Order to The Grid. CD3 features the finest mellow soul grooves from Chic to Morcheeba, from SOS Band to Rufus and Chaka Khan. 12inch Dance Chilled' - the perfect laidback soundtrack to the summer!

01. William Orbit - Barber's Adagio For Strings
02. Air - Kelly Watch The Stars (American Girls Remix by Phoenix)
03. Zero 7 - Somersault (Reworked by Yam Who)
04. St Germain - Rose Rouge
05. Coldplay - Midnight (Kygo Remix)
06. Simply Red - Thrill Me (steppin' razor ambient mix)
07. Radiohead - Planet Telex (Karma Sunra Mix)
08. Hot Chip - Over And Over (Maurice Fulton Remix)
09. Strange Cargo - Million Town
10. Everything But The Girl - Missing (Ultramarine Remix)

01. Chris Rea - Josephine (La Version Francaise)
02. The Beloved - The Sun Rising (Danny's 'Love Is'...Remix)
03. Jose Padilla - Adios Ayer (Original Mix)
04. Salt Tank - Angels Landing (Jose Padilla And Sunchild Remix)
05. The Grid - Floatation (Subsonic Grid Mix)
06. Electra - Autumn Love (Future 3)
07. The Aloof - Never Get Out The Boat (The Gosh Mix)
08. Orbital - Belfast
09. Twin Peaks Soundtrack - Twin Peaks Theme (Instrumental)
10. New Order - Elegia

01. Morcheeba - The Sea
02. Chic - A Warm Summer Night
03. Faze O - Riding High
04. AMILLIONSONS - Misti Blu (Schmoov! Vocal Mix)
05. Shola Ama - You Might Need Somebody (Di Classic Radio Mix)
06. William Devaughan - Be Thankful For What You've Got (part 1 and part 2)
07. The S.O.S. Band - Weekend Girl
08. Grover Washington - Just The Two Of Us
09. Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (Hallucinogenic Version)
10. Deee-lite - How Do You Say...Love (Remix Version)

Industry veterans Renegades of Jazz and Herma Puma team up to deliver a perfect combination of funk, breaks and jazz in their new project "The Monades". Their debut single 'Not Tonight' b/w 'Shake Me' is released on limited edition 7" vinyl and digital download, and features killer guitarist Paul Curtis, keyboard-player Romeo Sandri and guest vocalists Dariya and Rayna.

Renegades of Jazz (aka David Hanke, aka Little Trooper, aka one half of Mash & Munkee!) is fresh from unleashing his cracking second album, 'Paradise Lost', and the single 'Fire' featuring Aspects, on Agogo Records. He has also released a number of records on Smoove's (from Smoove & Turrell) Wass label and has remixed the likes of Brownout, Chris Read (Breakin' Bread), Skeewiff, Colman Brothers, Jungle Fire, Nick Pride & The Pimptones, Weekend Sun, Daytoner, Herma Puma and many more.

Beat creater and DJ Herma Puma, aka Pimpernel Jones, makes head nodding hip hop inspired by obscure jazz, library and funk records. Previous releases include the album 'Synchromystic' and single 'Disposable Rappers' on First Word Records, as well as tracks and remixes for labels such as Wah Wah 45s, Wass, Tea Sea and My First Moth.

Renegades of Jazz's remix of 'Classic' by Frameworks & QNC is also out now on limited 7" on Hero Records (cat.no. HR014S)

Herma Puma's collaboration with New York MCs QNC "Killin' Me" b/w "Did It" is out now on limited 7" vinyl on Hero Records (cat.no. HR016S).

in stock again!!

OUTTA SIGHT presents the first in a new series of R&B LP's featuring the very best of the hit R&B Singles Collection.
Part 1 brings together 16 of the hottest cuts from the 2013 CD album The R&B Singles Collection Volume 1. Remastered for optimal vinyl fidelity, the perfect tool for the R&B DJ. Featuring guaranteed floorfillers from the R&B girls Etta James, Betty O'Brien, Tiny Topsy, Sherri Taylor, and the boys are no slackers either, check out Joe Tex, Prince Conley, Benny Spellman and Danny Owens - everyone a winner!
Get 'em while they're hot!

'The Mistress'. 'We were obsessed by it. We were slaves to it. We both loved and hated it. All we did was think about it. We worked tirelessly to fulfil it. And we did so in relative secrecy...' Spectrasoul, 2015

* Production powerhouse SpectraSoul return with their second studio album, 'The Mistress'. Building on the foundations laid by their critically acclaimed debut 'Delay No More', the follow up sees Jack Stevens and Dave Kennett return with an album that takes their songwriting skills to new heights, exploring more deep and diverse electronic territories, all the while retaining their unmistakable drum and bass brand. Alongside hugely talented vocalists including Harleighblu, Joshua Idehen, Lilly McKenzie, Tamara and more, Spectrasoul have created yet another beautifully crafted long player that looks set to satisfy bass music aficionados the world over.

Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the brand new single from one-man horn driven funk music machine, The Gene Dudley Group.

Following on from last year's dance floor smash, No Trouble on the Mountain, featuring Anne Frankenstein on the microphone, Gene Dudley returns with more soulful vocals, and a sure fire festival hit for 2015. This time the vocals come courtesy of one half of U.S. duo Myron & E (Stones Throw) with the latter of the pair lending his velvet tones to the hypnotic, sweet summer soul of the BBC 6Music favourite, I've Changed.

On the flip comes a secret weapon every DJ will be after over the festival period. Gene's version of Todd Terje's Inspector Norse is a funk driven horn-fest and takes the modern dance floor classic into exciting new areas. So much so, that it can already count Gilles Peterson and even Terje himself as fans!

Look out for the Gene Dudley Group's sophomore LP, Zambidoose, dropping this July and accompanied by a plethora of gigs across the UK with the full live Gene Dudley Group band.

Absolutely essential, standard-setting Rock & Roll insanity from Tic & Toc with their wig-flipping anthem 'Jibba Jab'. No doubt some folks might discount this as a mere novelty, a throwaway bit of fun, and nothing more, but surely the more learned ear recognizes 'Jibba Jab' as the true masterpiece that it is. On the flip side, the equally deranged, if lesser known, 'Teedle Dee Teedle Dum' by Timmie Rogers orchestra, a 140mph piece of deranged scat jazz which like 'Jibba Jab' features vocals and tenor sax blows by Big Nick 'Toc' Nicholas.

Bobby Soft Rocks and Jaime LHAS join forces as Elaborate Hoax for a slice of Balaeric house on 'Happy Valley'. The remix from Reverso 68 is the cherry on the cake.
DJ Support
Tensnake, Psychemagik, Soul Clap, 6th Borough Project, Sean Johnston, Richard Norris (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve) & more TBC

Two male vocal sides, topped with Billy Williams 'Pied Piper', a pretty uptempo sound by popcorn standards, but either way full of character and easy charm.' 'Much the same could be said of 'Too Much Rosita' from Nick Todd (interestingly enough the younger brother of Pat Boone), a swinging little number very much in the Belgian mould.


Billy Williams

Nick Todd

Once again we use our'legendary 'R&B imprint' of'the Jukebox Jam series to release top quality R&B on 45 rpm for the first time, with these two originally unissued cuts from the Okeh vaults finally seeing a DJ friendly vinyl pressing. And two great sides they are too, with Jumpin' Joe Williams' super cool vocal track 'Voodoo Blues' featuring superior accompaniment from Red Saunders and co, and arranged by the one and the only Sun Ra! On the flip, the Royals' 'Gas Happy Mama' is a raucous, uptempo group vocal romper

"Good Feeling" marks the return of Jay W. McGee, one of the most interesting voices from the disco and boogie era of the mid and late Eighties. This abum is Jay W. McGee's first new recording since his last release more than 25 years ago, covering a selection from boogie to soul and from disco to gospel. The vocals for "Good Feeling" were recorded in Jay W. McGee's hometown of Flint/Michigan, while the music was recorded and mixed in Hamburg by up and coming production team The Unbelievable Two.

Releasing on various independent labels, Jay W. McGee came up with two albums ("Over & Over" in 1981 and "Survivor" in 1988), accompanied by a couple of cult 12inch singles which still feature on genre radio and DJ playlists around the world. "Turn Me On" has been officially re-issued by Legère Recordings in 2013, while "When We Party" is still a firm favourite among connaisseur DJs.

Jay W. McGee started singing gospel music when he was four years old. He toured with a number of funk & soul bands through the USA and Canada during the Seventies and made some great recordings that still have a fresh impact. With "Good Feeling" he goes for an up-to-date production with true respect of his roots, aiming on the dancefloor and the mind. All ten tracks are new and original compositions by Mr. McGee himself and the production team of Julian "Mzuzu" Romeike and Matthias "Mucka" Morgenroth, also known as "The Unbelievable Two". The styles range from the colourful disco-soul of "Whole Lotta Talk", the lo-down sexy groove of "Make Time For Love", the crazy jazz-funk of "Look Here In My Heart" to the sweet gospel soul of "Do It Right Now".

The first single "Good Feeling" is available in remixes by Cool Million and DJ Mzuzu. Take a listen to Mr. Jay W. McGee and you will surely get a "Good Feeling"!J

US soulful house trio Tortured Soul are proof that modern EDM can be freed from the DJ booth. Influenced by such classic artists as Prince, Heatwave and Kool & The Gang, the band deliver their third cool, groove-centred album, dedicated to the memory of keyboard player and founding member Ethan White, who passed away suddenly in March at the age of 39.

Tastemaker Gilles Peterson has dubbed them the future of house music'. Led by drummer/vocalist Christian Urich, delivering four-on-the-floor beats topped by a Maxwell-like falsetto, this band plays seamless club classics, always with poppy
hooks. The new album opens with the ultra cool I'll Be There For You'. Other highlights include the driving EDM vibe of Don't Lead Me On' and the handclap-catchy title cut I Know What's On Your Mind' was written and co-produced by Christian and Ethan with South Africa's house music legend Black Coffee, and the Chic-like Can't Keep Rhythm from A Dancer' has received extensive airplay, including from the UK's BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM and Mi-Soul.

The band are constantly touring - with European dates in May 2015 that include the Southport Weekender, London and Vienna. They are regular visitors to South Africa and South East Asia.

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. You know the hype by now. 19-year-old de facto leader's sophmore album is his major label debut. Golf Wang!

[A] don't take it personal [B] like this find like that [C] the boy is mine

Funky Instrumental Jazz funk from The Soul Investigators companied with Jimi Tenor on flute.

The latest installment from the highly acclaimed and sought after Rewind! series features covers of classics such as "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac by Shawn Lee and Adrian Quesada's Electric Peanut Butter Company, a rousing reggae funk take by The Lions and Noelle Scaggs of Lynn Collin's "Think (About It)" and Monophonics' hit single "Bang Bang". It also includes previously unreleased covers of "Spill The Wine" and "Daytripper" by jazz-funk master Johnny Frigo that were not included on his Luv N'Haight "Collected Works" release. Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath's well-received cover of "Planet Caravan" and post-punk anti-hero Black Randy's manic interpretation of James Brown's "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose" rounds out the eclectic vibe of the compilation. Although originally intended to be a digital-only compilation, fans everywhere of the Rewind! series demanded a vinyl release so we have them to thank for making Rewind! 6 available on wax!

An outrageous Rhythm & Blues singer whose spectacular performances ripped up Toronto " the Good " in the early to late 1960's largely overlooked by the music historians during an era that saw the city give birth to better known as the musical springboard of Neil Young, Joni Mitchel, Ian & Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, The Paupers, Steppenwolf, The Band, ( and yes ) Ricky James among many others.

Originally a female impersonator, Jackie Shane, born & raised in Nashville Tenn., toured the "Chitlin' Circuit" opening for performers like Etta James.

Jackie Shane's 1st recording of William Bell's " Any Other Way " released regionally on Boston's Cookin' Label and Nationally on the Sue label landed the #2 spot on Toronto's mighty CHUM Radio Chart in the spring of 1963. It remained in the charts for 20 weeks!

Following the success of their previously released "Boogie Magic EP - You Can Beat it" Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel meet Uk Soul singer: Chennez Mckenzie once again in order top deliver this top notch Boogie groover...

Throwing some typical George Benson licks blended into some Brit Jazz Funk vibes and 80's Boogie, the tune place itself in quite an exceptional position, rarely found on the current musical scenes.

Acclaimed as one of as the UK's best and certainly most unique male soul singers, CHRIS BALLIN returns with a brand new masterpiece, exclusive here to vinyl on this year's Record Store Day. Chris has recorded and performed live extensively over the past two decades (including with Incognito and Omar), and fell in love with this composition by Omar's percussionist KARLOS EDWARDS while considering his return to the studio as a solo artist.
Expansion first worked with Chris in 1993 on his single Stay Away From You', then again in 2000 when he featured as a lead vocalist with Innershade on their album 4 Corners'.
Endlessly' reunites Chris with ERROL HENRY who produced the Chris Ballin album Do It Right' in 1996 and has acted in an executive role here to ensure the highest standards. Chris Ballin, Errol Henry and Expansion Records combine here for a piece of soul magic. It comes complete with bonus track Cry', a song which when first reviewed in Blues & Soul Magazine (by Steve Hobbs) in 1996 was described as being 'perhaps the finest soul record ever to come out of the UK'

Classic early funk sounds from Johnnie "I'm Hungry" Morisette. A sure-shot on every dance floor, not only due to the monster drum break.ORIGINAL VINTAGE 45RPM SINGLE - NO RE-ISSUE!

Repress!

THE BROTHERS first caught our eye in 1975 with the release of their RCA album Disco Soul featuring a cover version of Carl Douglas' King Fu Fighting', an instrumental take on Barry White's You're My First, My Last, My Everything' and, of course, the superb Are You Ready For This'. Blackpool Mecca were certainly ready as it soon filled the floor and, 40 years on, it's still filling the dance floor. Vying for attention are The Trumains with their 1977 New York smooth disco anthem Ripe For The Pickin'', their final recording.

Plays

- Giles Peterson on BBC radio

- Both track first Time on single.

This month Athens of the North presents two 45's from a true musical genius, Weldon Irvine. Here on the first we have 2 classic sides taken from the 1974 LP Spirit Man on RCA. Surprisingly neither tracks have been issued on 45 despite being spun on many scenes since the early 80s. 'We Gettin' Down' is a sophisticated synth and strings funk masterpiece that reminds me of old Jazz Funk sets from the early 80s. The flip 'The Power and the Glory' is is a Jazz Dance monster if the highest order. I have probably trashed 3 copies of this LP djing so happy be able to tuck these into my 45 box.