Review: Black, Gold & Green was the first of three albums Ken Boothe recorded with producer Lloyd Charmers, who did fine job of elevating his Memphis-via-Kingston sound. Featuring some of Boothe's finest soul vocals, standout tracks include 'Out of Love,' 'Missing You,' and the gritty 'Second Chance' which offers up a vocal style reminiscent of the one and only dock man, Otis Redding. Rooted in powerful religious and social messages, the album carries a deep political undertone throughout. Quite notably, it also features a superb cover of Bill Withers' lovely 'Ain't No Sunshine' as part of an album that marked a significant evolution in Boothe's fusion of Jamaican soul and reggae.
Review: Dial up the doctor for a dose of P funk heat, and you won't need a spoonful of sugar to help this particular medicine go down. Bootsy Collins is one of the true fundamentals of the Parliament-Funkadelic phenomenon, and he delivered some equally essential entries into the canon as any of the George Clinton classics. This Boot Is Made For Fonk'n' beamed down to earth from the mothership in 1979, when the collective's talents were at their peak, as proven by the presence of Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Garry Shider and Bernie Worrell on the credits and Clinton on the mixing desk. From the slippery psychedelia of 'Under The Influence Of A Groove' to the low sung sleaze of 'Jam Fan (Hot)', this is P funk at its best.
Review: Much like the Sex Pistols, Bow Wow Wow were as much a product of Malcolm McLaren's commercial nous and love of provocation as they were a band, but with the passage of time you can hear their music in a different light. Made up of former Adam & The Ants members and teenage singer Annabella Lwin, they whipped up a powerful twist on the new wave template in which Burundi-style drumming, twanging Americana and post-punk scratchiness collided with pop hooks. If you can't get enough of that era of music, you will surely love discovering or re-discovering this breakthrough album from one of popular music's true curios.
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op 34 (17:12)
Review: This recording of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 story and orchestral score Peter and the Wolf was recorded in 1977 and was originally released in 1978. The role of the narrator on the recording was initially offered to both Peter Ustinov and Alec Guinness who both turned it down, before David Bowie agreed to take on the role, supposedly as a Christmas present to his son. On the B-side is another equally as charming piece of recent classical history, Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra as narrated by Hugh Downs.
Review: The self titled album by the late Laura Branigan was one of the biggest debuts by any female singer in the decade. Fuelled by the insanely popular hit single 'Gloria', which reached number two on the Billboard top 100, catapulted Laura to international stardom. The song would go on to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1983 and would be the signature song for her career. Branigan comes in limited numbered copies and pressed 180 gram red vinyl.
Review: First released in 1972, this authentic and essential reggae album showcased the most popular tracks recorded by a young Dennis Brown under the guidance of renowned producer Derrick Harriott. The third album in Brown's career, Super Reggae and Soul Hits marked a significant turning point and helped to establish him as a versatile singer-songwriter capable of crafting deeply soulful music. It highlighted his ability to connect with an adult audience as he explored the interaction of reggae with soul influences, emotional depth and musical maturity. This album played a crucial role in solidifying Brown's reputation as one of reggae's most influential artists so remains an essential part of his story.
Review: After six years, Buffalo Tom returns with Jump Rope, their tenth studio album. During lockdown, the band exchanged ideas, resulting in a backlog of songs. Despite their hiatus, Buffalo Tom remains a beacon of guitar rock, their timelessly crafted songs transcending trends. BBC praises their deeper take on indie, Magnet highlights their authenticity over posturing. The album reflects a shift towards acoustic, quieter production, yet retains Buffalo Tom's signature intensity. Rehearsing quietly, the band added electric guitars and overdubs, culminating in a beautiful and thrilling new release. Jump Rope solidifies Buffalo Tom's enduring legacy in the alternative rock scene. This edition comes on beautiful magenta vinyl complete with insert inside for more information on the release.
Review: Donald Byrd's Street Lady was released originally in 1973, and at that point the American great had already penned some 20 odd albums. But the 70s marked his move into the funkier side of things and to this day, this album remains one of his most widely loved and important. It's a rich source of samples for a wide range of artists and the opening tune was used smartly by Detroit great Theo Parrish, while tunes like 'Miss Kane' and 'Sister Love' are still huge. Street Lady is as iconic now as it was back first time around with the same going for the experimental sounds of 'Witch Hunt, while 'Woman Of The World' ends on a gentle, euphoric stride.
Review: It's now a quarter of a century since Terry Callier released his Timepeace album, which was his first after a 15 year break. The record won the United Nations's Time For Peace award for outstanding artistic achievement and for "contributing to world peace." It features standout tunes like 'People Get Ready' and 'Brotherly Love' composed by Curtis Mayfield, as well as a guest spot from Pharoah Sanders on tenor-saxophone on the title song 'Timepeace' and seven other wondrous tunes that showcase soul, jazz, folk influences. This reissue includes an insert with lyrics and liner-notes by Tom Terrell.
Review: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis's soundtrack for the National Geographic documentary about an imagined 2033 manned mission to Mars feels like a sketch for the atmospheric soundscapes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 2016 album Skeleton Tree. Both works inhabit the same dark-hued, super-charged sonic atmosphere. Cave's cinematic music, enriched by Ellis's imaginative contributions, explores a wide range of sounds: distorted guitars in 'Space X,' sibylline keyboard arpeggios in 'Space Station,' and vast synthesized swathes evoking space's void. 'Planetarium' features soulful drones and synthesized strings, creating anticipation and stillness. With few vocals, this ambient soundtrack is perfect for chilling out and daydreaming. It's a departure from the intense emotions of the Bad Seeds, reflecting Cave's inward focus after personal tragedy. Unlike many soundtracks, this one stands apart, integral to Cave and Ellis's collaboration, and can be savored without thinking about Mars. Now available on vinyl for the first time!
Review: Reggae Charmers was originally released in 1970 and it showcased the best of Lloyd Charmers, who was born Lloyd Tyrell. His career spans Jamaica's vibrant musical eras from the late 50s shuffle r&b and ska boom to the rocksteady and roots reggae of the 60s and 70s. Across those years, Charmers excelled as a vocalist, session musician, and producer and after taking up the piano in 1966, he soon formed his own band. It backed artists like Ken Parker, Max Romeo, Pat Kelly, John Holt, and Slim Smith & the Uniques while Charmers also sang with the Uniques and gained a reputation for delivering some of the era's most compelling rhythms.
We Are The Beautiful (Spooky Extravaganja dub mix) (8:27)
Frost (4:00)
Age (3:38)
Review: In all honesty, moving straight from the rousing, slightly grinding wall of sound with which 'We Are The Beautiful' signs off, into the lunging bass of a stomping Spooky dub edit of the same track, is both unexpected and a bit jarring. The noisy end of shoegaze-leaning indie into pared back prog-hued tech house from one of the all-time masters, anyone? But then that's kind of the point we want to celebrate.
Chapterhouse may only just be getting the reappraisal they deserve now, over a decade after their last and rather brief reunion tour (with She's A Vision also hitting our shelves early-2023), but their influence on heads and artists alike was significant. Debut album Whirlpool, for example, remains for many a high point of the entire shoegaze movement. Here are three more tracks to prove that point, and one belting - if sonically isolated - remix.
Review: A key figure in Jamaican music who first gained recognition with The Uniques before branching out as a solo artist and producer. By the late 60s, he'd honed his skills in arrangement and keyboard-driven reggae, culminating in Reggae Is Tight and Reggae Charm. Reggae Is Tight bursts to life with the insistent chant of '5 to ', riding a thick organ groove. Charmers reinterprets The Uniques' 'Watch The Sound' as the flowing piano instrumental 'Follow This Sound'. He transforms classics like 'Blue Moon' into reggae gems, while 'Psychedelic Reggae' leans into dubby echo effects. The album thrives on tight, dancefloor-ready rhythms, with 'Stronger' capping off the set in style. His deal with Trojan Records led to Reggae Is Tightia stunning example of his keyboard prowess over driving, fast-paced rhythms. Blending infectious organ grooves with classic boss reggae energy, the album captures the golden era of Jamaican sounds. Now reissued as a limited edition on orange vinyl, Reggae Is Tight remains an essential listen for vintage reggae enthusiasts, highlighting Charmers' innovative touch and deep influence on the genre.
Review: American funk and r&b band Chocolate Milk made their mark in the early 1970s and released their self-titled album in 1976. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint who was known for his work with Lee Dorsey, The Meters, and Dr. John, the album blended funky rhythms, soulful melodies, and socially aware lyrics. It featured the single 'How About Love' along with standout tracks like 'You've Got Your Spell On Me' and 'Let The Music Take Your Mind.' Praised for its energy and creativity at the time, the album solidified Chocolate Milk's reputation in the funk and soul scene and sounds as good here as ever.
Review: Funk and soul album don't come much better than this. Chocolate Milk's Action Speaks Louder Than Words is a 1975 classic and an essential piece of New Orleans music history. Discovered and produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, the band's debut blends tight grooves, sharp horn lines and socially conscious lyrics with the rich musical heritage of their hometown. The standout title track is a rare groove classic still sampled and revered decades later. With polished arrangements and undeniable rhythm, this album firmly established Chocolate Milk as a force in 70s funk and remains a superb boogie-infused release that is as vital and infectious today as ever.
Review: Chocolate Milk's 1975 debut Action Speaks Louder Than Words stands as a funk and soul cornerstone from New Orleans. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, the album showcases the band's masterful blend of local musical traditions with contemporary funk and soul influences. The title track, a standout single, has left an enduring mark on music, sampled by major artists such as Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim and Aaliyah. This reissue enhances this classic with a full remastering on striking red vinyl. The album's themes of social awareness and personal reflection, coupled with its infectious grooves and tight musicianship, continue to captivate listeners and collectors alike. Fans of funk and soul should be excited with the news of this fresh pressing of a timeless gem.
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