Soul-Funk

Gil Scott-Heron is one of the most influential black music artists of his generation. Like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Curtis Mayfield his music transgresses all music boundaries, and he is as heralded in rock as in soul and jazz circles. Along with his musical partner Brian Jackson, Gil wrote and recorded some of the most memorable and poignant songs of the 70s. Their songs have taken on a myriad of topics - "The Bottle" focussed on alchoholism, "We Almost Lost Detroit", "Shut 'Em Down" and "Winter In America" on nuclear power and the environment, "Johannesburg" on apartheid, "Angel Dust" on drug abuse - many of which are still totally relevent today. This album puts together 15 of the best and most in demand of their recordings from 1973 to 1980, and is the first collection covering that period for 15 years.

For the better part of 15 years Helsinki's own Timmion Records has released some of the most exciting soul sides happening today. To help spread the Timmion love, Daptone staffers and brass made a list of their favorite Timmion tracks from the past couple years. Presented here is Bad Education, Vol. I, the culmination of weeks of deliberation and infighting (mainly due to their unusually high batting average) - 10 tracks that best represent the eclectic wealth of soulful riches Timmion Records has to offer.Side 1 one gets cracking with "This is What Love Looks Like", a mid-tempo, breezy dancer by NYC's own Carlton Jumel Smith whose recent album, 1634 Lexington Ave, is poised to be one of the top Soul releases of 2019. Johnny Benavidez, the Texas-born, California-raised balladeer showcases his heartfelt falsetto with "Tell Me That You Love Me" - a beat ballad of the highest order, and a must for fans of Texas giants The Commands. Pratt & Moody, a vocal duo who have been making waves for sometime in their native Finland, serve up another heart-wrenching, head-bobbing ballad with "Lost, Lost, Lost". Picking up the tempo we have the undisputed queen of Finnish Soul, Miss Nicole Willis! The New York native is already a household name on the UK Northern Soul scene, but now it's time for this expat to make some noise Stateside. Closing out the side we have the leather-clad-fringed flute phenom know as Ernie "Scorpio Man' Hawks. The Scorpio Walk's deep groove laced with murmuring fuzz bass and surf guitar rushes the listener like a maniacal villain in an art house spy movie.Side 2 two packs even more soulful punches, starting with the unreleased track "Until You’re Mine" by Wanda Felicia. Equal parts slick, Big City street harmony and raw, southern soul, the track evokes the ver y best of Fame-era Candi Staton. Next up, we have Bobby Oroza whose featured track "This Love" took the Soul scene by storm upon its release in 2016. His understated, earnest vocal let's the sparse arrangement and heavy beat take you to a place where the sun shines bright and the low-riders shine brighter where the Sunday afternoon sun dances off the gold flecks of custom paint jobs. "Bad Education" the funky, afro-latin soul monster with a message (whose title graces the cover of this album) tips the hat to legends like Joe Bataan and Ray Barreto. The debut single by Bardo Martinez, already known for his work with Chicano Batman, lays down a fier y indictment of the educational system defining it as a mouthpiece for the militar y industrial complex. A heavy tune with a heavier message! From top to bottom Bad Education, Vol. I is a feast for discerning funk & soul freaks alike!- Comes W/ Download Code.-Features the exclusive, unreleased track by Wanda Felicia "Until You're Mine"-Also features tracks by Emilia Sisco, Willie West-Includes Timmion's most sought after 45 singles, Bobby Oroza "This Love", Pratt & Moody "Lost, Lost, Lost", & Carlton Jumel Smith "This Is What Love Looks LIke"

Scorpio and His People remains a mystery with the only possible clue that the band hailed from Los Angeles or Long Beach California. Originally released in 1972 on a private label, this double A side is a heavy slab of psychedelic and gritty funk complete with female vocals in a similar style and vein as Dee Edwards or Little Ann. One of the heaviest and rarest funk 45's in existence with original copies going for thousands of dollars.

Mysterious Sydney songstress Justine recorded one album in ’79, which was never officially released. Left Ear have chosen two tracks for a 45 RPM 12” single, which they feel best highlights Justine’s unique vocal talents and songwriting ability. Here the crafty songstress wields melancholic soul and a funky Jazz inspired number with personal and reflective lyrics, both with an intimate and honest approach.Elusive Sydney songstress Justine (Bradley) almost entirely wrote, produced and arranged her sole LP in ’79, an album that was funded by a radio station as the beneficiary for emerging talent. The music was created specifically for radio play without any intention of being manufactured. Luckily however, a friend with ties to a pressing plant known aptly as ‘Midnite Flite’, managed to sneak into said plant one evening and press up a small number for the enjoyment of family, friends & those involved.Left Ear have decided to release what they consider to be the two most significant tracks from this release onto a 12” single, now for the enjoyment of all. The A-Side will feature the haunting ‘Wordless Songs’, a melancholic soulful number which according to Justine explores the “capacity to comprehend a partner’s internal quest for authenticity and connection”. The B-side ‘Mama Didn’t Tell Ya’ is more uplifting in both tempo and arrangements comprising an extended outro, while the lyrics remain just as personal and reflective.

Compilation of funky, tropical tunes from all over the place, following up the well know Beach Digging compilations!Straight From The Decks compiles seventeen tunes that constitute the true essence of Gut's DJ sets. To listen at home, or to remind you of the atmosphere you may have experienced at one of them.

First official worldwide LP reissue of Alice Clark's highly sought-after Soul Jazz classic produced by Mainstream Records' Bob Shad in 1972. Featuring original artwork, remastered sound, repress without the booklet that was part of the limited RSD edition.When it comes to legendary albums, very few can match the cult status achieved on the international jazz and funk scene, by Alice Clark's eponymous album, recorded for Mainstream Records in 1972. The record which went unnoticed when it first came out has become one of the most sought-after albums ever since it became cult on the London jazz and funk scene in the late 80s. It is now being acknowledged as one of the best soul albums of all-times.Recorded live over two days at the Record Plant studios in New York City, the album was produced by Bob Shad and arranged by Jazz veteran Ernie Wilkins with a big band setting. The music is a superb mix of jazz and soul blessed by Clark's superb singing and including two all-time favourites, "Don't You Care" and "Never Did I Stop Loving You" plus a selection of heart-wrenching songs beautifully sung by Clark.Very little is known about Alice Clark and the legendary two-day session. All is known is she only ever recorded one album and passed away in the early 2000s. Wewantsounds will tell the Alice Clark story for the first time and give a unique insight into the birth of this cult album with a deluxe release that will pay tribute to her talent.