Soul-Funk

An exquisite slice of psychedelic jazz-funk, Funk Factory was criminally overlooked upon release but became a crate-diggers classic over time. Yes, the LP is most famous for containing the peerless dusty groove of "Rien Ne Va Plus", heavily lifted by the Beastie Boys for their Paul's Boutique standout "Car Thief". Yes, you'd be correct to assume said gem is worthy of the price of admission alone. Yet, to those in the know, Funk Factory represents so much more than a Dust Brothers sample-source. Indeed, the entire album represents a space-aged opus, featuring tripped-out keys, tight drums and baked synths, all laced by Urszula Dudziak's ethereal vocals drifting around the exceptional instrumentation.Funk Factory were boldly led by brilliant Polish violinist and saxophonist Michal Urbaniak and vocalist Dudziak. Two additional, accomplished Polish musicians were involved: virtuoso keyboardist Wlodek Gulgowski and singer Bernard Kafka, founder and leader of great Polish vocal group Novi Singers. To augment this solid foundation, a sensational American rhythm section was assembled, with bassists Anthony Jackson and Tony Levin, drummers Steve Gadd and Gerald Brown and guitarists Barry Finnerty and John Abercrombie.Legend has it that Urbaniak created this seminal record in response to his American colleagues' claims that Eastern European musicians were not "funky". Funk Factory demonstrates that Urbaniak and his cohorts could play funk as well as any American musician. As sophisticated and multi-layered as the best of the genre, it deserves to be as canonical as the greatest works of Herbie Hancock and George Duke. Accomplished and utterly unique, this intoxicating blend of crack musicians created an irresistibly heady dose of transportive funk that sounds every bit as vital today as it would have in 1975.Original copies are prohibitively expensive so this officially licensed 180g version enables a wider audience to now discover its genius. Dovetailing neatly with the recent interest in forgotten Eastern European grooves, this timely release of a true lost treasure is sure to be one of the year's essential vinyl reissues.

Mind blowing Minneapolis boogie, there is so much to this story but lets start with their original 1982 press releaseHot Group, NOBODY, Definitely Going Somewhere!During the 1960s the American popular music scene was overtaken and dominated throughout most of the decade by a creative surge emanating fromDetroit. "The Sound Of Young America," as it was called, was Motown. As Motown declined another inspired voice took up the slack. Under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia International, i.e., "The Sound Of Philadelphia" (T.S.O.P.), became the new voice under the early and mid-'70s.As is becoming quite apparent, the 1980s belong to the Twin Cities. Most people thought it would stop with Prince. It hasn't. A new band called Nobody is making sure that it doesn't. And although the group has been wrapped in mystery ever since they started just four months ago, their recently released demo tape (which will shortly be pressed on vinyl) is a monster that has music insiders buzzing with enthusiasm, "Right now nobody knows who we are. Once we become established, however, we will be casting a highly creative shadow that will be profound, and that other people will have to live up to," says the group.The band has seven members: two vocalists-one male and two keyboard players, one guitar, bass and drums. All but one of the members are from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, providing how fertile our sometimes mild little town can be. They've all had a diverse amount of experience-from jazz to funk-but their music doesn't fit any particular category. Some of Nobody's members even started out in the church, which gave their music a genuinely soulful feeling that can't be denied.Nobody was primarily put together by the female lead vocalist, a lady who's sung with manyTwinCityjazz and gospel greats. But beyond anything else the band is a team. A team with a mission. A mission to bring quality music to the community. Many of you will soon get to judge the sounds of their debut songs for yourself. KMOJFM is getting ready to add the single "I Saw You" to its playlist, and WLOL's music director said he "loved it." Along with the airplay will be an appearance on Scott Thompson's "Showcase" on KWTNMeanwhile the group's manager, Jordanna Gold is keeping busy on both coasts attempting to hook up a deal with one of the major labels for this dynamic, multi-talented group that many people say will be busting out by grammy time.

Two odd Island bangers previously only avaible on the VERY rare Stephen LP you almost certianly don't own. Athens of the North is happy to drop these Funky Modern Pieces on our preffered format for the first time. Recorded in Freeport Bahamas and produced by the mighty Frank Penn. Catchy, on the Edge and full of personality. Records like this is why we do what we do.

Frotee team has hand picked 8 previously unreleased songs by 8 Estonian artists. These tracks, with their range of styles from soul to AOR, jazz to ambient, have long ago earned their rightful place in Frotee's heart but are only now being released in a form of a record. Check out Tornaado's - 'Seitse' for a dope take on Kraftwerk's “Das Model” ! On “Valgusesse” compilation you’ll find tracks from groups from Frotee’s earlier discography. Elektra, under their initial name Kooli-prii, had recorded another charming soul cover. Fusion-disco-reggae group Tornaado surprises us with an Estonian version of Kraftwerk's hit single “Das Model”. It might well be the first opportunity for you to discover some early Estonian ambient sounds by Tiit Aunaste or hear the songs from the previously underrated pop-singer Kristi Tammik. The collection also features pop sounds by the well-known Estonian jazz musicians Sven Kullerkupp and Lembit Saarsalu. The pianist Sven Kullerkupp recorded perfect Balearic beat in 1990 and Estonian best saxophonist Lembit Saarsalu found time to play disco-funk with Estonian Radio orchestra in 1979. Both sides of LP end with authentic Estonian yacht rock, played by Salamander and Radar, respectively.

It's a big one, a third previously unreleased Raspuitins stash LP, half of which was thought to be lost. Just recently it turned up in a Chicago warehouse and we managed to get out hands on it. With the blessing of Paul Coleman (Rasputins Stash member) we reunited the masters with the remainder of the tapes residing in Curtom archive to complete the LP, Huge!Tip on hand made sleeve Unreleased 3rd LP from Recovered tapes Stolen in the 70s