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Ff45 welcomes Smoove back for his 3rd release and this won’t disappoint – The Pharcyde over a beefed up JB break – what’s not to like – instrumental and some bonus bits for the DJs on the flip – these won’t hang around so don’t sleep – snooze you lose!

Limited edition of Pale Jay's debut EP 'The Celestial Suite' with a special red marble vinyl design. Includes the track 'Donny In Valdez (PJ's Flip) featuring Erick The Architect.

’The Celestial Suite’: a body of work rooted in the unconscious, displaying a deep connection between Pale Jay and his musical guides such as Donny Hathaway, J Dilla and Khruangbin. Pale Jay’s self-produced debut EP ‘The Celestial Suite’ showcases his fragile falsetto floating over dusty beats and serene strings glued together by ageless arrangements.

Rose in the Dark 12" Deluxe Vinyl with artwork.

Get Ready for Another Mind-Blowing Journey with Two Tales From The Mind! After a first volume featuring Janko Nilovic & The Soul Surfers, Broc Recordz is back with a new banger. This time, we've got none other than the legendary JJ Whitefield (known for The Poets of Rhythm, Karl Hector, Embryo, W.I.T.C.H...) and the incomparable Igor Zhukovsky from The Soul Surfers. Our concept remains unchanged – two sides, two unique vibes: Side A: Groove to the funky beats of "One Hand Clap" – it's pure funkadelic ecstasy! Side B: Take a trippy ride with this psychedelic tune, "Munich Bells" – it's a sonic journey like no other. Two Tales for the mind, is meticulously crafted to blow your mind. Get ready to immerse yourself in the experience. Enjoy the ride!

Diamonds & Freaks is the second studio album from producer/artist/visionary, BLK Odyssy. Following up the critically acclaimed debut album, BLK Vintage, Diamonds & Freaks is a concept album that tells the story of a man enslaved by his lustful addictions. The record is presented as an erotic novel by Keisha Plum with narration by Bootsy Collins, both of whom offer a stark contradiction to the vivid and edgy content of the songs. The record contains elements of soul, hip-hop, and pop—seamlessly blended to create a fresh and distinct sound true to BLK Odyssy. Diamonds & Freaks showcases BLK Odyssy’S talent for crafting colorful characters and vivid scenes to tell stories through music. The 15 track masterpiece features appearances by Cory Henry, Bootsy Collins, Kirby, Rapsody, Eimaral Sol, Grace Sorensen, Stout, & The Alchemist. Pressed on Amber vinyl, housed in a Diecut Gatefold Jacket and includes a 32pg Booklet, 2 Double-sided 12x12 Inserts, Postcard, Marketing Sticker & Black Polylined Sleeves.

Late Night Tales reissues the classic and hard-to-find ‘Late Night Tales: Jamiroquai’, compiled by none other than Jay Kay himself. The 10th edition of what is now a classic series of compilations was originally released 20 years ago, and hasn’t been available on vinyl for over 15 years. A blissful collection of soul, disco, jazz, rare groove, and funk, this collection is an electrifying journey through the aural influences of one of the UK’s most seminal jazz bands. Jay Kay showcases a wealth and breadth of inspiration that wouldn’t be amiss on the late-night dancefloors of the Loft (or Giant Steps, for that matter). From The Pointer Sisters’ uplifting and soulful ‘Happiness’ and jazz funk legend Johnny ‘Smith’ Hammond’s ‘Fantasy’ to the anthemic ‘Stay Free’ by Ashford & Simpson and mellifluous ‘Music Of The Earth' by Patrice Rushen, these two discs form a rite of passage into the creative mind of a true musical legend.

Tighten Up” was a summer 1968 number-one R&B and pop hit single by Archie Bell & the Drells. Sonny Bravo cover is a Blast.
The son of a Cuban bassist with Conjunto Caney, Sonny Bravo had toured as a member of Tito Puente’s Latin Jazz Ensemble, among other gigs. Like others, Bravo made boogaloo records in the late 60s.
"We Got Latin Soul" by Mongo Santamaria is a cover of Dyke & the Blazers' "We Got More Soul".
Mongo Santamaria introduced Afro-Cuban street music to the World. He later fused the music of his native Cuba with R&B and jazz to create a distinct sound that would be popular with audiences worldwide.

Back in 1975 Parliament found the perfect groove releasing two seminal albums in the same year. First up was “Chocolate City” that celebrated the love for Clinton and his troops in the Washington DC black community and this was followed up by “Mothership Connection” widely considered to be the perfect example of P-Funk. George Clinton led his Funkadelic/Parliament troops into the galaxy long before Star Wars came along to join in on the fun. Featuring a galactic line-up that included Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Maceo Parker, Fred Welsey, Gary Shiner, Glen Goins and even the Brecker Bothers on horns this album kicks funky butt from the opening blast of ‘P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)’ right to the very last drop of ‘Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples’. It’s a joyous album and as well as spawning the ‘Star Child’ character on the title track saw the band start to tour with a spaceship as a stage prop paid for by record label Casablanca. “Mothership Connection” went top 20 and platinum stateside. Three singles were taken from the album including an edit of ‘Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off That Sucker)’ that sold a million copies.

As time has passed and the legend of Funkadelic, Parliament, George Clinton and the entire P-Funk stable has grown new generations of fans and musicians have bought, enjoyed and sampled “Mothership Connection.” Today it is seen as a classic and essential album.'

Limited edition heart shaped vinyl! The A side of this 45, a brand new track from Aaron Frazer, is about how pressure makes diamonds. The last couple years have been really challenging, especially for those navigating relationships amidst the chaos. This song celebrates the connections of love that are strong enough to weather any storm, and the certainty that comes from making it through together. The B side features a track from Aaron's first solo LP, Introducing. Lyrically, Frazer sounds lovesick; the imagery he paints of demons "so close behind" and the repetition of these lyrics emphasize his longing. The song starts with piercing guitar, dark bass, and chime piano and Frazer himself drums throughout the song. The orchestration is swell while the strings and voices blend well with the transcendent feel of the music.

The Counts formed in Michigan in 1964 as the Fabulous Counts, releasing two singles, ‘Jan Jan’ and ‘Get Down People’ on the Moira label in 1968 and 1969 that became R&B chart hits. This led to the album “Jan Jan”, issued by Cotillion in 1969.

Snapped up by Westbound, the line-up that recorded “What’s Up Front That Counts” included Mose Davis (Organ), Leroy Emmanuel (guitar), Demetrius Cates (sax) and Andrew Gibson (drums). Although tenor player Jim White is on the front cover, he left the band shortly before the album was recorded. Extended, mostly instrumental tracks like ‘Why Not Start All Over Again’ and the title track are now recognized as some of the juiciest funk ever laid down in the studio. Shorter tracks like ‘Rhythm Changes’, ‘Thinking Single’ and ‘Bills’ are equally sweet. What gives the album such powerful musical chemistry was the fact that the Counts were jazz players weaned on the likes of Miles Davis who were also into the funk of James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone so every track features groove-driven interplay. One might argue this is the sound that Miles Davis was trying to find on his early 70s albums.

The Counts were to tour with Funkadelic and record more singles and albums but it is this 1971 offering that is, and remains, an all-time classic. Indeed, the track ‘What’s Up Front That Counts’ has been sampled by artists like Queen Latifah and Eric B & Rakim, keeping the music of the Counts firmly in the minds of a young contemporary audience.

Out of print on vinyl for nearly two decades, Ace is proud to reissue this beauty.

One can hardly imagine the genre-busting, culture-crossing musical magic of Outkast, Prince, Erykah Badu, Rick James, The Roots, or even the early Red Hot Chili Peppers without the influence of R&B pioneer Betty Davis. Her style of raw and revelatory punk-funk defies any notions that women can’t be visionaries in the worlds of rock and pop. In recent years, rappers from Ice Cube to Talib Kweli to Ludacris have rhymed over her intensely strong but sensual music.

There is one testimonial about Betty Davis that is universal: she was a woman ahead of her time. In our contemporary moment, this may not be as self-evident as it was thirty years ago – we live in an age that’s been profoundly changed by flamboyant flaunting of female sexuality: from Parlet to Madonna, Lil Kim to Kelis. Yet, back in 1973 when Betty Davis first showed up in her silver go-go boots, dazzling smile and towering Afro, who could you possibly have compared her to? Marva Whitney had the voice but not the independence. Labelle wouldn’t get sexy with their “Lady Marmalade” for another year while Millie Jackson wasn’t Feelin’ Bitchy until 1977. Even Tina Turner, the most obvious predecessor to Betty’s fierce style wasn’t completely out of Ike’s shadow until later in the decade.

Ms. Davis’s unique story, still sadly mostly unknown, is unlike any other in popular music. Betty wrote the song “Uptown” for the Chambers Brothers before marrying Miles Davis in the late ’60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jim .i Hendrix — personally inspiring the classic album Bitches Brew.

But her songwriting ability was way ahead of its time as well. Betty not only wrote every song she ever recorded and produced every album after her first, but the young woman penned the tunes that got The Commodores signed to Motown. The Detroit label soon came calling, pitching a Motown songwriting deal, which Betty turned down. Motown wanted to own everything. Heading to the UK, Marc Bolan of T. Rex urged the creative dynamo to start writing for herself. A common thread throughout Betty’s career would be her unbending Do-It-Yourself ethic, which made her quickly turn down anyone who didn’t fit with the vision. She would eventually say no to Eric Clap. ton as her album producer, seeing him as too banal.

Her 1974 sophomore album They Say I’m Different features a worthy-of-framing futuristic cover challenging David Bowie’s science fiction funk with real rocking soul-fire, kicked off with the savagely sexual “Shoo-B-Doop and Cop Him” (later sampled by Ice Cube). Her follow up is full of classic cuts like “Don’t Call Her No Tramp” and the hilarious, hard, deep funk of “He Was A Big Freak.”

Hilton Felton is a keyboardist with a strong following amongst rare groove fans for his sophisticated, mellow and groovy playing. He has released many albums during his career on his own label, Hilton's Concept, Inc. and Family And Friends This is the first time that P-vine has reissued this gem, which is sought after by many collectors due to the excellence of the music and the rarity of the record.

For this reissue, all tracks have been given state-of-the-art mastering. There are numerous cover versions of the Jackson 5's well-known hit 'Never Can Say Goodbye' (m3), but it is safe to say that this version by Hilton Felton is by far the best quality. Also impressive is the jazz-funk cover of the Delfonics classic 'La, La Means I Love You' (m5), including the opening track 'Family And Friends' (m1), which enjoys a superb groove created by Hilton's soft playing. The original compositions will satisfy even the most demanding jazz listener. The groovy soul of 'The Power Of Love (It's In My Heart)' (m8), featuring vocals from a young Angela Winbush and Hilton Felton themselves, is also a wonderful performance that offers great depth of sound.

The 7" set also includes 'The Power Of Love (It's In My Heart)', which has never been released as a single, and 'Spreading Fever (Part 1)', the original version of which is very rare and almost impossible to find!

A close replica of the original 45rpm record released in 1971 - Recorded October 27th, 1970 at famed Philadelphia studio Sigma Sound - The songs were produced by Emanuel Campbell Jr. & Charles Bowen and have been lovingly mixed from the original 16 track multi's - Mixed how he "would have mixed Mfsb (the backing band) in 1970", by engineer Tom Moulton, then lovingly mastered by Peter Humphries of MasterWorks. This would have been the original team working on these tracks back in the 70's, both are legendary in the Philadelphia soul music scene.

THE GROOVE SESSIONS VOL.1 is the compilation of the 3 EPs released by CHINESE MAN between 2004 and 2007 since the creation of the CHINESE MAN RECORDS label.

Ms. Davis’s unique story, still sadly mostly unknown, is unlike any other in popular music. Betty wrote the song “Uptown” for the Chambers Brothers before marrying Miles Davis in the late ‘60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jim i Hendrix — personally inspiring the classic album ’Bitches Brew.’

Jackie Ross started her career when she was recruited by Sam Cooke and made her debut on his SAR records in 1962, and later she had sung in Syl Johnston's band. She was signed to the prestigious Chess label in 1964 and gave the world the big hit 'Selfish One', which reached number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and she was going on to have several releases for Brunswick label and others. "A New Beginning For" was produced by James Van Lear, an astute producer on the Chicago soul scene, and was released on his Golden Ear Records in 1980. P-vine recently informed you all about the release of her collaborative album with a Chicago based soul band called Southside Movement. Following on from that, we are pleased to announce reissuing for the first time in analogue form Jackie Ross' 1980 modern soul album 'A New Beginning For', released under her solo name!

Big Crown Records is proud to present Zero Grace, Liam Bailey's sophomore album on the label. Following the success of 2020's Ekundayo album, the tried and true chemistry of Bailey and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) is on full display again as they take the sound they established and push it further. On Zero Grace they lean more into the bleeding heart singer-songwriter side of Liam. The result, much like Bailey himself, is impulsively honest without reserve. Born and raised in Nottingham, England, the son of an English mother and 2nd generation Jamaican English father, Liam will admit his early childhood was fairly chaotic and filled with "all the cliche racism that happens when people started mixing up in the '80s in England." Liam got his early influences from his mom's record collection. Bob Marley and Dillinger, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix would eventually shape the singer/songwriter we know today. Fast-forward to 2005, Liam is in London performing at every open mic and acoustic night he could, hustling with hopes of landing a record deal. It was through this time that Liam first teamed up with Michels, musician/producer luminary, and the co-founder of Brooklyn's own Big Crown Records. Liam flew out to New York and those first sessions together produced the now classic tunes "When Will They Learn" and "I'm Gonna Miss You" which still gets spins at Reggae spots around the globe and were co-signed by heavy hitters like David Rodigan & Don Letts. That first trip to NYC brought a lot of industry attention to Liam, including being noticed by a just-famous Amy Winehouse who heard one of Liam's apartment-made, lo- recordings, and liked what she heard. Regardless of the audio quality, Liam's particular sound shone through - all guitar, warm-rough and genuine soul. Eventually Liam signed to Polydor and wound up bumping against the typical major label industry obstacles. They already had an idea of the Liam they wanted to make, promote, and push With the typical large advance enticement, Liam did his best to trust that path. "Maybe I can make it work,' that's what you're thinking," Liam remembers, "but, you quickly find out that you can't." Zero Grace is full of freedom and love, in fact, working with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records has encouraged Liam to be himself. On album opener "Holding On '' Bailey speaks to his observations & fears when looking out at the world in front of him and also to the dedication it has taken to get on the other side of his personal trials & tribulations. "Dance With Me" is an instantly infectious two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early Reggae days. Bailey steps into the dance with hopes of finding a new love and pulls us all out on the dance oor with him. "Disorder Starts At Home" is another close to the chest tune that addresses the difficulties he struggles with from his early chaotic childhood and his progress in getting past them. "Mercy Tree" is a powerhouse of Reggae Rebel Music. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope.

Originally released in 2014 as Vol.7 in the Luv N'Haight Edit Series which was the first on a 7-inch and featured heavyweight digger, edit-master, and producer Kon with his take on Twilight’s Modern Soul and Boogie classic “You’re In Love”. He stays true to the original but packs a bit more punch into the groove while keeping the focus on the catchy vocals and chorus on the A-side, and doing it Dub-style with minimal vocals and plenty of echo on the flip. The year prior to its release, 2013 was definitely the year of Kon with a remix released in March via On The Prowl's Party Mix Vol.7, his “All About You” EP dropping in May on Soul Clap’s newly formed record label, and his first solo all-original album “On My Way” released on BBE. In between studio work, touring in promotion of his new releases, and djing parties as one of the world’s most highly sought-after DJs, Kon couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add his name to our growing list of venerated producers that have blessed the Luv N’Haight Edit Series with their work. Supplied with the original stems culled from master tapes provided by Twilight’s own Lawrence Ross, Kon takes full advantage and crafts a classic remix and dub version of the song guaranteed to get any dancefloor jumping. Fast forward nearly 9 years later and Kon remains at the top of his game, both in demand as a DJ, Producer, and Remixer with subsequent releases on BBE (Kon and The Gang) and his celebrated work with his group The Vision (along with Ben Westbeech & Andreya Triana).

This new 45 from Karma Chief Records showcases two tracks from Pale Jay's latest LP, Bewilderment.The A side, My Dirty Desire is a warbling slow-disco tribute to the introvert. Pale Jay acknowledges that society rewards extroverts, but he embraces his introverted nature and the benefits of solitude.The B side, Dreaming In Slow Motion' has silken falsetto vocals that float on top of a dusty rhythm section driven by a pulsing bass and laid-back drums. Accompanied by a catchy guitar and a grand string arrangement, Pale Jay invites the listener on a soulful trip to the early morning hours floating between dream and reality.Pale Jay's latest opus showcases his remarkable ability to craft sonic tapestries that transport listeners to a world of profound introspection and sonic bliss. This 45 from Karma Chief Records serves as a tantalizing glimpse into the depths of Pale Jay's musical genius, leaving you craving for more. So sit back, relax, and let the ethereal melodies whisk you away on an extraordinary sonic odyssey.

Big Crown Records is proud to present Zero Grace, Liam Bailey's sophomore album on the label. Following the success of 2020's Ekundayo album, the tried and true chemistry of Bailey and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) is on full display again as they take the sound they established and push it further. On Zero Grace they lean more into the bleeding heart singer-songwriter side of Liam. The result, much like Bailey himself, is impulsively honest without reserve. Born and raised in Nottingham, England, the son of an English mother and 2nd generation Jamaican English father, Liam will admit his early childhood was fairly chaotic and filled with "all the cliche racism that happens when people started mixing up in the '80s in England." Liam got his early influences from his mom's record collection. Bob Marley and Dillinger, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix would eventually shape the singer/songwriter we know today. Fast-forward to 2005, Liam is in London performing at every open mic and acoustic night he could, hustling with hopes of landing a record deal. It was through this time that Liam first teamed up with Michels, musician/producer luminary, and the co-founder of Brooklyn's own Big Crown Records. Liam flew out to New York and those first sessions together produced the now classic tunes "When Will They Learn" and "I'm Gonna Miss You" which still gets spins at Reggae spots around the globe and were co-signed by heavy hitters like David Rodigan & Don Letts. That first trip to NYC brought a lot of industry attention to Liam, including being noticed by a just-famous Amy Winehouse who heard one of Liam's apartment-made, lo- recordings, and liked what she heard. Regardless of the audio quality, Liam's particular sound shone through - all guitar, warm-rough and genuine soul. Eventually Liam signed to Polydor and wound up bumping against the typical major label industry obstacles. They already had an idea of the Liam they wanted to make, promote, and push With the typical large advance enticement, Liam did his best to trust that path. "Maybe I can make it work,' that's what you're thinking," Liam remembers, "but, you quickly find out that you can't." Zero Grace is full of freedom and love, in fact, working with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records has encouraged Liam to be himself. On album opener "Holding On '' Bailey speaks to his observations & fears when looking out at the world in front of him and also to the dedication it has taken to get on the other side of his personal trials & tribulations. "Dance With Me" is an instantly infectious two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early Reggae days. Bailey steps into the dance with hopes of finding a new love and pulls us all out on the dance oor with him. "Disorder Starts At Home" is another close to the chest tune that addresses the difficulties he struggles with from his early chaotic childhood and his progress in getting past them. "Mercy Tree" is a powerhouse of Reggae Rebel Music. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope.

***Limited vinyl LP edition in printed sleeves***
Pure Wicked Tune is a mixtape-style collection of extracts & cut-ups, taken from DIY cassette recordings featuring rare groove and "soul blues" soundsystems playing at early morning house parties and blues dances - mostly in South & East London - between the mid 1980s & early 90s.

Sounds like Funkadelic, Touch of Class, Latest Edition, JB Crew, Manhattan, 5th Avenue (and the many more featured on this tape) originally began to form in the mid-1980s. With lovers rock dwindling, and the reggae scene becoming dominated by harder digital-style dancehall, these sounds provided a tight but loyal crowd with a potent alternative - playing a mixture of killer rare soul, funk and boogie records in an inimitably reggae soundsystem style, complete with toasting, sirens and effects aplenty.

They were most well-known for playing at house parties and blues dances, typically in small flats or warehouses, with timing of such events generally running from the early morning hours until late the next afternoon. Though the popularity of the sounds faded following the dance music explosion of the early 1990s, there has been continued demand for revival sessions ever since. Whilst the influence of key British reggae & dancehall soundsystems on subsequent UK sounds like hardcore & jungle is relatively well documented, a similar line can just as easily be drawn from these sounds and the aforementioned styles' tendency toward sampling popular rare groove cuts, particularly well evidenced in the work of Tom & Jerry, 4hero, Reinforced & LTJ Bukem among others.

This represents the first outing in a series of collections exploring the sounds of UK soundsystem culture, via extracts from archival DIY cassette recordings of blues parties, dances & clashes made between the late 70s and early 90s. Often duplicated and shared widely, these ruff and ready "sound tapes" provided keen ears with music that wasn't otherwise readily available on the airwaves or in the record shops, and would go on to leave a deeply-rooted but too often overlooked influence on the UK's musical landscape.

Hot Spot" is the only album released by Chicago funk band Royal Flush on a local Texas label called Lucky in 1980. It was later released on GEC, the label of former Shy Lights producer Clarence Johnston, who also worked with The Imaginations, Heaven And Earth and many artists. Although it may not be so famous even among funk music fans, it is an underrated album which has traditional funk sound and good qualities that sometimes even approaches that of P-Funk. The original vinyl copies of this album are now scarce and sell for much higher prices in the used market than when P-vine released the CD in 1994. We are very proud to be the first in the world to reissue this album on vinyl!

* First time pressed on vinyl * Comes with Japanese obi-strip * Pressed on Black Vinyl / This is a great, and beloved modern soul work released by Ron Henderson and his group Choice of Color in 1976. the edition reissued by P Vine in 2020 sold out quickly and is now fetching high prices on the used market, so we We have decided to reissue this wonderful album once again in a new version. For vinyl lovers and collectors, the obi will have a new design different from the 1st edition and the vinyl will be updated to 180g weight vinyl!

The collaboration between Chicago funk band Southside Movement, who released a total of three albums between 1973 and 1975 on Wand and 20th Century Records, and female soul singer Jackie Ross, also based in Chicago and left many records for Chess and Brunswick. The fabulous collaboration is forgotten so long as it hasn't been released officially though a few test pressing copies only exist. P-vine proudly reissue the lost gems with new artwork and adding previously unreleased tracks from the Southside Movement to the tracklisting. The tropical groovy soul 'You Are The One That I Need' is just a super killer tune!

Brothers Gerard Mendes (also known as Boy Ge Mendes) and Jean-Claude Mendes display the intriguing combination of Creole Portuguese-African polyrhythms, American boogie, and Brazilian samba; the duo became massive stars among the Cabo Verde diaspora.

This LP includes the killer boogie anthem “Mitamiyo”

Connie Price & The Keystones team up with one of New York’s finest, Apani B. Fly MC (collabs w/ Black Star, MF Doom, DJ Spinna) & Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. (The Wild Magnolias). “Uptown Rulers” is the perfect blend of Mardi Gras Indian Funk from New Orleans and the flows and cadence from Hollis, Queens. Apani B. gives you a lesson in the blood, sweat, and tears that go into the masking culture while Bo Dollis Jr. carries on his father's legacy with chants to the ancestors. For the B-side, Professor Shorthair leans further into the origins of Hip-Hop with a Boom Bap backbone and scratches that give a nod to the OG Big Chief, Bo Dollis. Extended intro and outro for all you DJs out there!

Betty Davis was a musical maverick with vision. Image, substance, sex, and grit combined with a badass band that could deliver the funk bed backbone to the sultry music between the sheets. After cutting two notorious discs for the Just Sunshine label (Betty Davis and They Say I’m Different), and Nasty Gal for Island Records, Davis went to work on her most personal and expressive record yet. After capturing 10 hard-hitting tracks in 1976 at the remote Studio In The Country (Louisiana), a creative difference with her then label caused the platter to be unexpectedly shelved. Davis would cut one final album and soon retreat from the music business, completely disappearing from the public eye.

Is It Love Or Desire is a little-known gem in the Davis catalog. Mastered from the original tapes, and untouched for over 30 years, this release features detailed liner notes, the originally intended artwork housed in a lavishly packaged digipak, rare photos, archival material, and recent interviews with Davis and her skin-tight band Funk House.

Never bootlegged, never released, never heard until now, the secret story of this lost album will finally enter the history books and cement this bold soul sisters contributions to music and popular culture. Its time to get down…

Long live Betty Davis!

'Days of Glory' contains a relatable storyline, sweet soul vocals, and an up-tempo instrumentation flavored with a nostalgic soul scent'

No Kind of Pitiful is exemplary of 1960s soul with an important message! It is an upbeat song that will help you feel better

Brian Scartocci is a veteran soul singer and songwriter.

For more than a decade, the singer has been making a name for himself in the red-hot Austin music scene. The renowned vocalist has lent his voice to a series of popular local and regional bands including Austin Heat and Blind Lead The Blind.

In 2012 Brian Scartocci wowed an international audience as a contestant on the hugely popular competitive singing program, The Voice. Now based in Texas, the New Jersey native has established a reputation across the United States as a dynamic performer and gifted vocalist. Known for interacting directly with the audience, he can often be found offstage, getting down with the crowd.

An American funk group The Mighty Riders' album Help Us Spread The Message (1978) is arguably one of the ultimate records for rare groove lovers. This 10" release includes the original version of Evil Vibrations, famously sampled by De La Soul, an instrumental edit version of the song, and an extended (long) edit! This will be a historic release that will encapsulate everything that "Evil Vibrations" is all about.

MN8's mash-up of Nina SIMONE's iconic "black IS THE Color OF MY True Love's Hair" and KHRUANGBIN's "A Hymn" is stunningly beautiful & haunting. MN8 retains the hypnotizing minimalist approach of the originals, while filling empty space with mystery & tension. Single-sided & hand stamped 7".

Operating in a basement studio at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, pipeline man Howard Neal and his appropriately named Shoestring label was Alton, Illinois' answer to a question no one asked. Pressed in minuscule numbers and barely outside the 62002 zip code, the singles by The James Family, Jimmie Green, Pete & Cheez, and Carletta Sue are prime examples of cosmic midwestern disco in search of a break. This heavy weight 10-song LP is housed in a tip-on sleeve, and includes an essay and imagery that complete the picture of this pure expression of smalltown soul.

Big Crown is proud to present Crown Jewels Vol. 3.As we are approaching seven years as a label these compilations have given us an opportunity to put the different artists on the label together on the same release. These compilations are something of a calling card for the "Big Crown Sound" where we get to put the most well established next to the newest on the roster and through that paint a picture of the overall ethos of the label. It's been extremely satisfying for us when the fans of one Big Crown artist discover another one because they are label mates. We put out these Crown Jewels comps with the hope that it will continue that process. Even though not all BCR artists can be found in the same aisle of the record store, after listening to Crown Jewels Vol. 3, it should be clear how they all fit on the same record label. When we started Big Crown we wanted to have a label that's only boundaries were defined by our taste, not by genre. Seven years later, we can say we have been able to do that. There is a sound, but that sound stretches into a lot of different directions, but that sound is uniquely ours. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far and please stay tuned as we continue pushing our sound and putting out tunes we believe in.

Limited Pressing of the1974 album. Includes an Insert with lyrics and photos. Features Swamp DOGG's original liner notes as well as brand new ones .

This four track EP features the LA band’s single’s Blame and the EP’s title track Bloodline,

Quickly finding fans in the likes of Elton John, Celeste, Paul Weller, Benji B, and Gilles Peterson, the band should soon find plenty more on a record that could soundtrack a David Lynch epic such is its drama and suspenseful, late-night orchestral ruminations. Capped by Lusk’s voice, a weapon that swoops through the octaves breathlessly, Gabriels have that rare ability to make you re-evaluate music, and what it can do, in a heartbeat.

Whilst Lusk provides the wow factor with that ridiculous larynx, Gabriels are very much a close-knit trio. Producer, keyboardist (and full-time video director) Ryan Hope hails from Sunderland but calls LA home. Fellow producer-composer and violinist Ari Balouzian, a man with endless musical projects on the go at any one time, gives Gabriels’ songs a real ‘feel’ to them.

Sultry, soulful mood music certainly isn’t the band’s modus operandi, with debut track If Love & Hate In A Different Time having originally identified Gabriels as a loose-limbed, soul-stirring funk and gospel-flecked odyssey. But this experimental EP should paint an altogether more rounded idea of where Gabriels are at… !

After the fall of the Deep City label, Rocketeers bandleader Frank Williams set up shop under the name of his twin daughters Saadia and Giwada and got to work reinventing the Miami Sound. Tracked between 1968-1970, this LP gathers 15 of Saadia's funkiest and deeply soulful moments, featuring Pearl Dowell, Joey Gilmore, Little Beaver, Frank Williams' Rocketeers, Robert Moore, Brother Williams, and Sam Baker. Your next sample, first dance, workout jam or closing credits is buried in here somewhere.

There was one irrepressible Chicago clubact that refused to be replaced by any DJ'ssound system. Maxx Traxx (and Third Railbefore them) were a scene unto themselvesin the early 80s, happening live on-stagefive-plus nights a week somewhere in the312. Their two LPs, both recorded in 1982,are a sheer energy ride almost too explosiveto be captured by studio tape. And yet thesetwo stone classics would remain unansweredby a city as it moved determinedly toward themotorik sound of house. Hop the turnstileand move with this complete document ofChicago's last great club band told in detailedtext, newly revealed photos, and completestudio recordings painstakingly remastered.

Four essential cuts from Ghana & Cape Verde, compiled by Arp Frique...

Music is a great connector, bringing people together in many ways. On his journey in music so far, Arp Frique has been fortunate to meet many beautiful artists. The songs on this first edition of "Radio Familia" are deeply connected to the musicians he performs with. Join the music family on a trip through exciting sounds from Ghana and Cape Verde and listen to their story in both words and music.

Arp Frique never played a show without including Americo Brito’s epic song “C’est Dudu”. The song originally appeared on his album “Fidjo Di Mizeria” from 1989 but he had been performing his anthem for years and it came in many shapes and forms. After spending a lot of time in Paris, he (like many others in those days) got inspired by new records from Guadeloupe and Martinique, especially “kadans”. Incorporating latin piano motifs borrowed from salsa and merengue and a bold choice to sing in French, the song and album became an instant success for Americo in and outside the clubscene (note: DJs were not the primary source of dance music in those days, bands played all night to keep the dancers moving). The addition of C’est Dudu to this compilation became especially relevant since Americo recently passed away. Fortunately, his anthem just like all his other music will remain with us for decades to come.

While going through the archives with Americo Brito for the Radio Verde compilation, he introduced Arp Frique to a band called Imilux Star, of course again well connected with Americo. This Cape Verdean band residing in Luxemburg (where there is a substantial Cape Verdean community) definitely added a different flavor to the musical pallet the islands are famous for: heavy syncopated rhythms coming from the drum computer. They released two albums which both became very popular in their scene and the track “Yolanda” from their 1988 album “Jota Dê” got to Arp Frique’s attention too late to add to the Radio Verde comp. The band is still performing to this day in the Luxemburg-Cape Verdean live circuit.

While Arp Frique was on the road with his lead singer Mariseya, they talked much and deep about Ghanaian music (especially highlife) and he learned a lot about the community from Ghana in the Netherlands, mostly in Amsterdam and The Hague. Mariseya’s dad, Nana Adomako Nyamekye, came to see their liveshow while in the UK which was very special to them considering he is one of the highlife artists Arp Frique has grown to be very fond of. His deeply funky and bubbly bass driven song “Obra Twa Owuo” is about life and death, telling us we should all love each other as we still have life to live. Originally released on “Ano Plan” from 1982, the album is filled with philosophical advice. In his own words: “A message to all humans that something awaits us all at the end of life. Let’s live together with love.

Bnnyhunna, from the Ghanaian community in the Netherlands, joined Arp Frique’s live experience several times playing keyboards and synthesizers. His dad Elvis Kwasi Ankomah, just like him, developed a high level of musicianship while performing regularly in church. The song “Fa Wokoma Mame” (give me your heart) from his only studioalbum “Mfa Menko” released in 1995 is about showing his love to a lady but only if she puts her trust in him completely. The album talks about love, pain, relationships and life. Having worked with artists like Daddy Lumba, Nana Ampadu, Amakye Dede and many other hiplife and highlife legends, he still plays in church every week and has been doing so ever since he was 15 years young.

* Originally released in 1980 * New remastering * Japanese Obi-strip A Man For All Reasons' is classic album by American jazz keyboardist Hilton Felton released through his own label in 1980, and it is acclaimed not only for its musical reputation but also as an important work featured by many DJs and vinyl collectors in the rare groove culture since the 1990s. It is still a rare groove classic. P-vine Japan is pleased to announce the reissue of this masterpiece, featuring the superb jazz funk 'Bee Bop Boogie,' still considered a rare groove classic, with the latest re-mastering!

Heels & Souls Recordings step back to 1988 for their sixth reissue, relicensing and remastering Flair's anthemic soul number 'Chasin' The Rain.' For the uninitiated, strap yourself in for six blissful minutes of heavy bass licks, soaring vocals, and infectious synth lines.

Consisting of Janet Rose (aka UK Soul queen JB Rose), Joe Matz, Peter Bielig, and Peter Shindler, Flair was a predominantly German affair, with Rose being the only UK band member and Bieling living in London during the late '80s. This is a curious detail considering 'Chasin' The Rain' is often lauded today as a UK Soul classic - partially due to its release on the prolific UK label Champion. However, it's squeaky-clean production values, and the fact it was mixed and mastered at the famous Jankowski studio in Stuttgart by three Germans, reveals a somewhat different story.

The track has that UK street soul heavy low-end, but with a synth-pop flavour sprinkled in the mix - swinging synth lines and gated snares aplenty. Yet from chatting to Peter Bielig, who's been instrumental in getting this record reissued, the sounds sweeping across the Atlantic from the likes of Jam and Lewis, who blended R&B, funk, soul and pop, were clearly a big influence too.

Those were heady days for four young twenty-something musicians, with Peter recalling cherished memories these tracks bring back, telling of his and JB's PA sessions at London's Gulliver's nightclub. However, while 'Chasin' The Rain' had all the hallmarks of a chart-breaking hit, Champion prioritised other projects and the record never broke. Sadly the group disbanded after only two releases, and this musical gem was consigned to the crates of those in the know. Soon after, Peter Bielig went to Jamaica to work at Tough Gong Studios, working on albums for Rita Marley Music. He now lives in Brazil, producing local artists in his studio in Salvador.

Unfortunately, the master tapes were nowhere to be found, so we had the maestro, Sean P, rip and restore a mint copy of the record, with award-winning mastering engineer Cicely Balston working her studio magic for that added punch.

The second offering by The Revues continues to explore the intersectionsbetween Tejano music, Latin Soul, and funk. This updated take on Reney Rene's coveted version of "Mi Corazón Esta Llorando" is tough but witha touch of sweetness.On the flip side we get the instrumental version only with the vocalmelody being swapped out for tenor and alto saxes, heightening theTejano influence and flavor.

One can hardly imagine the genre-busting, culture-crossing musical magic of Outkast, Prince, Erykah Badu, Rick James, The Roots, or even the early Red Hot Chili Peppers without the influence of R&B pioneer Betty Davis. Her style of raw and revelatory punk-funk defies any notions that women can’t be visionaries in the worlds of rock and pop. In recent years, rappers from Ice Cube to Talib Kweli to Ludacris have rhymed over her intensely strong but sensual music.

There is one testimonial about Betty Davis that is universal: she was a woman ahead of her time. In our contemporary moment, this may not be as self-evident as it was thirty years ago – we live in an age that’s been profoundly changed by flamboyant flaunting of female sexuality: from Parlet to Madonna, Lil Kim to Kelis. Yet, back in 1973 when Betty Davis first showed up in her silver go-go boots, dazzling smile and towering Afro, who could you possibly have compared her to? Marva Whitney had the voice but not the independence. Labelle wouldn’t get sexy with their “Lady Marmalade” for another year while Millie Jackson wasn’t Feelin’ Bitchy until 1977. Even Tina Turner, the most obvious predecessor to Betty’s fierce style wasn’t completely out of Ike’s shadow until later in the decade.

Ms. Davis’s unique story, still sadly mostly unknown, is unlike any other in popular music. Betty wrote the song “Uptown” for the Chambers Brothers before marrying Miles Davis in the late ’60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jim i Hendrix — personally inspiring the classic album Bitches Brew.

But her songwriting ability was way ahead of its time as well. Betty not only wrote every song she ever recorded and produced every album after her first, but the young woman penned the tunes that got The Commodores signed to Motown. The Detroit label soon came calling, pitching a Motown songwriting deal, which Betty turned down. Motown wanted to own everything. Heading to the UK, Marc Bolan of T. Rex urged the creative dynamo to start writing for herself. A common thread throughout Betty’s career would be her unbending Do-It-Yourself ethic, which made her quickly turn down anyone who didn’t fit with the vision. She would eventually say no to Eric Clap ton as her album producer, seeing him as too banal.

Her 1974 sophomore album They Say I’m Different features a worthy-of-framing futuristic cover challenging David Bowie’s science fiction funk with real rocking soul-fire, kicked off with the savagely sexual “Shoo-B-Doop and Cop Him” (later sampled by Ice Cube). Her follow up is full of classic cuts like “Don’t Call Her No Tramp” and the hilarious, hard, deep funk of “He Was A Big Freak.”

Billow Observatory's second Extended Play in less than a year,Soliton maximizes the compact format by further illuminatinglesser-traveled paths. Contemplation and exploration weaveharmoniously through five mysterious tracks. Influenced by awide range of styles and sounds, such as Japanese ambient,the muted dissonance of Pharoah Sanders, and the chilly dubof the Scape catalog, Soliton evokes visions of lonely nightdrives punctuated by bright moments of bliss.The Calque EP from January 2023 saw them pursuing theminimal electronic side of their work even further. The openingtrack, "Kottbusser Tor," showcases a conspicuous absence ofthe processed guitars that characterize most of their work, andinstead explores sequenced filters, tape delays and analogsynth patterns for eight minutes. On "Ammosel", they divedirectly into dubby soundscapes, with crackling electronics anddeep basslines, while "Kiyosumi" and "Fade Into Air" pay a visitto more familiar ambient territory. A darker undercurrentpervades on this EP, but one that goes particularly well with thecoldest of seasons and its frosty air.The duo, consisting of Jason Kolb (Michigan, US) and JonasMunk (Denmark) started working together in 2006, sendingeach other tracks across the Atlantic, eventually resulting in afull-length release on Felte in 2012. What started out as a sideproject to their respective main projects (Auburn Lull andManual) have slowly become the main activity for both artists,now with a total of four full-lengths under their belt. Their musichas also evolved and matured over the years, reaching a levelof perfection that's only granted producers who've been in thegame for decades. Billow Observatory have by now establishedthemselves as purveyors of highly refined ambient music andthe Soliton EP sees them elegantly blend new and old,electronic and organic, into a gently drifting, enveloping whole.

Former Mind & Matter bandmates James "Jimmy Jam" Harris and Michael Dixon teamed up for 1978's gospel-boogie banger "You're All I Need" b/w "You're Everything" on the private Mad label.

Superjock Records is proud to present the 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition of Connie Price & The Keystones’ cinematic Psychedelic masterpiece “Wildflowers” for the first time on vinyl! Originally released in 2004 on Now-Again Records, the Expanded Edition features B-sides, EP cuts, and rarities from the vault. Masterminded by producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Ubick, the album also features members of Breakestra, Orgone, Poets of Rhythm, L.A. Carnival, Funk Inc., Dap Kings, and The Heliocentrics!