Record Store Day 2023 27 Items

1500 pressed. Following his million-selling hit “Show and Tell”, Al Wilson went on to release this second Rocky Road record in 1973. With a host of different producers contributing to these works, Weighing In is a predominantly smooth soul album infused with Al Wilson’s famed gritty soul vocals and an essence of ‘60s rock.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this record is reissued here on heavyweight orange vinyl.

Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 exclusive release Limited 180g Deluxe Double Vinyl Edition (1000 copies) with obi strip Rare unearthed Dutch recordings from 1970 Featuring an all-star line-up First Time ON Vinyl Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster (born Kansas City, 1909) needs little introduction, Webster is regarded as one of the three foremost swing era tenor saxophonists – the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Webster became famous for his unique sound, quick tempos, his solos that contained great virile rhythmic momentum, a rasping timbre and an almost brutal aggressiveness filled with growl, while his ballad playing was breathy, tender and sensual. The list of his collaborations is long, Ben Webster worked, recorded and played with legends from the likes of Art Tatum, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Roy Eldridge and Dexter Gordon…but a dream came true when he was offered a permanent job in Duke Ellington’s orchestra where his personal style matured. Webster stayed with Ellington until 1943, after which he formed his own groups and played with other small ensembles. From 1952 on he spent his time between Los Angeles and New York playing, freelancing and recording with a variety of soloists, among them high-profile singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and Frank Sinatra. Despite excellent reviews of his albums, it was difficult for Webster to find steady work in the US during the early 1960’s, and when in 1964 he got offered to play for a month in London he accepted and sailed to England. Webster never returned to the United States. In Europe he found plenty of work, playing residences in Scandinavia, settled in Amsterdam (1966-69) and then in Copenhagen (where he even has a street named after him). He toured frequently, playing in clubs and at big festivals with local bands or with visiting American musicians. Ben Webster suffered a stroke in Amsterdam in September 1973 following a performance in Leiden and died on September 20. Even when his health started to decline during his last years, his playing never did. To the last day Webster played with passion and intensity, delivering weight on every note. Webster is the subject of two renowned documentaries and two extensive biographies have been published about his legacy. Responsible for a plethora of excellent recordings he remains THE best-selling tenor saxophonist in jazz. Ben Webster was one of those unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording (He recorded for prestigious labels including Verve, Impulse!, Prestige, Reprise, Blue Note…and countless others. On the album we are proudly presenting you today (Wayfaring Stranger recorded in 1970 by the NPS Radio network in The Netherlands) you will find mind-blowing high-quality Dutch sessions that were left dormant on a shelf and weren’t commercially released for over 30 years! On ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ the listener is treated to no less than nine sublime tracks that document Webster’s trademark relaxed-swinging but imaginative playing style that never gets boring. The album features an all-star line-up from the likes of Rob Langereis (Toots Thielemans), John Engels (Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie) and Cees Slinger (Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton). Expect a 61-year-old Ben Webster in excellent form giving a warm, dusky, gritty yet funky performance where he delivers everything from up-tempo material, 12-bar blues jams to soulful expressive ballads. Webster’s quartet is in constant musical dialog with each other, creating a unique back and forth between musicians at the top of their game. Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the First Ever vinyl release of this fantastic album (originally released as a limited Compact Disc edition back in 2000). This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g Double vinyl edition (strictly limited to 1000 copies) with obi strip. Released exclusively for Record Store Day Black Friday (UK & Europe) 2023 and available in participating stores on November 24, 2023.

Once dubbed the Magic City, by 1983 Gary, Indiana, had fallen on hard times. Over the previous decade the steel capital of America hemorrhaged half its population, including the Jackson 5, and changed its distinction to America’s murder capital. Lost in this transition was Billy Foster & Audio’s, joyfully beaming, self-titled disco-jazz LP. Recorded under the watchful eye of Bill McQueen, Foster and his band serve up a culmination of his musical experiences, utilizing his jazz training on the piano-forward ‘Sometimes’ and employing his synthesizer pop finesse on ‘I Need Your Love’.

Hoping to plant his flag in Gary’s musical canon, Foster issued the LP via his own Equistar imprint, distributing the release as far as a tank of gas could carry him. Two follow ups appeared in ’86 and ’89, but by that point Gary was in deep decline. Audio disbanded in 1993, the year Gary claimed its murder capital distinction. Original picture sleeve, remastered, LTD Edition 180g vinyl press.

Harry Whitaker is a piano player, producer and arranger who at the age of 26 recorded Black Renaissance "Body, Mind, and Spirit," a holy grail amongst collectors of soul-jazz and rare groove, and an album so rare it's virtually a myth to many. Made up of two long tracks that periodically build and release for forty minutes over two sides of an LP it's an improvised masterpiece combining Afrocentric spiritual soul, jazz, poetry, amazing solos, a tasty bass line or two and more than a fair share of funky beats. It's also one of the earliest jazz albums to feature rapping. "I called the project Black Renaissance because that is what I wanted to see happen - especially in music. I describe it as Dixieland circa 1976 - by the end of the songs everyone is playing together." Given its rarity, when asked if he was surprised that people knew about the album Whitaker jokes "I've told enough people about it over the years! Now they can actually hear it. It was a record before its time. It's not a commercial release - I think of it as classical. You can call it jazz, but it's free, it's got African roots, it's for people who dig that sound.” Harry Whitaker has enjoyed a successful career as a producer, arranger and composer, cutting his teeth on the best of the Roy Ayers Ubiquity releases and making a living working closely with Roberta Flack - as her musical director, even playing on her big Eugene McDaniels' written hit "I Feel Like Makin' Love." Black Renaissance "Body, Mind, and Spirit," was his first attempt at a project where he wrote and composed the music and played keys on both tracks.

Silver vinyl RSD edition
First released in 1980
High-quality vinyl audio restoration
Spot UV-printed sleeve
Printed inner sleeve with bio
Silver chrome hype sticker
Played by Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio
Mellow jazzy soul, AOR, hints of yacht rock, R&B, and uptempo funk

* Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 (UK & Europe) exclusive release * Limited 180g Vinyl Edition (1000 copies) with obi strip * Rare 1972 Conceptual Funk-Soul-Jazz album * Comes with extensive sleeve notes * First Ever Vinyl Reissue Galt MacDermot (1928-2018) was an award-winning Canadian-American composer, pianist, writer of classical music and theatrical pieces. MacDermot also composed music for several film soundtracks (like the 1970 blaxploitation film ‘Cotton Comes To Harlem’) and released several exceptional jazz and funk albums on his own label Kilmarnock Records. He is best known for his work on the Grammy winning 1967 musical Hair (which also produced several number-one singles like “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In”) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (1971) for which he won a Tony Award. In 2009 Galt MacDermot was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and in 2010 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1979, MacDermot formed the New Pulse Jazz Band, which performed and recorded his original music. Galt MacDermot's music is extremely popular with collectors of jazz and funk. Working with jazz and soul musicians such as Bernard Purdie and Idris Muhammad, MacDermot created pieces that used African rhythms (he made the study of African music his speciality). In recent decades, his work has become popular with hip-hop musicians including Busta Rhymes, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Gang Starr, Action Bronson, Public Enemy, MF Doom, Madlib, J Dilla, Obie Trice, Naughty By Nature, Run DMC and Digable Planets…the list is endless. The album we are proudly presenting you today (Ghetto Suite written in 1970 and released in 1972) is considered one of the most ground-breaking records ever issued on Galt MacDermot’s Killmarnock label and consists out of a selection of songs and poems by Harlem/Bronx school children, set to Galt’s music, and sung by vocalist Angela Ortega. Given That Galt’s handling the music, you can bet that there’s plenty of nicely executed funky touches-supported by rolling bass-work, snapping drums, and organ virtuosity. But the real charm of these groovy tunes comes from the lyrics, which have a simple and to the point way of dealing with issues of racism, poverty and other issues of the time. The story telling is surprisingly gripping even after all these years. The whole album creates an extremely personal direct sensitivity to the environment of Ghetto kids…telling us with defiantly honest intensity what it was like to be young and black, the drugs and the deaths, the topic of incarceration…or simply the fact of being battered by the frustration of Ghetto existence. Ghetto Suite is way more than an entertainment record, it has been used by teachers and counsellors to inspire and motivate the muted voices of the black inner cities…documenting both their anguish and their triumphs. Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the First Ever vinyl reissue of this exceptional conceptual album (originally released in 1972 and a highly sought-after pricey collectable ever since) This unique record now comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (strictly limited to 1000 copies) with obi strip and features the original artwork and extensive sleeve notes. Released exclusively for Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 (UK & Europe) and available in participating stores on November 24, 2023.

A cherished cut from the Cheri Records back catalogue. Crossover creaminess from the relatively under the radar Hyla Parker, with both sides written by Ted Daryll (Theodore Meister) who wrote hits like Melba Moore’s ‘Touch' and Jerry Bulter ‘Good Times’ (famously sampled by Jamie XX).

The A side is a beautiful stepper love song titled ‘Joe’, harnessing a lovely guitar-led groove with a soaring string section in accompaniment. The B side delves even deeper with a gorgeous deep soul number aptly named ‘Quiet Tunes’. It's easy to hear why this record is so sought after. Brown label version original black sleeve.

Two classic Jackie Stoudemire gems, ‘Flying High’ and ‘Guilty’ get a long overdue reissue, the former of which has never been available on vinyl before.

Picked up by Tap Records impresario Jeremiah Yisrael, Jackie spent the lion’s share of 1982 in the studio with Yisrael, the prolific Gene Redd and dozens of musicians, including purportedly Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra.

Ten songs were recorded over the course of the year, and two of the standouts are pressed loud and proud on either side of this limited 7 inch. First up the funk-fuelled, slick and stylish disco number ‘Flying High’, pressed for the first time ever to vinyl. ‘Guilty’ takes the B, one of the last songs Gene Redd would ever pen and some of the finest production work in a career that spanned four decades. Disco at its brilliant best. Yellow label version white sleeve.

Attn.: We did not receive this record in time for RSD, but we will get it this week.

Originally released in 1972 and reissued by Luv N'Haight in 1996 in limited quantities. This is the first time pressing on 180g vinyl with an old-school tip-on jacket. John Legend & The Roots famously covered the title track "Hang On In There" on their album Wake Up and subsequently won the Grammy for Best Traditional R&B performance in 2014.

This incredibly rare 1978 double header from Richard Caiton on JB's Records (New Orleans) gets a much-deserved reissue. A magnificent slice of New Orleans history right here, that has been crying out for a reissue considering the only copy on Discogs is currently listed for a bank-breaking £2500. A soul swooning, love song titled ‘Thank You’ backed with the exquisite modern soul dancer ‘Where Is The Love’ arranged by the mighty ‘Wardell Quezerque’. Yellow label version original white sleeve.

A deep, funk-fuelled Smithstonian double sider, straight outta Memphis. An eerie spiritual soul track ‘Mississippi Mud’ on the A side, paired with an equally low-slung funk number ‘Just Sitting’ on the B. The original changes hands for £250+…so buy or cry! Black label version original black sleeve.

Record Store Day 2023 limited release with regional focus limited to 1000 copies. Soul Jazz Records’ new Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul: Gospel, Funk and Soul at the Crossroads 1971-83 is a one-off limited-edition heavyweight red vinyl pressing + download code exclusively for Record Store Day 2023.

The album draws upon the extensive links between Black American Gospel music and Soul music, showing how the sensibilities of gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Andraé Crouch and others crossed over into secular soul music during this period.
Many of the most successful soul artists – from Aretha Franklin to Al Green, The Staples Singers to Sam Cooke – all drew upon their upbringing in the church for their musical inspiration. This album discusses how important the links between the Black church and Soul music were in creating Soul, and spotlights some of the many important (and also little-known) Gospel artists who walked this line between sacred music and soul, funk and disco in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul shows how sacred Gospel music was at home with Stevie Wonder and Blaxploitation-style funk and produced music celebrated both in New York’s underground discos (The Paradise Garage, Studio 54, etc) and later sampled by the likes of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige.

Record Store Day 2023 exclusive release limited to 1410 copies.
Known to many for their uplifting hit song “O-o-h Child,” Stairsteps (formerly The Five Stairsteps) were The First Family of Soul, providing the template for family bands like The Jackson 5. Originally discovered by Curtis Mayfield, they were introduced to The Beatles by Billy Preston. George Harrison signed the band to Dark Horse Records in 1975 and put out the band’s final album, 2nd Resurrection, which featured one of their biggest hits, “From Us To You.” Billy Preston played synthesizer and served as co-producer alongside Robert Margouleff.

LTD edition orange vinyl with Selector Series picture sleeve and free holographic sticker. Two classics reimagined with a West Coast jazz-funk feel for the first time on a 45. The A side, a rocky fusion version of The Beginning Of The End's ‘Funky Nassau’, and the B side, a psychedelic take on Isaac Hayes' ‘Shaft’. These obscure covers from The Chuck Boris Trio have remained in only the deepest of collector’s bags with the LP going for well over £100, now remastered on either side of a beautifully packaged 7 inch.

The heaviest of jazz funk grooves from the musical melting pot of New Orleans, The Dome City Rock Orchestra – Quiet Village is a super rare slice of tight-as-you-like talent, that commands prices of over £200 for an original 7 inch, if you can ever find one. Bursting with energy as synthesisers swirl around flutes, bongos dance over drums to create a cosmic whirlwind that enthrals any ear it worms its way into. Orange label version original black sleeve.

Top-Werkschau der Philly-Soul-Band The Ethics, die sich 1967 in Philadelphia gründete, von Künstlern wie Madlib, Four Tet, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa und Logic gesampled wurde und von Cratediggern verehrt wird. Mit 15 Songs, darunter fünf, die erstmals auf Vinyl erscheinen. Weisses Vinyl.

This masterful slab of Louisiana loveliness from Willie Tee’s band The Gaturs, gets a much called for reissue. By far the rarest of the Gaturs’ releases, the only copy for sale on Discogs would set you back the princely sum of £2500. A fiery funk workout from the New Orlean’s band, exquisitely tight, unquestionably absorbing – they don’t get much better than this. Green label version original black sleeve.

A must have double sider from Harvey Scales & The Seven Seas, containing two of the rarest tracks from their much sought after back catalogue. Originals have sold for eye watering sums of over £1700 in the past, attaining to its rarity but also the sheer quality of the music pressed into its grooves. ‘Trying To Survive’ is one of the great social-consciousness anthems and a slice of pure lyrical genius, whilst ‘Bump Your Thang’ hits with a heavy funk workout, channelling James Brown-esque energy in Chicago shoes. Red label version original black sleeve.

Incredibly sought after (and once bootlegged) sweet modern soul track from Georgia's Tony Troutman. Feel-good grooves, delicious harmonies and joyous vocals make for a recipe that will lift any lacklustre mood. Finally released as an official reissue with original label artwork this super rare record, has been known to change hands for over £800 in the past, with only the top diggers able to hunt down this one. Yellow label version, white sleeve.

A first official reissue of this vintage Houston double header from TSU Toronados – the house band for Ovide who recorded the original ‘Tighten Up’ riff. With originals of the 7 inch selling on the second-hand market for £300+, it’s high time a reissue hit the shelves.

Side A sees a crossover, mellow groove classic in the form of ‘Please Heart Don’t Break’ full to the brim with emotion encapsulated in those sweet vocals and harmonies. On the flip you’re treated to the energetic excellence of ‘Ain’t Nothin’ Nowhere’, an up-tempo funk jam with a raucous trading off of voices in the mix. Two super collectable cuts across a multitude of scenes. Red label version original black sleeve.

RSD 2023 indie exclusive.

Collection of rare and previously unreleased demo recordings of some of Stax Records’ biggest hits. Pressed on Orange Crush vinyl.

Two Velvet Hammer heaters reissued officially for the first time since 1977, 45 years since their original release this time on limited edition red vinyl. An essential slice of Chicago history via Soozi Records, ‘Party Hardy’ is a gorgeous disco groover whilst the B, ‘Happy’, is the ultimate feel-good modern soul classic and about as anthemic as they get. The appeal of this record knows no limits, whether you’ve heard it once or one hundred times. With mint originals being virtually impossible to get your hands on and 2nd hand copies that do come up, clocking in at £250+, this is a reissue which will please many a music lover. Red 7" vinyl in black sleeve.

Quantity: 2000
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release

The World is a Ghetto was WAR's 1973 funk/R&B/latin fusion jam, which became the top selling record in America that year. It features "Cisco Kid" inspired by the popular mid-century TV show, The title Track, "The World Is A Ghetto" which has been sampled in more than 31 hip hop songs, including tracks by Geto Boys, Ice T-, and A$ap Mob, instrumental jam "City, Country, City," Four Cornered Room, Beetles In The Bog, and Where Was You At. This release features the progressions of the two key tracks (Cisco Kid and The World Is A Ghetto), and alternate takes/reimaginings of the remaining tracks

First official reissue of this essential and insanely rare Willie Tee double sider. New Orleans gold from the Nola vaults, the A side ‘Please Don’t Go’ is a certified Northern Soul classic with the flip a fantastic smokey, low slung soulful number that’s become a real collector’s favourite. With original copies having traded hands for £1800 in the past, it’s high time this was made available to a new generation of listeners. Red label version original black sleeve.