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The Numero Group, the label that brought us lab favorites like Antena and the Eccentric Soul series, returns with this collection of utterly obscure and delicious music from late 60s/early 70s Belize. According to the sleeve, "Belizians call it Boil Up, an...
expand review equal parts mix of r&b, calypso, reggae, bruckdown, soul, folk and whatever else can be found back on the bottom shelf of the musical pantry." Funk collectors will definitely recognize The Professionals breaks & fuzz guitar cover of "The Godfather Theme(1)," but the rest of it will be a completely new trip, so dig in. The other Professionals tracks on here (there are 4) include a great cover of "Backstabbers(2)" and the traditional "Guajida(3)" with Jesus Acosta. Lord Rhaburn also makes a big mark on the set with 4 tight ones including "Disco Connection(4)" and "Boogaloo A La Chuck(5)." The sum is a compact and unique set of music that you certainly won't come across anywhere else. Comes with extensive liner notes & original LP pics, painstakingly researched and remastered by the folks at Numero. -the mgmnt
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It's been said before, but it bears repeating: there's no way to really give a good description of these Cult Cargo comps in blurb form. To really appreciate these lovingly researched, carefully compiled little treasure troves, you gotta get it home, crack...
expand review open that (EXTENSIVE) booklet full of liner notes and rare pics, and immerse yourself in the experience. With that out of the way, here's the cut and dry on this new one from Lab faves, the Numero Group: "The second in our series of explorations of the pan-American funk experience, Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay is a deep overview of funky Nassau's redheaded sister city, Freeport, GBI. From 1969-1976, Frank Penn's GBI studio and label cranked out a dozen LPs and twice as many singles, all infected with the Miami sounds drifting in over the 100 mile strait. The catalog is a fruity blend of rake and scrape, bush, junkanoo, calypso, reggae, and of course, goombay, with a twist of American soul." If that kinda thing doesn't get your nerdus motor revving, you're on the wrong site. For audio confirmation, check Sylvia Hall's office favorite "Don't Touch That Thing(1)," Jay Mitchell's "I Am The Man For You Baby(2)," Ozzie Hall's version of Brubeck's "Take Five(3)," Frank Penn's "Gimme Some Skin(4)" or the outstanding pair of tunes from the Mustangs, "Watcha Gonna Do 'Bout It(5)" and "The Time For Loving Is Now(6)." 16 tracks; 76 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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I know we rave over every comp that Numero drops, but this is really something else: a ridiculously thorough compact disc / dual booklet documentation of NYC's Tap (1981-1983) featuring nearly every side the label released. Numero followers will recognize a few...
expand review tracks that've had their own 12" reissues (Jackie Stoudemire's outstanding disco shoulda-been "Invisible Wind(1)," the early disco rap styles on "Missy Missy Dee(2)" and "Rub A Dub Dub(3)") but many of the songs included here are being heard for the first time since their release, only recently unearthed from label founder Jeremiah Yisrael's collection. Check Arnie Love & The Lovettes with "Stop & Make Up Your Mind(4)" and their own take on "Invisible Wind," Annette Denvil's "So Nice(5)," and Bonnie Freeman's raw soul on the bonus track "Does He Really Mean It(6)." This CD edition comes housed in a slipsleeve, which holds two booklets (a reproduction song book and 23 pages of history/liners) plus a digipak for the CD. 14 tracks. Definitely recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This lush package containing the entirety of Ohio's Capsoul label's output is a perfect time capsule of authentic early '70s soul. The label's story, sympathetically recounted in a 15-page booklet, is a classic example of dreams and talent meeting the hard realities...
expand review of life's indifference, and it forms a great backdrop to the music. The sound is somewhere between hard-edged funk and polished Motown finesse, and I was gripped by the material from the start. Just listen to Marion Black's "Who Knows(1)," a spellbinding minor-key vamp that RJD2 nicked for "Smoke and Mirrors." Another immediately likable number is Kool Blue's "I'm Gonna Keep On Loving You(2)," an insistently jumping tambourine-led vocal number, sort of like Sam & Dave backed by the Funk Brothers. The irresistible beat and utter rarity of that original single have given this track a pedigree as a Northern Soul favorite, and anyone curious about that genre could do worse than take a listen. Elijah & the Ebonites' "Hot Grits!(3)" resurrects the groove-based instrumental "Pure Soul" from their back catalogue - a slight reworking of Monk Higgins's funk standard "Who Dunnit?" - and both versions are included here. Among the other highlights in this solid set are Bill Moss' "Sock It To 'Em Soul Brother(4)," a Gary Byrd-esque black pride anthem, and "You Can't Blame Me(5)" from Madlib fave Billy Wooten, with its searing dark groove riding crystalline vibes and a thumping kick drum. Top notch package assembled by Numero Group. -monk
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If you thought the story of the Deep City label ended with the last Eccentric Soul collection... think again! The fine folks of the Numero Group have comped up another 20 rare Miami funk and soul sides for your enjoyment, including stuff...
expand review like The Rollers' previously 45-only "Knockin' At The Wrong Door(1)" (a sweet, subtle soul bite on the J5's "Want You Back") and an early pair from the man who would become Blowfly, Clarence Reid ("No Way Out(2)" and "Don't Be A Fool"). There's some sharp funk from Snoopy Dean on "Your Love Won't Let Me Leave You(3)," the awesomely named Nasty Dog Catchers with "Nasty Dog, Part 2(4)" and Betty Wright still defending the fort against clean up women on the gunshot and funeral organ jam "Mr. Lucky(5)." For the weepers, we got Helene Smith's swaying "True Love Don't Grow On Trees(6)" and Lynn Williams' "Don't Be Surprised(7)," with lines like "Don't be surprised if you see me layin' on the railroad tracks / Don't be surprised if I let a train run up and down my back." Comes with a thick booklet featuring the usual in-depth Numero tales, reference notes, rare pics and label scans. 20 tracks; 56 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Returning to the lost soul city of Columbus, Ohio, the Numero Group has unearthed another piece of the tale they started to tell with their Capsoul Label collection. This time it's Capsoul's tiny crosstown rival, Prix, receiving the focus, as this CD...
expand review collects up a good portion of their rather limited output (less than a dozen singles released between 1969-1973!) and many previously unreleased tunes. Numero's liner notes always make these collections feel more like the culmination of a great mystery novel than a treasure trove of lost funk gems. You'll have to read for yourself to believe the former, but to hear the latter, check Eddie Ray's "Wait A Minute(1)," Joe King's "You're My Everything(2)," Mitch Mitchell & Gene King's "Never Walk Out On You(3)," Marion Black's "Listen Black Brother(4)" or the Royal Esquires' "Ain't Gonna Run(5)." 19 tracks; 53 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Every time a new one of these Eccentric Soul compilations lands on my plate for review, I always wish I had an extra week to really digest the thing before writing about it. There's always a slew of pictures to look at,...
expand review tons of detailed liner notes to read up on, not to mention the always-obscure tracks on the CD itself to sift through. Well, everything I said goes double for this one, a massive 2CD set of rare tracks from Chicago's legendary Twinight label. As if Twinight weren't storied enough already, even more shady intrigue came into play when Numero was putting this treasure trove together: not only were some key players in the chain unable and/or unwilling to return calls related to the project, but the myths around the label had grown so large that a number of tracks appearing here were only RUMORED to exist! Insanity. As expected, the sounds here drift from lovely Motown-style ballads to straight up hard soul/funk, with the best tracks falling somewhere in between. These are the tunes that never made it to radio, never turned a big profit for Twinight, so expect to hear some shit you haven't heard before: The Notations' breezy "Lonely People(1)," Dynamic Tints & Pieces of Peace's slow-burning funkers "Be My Lady(2)" and "Pass It On(3)" and Annette Poindexter's charmingly stringy "Mama(4)." And that's just the first disc! On CD number two, check Kaldirons' "You & Me Baby(5)," Mist's "Life Walked Out(6)," Nate Evans' "Pardon My Innocent Heart(7)," Annette Poindexter & Pieces of Peace's "Wayward Dream(8)" and Harrison & The Majestic Kind's "Tearing Me Up Inside(9)." Like I said, a lot to sift through here, including 40 tracks from over 20 different artists, a 32-page booklet, pictures, etc. But you'll sure be happy when you get to the bottom. Highly recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Another insanely obscure genre/scene, another nicely executed collection from the Numero Group. For those who don't know, Numero is the label behind the recent Wayfaring Strangers and Big Mack comps, which profiled female folkies from the canyons of Cali and a fledgling...
expand review 60s soul label from Detroit, respectively. This time, they've unearthed a whole heap of rare… gospel funk. That's right, gospel funk – "gospel by stealth," as they put it in the liner notes – was an almost non-existent sub-genre, though the tracks included here span from 1968 to 1980. Jesus-loving or not, this shit is neat and damn fonky and ranges from swirling Motown sounds to straight up hard funk. Choice cuts include 5 Spiritual Tones' "Bad Situation(1)" – an all-too-brief dissertation on why "people don't want to serve the Lord," with a plodding bassline – as well as the Mighty Voices of Reason's swelling "I Thank The Lord(2)" and the soulful blues guitar on the Gospel Comforters' "Jesus Will Help Me(3)." The organ-driver garage sound of the Universal Jubileers' "Childhood Days(4)" might be the best track here, but it's a close call with the wah-wah and bongos of LaVice & Co.'s "Thoughs Were The Days(5)." Everything here has been remastered from original sources, and it all sounds pretty damn good considering. This is also, so far as we know, the first Numero release to be made available on vinyl, and the 2LP edition comes in a deluxe heavy stock double LP sleeve with clean, crisp design. 18 songs; 58 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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In the early 70s, with the Jackson 5 blowing up, it seems lots of kids (or, more likely, parents) thought they could be the next MJ. From the J5's home state of Indiana to DC to Tampa to Chicago to LA, hordes...
expand review of pre-teen soul and pop acts appeared, and Numero's done the digging to uncover the best. The lyrical themes are exactly what you'd expect - Patrizia & Jimmy urge 'rents to "Trust Your Child(1)," while Maryland's Promise admits they're "Not Ready For Love(2)" - the playing is far from juvenile. Just check the shuffling drums and strong vibes of 3 Simmons' "You Are My Dream(3)" or the rich, full-bodied funk on Cindy & The Playmates' "Now That School Is Through(4)." Also really feeling Atons' "Yellow Ribbon(5)" and the riotous instrumental "2009 Cherry Soul Sound(6)" from Jr. & His Soulettes. Detailed liner notes and tons of pictures as always. 18 tracks total. -Larri Byrd
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"Soli" is the classical plural of "solo," and the latest comp in Numero's folksy Wayfaring Strangers series is definitely something special: 14 tracks of lush, Takoma-style acoustic guitar composition from descendents, disciples and contemporaries of American Primitive masters like Fahey, Kottke and...
expand review Basho. You might think an album of nothing but acoustic guitar would be tiring (and for some I'm sure it is!) but this is engrossing music if I've ever heard it. Fingerpicking and slide styles on both six- and twelve-string are repped to the fullest by artists ranging from 1968 to 1980 - just check the contrast between Ted Lucas' upbeat, Indian-influenced "Raga In D(1)" and Jim Ohlschmidt's intense "Delta Freeze(2)," the latter building as it goes with some nasty 12-string slide. Mark Lang employs both techniques on the wistful "Strawberry Man(3)," an ode to a neighborhood fruit vendor in Cali. More picks: Richard Crandell's "Diagonal(4)," Dan Lambert's "Charley Town(5)," Tom Smith's "Quidate Quierda(6)." The audio samples of these songs don't do them justice (though you'll know immediately if this is your thing or not). Can't say enough good things about this collection, and with summer rapidly approaching I anticipate many a chill session to these sweet tones. 14 tracks; 50 minutes. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Numero Group is establishing itself as the most interesting and thorough compilation label in the United States, slowly releasing top quality music from genres that are more or less completely untouched by the other heavies in the game. Sure, they have their...
expand review series microcosm funk label compilations, but they've also brought us such diverse (and delicious) pieces as the Antenna album, Yellow Pills, and funk from Belize. This one starts their journey into the vast land of private press folk albums (read: ultra raer and so in demand right now), spearheaded by the hippie goddess women that we shall heretofore refer to as Ladies From The Canyon. Playing this cd is a lot like putting on a new and kinda wild jacket that you aren't sure you can pull off. Maybe a little self-conscious at first, but once you've decided you can pull it off and you've stopped giving a shit, the thing feels perfect. Check out selections like Shira Small's "Eternal Life(1)," Caroline Peyton's absorbing vocals on "Engram(2)," Marj Snyder's "Rain(3)," the windsong of Collie Ryan's "Cricket(4)" and Barbara Sipple's "Song For Life(5)." All 14 selections come from records that were pressed in absolutely miniscule numbers, and Numero does us the favor of including a great booklet with a double page spread on each artist (original album scans included). If you've got a soft spot for softies and sweet music, you should check this out. -the mgmnt
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